tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post7529781776364865633..comments2023-11-03T09:36:40.604-04:00Comments on Top Shelf: We Must Accept Finite Disappointment...Heather B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06796852014625052317noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-48120161304096872822008-03-27T23:03:00.000-04:002008-03-27T23:03:00.000-04:00^Is my given name. The 'Helping People' Tick.^Is my given name. The 'Helping People' Tick.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-85325921845144023072008-03-27T16:55:00.000-04:002008-03-27T16:55:00.000-04:00Heather -You're not annoying me at all. I worked ...Heather -<BR/><BR/>You're not annoying me at all. I worked long and hard coming up with that handle, and by long and hard I mean I disregarded the people who call me "Roenick" and went with the ones who call me "Vanek" when trying to make fun of my flowing, blonde (sometimes color enhanced) hair.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770585105343162265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-92090110989975155882008-03-27T16:43:00.000-04:002008-03-27T16:43:00.000-04:00"Probably right after they came up with the idea o..."Probably right after they came up with the idea of packaging Kalinin, Kotalik and Afinogenov for Ovechkin or something like that."<BR/><BR/>I always thought it was a "meaningless cliche", but I literally "spit food out of my mouth laughing" at that one. <BR/><BR/>I'm going to be sure I enter this Blog without food from now on. Or drink - I don't want to test the "liquid shooting from my nose" cliche.ElmaGolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11761226222823133981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-59603458119267610402008-03-27T16:34:00.000-04:002008-03-27T16:34:00.000-04:00Oh, those halcyon days of Chris and Danny when the...Oh, those halcyon days of Chris and Danny when the team played a full forty minutes instead of a full thirty. What I wouldn't give to watch the Sabres stumbling aimlessly through the playoffs again! It brings a tear to my eye just thinking about it.<BR/><BR/>So Vanek's Hair, I guess what you're telling me is that "Vanek's Hair" is not your given name? 'Tis a pity. (I don't know why your handle tickles me so but it does. Apologies if I'm annoying you.)<BR/><BR/>You guys are the best. Every last one of youse!Heather B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06796852014625052317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-68176399782674449222008-03-27T16:03:00.000-04:002008-03-27T16:03:00.000-04:00Or that this was a "Stanley Cup team" that the fro...<I>Or that this was a "Stanley Cup team" that the front office dismantled. Really, the Stanley Cup team that won zero Cups? <BR/><BR/>....and made zero Stanley Cup Finals appearances?</I><BR/><BR/>Oh, you sillies with your logic. Obviously if we had Briere and Drury this year the team would win the cup and, even better, they would play a full 60 minutes every game. Just like they did last year. Remember?Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09694504731204384103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-11865700312520695592008-03-27T15:46:00.000-04:002008-03-27T15:46:00.000-04:00It's usually somewhere in the same paragraph as th...It's usually somewhere in the same paragraph as the suggestion to "get that $6MM defenseman" at the trade deadline - with no earthly idea what to give up for him. Someone actually suggested trading Spacek (last year) for Pronger.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Probably right after they came up with the idea of packaging Kalinin, Kotalik and Afinogenov for Ovechkin or something like that.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770585105343162265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-24046121341956330902008-03-27T15:37:00.000-04:002008-03-27T15:37:00.000-04:00"I want to gouge my eyes out every time I hear som..."I want to gouge my eyes out every time I hear someone tell me, "This front office won't spend to win the Cup" or words to that affect. If spending more is all that is necessary to win a Stanley Cup, then the Rangers circa 1999 - 2004 would have won 5 straight Cups, perhaps challenged occassionally by the Flyers and Leafs."<BR/><BR/>Gouge my eyes out, slap somebody across the face, scream at the top of my lungs "YOU OVERSIMPLIFYING WHACK-A-DOO".... I know EXACTLY the sensation you feel.<BR/><BR/>The Rangers / Flyers / Leafs response is something I have a "shortcut key" for when I'm on the Sabres Edge Blog - but the same comment comes up over & over & over.<BR/><BR/>It's usually somewhere in the same paragraph as the suggestion to "get that $6MM defenseman" at the trade deadline - with no earthly idea what to give up for him. Someone actually suggested trading Spacek (last year) for Pronger. <BR/><BR/>It's always so nice over here to see rational commentary from people.ElmaGolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11761226222823133981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-17280553645849195552008-03-27T14:57:00.000-04:002008-03-27T14:57:00.000-04:00Or that this was a "Stanley Cup team" that the fro...<I>Or that this was a "Stanley Cup team" that the front office dismantled. Really, the Stanley Cup team that won zero Cups? </I><BR/><BR/>....and made zero Stanley Cup Finals appearances?Katebitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12364106843885805603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-28356454129747543142008-03-27T14:31:00.000-04:002008-03-27T14:31:00.000-04:00Elma -I want to gouge my eyes out every time I hea...Elma -<BR/><BR/>I want to gouge my eyes out every time I hear someone tell me, "This front office won't spend to win the Cup" or words to that affect. If spending more is all that is necessary to win a Stanley Cup, then the Rangers circa 1999 - 2004 would have won 5 straight Cups, perhaps challenged occassionally by the Flyers and Leafs. <BR/><BR/>Or that this was a "Stanley Cup team" that the front office dismantled. Really, the Stanley Cup team that won zero Cups? <BR/><BR/>But if you find that "Stanley Cup Store Catalog" let me know, I also would like a copy.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770585105343162265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-16687427160794693442008-03-27T13:02:00.000-04:002008-03-27T13:02:00.000-04:00Vanek's Hair - "But I think people overstate the e...Vanek's Hair - <BR/>"But I think people overstate the easy in which such a player can be found. Often fans and front offices alike think tossing a sweater on an old guy who was on a Stanley CUp team in 1986 automatically brings leadership to a team."<BR/><BR/>Thank you for putting it so clearly - I love fans that know how easy it is to "get the job done."<BR/><BR/>I'm still waiting for someone to define "spending what it takes to win a Cup." I'm not on the mailing list for the "Stanley Cup Store" Catalog. If you find it, I'll send a copy to Tom G. ;)ElmaGolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11761226222823133981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-55765388786673430362008-03-27T12:57:00.000-04:002008-03-27T12:57:00.000-04:00"Elma, there comes a point where I get kind of irr..."Elma, there comes a point where I get kind of irrational (and feel totally ridiculous for getting to that point over a hockey team) so there are days when I find it's better for me to let the ranters rant and the jumpers jump and ignore the whole show. I'll be back over on the Edge eventually :-D"<BR/><BR/>Actually, I think some type of "earth shift" is happening over there. The ranters had their catharsis after the Ottawa game, and we stood up to it all. <BR/><BR/>Today, in the Miller Post - Tom tried to spin it being even more reason management killed the team. He even tried turning back the clock with the "year ago #1 Franchise article". <BR/><BR/>But you know what happened? People actually starting talking about what the team may need to do "GOING FORWARD"!!<BR/><BR/>Can you believe it ... "GOING FORWARD"<BR/><BR/>I have to say it again - "GOING FORWARD"!!!!!!!<BR/><BR/>I'd love it if some of the posters here visited the Edge, just to show Bucky, Vogl and Sully that there are actually some fans here willing to MOVE ON!<BR/><BR/>Anyways - "Andrew Peters, still circling" - Now that's hilarious!!!!!ElmaGolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11761226222823133981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-19710667992172843902008-03-27T12:23:00.000-04:002008-03-27T12:23:00.000-04:00Nice post. I agree that we have a bright future wi...Nice post. I agree that we have a bright future with the kids, but I do think we still need some grit and experience to mix in there. And I worry if that will be added. Darcy has been averse to adding free agents (or players really don't want to sign here)and he's only made trades when he's had to. Maybe GM's are leery of trading with him since the steals of Barnes, Briere, Drury, etc., but I just wonder how the additions will come now.<BR/><BR/>That being said, I'd be shocked if we missed the playoffs again next year. Not playing hockey past April should shock them into giving 60 minute efforts and maybe we won't need to add much.Mark Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04495690715950782958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-70795897190627806482008-03-27T11:37:00.000-04:002008-03-27T11:37:00.000-04:00I like the post. I agree with a lot of it.I actu...I like the post. I agree with a lot of it.<BR/><BR/>I actually think the Sabres are going to benefit from this season. Many of the core (Vanek, Roy, Pominville, Stafford) walked into the NHL and went to the Eastern Conference Finals. They have not had to struggle the way others had. So a rough season can actually help them. If a kid aces his tests without any work, he thinks he can always get away with that. A good a$$ whooping can be a good thing. I know from experience.<BR/><BR/>I really like Weber and Sekera. A lot. I understand that the sample is painfully small, but they still look good. For example, McKee and Campbell, both of whom saw ice time at young age, were far behind where Weber and Sekera appear to be at similar stages of their careers. I remember McKee looking like a deer in head lights way back in 1996 (Good Lord has it been that long?). Brian Campbell was a dumpster fire when he came up early in his career.<BR/><BR/>I also think the entire team stands to benefit from an offseason that is not filled with a constant drumbeat of questions about...OK, I vowed not to talk about them.<BR/><BR/>A veteran presence would be nice. THough I think the front office was pretty sure Numminen was going to provide that before his heart trouble. But I think people overstate the easy in which such a player can be found. Often fans and front offices alike think tossing a sweater on an old guy who was on a Stanley CUp team in 1986 automatically brings leadership to a team. Plus, the homegrown guys seem to be growing nicely into leadership roles. How would they respond to some dude my age walking into the room and telling them what to do.<BR/><BR/>Finally, I do not know why my sister refuses to utilize a "Hair Handle" But she has always been infatuated with Max.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770585105343162265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-867722998266354802008-03-27T10:41:00.000-04:002008-03-27T10:41:00.000-04:00I still think I'd rather be out of the playoffs wi...<I><BR/>I still think I'd rather be out of the playoffs with players who still have room to grow and improve and salary space to add some missng pieces than be a 5 or 6 seed that still doesn't really have much of a chance at a Cup but is now up against it financially and committed long-term to older players.</I><BR/><BR/>I cannot concur more, Heather!M.J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15028419371935671030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-51799787664262594622008-03-26T22:45:00.000-04:002008-03-26T22:45:00.000-04:00well written, as usual, heather. There is always r...well written, as usual, heather. There is always room for hope, especially with such a young and promising team. <BR/><BR/>we could go all year with the "what if-s?" but I'd rather look ahead and say, hey we've got some serious talent here that is just coming into their own and if they can harness it we could go places. <BR/><BR/>Pominville, Hecht, Gaustad, Mair, Roy, Vanek, they are all stepping up and they should be. it's a learning curve, but if the Sabres can keep the core of this team together (and Miller goes that extra step from pretty good to great) then the Sabres will have something special for years to come.<BR/><BR/>Everybody talks about the Red Wings and the big money moves they made (which were pretty few when you get down to it) when they won the Cup in 97,98 and 02, but what they don't seem to remember is when Detroit was struggling so mightily int he early 90s, with a young team. They took some draft picks- Maltby, Lapointe, McCarty, Lidstrom, Fedorov, Kozlov, and a few shrewd moves- Kris Draper for $1- seriously- Wooed Chelios away from Chicago, grabbed Shanahan for beans (dont even remember who was part of that trade but it wasn't much because he and Keenan weren't getting along in StL), Larry Murphy and Slava Fetisov were in there somewhere, nabbed Vernon as a free agent while Osgood came into his own.. sprinkle in a dash of Steve Yzerman and BAM- You have a Cup Winning Team. <BR/><BR/>Call me an optimist, but I could see that happening in Buffalo in a few years. Lindy could do that. <BR/><BR/>A solid backup wouldn't hurt though, to give Miller a litte respite from time to time. yes, he CAN and he wants to be a goalie who plays 70+ games a year but he's not quite there and it would make everybody feel a little better to have someone more solid than Thidbault (poor guy just isnt as good as he once was) to take the reins every once in a while.<BR/><BR/>and yes, I thought Roy played pretty hard last night. now if they could all play with the same level of intensity AT THE SAME TIME they'd be set. That has been a huge problem this year, and it just seems to continue. <BR/><BR/>And Miller should have been better last night and he wasn't. I stayed far far away from the paper today, didn't want to read it, but I heard part of it last night and again this morning Miller calling out his team but not offering any of the blame on himself. Yes, they should have been better in front of him but he SHOULD HAVE MADE SOME OF THOSE STOPS. <BR/><BR/>Argh. I'm done.S.A.M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17506479286542011522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-17259402187985851272008-03-26T21:37:00.000-04:002008-03-26T21:37:00.000-04:00"It's not like you'd do any damage any way. You'd ...<I> "It's not like you'd do any damage any way. You'd still be circling her when the cops got there." </I><BR/><BR/>This cracked me up, too! <BR/><BR/>Great post, Heather. I might have to come re-read it if the Stars don't pick it up pretty soon.Patty (in Dallas)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07764005549776620439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-50594669857581310802008-03-26T19:47:00.000-04:002008-03-26T19:47:00.000-04:00Thank You for this post!! After last game I've fel...Thank You for this post!! After last game I've felt like the world was ending. But your words have awoken me once again. We do have a bright future here and hopefully we can get the 'a$$hole' defenseman in this years draft that I think will complete this team. And by 'a$$hole' defenseman I mean the type of dman that the opposition hates to play against because they're afraid he'll hurt them (i.e. Phaneuf or Witt) .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-57981715408566898772008-03-26T18:57:00.000-04:002008-03-26T18:57:00.000-04:00I'll agree with both of you. I think Kaleta has ab...<I>I'll agree with both of you. I think Kaleta has absolutely been a spark plug and there were nights when the team seemed to wilt a little until he was back on the ice. </I><BR/><BR/>I definitely agree with that. I don't want to sound like I'm anything other than delighted by the contribution Kaleta, Sekera, and Weber have made. Kaleta would be an even bigger contributor if the Sabres could do something with all those power plays he gets them. It's just the idea that the three of them alone comprise an exclusive group of players who have heart that I take issue with. :D<BR/><BR/>As a side note, having played in Rochester they, unlike the rest of the young Sabres, have lots of experience with losing.Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09694504731204384103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-81870180602877844452008-03-26T18:34:00.000-04:002008-03-26T18:34:00.000-04:00War Penguin, that's part of what bothers me about ...War Penguin, that's part of what bothers me about the whole Conklin thing. When exactly was he supposed to play all these amazing games in Buffalo? It would've been nice to have a more reliable back-up and maybe then we're not scrambling at the end of the season... but I think if Thibault/Conklin was the only difference we still would've been fighting to get in/stay in the postseason and in that case you HAVE to go with your starter. These are the games Ryan Miller has to win, not his back-up. Which is not to say he doesn't need more help just that he's the one that should be in between the pipes.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your good wishes! I hope your boys have a great postseason for you.<BR/><BR/>Elma, there comes a point where I get kind of irrational (and feel totally ridiculous for getting to that point over a hockey team) so there are days when I find it's better for me to let the ranters rant and the jumpers jump and ignore the whole show. I'll be back over on the Edge eventually :-DHeather B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06796852014625052317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-79823092744263217182008-03-26T18:01:00.000-04:002008-03-26T18:01:00.000-04:00Hi Heather - Shawshank Redemption is always good f...Hi Heather - Shawshank Redemption is always good for dark days.<BR/><BR/>Don't be afraid of the Edge - I defied all them Schaudenfraud-lovers and actually ended up outing another "rational fan" (Matt in the Cuse).<BR/><BR/>"Vogl - It's NOT Working!!!!" ;-DElmaGolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11761226222823133981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-2489930861339299872008-03-26T17:00:00.000-04:002008-03-26T17:00:00.000-04:00Delurking to pipe up about Conklin ... honestly, i...Delurking to pipe up about Conklin ... honestly, if Fleury doesn't get that high ankle sprain, Conks doesn't have that unexpectedly good season with the Penguins. But even if the Sabres had re-signed him, I doubt he would have played very much, and he would have not had the opportunity to surprise everybody. (And, really, I mean everybody. No one in the Pens fanbase that I know of was going around high-fiving their friends and saying "YES! We signed Ty Conklin!")<BR/><BR/>I say this with all sincerity, even as a non-Sabres fan: hopefully, your team will not disappoint you next season.War Penguinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00488597314501573164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-53351423542776642122008-03-26T16:58:00.000-04:002008-03-26T16:58:00.000-04:00I agree that this team has a lot of great, young t...I agree that this team has a lot of great, young talent that has stepped up and helped to fill the gaps left by the many, many injuries this season, but this team also has a lot of young veterans that are growing and maturing and they will be on fire next season. They got thrown into leadership roles that they weren't quite ready for, but I can see where they have worked to fill these roles and I see them having a GREAT 08/09 season.<BR/><BR/>AND the 07/08 season ain't over yet!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-51253224324656845542008-03-26T16:39:00.001-04:002008-03-26T16:39:00.001-04:00Great post Heather. It's scary how much we agree ...Great post Heather. It's scary how much we agree about this team and how bright the future is. It's amazing how short sighted some fans and media are regarding the finances of the team. It is really important that Buffalo save some money for their young superstars like Jason Pominville and hopefully Steve Bernier. It will be interesting to see how they handle the Miller situation as well because he has been less than spectacular this season.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-2673660174651565342008-03-26T16:39:00.000-04:002008-03-26T16:39:00.000-04:00I'll agree with both of you. I think Kaleta has a...I'll agree with both of you. I think Kaleta has absolutely been a spark plug and there were nights when the team seemed to wilt a little until he was back on the ice. But I also think Jochen and Pommers have been the heart of the team this year which I'll be writing more about later. They both made goofs last night but everyone does. And talking about last night specifically, I think Roy was one of the few players who looked like he desperately wanted to win.Heather B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06796852014625052317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099439052359653516.post-13700275550763962762008-03-26T16:17:00.000-04:002008-03-26T16:17:00.000-04:00I think that Sekera, Weber, and Kaleta have been t...<I>I think that Sekera, Weber, and Kaleta have been the stars of the team because they are the only ones who have real heart on this team.</I><BR/><BR/>I think that's untrue and unfair to many players on the team. I don't know how someone could have watched this team the last several years and not think guys like Pominville, Hecht, Gaustad, Mair, etc/ "have real heart." I know people are excited about the young rookies but things like that are totally over the top.Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09694504731204384103noreply@blogger.com