Greetings. I apologize for putting a damper on everyone's day, as well as a bulge in everyone's mailbox, but I feel that it is my duty to help keep a great memory alive. This memory is of former Sabres goaltender Peter Skudra. Don't panic now; Skudra hasn't died. However, the ingrates in the Sabre hierarchy have allowed this poor man to be claimed off of waivers by the Boston Bruins. Let us now remember the Sabre career of Peter Skudra.
Peter Skudra, age 27, was claimed by the Buffalo Sabres on October 6th of this year to backup an inexperienced Mika Noronen. Of course, as we all know well, all-world goaltender Dominik Hasek was injured opening night against the Chicago Blackhawks and Martin Biron, Hasek's normal back up, was still in the midst of a contract dispute. The signing of Skudra, a
player with some (albeit limited) NHL experience, was necessary.
Skudra backed up Noronen for one game, then was sent to the Sabres minor league affiliate in Rochester when Dominik Hasek returned from his minor injury. Skudra played for Rochester for a week, earning a 2-0-0 record.
The Sabres then decided that Noronen needed more playing time, which could be given to him in Rochester, so his spot on the big club was switched with that of Skudra. Skudra was recalled by the Sabres on October 19th, and was dressed and ready for action on October 20th versus the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
Let me now set the atmosphere. It's overtime, 2-2. The Sabres have already used their one alloted timeout, but have just been granted a power play. The key players on the power play were just on the ice, so they are winded. The Sabres need a time killer. That time killer: Peter Skudra.
Coach Lindy Ruff announces to the referee that he would like to make a goalie change. Dominik Hasek skates off the ice, and Peter Skudra skates on. The faceoff takes place in the Anaheim zone, though, and the Sabres hold possession of it for 22 seconds before the Anaheim goalkeeper can stop the play. Then, in the need of another time killer, Ruff sends Hasek back into the game.
That's it. 22 seconds.
Peter Skudra remained as Hasek's backup for several more games, until Martin Biron signed with the club. Biron completed his rehabilitation assignment in Rochester and was called up to the Sabres. No longer needing the services of one Peter Skudra, he was placed on waivers by the team on November 11th. By November 14th, he had been claimed by the Bruins -- the same team that placed him on waivers to begin this entire debacle.
Now, many of you may not have understood what I just explained, and still many more may not have cared. However, I think it is a disgrace to use a little more than a month of a man's valuable career and 22 seconds of his playing life, only to throw him away like yesterday's trash when his time in the sun is up. The Sabres could have at least traded him -- in this scenario, everyone would have won. Instead, Peter Skudra has been tossed in the dumpster and dug out by
one of the scourges of the hockey world, the Boston Bruins.
That is my commentary. Take it for what you will. If you have any heart whatsoever, please pass this on to someone whom you believe will also care. If you have no heart, throw this in the trash. Think of Peter Skudra when you empty that trash can, though, because the Sabres obviously didn't.