Gritty Forward Mathieu Darche has agreed to a one-year, two-way deal with the Buffalo Sabres. Darche decided between Buffalo and Ottawa, and chose the Sabres because, as he stated in an interview with Lindsay Kramer of the Syracuse Post-Standard,
"I figured that's where I'll have a good chance. Lindy Ruff is a lot like (ex-Tampa Bay coach) John Tortorella. You get what you deserve. I decided the fit was good in Buffalo, and I liked the talk I had with (Sabres GM) Darcy Regier.''
Darche, will turn 32 this season, is 6-1, 215. Darche played 73 games last season, had seven goals, 15 assists and was only -14 (in Tampa, -14 is good, look it up!) in plus minus. He also chipped in 20 penalty minutes, was third on Tampa in hits with 125, averaged 15 minutes of ice time and was seventh among Tampa forwards in total penalty kill minutes with 86.
He has spent time with San Jose, Nashville, and Columbus but mostly with their AHL teams. As previously mentioned, he spent last season with Tampa Bay, and after the trade deadline, he played enforcer on a line with Vincent LeCavalier. With the Sabres, Darche will be battling with Patrick Kaleta and Andrew Peters for fourth line duties.
He is a long shot to make the team, due to his two way contract status and the Sabres' ability to ship him back to Portland. However, this may mark the merciful end of Sabres fan's least favorite fighter Andrew Peters' time in Buffalo, if Darche does impress in camp.
If Darche does beat out Peters, the Sabres can attempt to waive Peters and if he clears (which he should), send him to Portland. Mathieu's brother is Kansas City Chiefs long snapper JP Darche.
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2 months ago
great article, todd
2 months ago
Good article but I do not think Darche is going to battle Peters for a job. 2 totally different players. And to the fact Darche has signed a 2 way contract. Peters has one year left and though it pains me Lindy and the rest of the staff love the guy. Darche is a career AHL player. He got a shot at the NHL last season with Tampa but that was pretty much by default. Look for Peters to be a healthy scratch as he was for games last season, and when he dresses he will see the usual 58 seconds of ice time a game.
2 months ago
THEY SHOULD SEND DOUCHE BAG TO THE MINORS AND KEEP PETERS AND PLAY HIM EVERY GAME WHY? BECAUSE EVERY OTHER TEAM HAS AN ENFORCER AND ARE TOUGH SO U NEED HIM TO PROTECT THE PLAYERS AND GET THINGS GOING HE IS A GOOD FIGHTER AND ENFORCERS ARE GETTING A SPOT IN THE GAME AGAIN.
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