Orpik not coming to Buffalo

I just got off the phone with Darcy Regier. The Sabres will not be in the final running for the services of Brooks Orpik.

"We did have conversations," Regier told me. "I don't expect to be a part of that going forward."

Well, what do you think?

---John Vogl

Comments

[Melissa]

That stinks. He's a good defense, and we need a good one. Who else is in the market?

[Buffalo Excuses]

Lots of guys with GREAT PERSONALITIES!

[Heather B.]

I think Orpik is going to get paid a whole lot of money for one very good postseason. It's probably for the best.

[Seab]

uh-oh..... how can we possibly live without orpik?
lets get rhett back! LETS GO BUFFALO!

[Buffalo Excuses]

Probably.

[SelltheTeam]

I wish Golisano would sell the team and let someone else buy the team that is committed to trying to win a cup. We sell out every game, and have a billionare owner who is the cheapest person in the world and has no care for this hockey team just his own pocket.

[Buffalo Excuses]

Probably.

[Andrew]

With Redden going for $6.5 a year to the Rangers, Orpik's price goes up as well. I always thought he was overpaid at about $3.5 million. Now it looks like he's going to get around $5 million a year. No thank you.

[Craig]

The way these mega-million contracts are being handed out today, that's fine with me! Too many players, especially defensemen, have been WAY over paid! Why hand cuff are team for years to come since we still have to sign Miller and Pominville to big-money extensions, anyway?

[frisky]

How about Aaron Miller?

[Hambone Johnson]

Aaron miller is about 48 years old and makes derian hatcher seem fast.

[Buffalo Excuses]

Look on the bright side, we got Patrick Lalime! And he has a GREAT PERSONALITY!

You know we're gonna win that cup!

[Fire Darcy]

Whats the point of getting excited for this team when their owner and GM are cheap asses who won't go out and get players. At least they got Patrick Lalime to stand there while our undersized, immobile defensemen get lit up for another year.

I wish they were in jail with the Rigas family.

They'll lowball Miller and he'll be wearing Red Wing colors in '09-10...blame the market again....lowball Pominville and watch him walk out the door....but sit there on camera and say how they are strong within and feel comfortbale about the future.

Same story. Darcy Regier sucks.

[Mike]

By the way, before I comment on the Orpick thing, Kudos to John Vogl, I was refreshing your "Live from free agency at work today, thanks John, you were better than TSN.ca and nhl.com

all right boys, that means the Sabres want to spend LESS than 4 million a year for a defenseman. Orpick walked away from the Pens. This dream deal of getting Orpick who is a good fit and from E. Amherst, I thought was doomed when Campbell got his deal. The money is just crazy isn't it? We need a Commodore type, that came out to like 2 to millon, Spacek is getting 3.3...

Also I think It could also mean Darcy wants not ONE defenseman BUT TWO and create something like a Tallinder/ Lydman thing

10 million a year for Sundin? That' alot of money where I come from. They'll have to sell alot of sweaters up there in Van.

[Sean]

Rhett Warrener 3 years/$1mm per year. simple

[Geoffrey Anger]

Free agency for Sabres fans ... its like your parents wait until Christmas morning to tell you you're Jewish.

Brutal.

[Buffalo Excuses]

Interesting thought Mike.

But where are these guys under $4 Million who are as good as Tallinder/Lydman? I know, we going to "trade" for them, aren't we?

Oh, and Commodore got traded. Rumor has it we "had discussions here".

"Me and The Buffalo Sabres Yeah, Yeah, Yeah..."

[Buffalo Excuses]

Geoffrey, THAT IS THE BEST POST I HAVE EVER SEEN HERE!!!!!!!!!

How freaking funny is THAT!

[Sean]

somehow buffalo will survive without orpik..... too much hype

[Geoffrey Anger]

Thanks Buffalo Excuses ... appreciate that--too bad it has to be true, right?

[Rock]

Would be a great story - hometown kid and all - But the earlier signings were the end of any illusions that Sabres fans of seeing him in Blue and Gold.

I am actually on Darcy's side with this one - better to trade than chase in a foolish spending spree on day 1.

Two points: 1. This is NOT an exceptional FA market to be blowing stupid money at.
2. Remember that Orpik was a converted winger, was the sixth defensemen and in the dog house all year. He had a great run at the precise moment he had to to cash in for this contract. God Bless him he just hit the lottery.

[Buffalo Excuses]

Brutally true Anger, brutally true!

But I am still laughing. I have to remember that one.

Thanks again.

[Buffalo Excuses]

3. The Sabres said they were going to trade last year and we got Bernier.

Brutal.

[North Buffalo]

Regier is a bum for his lack of creativity. I am not sure Orpik is the answer, but there were plenty of other Defensemen out there including Streit and others that could be had for less than $4 mil.

What is his problem??? Do something Regier!

[GregK]

I don't understand you guys that think spending stupid money on overrated free agents makes you more committed to winning. It's not being stupid.

You're just a bunch of control freaks who need to do something, anything, to make you feel like your in the drivers seat. You probably go rent a car and drive home at the first sign of a delay at the airport. Can't just sit there and do nuthin', gotta do sumthin', anythin', cause sitting here waiting is for losers.

[Fire Darcy]

You're right Greg. Doing nothing is the way to go. I mean....back-to-back eastern conference finals followed by a summer of doing "nothing" as it relates to Briere, Drury, and Campbell really paid off for the Sabres, didn't it...

[Mike]

if Darcy is passing on Orpick, money aside, I'm hoping he's got something else in the works that will be reported to us tomm. like a trade involving Maxim ...
he knows the team (he, we, all of us) need a D-Man. I'm going to go ahead and believe he'll make a move. I've never been a fan of Darcy's conservative style, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt this time. He's walkin from an Orpick deal that may have cost the Sabres a fortune, soemthing else has to be around the corner

[John R.]

Can't you just imagine Darcy being the one guy in your Fantasy league who will never make any trades, no matter what? Come on, it's for entertainment! Who cares if your fantasy trade doesn't work out, it's just fun to trade!

Same thing here. I mean, really think about it. Who cares if he possibly "overpays" someone? I mean, the end result is not exactly going to war with the Middle East. Just entertain us dammit!!!! Today was NOT entertaining for Sabres fans.

[Mark F]

I hope there is a plan. If I hear that there is enough chemistry and one more year of experience to go into the next season without any major changes, then it is way too obvious that this is an organization that is playing on the loyalty of long time Sabres fans and trying to milk us for every cent without the intention of competing for real.

[Buffalo Excuses]

And since then we were active in the trade market giving up an all star defenseman for Steve "I did have 1 hatrick" Bernier.

Amd we were certainly active when we raised ticket prices.

More dough, less cost, fans eat it up. Priceless.

[Sean]

RHETT

[Heather B.]

"Free agency for Sabres fans ... its like your parents wait until Christmas morning to tell you you're Jewish."

Yeah, except that our parents have been telling us all along that we shouldn't really expect any big presents on Christmas because we're not that extravagant. But cute :P

Seriously, Orpik was last on his team in minutes played per game by a d-man and he was next to last in minutes played per game on the PK which means he runs a risk of not logging very high minutes in special teams heavy games. Yeah, I'd love to spend five million plus for that guy. I understand people being disappointed about not signing anyone but I don't get being upset about bowing out of the bidding for this particular player.

[Jim Balsillie]

I just want the fans of Buffalo to know that I appreciate your passion for hockey. That is why I am working on a deal to make Buffalo the AHL affiliate to my Kitchner Blackberries. Larry did a great job running the Sabres, so I am happy to have him aboard on this venture. I will be sure to supply the team with nothing but the best of available veteran free agents, and as many young prospects as we can find. Buffalo will be playing in the classiest AHL arena out there and we are pleased to announce that tickets will start at only $12.

As an added treat, we are going to have a contest for the fans in Buffalo to name the new AHL team. Here are your choices.

1)Buffalo Bisons
2)Buffalo Jr. Blackberries
3)Buffalo Chill
4)Buffalo Quinns

Thank you for your hospitality in accepting me into your city, and I hope you will make the short 90 minute drive to watch quality NHL hockey in Southern Ontario.

Jim

[Buffalo Excuses]

Yeah Sean, all 1 goal and 2 assists of him. And, I think we can get him for less than $4 Million.

Maybe we can bring back Zhitnik too.

Pass the popcorn.

[Rock]

North Buffalo, I agree about the lack of creativity - I was writing just yesterday about my frustration with the lack of ANYTHING to energize this franchise. BUT... this is not the way to go - this money is not well spent. Striet just went to the Isles for 20 mil over five years. He was minus six on the Canadiens.

Would much rather package a bunch of assets for Jay Bouwmeester (sp?) from FLA. 24 years old and a legit stud who the Panthers are shopping.

[Buffalo Excuses]

Hey Basille,

Will you take The Bills too?

BTW, my vote for team name is:

E.)Buffalo Excuses.

[Buffalo Excuses]

Heather, last on team in minutes played?

That is WAY too much research for a fan. Was that you who I said NO to on renewing my season tickets?

Pass the popcorn.

[Chad]

The attachment to Orpik by some Sabres fans over the last three weeks has bordered on irrational. Not sure I understand the firestorm over not getting a guy who seems satisfied to go to the highest bidder after having one pretty good regular season and a good playoffs. His agent played this perfectly. His value is skyrocketing by the second. I like Orpik, but I don't like a stay-at-home defenseman like him for $5m/year. Go get a Hainsey or Mara for 60% of that price. There's not that much of a difference, if any.

[Sean]

Buffalo Excuses, never met someone so smart as you, amazing knowledge of just about everything as long as its critical of the Sabres. Buffalo will be fine as long as your out there bitching about every move or lack of move they make. keep it up, we'll be fine. Your so smart, what would you have done?

[I Fight Guys Like You On The Way To Fights!]

The beginning of free agency is summed up in the first, and most likely only player the sabres will pick up,"La-LAME"!

[GregK]

You guys have to read Dan Tolensky's blog. I know it's hockeybuZz, but this guy makes a great point. Especially for you guys I was talking about down below.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=15970

[North Buffalo]

Fine, Steit is not your preferred guy, but there are others out there and even a leader on offense could have been gotten, then trade Kotalik for some draft choices. Look even Toronto got Hagman and not expensively. Had him last year on my fantasy team and his plus minus and his consistent scoring was phenomenal. Thanks for the props. Anyone still out on the board that you like?

[Buffalo Excuses]

I would have signed Drury at the beginning of the season 2 years ago and Briere mid year.

You asked. I answered.

Pass the popcorn.

Now my questions for you:

Name a move (non current player related) The Buffalo Excuses have made in the last 3 years to improve the team for next year?

What are the Sabres going to do before the trading deadline this year to improve their chances of making the playoffs?

If they don't do anything, do you honestly think they will make the playoffs this year?

What did we get for our ticket price increase?

[Rock]

Yeah, Bouwmeester - give the bucks to a 24 year old instead of a 29+ guy. Look at the buyouts that you are starting to see more and more of. These guys are making huge money at late stages of career and when they are noy worth that money you are forced to buy out the contract AND the older the player the more "dead" money that you will have tied up.

Believe me, I desperately would love to see something exciting around this franchise - they make Vanilla look excitingly wild.

[North Buffalo]

My last comment was directed to Buffalo Excuses if that was not obvious.

In defense of his comments, as a fellow suffering Buffalo Sports fan, it is our God Given Right to complain about the decisions of Buffalo Sports management. Until a Buffalo team is no longer 0-3 or 0-4 in championship games, we should all complain loudly.

Let these high priced players remain positive, till then show me the rings in a Buffalo Uniform.

[not fade away]

hey excuses, how about you just go away? if you hate the team so much, why do you care? you're not going to be happy unless the owner runs the team into the ground making asinine signings for overrated players. take your negativity and go screw. i am so sick of "fans" like you. have some stats to back up your argument, have some reason, have some rationale - but cut the "darcy's a bum" crap because he won't dump $10 million into marginal defensemen. i know you're probably a HUGE hockey fan, so you must know that strategy NEVER WORKS. go look at the last 10, 15 stanley cup winners (can you name the last 3?). tell me how many are free agent machines, and how many are dedicated to a long term strategy and a real system. but whatever, that's too much work when you just want to say "duh...dey screw us on tigget prices...duh...go sign orpik for $6 mil cause he hit real good and hard worker like me." whatever.

sorry for the rant, but thats been building for a long time.

jerk.

[North Buffalo]

Jay Bouwmeester sounds okay, big guy, what about Jason Smith or is health the big issue?

[Sean]

buffalo excuses, i find that great that you would have signed him 2 years ago. just wonder if you would have done that 2 years ago. same with briere and campbell of course. and vanek. and then miller, roy, pominville within salary cap. perhaps your in the wrong profession?

[North Buffalo]

In response to Jim Basille's earlier comments dissing Buffalo, those 90 miles you must be talking about have to the Toronto Leaves. They are only minor league team in the area you described...hmmm.

[Sean]

i wish i had hindsight like you. 20/20?
LETS GO BUFFALO!!!!!!!!!!!!