Well that's certainly a possibility, and if it does go down that way Buffalo will have themselves a very Drury-esque captain.

In fact, Callahan was even groomed under Drury (who also received a $7 mill contract).
- SuperCat

Callahan does not deserve 7 million per to teach kids how to be hockey players. Isn't that what the coach is for? I understand leadership but you win games by scoring. No one is worth 7 mil for "intangibles".

For those that wanted Craig Ramsay to be an assistant here, he's going to Edmonton, per Dreger.

What if he's in the mood to captain a growing team into the next few seasons. We may be poop now but I have a feeling the census about the Sabres is that we're going to be quite formidable in the next few seasons. Some guys might like that.
- TheSabresTaco

Even if that's the case, Buffalo is still likely a bottom feeder next yr.


Add Vanek, Miller, Ott, & Pominville(or Moulson) to this roster, and we're still not a playoff team (as we've seen in the recent past).

I disagree with none of that
However...
We do need to find SOMEONE that can lead all these kids and show them how to be professionals & not punks like Seguin and E.Kane

I don't think MFE is gonna cut it!
Hahaha
- jdfitz77

You mean Seguin, the guy who was 4th in the league in scoring this year. What a punk. I'm sure he could use someone to show him how to "be a professional"

Callahan does not deserve 7 million per to teach kids how to be hockey players. Isn't that what the coach is for? I understand leadership but you win games by scoring. No one is worth 7 mil for "intangibles".
- Buffalo-Sabres

(btw...changing the avatar back was a nice touch)

Other than the rotating captaincy (which fed into Pominville being captain), this team has been bringing in captains for a long time now. Personally I'm sick of signing someone in free agency and slapping a C on their chest. Doesn't show much faith in the roster being built by the team.

If there are no leaders worthy, don't name a captain, just stop bringing in people and doing it.

Driere, Regehr, Rivet, Ott.....ugh
- stashu

Agreed

"In leadership, there are no words more important than trust. In any organization," trust must be developed among every member of the team if success is going to be achieved".-Coach K

meaning just bringing someone to in lead doesnt work

You mean Seguin, the guy who was 4th in the league in scoring this year. What a punk. I'm sure he could use someone to show him how to "be a professional"
- ImThatGuy

There's no doubt in my mind that trade was a wake-up call for him.

Who were the veterans that "led" the 2006 and 2007 teams? Drury? He played a much more integral role both offensively and defensively than Callahan ever would. For the most part, that team grew up with each other...then they got big pay raises and became either content or mentally fragile. I'm still not sure which.
- buffalofan19

That's my point
They no longer had anyone to LEAD them and it all fell apart
Drury, Briere, Grier, Dumont & McKee...
All big losses

Why the hell is anyone 'worried'?

We've got more cap space than God Almighty. That's the only actual concern here.
- TheSabresTaco

I'm guessing that fans are looking to bottom out next year for that top draft pick.

We've come this far, I believe many think we need to stay the course.

I'm guessing that fans are looking to bottom out next year for that top draft pick.

We've come this far, I believe many think we need to stay the course.
- SuperCat

They've put themselves in a position where they need to draft very high at least 2 years in a row if they're ever to get out of this funk they're in.

Signing the likes of Callahan and other free agents for very long term contract all but ensures this team goes without a Cup for at least another decade.

Fitz77
I hear ya! Some people just like ganging up (bully factor). Give me Ryan Callahan - buy out Leino, pay Callahan 2 mill more than Leino contract.

Done
- Irish 14

Can't argue with that.

Given the choice between the two, I'd rather be overpaying Callahan his $7 mill, than burning $4 mill on Leino (and his abysmal offensive production).

You mean Seguin, the guy who was 4th in the league in scoring this year. What a punk. I'm sure he could use someone to show him how to "be a professional"
- ImThatGuy

There's a reason one of the most successful franchises in all of sports got rid of him
Call me crazy if I'd rather have our young talented guys grow into guys that don't have attitudes &/or have effort issues...
Ex...
Myers cashes in on a big contract and comes in the next year out of shape
That kind of stuff I'd like to avoid

?
- buffalofan19

Meh, sorry, got carried away with it. Thought they slapped it on him too

Yikes...check this out and notice who they've left off (multiple times):

http://sabres.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=36569

Meh, sorry, got carried away with it. Thought they slapped it on him too

Yikes...check this out and notice who they've left off (multiple times):

http://sabres.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=36569
- stashu

It appears that Lindy Ruff had a hand in at least half of the captains in franchise history.

Meh, sorry, got carried away with it. Thought they slapped it on him too

Yikes...check this out and notice who they've left off (multiple times):

http://sabres.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=36569
- stashu

Where's Ott?

Where's Ott?
- grand-magus

No Ott or Vanek

No Ott or Vanek
- Stripes77

Yeah, Vanek was my first notice, since he was in the roulette back in the day I believe, plus last season.

There's a reason one of the most successful franchises in all of sports got rid of him
Call me crazy if I'd rather have our young talented guys grow into guys that don't have attitudes &/or have effort issues...
Ex...
Myers cashes in on a big contract and comes in the next year out of shape
That kind of stuff I'd like to avoid
- jdfitz77

It was a bad trade for Boston, IMO. Seguin is 22 and is going to be a star in this league. You make room for a guy like that on your team.

I will take the guy with the "bad attitude" that gets 80+ points a year over the good guy that gets 40-50.

It was a bad trade for Boston, IMO. Seguin is 22 and is going to be a star in this league. You make room for a guy like that on your team.

I will take the guy with the "bad attitude" that gets 80+ points a year over the good guy that gets 40-50.
- ImThatGuy

I would imagine that Boston is going to get at least one more cup before this "big, bad" crew gets over the hill. If Seguin even becomes a 100 point per year player over the next 5-10 years, but Dallas never wins a Cup, Boston wins the trade. One championship makes it all worth it. Point being, we won't really know who won this trade for years.

I would imagine that Boston is going to get at least one more cup before this "big, bad" crew gets over the hill. If Seguin even becomes a 100 point per year player over the next 5-10 years, but Dallas never wins a Cup, Boston wins the trade. One championship makes it all worth it. Point being, we won't really know who won this trade for years.
- buffalofan19

That window is closing quickly for Boston, IMO.

Chara will be done after next year IMO (will be 38)

That window is closing quickly for Boston, IMO.

Chara will be done after next year IMO (will be 38)
- ImThatGuy

They're no Chara, but Krug looks like he's on his way to being a Dan Boyle- type player, and Hamilton looks like he may be a force, as well.

I would imagine that Boston is going to get at least one more cup before this "big, bad" crew gets over the hill. If Seguin even becomes a 100 point per year player over the next 5-10 years, but Dallas never wins a Cup, Boston wins the trade. One championship makes it all worth it. Point being, we won't really know who won this trade for years.
- buffalofan19

IMO they need to move Eriksson as the type of game they play doesn't suit his game.

Reilly Smith on the other hand suits their game quite well and will IMO replace Seguin's Boston's point totals.


Like you said the outcome of who won the trade won't be known for years.

I would imagine that Boston is going to get at least one more cup before this "big, bad" crew gets over the hill. If Seguin even becomes a 100 point per year player over the next 5-10 years, but Dallas never wins a Cup, Boston wins the trade. One championship makes it all worth it. Point being, we won't really know who won this trade for years.
- buffalofan19

If Boston retools they will still have a couple more kicks at the can. I think it was a good hockey trade and both teams won that trade.

IMO they need to move Eriksson as the type of game they play doesn't suit his game.

Reilly Smith on the other hand suits their game quite well and will IMO replace Seguin's Boston's point totals.


Like you said the outcome of who won the trade won't be known for years.
- dadeadhead

You may very well end up being right. My point is that simply having that "elite center" by itself means nothing. If Buffalo ends up lucky enough to win the Connor McDavid sweepstakes, but doesn't end up with a Cup out of it in 5, 10, or even 15 years, it means very little.

That fine
But he's not why tampa lost that series like a lot of ppl keep alluding to
I'll be just fine if we don't get Callahan
If we do...
I think he'd make A MUCH MUCH better captain right now than anyone else we have
Our options next year appear to be Ehrhoff, Stafford, or a young kid who prob isn't even close to ready for that kind of responsibility
- jdfitz77

Where is the proof he's even a good one?