Darcy Regier's Top 10 Best Acquisitions

This is Part One of a two-part series dealing with Darcy Regier's player acquisitions over his tenure as the Buffalo Sabres' General Manager.

Many people criticize Buffalo Sabres' General Manager Darcy Regier for his mismanagement of players and bad trades. I decided I would take the top ten best aquisitions by Regier, and the top worst so that fans can decide for themselves if the positives outweigh the negatives or vice versa. Excluded from this "best list" are first-round picks such as Thomas Vanek, Tyler Myers, and Tyler Ennis as they are sure to be big-time players in the NHL. This list focuses more on the value aquisitions that Regier has made since 1997, his first year as general manager.

10. Ales Kotalik

Drafted in the sixth round by Regier (164th Overall) in 1998, Ales Kotalik should be considered a steal in many respects. He is currently ranked 18th in his draft class in points with 278, and 16th in goals with 132. What Buffalo Sabres' fans most remember about Kotalik was his wicked one-timer from the point that seemed unstoppable, as well as his shootout prowess. He is currently ranked number two in NHL history for game-deciding goals with 11, behind Sidney Crosby.

9. Derek Roy

Derek Roy was the Sabres' second-round pick (32nd Overall) in 2001. The pick was acquired by Regier in a deal that sent Cory Sarich, Wayne Primeau, Brian Holzinger, and a 2000 3rd-round draft pick traded to Tampa Bay for Chris Gratton and the pick that the Sabres would use to select Roy. Gratton would later be a major factor in bringing a fan-favorite to Buffalo. Roy currently ranks 15th all-time on the Buffalo Sabres in points and first among active players. Roy has also lead the Sabres in scoring for three straight seasons.

8. Patrick Kaleta

Patrick Kaleta was drafted in the sixth round (176th Overall) in 2004, and is a Buffalo native hailing from Angola, New York. While he doesn't score much, Kaleta provides much-needed moxie to the Buffalo Sabres and always finishes his checks. He very well may be in the top five agitators in the NHL today.

7. Paul Gaustad

Gaustad, a seventh-round long-shot in 2000, has quickly become a fan-favorite and the Buffalo Sabres perennial leaders in faceoffs. His big body is also utilized on the powerplay in front of the net and has scored 14 powerplay goals in his career.

6. Brian Campbell

A sixth-round selection (156th Overall) in 1997, Campbell has blossomed into one of the best offensive defenseman in the league. He is regarded by many NHL players as one of the quickest skaters, and a Stanley Cup ring isn't bad either. He was traded by the Sabres in 2008, a trade that acquired the Tyler Ennis pick. Campbell is ranked tenth among all-time Buffalo Sabres defensemen in scoring with 176 points in 391 games played.

5. Mike Grier

At the March 2004 trade deadline, Darcy Regier pulled off the exchange of former first-round pick Jakub Klepis for veteran forward Mike Grier. Grier immediately became one of the best leaders on the Sabres, especially when teamed up with former Boston University teammate, Chris Drury. Grier brought valuable experience in the playoffs, and penalty-killing prowess to the team. After a brief stint in San Jose, the Sabres inked the forward in 2009 and have re-upped his contract for this coming season.

4. J.P. Dumont

One of Darcy Regier's biggest steals was the deal that sent Michal Grosek to the Chicago Blackhawks for Doug Gilmour and J.P. Dumont. While on the downside of his career, Gilmour provided valuable playoff experience to the Sabres. Dumont turned out to be the main draw of this trade totaling 223 in 362 games with the Sabres, while playing a physical, power-forward game. Dumont also probably had one of the best playoff beards in franchise history.

3. Ryan Miller

Not many teams grab a franchise netminder in the fifth round as the Sabres did in 1999. Miller won the Hobey Baker award for the top college player in 2001, and he has been the unquestioned starter in goal for the team for five seasons. He ranks second in wins on the Sabres all-time list only beneath Dominik Hasek. Miller also owns the Sabres record for wins in one season with 41 in the 2009-2010 season, after which he won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's best goaltender. He started all six games for the United States in the 2010 Winter Olympics and was named Tournament MVP, along with receiving a silver medal.

2. Chris Drury

Darcy Regier's trade of Rhett Warrener and Steve Reinprecht for Chris Drury and Steve Begin, brought one of the best playoff and clutch performers in recent NHL history to the Sabres. His game-tying goal with eight seconds to go in Game 5 against his current team, the New York Rangers in 2007, is forever etched in Sabres lore. He is tied for second on the Sabres' all-time list with four game winning goals in the playoffs, along with 31 points in 34 playoff games with the team. He excelled in the faceoff circle and was the number one unquestioned leader during his tenure as a Buffalo Sabre.

1. Daniel Briere

Regier's top move is most likely the trade of Chris Gratton and a fourth-round pick to Phoenix for Daniel Briere and a third-round pick. Once coming over from the Coyotes, Briere's game took off, especially out of the lockout where speed and skill took precedence. Briere averaged over a point-a-game during his career as a Sabre with 230 points in 225 regular-season games and 34 points in 34 playoff games. He also had seven overtime goals, with five in the regular season and two during playoffs. He recently led the NHL in playoff scoring this past year with 30 points in 23 games, almost propelling the Philadelphia Flyers to a Stanley Cup championship. Over his career in the playoffs, Briere has earned 87 points in 86 games. He left Buffalo as one of its most beloved sports figures.