Maintain Consciousness

I’ll be upfront with you. I love the Buffalo Sabres. Since the lock-out It hasn’t been that bad being a Sabres fan. We have been playoff contenders almost every year, even reaching the Eastern Conference finals twice in 2 years, and winning a Presidents Trophy. But the Sabres have never been “One of those teams.” You know those teams that are always in talks of being a Stanley cup caliber team, and being that team that’s willing to take chances and go for it, most notably in free agency. 

This almost makes Darcy Regier seem like an even smarter GM than he’s usually been credited for. The Fact that he’s been able to assemble playoff contending teams on a consistent basis with mostly home grown guys is astounding to me. 

 

Now he has Terry Pegula (And his wallet). What can be said about Mr. Pegula that hasn’t already been said. He wants to win, that’s it. No if’s, and’s, or but’s about it.

Regier has proven that he knows how to handle prospects and knows how to draft. The one thing he’s lacked is the ability to go after NHL proven guys under the previous ownership group. 

*On a side note, I am eternally grateful to Mr. Golisano for saving my hockey team in the Sabres darkest days as a franchise, so a huge thank you go’s out to him.

So now that Pegula has come in and changed the culture and will do everything he is allowed to do to make Buffalo “Hockey Heaven,” imagine what Darcy might be able to do.

The Sabres first move was to bring in Robyn Regehr (along with Ales Kotalik as a throw-in). They didn’t even have to trade much. This move was wonderful, a nice NHL Defenseman who’s tough and will stand up for his teammates.

Now today they sign Christian Ehroff to a 10 year, $40 million deal. Wait the Sabres made this deal? The Buffalo Sabres?!?! This doesn’t happen in Buffalo. Another NHL proven defensemen who can put up some points. Wonderful, absolutely wonderful. 

Best part of all of this “wonderful-ness” is that it is still June 30th. Free Agency Starts tomorrow. 

This Free Agent crop isn’t very deep, but there are still some good players. But the number one guy is Brad Richards. 

I’m not saying the Sabres will be able to get him, but why not? The way Buffalo has been working in the past week why not? They’ve already proven that they are willing to give guys a long term deal at good money, something Buffalo was never willing to do before. 

Richards wants to win a cup. He also wants a big contract. The Sabres can provide both. Buffalo already has one of the elite goaltenders in the league with Ryan Miller. Now they have a strong defensive core with Regehr, Ehroff, and oh yeah, Tyler Myers. The missing piece? A strong center to play with Thomas Vanek up front.

Even if the Sabres don’t land Richards, I’m sure they will be making moves, whether with free agents or making trades. 

The Pegula Age is officially here.

Here We Go.