It’s the second day of training camp and Sabres fans can rejoice, as Drew Stafford will return to the team this season after all.
After contract talks reportedly reached a stalemate earlier this week, Sabres GM Darcy Regier said the team was continuing to work with Stafford to try and get a deal done.
On Sunday, the Sabres announced that they have signed Stafford to a two-year deal worth $1.5 mil this season, and $2.5 mil next season.
The team is expected to continue working with Stafford throughout the two-year period to sign a longer-term contract. In the meantime, Stafford is a promising young player who will continue to develop his offensive skills in hopes of signing a better contract in the future.
Last season, Stafford had 20 goals and 25 assists (both career-highs) for a total of 45 points in 79 games.
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Dear Mike,
Within a few days the Buffalo Sabres will be starting the 2009-2010 NHL season with a major issue that has not been fully addressed this offseason. A lack of veteran leadership plagues the young Sabres.
In my opinion your the perfect guy to fill this role.
I realize that the Sabres probably have not contacted you, but why don’t you contact them?
Back in 1995-96 there was a guy you know very well named Randy Burridge.
On opening day, Randy showed up to Sabres training camp and asked for a tryout ( I don’t have to get into too many details because you were there).
John Mucker and Ted Nolan granted Randy an opportunity to earn his way on the team, not anticipatiing the true impact and leadership he ended up providing to the team .
That training camp and preseason Randy by far was the best player on the ice. He felt he had something to prove. As you know, Randy made the team and not only scored 25 goals that season…but became one of the role models and leaders that Ted Nolan built his team around.
Ted said countless times that year that Burridge was the “guy” he wanted his players to emulate on the ice.
Randy was a guy that gave 100% effort on every shift, every night, and provided leadership to a young team finding its way.
Mike, now is your chance to be the guy willing to lay it on the line. You have an opportunity to become “that guy” that Lindy will want his young players to emulate, a role model to build a team around.
Be the guy that brings 100% every time he steps on the ice and exceeds the expectations of his teammates, coaches, and fans. Don’t sit back & wait. Seize the moment…. and take back your rightful place, as one of the Sabres greatest impact players of all time.
I hope you get a chance to read this letter…..and I hope we see you Saturday when training camp begins.
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Just wondering is it true that Michael Peca will show up at Sabres training camp this weekend? Rumors circulating all around Buffalo have Mike showing up at Sabres training camp as a walk on player trying to make the team.
If this is true, I feel this would improve the Buffalo Sabres locker room leadership as well as improve special teams. This team lacks leadership! even though the Sabres added Mike Grier in the offseason, the Sabres still lack the grit players needed for a long playoff run.
Jerry Sullivan of the Buffalo News wrote an article this week in which Michael Peca expressed regret regarding his departure from Buffalo. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t look back with some regrets,” he said.
“I probably should have been more involved in the process than just allowing my agent to handle things. I should have made it more clear how much I wanted to stay. There’s things in life you look back on and wish you could change, but you can’t. You just hope to learn from them.”
I think its time to embrace our former Captain, and bring him home for the last few years of his career. Darcy this team needs help, and this guy can deliver! Mike we hope to see you Saturday! Last time I checked…..#27 is available.
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Buffalo’s “grow your own program” will hopefully start to bear fruit, as a few of their recent draft picks should be competing for permanent roster spots this season.
Boston College standout Nathan Gerbe, while only 5’5”, has already showcased his abilities by scoring 56 points in 57 games last season for the Portland Pirates. He was drafted in 2005 by Buffalo in the entry draft.
Meanwhile, Buffalo native Tim Kennedy should also be competing for a LW spot. He scored 67 points in 73 games last year in Portland. I would say that behind Vanek, Hecht, and Paille, it’s wide open. These two could make it interesting.
The most anticipated arrival in the past few years has been the early draft pick, defense man Tyler Myers. Not only is his skill and raw talent allegedly solid, the kid is 6’8”. If you can remember a few years back, Chara was kind of a very large tomato can with a rocket slap shot. He’s since developed his skill to become an obvious force at 6’9”, and a premier defender in the league.
Could Myers be the next Chara? Word is from practice reports is that the guys have to really be on point when he’s on ice because he was ripping people’s heads off!
Him and Butler had a little inside competition with each other to see who could lay the smack down on fools!
With the Montador addition and the Barbarian up front, there could be record PIMs this year! As I’ve said before, watch out for Tyler Myers.
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Outlook:
After making the Eastern Conference finals in 2006 and 2007, the Buffalo Sabres have hit a bump in the road in the last two seasons by missing the playoffs both years.
While 2007-08 saw the departures of key players such as Chris Drury and Daniel Briere, a lot of the up and coming stars of the Sabres picked up their game that year under head coach Lindy Ruff.
During the 2008 trade deadline, puck-moving defenseman Brian Campbell was dealt to the San Jose Sharks, which hurt the Sabres during their fight for a playoff appearance finishing in 10th place with 91 points.
In 2008-09 the Sabres had very similar results finishing in 10th place with 90 points. Even though the team did not make the playoffs, they did have some bright spots during the season.
Former University of Minnesota forward Tomas Vanek scored 40-plus goals for the second time in his career and fellow Sabre forwards Drew Stafford and Clarke MacArthur made a big leap forward in their careers. And while Derek Roy and Jason Pominville had a decline in their game (at least in the stats department), people should expect them to have a better season in 2009-10.
The biggest question mark on the Sabres is the health of center Tim Connolly. The former New York Islander and native of Syracuse has not played a full season with the Sabres since 2001-02 because of injury.
In fact, in the post lockout era alone, the injury plagued forward has only managed to play in 151 regular season games during that span. Even though the Sabres have guys like Roy, Vanek, and Pominville, their success for 2009-10 will depend a lot on a healthy Tim Connolly.
A notable addition to the Sabres is forward Mike Grier who last played for the San Jose Sharks. A member of the Sabres for two seasons, Grier adds some toughness to the team and is a reliable third or fourth line forward. Jeff Cowan is also worth noting as an addition as he brings a style similar to Grier’s game.
On defense, the blue and gold still look like a reliable bunch even with the loss of Jaroslav Spacek to the Montreal Canadiens and Teppo Numminen, who announced his retirement about a month ago.
The Sabres still have captain Craig Rivet and veterans Henrik Tallinder and Toni Lydman on the roster and they’ve added Joe DiPenta and Steve Montador. There also seems to be a lot of future talent on defense with Chris Butler and Andrej Sekera and Nathan Paetsch could be used as both a defenseman or a forward.
Ryan Miller returns as the man between the pipes in 2009-10. This will be Miller’s seventh season with the Blue and Gold and he has posted 30-plus wins since 2005-06. Miller certainly deserves credit for their Eastern Conference Finals appearances in 2005-06 and 2006-07, even though he had guys like Briere, Drury, and Campbell.
Now that they’ve had a full season without Briere, Drury and Campbell, Miller, in particular, could have a career year with the Sabres this upcoming season. The No. 2 goaltending spot however, remains to be decided.
While Patrick Lalime returns to the club, he seems to be slowing down with age. The 35-year-old goaltender from St. Bonaventur, Quebec, has Sabres prospect Jean-Phillippe Lamoureux looking over his shoulder, but expect Lalime to hold the backup spot, at least for the time being.
What does the upcoming season have in store for the 2009-10 Sabres?
In their division, the Boston Bruins are still the team to beat and are the runaway favorites. However, the next four spots are up for grabs.
The Montreal Canadiens were plagued by inconsistency in their Centennial season, but still managed a playoff spot in the end. Expect the Habs to fight for their playoff lives again next year.
The Ottawa Senators still have the Dany Heatley saga on their plate, so a lot remains to be said on that. And Toronto’s beloved Maple Leafs should improve, but are still a long shot for the playoffs.
The Sabres are in a good position right now, and should take advantage of the situation in the division and the Eastern Conference. They will make the playoffs in 2009-10.
Prediction: Second in Northeast Division, Seventh in Eastern Conference
Projected Lines:
Tomas Vanek – Derek Roy – Jason Pominville
Clarke MacArthur – Tim Connolly – Drew Stafford
Dainel Paille – Johan Hecht – Mike Grier
Jeff Cowan – Adam Mair – Nathan Paetsch
Craig Rivet – Toni Lydman
Henrik Tallinder – Chris Butler
Steve Montador – Andrej Sekera
Ryan Miller
Patrick Lalime
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Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff today announced that forward Adam Mair underwent successful arthroscopic hip surgery. He is expected to miss at least 6 weeks.
All of a sudden the Mike Grier and Cody McCormick signings start to look more like a stroke of genius by GM Darcy Regier.
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Over the last couple days, I had an amazing opportunity to interview the Buffalo Sabres top prospect, and American Hockey League Affiliate Portland Pirates starting goaltender, Jhonas Enroth. Enroth played for Sodertalje Junior team, and represented team Sweden in the World Junior Hockey Championships before being drafted in the second round, 46th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in 2006.
Here is the interview.
MARC- After being drafted out of Sweden by Buffalo back in the 2006 draft, have you noticed any change in the game play or speed from playing for Södertälje’s junior team, and now playing in the National and American Hockey Leagues?
JHONAS- Yeah, the biggest difference is the speed of the game. It is much higher in North America because of the smaller ice.
MARC- You’re one of the smallest goalies in the league. What skills do you use to cancel out the disadvantage of your 5″10 build?
JHONAS- I’m trying to be a step before the shooter, I always try to be ready for a shot, doesn’t matter where he is on the ice. And if he passes I always try to know where he is going to pass.
MARC- Last year, we saw Semyon Varlamov for the Capitals go in for the playoffs and play great, regardless of being inexperienced. Do you feel you’re ready at any given time to be a starting goalie in the NHL?
JHONAS- I think I’m ready, I had better stats this year in the AHL than a lot of other goalies that played in the AHL and have been playing well in the NHL.
MARC- Ryan Miller is a great starting goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres and is on the United States Olympic team. Is there anything he has taught you through your time being on the ice with him?
JHONAS- I learn so much just to watch him, he is a great guy and is probably (one of the ) top three goalies in the NHL. And the way he prepare for games is very thoughtful.
MARC- On game day, what foods and drinks do you like to have?
JHONAS- I would like to have some rice and chicken before games.
MARC- Is there anything you would recommend not to consume?
JHONAS- I don’t like the way junk food makes me feel, so I stay away from that kind of food before games.
MARC- Do you have anything special you do, like rituals, on game day?
JHONAS- Yeah, I have some rituals. Its just small things like put on right skate first and stuff like that, but its more a reflex I think.
MARC- What types of music or what bands do you listen to to get you pumped up for a big game?
JHONAS- I listen to all kind of music, it’s a mix of everything almost.
MARC- You wear number “1”, is there anything about that number that’s special to you?
JHONAS- I have been wearing number 1 for four years now. And I like it, it’s very classic. The trainer just gave me number one when I turned pro four years ago in Sweden and I haven’t change my number since then.
Once again I’d like to thank Jhonas Enroth for taking time to answer these questions, and wish him luck for the upcoming hockey season!
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It’s end of August, which means aside from the NFL season starting in a few weeks, NHL training camps will start in September.
For Buffalo Sabres fans, it means preparing for another season of what ifs, free agents replacing quality veterans and hope that the kids from Portland will become stars immediately.
Lindy Ruff and Darcy Regier enter this season with lofty expectations after barely missing the playoffs the previous two season and making the Eastern Conference Finals at the end of the ’06-’07 and ’07-’08 seasons. Either or both could be finding new jobs if the Sabres miss out on the postseason.
The cornerstones on the Sabres roster are set. Goaltender Ryan Miller continues to win games and give the team the opportunity to win games every night. Jason Pominville should rebound after a sub-par year last year, and the defense is getting younger with the addition of Tyler Myers.
Myers joins fellow free agent Steve Montador after Jaroslav Spacek left in free agency. Captain Craig Rivet did a good job with developing Chris Butler and Butler should have a breakout year in 2009-10. Myers will be under the gun from day one of training camp. He has no option to go to the AHL, so expect him to play every night.
Some fans were surprised that Toni Lydman and Henrik Tallinder are still on the Sabres roster, but they’re too valuable to let go. They should look for bounce-back years, either together or apart. Ruff has a history of being faithful to players that have played well for the team for a long time.
Derek Roy will continue to be the top scoring center for the Sabres. As long as he has Thomas Vanek on his wing, teams will continue to match up their best defensive pairing against the Vanek/Roy line. The team still hasn’t signed Drew Stafford, but fans should expect a deal by the opening of training camp. He, along with Tim Connolly and Jason Pominville, should have more productive seasons than last year.
A lot of the Sabres scoring on the second and third lines will rely on Nathan Gerbe and Tim Kennedy. These two are looking to make the parent club right out of training camp and fans expect both on the opening day roster. Gerbe showed flashes of scoring while with the Sabres last year. Signing Mike Grier to mentor the younger players was a good move by Regier.
The pieces are in place for the Sabres to return to playoffs. It doesn’t matter which seed the team ends up being, because anything can happen during the NHL playoffs.
The NHL offseason is finally winding down and teams are gearing up for training camp, which will take place less than a month from now.
With that said, some teams are through with making moves this summer, while others—like the Sabres—are still trying to get deals done.
Last week, the Sabres added veteran winger, Mike Grier—a surprising addition, but likely the last significant move the team will make this offseason.
But GM Darcy Regier still has one more noteworthy task at hand, and that is to reach a deal with restricted free agent, Drew Stafford.
Earlier this summer, Regier extended qualifying offers to three of the Sabres’ five restricted free agents, Pat Kaleta, Andrej Sekera and Stafford.
Kaleta signed a one-year deal, while Sekera was inked for two years at a little over $1 million per year. Clarke MacArthur, another restricted free agent, signed a deal similar to Sekera’s.
Both parties (Stafford and the Sabres) are likely working feverishly behind closed doors to get a deal done. But when talks extend all the way until mid-August, there becomes a growing concern that both sides may be far apart.
At 23, Stafford still has plenty of time to mature into the player the Sabres hoped he would become after the organization drafted him 13th overall in 2004.
The 6’1″, 200-pound winger has a particular size and scoring touch that doesn’t exactly run too deep in Buffalo. So yeah, he is definitely an asset worth keeping—at least in my mind.
In 2006-07, he appeared in 41 games, scoring 13 goals and 14 assists—a promising start for the youngster. In 2007-08, what was supposed to be his first-full season in the league, he managed only 38 points (16G, 22A) in 64 games.
Last year, more of the same from Stafford; he struggled early on in the season before heating up after the All-Star break, then leveling out by the end of the year. Though he finished with his first 20-goal season, his overall numbers were not at all that spectacular (20G, 25A).
However, I am a firm believer that Staff has the ability to be a consistent top-six forward, and 30-goal scorer in the NHL for years to come.
Not to say Sabres’ management doesn’t feel the same way, but they may be exploring different options at this point. That includes possibly trading away his rights for another right winger and/or draft picks.
That is, unless of course the two agree to terms, or if Stafford is willing to sit out the entire 2009-10 campaign.
I’m sure Sabres’ fans can quickly recall the Michael Peca ordeal that occurred almost a decade ago.
Both are pretty extreme outcomes, but still possible nonetheless.
Regardless of what happens, Stafford is deserving of a contract in the range of $2 million to $3 million a year.
Kevin Sylvester, Sabres’ pre and post game show host, said in a blog last week that he expects the winger to re-sign with the Sabres soon. Take that for what it’s worth.
The Sabres begin training camp Sept. 13 in Buffalo.
The Buffalo Sabres shocked most of their fans on Monday signing free agent Mike Grier to a one year, 1.25 million dollar contract.
Sabres fans will never forget Grier’s words on his way out of Buffalo after the 05-06 season.
“I don’t like the direction this team is going in.”
At the time, it seemed like a strong statement being made by the right winger. But now after 3 seasons away from Buffalo, Grier is singing a different tune.
The reacquired right winger was interviewed this morning on WGR 550 am, and his comments were a completely about saving face from just three seasons ago with departing.
“I like that they have some of their young players locked up”. players like Ryan Miller, Derek Roy, Thomas Vanek, and Jason Pominville.”
The problem with me lies in the fact that for the season of 2006-2007 the Buffalo Sabres have underachieved vastly. The front office has taken heat from fans and media alike for some of the contracts handed out to these young players as well as letting some key players walk away to become unrestricted free agents.
So how is Grier so comfortable with the direction of the team?
My money lies directly on the fact that Mike Grier found it difficult to land new jobs as any free agents have this offseason. Sabres fans should still be happy a guy like Grier has decided to sign back with Buffalo for two reasons though.
Mike Grier brings instant leadership to this team. He will, in my humble opinion, be wearing the A right off the bat for Buffalo.
Not known for his scoring prowess, Grier is the kind of player you do not catch taking shifts off. He has a knack for going into those corners, getting his nose dirty, and getting the puck. He expects a lot from himself as well as his team mates.
Mike Grier also brings much needed size to a very small and somewhat fragile right wing position. Grier will be winging a top two line and making his money on the penalty kill. Another facet of his game that is top notch.
So for all the questions I have had the last two days about the way Mike Grier left, I will sure welcome him back to Buffalo and let bygones be bygones.
Hopefully, the Buffalo media will do the same.
