Last Word On The Sabres...I hope!

For most of the season I've been pretty up front regarding my feeling for the Sabres organizational problems. Numerous times I've said:

Don't blame Darcy Regier. He's taken far too many bullets for Thomas Golisano and don't be surprised if he's had enough and doesn't sign a new contract after 2008--09.

And don't blame Larry Quinn. No one one wants to win more than he does. He hates to lose, and is known for having a big ego. I think that is great! He's the type of guy we should be happy to have fighting for progress downtown. He would sign every player if he could.

DO BLAME IT ON THOMAS GOLISANO.

In short, he is trying to run the Sabres like Paychex. His not being available to comment on, or handle negative situations, his letting Larry and Darcy take the bullets, his general blase attitude toward the past 18 months speaks volumes about his goals. It's been a 180 degree turnaround over the past two years.

Want more proof? Check out this recent article from The Hockey News. They ranked NHL GM's from top to bottom. Here's what they said about Darcy.

15. Darcy Regier, Buffalo

How can we rate Regier so highly when he has: a) failed to come to terms with his team’s three best players?; b) let two of them get away and got nothing in return?; c) traded his best defenseman while his team was fighting for a playoff spot?; d) dismantled one of the best scouting staffs in the league?; and, e) has presided over the Sabres as they’ve gone from Stanley Cup contender to barely middle-of-the-pack? Because he’s taking the bullet for an owner (Thomas Golisano) who refuses to spend money despite the fact the Sabres have essentially sold out every game the past two seasons and have gone on long, lucrative playoff runs. Regier is a good hockey man and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him leave at the first opportunity. CAREER 390-299-120 (.556) CUPS 0 PLAYOFFS 10-6 series record

In the end of regular season HOCKEY NEWS Power Rankings, the Sabres are at #20, and they write:

This is Derek Roy’s team and he deserves to be named captain. Enough of this minor peewee crap of rotating captains. Hard to say what we can expect from the Sabres moving forward. The one thing we do know is they won’t pay to keep their stars. That is not a good thing and certainly isn’t fair to coach Lindy Ruff and GM Darcy Regier.

Is there anyone we can get to buy this team from Tommy Boy?