Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Sabres beat writer Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News has been railing against a perceived be tank-job by the Buffalo organization for quite some time. Back on January 31st he penned an article, Sabres are disgusting, all right, that aptly and bluntly captured his dismay .At the time Harrington was not amused by the Sabres road to the top of the 2015 NHL Draft. He wrote of the Edmonton Oilers having "a lot of road trips" the rest of the season while the Arizona Coyotes, he wrote, "have a lot of trades to make" if they were thinking of overtaking the Sabres for last place.
Buffalo had just finished an 0-fer January and was on a franchise record 14-game losing streak. "Hockey folks are laughing at the product the Sabres have put on the ice," he wrote, "but much worse they're laughing at the organization itself and that's not how it's supposed to be going."
Sabres GM Tim Murray was sitting on his hands during this debacle leaving head coach Ted Nolan with very little on the ice and even less to say post-game save for "these are the 20 guys we have," and "we've got what we got." Harrington was so disgusted that it only took him a one paragraph lead-in before he wrote, "I think it's safe to call right now. The Buffalo Sabres are the worst team in the NHL by a lot at this point. They're going to finish 30th and get Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel.
"You may call it mission accomplished. But the mission doesn't need to be an open disgrace."
Showing posts with label 2015 Trade Deadline. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2015 Trade Deadline. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Monday, March 2, 2015
2014-15 Individual Stats--February
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Before we get to the Buffalo Sabres individual stats for the month of February, the NY Rangers and the Arizona Coyotes made a huge deal today.
The Rangers acquired veteran d-man Keith Yandel, minor league d-man Chris Summers and Arizona's fourth round pick in 2016 for F, Anthony Duclair, D, John Moore, a first round pick in 2016 and a second round pick in 2015.
Y'all can debate the players picks and whatever's of the trade, but I'd like to offer this tweet from Matt Larkin of The Hockey News:
"Things we've learned in past 24 hours: (a) Arizona is really committed to a rebuild"
So let me get this straight, the Coyotes are on a nine-game losing streak and have moved two franchise cornerstones within the last 24 hours and what we get is that "Arizona is really committed to a rebuild?"
How about Arizona is really committed to tanking this season for one of the top-two picks in the draft. I can't wait for the "Thumbs down piece" on how this is a travesty and is a slap in the face to the integrity of the game.
And while we're at it, the Toronto Maple Leafs have only four regulation wins through the first two months of 2015. Have heard nary a peep against the "Center of the Hockey Universe" tanking the season for the best opportunity at landing the Newmarket, ON native.
Aye Carumba!
Before we get to the Buffalo Sabres individual stats for the month of February, the NY Rangers and the Arizona Coyotes made a huge deal today.
The Rangers acquired veteran d-man Keith Yandel, minor league d-man Chris Summers and Arizona's fourth round pick in 2016 for F, Anthony Duclair, D, John Moore, a first round pick in 2016 and a second round pick in 2015.
Y'all can debate the players picks and whatever's of the trade, but I'd like to offer this tweet from Matt Larkin of The Hockey News:
"Things we've learned in past 24 hours: (a) Arizona is really committed to a rebuild"
So let me get this straight, the Coyotes are on a nine-game losing streak and have moved two franchise cornerstones within the last 24 hours and what we get is that "Arizona is really committed to a rebuild?"
How about Arizona is really committed to tanking this season for one of the top-two picks in the draft. I can't wait for the "Thumbs down piece" on how this is a travesty and is a slap in the face to the integrity of the game.
And while we're at it, the Toronto Maple Leafs have only four regulation wins through the first two months of 2015. Have heard nary a peep against the "Center of the Hockey Universe" tanking the season for the best opportunity at landing the Newmarket, ON native.
Aye Carumba!
Sunday, March 1, 2015
2014-15 Team Stats--February
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray has stated time and again that he wants to see the team progress and wants to see improvement in his players.
"Progress" and "improvement" are broad terms and their definitions can vary wildly, even within the organization. John Vogl of the Buffalo News writes that the schism between Murray and head coach Ted Nolan is widening, "The philosophical differences between Tim Murray and Ted Nolan have raised questions about the coach’s future," wrote Vogl this morning. "Using football injury terms, Nolan ranges from questionable to doubtful. Some have already downgraded him to out." In layman's terms, Vogl says the coach went from having a 50% chance of getting canned to 75%.
Although I'm of the opinion that for this season any progress from a team standpoint should be minute, perhaps others feel that this team should be much farther along and winning more games. There's confusion emanating from the foot of Washington St. as to just what kind of job Nolan has done thus far. Has he done a great job with the limited talent he's been given? Did he loose his team at some point in December causing them to tumble to the bottom of the league? Will Murray "manipulate" his team's standing at the deadline by shipping out every last bit of talent he can by 3pm tomorrow?
And just what is those "philosophical differences" Vogl is alluding to?
Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray has stated time and again that he wants to see the team progress and wants to see improvement in his players.
"Progress" and "improvement" are broad terms and their definitions can vary wildly, even within the organization. John Vogl of the Buffalo News writes that the schism between Murray and head coach Ted Nolan is widening, "The philosophical differences between Tim Murray and Ted Nolan have raised questions about the coach’s future," wrote Vogl this morning. "Using football injury terms, Nolan ranges from questionable to doubtful. Some have already downgraded him to out." In layman's terms, Vogl says the coach went from having a 50% chance of getting canned to 75%.
Although I'm of the opinion that for this season any progress from a team standpoint should be minute, perhaps others feel that this team should be much farther along and winning more games. There's confusion emanating from the foot of Washington St. as to just what kind of job Nolan has done thus far. Has he done a great job with the limited talent he's been given? Did he loose his team at some point in December causing them to tumble to the bottom of the league? Will Murray "manipulate" his team's standing at the deadline by shipping out every last bit of talent he can by 3pm tomorrow?
And just what is those "philosophical differences" Vogl is alluding to?
Boston's Peter Chiarelli can do some one-stop shopping in Buffalo
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
From Joe Haggerty of CSSNE.com (via Jared Clinton of The Hockey News,) the Boston Bruins are looking for three key pieces for the stretch-run as well as possibly stretching out GM Peter Chiarelli and benchboss Claude Julien's tenure in Beantown.
"Clearly, there are needs on the Bruins roster," wrote Haggerty. "Chiarelli is going to make moves in order to address those wants and needs. An offensively dangerous right wing that’s preferably big and strong is at the top of the list with 172-pound David Pastrnak still showing plenty of promise, but also getting overpowered on a pretty regular basis, a top-four defenseman to pair with Dennis Seidenberg is second on the priority list and a reliable, veteran backup goaltender is also certainly on the wish list."
"Dangerous right wing that's preferably big and strong"--check
"Top-four defenseman to pair with Seidenberg"--kinda check
"Reliable, veteran backup goalie"--check
According to NHLnumbers.com, the B's have $1.55M in cap space at this time, give or take.
Chris Stewart, $4.2M cap-hit
Andre Benoit (see COL 2013-14) 800K
Michal Neuvirth, 2.6m
Total cap-hit, $7.6M.
Sabres could easily eat half their salary's and to help things along, if Loui Eriksson and his $4.5M cap-hit for the next two seasons needs to be jettisoned, no prob. The Sabres could even throw in two-way RFA center Brian Flynn ($650K,) for good measure.
It will take a 2015 first round pick, (lottery protected and deferred to 2016, if need be) plus either Malcom Subban or Niklas Svedberg and Peter Cehlari.
And remember, Sabres GM Tim Murray isn't afraid of blockbuster trades. ; )
Tanks.
Have a Nice Day.
From Joe Haggerty of CSSNE.com (via Jared Clinton of The Hockey News,) the Boston Bruins are looking for three key pieces for the stretch-run as well as possibly stretching out GM Peter Chiarelli and benchboss Claude Julien's tenure in Beantown.
"Clearly, there are needs on the Bruins roster," wrote Haggerty. "Chiarelli is going to make moves in order to address those wants and needs. An offensively dangerous right wing that’s preferably big and strong is at the top of the list with 172-pound David Pastrnak still showing plenty of promise, but also getting overpowered on a pretty regular basis, a top-four defenseman to pair with Dennis Seidenberg is second on the priority list and a reliable, veteran backup goaltender is also certainly on the wish list."
"Dangerous right wing that's preferably big and strong"--check
"Top-four defenseman to pair with Seidenberg"--kinda check
"Reliable, veteran backup goalie"--check
According to NHLnumbers.com, the B's have $1.55M in cap space at this time, give or take.
Chris Stewart, $4.2M cap-hit
Andre Benoit (see COL 2013-14) 800K
Michal Neuvirth, 2.6m
Total cap-hit, $7.6M.
Sabres could easily eat half their salary's and to help things along, if Loui Eriksson and his $4.5M cap-hit for the next two seasons needs to be jettisoned, no prob. The Sabres could even throw in two-way RFA center Brian Flynn ($650K,) for good measure.
It will take a 2015 first round pick, (lottery protected and deferred to 2016, if need be) plus either Malcom Subban or Niklas Svedberg and Peter Cehlari.
And remember, Sabres GM Tim Murray isn't afraid of blockbuster trades. ; )
Tanks.
Have a Nice Day.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Tired 'Nucks hand the Sabres a win--Some Buffalo fans searching for their meds
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
It was the last of a five-game/10-day, east-coast road trip for the Vancouver Canucks against the last place team in the league. Vancouver came into the First Niagara Center last night having won 3 of 4 games already and playing the last place Buffalo Sabres should've been a good way to end the trip. Sure, the 'Nucks would probably hit the ice a tired club, surviving on adrenaline, but with a little work and some decent goaltending two points was a realistic proposition.
But perhaps they didn't get the memo. Although the Buffalo is in 30th place, they'd been playing really well over the course of the last 10 games or so punctuated by a rock-solid performance in a 4-2 win over a good Blue Jackets team at Columbus.
Then again, perhaps the 'Nucks did get the memo, but focused upon the injury report that had the lowest scoring team in the league without their top-two goal scorers in Zemgus Girgensons and Tyler Ennis.
It was the last of a five-game/10-day, east-coast road trip for the Vancouver Canucks against the last place team in the league. Vancouver came into the First Niagara Center last night having won 3 of 4 games already and playing the last place Buffalo Sabres should've been a good way to end the trip. Sure, the 'Nucks would probably hit the ice a tired club, surviving on adrenaline, but with a little work and some decent goaltending two points was a realistic proposition.
But perhaps they didn't get the memo. Although the Buffalo is in 30th place, they'd been playing really well over the course of the last 10 games or so punctuated by a rock-solid performance in a 4-2 win over a good Blue Jackets team at Columbus.
Then again, perhaps the 'Nucks did get the memo, but focused upon the injury report that had the lowest scoring team in the league without their top-two goal scorers in Zemgus Girgensons and Tyler Ennis.
Friday, February 20, 2015
A quiet time in Sabreland as trade deadline day inches a bit closer
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Do you remember those days when we, as Sabres fans, would be on the sidelines watching all of the action leading up to the trade deadline? And do you remember those trade deadline days where we'd be watching other teams jump in while we'd wait and speculate, groan at missing out, then wait and speculate, etc. etc. etc.?
And do you remember the anti-climactic, "The Buffalo Sabres have traded a second-round pick to team-X" for a second-rate player who, we would find out later, was playing with some sort of injury? Right around 3pm?
It's been a great 11 months for those of us who have wanted "out with the old and onward to the future." Sabres GM Tim Murray didn't dink and doink when it came to trading assets, he put together packages, big packages, to get it done.
Granted, the Ryan Miller trade to the St. Louis Blues just shy of one year ago had been in the works for a long time, and the recent Evander Kane/Tyler Myers blockbuster came about because of extenuating circumstances, but it's hard to imagine the previous regime having the vision, imagination and kahunas to pull off deals like the ones Murray has pulled off thus far. That's not to take away from former GM Darcy Regier's approach (however typical it was) as the bounty he received in each singular trade was nothing short of impressive. In the end, both GM's--Murray and Regier--will have had a hand in a deconstruction and rebuild of historical proportions.
Do you remember those days when we, as Sabres fans, would be on the sidelines watching all of the action leading up to the trade deadline? And do you remember those trade deadline days where we'd be watching other teams jump in while we'd wait and speculate, groan at missing out, then wait and speculate, etc. etc. etc.?
And do you remember the anti-climactic, "The Buffalo Sabres have traded a second-round pick to team-X" for a second-rate player who, we would find out later, was playing with some sort of injury? Right around 3pm?
It's been a great 11 months for those of us who have wanted "out with the old and onward to the future." Sabres GM Tim Murray didn't dink and doink when it came to trading assets, he put together packages, big packages, to get it done.
Granted, the Ryan Miller trade to the St. Louis Blues just shy of one year ago had been in the works for a long time, and the recent Evander Kane/Tyler Myers blockbuster came about because of extenuating circumstances, but it's hard to imagine the previous regime having the vision, imagination and kahunas to pull off deals like the ones Murray has pulled off thus far. That's not to take away from former GM Darcy Regier's approach (however typical it was) as the bounty he received in each singular trade was nothing short of impressive. In the end, both GM's--Murray and Regier--will have had a hand in a deconstruction and rebuild of historical proportions.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
The dust settles on the Evander Kane/Tyler Myers blockbuster trade
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
The reactions of Sabres fans ranged from relief that a trade was finally consummated, to cautious excitement, to cries for help while standing on a ledge 10 stories up. In Winnipeg, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff was almost giddy in his excitement while in Buffalo, Sabres GM Tim Murray displayed his usual Joe Friday persona whilst injecting poignant quips every now and then to lighten things up.
At the heart of the blockbuster trade yesterday were Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers and Jets winger Evander Kane. Myers' name had be churning in the rumor mill for nearly a year while Kane's name recently came to the fore like a Saskatchewan Screamer rolling through the halls and offices of the MTS Iceplex, home of the Winnipeg Jets.
It started early yesterday morning with TSN' Bob McKenzie tweeting that things were heating up between the Sabres and the Jets. His colleague, Darren Dreger started putting the deal together, "Huge deal. Hearing Myers Stafford Armia and Lemieux plus a first for Kane and Bogosian as principles of deal getting close btwn Buf + Wpg."
And to be fair, one of our very own, buffalo1000 nailed most of the complex trade just before 10:00pm Tuesday night and said it's up to the Sabres to agree to it.
The reactions of Sabres fans ranged from relief that a trade was finally consummated, to cautious excitement, to cries for help while standing on a ledge 10 stories up. In Winnipeg, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff was almost giddy in his excitement while in Buffalo, Sabres GM Tim Murray displayed his usual Joe Friday persona whilst injecting poignant quips every now and then to lighten things up.
At the heart of the blockbuster trade yesterday were Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers and Jets winger Evander Kane. Myers' name had be churning in the rumor mill for nearly a year while Kane's name recently came to the fore like a Saskatchewan Screamer rolling through the halls and offices of the MTS Iceplex, home of the Winnipeg Jets.
It started early yesterday morning with TSN' Bob McKenzie tweeting that things were heating up between the Sabres and the Jets. His colleague, Darren Dreger started putting the deal together, "Huge deal. Hearing Myers Stafford Armia and Lemieux plus a first for Kane and Bogosian as principles of deal getting close btwn Buf + Wpg."
And to be fair, one of our very own, buffalo1000 nailed most of the complex trade just before 10:00pm Tuesday night and said it's up to the Sabres to agree to it.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff sets the Evander Kane paramaters
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote yesterday that Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is interested in moving Evander Kane before the trade deadline, but he's not going to let the injured winger go on the cheap.
Cheveldayoff doesn't need to move Kane right now as he could wait until summer with all 29 other teams possibly interested in making a deal. In doing so it's assumed he'd be able to fully meet his asking price. But if he wants to get shore up his team now to help solidify their wild card position or even try to crack the top-three in the division, moving Kane before the March 2 trade deadline could help the cause.
As of right now Winnipeg sits in the top wild card position in the western conference with 64 points, three ahead of Calgary who are in the second wild card slot. Behind them are three teams--Minnesota, Los Angeles, Dallas--all with 56 points and all eight points behind the Jets. But every team has games in hand on Winnipeg--Calgary, 2; Minnesota, 4; Los Angeles 3; Dallas, 2.
It's not a lot of cushion and if Cheveldayoff wants his team to make the playoffs for the first time since the franchise moved there from Atlanta in 2011, he has a trade-chip in Kane that can help get them there.
Gary Lawless of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote yesterday that Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is interested in moving Evander Kane before the trade deadline, but he's not going to let the injured winger go on the cheap.
Cheveldayoff doesn't need to move Kane right now as he could wait until summer with all 29 other teams possibly interested in making a deal. In doing so it's assumed he'd be able to fully meet his asking price. But if he wants to get shore up his team now to help solidify their wild card position or even try to crack the top-three in the division, moving Kane before the March 2 trade deadline could help the cause.
As of right now Winnipeg sits in the top wild card position in the western conference with 64 points, three ahead of Calgary who are in the second wild card slot. Behind them are three teams--Minnesota, Los Angeles, Dallas--all with 56 points and all eight points behind the Jets. But every team has games in hand on Winnipeg--Calgary, 2; Minnesota, 4; Los Angeles 3; Dallas, 2.
It's not a lot of cushion and if Cheveldayoff wants his team to make the playoffs for the first time since the franchise moved there from Atlanta in 2011, he has a trade-chip in Kane that can help get them there.
Monday, February 9, 2015
Let's play armchair GM
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
As of tomorrow there will be only 21 shopping days left until trade deadline day.
Word on the street is that the press box at First Niagara Center was overflowing last night with scouts from various teams doing a little window shopping. The Sabres have a number of unrestricted free agents and some guy named Tyler Myers, whom a lot of teams seem to covet, that may be of interest. Although Myers isn't a pending UFA, GM Tim Murray has stated that anyone can be moved on a last place team.
Before we get to that, the Sabres are coming off of three strong performances that have resulted in them grabbing four of a possible six points. No worries, y'all. The Sabres are still in last place and still have yet to make any deals.
As of tomorrow there will be only 21 shopping days left until trade deadline day.
Word on the street is that the press box at First Niagara Center was overflowing last night with scouts from various teams doing a little window shopping. The Sabres have a number of unrestricted free agents and some guy named Tyler Myers, whom a lot of teams seem to covet, that may be of interest. Although Myers isn't a pending UFA, GM Tim Murray has stated that anyone can be moved on a last place team.
Before we get to that, the Sabres are coming off of three strong performances that have resulted in them grabbing four of a possible six points. No worries, y'all. The Sabres are still in last place and still have yet to make any deals.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Should the Buffalo Sabres claim Mike Richards? Plus quick-pops.
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
I’ve always been a fan of Mike Richards. He was a pick of former Philly GM Bobby Clarke who was pretty good at drafting top-notch centers with skill and bite. I love the 2003 draft class, which is one of the best in draft history, where Richards was picked 24th by the Flyers.
When Richards was at his best, his two-way game was amongst the best and he was extremely tough to play against. Although he crossed the line in this writer’s opinion, landing a couple of dirty hits which left David Booth and Tim Connolly injured, the way he masterfully disguised them was sheer genius. His style of play was in lock-step with an old-school attitude in that he’d do anything for the team on the ice. Kind of a throwback to the Broadstreet Bully days captained by Clarke.
Richards’ drive, cunning and chutzpah were attributes that were missing on the Los Angeles Kings in 2011 and I’m a firm believer that he is the main reason they were able to get over the hump and finally raise the Stanley Cup. Not the lone reason, mind you, but without him I’m of the belief that the Kings don’t get it done.
I’ve always been a fan of Mike Richards. He was a pick of former Philly GM Bobby Clarke who was pretty good at drafting top-notch centers with skill and bite. I love the 2003 draft class, which is one of the best in draft history, where Richards was picked 24th by the Flyers.
When Richards was at his best, his two-way game was amongst the best and he was extremely tough to play against. Although he crossed the line in this writer’s opinion, landing a couple of dirty hits which left David Booth and Tim Connolly injured, the way he masterfully disguised them was sheer genius. His style of play was in lock-step with an old-school attitude in that he’d do anything for the team on the ice. Kind of a throwback to the Broadstreet Bully days captained by Clarke.
Richards’ drive, cunning and chutzpah were attributes that were missing on the Los Angeles Kings in 2011 and I’m a firm believer that he is the main reason they were able to get over the hump and finally raise the Stanley Cup. Not the lone reason, mind you, but without him I’m of the belief that the Kings don’t get it done.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Ramp-up to the trade deadline, plus some final thoughts on "Gus the All-Star"
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Hope y'all had a great All-Star break.
The Buffalo Sabres were off for eight days save for Zemgus Girgensons and the front office. While his teammates were spending time away from the ice tasting normalcy, Girgensons was busy rubbing elbows with an elite group of players in Columbus, OH for the All-Star festivities.
And while his players were off on their break, Sabres GM Tim Murray and his scouting staff were in the field taking in junior and college games. Murray, it's assumed, also had his phone attached to one ear as trade-deadline season is set to kick in.
If there's a player that as close to untradeable as one can get on a last place team, Girgensons is the one for the Sabres organization. As for the rest (save for Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorove, maybe,) there will be waves of emotions rising and falling as the NHL heads towards the March 2 trade deadline. If that's not enough, they'll be riding those emotional waves while trying to play the game of hockey on a last place team that comes back from an eight-day All-Star break with a west coast trip on the heels of a 11-game losing streak.
It's no surprise that the Sabres are in last place, but what's surprising is that they've managed fall to the bottom of the league only because of their recent losing streak. Even after 11 pointless games they're still only two points below the Edmonton Oilers and six points behind the Arizona Coyotes and Carolina Hurricanes who both have a game in hand on Buffalo.
Hope y'all had a great All-Star break.
The Buffalo Sabres were off for eight days save for Zemgus Girgensons and the front office. While his teammates were spending time away from the ice tasting normalcy, Girgensons was busy rubbing elbows with an elite group of players in Columbus, OH for the All-Star festivities.
And while his players were off on their break, Sabres GM Tim Murray and his scouting staff were in the field taking in junior and college games. Murray, it's assumed, also had his phone attached to one ear as trade-deadline season is set to kick in.
If there's a player that as close to untradeable as one can get on a last place team, Girgensons is the one for the Sabres organization. As for the rest (save for Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorove, maybe,) there will be waves of emotions rising and falling as the NHL heads towards the March 2 trade deadline. If that's not enough, they'll be riding those emotional waves while trying to play the game of hockey on a last place team that comes back from an eight-day All-Star break with a west coast trip on the heels of a 11-game losing streak.
It's no surprise that the Sabres are in last place, but what's surprising is that they've managed fall to the bottom of the league only because of their recent losing streak. Even after 11 pointless games they're still only two points below the Edmonton Oilers and six points behind the Arizona Coyotes and Carolina Hurricanes who both have a game in hand on Buffalo.
Friday, January 16, 2015
Dubnyk to MIN and why Murray may be in a bind with his trade possibilies
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
The Minnesota Wild are set to hit the First Niagara Center Ice tonight and former Arizona Coyotes goaltender Devan Dubnyk is slated to make his first start for his new team. Arizona sent Dubnyk to Minnesota yesterday for a 2015 3rd round pick.
The 'Yotes are fourth from the bottom in the league standings, on a two-game losing streak and pretty much kissed their playoff hopes goodbye a month ago. Despite the "Mike Smith's our guy" mantra emanating from Glendale, this is a matter of jettisoning unrestricted free agents before they walk for nothing this summer. Arizona GM Don Maloney called the third-rounder "a good asset" for the future and also touted the always popular, "[we can now] take a look at a couple of our younger goaltenders in our system" rationale as well.
All sound reasoning, no doubt, as was bringing aboard former Buffalo GM, Darcy Regier, as Senior Vice President/Assistant General Manager. Regier, as we know, is pretty good at this rebuild thing, or at least the dismantling portion of the equation. As the Coyotes are primed to blow things up and start the rebuild, having Regier involved in the process may prove to be advantageous.
Although the Sabres have begun to acquire pieces with which to build a foundation, they're still in the dismantling process. That process, which began in 2012 with Regier in charge still has eight UFA's available as rentals right now.
The Minnesota Wild are set to hit the First Niagara Center Ice tonight and former Arizona Coyotes goaltender Devan Dubnyk is slated to make his first start for his new team. Arizona sent Dubnyk to Minnesota yesterday for a 2015 3rd round pick.
The 'Yotes are fourth from the bottom in the league standings, on a two-game losing streak and pretty much kissed their playoff hopes goodbye a month ago. Despite the "Mike Smith's our guy" mantra emanating from Glendale, this is a matter of jettisoning unrestricted free agents before they walk for nothing this summer. Arizona GM Don Maloney called the third-rounder "a good asset" for the future and also touted the always popular, "[we can now] take a look at a couple of our younger goaltenders in our system" rationale as well.
All sound reasoning, no doubt, as was bringing aboard former Buffalo GM, Darcy Regier, as Senior Vice President/Assistant General Manager. Regier, as we know, is pretty good at this rebuild thing, or at least the dismantling portion of the equation. As the Coyotes are primed to blow things up and start the rebuild, having Regier involved in the process may prove to be advantageous.
Although the Sabres have begun to acquire pieces with which to build a foundation, they're still in the dismantling process. That process, which began in 2012 with Regier in charge still has eight UFA's available as rentals right now.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Just how hot is the iron for Sabres GM Tim Murray?
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
"Strike while the iron's hot" is an old saying dating back to the days when the world had blacksmith's forging iron.
In regards to the Buffalo Sabres, the impending All-Star break and the eventual ramp-up to the March 2nd trade deadline, the demarcation between buyers and sellers is becoming more defined. Whereas early in the year only a few teams would have been considered out of the playoff race (Buffalo, Edmonton and Carolina) the field is starting to get crowded.
As of late, we can add the Arizona Coyotes to that list and we'll be keeping a watchful eye on four teams in the eastern conference who are at least 10 points out of a wild card spot right now: Ottawa, Philadelphia, Columbus and New Jersey. And just for good measure, we'll throw in the Minnesota Wild out west. They're on a four-game losing streak and seem to be going through the type of turmoil that could get their coach canned.
"Strike while the iron's hot" is an old saying dating back to the days when the world had blacksmith's forging iron.
In regards to the Buffalo Sabres, the impending All-Star break and the eventual ramp-up to the March 2nd trade deadline, the demarcation between buyers and sellers is becoming more defined. Whereas early in the year only a few teams would have been considered out of the playoff race (Buffalo, Edmonton and Carolina) the field is starting to get crowded.
As of late, we can add the Arizona Coyotes to that list and we'll be keeping a watchful eye on four teams in the eastern conference who are at least 10 points out of a wild card spot right now: Ottawa, Philadelphia, Columbus and New Jersey. And just for good measure, we'll throw in the Minnesota Wild out west. They're on a four-game losing streak and seem to be going through the type of turmoil that could get their coach canned.
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