TBN -- Briere, Captain Material?

Link: Buffalo News - Sabres still working to get in the game.

Well, we must be getting close to hockey season The Buffalo News has actually had some Sabres coverage.  I may faint, three articles in two days this week.  On the heels of yesterdays dirty laundry list comes this more reasonable assessment of the Sabres current situation.  I'm pleased that Tim Graham decided not to take any pot shots at the organization lack of current moves and place them in the longer-term context.

The quotes he got from Daniel Briere though sum up the kind of attitude that needs to be universal in the locker room for this team to succeed:

"Some teams will have to unload, and that's where we can take advantage," said Briere, acquired for Chris Gratton at the 2002 trade deadline, one of Regier's all-time best moves. "If we as players can put ourselves in good position through the first two or three months and don't fall off the charts right off the bat, we could become a very dangerous team if we can pick up an extra guy or two.

"It's up to the players we have right now to keep us in a playoff spot. When management sees how we have done they'll make the appropriate moves."

He's placing the burden of success on his shoulders.  This team has been lacking in leadership since Peca left and it seems that now we're beginning to see who is and who will be the leadership going forward.  Zhitnik and Satan either didn't want to or were incapable of doing it.   

If Briere backs these words up with his play on the ice and gets the rest to do the same then I'll be too happy watching them win to remember what did or did not happen during the off-season.

Ta,

Comments

[Chris]

Interested on hearing your take on Sullivan's piece published today in the Buffalo News as well.

[KJB]

Naturally, I'd be happier if they moved Biron for D help now, but it's increasingly clear that we're on the shoulders of Briere, Hecht, Kalinin and wherever the spinning bottle stops amongst the goaltenders. I'm both optimistic, and full of dread. This is what it is to be a Sabres fan.

[Tom L]

Chris,

I'll comment on Sullivan's polemic in a few.

KJB, Yeah.... I feel that way everytime I open my checkbook. :)

Ta,

[Lindsey]

Briere would make a great captain, but I still think Drury will likely get the honors.

[Tom L]

Lindsey,

I'm inclined to agree with you. Drury was brought here to be the Captain, let's see if he can live up to it.

Ta,