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Buffalo Sports
DON’T GET ME STARTED waited and waited until free agency surfaced. Fans have been hoping that Darcy Regier and Larry Quinn would indicate to fans that they are serious about returning to the playoffs in the 2008-2009 season.
So far – no such indication. While owner Tom Golisano reportedly is ready to plunk a couple of millions into the political arena, his guys running the Sabres sat still when some prime free agents, especially defensemen, were being whisked away by other teams.
It’s no secret the Sabres made money last year and “rewarded” the fans with price increases. If they fail to make the playoffs, it will be interesting to see what the season-ticket base will be like a year from now. Ahhhh, the playoffs. Based on the current roster, it will be a battle for this team to reach the top 8 in the conference.
It’s also no secret that the Sabres needed a tough defenseman. The one player that fans had been hoping the Sabres would snare was 6’2”, 220 pound, 27-year old defenseman, Brooks Orpik who plays with an edge.
Orpik made $1,075,000 with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season. Naturally, he would be getting a good raise on the open market. But he’s a local guy. His brothers is currently with the Sabres. His family lives in Western New York. Orpik would be an ideal fit and maybe give a home town discount since he wouldn’t have to fly his family to games.
It’s been evident that the Sabres are always thinking about the big buck. But let’s figure it out. There are hints that they might bring back Teppo Numminen. At last look, he was making about $2,500,00 – a million more than Orpik. Numminen is 40 and his best days are behind him. Let’s hope that his ailments clear up. If the Sabres opt out of Numinen, wouldn’t it be wise to use his money – and add it to Orpik’s 1 ½ mill. That would bring Orpik’s take to $4 mill. I’m sure Orpik would grab the pen and ink that paper. He’d save money from flying his family to watch him play games. That’s how I think. But that’s probably not the way the Sabres are thinking.
With the loss of Campbell – what has happened to the blue-liners? They are banking on Sekara and Weber to generate interest. If memory serves, they were on the roster when the Sabres were involved in the playoff hunt – that failed. What do Sabres fans have to look forward to? The draftees won’t be ready for a couple of years – if that. On the blue line you have Spacek, Talllinder, Lydman, Paetsch, Sekera, Weber. It might take a year or two for draftee Tyler Myers to put on some muscle on his exclamation point body. As for muscle? Teams won’t be afraid to charge into the Buffalo zone, knowing they won’t get popped as Campbell did with Umberger; as Warrener and McKee did when he was here
Other teams, who didn’t come close to drawing the number of fans that the Sabres poured into HSBC Arena – realize that playoffs mean everything and they quickly picked up the players that would help them. Brian Campbell will be making over $2 million more than he would have received if Buffalo agreed to his $5 mill request a year ago. Everyone that leaves Buffalo makes more because they are all contributors.
Look at the Chicago Blackhawks. For years, they were dormant. They couldn’t find their way out of the “Cheap Box” that plagued them. All of a sudden, they’re finding that to make money, you have to spend money and they are really spending it right now, picking up Campbell and goalie Huet who together will be getting about 25% of Chicago’s payroll.
It would be a shame if Chicago’s “cheap” reputation traveled east to Buffalo.
So that’s it. The philosophy seems to be set. Forget that the Sabres are some $17 million under the cap. What worries fans is, “What do they have to look forward to.” It seems like the same guys that suited up in the failed playoff hunt last season will again be skating up and down the ice. .
Too many great players are leaving and the Sabres are doing what they do best – “Sit on their hands while competitors load up for next season.”
All the Sabres did was sign a back-up, and fairly well traveled, goalie in Patrick Lalime, who sat in that position with the Chicago Blackhawks. His GAA last year was just under 3 goals a game while his save % was in the .800s. Does that mean Miller will have to play 70 games? Miller’s numbers have to improve. If Regier doesn’t sign him this season – he’ll be a free agent and will likely be gone a year from now.
Am I disappointed by the Sabres failure to show fans they mean business in today’s NHL – yes. But frankly, I’m not surprised since it’s the same story every year on Don’t Get Me Started.
© Copyright 2008 by Speakupwny.com
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