Rebuilding the Buffalo Sabres(NHL09-Final Attempt)

[SabresKings3623]

Buffalo Sabres Fire Darcy Regier;
Former Captain Lafontaine Named New GM


Pat Lafontaine, former Buffalo Sabres captain


A week before the start of the new NHL season, the Buffalo Sabres fired General Manager Darcy Regier, after he failed to adequately improve the Sabres mediocre roster during the offseason. The team desperately needs a culture/personnel change and Regier, who is known for his conservative approach, would not have gotten the job done. So, the Sabres turned to former captain Pat Lafontaine as their new general manager. Lafontaine had this to say during the press conference: "It is an honor for me to return to the Sabres organization, and I am very thankful for this opportunity. I've followed the Sabres all along, and I realize that the roster has some areas where it's lacking, and I understand that some players desperately need a change of scenery. I intend to make the necessary moves to improve this team. Missing the playoffs the last two years is unacceptable, and the current roster has showed that they cannot get the job done. Yes, there are some very talented players on the roster, but they need a supporting cast. Our ultimate goal as an organization is to not only make the playoffs, but win the Stanley Cup. We're hoping we can build a real dynasty team, not just through the draft, but through trades and free-agency. I look forward to this season, and truly hope that we can re-build the Sabres, and make the playoffs this season." Lafontaine is focused on rebuilding the Buffalo Sabres, and winning the Stanley Cup. This should be a very interesting season, and hopefully we see the Sabres regain their form from '05-'06 and '06-'07. It is going to take a lot of work on Lafontaine's part, as well as the players, to make that a possibility. - AP



Current Sabres Roster

Forwards

Thomas Vanek-Tim Connolly-Drew Stafford
Clarke MacArthur-Derek Roy-Jason Pominville
Tim Kennedy-Paul Gaustad-Patrick Kaleta
Dan Paille-Adam Mair-Jochen Hecht

Defenseman

Chris Butler-Craig Rivet
Andrej Sekera-Toni Lydman
Henrik Tallinder-Steve Montador

Goaltenders

Ryan Miller
Patrick Lalime






Buffalo Sabres Top Prospects


Tyler Myers - Defense



Jhonas Enroth - Goalie



Nathan Gerbe - Left Wing



Tim Kennedy - Center



Mike Weber - Defenseman



Tyler Ennis - Left Wing



Marc Andre Gragnani - Defenseman



Philip Gogulla - Left Wing





Dynasty Settings

Xbox360
All-Star Difficulty
8 Minute Period Length
Rosters updated as of 7/28/09

[SabresKings3623]

Sabres GM Lafontaine Wastes No Time;
Makes Several Trades/Signings 1st Day as GM
Kaberle, Kesler, Shanahan, and others now Sabres




Newly named Sabres GM Pat Lafontaine wasted no time in making several trades and free-agent signings his 1st day on the job. Many "dead-weight" players are gone, and players that will drastically help the Sabres have been acquired. The Sabres have picked up Tomas Kaberle, Ryan Kesler, Brendan Shanahan, Christian Erhoff, Patrick Eaves and Christian Hanson. Kaberle is the puck-moving, offensive-defenseman the Sabres have been lacking since the departure of Brian Campbell. Kesler is a great two-way center with great potential. Shanahan is the tough, savvy veteran winger the Sabres so desperately need. Erhoff is a player that will provide offense from the point as well, while Hanson and Eaves are two forwards that fit very well on the Sabres third line, and have the ability to play on any of the Sabres four forward lines. Lafontaine was happy with the moves he was able to make, and confident in his new and improved roster. There may be more moves as the season progresses, but for right now, the Sabres roster is pretty much set. -AP


Sabres Roster Move Summary

To Toronto: Jochen Hecht(LW), Adam Mair(C), Clarke MacArthur(LW), Matt Ellis(LW), BUF 2009 2nd Round Pick
To Buffalo: Tomas Kaberle(D), Christian Hanson(C)


To San Jose: Patrick Lalime(G), Henrik Tallinder(D)
To Buffalo: Christian Erhoff(D)


To Vancouver: Tim Connolly(C), Mark Mancari(RW), Nathan Paetsch(D)
To Buffalo: Ryan Kesler(C)


Sabres sign Brendan Shanahan(LW) to 1-year deal worth $2.575M total
Sabres sign Patrick Eaves(RW) to 3-year deal worth $3.950M total

Sabres call-up Nathan Gerbe(LW), Mike Weber(D) and Jhonas Enroth(G) from Portland(AHL)


Current Sabres Roster/Line-Up

Forwards

(#26)Thomas Vanek - (#9)Derek Roy - (#21)Drew Stafford
(#42)Nathan Gerbe - (#17)Ryan Kesler - (#29)Jason Pominville
(#8)Brendan Shanahan - (#23)Christian Hanson - (#24)Patrick Eaves
(#20)Daniel Paille - (#28)Paul Gaustad - (#36)Patrick Kaleta

Defenseman

(#15)Tomas Kaberle - (#34)Chris Butler
(#56)Christian Erhoff - (#52)Craig Rivet
(#4)Mike Weber - (#44)Andrej Sekera

Goaltenders

(#30)Ryan Miller
(#31)Jhonas Enroth

Healthy Scratches: Steve Montador(D)


Head Coach Lindy Ruff Names Captains





Captain: Craig Rivet
Assistant Captain: Brendan Shanahan
Alternate Captain: Jason Pominville



Upcoming Schedule

VS.
@
@

[bluejacketsfan]

loving it so far. Im following

[BoltsBananza91]

This looks good man.

[canucksfan33]

Sweet man! I loved your coyotes dynasty, I'm sure this will be just as great.

[SabresKings3623]

Sabres Destroy Habs 5-0 On Opening Night

GAME #1 - HSBC Arena

VS.

5 - 0

GAME STATS

39 - Shots - 31
37 - Hits - 29
21 - Faceoffs - 15
0/2 - PP - 0/5



Ryan Miller was a beast in net for the Sabres, stopping all of the 31 shots thrown at him by the Montreal Canadiens



SCORING SUMMARY

1st Period

Jason Pominville(1) (Unassisted) [Shorthanded]

Pommer destroys Andrei Markov in the Habs zone, picks the puck up and puts the backhand shot over the blocker of goalie Carey Price

Thomas Vanek(1) (Drew Stafford, Derek Roy)

Vanek's wicked slapshot from the top of the right circle goes "topshelf where momma hides the cookies", glove side



2nd Period

Craig Rivet(1) (Ryan Kesler)

Rivet's blast from the point that was going wide is deflected off of a Habs defender and then off of Plekanec's skate into the net

Derek Roy(1) (Dan Paille) [Shorthanded]

Paille lines up D'Agostini at center, and flips a breakaway pass up to Derek Roy who beats Price 5-hole

Ryan Kesler(1) (Unassisted)

Ryan Kesler steals the puck from former Sabres defenseman Jaro Spacek, and proceeds to dangle through three Habs players and ripped a wicked backhand past a very stunned Carey Price

3rd Period

(No Scoring)




3 Stars of the Game


1) Ryan Miller(31 Saves)



2) Ryan Kesler(1G, 1A)



3) Derek Roy(1G, 1A)

[SabresKings3623]

Quote: Originally Posted by canucksfan33

Sweet man! I loved your coyotes dynasty, I'm sure this will be just as great.

Hey, thanks man. I've been reading through your Habs dynasty, it's good stuff.

[SabresKings3623]

Buffalo Sabres Upcoming Schedule

@
@
@
VS.

[DragonDemonico]

Looks good so far, keep it up.

[Bolts_26]

I'm loving it, Bro.

Happy to see you back here at OS, where you belong