Ever watch The Price is Right and see the game One-A-Way where they give you the price of the car except every number is one away from the actual number in the price of the car and the contestant has to guess if it's one higher or one lower and then has to say, "Oh Mighty Sound Effect Lady, do I have at least one number right?" with a look of trepidation on their face as they wait the the horn or sound?
I feel like Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula, head coach Ted Nolan, possibly goaltender Ryan Miller, maybe even majority of the team and definitely the fans go through something similar before every game…."Oh Mighty Hockey Gods, can we score at least two goals today?"
Thirty games into the season and we have yet to see an offensive explosion from the Sabres and as their offensive production has dwindled to one per game over the last ten, it's unlikely that we'll see it anytime soon. To say this season has been a struggle is an understatement and the search for a new general manager is becoming more and more important by the day as excellent asset management seems to be the only way to salvage this season. A top five selection in this year's draft is all but certain as is the fire sale come March 5 and it is imperative that they get as much value from their spare parts as possible…especially pending-UFA Ryan Miller.
Question is…do they go for a rebuild or a retool?
I'd go for a retool simply because it's been a long and miserable road of just-not-good-enough these past few years and while Sabres fans are incredibly faithful, should management really test their resolve with a 5+ year rebuild? So, I vote they blow it up, but not just for prospects and draft picks. They need players who are ready to step into the lineup and that will not be an easy task, but as the cream continues to rise to the top, the middle-of-the-pack teams will get desperate and should drive prices up and in the hands of the right GM, that should mean good news for the Sabres. Plus, with only half the team under contract for next season, the rising salary cap and the deep pockets of Pegula, there are some serious moves to be made come July. That said, hopefully they've learned their lesson and realized that you can spend all the money in the world, but if you don't get value in return, you're just throwing money away. *cough* Ville Leino *cough* *cough*
For Sabres fans, these next four months won't be easy, but if Pat LaFontaine makes the right choice in his selection of their new general manager, it should be worth it.
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In other news, the Sabres host the Flames this afternoon...both teams desperate for a win if only for their own morale. It's always an interesting game when you have two teams playing for pride more than anything else.
Julie
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