This isn't a post about the current Sabres struggling mightily, despite a victory in Tampa Bay last night. Instead this is a post about some former Buffalo Sabres. Yes this idea was blatantly ripped off of Pensburgh (incidentally tomorrow's opponent). Frank does such a good job over there that he makes it easy to steal his ideas. Anyway if you wondering how former Sabres were doing, wonder no more because today we are taking a look at these players.
Departed Players from 07-08
The 07-08 list is not going to be anywhere near as entertaining as the 06-07 list. It's no accident that the team missed the playoffs last year and the 06-07 team won the Presidents Trophy. There are three guys from this season that I can't even tell you about...Jocelyn Thibault is currently out of hockey, Michael Ryan is playing for the Albany River Rats of the AHL (he has played in two games for the Carolina Hurricanes this season) and Nolan Pratt is playing for Khabarovsk Amur if the KHL. On to the list...
Campbell was traded to San Jose at the trade deadline last season and he eventually signed a huge off-season contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. He is having a decent season but I'm still not sure he is living up to that huge contract. The Sabres struggling defense could definitely use him but not at his huge price tag.
Next Game vs. Buffalo: January 14, 2009
Next Game in Buffalo: No scheduled games
It looks like the Sabres may have made a good decision trading away Bernier in the off-season. He signed a contract that probably was not deserving because the St. Louis Blues signed him to an offer sheet and forced the Canucks to match. Bernier spent most of this season playing on the second line and he has only scored five goals. After missing a game to injury recently, he was put on the fourth line. $2.5 million is a lot of money for a fourth liner. Of course we are paying $3.5 million to Afinogenov but I digress.
Next Game vs. Buffalo: None Scheduled
I can honestly say that I have never been more happy to see a player leave town than I was when Kalinin left. No one player has ever bothered me to the same extent. The biggest problem with Dmitri was inconsistency. At times he was the best player on the ice but most of the time you would watch in amazement that one player could be so bad and still play in the NHL. His stats this season appear to be even more awful than his usual standard...a minus 13? Really? Sorry Rangers fans but I'm glad he is your problem now.
Next Game vs. Sabres: January 9, 2009
Next Game in Buffalo: January 9, 2009
Departed Players from 06-07
This is a much bigger list and has some bigger names as well. Some of these guys created quite a stir in Buffalo and others were allowed to leave quietly.
Briere continues to be a point per game player when he can stay on the ice. The problem with Danny this season has been injuries. He has played in only nine games this season because of various injuries. The most recent injury has shim sidelined for about five weeks. If Philadelphia can stay in the playoff race without him, he will be a big help when he comes back.
Next Game vs. Sabres: February 19, 2009
Next Game in Buffalo: March 20, 2009
The stats above are certainly not what we had come to expect from Drury in Buffalo. He is a minus player and on pace for only 40 points this season. The one thing that hasn't changed for Dru is his leadership. In just his second season with the Rangers he has been named the Captain after Jaromir Jagr left to play in the KHL. Drury has been the target of much criticism from Rangers fans because of his poor play but he has been much better recently. Still Drury is a minus six on one of the best teams in the NHL... a stat that nobody is happy with.
Next Game vs. Sabres: January 9, 2009
Next Game in Buffalo: January 9, 2009
Novotny is just one in a long list of wasted first round draft picks for the Sabres. Not only did they waste a first rounder on him but it took him and another future first round pick to get Dainius Zubrus from Washington Capitals when the Sabres were trying to make a run to the Stanley Cup. The Jackets have to be pleased that Novotny is a plus five in his 15 games played. That is no small feat on a team that is near the bottom of the standings in the Western Conference.
Next Game vs. Buffalo: None Scheduled
The thing I liked the most about Zubrus in his short time here was his all around game. It looks like New Jersey is getting more of the same out of him. He is an impressive plus seven and he has scored six goals. The Devils would probably like to get more offensive production out of him since that was his specialty at one time. As he gets older he seems to have leveled off offensively but he is much better in the defensive end of the rink.
Next Game vs. Buffalo: December 13, 2008
Next Game in Buffalo: December 17, 2008
Let's be honest...Conklin was not very good when he played for Buffalo. He made his name last season in Pittsburgh when he replaced Marc-Andre Fluery and set the worl on fire. As a Sabres fan it was aggravating watching him beat us on a couple of occasions last year, especially in the Winter Classic. If there is one thing I would say about Conk...he is always a professional. He is a guy that I would want on my team at anytime and that is why the Detroit Red Wings went out and got him this off-season.
Next Game vs. Buffalo: January 10, 2009
Next Game in Buffalo: April 6, 2009
It was nice to see Marty get a chance to be a number one Goalie because he may be the most liked Buffalo Sports figure ever. Marty was and still is the guy that the TV Networks want to mic up in hopes of some quality audio clips. I'll never forget when he was making fun of Eric Staal from the bench in the Eastern Conference Finals that were eventually won by Carolina. As far as his on-ice play...he has been inconsistent at best. At times he looks like one of the best goalies in the league but others he looks lost, as evident by his 2.94 Goals Against Average.
Next Game vs. Sabres: February 19, 2009
Next Game in Buffalo: March 20, 2009