Posted by 
Max Afinogenov will be taking his shifty services elsewhere in 2009-2010.
Hey Steve-
If you happen to come across this while you’re Googling yourself this off-season, don’t take offense to the title. I’m merely expressing my boredom with respect to Buffalo’s effort (so far) to address their needs since free agency opened.
Now, I realize that it’s still early on, but keep in mind that Buffalo is notorious for playing it ultra-conservative when it comes to going out and acquiring any name at any point on the hockey calendar. For quite some time now, there has been this sense of “building the team from within the organization” in the Queen City; prospects and what have you. I’m fine with that …to a certain extent. At what point, however, do you say to yourself, “this can only work to a certain extent; we need to bring in some outside help?”
Obviously, there has been something missing from the Sabres these past few seasons, yet, management still maintains the course. This summer is off to an all too familiar start for the organization. Buffalo’s top offense prowess from the blue line in 2008-2009 has gone to Montreal (with just about everyone else) and was replaced with a bulky defensive defenseman with minimal offensive upside. Last season, Buffalo struggled to produce steadily from the blue line as last off-season’s acquisition, Craig Rivet, failed to fill the offensive role that Darcy and crew expected.
With Jaro Spacek headed to Montreal, the Sabres will be looking for some offensive help from the blue line.
As of this point in time, Buffalo’s defense will look like the following:
1. Rivet – Sekera
2. Lydman – Tallinder
3. Montador – Butler
Who the hell are you scaring with those 6?
Another area in which Buffalo has struggled, especially last season, was in the face-off circle. They were operating at 47.4% at seasons end, good for 28th in the league in 2008-2009. My question is: why wasn’t Samuel Pahlsson of top priority for Buffalo on July 1st? He ended up going to Columbus for 1.4 million dollars. At that price, it’s a freakin’ steal for what that guy can do for a team. A big, hard working two-way player who is a beast in the face-off circle; EXACTLY what Buffalo needs. You re-arrange your lineup to make a player like him fit.
As of right now, Buffalo has almost 9 million dollars in the kitty for the rest of the off-season. Now, that number will most likely go down with Stafford, Sekera and MacArthur still sitting on their qualifying offers. So let’s say that Buffalo comes out of the situation with 5 million dollars left over. How about a trade? Maybe a free agent signing or two? If you’re plucking players off the free agent market, why not make a play for someone like Marc-Andre Bergeron or Keith Yandle. Cheap, offensive minded defensemen who can shoot howitzers from the point. If a trade is what’s in the water, why not make it count? Go top 6 forward or top 4 defender.
What I’m getting at is: don’t go into next season with the exact same lineup. If anything, the movement within the division should have them scrambling a bit. Montreal has gone out and acquired an entirely new starting 5 to start the 2009-2010 season; Boston will be as powerful a team as they were last year; Toronto has brought in several names, including an elite goaltending prospect in Jonas Gustavsson; Ottawa signed Leclaire on deadline day and Kovalev a few days back. Your opponents are getting increasingly competitive, Buffalo. Time to do something about it.
This isn’t a problem that can be fixed by trading for mediocre role players on deadline day, Darcy. Let’s step it up here.
schrembs@saucerpass.comtwitter: @saucerpass I Hope you enjoyed this post. As always, leaving a comment below is both appreciated and encouraged. Thanks!
Some Other Posts You May Enjoy:
The Toronto Ass Man, A nice Bruins Blog, Mike Lange sounds off…
Los Angeles Kings: Contenders or Pretenders in 2009-2010
2009-2010 Buffalo Sabres Season Preview
Son of Slap Shot Hanson Brother Christian “Snap Shot” Hanson Scores First NHL Goal!
Do Mid-Season Trades Really Make An Impact On Stanley Cup Winners?
Buffalo Sabres
I like Montador’s addition because it makes the team tougher on the back-end and he won’t take crap from anyone or let anyone run Miller over (like the team did last year with the Gomez incident). But you’re right we need an offensive d-man because we haven’t replaced Brian Campbell since he left. Another thing: Henrik Tallinder should be traded or just waived. This guy hasn’t been the same since he broke his arm in 2005/2006 as his teammates have constantly stated. He’s become dead weight.
I think the only reason why Tallinder is still highly regarded in Buffalo is his ability to work with Lydman. You can’t argue the two play well together, but you’re right. There was something about that injury that knocked him off his stride a bit.
Montador is a gritty player for sure, and certianly something Buffalo will need since they won’t be resigning Andrew Peters, but they still need someone on the point who can score. Perhaps they can swing a deal for Kaberle?
Love the title Schembs!
Nice read as well!
Don’t over-estimate the value of free agents, or underestimate the value of keeping a roster intact for a long period of time. As long as the d-men can stop pucks, Buffalo will be competitive.
The problem that I have with keeping the roster in tact is that it’s the same roster that has missed the playoffs for the past 2 seasons. I’m sorry, but Steve Montador and Joe DiPenta are not the missing links to a serious cup run for the Buffalo Sabres.
A team that was 14th in the National Hockey League last season in defensive scoring replaces their best offensive defenseman with 2 guys with little to no offensive upside? Ok fine. But if you’re going to go into that defensive mode, it seems like it would be smart to find some added offense here and there, whether it be from the blue line, or from some added firepower up front. Especially with Tim Connolly being made of a low grade of tin foil and all.
Not all of us can be the New Jersey Devils.
I won’t argue with you about over-emphasizing the need for free agents or overlooking the importance of keeping a team in tact. It’s nice to keep a team together; familiarity and chemistry are needed for sure. It just seems like the changes that have been made thus far for Buffalo will take them from finishing 10th next season, to a team finishing 9th or 8th. Something more may be needed to see a significant change.