Nitro60

Success and wealth are not guaranteed but NHL entry level contracts help but 2 years of it are wasted. He has outgrown juniors, can't play AHL due to him having junior eligibility and he feels he is NHL ready. Sabres are stuck with him. If they play hard ball, he will return to Russia and the KHL. The KHL will over pay for his talent. The kids is wanting to play with the big boys and make money now , not later.

YES. The kid said that in his statement. "I came to North America 3 years ago coming from a home in Russia where I never had a bed, a shower or heat...I work everyday to be the best hockey player I can be so I can provide for my family, have a better life...Because hockey is all I have, my passion, who I am" I will take him at his word. As a grandson of immigrants...coming to the US is winning the lottery for them. They, like him, had nothing and this Nation affords them an opportunity to a better life.

I will defend his actions. He came from Russia with nothing. His deprived lf an that of his family is his motivation. Quebec does npot afford him the opportunity to make money he can in the NHL for the folks back home. How many of us at his age would make a stand like this for his loved ones. If he is truly doing this to support the family, it is a noble and mature act. If he is doing it as leverage and advice from his agent, then it is short sighted and it will burn him. I hope the new GM makes the wise decision. Sabres have been playing .500 level hockey since the start of Nolan's time behind the bench. The can inch up the standings and thwart any hope for a top pick. Just their luck.

Good interview on MSG pregame show. He impresses me as a guy who will get things done.

Finally the Sabres has adult supervision top to bottom. Pegula finally has a team in place that can and will build a good team. A GM who will assess his talent, move the dead weight and bring new faces. I expect the Sabres will finally be players in Free Agency.

I scored Buffalo, Rockford and Aurora, Illinois. I chalk that up to living here in Indianapolis off and on since 1978.

In Indiana, where I reside, some people add an "R" to the word wash. I have never warsh my clothes. I do have a pet peeve in that some will say "I have an ideal" when they mean idea. It is vexing to listen to the language be butchered thusly. I miss living in Buffalo and hearing melk for milk and crick for creek along with dese, dem and dose. I do love my hometown lingo and accents. Potato bugs are rolly polly's here in Hoosier land.

Vanek is a good to a star player on a team but he is not a star player himself. Sabres will do their home work and draft the best guy on the board. As much as I did not like how Darcy Regier managed talent on the team, his last 2 drafts have set the Sabres up for a better future. They might be better served in signing a free agent center in the off season (2nd or 3rd line) to give them depth. Miller will be moved and they could get a prospect along with a draft pick or 2. The trade deadline and Spring's draft will reshape the team and I am looking forward to it.

Darcy needed to be fired to benefit him. He did not look like a man who enjoyed his job the last news conference he had. He will not be out of work for long. Rolston was a good soldier and took the job. It was a good for his resume and I think he will go to the minors to coach or Junior/College. He needs to teach/coach at that level because it is where he was the most successful.

96-97 Sabres had some tough players (Boughner, May, Barnaby and Ray) along with skilled skaters (Plante, Audette, Satan, and Holzinger) plus guys like Peca, Brown and Ward. Good mix of talent. They hustled and hit. Unfortunately the team hit a losing streak to end the season (some thing like 8 or 9 loses with 2 wins). I think Nolan can turn this squad into a team like that quickly.

Guys like Stafford are in for a rude awakening. Ted does not like slackers and guys who don't play sound defense in your own end. The young guys will finally get the direction they need to grow into good pros.

Ted Nolan welcome back. Now get the most out of these guys like you did in the 90s. I feel a whole lot better with the changes made.

About darn time. It was embarassing seeing Rolston over his head and Darcy being arrogant in making the team and fans "suffer" through a rebuild. Welcome news!

He has alot to over come in his career. A good guy who deserves a break. Happy to see him get the spot light.

If I was Vanek, I would not want to go through a 3 or 4 year rebuild at this stage of his career. He will become a Free Agent at the end of the season and all indications are that he wants to finish his career with Minnesota. Good luck to him and thanks for the time with the Sabres. He was a consistent player and tougher than what folks think. Time to the page for the Sabres.

Happy for Vanek. He did the best he could for 10 years with the Sabres. Not the best on defense in his own end. Good trade but would have liked another body instead of a draft pick.

I want to see the pictures Darcy has that keeps him employed with the Sabres. They have to be priceless. That is the only way, IMO, he has been able to hang on to his job.

I was a Bisons fan and watch Punch build the Sabres from a expansion team to Stanley Cup contender in 5 years. Even the 71-72 season was exciting due to Gilbert Perrault and Rick Martin. No excitement being generated by the Sabres,

Sabres

I was being a smart butt earlier, when I said Darcy would be happy to sign a couple AHL forwards. I was not too far off the mark. He is determined to run this franchise into the ground and then rebuild only through the draft. That can work in the NFL and NBA but not in the NHL. I don't trust Darcy's judgment of talent.

The lack of movement with Vanek and Miller before the draft ensures they start the season with the team. To get max return, play them and move them at the trade line.

Darcy is ready to sign a pair of AHL 4th line forwards. He does back flip at new conference.

Darcy found a bargain on hockey pucks and athletic tape. He is pleased with himself. Another step towards the Stanley Cup/

Darcy will be in the bargain basement filing up the roster with guys that make you say: "WHO?"

Why worry about Briere? Goal totals the last 3 season are 34, 16 and 6. Production decreases as age increases. He will be lucky to get 15 goals this year. If they are in rebuild mode, go young and ignore the over 30 vets.