Robviously

The camera is killing me. I swear they're zooming in and out a ton due to the odd location. Sorta funny since there's an Advil ad on the ice. I'll be popping some Advil in a few minutes.....

I think Vanek really misses Roy.

Damn, look at this arena. It's like we traveled back in time! Also gotta love how the camera is at the blue line and not at center ice. Great choice, guys.

The decision should be entirely about his development. This year has already used the first year of his entry level deal so there's no contractual benefit. As for the team, it's not like they have anyone better ready to take his spot. I doubt we'd lose Gerbe or McCormick if we decided to send them down due to the number of players on the roster -- and if we did, that's probably OK too.

1. We'd probably fire Regier when we fired Ruff. 2. If we kept Regier then, yes, he'd probably continue not doing a great job as GM. 3. What's the worst that could happen? We lose Regier and Ruff and then can't manage to never-contend without them?

Elite center? How'd they get that guy? I'm sure they must have signed him as a free agent or picked him up late in the first round.

There's a difference between slumps and a former Rookie of the Year getting worse every single season. There's also a difference between slumps and chronic confidence problems for all of our most talented players. No. And for that matter, is there anyone who thinks Lindy Ruff's best coaching days in Buffalo are ahead of him? It's rough being a fan of a team when all your instincts are telling you that its GM and Coach are never going to get it done.

More importantly, was that a Ghostbusters reference?

Wow, a super talented player is having serious confidence problems and it's affecting his play? Sadly, this is probably to most consistent thing about the Buffalo Sabres the past few years.

I don't want to trade him; I want to get him right. Unfortunately, he's gotten worse every season so I really doubt all the same people we've had around the past few years are going to be much help.

Shorter version: he has no confidence and he's thinking way too much instead of relying on his instincts.

You mean a lot of teams willing to give us next to nothing for him now that his value is at an all time low?

Yeah, "marked improvement" that really lasted. It's not like he's gotten worse every year he's been in the league. Oh, wait.... I'm ready to find out if a different coach could reach him and get him to relax and play the way he did when he first showed up. But apparently that's madness because keeping Lindy Ruff is the team's top priority. The Sabres aren't "devoted" to Ruff the way other teams in sports are devoted to their coach. They're more devoted to him than any other team in any other sport is devoted to their coach. At some point I'd love to see some benefit to this devotion.

Rookie of the Year becomes terrible player and healthy scratch. But, hey, NEVER question the coaching on this team!

Paul Gaustad received two eight-figure contract extensions based solely on that though.

Jokes aside, these charts are pretty sweet. Good work.

Girgy IS pretty far from being ready, although I think he would have probably ended up with a pretty decent first year in the AHL (for an 18 year old) if not for his current concussion. But by the time 2014-2015 rolls along (the first year of any potential Miller, Pominville, or Vanek contract extensions), he'll be 20 and might be ready to be what Marcus Foligno is to the team this year. I would also like to move Stafford but ideally that would happen when his value is high. Then again, I'm not sure what our 2nd and 3rd lines are going to look like in 1 or 2 years.

Which should up his trade value. We might not be able to get an NHL player with the same value, but we could move him for a prospect or to move up in the draft. (I loved that the Sabres were aggressive in last year's draft and moved up to get Girgensons. It felt like they actually had a long term plan. If they want to move a player and a pick to move up again this year, I'm all for it.)

That's bullcrap! You can kill a few hours at the Galleria Mall easy.

But at the end of the day, it's basically your fault for going to the game and leaving us un-moderated. You know most of us can't be trusted to post without adult supervision.

Armia and Girgensons will be inexpensive when they join the Sabres as well -- next year or the year after. We could always free up additional money with trading Stafford or Sekera too. (Though not just to get rid of them; it would have to be in return for something useful.)

:( You mean my opinions aren't affecting the Sabres' decision-making process? Are they even considering my idea for the yellow alternate jersey? Tell me they're talking it over at least.

Same here.

Not really, it would imply that they know someone is going to have to take the fall for the current situation and they don't want it to be them. Again, if that's what's happening.

It's not the fans' fault but the atmosphere in our building does completely suck (unless fans from other cities invade and actually bring some life to the place, of course).