the biggest problem I had with Regier was the type of player he was enamored with...lots of skill, little substance
- Michael Pachla

Yeah. He also definitely wasn't nimble. When operating on a budget with no future, you should probably trade a player at their peak or let edmonton have Vanek for a bunch of first round picks. But he couldnt let go of the season after the lockout....he thought those guys could get it done, even while watching clutching and grabbing come back in to the game and speed disappearing.

Nice read (reed) MP! Last night was crazy, 17,000+ attending a scrimmage! It's such a breath of fresh air for us Sabres fans to know the future will be nothing like the past 2-4 years!

Reinhart should make this team. His confidence was very evident and his line showed instand chemistry. Baptiste did look out of place but I will say that Eichel and Rodriguez (sp) showed some flare. Eichel definitely was a couple steps ahead of his linemates, he's going to be just fine

I think they would have beat the Bruins that year had Vanek not been injured early in that series. Vanek was killing them just as he had all along until he went out.
- kingcong39

once they lost game 4 in double ot and went down 3-1 the series was over

even winning game 1, they were outplayed

Yeah. He also definitely wasn't nimble. When operating on a budget with no future, you should probably trade a player at their peak or let edmonton have Vanek for a bunch of first round picks. But he couldnt let go of the season after the lockout....he thought those guys could get it done, even while watching clutching and grabbing come back in to the game and speed disappearing.
- seedy

^^this^^

I blame Regier for about 85-90% of the sabres failures. but Golisano also gave him no options financially. Yes, the team is still here, but that also caused a lot of suffering. Darcy could only be so creative with a set budget. He could have torn the team down and started over, but that was probably a guarantee of getting fired. The whole organization was in limbo during the golisano era....which in retrospect was just as painful as the last 2 seasons.
- seedy

1. peca
2. letting jp walk
3. poor choices on who to keep in the cap era
4. poor drafting in first rd
5. never made the change to shake the team up in november/december
6. letting briere walk when he wanted to stay
7. after letting briere walk, match the vanek sheet instead of taking 4 first rd picks
8. poor deadline additions
9. held onto his own way too long
10. horrible choices for call ups


I'll start there

Nice read (reed) MP! Last night was crazy, 17,000+ attending a scrimmage! It's such a breath of fresh air for us Sabres fans to know the future will be nothing like the past 2-4 years!

Reinhart should make this team. His confidence was very evident and his line showed instand chemistry. Baptiste did look out of place but I will say that Eichel and Rodriguez (sp) showed some flare. Eichel definitely was a couple steps ahead of his linemates, he's going to be just fine
- Dannymik

the word "should" might spike some controversy, especially after the performance sam put on last night...I agree with you, though...should is the operative word...am anxious to see how he does at camp and in the preseason as well as how Bylsma constructs a lineup

Yeah. He also definitely wasn't nimble. When operating on a budget with no future, you should probably trade a player at their peak or let edmonton have Vanek for a bunch of first round picks. But he couldnt let go of the season after the lockout....he thought those guys could get it done, even while watching clutching and grabbing come back in to the game and speed disappearing.
- seedy

he was way late to react to the nhl

the league was going back to clutch and grab and he was drafting midgets

he lets 2 centers walk, and never addresses the situation


mind-boggling and I am not surprised he has not had another gm offer

1. peca
2. letting jp walk
3. poor choices on who to keep in the cap era
4. poor drafting in first rd
5. never made the change to shake the team up in november/december
6. letting briere walk when he wanted to stay
7. after letting briere walk, match the vanek sheet instead of taking 4 first rd picks
8. poor deadline additions
9. held onto his own way too long
10. horrible choices for call ups


I'll start there
- homiedclown

although it needs to be updated (and I may or may not do it,):


http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=61199

My takeaways from the scrimmage on the forwards:

1.) Reinhart looked much bigger and stronger on his feet. This obviously was against prospects but he is showing he wants a spot on the big club, if he performs anywhere near like he did last night in training camp he will have earned his spot on the Sabres.

2.) Eichel was almost too fast for his line mates. You could see a few times his wingers were looking for the puck when it was almost on their sticks from a pass from Eichel. His speed is insane. I think once he is surrounded by NHL players his skill set will come out even more, that being said you could kind of feel he was pressing a bit to put on a good show.

3.) Bailey is a monster. He must have worked very hard on his skating as he was flying out there. He was physical from the beginning and it almost felt like he is trying to earn a spot on the Sabres this season. He was the best winger on the ice IMO.

4.) Fasching still needs to work on his skating but his massive size in front of the net is something I will be looking forward to seeing with him wearing the blue and gold in 2-3 years.

5.) Baptiste looked lost. He was flying out there but it looked like with no real purpose. He does have a NHL shot though as witnessed on his shootout goal.
- Stripes77

That's what happens when you're training everyday with the master gus

Tidbits for consumption:

A tournament will be held annually in Buffalo, teams to be decided yet.

McCabe, barring a disastrous training camp and preseason will be in Buffalo, along with Pysyk.

Word has it 3 of the scouting groups at the game yesterday were impressed

NHL very pleased with event.

Expect Kasdorf in the system, above all others he impressed the most

the word "should" might spike some controversy, especially after the performance sam put on last night...I agree with you, though...should is the operative word...am anxious to see how he does at camp and in the preseason as well as how Bylsma constructs a lineup
- Michael Pachla

I kind of like Bylsma for all of these centers


he found time to get crosby, malkin and staal significant ice time each on different lines

I kind of like Bylsma for all of these centers


he found time to get crosby, malkin and staal significant ice time each on different lines
- homiedclown

good point...the off-season is still full of intrigue

Tidbits for consumption:

A tournament will be held annually in Buffalo, teams to be decided yet.

McCabe, barring a disastrous training camp and preseason will be in Buffalo, along with Pysyk.

Word has it 3 of the scouting groups at the game yesterday were impressed

NHL very pleased with event.

Expect Kasdorf in the system, above all others he impressed the most
- TWGsabres

wouldn't McCabe be dependent upon whether they land a top-four d-man?

risto, bogosian, gorges, Pysyk, weber, colaiacovo

although it needs to be updated (and I may or may not do it,):


http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=61199
- Michael Pachla

http://www.nhltradetracke...t_by_GM/Darcy_Regier/68/4

funny story on xm

rob ray was traded for future consideration from the sens and to this day he doesn't think the sabres got anything back in return

http://www.nhltradetracker.com/user/trade_list_by_GM/Darcy_Regier/68/4

funny story on xm

rob ray was traded for future consideration from the sens and to this day he doesn't think the sabres got anything back in return
- homiedclown

that's funny...

and i'm not surprised either

wouldn't McCabe be dependent upon whether they land a top-four d-man?

risto, bogosian, gorges, Pysyk, weber, colaiacovo
- Michael Pachla

Don't expect a trade for a top 4 LHD unless it's to Murray's favor. At least, not until training camp and further evaluation on the D. The new coach likes what he has very much.

1. peca
2. letting jp walk
3. poor choices on who to keep in the cap era
4. poor drafting in first rd
5. never made the change to shake the team up in november/december
6. letting briere walk when he wanted to stay
7. after letting briere walk, match the vanek sheet instead of taking 4 first rd picks
8. poor deadline additions
9. held onto his own way too long
10. horrible choices for call ups


I'll start there
- homiedclown

I wholeheartedly agree. Many financial issues there, but he still made bad decisions within those financial parameters.

the word "should" might spike some controversy, especially after the performance sam put on last night...I agree with you, though...should is the operative word...am anxious to see how he does at camp and in the preseason as well as how Bylsma constructs a lineup
- Michael Pachla

Sam is kind of the forgotten son but I believe that he benefits from that. He's the type of player that was in over his head (like 95% of top prospects) last year and now maturity and experience will help ease that big transition. This guy is going to be a great leader and that's something that most 19-20 year old kids don't have in them.

How is no one talking about Carrier? He was the 2nd best player last night

How is no one talking about Carrier? He was the 2nd best player last night
- sbroads24

Easily overlooked. Didn't do anything flashy so its hard to notice those things from a crappy internet stream. But he was all around solid in all aspects of the game.

Hannifin signs his ELC...GM Ron Francis says he will be in the NHL this season

My takeaways from the scrimmage on the forwards:

1.) Reinhart looked much bigger and stronger on his feet. This obviously was against prospects but he is showing he wants a spot on the big club, if he performs anywhere near like he did last night in training camp he will have earned his spot on the Sabres.

2.) Eichel was almost too fast for his line mates. You could see a few times his wingers were looking for the puck when it was almost on their sticks from a pass from Eichel. His speed is insane. I think once he is surrounded by NHL players his skill set will come out even more, that being said you could kind of feel he was pressing a bit to put on a good show.

3.) Bailey is a monster. He must have worked very hard on his skating as he was flying out there. He was physical from the beginning and it almost felt like he is trying to earn a spot on the Sabres this season. He was the best winger on the ice IMO.

4.) Fasching still needs to work on his skating but his massive size in front of the net is something I will be looking forward to seeing with him wearing the blue and gold in 2-3 years.

5.) Baptiste looked lost. He was flying out there but it looked like with no real purpose. He does have a NHL shot though as witnessed on his shootout goal.
- Stripes77

All good points. Not much to argue on any of these. Baptiste was pretty underwhelming. A solid year or two in Rochester will do wonders for him.

Eichel seemed to be lacking endurance towards the end of the game, but individually his skills are incredible. It really seemed like he was just 20 steps ahead of his line mates, and he couldn't get anything going because his line could hardly handle the plays he was throwing at them. Great against the wall, puck handling, speed, hockey IQ... all top notch. Would have been great to see him score, but you can see how great that kid's gonna be. He's gonna come to training camp refreshed and in great shape. He knows exactly what he needs to work on once he gets a little rest. Can't wait to see them battle again in September. Until then, the 3v3 highlights from tomorrow should be good. I'm sure he'll pot a few points.

I remember saying to myself numerous times 'wow, Bailey is (frank)ing fast'

Tidbits for consumption:

A tournament will be held annually in Buffalo, teams to be decided yet.

McCabe, barring a disastrous training camp and preseason will be in Buffalo, along with Pysyk.

Word has it 3 of the scouting groups at the game yesterday were impressed

NHL very pleased with event.

Expect Kasdorf in the system, above all others he impressed the most
- TWGsabres

What does that even mean

Great turnout by the fans, and above all, the atmosphere Pegula has created in the city is amazing. From the Sabres, the Bills and to Harbor center, it has a different feel in WNY now.

I was there in June, and I could just feel a different vibe in the area, especially with the sports teams