article about Briere today in The Hockey News

[BillsSabresB.C.T. Fan]

Maybe Daniel Briere should have a little chat with fictional Philadelphia legend Rocky Balboa about how to rally in late rounds.

Briere soared through two playoff series this year, posting eight goals and 14 points in 12 games.

But he's 0-for-3 in the conference final and, at least partially because of that, so is his team.

Last year, Briere posted 12 points in 11 games through two rounds with Buffalo. But the Sabres, like Philly, lost the first three games of the East final versus Ottawa and Briere contributed just one point in those contests.[/B]

When the going gets tough, the $10-million men have to get going.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/16013-THNcom-Playoff-Blog-Briere-disappears-when-it-matters-most-while-Hossa-finally-finds-second-gear.html

[JD]

How many did he post against Carolina?

[Philagape]

Meanwhile, the rest of the Sabres can't even get to the first round without them.

[SabreEleven]

Why did you mention Drury in your title when the article never mentions him?

[BlackMetalNinja]

How many did he post against Carolina?
4 goals, 2 assists in 7 games.

<table class="tablehead" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tbody><tr class="colhead"><td width="200">PLAYER</td> <td align="right">GP (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/teams/stats?team=buf&sort=gamesPlayed&order=true&season=2006&seasonType=3&type=reg&split=7)</td> <td align="right">G (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/teams/stats?team=buf&sort=goals&order=true&season=2006&seasonType=3&type=reg&split=7)</td> <td align="right">A (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/teams/stats?team=buf&sort=assists&order=true&season=2006&seasonType=3&type=reg&split=7)</td> <td align="right">PTS (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/teams/stats?team=buf&sort=points&order=false&season=2006&seasonType=3&type=reg&split=7)</td> <td align="right">+/- (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/teams/stats?team=buf&sort=plusMinus&order=true&season=2006&seasonType=3&type=reg&split=7)</td> <td align="right">PIM (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/teams/stats?team=buf&sort=penaltyMinutes&order=true&season=2006&seasonType=3&type=reg&split=7)</td> <td align="right">ATOI (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/teams/stats?team=buf&sort=avgTimeOnIce&order=true&season=2006&seasonType=3&type=reg&split=7)</td> <td align="right">PPG (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/teams/stats?team=buf&sort=powerGoals&order=true&season=2006&seasonType=3&type=reg&split=7)</td> <td align="right">PPA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/teams/stats?team=buf&sort=powerAssists&order=true&season=2006&seasonType=3&type=reg&split=7)</td> <td align="right">SHG (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/teams/stats?team=buf&sort=shortGoals&order=true&season=2006&seasonType=3&type=reg&split=7)</td> <td align="right">SHA (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/teams/stats?team=buf&sort=shortAssists&order=true&season=2006&seasonType=3&type=reg&split=7)</td> <td align="right">SOG (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/teams/stats?team=buf&sort=totalShots&order=true&season=2006&seasonType=3&type=reg&split=7)</td> <td align="right">SPCT (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/teams/stats?team=buf&sort=shootingPct&order=true&season=2006&seasonType=3&type=reg&split=7)</td> </tr> <tr class="oddrow" align="right"> <td align="left" width="230">Daniel Briere (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/players/profile?playerId=102), C </td><td width="37">7</td><td width="37">4</td><td width="37">2</td><td bgcolor="#c1c1c1" width="37">6</td><td width="37">-2</td><td width="37">2</td><td width="37">18:19</td><td width="37">2</td><td width="37">1</td><td width="37">0</td><td width="37">0</td><td width="37">15</td><td width="37">26.7</td></tr></tbody></table>
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/teams/stats?team=buf&sort=points&order=true&seasonType=3&season=2006&split=7&type=reg

[Myers57]

they were never right to let either player go. They should have kept both of them and improved

[Michael82]

they were never right to let either player go. They should have kept both of them and improved
EXACTLY! Finally another person sees it! :bf1:

[BlackMetalNinja]

they were never right to let either player go. They should have kept both of them and improved

Improved with what money exactly?

[Myers57]

attempt to improve through trades and signing long term contracts with the players in the first place.

[OpIv37]

Maybe Daniel Briere should have a little chat with fictional Philadelphia legend Rocky Balboa about how to rally in late rounds.

Briere soared through two playoff series this year, posting eight goals and 14 points in 12 games.

But he's 0-for-3 in the conference final and, at least partially because of that, so is his team.

Last year, Briere posted 12 points in 11 games through two rounds with Buffalo. But the Sabres, like Philly, lost the first three games of the East final versus Ottawa and Briere contributed just one point in those contests.[/B]

When the going gets tough, the $10-million men have to get going.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/16013-THNcom-Playoff-Blog-Briere-disappears-when-it-matters-most-while-Hossa-finally-finds-second-gear.html

With Briere and Drury, we made it to the playoffs and went deep. Without Briere and Drury, we didn't make it to the playoffs.

Without Briere last year, Philly didn't make the playoffs. With Briere this year, Philly made the conf finals.

With Drury, the Rangers made the playoffs as well.

So, how exactly did you conclude that the Sabres FO made the right decision when we clearly got worse and the teams they went to clearly got better?

[Yasgur's Farm]

This won't be too popular... But if we inked Briere and/or Drury, we would have sold out the future for just 1 or 2 more years of playoff dissapointment.

I'll go with Vanek and Roy and build for next year.

Ryan Miller's play was key to the Sabres success in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007... and lack of success in 2007/2008. Maybe Biron was the 1 we should have kept.

[OpIv37]

This won't be too popular... But if we inked Briere and/or Drury, we would have sold out the future for just 1 or 2 more years of playoff dissapointment.

I'll go with Vanek and Roy and build for next year.

Ryan Miller's play was key to the Sabres success in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007... and lack of success in 2007/2008. Maybe Byron was the 1 we should have kept.

by not inking Briere and Drury, we went for 1-2 years of mediocrity followed by 5-6 years of rebuilding. We couldn't win with Briere and Drury but you seem to forget that we had Vanek and Roy on that team too.

Playoff disappointment is much better than the disappointment of not making the playoffs.

[RockStar36]

With Briere and Drury, we made it to the playoffs and went deep. Without Briere and Drury, we didn't make it to the playoffs.

Without Briere last year, Philly didn't make the playoffs. With Briere this year, Philly made the conf finals.

With Drury, the Rangers made the playoffs as well.

So, how exactly did you conclude that the Sabres FO made the right decision when we clearly got worse and the teams they went to clearly got better?

Philly made SEVERAL improvement. Briere alone didn't make them a playoff team.

If the Sabres signed both of those players they would have no money left for Vanek, Pominville, Miller, Etc....

They made the decision so live with it man.

[RockStar36]

by not inking Briere and Drury, we went for 1-2 years of mediocrity followed by 5-6 years of rebuilding. We couldn't win with Briere and Drury but you seem to forget that we had Vanek and Roy on that team too.

Playoff disappointment is much better than the disappointment of not making the playoffs.


IT'S ONE YEAR!!!

The Bills have gone almost decade but people seem more ok with that.

[OpIv37]

Philly made SEVERAL improvement. Briere alone didn't make them a playoff team.

If the Sabres signed both of those players they would have no money left for Vanek, Pominville, Miller, Etc....

They made the decision so live with it man.

I'd rather have Briere and/or Drury than Vanek, and I could go either way on Miller.

Yes, Philly made multiple improvements, but his conclusion was that the management made the right decision because Philly is losing in the conf finals. It's a faulty conclusion nonetheless because we didn't even make the playoffs. You can tell me to "live with it" all you want, but it was clearly the wrong decision, and if someone says different, I'm going to respond to it.

[RockStar36]

Ok, I see your point. But let me ask you this. What if the Sabres go to at least the second round next year and Philly misses the playoffs. What does that mean in terms of the decision?

[OpIv37]

IT'S ONE YEAR!!!

The Bills have gone almost decade but people seem more ok with that.

The start of that decade for the Bills ended with a whole bunch of superstars retiring and salary cap jail.

The Sabres off-year was preceded by two straight trips to the conference finals- we should have been adding the missing piece but instead the FO decided to tear down and start over- wtf?

The two teams are in completely different places and hence expectations are much different.

And btw, have you read any of my posts about the Bills? I'm just as disappointed and frustrated with them.

[OpIv37]

Ok, I see your point. But let me ask you this. What if the Sabres go to at least the second round next year and Philly misses the playoffs. What does that mean in terms of the decision?

It means that either the FO made the right decision for the long term, or the FO made the wrong decision but did something else right to make up for it.

Right now, though, Philly's better off than we are.

[RockStar36]

I guess I just look at things differently. I'm plenty depressed about the season and plenty upset about things but I block them out and remind myself that it is only one year and that they will be back next year. Of course, I think blocking things out sometimes leads to tumors. :scratch:

[OpIv37]

I guess I just look at things differently. I'm plenty depressed about the season and plenty upset about things but I block them out and remind myself that it is only one year and that they will be back next year. Of course, I think blocking things out sometimes leads to tumors. :scratch:

well I'm hoping you're right but I really think this team needs some more talent, particularly on D- yet the FO all but said they weren't making any changes. There is a lot of youth on this team so there is some hope that they can get better, but I really think it's going to be more of the same without at least a solid defender and a back-up goaltender.

And if they don't at least find a back-up goaltender in the off-season, it will prove the Sabres are just as cheap as the Bills.

[RockStar36]

well I'm hoping you're right but I really think this team needs some more talent, particularly on D- yet the FO all but said they weren't making any changes. There is a lot of youth on this team so there is some hope that they can get better, but I really think it's going to be more of the same without at least a solid defender and a back-up goaltender.

And if they don't at least find a back-up goaltender in the off-season, it will prove the Sabres are just as cheap as the Bills.

This is something I agree with and something that worries me.

I've been pretty nice to the FO but they need to sign at least 1 if not 2 d-men this year, a solid back up goalie, and an impact foward. And not a high priced impact forward. Honestly, I HATE Sean Avery but that is the type of player this team needs. They get walked all over all the time.

[Philagape]

I'd take Briere and Drury at 10.5 a year combined, and let Vanek go for four Edmonton first-rounders. In two seconds.

[RockStar36]

Briere and Drury would never take that deal. That is one thing I don't understand. I mean, I know you guys need a scape goat but there are two sides to this. The players have to do their part too.

[Philagape]

Briere and Drury would never take that deal.

Those were THEIR terms. In 2006. The Sabres said no.

[BillsSabresB.C.T. Fan]

This is something I agree with and something that worries me.

I've been pretty nice to the FO but they need to sign at least 1 if not 2 d-men this year, a solid back up goalie, and an impact foward. And not a high priced impact forward. Honestly, I HATE Sean Avery but that is the type of player this team needs. They get walked all over all the time.

We got a Sean Avery type player his name is Patrick Kaleta

[BlackMetalNinja]

We got a Sean Avery type player his name is Patrick Kaleta

Kaleta has about 1/10 of Avery's offensive ability... And about half his abillity to aggravate skills at this point.

[RockStar36]

Kaleta has about 1/10 of Avery's offensive ability... And about half his abillity to aggravate skills at this point.

Exactly...

[BlackMetalNinja]

Exactly...

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the improvement I saw out of that kid this year compared to last, and I think he has great potential to fill that type of role for us, he's just not there quite yet.

[RockStar36]

No, I know what you mean. Kaleta is a good player but he isn't in the same category as Sean Avery. It pains me to say that because I seriously hate that man everytime the Sabres play the Rangers. But I have to wonder what someone like him would do to the whole attitude of the team.

[Myers57]

Maybe Biron was the 1 we should have kept.

Marty Biron is not any better than Ryan Miller is. He would still be a backup wasting 2.1 million a year

[JD]

This won't be too popular... But if we inked Briere and/or Drury, we would have sold out the future for just 1 or 2 more years of playoff dissapointment.

I'll go with Vanek and Roy and build for next year.

Ryan Miller's play was key to the Sabres success in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007... and lack of success in 2007/2008. Maybe Biron was the 1 we should have kept.

Those one or two years could have gotten us a championship, then I could have died with a smile on my face

[RockStar36]

We're MUCH better off with Miller instead of Biron. I realize Biron has played well in the playoffs but he was still typical Marty in the season. He got hot during the playoffs so I realize it is easy to overlook that.