Written on Monday, August 10th, 2009 at 10:04pm by Kevin | 13 Comments

Sabres Sign Mike Grier

Does this mean that the Sabres are now committed to winning?  Seems to me that the Sabres have only added to their reputation of not being committed to winning since Mike Grier walked out the door three years ago with unkind things to say about the Buffalo organization.

And yet, Mike Grier is a Sabre again.  On the surface, it seems to me that Mike Grier couldn’t find a job and the Sabres threw him a million bucks or so to work on the penalty kill and provide a little toughness up front and some character in the dressing room.

But look a bit deeper and there are issues.  For example, Mike Grier puts the Sabres at 13 forwards if one includes Drew Stafford.  That number doesn’t include Cody McCormick, Nathan Gerbe, or Tim Kennedy.  Uh, oh.

Something’s got to give.  Clearly, the Sabres are having trouble in their negotiations with unrestricted free agent Drew Stafford.  As is typically the case with Darcy Regier, no word on negotiations has leaked out, but Grier at a minimum provides insurance and at another extreme may make a trade possible.  Of course, the trade wouldn’t have to involve Stafford, but it’s more fun to speculate about him because he could actually bring a decent return.

Bottom line is, the Sabres have 15 forwards at minimum who are ready to play in Buffalo next year.  And that’s just too many bodies.

13 Comments

  1. Chris Smith says:
    August 10, 2009 at 11:58 pm

    I’ve got to think a trade is in the works, that’s pretty much the only way I can resolve the moves Regier has been making this offseason. Maybe he’s waiting for the right deal to open up.

    I can’t imagine that the Sabres head into the season with this many forwards, especially when they have so few, ummm, talented ones. Grier, Gaustad, Ellis, Kaleta, Mair, Paille, McCormick…not a lot of scoring talent there. Add in the underwhelming trio of Hecht, MacArthur and Stafford and this offense is starting to look down right offensive.

  2. marc says:
    August 11, 2009 at 12:13 am

    Grier is here because he adds power on the right side, is good for maybe 10 goals and adds a little muscle on what is otherwise a team of pussies.

  3. trevor says:
    August 11, 2009 at 10:33 am

    No, Grier is here because Darcy has his hand to the pulse of the city and he realizes that ‘letting’ Grier walk is the reason we’ve never won the Cup.

  4. Matt S. says:
    August 11, 2009 at 1:16 pm

    On the plus side, it’s back to people (none of which in here have) making the hilarious “Griere” typo all over again.

  5. The Gaffer says:
    August 11, 2009 at 2:57 pm

    I think a trade is coming and I like the rumored deal of Stafford to Florida for Nathan Horton. Big guy who can score and I think he’d be a great addition.

    15 forwards and we haven’t even resigned Peters!

  6. Chris says:
    August 11, 2009 at 3:35 pm

    Wait, Florida’s not banging down our door to trade Horton for Stafford? I wonder why?

    I was kind of hoping Matt Ellis would be the next Grier, but I think Grier is better. I was initially against the move, but he averaged 15 mpg with one of the top 3 teams in the league. He adds value and, as Kevin mentioned, bring some good PK with him. Anything over 10 goals is probably a bonus.

  7. jan says:
    August 11, 2009 at 4:17 pm

    is there something else about to happen– like a trade or someone being waived? looks like there will be lots of competition for spots on this team in training camp. maybe the dead wood will finally be let go.

  8. Chris says:
    August 12, 2009 at 8:27 am

    What dead wood? Max Afinogenov? Ales Kotalik? I am not sure to whom you are referring, Jan. If you are referring to Jochen Hecht, he’s here for 3 more years. I don’t see us as active until the trading deadline, to be honest. But that’s okay – Darth always gets his man. BTW, Griere’s contract is for $1.2M. I like it.

  9. trevor says:
    August 12, 2009 at 2:55 pm

    I haven’t heard the Stafford for Horton thing, but that would be hilarious. As in, who the hell would trade Horton for Stafford? I still remember shaking my head the day Stafford got his 20th goal, knowing he’d be gone. Of course, I was only bummed because I know Wolf likes him. But you knew that meant he’d hold out for 3m.

  10. Tom Luongo says:
    August 12, 2009 at 5:18 pm

    Holas all,

    First thing… Kevin, Stafford is not un-restricted. He’s an RFA, and he will be in camp with a contract or not playing hockey this fall, as per the CBA. Everyday he sits around not signed he’s lowering the price Regier will have to pay for him to get him in the door; think an expiring option contract. If Drew thinks he’s that valuable in this market, let him continue to live in the Cloud Cuckoo Land of the amateur musician. Having been one in a former life, it’s a powerful drug, if not terribly good for the bank account. He’ll sign a contract, likely no more than 2 years at a lower salary than we would have expected at the beginning of the summer… I’m thinking 2 year 5.5 mill at most. He signed his own ticket when he disappeared down the stretch in March/April.

    The Horton for Stafford thing is an Eklund rumor… and for once, not a bad one. But, I don’t see it happening. Though, at this point, I’d take him, as long as Florida is willing to take Tallinder or Hecht in the deal.

    Not. bloody. Happening. Unless Bettman’s footing the bill, like he is for the Yotes.

    Ta,

  11. Buffalo Hodgepodge says:
    August 13, 2009 at 11:22 pm

    Did Grier get divorced?

  12. Nathan says:
    September 9, 2009 at 5:35 pm

    “Grier is here because Darcy has his hand to the pulse of the city and he realizes that ‘letting’ Grier walk is the reason we’ve never won the Cup.”
    With all do respect, there are way too many things wrong with that statement.. First of all what on earth have you been looking at the last few years to think that Darcy Regier has his hand to the pulse of the city? He has consistently made bad decision after bad decision regarding the roster moves of the Buffalo Sabres, and constantly going against the cry of the fans. Yes he made this move in order to try and appease the fans and make up for once again another poor off-season, but to say he has his hand on the buffalo pulse seems to give him quite a bit more credit than he deserves.
    Secondly, does anyone honestly believe Mike Grier would have been the missing link to a Stanley Cup victory? Sure Grier is a solid 3rd or 4th liner, but a difference maker? Come on now.. Hes got some Grit, good two-way player, and yes he has some leadership qualities, but certainly not enough to turn a talented contender into a Stanley Cup Champion. Just look at his years in San Jose.. They brought him in to add grit and leadership to an extremely talented team that consistently chokes in the playoffs. What happened during his time there?? They STILL choked in the playoffs even with him in the line-up. If he couldn’t be that small deciding factor on a team much more talented than buffalo, how can you possibly think he would have done that for the Sabres? Listen, I like Grier and I thought it was a slap in the face to him when Regier let him go over such a small amount of money and I don’t blame him for walking, but he wasn’t going to bring us a cup if he stayed. The problem is much bigger than Grier. The problem is Darcy Regier and Larry Quinn… Its insulting to the fans of buffalo for Regier to bring Grier back for 1.2m (twice as much as what he refused to pay him in 06!!) and think that will suffice and make up for the off-season. Like many of you, I believed he had to have had a plan to make some trades given all these forwards, but unfortunately I believe the reality is that he once again was too stubborn and unreasonable for other teams to want to work with him. So now we are stuck once again with a mediocre team who’s aspirations are to be “competitive.” Quite frankly, this is getting obnoxious.. We need a management who’s one and only goal is to win a Stanley Cup and do whatever it takes to achieve that. Welcome back Mike.