Sabre-metrics

The Buffalo Sabres

Yes I realize that the Sabres jerseys are a darker blue. But this is the Blue of the Sabres jerseys that I like. Bring it back!

Jersey-envy aside, nothing ever seems to go right for the Buffalo Sabres. They get a GREAT season out of Pominville and Roy and Vanek and Afinogenov fall of the map, Connolly gets hurt (repeatedly) and Brian Campbell makes it clear that he doesn't want to come back, forcing a trade for less then his value as one of the better puck moving d-men in the league. It was a tough year for Sabre fans, caused entirely by the Sabre-metrics. Buffalo's Sabre-metrics, defined here as the number crunching/head office ineptitude, has thusfar seen three crucial pieces of the Sabres run to the Eastern Conference finals two seasons ago walk straight out the door; two to other teams in the same Conference.

The Sabre-metrics continue. Pominville remains unsigned; presumably because he scored more than 80 points last year and was an integral part of the team. No one was brought in to replace Campbell's production; putting a heavy burden on Craig Rivet and Jaroslav Spacek. No help was addes at forward either though that area is not the trouble spot that the team's D remains.

Red flags flew everywhere when the Sabres signed former Senator fall-guy, Patrick Lalime. It seemed to signal that the Sabres were expecting to not be able to re-sign young phenom, and former Hobey Baker award winner, Ryan Miller. Marvin the Martian stuffed animals were burned in effigy throughout upstate New York until this past week, when Miller signed a five year deal with Buffalo. Sighs of relief were exhaled and Lalime's family was taken off high alert.

The Buffalo team that will take the ice at this moment looks much like the team that took the ice last year. Expect more of the same.