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Buffalo, NY • United States • 23 Years Old • Male
Inching Along



It's been a slow, rainy summer this year in Buffalo. That mood has seemingly set the tone for the Sabres this off season as well.

On Saturday, the Sabres signed former Colorado Avalanche center Cody McCormick to a one year deal worth 550K. McCormick is a big, brutish center with a knack for battling along the boards. Its another small level signing by General Manager Darcy Regier, but an important mini-step in putting together a playoff contending team this season.

The east is going to be much tougher this year, and the Sabres will need some tougher players to compete. With a group of "bangers" that include Mair, McCormick, Kaleta and Ellis, perhaps we'll be tough enough. Perhaps.

It's looking like Darcy isn't willing to shake up the offense much; no major trades or signings in sight. He's playing the waiting game; he's going for the long term. He's willing to bet the Sabres will be good enough to make the playoffs this year, and is most likely waiting for the right player(s) to become available to bring to Buffalo for a legit cup run. Even if that takes a few seasons, Darcy is willing to sit on the team he has, and play the waiting game.

He's retuning the team a bit here and there to respond to the current environment of the league (see Montador and McCormick signings), but nothing major. Those are the small signings, but they're crucially important. You need a solid base capable of playing every night, fighting along the boards, grinding the other team into submission. Darcy is working on that base right now: Signing the less exciting, but critically important "working man" players.

However, this "solid base" is nothing if your upper echelon of offensive players can't score the big goals and win the big games. I guess the question this season will be this: Are Vanek, Connolly, Roy and Pommers good enough to win the games that need to be won? Are they game changers? Will they put up or shut up when the game is on the line? The answer to that question will reveal whether or not the Sabres make it to the playoffs this season. If not, I see some key roster changes being made next summer.

I guess Darcy believes that our "premium talent" is good enough to take the Sabres where they need to go. We'll see if it works. If Miller or Connolly goes down, this team is in trouble. And if we miss the playoffs again, Darcy will be done and it'll be time for a wholesale, discounted roster fire sale. For the sake of the team, let's hope Darcy knows what he's doing.

Your thoughts on McCormick? Is the Sabres top tier talent good enough? Should Darcy sit on the roster one more year? Leave me some comments.

James Board Banger Ehrmann
Filed Under:   Sabres   McCormick   Buffalo   Regier  
August 2, 2009 8:32 PM ET | Delete
Have fun watching the playoffs on tv. Not good enough last year or this year.
August 2, 2009 9:18 PM ET | Delete
I like your analysis. i watched Cody Mc play in Belleville. The guy is tough as nails. He'll make opponents think twice about buzzing Miller's crease.Keep up the good work.
August 2, 2009 10:02 PM ET | Delete
penguins are terrible and lucky to win the cup. all the nhl wanted was for crosbitch to win and they did everything they could to make that happen. stop bashing on the sabres fans cause at least they dont play the game like bitches.
August 2, 2009 10:50 PM ET | Delete
I like McCormik but to answer you question, no we still aren't good enough. Darcy continues to sit and wait like he always does, wait and watch.
August 3, 2009 9:22 AM ET | Delete
...able to play every night....Mccormick has never played a full season (70-80 games) in the NHL..we shall see if he can....or is he just a replacement for Peters? If he is, he will be a non-factor.....just like Peters. Hopefully he doesn't look as stupid Fighting.
August 3, 2009 1:43 PM ET | Delete
This signing does nothing but fill a roster spot. The last thing I want is this guy in my top 12 forwards because that means your gonna have to pick Kaleta Mair or Ellis to play on the third line which isint a very good thing. The fact is this team is already worse than last year.
August 3, 2009 1:52 PM ET | Delete
The Sabres top tier talent is good enough the problem is they need more of it. The Sabres are still 2 players away from making any splash in the playoffs, Darcy needs to find away to bring in another top 6 forward in to take some pressure Vanek.
August 3, 2009 1:58 PM ET | Delete
A player like Kessel is what we need to be looking at someone who can play with Connolly and Pominville. It's almost criminal that Darcy sits on this roster the way it is. He sat on in 2007, again last year and unless he does something soon were looking at a third year in a row of sitting on it. At this point its not sitting on the roster its getting paid to do nothing. It almost seems like the general manager position for the Sabres is vacant!
August 3, 2009 5:41 PM ET | Delete
Kessel would be interesting, but shouldn't the Sabres attempt to bring in a bigger, more physical player?
August 4, 2009 1:28 AM ET | Delete
Nice article ! Relax the sabres are gonna be fine. Look for the sabres to make the playoffs this year and if anyone gets injured then go get that player. Sabre fans have to be patient they are in alot better shape then that other pro team!
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