"Hey, Darcy, can we trade Roy-Z?"Some random thoughts:
-- Judging by my email and a couple of comments, the change in banner has not gone unnoticed. I do forever love Jay McKee - more on him in a second - but yes, I am kind of thinking ahead to what I'm going to do if and when Hank gets traded. And sadly I think "when" is the more likely option. I wanted to play around with different shaped photos and using multiples photos in one banner and since I'm not ready to commit to another Sabre yet - for crying out loud, Hank is still here! - a playoff oriented banner seemed the way to go. When the Blues are done - and it's not looking like that'll be too much longer - Hank will be back and there he'll remain until he's wearing another jersey.
-- There are some former Sabres who I'd have very mixed feelings about as Stanley Cup champions, some I'd be okay with and some I'd really hate to see win. But Jay McKee is the one I'd absolutely love, love, love to see hoist the Cup. I can guarantee you I'd be a big, blubbering mess. But I watched the first Blues game (I admit, I slept through last night's game two) and Jay looked really old and really slow. It was a little bit heart-breaking. Watching that game made me realize how long I've been watching hockey now, at least in a casual sense. I clearly remember the first time I saw Jay. He was 19. It made an impression because I was also 19. And now he's pretty much done. I know that's not so much his age (31) so much as it is his style of play and his injury history but it makes a girl feel old, you know?
-- I admit there was part of me that felt like if the Sabres just squeaked into the playoffs something miraculous could happen. I think that's the best thing about the NHL playoffs. Anything can happen. But after watching the first couple groups of games I'm absolutely sure that the Sabres would've been dead meat. Maybe Ryan Miller could have stolen a close game or two but if not, we would've been swept. Even the teams that limped into the playoffs have taken things up a notch and everyone is playing in a gear that I, quite frankly, don't think this year's Sabres are capable of playing in. We didn't see it from them all season, I don't know why it would start now. I don't know where you even begin in addressing that in the off-season.
-- If you haven't read John Vogl's article about Chris Butler, please do so immediately. Like a few other bloggers out there, I slowly fell a little in love with Chris this season. Not only did he play really well which was a total surprise to me, he comes across in interviews as very thoughtful and smart. I felt for the poor guy when he couldn't really celebrate his first goal due to the circumstances but I love him for not celebrating his second goal which came in the last game of the season even though it was a game the Sabres were winning. Adam Mair came barreling into him and Butler refused to crack a smile or look the least bit satisfied with himself. He knew winning that game didn't mean jack. I thought his postgame interview that day was one of the best, showing real maturity and understanding of the situation. All that AND he stands up when a woman is leaving the room? A-mazing. On behalf of a fanbase that needed all the bright spots it could get this season, thank you a million times over, Chris. I'd like to see Mike Weber up in Buffalo for a season before I commit to a new favorite player but Chris is definitely in the running.
11 comments:
Chris Butler is taken. I'll fight you to the death for him. :P
Kate, until you own a Chris Butler jersey, I don't wanna hear it :P
Jerseys? Pfffft. Whatevs. Chris Butler knows that love is not measured in jerseys. Golisano's willingness to keep moving forward with the same old same old? Now THAT is measured in jersey sales. :P
Oh, one other thing- I'm all for trading Roy-Z (ALL FOR IT) if and only if we replace him with a PROVEN point per game guy. We absolutely must must have Roy-Z's production in the line-up. Because of Roy's good contract I think it would be really difficult to get that kind of value back in a trade. For that reason I think the Sabres would need to be prepared to take a financial hit on Roy(meaning to get anything as good back they'd either need to give up more than Roy-Z, or spend more $).
Personally, I think Roy-Z is more valuable than Lindy, but CLEARLY the Sabres don't care what I think. :P
Wait, you're claiming Butts as your favorite, too? You're such a copycat! :P
First of all, I did not CLAIM anything, Schnookie. I merely applauded Butts for being smart, articulate and good at hockey and said I was keeping an eye on him. So there :P
Second of all, Kate, I think you're absolutely right that trading Roy-Z will probably mean taking on more salary than we're losing unless he goes in some kind of crazy package. The reason I've been hesitant to trade him up until now is because of what a good value that 4 million dollar contract is. But I'm convinced he has to go if Lindy's going to stay. SOMEONE does at least. Someone in the core is sour on Lindy, I'm sure of it! :P
Thirdly, :^::::::::::::::::: to your crack about Golisano. It's funny cuz it's true.
Heather, I have a total man-crush on Butler. I wish the Sabres had ten of him.
Kate, I love your blog, but I gotta disagree with you on Roy - we DON'T need to duplicate his production in order to justify trading him. His negative production in terms of mistakes, non-commitment and leadership by bad example outweighs his production by enough that if we get simply a solid NHL forward and a decent pick, I'd make the deal in a heartbeat.
http://hockey-sense.today.com/2009/04/18/pittsburgh-owes-knuble-and-giroux-a-thank-you-note/
Norm, that's an interesting point. I think we do need that production - we'd have to get some quality in a trade - but with 100 giveaways you could definitely argue that Roy is canceling out some of his own production.
Am I the only one left who still likes Tallinder?
I love Tallinder (duh) and I think he finished the season very strong. In fact, by the end of the season I think you could make a better argument for trading Toni who looked slow and undisciplined thank Hank who seemed to turn himself around. I just think the likelihood of one or both of them being traded is high. Hank especially seems to have worn on Lindy. I'm just preparing myself. That way if he doesn't get traded I'll be extra happy.
I've had a huge crush on Butts since I saw his Catwalk for Charity interview where he gave Maria "The Cougar" a preview of his model walk. Too adorable for words. And I refuse to get anything with his name one it lest it jinx him and he gets traded. (ex. McKee, J and Briere, D)
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