Its pretty obvious the direction we were headed with this team. We've literally sold off all our assets. We dont have anything desirable anymore on offense (in terms of NHL players) outside of Moulson, and had Darcy been the GM you bet your ass Moulson would be out the door by TDD.

This was completely done on purpose. And the more I think about it, the more I think Pegula was initially alright with it. But the fan in him caved into pressure and fired Darcy because the fanbase became restless. Why else would he turn to hire Lafontaine and Nolan?
- theblueandgold

Obviously. Some people however make it sound like we're throwing games or something.

Its pretty obvious the direction we were headed with this team. We've literally sold off all our assets. We dont have anything desirable anymore on offense (in terms of NHL players) outside of Moulson, and had Darcy been the GM you bet your ass Moulson would be out the door by TDD.

This was completely done on purpose. And the more I think about it, the more I think Pegula was initially alright with it. But the fan in him caved into pressure and fired Darcy because the fanbase became restless. Why else would he turn to hire Lafontaine and Nolan?
- theblueandgold

I think Darcy and RR were supposed to get though atleast this season if not most of next. I think he wanted his guy hired after next year when the tank is over so now he needs a stop gap

Id be fine with the original have Allen and Enroth battle for playing time as they say competition raises your play.
Ratteie im fine with, yes id prefer stewart or ohsie but those are important peices of what they are doing right now. Toss in a few picks and chips to move for other assests.
- hubie

A GM hire would be nice

A GM hire would be nice
- SABRES 89

+1

Its pretty obvious the direction we were headed with this team. We've literally sold off all our assets. We dont have anything desirable anymore on offense (in terms of NHL players) outside of Moulson, and had Darcy been the GM you bet your ass Moulson would be out the door by TDD.

This was completely done on purpose. And the more I think about it, the more I think Pegula was initially alright with it. But the fan in him caved into pressure and fired Darcy because the fanbase became restless. Why else would he turn to hire Lafontaine and Nolan?
- theblueandgold

no way should Darcy or Rolston be here for the rebuild or retool, Darcy has done enough damage over 17 years.

+1
- ImThatGuy

I understand they want the right guy I really do but, you have a list and have probably narrowed it down by now. LaFontaine needs to make a choice.

A GM hire would be nice
- SABRES 89

I just want teh right hire, I dont want to see what happened last year happen again. I have this bad feeling Cal & Gary will hire a guy then the next day Patty saying of that was the guy I wanted oh shucks.

All I knwo is if we get Feaster or Garth Snow when hes fired ill start fligging babies from my seats

I think Darcy and RR were supposed to get though atleast this season if not most of next. I think he wanted his guy hired after next year when the tank is over so now he needs a stop gap
- hubie

Pegula hired Lafontaine and Nolan because they are fan favorites. Nothing more nothing less. It was to take the sting away from everything that happens.

Look how the discussion shifted -- its no longer "fire darcy" "Rolston sucks" but more so "Nolan has this team working hard" "at least we're trying"

In reality, the team is virtually the same. Still losing games, and most of them by 1 goal. The "effort" stems from frustration and wanting to show youre better than you really are... combined with other teams not trying as hard

I just want teh right hire, I dont want to see what happened last year happen again. I have this bad feeling Cal & Gary will hire a guy then the next day Patty saying of that was the guy I wanted oh shucks.

All I knwo is if we get Feaster or Garth Snow when hes fired ill start fligging babies from my seats
- hubie

I doubt they are that stupid to hire Snow or Feaster, i'm sure it will be Benning, Boterill or another one that was mentioned already.

I dream of Eichel-McDavid-Reinhart pp unit in our future
- hubie

Don't know much about Eichel except that he's been compared to Modano. Is he considered a top 10 pick in the 2015 draft?

I just want teh right hire, I dont want to see what happened last year happen again. I have this bad feeling Cal & Gary will hire a guy then the next day Patty saying of that was the guy I wanted oh shucks.

All I knwo is if we get Feaster or Garth Snow when hes fired ill start fligging babies from my seats
- hubie

We don't even need a GM right now. Patty can trade Miller and that's all we need to do from now until the draft.

Pegula hired Lafontaine and Nolan because they are fan favorites. Nothing more nothing less. It was to take the sting away from everything that happens.

Look how the discussion shifted -- its no longer "fire darcy" "Rolston sucks" but more so "Nolan has this team working hard" "at least we're trying"

In reality, the team is virtually the same. Still losing games, and most of them by 1 goal. The "effort" stems from frustration and wanting to show youre better than you really are... combined with other teams not trying as hard
- theblueandgold

Can't score goals with 3rd and 4th line players and that's what we have, a number 1 center would be nice as well but that won't happen.

Pegula hired Lafontaine and Nolan because they are fan favorites. Nothing more nothing less. It was to take the sting away from everything that happens.

Look how the discussion shifted -- its no longer "fire darcy" "Rolston sucks" but more so "Nolan has this team working hard" "at least we're trying"

In reality, the team is virtually the same. Still losing games, and most of them by 1 goal. The "effort" stems from frustration and wanting to show youre better than you really are... combined with other teams not trying as hard
- theblueandgold

I agree the "blame" has been completely deflected but that wont last forever, thats why I think the previous were supposed to make though the season. That way the new regime next year would have well we just got a top 2 pick and have 2 top picks next year for the new guy

If you get a guy like McDavid, and he really is that good, you've accelerated the rebuild process. If you don't end up getting him, you've set yourself back for an even longer rebuild. You can make your team more competitive through good trades and solid depth FA signings.
- buffalofan19

Like I said the word is the 2015 draft is the deepest in over a decade . What do we have to lose ? Another 10 years of being mediocre at best ? I want Buffalo to be the team that is at the top year after year . Not scratching and clawing to just make the playoffs.

I agree the "blame" has been completely deflected but that wont last forever, thats why I think the previous were supposed to make though the season. That way the new regime next year would have well we just got a top 2 pick and have 2 top picks next year for the new guy
- hubie

By the looks of it I thinm it's safe to say that Nolan is your " new guy" and i'm fine with that. Just start getting rid of the players that will not fit your system.... LEINO for starters.

Don't know much about Eichel except that he's been compared to Modano. Is he considered a top 10 pick in the 2015 draft?
- 100goalseason

slotted at # 2

Jake Eichel US u18 committed to BU
Dylan Strome Erie Otters
Matthew Brazzel Can
NOah Hanifan (D) US HS verbal to BC

We don't even need a GM right now. Patty can trade Miller and that's all we need to do from now until the draft.
- sambarugh

Yes we do need a GM. LaFontaine has said himself he is not qualified to make those types of decisions.

no way should Darcy or Rolston be here for the rebuild or retool, Darcy has done enough damage over 17 years.
- SABRES 89

Its funny because Darcy is going to be at least 50% responsible if not more for a quick rebuild. When we are drafting high in the draft, thats because Darcy purposefully did that. All these multiple first round picks, multiple 2nd round picks.

The next GM has a plethora of available assets to really turn this ship around, and its all because of Darcy. If Darcy's plan was to get McDavid, I'm okay with that. And if it happens you can thank Darcy and no one else.

Like I said the word is the 2015 draft is the deepest in over a decade . What do we have to lose ? Another 10 years of being mediocre at best ? I want Buffalo to be the team that is at the top year after year . Not scratching and clawing to just make the playoffs.
- Maximum Signal

another 10 years? you can't be serious nobody is going to go for that, fans or ownership.

Its funny because Darcy is going to be at least 50% responsible if not more for a quick rebuild. When we are drafting high in the draft, thats because Darcy purposefully did that. All these multiple first round picks, multiple 2nd round picks.

The next GM has a plethora of available assets to really turn this ship around, and its all because of Darcy. If Darcy's plan was to get McDavid, I'm okay with that. And if it happens you can thank Darcy and no one else.
- theblueandgold

I understand your point however, I will never give Darcy credit because he did more harm then good and when he wanted to start doing good, it's to late. He had 17 years to make a winner and he didn't.

I understand they want the right guy I really do but, you have a list and have probably narrowed it down by now. LaFontaine needs to make a choice.
- SABRES 89

I agree. LaFontaine's probably interviewed everyone that he's considering by this point. He does need to make a decision. I noticed Burke mentioned one of the reason's for the Feaster firing was that another team is looking for a GM and he didn't want to miss out on the right guy.

Also, was wondering if the Sabres hire Benning or Botteril, do they need to pay the other team any compensation? I'm sure Pegula's fine with that, but I am curious.

another 10 years? you can't be serious nobody is going to go for that, fans or ownership.
- SABRES 89

That is what will happen if you do not embrace the tank . I want a team at the top of the standings ! So going into the playoffs they are resting people . Not having to win for their playoff lives every night just to get in . Then when they playoffs come and they make it , They have nothing left in the tank.

I understand your point however, I will never give Darcy credit because he did more harm then good and when he wanted to start doing good, it's to late. He had 17 years to make a winner and he didn't.
- SABRES 89

Darcy built the best team in franchise history. The only team in Sabres history to win the Presidents trophy. He built a solid team, the best in the NHL, its too bad Ruff didnt know how to coach once the team got in the playoffs.

Its also too bad we had a money conscious owner at the time that just wanted to break even, otherwise, we wouldve been a top team after signing Briere and Drury to long term deals. Problems came about when Darcy was forced to choose 1 of those 2 instead of both.

Darcy added Leino, Ehrhoff, and Regher to a team that made the playoffs the prior year.... and then everything went downhill from there.

By the looks of it I thinm it's safe to say that Nolan is your " new guy" and i'm fine with that. Just start getting rid of the players that will not fit your system.... LEINO for starters.
- SABRES 89

We'll need Leinos contract the new few season to hit the cap floor unfortunately, unless of course some big moves are made.

That is what will happen if you do not embrace the tank . I want a team at the top of the standings ! So going into the playoffs they are resting people . Not having to win for their playoff lives every night just to get in . Then when they playoffs come and they make it , They have nothing left in the tank.
- Maximum Signal

I do not or will not support tanking in any way, you can't keep tanking and expexct players to sign here and you can't win iceing a team full of kids. You throw kids in that aren't ready and it makes matters worse, you won't see another 5- 10 years of this team being bad, Pegula won't let that happen.