Michael82
06-25-2007, 09:49 AM
After a .500 finish, the retooling Sabres were one year removed from the Dominik Hasek and Mike Peca era, a team that peaked with a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 1999. Still solid defensively without Hasek and Peca, the Sabres allowed the third fewest goals in the conference in 2001-02 despite finishing 10th out of 15 teams in the East. The Sabres’ offense was weak, but some help was on the way with Tim Connolly, J.P. Dumont and Maxim Afinogenov developing in the organization.
John Rigas’ Adelphia Communications collapsed late in the season, leading to a precarious financial situation heading into the June 22nd draft in Toronto. That didn’t prevent General Manager Darcy Regier from making a big draft-day move when he swapped first-round draft picks with Columbus.
Keith Ballard, D – 1st Round, 11th Overall (Minnesota-WCHA)
NHL Games Played: 151
Status: NHL player
With the 11th pick, the Sabres took who they believed to be the best player available, ignoring their desperate need for offense in the process. They were fortunate enough to flip Ballard for offense a year later when their scoring deficiencies became chronic.
On July 3rd, 2003, Ballard was traded to Calgary for Steven Reinprecht who was then immediately flipped with Rhett Warrener to Colorado for Chris Drury and Steve Begin.
Since traded from Calgary to Phoenix, Ballard has turned into the defenseman the Sabres felt he would become. Ballard, a Baudette, MN native, has averaged 75 games, 33 points and 80 PIMs in two seasons. Ballard doesn’t turn 25 until November 2007.
After almost reaching 40 points in his rookie year, Ballard focused more on his defensive game in 2006-07 as his plus/minus improved from a woeful -18 to a better -7. He took fewer penalties this year, lowering his totals by 40 minutes.
A 5'11, 210-pound, fire hydrant on skates, Ballard's mix of youth, aggressiveness and pure skill makes him an extremely valuable all-around player. Phoenix sees him as a solid No. 2 defenseman in the near future.
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/9733
John Rigas’ Adelphia Communications collapsed late in the season, leading to a precarious financial situation heading into the June 22nd draft in Toronto. That didn’t prevent General Manager Darcy Regier from making a big draft-day move when he swapped first-round draft picks with Columbus.
Keith Ballard, D – 1st Round, 11th Overall (Minnesota-WCHA)
NHL Games Played: 151
Status: NHL player
With the 11th pick, the Sabres took who they believed to be the best player available, ignoring their desperate need for offense in the process. They were fortunate enough to flip Ballard for offense a year later when their scoring deficiencies became chronic.
On July 3rd, 2003, Ballard was traded to Calgary for Steven Reinprecht who was then immediately flipped with Rhett Warrener to Colorado for Chris Drury and Steve Begin.
Since traded from Calgary to Phoenix, Ballard has turned into the defenseman the Sabres felt he would become. Ballard, a Baudette, MN native, has averaged 75 games, 33 points and 80 PIMs in two seasons. Ballard doesn’t turn 25 until November 2007.
After almost reaching 40 points in his rookie year, Ballard focused more on his defensive game in 2006-07 as his plus/minus improved from a woeful -18 to a better -7. He took fewer penalties this year, lowering his totals by 40 minutes.
A 5'11, 210-pound, fire hydrant on skates, Ballard's mix of youth, aggressiveness and pure skill makes him an extremely valuable all-around player. Phoenix sees him as a solid No. 2 defenseman in the near future.
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/9733