Some Game That Was
I am quite sure the Buffalo Sabres attempted to bore me to death last night. No goals, no fights, a couple hits and not many scoring chances. But the beer was cold.
This team is soulless. Or to put it in a business parlance, they are not self-starters. Their lack of passion manifests itself in the sold-out crowd that had nothing to do last night but sit on their hands.
Everyone knows that something has to be done. You can try to trade Max Afinogenov all you want, but who is going to bite on him until closer to the trade deadline?
Nope, someone the Sabres (and the fans) like is going to have to go in order to make room for some of the kids up in Portland. And it has to happen soon, be it a deal or outright waivers.
On a personal note, it’s going to be quiet around here for the next 24-48 hours. You have been warned.
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About the Authors
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Kevin
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Chris
I am a born and raised Buffalo fan since my birth in Niagara Falls in 1977. For reference, my first communion gift from my parents was a replica Sabres Home White Mike Ramsey jersey. I still have that jersey. After stints at Georgetown and the U.S. Army, I have settled in DC where my Sabres, Bills and Hoyas passion runs unabated (I have season tickets to all 3). I believe that while supporting my franchises is good, I believe supporting them with data and statistics is better. -
dave in Rocha
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Mark
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twoeightnine
I live in a van.
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Quiet? Hell
Turn over the Mothership to 289 and Dave in Rocha
We’ve got some serious bitchin to do around here.
Max was movable even last year at the trade deadline. The Sabres have just about squandered any value he ever had at this point. The guy ain’t worth a bucket of burritos.
You know where else it’s going to be quiet? Ted Rogers’ office. $78 million so he could watch 1 preseason game. How ’bout them apples, eh?
Just when I thought I couldn’t be more pissed off after having attended the Lightning, Senators, Blue Jackets, and Islanders debacles this year, I sat staring at a sold out arena on a MONDAY NIGHT AGAINST THE NASHVILLE PREDATORS and watched the Sabres sleepwalk their way through yet another home game.
At least at the end of the Rigas years you could hope the players’ checks would bounce.
If they don’t care, why should I?
I’m still a Sabres fan, but I have to admit that I am barely paying attention to them this season. I just don’t particularly like this group of players anymore. Last night, I had a TV choice between the Sabres game and a college basketball game. i picked the basketball game. management doesn’t really seem to bring in any new impact players, lindy can’t seem to get the most out of the talent on the team, the players seem motivated on odd/even days. it’s a boring plot line at this point. i definitely wish the team the best, but they’re not getting my attention until football is over.
It’s getting to be painfully obvious that the team we have is a .500 club unless and until they play with passion and heart.
I was so relieved that management signed our remaining key players in the last year that I forgot that they were merely locking in the mediocre roster from last year. The hope was that several players would mature, take leadership roles, and elevate their games. With the exception of Vanek, that hasn’t happened.
Rivet was a nice addition, but clearly not enough.
So, we are exactly where we were last year….on the waiting list for a heart donation. We’ve lacked heart since Drury and Briere left town…and so far no donor has come forth with the heart we lack.
I wonder if the Sabres think waiting out this season and then letting Afinogenov, Connolly, and Kotalik walk is enough. It might be actually. I think all of those guys contribute to the “soulless” problem. Not that there aren’t other offenders, but I think Roy and Pominville have enough of an upside to hold onto, and I can’t think of anyone else on the roster who would be worth all that much on the trade block. Jochen might fetch something. I suppose they could ship out some combination of MacArthur/Stafford/Paille, but depending on who we got in return, I’m not sure losing those guys would seriously effect the personality of the team. After that we’ve got the grinders and there is NO way Lindy parts with Goose or Mair…and who would want them anyway?
If I had a vote I’d vote to waive Max and Timmy, but that’s flushing a lot of money down the toilet.
Last night’s game was horrible. Good teams, even when they have played several games in a short period of time, find ways to “dig down” and be competitive even when they’re tired. The little kid who sat behind me figured out what was wrong the whole game and kept asking his dad why the Sabres didn’t try to fix their mistakes.
Kate,
I say flush away. They’re playing 30 games between the two of ‘em right now, so you’re flushing that money anyways. I’ll second your motion!
I know it is like talking about cancer around here, but maybe the team has tuned Lindy out. Perhaps its time for a fresh voice?
I think the RAV line should be put back together, since diluting them hasn’t helped. Max may be ineffective (he has managed some assist points, fact of which seems to get get ignored when focusing on goals) but I don’t think Roy or Vanek would do well playing on the lower lines either.
Connolly should have been traded the second he was healthy.
Maybe the guys have tuned Lindy out, or else the “system” needs some serious tweaking.
I’m starting to wonder the same thing, Chris. I have been and remain a major Lindy Ruff fan, but if the players have finally shut him out or aren’t getting the message, it may be time. But who in his place?
I also doubt it was coincidence that the Sabres’ worst effort of the season was on a night that Rivet was out of the lineup injured.
Scotty Bowman, he’s tanned, ready and rested. Best of all, he’s local.
@11-
Holy shit! I’m not the only moron!!
Can anyone even believe TC’s been out over two weeks already with a freaking cracked rib? So it hurts to breath a little. Tape the shit up like we did when we were 12.
I mean, there’s pussy, then there’s PUSSY.
For the record, dumping a coach doesn’t necessarily mean the coach is bad. It means he’s ineffective, which Lindy has been for at least the past two seasons.
The players’ excuse-making we’ve all come to know and love has started from the top for the past decade. From ‘we’re hoping to get at least 4 of 8 pts on this road trip [note: the Red Wings always try to get at least 8] to rotating captains to ‘fresh starts’ without making roster moves. It’s old and it’s a loser’s game.
If not a coaching move, waiving Tim Connolly would have a positive effect on this team. Would we miss him? Might send a message finally that malingering is not tolerated.
Seriously, you’re gonna pay Connolly to sit the whole year anyway.
I love his play as much as the next guy, but I’ve accepted the fact it just isn’t to be. His roster spot continually disrupts the chemistry needed to move forward without him.
Flush him.
get rid of max and timmy, now…both of them are a waste of money and roster space. gerbe NOW, why not