A Little More On Mair
November 10th, 2009 | by Vance |
There’s been a bit of an uproar about the waiver designation for Adam Mair. I don’t share the sentiment. Of course, I’m disappointed to see him leave, he was a team guy, usually a smart player, and one of the few you could always count on to put in a consistent, hard-nosed effort, but, in the long run, this is really a smart move for all parties involved.
By now we’ve all heard the quotes from Darcy saying it was just a numbers issue. With Tim Kennedy making the roster there simply was too many bodies and not enough spots. Dan Paille was the first casualty, Adam Mair might be the next.
I say might, because frankly, perhaps nobody takes a flier on Mair, and he stays with the Sabres and continues to spend his days in the press box. Chances are though that he either gets sent to Portland, or will be claimed, like I said, we won’t know until Noon.
I’m just not sure why, outside of standard fan favoritism, why anyone is that upset losing Mair. He essentially lost his incumbent job to Matt Ellis, who makes up one of the most tenacious 4th lines in the league. Ellis, in my estimations, has outplayed, out hustled, and stayed healthy, things Mair couldn’t do.
Now it also needs to be noted what Darcy is doing here. He knows it does his squad no good, let alone Mair, for him to be sitting in the press box. At his age and service level, Mair can go after one more contract. He’s playing in a contract year, and Darcy is giving him the opportunity, first by trying to trade him, and now exposing him to waivers, to try to play himself into another contract. It’s a nice move by Regier, which I’m sure after the initial disappointment of being on Waivers dissipates, Mair will appreciate.
But just for old time’s sake, how ’bout one of my fondest memories of Adam Mair.
Tags: Adam Mair, Buffalo Sabres, Waivers
By DJ on Nov 10, 2009
Well, Mair cleared waivers. Not having him in the lineup makes an already soft team even softer.
While comical, that video clip was one of my least favorite Mair moments. He went through all the trouble of going to the Sens lockerroom to spout off (at Neil or Ruutuu, it was never really decided was it?), yet in the remaining few games against the Sens he did nothing on the ice. If you are going to run your yap in the hallway, at least back it up on the ice.
By Vance on Nov 10, 2009
Indeed, on most points; decisions been made, so we can only talk about it.
My question is; if this is Darcy and co. phasing out the 30 year old Mair, why not get a look at the 26 year old McCormick, as he’s only signed for this year too. Frankly, these types of guys are a dime a dozen, might as well take the youngest.
By DJ on Nov 10, 2009
I agree about McCormick. As far as pugilistic ability and willingness to drop the gloves, I’d take McCormick over Mair any day. At any rate, they need some toughness.