Petry is a very good fit skillwise, is a reasonable cap fit. And you may have missed the part about it being an hour flight to Detroit, without a border crossing, in a town that doesn't have a history of making life difficult for players' families.
Oh, I saw them, and I just vehemently disagree.
Team needs goaltending first and foremost.
Second, bringing in RHD means you are likely replacing Fitzgerald, so they have
Dahlin
Power
Jokiharju
Bryson
Samuelsson
They need to lighten Dahlin's minutes and having him play a huge role on the PK is breaking him. He's looked exhausted in a lot of games recently, and his decision making has suffered.
They need someone to take on the tough defensive minutes and reliably PK. That is not Petry's MO. Never has been. Adding a guy with bite would also be welcome since Fitzgerald would be in the pressbox.
Petry bagged it in with his family out of town, and from all accounts, his attitude was less than stellar.
Why would be be happy in Buffalo if his family is 200 miles away(350 drive) and he can't see his wife and kids regularly? Do you want that in this lockeroom that is finally a positive environment? I sure don't.
Then there is his age. Regardless of what Habs fans say in these threads, 95% of NHL players start to break down heavily at or before 35. Most people that haven't played competitive physical sports don't understand that the bangs and bruises you take at 22, heal in a day or two. Those same bruises linger for several days in your late 20s. By 35, those bangs and bruises stick around for a week plus and the chance of reinjuring them before they heal is very common.
The 82 game season is punishing. Guys in their 30s have to ice themselves down after ever single game. It takes it's toll. Expecting anyone to play at 36 or 37 and not be slowed by the physical abuse is not realistic.
Lastly, that cap hit will be an anchor in 3 years when the Sabres will be needing cap the most. It is going to get tight quickly, and remaining as cap-flexible as they can will be important.
We are all entitled to our opinions, and we obviously disagree here, and I respect that, (I usually agree with your takes, to be honest) but I will bet money that Petry's contract will be ugly in year three, and I'd even give odds on that bet. Those contracts almost never workmout well for the team that owns them.
