Buffalo Sabres & NHL: Tuesday Muse Day

Tuesday Muse Day will be a ranting, raving, rambling weekly article relating to all things hockey, with a particular focus on the NHL and the Buffalo Sabres. This is the third edition. These are my personal thoughts and opinions; thus, they may not be lucid.

Trade Rumor – From the ridiculous files: A coworker told me last week that he heard that the Sabres might trade Robyn Regehr, Andrej Sekera, and Luke Adam in exchange for Sam Gagner from the Edmonton Oilers. I almost gagged at the preposterousness of this proposal. Gagner would probably just be Derek Roy 2.0 for Buffalo…

Philadephia Flyers – Flyers defensemen are dropping like flies. Chris Pronger (concussion), Matt Carle (free agency), Andrej Meszaros (achilles), and now Andreas Lilja (hip). Not to mention the Flyers lost the Shea Weber derby. With the Sabres overstocked cupboard of defensemen, could we make a trade? I know there are plenty of Sabres fans who would love to have Danny Briere back…

Shane Doan – is out of the news for the moment. Thank you.

Work Stoppage – Did someone say “lockout?” It is August, and hockey writers are starving. The players and owners know too much is at stake to miss any time this season. They will come to an agreement. Relax peoples…

Patrick Kaleta – re-signed with Buffalo. I am not convinced that he would be needed moving forward. Corey Tropp could probably play Kaleta’s role while adding more offense…

Optimism – I am glad to see Sabres fans would now be open to trading either Jason Pominville, Thomas Vanek, or Ryan Miller, if the return would bring Buffalo closer to a Stanley Cup. This was not the reigning viewpoint prior to the Terry Pegula era…

Mikhail Grigorenko – Reports from the Canada vs. Russia Summit Series (aka Canada-Russia Challenge) regarding the play of Sabres top draft pick Mikhail Grigorenko have been glowing. Grigorenko has been skating on the top line with number one overall pick Nail Yakupov, and despite being known for his offensive prowess, Grigorenko has apparently been overly impressive with his defensive and 2-way play. I cannot wait to see Mikhail play in the preseason for the Sabres…

Frederick Roy – I am also excited to see Frederick Roy, son of goaltending legend Patrick Roy, skating with the Rochester Americans this season. The 21-year old Roy amassed 104 points in 75 games in the QMJHL last season. Roy was quite impressive at the Sabres Development Camp in July, earning himself a contract…Will we see Patrick at some Amerks games?

Rick Nash – Does Rick Nash make the New York Rangers a Cup contender? Double Duh. The Rangers were a solid team last season, and they didn’t have to give away their future for Nash. Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky combined for 26 goals last season (on a good team). Nash has averaged 34 goals a year for the past 8 seasons (on mediocre teams). The Rangers already have a lethal mix of hard-workers (Ryan Callahan), crafty veterans (Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards), grit (Arron Asham and Mike Rupp), talented youth (Chris Kreider and Derek Stepan), and a solid blue-line backed by All-Star netminder Henrik Lundqvist…

Banned From The Internets – I was banned/suspended from a Buffalo Sabres forum last week. Silly me, I thought discussion forums were the place for…discussions and opinions. I did not agree with someones view on the Miller/Lucic incident (that this is still being discussed is another sign that it is August). They agreed somewhat with the passive response to that situation, of which I have the polar opposite opinion. This play sent a clear message across the league that the Sabres were pushovers. Personally, if someone attacks a teammate of mine, a friend, or anyone that I care about, I stand up for them – whether the aggressor is bigger than me or not. This does not make me a “redneck” or a “thug.” This makes me a man, and one of honor. Additionally, this is why Gandhi would not have made a good hockey player. Hockey is a physical sport. It always has been, and despite any rule changes, always will be. Does anyone remember the response of Bob Probert and the Detroit Red Wings in 1987 when Buffalo Sabre Kevin Maguire was brutalizing Steve Yzerman? I was only a kid, and I remember. How about when Chris Neil took a cheap shot at Chris Drury in 2007? Anyone remember the Sabres response? The last 2 Stanley Cup winners were comprised of players that stood up for each other, and for the Sabres to be successful, they will need a similar attitude. Welcome Steve Ott and John Scott! Furthermore, if my comment was as “malicious” as the website administrators had deemed, why does my post still remain to this day? Would it not need to be removed?

Leave your comments, complaints, and compliments below!