Flames look to get over Game 6 hump
San Jose hands reins to former Calder Cup winner
Islanders sign two AHL All-Stars, several others

Go away for a parade and fireworks, and look at what you miss...

The Sabres traded away RW Steve Bernier (to Vancouver) and added D Craig Rivet in a deal with San Jose. See full coverage over at the Goose's Roost.

Two things interesting about the moves: 1) Rivet is definitely a top-four defenseman, a step up from where I thought the Sabres would reach. I really thought they would go for a depth or lower-level guy (read: cheap) as an insurance policy against injury (Tallinder/Spacek), ineffectiveness (Paetsch) or inexperience (Weber). I don't expect big things from Rivet, but he's a minutes-eater and he's steady, both of which are needed.

2) I'm a bit sorry to see Bernier go. His Sabres debut showed just how much potential this kid has. Unfortunately, the rest of the season showed just how far he has to go to reach it. He was all but invisible on most nights, never showing that toughness that was supposed to accompany his size. I'm sorry but we already have an Ales Kotalik.

In other news:

Jagr to Russia. No doubt Jaromir is fulfilling his gambling obligations from his stay in Russia during the lockout.

Satan to Pittsburgh.

Dan Boyle to San Jose for Matt Carle. So the Sabres made TWO deals with San Jose in what five months and STILL couldn't get Carle??

Bad news for the Sabres, big Georges Laraque landed in Montreal for three years. Does that mean we have to keep Peters now? As for the Pens, that's six players from last year's squad to sign elsewhere, including some of their heart and soul players - Malone, Roberts, Laraque, Ruutu, Hall & Hossa. Now it's really Sidney Crosby's dressing room.

The Sabres sent two second round picks to San Jose in exchange for defenseman Craig Rivet and a seventh round pick.

In 2007-08, Rivet scored five goals and 30 assists in 74 regular season games. The assists and 35 points were career highs. He also had six assists in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Can you stop freaking out now, Sabres Nation?

According to the Buffalo Sabres' website, the second rounders are Buffalo's own in 2009 and 2010, so Vancouver's in 2010 is still Buffalo's property.

Darcy seems to be happy about the move.

“We are very excited to add such a quality veteran player to our roster,” said Regier. “He is a great character player that will provide our club added leadership and experience.”

Now, the question is... are they done yet?

• I'm surprised that Pittsburgh re-signed Brooks Orpik for 6 years, $22.5 million. Surprised that he didn't get or take an offer in the $4.5-5.0 mil per season range, and surprised that Orpik wasn't looking to move on. He has had a somewhat contentious relationship with the Pens in the past with numerous benchings, a move to forward, etc.
• In another surprise move, Marian Hossa took a 1-year deal from Detroit for $7.4 million, spurning the Penguins. Many, including me, initially felt Pittsburgh's deadline-deal for Hossa was a bad idea because of his poor playoff history and the unlikelihood that he would re-sign with the Pens. Turns out we were half right.
• I reject the notion that the Sabres are in a must-make-a-deal mode right now. Judging by comments in the Buffalo News (I'm looking at you, Bucky), at Sabres Edge and other sites, the Sabres have missed the boat by not latching on to a - any - free agent defenseman. Truthfully, if we start the season with Lydman/Tallinder, Spacek/Paetsch, Sekera/Weber as our defense pairings, I'm OK with that. An experienced (and cheap) 7th defensemen - i.e., Pratt, Numminen - would do.
• Along the same lines, I've long felt that the Sabres would be better off unloading Afinogenov and Kotalik. But because they aren't gone by now, doesn't mean they'll be here in October. Now that the spending frenzy seems to have subsided, GM's are reassessing their rosters and their payrolls and more creative thought will no doubt be expended in trade talks.
• Heather at Top Shelf summed things up rather nicely the other day:

Listen, I get it. Every hockey fan wants to wake up on UFA day and unwrap the shiny new toy. You know, that really cool toy that has the bright, running lights and the realistic sound effects, the one that everyone is grabbing for and only one or two lucky people get. But we all know what happens. You play with the toy for a few months and then the batteries start to run down. A speaker busts and the sound gets really tinny. The lights still run but only every other one blinks because the bulbs, on closer inspection, are really cheap. One of the plastic arms breaks off, making the toy kind of useless and ugly and you suddenly realize, "Wait a second! This toy doesn't play enough defense or kill enough penalties for the price I paid for it!" And then you're stuck. You can't sell the thing on eBay because no one wants it and you can't talk one of your buddies into making a trade, not even for the cheap action figure that doesn't bend at the knees and elbows. You have to either buy some other toys to pile around it and hope they hide it - although good luck because unfortunately you spent a huge chunk of your toy budget on that P.O.S. - or you just have to toss the friggin' thing in the garbage. And really, who wants that?

A few quick thoughts on some of the day's events:

• Lalime will be a fine and able backup. He is one of the dozen or so interchangeable tenders that are well-suited to the backup role. Just play 20-30 games and give your team a chance to win 12-18 of them. If Miller should go down, Lalime, as a former No. 1, should be able to handle the workload.
• Lalime's stats last year in Chicago: 16-12-2, one shutout, 2.82 GAA.
• Yo, people on the message boards, chill-ax!
• I have no problem with the Sabres pulling out of the Brooks Orpik sweepstakes. He's about to pull Jay McKee money based on a good second half and high profile post-season.
• Ditto Brian Campbell. The market is paying him more than he's worth. Just because someone else offered him $50-some million, doesn't mean it would be a good move for the Sabres. He's very good, an all-star even, but not an elite defenseman in my book.
• Whither Marian Hossa? My guess is the Rangers, who already reeled in Wade Redden.
• Mats Sundin, $10 million per year, at age 37? That's $1 million a letter. I wouldn't give that kind of deal to Ed Mio. Maybe for Bob Orr.

Good news for any Sabres fans out there. The Sabres re-signed Paul Gaustad to a four year deal and they also signed goalie Patrick Lalime to backup Miller.

WGR just announced that the Sabres have signed goaltender Patrick Lalime to a two year deal.

Lalime, who turns 34 next week, played 32 games with the Chicago Blackhawks last season, registering a 16-12-2 record with a 2.82 GAA and an .897 save percentage.

The St. Bonaventure, Quebec native has played 397 games over the course of nine NHL seasons with Chicago, St. Louis, Ottawa and Pittsburgh. He had a career year in the 2002-03 season with the Ottawa Senators, putting up a 39-20-7 record with a 2.11 GAA, while adding 8 shutouts.

More details to come.

• Patrick Lalime (PatrickLalime.com)

The big concern this year is the team's restricted free agents. The Sabres were able to get Paul Gaustad under contract before the Noon, Eastern Time deadline, so that leaves the select few of Steve Bernier, Clarke MacArthur and Daniel Paille.

With all the talk of what these guys may get, the one name that should pop out is Paille's.

While Dan isn't exactly a core member of the team quite yet, he has proven himself as a pretty nice player. 24 years old, loads of potential, possibly captain material on the verge of being a 20-goal scorer and defensively responsible to boot. Who wouldn't want this guy?

For those who remember Bucky Gleason's "If I Were GM" column, that's worth a 4 year, $5 million deal. I tore it apart there, and now it looks like even that was a low-ball.

By looking at Mr. Gaustad's new deal (4 years, $9.2 million) and the Florida Panthers giving Rostislav Olesz a 6 year, $18.75 million dollar deal, it looks like Paille is in for a payday. Come on, a $3.125-average-per-year deal for Olesz, a guy who hasn't broken 30 points in a season!

Look at some of the comparables for Paille:

Do you honestly expect any of them to sign a new deal for less than 2 million per? It's not going to happen. Paille is worth at least as much as Paul Gaustad, so you can throw him right into the $2.3-per range.

But will some team try throwing an offer sheet his way? It's certainly a possibility. Anyone could send him a 5 year, $12.5 million offer, and only risk giving up a 2nd round pick. If they feel Paille is worth a 1st and a 3rd (which he most definitely would be a bargain at that price for a contending team), they could go as high as around $3.9 million a year and only give up that much.

Now it's up to Darcy Regier to get Paille signed before any of this happens. Time is of the essence, because if one trigger happy GM starts striking out on UFAs, he's gonna go looking for talent. It won't be long until they're looking at Paille.

My prediction: Minimum 4 year deal, approximately $2.6 million per.

Take it to the bank.

TSN brought us the news earlier this evening that the Buffalo Sabres signed soon-to-be restricted free agent Paul Gaustad to a 4 year, $9.2 million dollar contract.

"I'm excited about where this team is headed, and I've really come to love playing in Buffalo," Gaustad told THE CANADIAN PRESS by telephone from his home in Portland, Ore.

"It's something where you take a step back and look at where I came from and how I got there. I'm very proud to have this contract," Gaustad added. "It's something where I never really thought I'd make it in the NHL, and now I have a contract like this."

''It's a good deal for both and I think they recognize his value,'' Gaustad's agent, Carlos Sosa said.

The deal will pay Gaustad $1.7 million in 2008-09, and $2.5 million in each of the three subsequent years. He would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency following next season, so the Sabres "bought" three UFA-years.

I'm not gonna say it's a bad deal, because Gaustad is one of the guys they have to build around, but damn, these contracts are gonna make it tough to give some of these players reasonable contracts. Drew Stafford and Daniel Paille are gonna be in the same ballpark now, so it'll be tough to bring in outside help when you're shelling out for your own guys.

I love lots of things, and at some point, you will hear all about it.  Let's get real, you'll hear about anything else I would like to discuss as well.  =)

I'll start with one of my favorite topics.  Hockey.  I know, with the Canada mention and the Quebec Fleur-de-lis, you my dear readers are shocked.  Prepare to be even more shocked, I like almost all 30 teams.   I rank my teams.  At the top of that list, the Colorado Avalanche and Buffalo Sabres.  At the bottom, the NY Rangers and the Detriot Red Wings.  You'll want to remember this, because they will be the teams I discuss the most.  If you love the de-Rangers and Dead things....I'm sorry.  All other teams are between and are open to positive or negative fodder.  I also have an affinity for Alex Tanguay, so I guess I'll be blogging about the Canadiens this year. 

'Til tomorrow when all hell breaks loose.

McCollum was profiled Friday in the US&J.

Anyway, Debbie, who happens to be a Town Board member and sits on our Reader Advisory Board, sent the following e-mail around from the McCollums. I think it's fun reading and worthy of sharing.

Just got this from Paul McCollum...............

Hi guys! Heading home today after a wild weekend. Thanks for all your support of Thomas. The first round was a long wait, but he's going to a great organization. Had dinner last night with some of the Wings brass, GMs' Holland & Nill, goalie coach Jim Bedard, former Wing Jiri Fisher, some guy named Bowman, and a Stanley, also known as Cup. Stanley sat 2 feet from me, we talked for a couple of hours. The wings are ecstatic to have Thomas, and so are we, they are a fantastic group of people. Thanks again for your support.

Paul & Shelley

That's right, our new biggest defensive player is Tyler Myers, 6'7" tall (he's the tall one) and 202 lbs (which I would say is a bit thin for 6'7"), likely our biggest draft pick ever. I'm sure you're already thinking "Chara," but this man (boy) is different. Not only does he actually have a working equilibrium, but he reportedly has been working on his offensive game lately, which would be nice. And definitely un-Chara.

The Sabres traded a third round pick to move up one spot from 13 to 12 to pick this guy. This was a weird move, and I swear Darcy did it so we'd be out of the arena by 9pm. (That's right, Mr. "I write 4 posts in one day" Errantremark and I were chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all cool at the arena this fine June evening sucking down booze and distracting Nick Mendola whillst he was on the air. We tried meeting up with FTCLTL but that didn't work out because we're writers and therefore consistently late. And maybe we think we're just a little cooler than them.) My spouse and I were talking about this move on our ride home, and here's why it was a little weird. There's 3 situations: 1. LA wanted Myers and traded him away for very little; 2. LA didn't want him and suckered the Sabres into a trade; or 3. He was next on LA's "to draft list" and they were just going to default to him, so it wouldn't take much for them to trade down. I think 3's the most likely, so we overpaid for the switch. The Sabs should have just given them Afinogenov, considering the creepy foreshadowing in the Sabres Store tonight anyways:

And another 10% off for Season holders!! Time to re-focus. The most interesting part of this pick, for those of us watching, was how extraordinarily tall his mother was. Now, I know the boy is tall, but my brother is 6'4" and my mother is only 5'7". So she's got some 'splaining to do. Cause that chic looked like a normal height next to her son, and her son is freakishly tall. Therefore, the woman is huge.

He's a youngin, so I wouldn't expect to see him wearing the ol' blue and gold anytime soon, but I like him, and the sentiment at the arena tonight seemed to be the same. (As opposed to the usual reaction to Bills first-round picks). He was also rumored to be in the top 6 of the picks tonight, so we made out like bandits.

And the drafting didn't stop at Tyler Myers. After missing their chance on Tyler Cuma, the Sabres moved down their "Top Tyler Picks" list to pick up Tyler Ennis. Quite the opposite of Myers, Ennis is only 5'9" and plays center. I'm not as psyched about him, but I'm not complaining either.

Both Tyler's come from the WHL, one from Kelowna and one from Medicine Hat (which is a ridiculous team name). They're both under 19 and need some developing, but are strong players none-the-less. I trust the Sabres drafting history too, which includes players like Mike Ramsey, Lindy Ruff, Smehlik, Barnaby, Housley, Campbell, Miller (at #138!!) etc etc etc. So looks like a not so disappointing day for Sabres fans. Can't say the same for never-win-again-ov though.

I want to give a shout out to those fans (who weren't at Taste of Country) who came to the draft party. I know my shout out isn't as cool as the Sabres' from the draft podium (about 3 minutes in), but way to represent everyone! I know Detroit couldn't/wouldn't do the same with their fans, and it just reinforces the fact that we really are the new HockeyTown. Plus it makes me feel all fuzzy inside watching kids play floor hockey in the arena.

Oh, and just in case you were wondering how much I hate pink jerseys:

Obviously, it's because they don't have enough of those.

TYLER ENNIS
Center
Shoots Left
5'9", 146 lbs
Born: Edmonton, Alberta, October 6, 1989
Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta

Absolutely tiny. I can't say I'm thrilled that the Sabres would use the pick on Ennis, because I'd think they could trade down and still get him. But they must know something we don't.

And now, the pertinent information:

FAVORITES

NHL Team: Edmonton Oilers

NHL Player: Philadelphia's Daniel Briere

Goal celebration: "Fist pump on one knee"

Practice Drill: 2 on 1's

Video Game: Guitar Hero

Movie: Dumb and Dumber

TV Show: Seinfeld and The Office

Actor/Actress: Denzel Washington and Jessica Alba

Group: Red Hot Chili Peppers and Ill Scarlet

Website: WHL.ca and NHL.com

Book: Harry Potter

Pump-up song: "Because of you" by Nickelback

Food to cook: Chicken Wings

Sport (other than hockey): Ball hockey, golf or tennis

Toy growing up: Bike

Place to shop: United Cycle in Edmonton

Place to visit: Mexico

We have our big defenseman.

The Sabres traded up one spot to #12 to get Tyler Myers with their first pick.

Here are the basics:

TYLER MYERS
Defense
Shoots Right
6'7", 204 lbs
Born: Houston, Texas, USA, February 1, 1990.
Hometown: Dewinton , Alberta

Now, thanks to the NHL, are the things you REALLY need to know about him:

FAVORITES

NHL Team: Calgary Flames

NHL Player: Calgary's Robyn Regehr

Shootout move: "fake shot, backhand, forehand – top shelf"

Goal celebration: "Double fist pump"

Video Game: Grand Theft Auto

Movie: Forest Gump

TV Show: 24

Actor: Adam Sandler

Group: Journey

Website: facebook.com (Editor's note: CREEP!)

Book: Harry Potter

Pump-up song: Turn Me Up by Benny Benassi

Food to cook: Steak

Sport (other than hockey): Volleyball

Activity away from the rink: Going out for dinner

Toy growing up: Laser tag set

Place to shop: Below the Belt

Place to visit: Grandparents in Harrisburg, PA

Bucky has taken a lot of grief around here for his continual harping on Sabres management and their mishandling of Danny Briere and Chris Drury and the perceived mishandling of several other personnel moves. But today's article put him in the role of GM, and I think he acquitted himself well.

For one, he showed some humility.

"Actually, playing general manager for a day was an enlightening experience. It gave me new appreciation for the pressure Sabres GM Darcy Regier has been under throughout his career."

He also admitted in hindsight that he made a few mistakes in last year's attempt at playing GM, and it seems he has come to realize that no two players, contracts, or situations are the same and thus can't be treated as such. (i.e., a 3-year deal for Ryan Miller is reasonable, when it didn't fit the Brian Campbell situation.) Humble Bucky also showed a sense of humor, even if the dagger of the comedy spear was mostly pointed at his critics.

As far as composition of the team under a self-imposed $50 million payroll. I disagree with him on a few minor points - I don't think the Sabres are in the Ryan Malone market - but hey, it's his wish list/recommendation/opinion. His assessment of the team's strengths and weaknesses was right on, though he didn't seem to factor in Nathan Gerbe or any other of the Sabres signings jumping right into the NHL.

Overall, it was a fair assessment. Which is all anyone can ask for.

I know I'm not alone.

Gleason's pathetic agenda against Sabres management has polluted his work for as long as I can remember. He had a field day when a couple unnamed players left last July 1st. As a Sabres fan, it bothers me knowing that many fans who don't follow the team closely might believe his garbage.

Today, I opened up my copy of the News to see an illustration of the joke himself on the front of the sports page. I was disheartened to see that he reprised his "If I was GM" column from last season. I wondered how long it'd take him to reference Chris Drury and/or Daniel Briere.

First line. Big surprise.

Basically, Gleason goes through and acts like he knows what kind of contracts free agents would be willing to take, or casts aside players who seem expendable.

Last year, he was completely ridiculous with some of his ideas, such as Derek Roy's new contract. At least he admitted he was dead wrong:

Hey, we all make mistakes. I blew it big time with Derek Roy.

My blunder last year was listing his suggested salary ($800,000) on a chart without explanation. It was based on a three-year, $3.1 million contract Jason Pominville received the previous summer. Roy, a third-line center when playing with Drury and Briere, signed a six-year deal worth $24 million as a first-liner and was worth every nickel. Now, with free agency approaching, there’s a different set of problems.

I'm not going to go point-by-point, you can read the article for yourself and see some of the problems (You think you can get Jokinen from Florida for Max and Al? Come on, get a job, man.)

This is going to be this year's "Roysie" for Bucky:

Paille, 24, in his first full season in the NHL, had 19 goals. He made only $585,000, but he’s also part of the future. A four-year deal for $5 million ($900,000, $1 million, $1.4 million, $1.7 million) makes sense. That way, he can grow with Nathan Gerbe and Tim Kennedy as they climb the ranks.

Realize what you just said, Bucky. 19 goals in his first full season. At many times last year, Paille was one of the Sabres' most consistent players. The guy is going to be a stud for this team and everyone knows it. Paille is captain material, plays great two-way hockey, and is still young.

Do you think Buffalo is the only place where people realize how good Paille really is?

Paille was brought up on Hockey Night in Canada's intermission feature Satellite Hotstove during last season as a potential target of an offer sheet. I can see it.

24 years old, basically a two-way forward who can score 20 goals, and a great team player. Would any team really be too upset about losing a 2nd round pick to give Dan Paille an offer sheet worth 2.5 million a year? I don't think so.

If the Sabres can get Paille signed for anything less than a deal with a cap number of  $2 million, they should consider themselves lucky. They gotta get this guy locked up long term, regardless of if they have to shell out big money for him.

So, please, Bucky, recognize that your only value to Sabres fans is entertainment, not information, and shut up.

The NHL Draft isn’t like the ones held by the NBA or the NFL.  Work up whatever fervor you like; 98.9 percent of the the teens and foreigners awkwardly pronounced behind a podium won’t be making an impact on your favorite team this season.  But hey, some people like to celebrate this sort of stuff, and many NHL teams want to help.  So join MYFO in our rundown of all the league’s DRAFT PARTIES.  Just don’t blame us when the prick in the back makes the jukebox blare Journey right when your team is about to pick.

Today, the Eastern Conference.

Atlanta - What is it about expansion teams that ensure an enjoyable draft party experience?  Like in Nashville, A-Town isn't new at this.  With two first-round picks AND Eric Perrin (really?), you have no reason to decline the Thrashers' invitation to join them at Philips Arena.  Partygoers can pick their seats for next season, test their skills at the Goalie Station (Don Waddell's calls this off-season training for Johan Hedberg), and if you're feeling confident/drunk, try to rock climb Philips' wall of club boxes.  In other news, here's part of the graphic that Atlanta is using to promote the party:

Answer: Technically, in 2003, they drafted Braydon Coburn, and left Hotlanta in exchange for Alexei Zhitnik.  Drafts: Good.  Trades: Not so much.

Pittsburgh - A poll on the Pens' website asks, "Which of the following are you looking forward to the most: The Draft, Start of Free Agency, Training Camp." Apparently, 11.54% of the vote isn't enough to get a Draft Party, guys.  As for the 58% craving free agency - I'm guessing 0.0% work for Fred Shero.  Who likes trainwrecks?

Toronto - Sure, you could have thrown a Draft Party for your tortured Leafs Nation.  Or...you could sell your credibility to Mike Myers and watch him destroy it in The Love Guru.  Now I haven't seen the movie, wait, yes I have.  (Assuming I can piece together the eleventy billion commercials), but you guys are getting pwned by the LOS ANGELES KINGS.  Not Detroit.  Not Hockey Jesus.  The KINGS.  What, was Trinidad and Tobago from D2 already booked?

NY Islanders - What Ryan Miller is to Guster, John Buccigross is to NHL Draft Parties.  That's right, Long Islanders, Bucci is your master of ceremonies at the Nassau Coliseum this Friday.  You'll also be able to hang out with Islanders prospects Jack Hillen and Robin Figren, which is a clever way to avoid asking your real players to show up on vacation.  The Isles pick fifth, and he'll kill the time between picks podcasting with Shjon Podein and forcing you to look at other people's babies in hockey gear.

Tampa Bay - Apparently, this Stamkos thing is getting out of hand.  The Lightning will be having THREE Draft Parties come Friday.  Boston's in Tampa, Barnacles in Brandon, and Courtside Grille in Clearwater will be the trey-HQ for all 'Ning draft consumption of beer and prospects.  Apparently, the Ice Girls, Energy Team, and Thunderbug will make appearances.  Of course, you can divide and conquer if you are a member of the Ice Girls or Energy Team - but what will become of Thunderbug?  Can he be three places at once?  Or will he just go insane and take it out on the children?

NY Rangers - The Rangers Draft party has been cancelled.  And by cancelled, I mean it was smoten by Gary Bettman.  All tickets will be magically turned into Mets tickets.  Film at 11.

New Jersey - Eat it, Blushirts.  The Atlantic Division does not disappoint yet again, as the Devils will be down the road offering you to select-a-seat whilst watching them draft the next Zach Parise.   What makes this one special?  You can skate on their practice rink with "your fellow Devils fans."  God, I hope that they let you bring a stick and shootaround.  That's the problem with public skating rinks - they never let you casually skate and stick handle.  Look, it's not my fault - it's just human instinct to want to send a saucer pass directly into the skate blade of that 12 year-old doing spins and jumps in the center of the rink.  Don't disappoint us, Jersey.

Boston - Hi there. I'm Denis Reul, and last year, I was the 3rd pick of the Boston Bruins last year.  This picture of me is currently being featured on my team's website.  I'm German, and very efficient.  Granted, when I say the third pick, I wasn't actually selected until the 5th round.  Forgive me for being misleading.  I'm not that good. But I was the third best German in this draft.  I think Torsten Frings sounds like a delicious appetizer.  Boston wanted me to tell you that they're not having a Draft Party.  Something about the Celtics needing the space to hang something in the rafters.  Whatever.  I'll deal with them later.  In the meantime, bask in my intensity.

Florida - God damn it, Florida.  No draft party on South Beach, which means I need to fill this space with something else important about you guys.  All year long, I tried to make you seem interesting.  I gave your back-up goalie a Matrix makeover.  I wrote a featurette on your only decent player.  I'm out of ideas.  As for the draft, you have no first-round pick because you have Tomas Vokoun.  He'll be just as good as Luongo, we promise.

Carolina - The Hurricanes have opted against holding a Entry Draft Party, for fear of you bastards tracking dirt in their house.  You see, they've just signed a lease extension on the RBC Center through 2024, which means for better or worse, the Tar Heel State is going to have hockey for awhile.  After ten years, they've decided it's time to decorate.  You know, hang those pictures you've always been afraid to because it would put nailholes in the wall and such.  Carolina doesn't pick until 14th, which is precisely the position a team would pick if they were, I don't know, THE LAST TEAM TO MISS THE PLAYOFFS.  It's okay, Eric Staal, at least you have the Storm Squad to keep you company.

Christ, when did this turn into an Easterbrook column?

Montreal - Apparently, Montreal has opted to phone it in.  After losing inexplicably to Philly, they've been quiet this off-season, and a draft party doesn't appear to be in the cards.  Instead, let's throw the spotlight on Four Habs Fans.  63% percent hot chicks, 36% informed hockey reporting, and 1% Canuckistani snark, these guys have you covered in the off-season.  You want to see them in their element?  Get them angry.  Like Hulk angry.  Therefore, it's time to urge you all to start a letter writing campaign to Teemu Selanne to don the Habs' colors next season.  Do it.

Philadelphia -  Negative, Philly fans.  And even if there was one, it's not like you could get Vinny Prospal's autograph.  Back to Tampa with you, Vaclav.

Washington -Surprisingly, there doesn't appear to be a party in DC - and I thought Uncle Ted would be all over this.  Yes, they have Fan Fest coming up in July, much like the one in Chicago.  Last week, the Mayor of DC gave Ovechkin a key to the city.  Gee thanks, Fenty.  A ceremonial key.  That's helpful.  Next time, offer to refill his SmartTrip Card.  Now that's an honor. 

Buffalo - Ok, so the Dallas crack didn't go over so well yesterday.  But to be honest, it's the Sabres fault.  They're the only team to announce their draft party using an opening page to their website.  Just listen to what you can do at the HSBC: Floor hockey, locker room tours, inflatables for kids, autographs with current players, and free ramp parking!  Hell, I don't even know what that means.  So come on down and find out who, at the 13th pick, the Sabres will draft.  No question, this future prospect will emerge into a goal-scoring team leader, and Edmonton will force you to overpay him once his rookie deal expires.

Ottawa - Wyshinski's is all over this one.  Party on, Greg.  Party on, Garth (Snow).

If you're a Sabres fan, this date should be etched in the depths of your emotionally tortured heart.

June 19.

It's been nine years.

"I believe everybody will remember this as the Stanley Cup that was never won in 1999."
-- Joe Juneau, Buffalo Sabres

Nine years later, and it's still bullshit.

Yes, fans, nine years ago tonight was the sixth game of the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals. It's been nine years since the Sabres got hosed out of their chance at a Stanley Cup. Nine years since the Sabres were as close as they have ever been to being champions. Nine years since the worst officiating/public relations job in professional sports history.

Before you go freaking out on me for still being upset about it, I'm going to point out a few things.

• It was Game 6, Dallas led the series 3 games to 2. They just needed one win. Had the Sabres won Game 6, it would've gone back to Dallas for Game 7, where the Stars had completely dominated Game 5 to push the Sabres to the brink.
• It was the 3rd overtime. The Sabres had plenty of chances to finish the game (see: James Patrick hitting the crossbar in the 2nd overtime) and they couldn't. Sad that I still remember that happened, huh? To quote Seth in Superbad, "People don't forget." Don't you love being a Buffalo sports fan?
• The Sabres did not lose the Cup because of it. Had the goal been called back as it should have been, the Sabres would not have been awarded the Cup.

The Sabres got cheated out of a fair shot. They did not get screwed out of winning. The long and short of it is they were screwed out of the opportunity.

That opportunity is too rare to take lightly. The Sabres were established in 1970. 37 seasons in the NHL, just two Final appearances.

That team was special. Of course, the Sabres did have possibly the greatest goalie in the history of the game, Dominik Hasek. But there weren't any other stars on the team. While Miro Satan did score 40 goals that year, the three guys who tied for the team lead in goals during the playoffs were Stu Barnes, Curtis Brown and Dixon Ward. These weren't superstars. It was a team full of glue guys who would do what it took to win. There was more will than talent in that lineup.

The Sabres shocked the hockey world by stealing Game 1 in Dallas on Jason Woolley's overtime goal. Dallas promptly took Game 2, and then Game 3 in Buffalo. The Sabres tied up the series by taking Game 4 on Ward's second period goal in a 2-1 win, with Hasek stealing the show. The Stars dominated Game 5 to pull within one game of their first Stanley Cup.

- - - - - -

You all know what happened. Game 6 doesn't need to be relived.

- - - - - -

Hull scored with his foot in the crease. By the rule the NHL had written, and by the interpretation used all season, it shouldn't have counted.

It really was a stupid rule. The NHL knew it. After this fiasco, they got rid of it "faster than you can say Jack Robinson". The dumbass rule wasn't even called consistently throughout the season. There was so much gray area, it was bad for the game.

The worst part about the whole thing was the NHL trying to cover their own ass.

They said they reviewed it (BULLSHIT.) like they review every other goal. That explains why the review booth was shown empty on CBC seconds after the goal was scored. They really must've been studying it.

"I really think that if we had scored a goal like that, it would have been called back," Juneau said. "I think because it was a goal that gave them the Stanley Cup, everybody jumped on the ice and they were afraid to make the call."

They said the rule was clarified in a memo sent earlier in the season (BULLSHIT. It was never produced.) and said it was okay. Good to know the NHL would randomly alter rules to fit their needs. They wouldn't even admit they screwed up, which to me, was the hardest to comprehend. Bettman just acted like it never happened.

When Ruff confronted Bettman and demanded an explanation for the crease call, the coach said he received none.

"Really, he just turned his back on me," Ruff said. "He almost looked to me like he knew this might be a tainted goal and there was no answer for it."

It still is tainted, and there still is no answer.

How could a major professional sports league award a champion on these terms? The league came off as bush-league in the way they handled it, and for all the good Gary Bettman has done for the Sabres (like, really, save them from moving out of town, and getting a healthier CBA) he will always be remembered for turning his back on the city of Buffalo in a time of question.

Of course, all this is irrelevant if Brian Holzinger wasn't such a pussy and knocked Hull off the puck instead of dancing around him trying to knock the puck away.

It's a shame that it happened at all. The 1999 Finals were regarded as one of the best in years after the previous finals ended in sweeps without contest. It was a tight series. Dallas definitely deserved to win the Cup, no argument there. Problem is, they were given it before the series was fairly completed.

It shouldn't of counted, and I'll be waiting for the puck to drop for that next faceoff until the day I die.

Man, I need a drink.

• CNNSI: Sabres still seething over ruling on Hull's goal

Buffalo native Tim Russert, the host of NBC's Meet The Press, died today at age 58.

Russert was a world renowned journalist who held one of the premier posts in the national media. The host of Meet the Press since 1991.

Tim Russert, who pointedly but politely questioned hundreds of the powerful and influential as moderator of NBC's "Meet the Press," died suddenly Friday while preparing for his weekly broadcast. The network's Washington bureau chief was 58.

In addition to his weekly program, Russert appeared on the network's other news shows, was moderator for numerous political debates and wrote two best-selling books.

President Bush, informed of Russert's death while at dinner in Paris, swiftly issued a statement of condolence that praised the NBC newsman as "an institution in both news and politics for more than two decades. Tim was a tough and hardworking newsman. He was always well-informed and thorough in his interviews. And he was as gregarious off the set as he was prepared on it."

NBC interrupted its regular programming with news of Russert's death and continued for several hours of coverage without commercial break. The network announced that Tom Brokaw will anchor a special edition of "Meet the Press" on Sunday, dedicated to Russert.

Competitors and friends jumped in with superlative praise and sad recognition of the loss of a key voice during a historic presidential election year. Personally, Russert was a family man and a father figure to his colleagues. Parenting organizations several times had named him Father of the Year.

Tim was always there to speak kindly of Buffalo. In a Sports Illustrated article about Chris Drury done during the 2007 NHL Playoffs, Russert was quoted about the hope Drury brought.

"The Sabres and the Bills are the city," says Tim Russert, Buffalo native and host of NBC's Meet the Press. "They give it life."

Russert, Mayor Brown, most anyone in town will say that Drury is the perfect Buffalo player, an embodiment of the city's self-image: hardworking, self-sacrificing, down to earth. But Buffalonians, as MacDonald, who coached at nearby Niagara University, says, "can also feel sorry for themselves. Woe is me, Scott Norwood, Brett Hull, why does this always happen to us? Chris is the anti of that mentality. He never feels sorry for himself and his team. He doesn't look in the past, no pity parties. Nope. Next play."

That, of course, is what Buffalo is counting on. "This is it! Brother Drury is bringing us to the mountaintop!" Russert shouts. "There's a sense of mission. He has proved he knows how to win championships and he is the leader." Then he pauses.

"Let's hope," Russert says, his voice dropping almost to a whisper. "One time."

Russert was a beloved member of the media. Just watch some of the news coverage about his passing. The stories of how his Buffalo upbringing made him who he was just reiterates what he meant to Buffalo's image. He was a personable, down-to-earth guy who spoke to the common man. That's what he knew. He knew us. Buffalo.

After the jump is an NFL Films special done about Buffalo a few years back. It's Russert who really does the best job conveying what Buffalonians felt.

No one will ever come close to matching the good words for Buffalo that Russert shared with the world.

There are few people from Buffalo that leave and never come back. Russert left without really leaving. He always stayed in Buffalo and Buffalo stayed with him. The world will miss him, but it's an understatement to say Buffalo will miss him too.

Thank you, Tim.

Go Bills.

Again.

We believed him the first time, when he said his children needed to grow up in the Czech Republic. He kinda bailed on that one.

We figured he was done when he finally won his Stanley Cup in 2002. We assumed he wouldn't return following the lockout in 2005. It was widely expected he'd hang them up when his Ottawa Senators fell apart in the 2006 playoffs. But each time, he defied the odds and returned.

Now, he retires with his second Stanley Cup, as he watched from the bench as his replacement Chris Osgood backstopped the Red Wings to a title.

It really does seem like this one is for good. Hasek has his place in history, and he really has nothing left to prove.

Hasek did leave Buffalo on a sour note. Maybe it's better that he hung on for so long. A lot of the hard feelings died off. Noone in Buffalo was out there as really anti-Hasek during these playoffs. Noone seemed too upset when they saw him in the team picture with the Cup.

From me personally, good for him. Dominik Hasek had a hell of a career, and will go down as one of the greatest goaltenders to ever play the game. In my opinion, he WAS the best ever.

And you know what? I'll say it: Dominik Hasek was the greatest player to ever play for the Sabres. Period.

Hasek took a lot of mediocre teams a lot further then they should have gone in the playoffs. He was the backbone of that team, and gave the Sabres a chance to win every night.

There's been some debate as to whether or not they should retire his number in Buffalo, because of his "bad attitude" and the whole "I will be a Red Wing forever" quote, but there should be no debate other than when to do it or what colors the banner should be.

No player will ever wear #39 again in Buffalo. That's the way it should be.

I believe a city like Buffalo has a chance to survive the converging crises we face, but only through concentrated and principled action. Buffalo used to be a city that could handle a sudden loss of cheap oil. Rail lines - used for freight transport, long-distance passenger lines, and more localized commuter services - ran throughout the city and its surrounding suburbs. Buffalo can do itself and its citizens (and their children) an immeasurable service by using what is left of the world's endowment of fossil fuel resources to rebuild this rail network, to connect various areas of the city and to reconnect the city to the agricultural centers around it. These networks will become invaluable as the reality of oil depletion puts an end to the system of food transport that relies on vast, unsustainable trucking lines.

Additionally, the barren spaces of the Buffalo cityscape that were previously condemned as a special cancer of the Rust Belt region should be embraced as a gift -- and then quickly demolished to make way for the city-based agricultural areas necessary for local food production. As I see it, it's either that or the blighted abandoned homes and buildings need to be quickly renovated and retrofitted to make room for the hordes of suburban refugees that will be driven to live closer to the urban center as gas prices make it impossible for them to live where they do now. We are approaching a day where, if our current behavior continues, people will literally be going to work to make money to afford going to work. Long before it gets to this point, the people with 45-minute commutes to downtown Buffalo will need a place to live near their jobs. This could carry additional benefits in that it would free up land on the formerly agricultural exterior of the city to be reploughed and brought online as the Buffalo food sources of the future.

A good first step would be the adoption of a local oil depletion protocol. The national governments of the world don't seem ready for such a step, so we must take over for them on a local level, as we will have to in other areas when depletion really kicks in. An oil depletion protocol would be a public, binding agreement as to how the remaining reserves of fossil fuels will be used by the city. This would create a forum for planning out the city's future, as well as preventing panics and hoarding by confronting the problem head-on before it is too late. We must call on our leaders to begin talking seriously about this issue, with immediate action in mind. We cannot afford to lose the few years of cheap energy we have left to waste and business-as-usual consumer habits.

This will be hard work, but there are able bodies in this city. It's a city of workers, many of which haven't had anything valid or valuable to work on for some time. If Buffalo is lucky in any regard, it is in this: the spirit of the city is one that tends toward the maintenance of order and survival through trying times. I don't believe that, for example, the people of a place like Phoenix could survive through what Buffalo has in the past fifty years and still come up smiling at the end of the day. Yet we have done just that, year in and year out.

We will need that spirit again, very soon.

with 6 signings for the 2008-2009 season, including tim 'holy babyface' kennedy, hopefully buffalonians can have more of a reason to love the sabie babies other than the fact they're our home team.

(full story at http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/story/362178.html) 

we are not on a sabres' bandwagon. if there is any bandwagoning, it's everyone who thinks we started being sabres fans 2-3 years ago. this is buffalo. we are not used to winning, if you haven't noticed. we love our teams purely because they are ours.

so, to everyone who says we've jumped on the bandwagon, i will tell you what i told mayor byron brown (via florescent pink posterboard): we have had enuffalo. 

All in all, a good game and the end of a good series for the NHL. The Wings proved to be just too fast, too smart and too experienced.

The more I watched the finals, the more I found myself pulling for them. What a professional group. That showed after the game, too. Their celebration, perhaps a bit muted since so many had been there before, was handled with class and an emphasis on family. Long after NBC cut to the local news, CBC stayed on the air, getting a particularly poignant moment with an emotional Dan Cleary.

A few other thoughts:

• Worth saying again. I was really impressed with the Penguins. They were a trendy preseason pick to win the Cup, before injuries to Crosby and Fleury. The fact that they continued to improve with those two out of the lineup and then after the roster shakeup at the trade deadline shows that the organization is heading in the right direction.
• The Pens will look a lot different next year. Interesting to see if they make a play for Hossa, who was outstanding in the postseason. And what of the legendary Gary Roberts, who was talking retirement a few days ago? Anyone else agree that Brooks Orpik would look good in a Sabres uniform next year?
• At one point in the Red Wings celebration, somebody pointed out that the team had a payroll of about $39 million this year. How do you do that? A few big contracts, lots of good players on their way up and some role players on their way down. Buffalo's organization is a far cry from Detroit's, but Sabres fans can take solace in two things: 1) You don't have to blow the bank to win; 2) Signing near-ready college players like Gerbe, Kennedy & Butler could allow payroll room for a few experienced spare parts that could give Buffalo the right mix for another deep playoff run in the next year or three.
• Maybe I'm being overly optimistic. I just hope Ryan Miller wasn't watching.

To many, it's about damn time.

To few, it's a shame. Kalinin sometimes, not frequently, shed some light as to why he was such a highly regarded prospect.

Kalinin has been in the organization for 10 years, and he'll no longer be a Sabre come July 1st.

It's an end to any hope that he would turn out to be the defenseman he was expected to be, but in reality he turned out to be a pretty solid Sabre. Dmitri had his moments.

When he was drafted, there were very high hopes for the young man from Cheljabinsk. This excerpt is from the Buffalo News' post-1998 draft article:

As the Buffalo Sabres' turn in the first round approached Saturday afternoon, the team's hockey department kept waiting for Dimitri Kalinin's name to be called out. Buffalo figured Kalinin was one of the best 10 players in the draft, and it was picking 18th.

"It's funny -- a couple of our scouts were getting pretty excited because we were getting closer and his name was still there (unpicked)," Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said. "Don Luce had to temper that. He said, 'Don't put his name on a list. Don't put it on a computer. Don't talk about him. If he's there, great. If he's not, so be it.' "

The Sabres' hopes were realized when Kalinin wasn't one of the first 17 players taken. Buffalo quickly grabbed the native of Russia, who was rated as the top European player in the draft by the Central Scouting Bureau.

Kalinin then accepted the cheers of the roughly 9,000 fans at the Entry Draft in Marine Midland Arena as he put on a Sabre sweater on the main stage.

Kalinin was the first of four players taken by the Sabres in the top 50 picks. Buffalo had three choices in the second round. It used them on left winger Andrew Peters of Oshawa, right winger Norman Milley of Sudbury, and winger Jaroslav Kristek of the Czech Republic.

The choice of Kalinin, who played with Traktor Chelyabinsk last season, was something of a surprise. Buffalo was expected to go for a forward with its first selection.

"By the time for our pick came, many of the forwards we liked were gone," Regier said. "But we had an opportunity to get a defenseman who we did not believe would be there. He's got good size, and our European scouts say he's got the total package."

The Sabres were thrilled to get him. Getting the top European prospect to fall to you at the 18th pick is no easy feat. Don Luce, then working for the hockey department, was beyond thrilled.

"I know it's standard in scouting to say, 'We couldn't believe he was there,' but we got the No. 1-rated player from Europe when he fell to 18th, so I was surprised by that," Luce said. "He's a good skater. He works hard every shift. He's got skills. I know his stats don't show it (two points in 26 games), but he played in a men's league. We also saw him play in games against players his own age, and he was outstanding."

Fast forward to January 4, 2000. The nation was just recovering from the Y2K scare. Gas is about $1.25/gallon. Music legends such as Smash Mouth, Ricky Martin and Savage Garden had songs in the top 10. That night, Dmitri Kalinin made his NHL debut for the Sabres in a 5-4 loss to the Atlanta Thrashers.

Over the next few years, Kalinin became a fixture on the Buffalo blueline. The following season he appeared in 79 games. In the 2003-04 season, he led the Sabres blueliners with 10 goals. He always showed flashes of brilliance, but those were usually erased from memory by a bunch of bonehead plays.

Probably my favorite memory of him as a Sabre was his shorthanded goal against Boston late in the '02-'03 season. Kalinin beat Boston goalie Tim Thomas, who was then a total scrub (some say he still is), from his own blueline, for a shorthanded goal. The Sabres lost that game, 8-5. Milan Bartovic also scored in that game.

If it weren't for his broken foot, suffered in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Ottawa, the Sabres may have won the Stanley Cup in 2006. The absence of Kalinin, along with defenseman Henrik Tallinder, Jay McKee and Teppo Numminen, forced Buffalo to field a depleted blueline for Game 7 against Carolina. The Sabres were unable to hold back the Hurricanes in a 4-2 loss, ending the season of possibly the most Cup-ready team in franchise history. (God, look at your feet, Rory!)

He played 82 games for the team in the best regular season in franchise history in '06-'07. During the playoffs, he was benched for poor play in the team's series against Ottawa. Many called for him to be moved, but when training camp came the following fall, it was revealed he had been playing on a sports hernia, which is usually enough to completely take a player out of the lineup.

Still he was often criticized for being soft, although during his time here, he did drop the gloves when he felt like it. And, yes, I have proof:

Criticize all you want, but this guy has been around for a while. Look at some of the names on the roster from that '99-2000 season: Brian Holzinger. Wayne Primeau. Vladimir Tsyplakov.

Want a fun fact? Six Sabres appeared that season without registering a point. Here they are: Doug Houda, Mike Hurlbut, Paul Kruse, Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre, David Moravec and Dmitri Kalinin.

Yeah, it has been a while.

466 games. 34 goals. 111 assists. +11. (really!) Averaged 19:43 per game. 37 postseason appearances.

So, unlike other fans who'll scream, "Good riddance!", I'll be nice.

Thanks for the memories, 'Tri. I've spent many arguments defending your validity as an NHL player, and you barely supported that on the ice. Good luck wherever you end up.