Best team in Sabres history? I'd bet 1974-75 was a better team. Anyway, Darcy didn't add depth to the D at the dealine the year they lost to Carolina, the Sabres haven't had a stud forward, except for Darcy lucking out with Briere in his 17 years as a GM. Briere was the only top line center they have had in his many, many years as the GM and he was a small center. He stupidly built the team around a supplemental, hot and cold player like Vanek after he put all his cards in signing Drury and then lost both Briere and Drury. Darcy was deficient in his role as GM. Drafting sucked too by the way.
- GilPerreault11

The league today is a lot more competitive than it was back in 74-75. To build a team that wins the franchise's only Presidents Trophy in today's NHL, yes... that is the best team in franchise history.

As for the rest of that, its the typical popular tunnel vision viewpoint on Darcy as a GM.

Sounds like youve read too much Buffalo News and the agenda's they spew about Buffalo Sabres on a daily basis.

They had 113 pts in 1974-75 how many points did they have when they won the Presidents Trophy? I'd take Perreault, Martin, Robert, Gare, Luce and Ramsay over Briere, Drury, Vanek, Connolly and Roy every friggen day of the week.
- GilPerreault11

Also 113

Best team in Sabres history? I'd bet 1974-75 was a better team. Anyway, Darcy didn't add depth to the D at the dealine the year they lost to Carolina, the Sabres haven't had a stud forward, except for Darcy lucking out with Briere in his 17 years as a GM. Briere was the only top line center they have had in his many, many years as the GM and he was a small center. He stupidly built the team around a supplemental, hot and cold player like Vanek after he put all his cards in signing Drury and then lost both Briere and Drury. Darcy was deficient in his role as GM. Drafting sucked too by the way.
- GilPerreault11

Comparatively, to the times, yes, '74 was the better team. But put the two teams on the ice facing each other, and '74 gets spanked hard. They weren't even close as far as: being physically fit, team speed, etc

The league today is a lot more competitive than it was back in 74-75. To build a team that wins the franchise's only Presidents Trophy in today's NHL, yes... that is the best team in franchise history.

As for the rest of that, its the typical popular tunnel vision viewpoint on Darcy as a GM.

Sounds like youve read too much Buffalo News and the agenda's they spew about Buffalo Sabres on a daily basis.
- theblueandgold

I think people are going to miss his ability to trade and trade well.

The league today is a lot more competitive than it was back in 74-75. To build a team that wins the franchise's only Presidents Trophy in today's NHL, yes... that is the best team in franchise history.

As for the rest of that, its the typical popular tunnel vision viewpoint on Darcy as a GM.

Sounds like youve read too much Buffalo News and the agenda's they spew about Buffalo Sabres on a daily basis.
- theblueandgold

Year of the President's Trophy the Sabres lost in 5 games to the Ottawa Senators in the 3rd playoff round. I'll take 1974-75 over that year and the next when they lost to Carolina.

Too many Darcy apologists. TP's biggest mistake was not firing Darcy as soon as he bought the team.

I agree that he failed to compete those teams, but I disagree about the lightning in the bottle, I think he knew what kind of team he was building.

The moves he made for guys like Hecht, Dumont, Breire, Drury, etc were all key moves. He hit on guys like Pommer and Miller in the draft.

He needed to go, but he isn't as awful as some think IMO
- sbroads24

i may be mistaken but i think the miller pick was lucky... i thought i heard someone told him to pick him but he didn't want to.. then he did it anyway and won

Year of the President's Trophy the Sabres lost in 5 games to the Ottawa Senators in the 3rd playoff round. I'll take 1974-75 over that year and the next when they lost to Carolina.

Too many Darcy apologists. TP's biggest mistake was not firing Darcy as soon as he bought the team.
- GilPerreault11

The Carolina year was the year before they lost in the ECF to Ottawa. The 06-07 team won 53 games in an 82 game season. 74-75 won 49 in an 80 game season. Percentage wise the 06-07 team was slightly better.

Never used the word lazy. I don't appreciate you using words I didn't. I said I felt they deserved to placed on a championship team. As if the Millions of dollars aren't enough. There have been plenty of professional athletes who have played on sub par team with grace for years. That's life. Some handle it differently.
- Buffalo-Sabres

Miller had passion . He took losing seriously ! I want no part of a player in any sport that does not have that attitude.

i may be mistaken but i think the miller pick was lucky... i thought i heard someone told him to pick him but he didn't want to.. then he did it anyway and won
- IndianaSabresFan

I'm not sure.

It's tough to judge Darcy because he had success under a restrictive owner, yet fell on his face when Pegula opened his check book.

When you have a guy with that tenure length, it boils down to one thing, did we win a cup? No so he needed to be replaced.

Im not sure I understand your post but first I hope things get better for JT and family. Life can be overwhelming at times.

As far was this place being negative, when your this bad(and holy poop are we bad) places like this can only be one of 2 things, negative or empty.
- Buffalo-Sabres

Comparatively, to the times, yes, '74 was the better team. But put the two teams on the ice facing each other, and '74 gets spanked hard. They weren't even close as far as: being physically fit, team speed, etc
- Powerslave

Unfortunately they can't play against each other so you have to pick the one that was best built in it's era and that was 1974-75. Darcy had one, maybe 2 top forward line players in his 17 years as GM. Briere and Vanek when he ripped it up playing on the 3rd line. Briere was not even a legit top center, he was an undersized center with skill but nit who most team's build team's around. Vanek has been a slacker for years and many games you barely notice him. Another guy you don't build a winning team around.

Unfortunately they can't play against each other so you have to pick the one that was best built in it's era and that was 1974-75. Darcy had one, maybe 2 top forward line players in his 17 years as GM. Briere and Vanek when he ripped it up playing on the 3rd line. Briere was not even a legit top center, he was an undersized center with skill but nit who most team's build team's around. Vanek has been a slacker for years and many games you barely notice him. Another guy you don't build a winning team around.
- GilPerreault11

Come on man. We had Derek Roy and Thomas Vanek on our 3rd line.

The 06-07 team was loaded, top to bottom. They were a machine of a team

By the way, Larry Quinn had to tell Darcy to grow some balls and trade for Drury. If he wasn't directed to this team would have been mediocre or worse for his whole time here.

He did build that team but where was the Cup? He failed to make moves at the deadline to push us over the edge. He never showed he had it in him to go out and make that move to put a team over the edge. His big move after given the chance to spend more money was go get Brad Boyes. Sorry he builds mediocrity he caught lightning in a bottle for 2 years
- Stripes77

i agree 100%. i would like to be done talking about darcy though. those two years were the flag football years of the nhl. its probably better to focus on the years since 2007 since the league is fundamentally different. every team that has won a cup since the ducks in 07 has had a similar framework- leaning on an elite center (or in LAs case, 2 very good ones), and at least one stud defenseman, and filling out the roster with solid players. darcy said at one point that we had 2 of the top 20 centers in the nhl- this was at a time when connolly, roy, and gaustad were our top 3 centers. make what you will of that.

The Carolina year was the year before they lost in the ECF to Ottawa. The 06-07 team won 53 games in an 82 game season. 74-75 won 49 in an 80 game season. Percentage wise the 06-07 team was slightly better.
- Pierceme69

im not checking this, but i have a feeling that there was probably a few ot and shootout wins in 06-07. different rules that the 74-75 team had the benefit of playing with. its hard to compare different eras.

I agree that he failed to compete those teams, but I disagree about the lightning in the bottle, I think he knew what kind of team he was building.

The moves he made for guys like Hecht, Dumont, Breire, Drury, etc were all key moves. He hit on guys like Pommer and Miller in the draft.

He needed to go, but he isn't as awful as some think IMO
- sbroads24

After he scapegoated Lindy Ruff for the failures of the late 2000's; with Pegula willing to bankroll just about anything, and nothing counting against the salary cap, Regier hired Ron Rolston as interim, and then kept him long term.

That was as AWFUL as anyone could think.

Come on man. We had Derek Roy and Thomas Vanek on our 3rd line.

The 06-07 team was loaded, top to bottom. They were a machine of a team
- sbroads24

Do you remember that start? The little kid version of me thought we were going 82-0

Unfortunately they can't play against each other so you have to pick the one that was best built in it's era and that was 1974-75. Darcy had one, maybe 2 top forward line players in his 17 years as GM. Briere and Vanek when he ripped it up playing on the 3rd line. Briere was not even a legit top center, he was an undersized center with skill but nit who most team's build team's around. Vanek has been a slacker for years and many games you barely notice him. Another guy you don't build a winning team around.
- GilPerreault11

I guess if you're asking about best built in their era, I see it this way:

A) The '74 team was stacked. Their 3rd liners were all 30 goal scorers. But the goalies weren't even close to what they are now. So, for them to not win the Cup is much more disappointing, considering the team depth they had.

B) The '05 & '06 teams were up against far superior goaltending, and were still lights out in the goal scoring dept.

Imlach was not afraid of making a deal to improve his team, for sure. That would be Darcy's downfall.

I give Punch the win, as far as building a damn good team so quickly, but that team should have won it all, given the depth. So, '74 is the more disappointing team

Come on man. We had Derek Roy and Thomas Vanek on our 3rd line.

The 06-07 team was loaded, top to bottom. They were a machine of a team
- sbroads24

Lindy had them playing an exciting offensive system but we are pointing out two years out of 17 that Darcy's team had some level of success. He didn't draft 1st rounders well. He had to poach other team's players like Briere, Drury, Dumont, Hecht, and Connolly (which was laughable how he was re-signed repeatedly for big bucks he didn't deserve)

Darcy's best draft pick besides Miller was probably Pominville and he waived him and would have lost him if anyone put in a claim.

You said to be placed on a championship team without working for it. In my eyes that would be a longer way to say they are lazy but regardless you still haven't answered my question as why you think Miller belongs in the same category as Vanek?

What exactly has Miller done or said that has put him in the Vanek boat? I don't see Miller going out of his way trying to save face after a debacle in 2 organizations in less than a year. In fact I don't think Miller could have handled his departure here any better. He also didn't take a shot at the Sabres like Vanek did. You also don't read about Miller going out and getting drunk at the Olympics etc. I guess I just don't follow you with Miller here at all. Vanek I am with you on that.
- Stripes77

How Miller acted when he departed is only a microcosm of who he is. That was one day. A day he was told was coming. How about when he ripped the fans last year after he played like crap? Or how he acted childish when they traded Gaustad even though it was an obvious win for the team. It's no secret Miller isn't a team guy and thinks he's better than everybody. Thy writing was totally on the wall with that guy.

Lindy had them playing an exciting offensive system but we are pointing out two years out of 17 that Darcy's team had some level of success. He didn't draft 1st rounders well. He had to poach other team's players like Briere, Drury, Dumont, Hecht, and Connolly (which was laughable how he was re-signed repeatedly for big bucks he didn't deserve)

Darcy's best draft pick besides Miller was probably Pominville and he waived him and would have lost him if anyone put in a claim.
- GilPerreault11

goose was a good pick as well..

Hackett is on the trip west with the team. 6 game losing streak so far . Longest this season. Could it go 9 ?

Lindy had them playing an exciting offensive system but we are pointing out two years out of 17 that Darcy's team had some level of success. He didn't draft 1st rounders well. He had to poach other team's players like Briere, Drury, Dumont, Hecht, and Connolly (which was laughable how he was re-signed repeatedly for big bucks he didn't deserve)

Darcy's best draft pick besides Miller was probably Pominville and he waived him and would have lost him if anyone put in a claim.
- GilPerreault11

I still don't understand how you equate what I said to them being lazy. I think they are being unappreciative asses, but not lazy.

Hackett is on the trip west with the team. 6 game losing streak so far . Longest this season. Could it go 9 ?
- cabin

Good God, they've got to beat one of these sorry teams in the next 3 games, at least, yes?

Hackett is on the trip west with the team. 6 game losing streak so far . Longest this season. Could it go 9 ?
- cabin

with a goalie tandem that was last week on a losing AHL team... yes