Potential New Owner Raises Questions About Job Security For Players, Coaches

With the World Juniors just about over, Sabres fans across the city are waiting patiently for the imminent sale of the Buffalo Sabres to billionaire/oil tycoon/Sabres fan Terry Pegula. With reports of the sale being roughly around $175 million dollars, we know Mr. Pegula isn’t strapped for cash and with the Sabres sub-par season thus far, we hope that he’ll make changes to a team desperately in trouble.

Although, there is the chance that these changes may not happen this season, we do know that there is some dead weight on the Sabres squad and these are the players that need to go. Fortunately for us fans, there is rumblings that Mr. Pegula is not afraid to spend the money to put a solid product on the ice and is committed to bringing Stanley Cups, I repeat, Cups to the Buffalo area. We should all respect what Mr. Golisano did for this franchise and city, but we did see waning interest by the owner in recent years. This is why bringing in a hockey guy like Pegula is great– he donated $88 million dollars to his Alma mater Penn State to start a D-I hockey program. Ultimately we know he is ready to bring the Sabres to glory.

Now, what this means is that no player or coach’s job is safe. What we hear all the time is that the Sabres have a great core of guys on their team. This includes Derek Roy, Jason Pominville, Thomas Vanek, Tim Connolly, Drew Stafford and various other players; however, it seems time for some of the core to be broken up.

I think there are very few people on this team that have good job security right now. Beyond Ryan Miller, Thomas Vanek, Tyler Myers and possibly Derek Roy, I think many have the potential to go. It is obvious the writers at Sabrenoise aren’t too fond of Tim Connolly and I think I speak for the whole staff  here– it’s time for Connolly to go. There are several other players on this team that have become dead weight as well. I see no reason to keep Rob Niedermayer around on this team. I thought he would have been a good fit, but boy was I wrong. Niedermayer is 30 games in and is still looking for his first goal. I also think it is time to part ways with Mike Grier. I know Grier is a fan favorite, but I don’t think he brings what the Sabres need anymore. His lack of production has been a serious problem and to be relied upon on the third line is something that shouldn’t happen. I do think there are teams out there that can still use the gritty winger, but I think it’s time for the Sabres to part ways. I should also mention Craig Rivet as well, but Rivet has mentioned that he is considering retirement after this season. It’s nice because it lets both parties part ways with out that awkward “uhh… so you’re our captain, but…”

I mentioned the core previously and I do want to say that the guys that are considered the “core” aren’t bad supporting players; however, this team lacks one dominate force that can come in every game and control or change a game. The core is far too inconsistent to be relied on to carry the team. I’m hoping Mr. Pegula will have the courage to go out and sign an offensive stud like Brad Richards. Richards is a UFA in 2011 and is a reliable offensive presence, but Dallas will put a strong fight to keep their offensive leader. Fortunately for the Sabres, Connolly is also a UFA in 2011 and without resigning him, it can free up a lot of salary cap for Mr. Pegula.

As a Sabres fan, I can only hope and dream that Mr. Pegula will have the desire to put a winning product on the ice. We all have our fantasies on what Mr. Pegula may do to the team, but don’t expect major changes this season. We may have to grin and bear a frustrating season, but keep that one iota of hope tucked neatly in the back of your mind.