Heard a rumour.....

[lax4ever]

Heard a rumour that Matt Disher may not be returning to the Bandits for the 2000-2001 season. Any truth to it???

[Bandit]

Dish has been at training camp since the start, so I doubt it's true.

Bandit

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~Everything you ever wanted to know about the Buffalo Bandits~
The Unabridged Bandits Encyclopedia (http://www.banditsfans.com)

[lax4ever]

But has his contract been signed yet?...

[raphilly]

<FONT face="arial">Is Disher even ALLOWED to be at camp without a signed contract? Would seem that either PLPA or the league itself (and probably both) would nix that, on liability issues.

The more obvious question:
If Matt Disher isn't going to play for the Bandits this year, it would clearly by his own choice (where is Buffalo gonna find two goalies better than Disher?) -- so what the phuck is he doing at Camp Bandit in the first place??

R.A.

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http://www.outsidersguidenll.com/ </FONT f>

[Rockman]

I don't know anything about this but I did hear he was wanting to commute in from the west coast for games this year. Maybe Buffalo does not want the expense?

[dougm]

let me tell buffalo mgmnt one thing, w/out disher and not knowing if there any free agents or rookies ready to step forward, the bandits would be better playing with an empty net since they make no pretense of playing defense other than let disher do it.

[Bandit]

I'm thinking that if Dish wanted to commute, and the Bandits didn't want that expense he wouldn't be in camp. Why would the Bandits bring him here for camp, if they were'nt going to keep him on the roster?

Bandit

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~Everything you ever wanted to know about the Buffalo Bandits~
The Unabridged Bandits Encyclopedia (http://www.banditsfans.com)

[lax4ever]

ever thought that Buffalo might have changed their mind about commuting him after camp had already started?

[pia]

The bandits are unwilling to fly him in for the games, (as he lives and works out west).
So as it looks right now you will not be seeing him in net this season. Hopefully they will soon realize what a huge mistake they made, as disher is a fantasic young goalie, who will only get better!!!!

[dougm]

no dish, no playoffs, that simple.

[panger]

I don't know if you remember playoffs last year, but it was poor goaltending that lost it for the bandits. I thought it was recognized by everyone that Buffalo's weakness was between the pipes. Hence O'Neil not being invited back, and the unwillingness to fly Disher in this year. When a team is as offensivly powerfull as the Bandits were last year, only weak goaltending could hold them back-- and it did.

[Rockman]

This is a stupid move as Disher is already considered to be the best goalie in the west even ahead of Eliuk. The Buffalo team cannot be that cheap or stupid surely. I noticed they traded Craig Stevenson to Ottawa. Stevenson was another commuter. Is that why he was traded?

[DK]

First off, I think Stevenson was traded because the team is getting so much young talent through the draft etc. they felt he was expendable. And dealing with Disher, I'm not sure if he was at the scrimmage last night, but if he was, he's probably playing, remember, this was a RUMOR, there will always be rumors, and in this league especially, they can just be a rumor and that's all. My bet is that Disher comes back, and without Stevenson nothing drastic will happen to the Bandits this season.

[lax28]

Matt Disher was not at the scrimmage and will not be back for Buffalo. The Bandits did not want to fly him. My information comes straight from Disher. No rumour, no joke. Good luck to the Bandits in the 2001 season.

[Rockman]

This confirms their stupidity. Are they still flying in an assistant coach from the Salmonbellies? Disher could be the best in the league and Stevenson had his best year in the WLA last Summer. Why would he be expendable? Either Sawicki's been hit in the head too many times or maybe he is making a come back?

[lax28]

As far as I know, Frank Neilson, an assistant coach for the Bandits last year, will not be returning as an assistant. Instead, he'll stay in BC acting as a scout for the Bandits (but this isn't official). It's a shame about Stevenson as well; age does not seem to stop him, as he keeps improving!

[raphilly]

<FONT face="arial">In case there are doubters out there, I will do the honors of vouching for lax28's credibility -- if she says it's so about Disher, it's so.

R.A.

[insert shameless Outsider's Guide plug here]
http://www.outsidersguidenll.com/ </FONT f>

[Laxiter]

If Disher is not back, and O'neill retired, then who are the goalies at camp? Don't tell me they are going with Wetherup and Komer?

[Bandit]

I've verified with the Bandits that Dish will not be back. And, yes, they're going with Wetherup and Komer. I didn't get to see Wetherup play last night, but Komer was not all that impressive. He didn't do all that badly, really, but he wasn't all that impressive either. The Bandits could be in trouble this year!

Bandit

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~Everything you ever wanted to know about the Buffalo Bandits~
The Unabridged Bandits Encyclopedia (http://www.banditsfans.com)

[Laker Fan]

You may be surprised! Wetherup is an amazing goalie and I think that given the chance he could definately help this team win some games. He never really had much of a chance at Major Series level but when forced to play leading up to and in the Mann Cup finals for the Redmen because Blazer was hurt he came up strong and I think is a big part of why they won the Mann Cup.

[Crosscheck]

Buffalo did not make it into the final last year because of goaltending. They had the highest scoring team in the league and this enabled them to get to the semis. However at that time of year, you need a complete team and the goaltending was not there.
Whetherup has not had a chance in the NLL and his showing in the Mann Cup suggests that young goalies can come in and play.
Scott Komer was outstanding in Junior A but backstopped a mediocre team. He has been in camp with the Bandits for two years before this season and has not looked out of place. Some players have said he was the best goalie in practice at the end of last year; he missed the first three months of the season with mono.
If the Bandits continue to score, there will be an opportunity for their two young goalies to mature and then we will see how they do in the playoffs.
After the improvements in the team under Ted Sawicki last season, I would not bet against his decisions.

[WingsfaninMA]

Hmmm...I may have to rethink my 11-3 prediction for the Bandits if Disher isn't going to play....

[Laxiter]

Komer hasn't really played in 2 years. In fact he was the 4th string goalie on St Catharines this past summer. Playing behind Pat Campbell (2nd string TO last year), Anthony Cosmo (3rd string TO last year) and Tom Still who does not play Pro.

Why wouldn't they trade Disher.

Has there been any talk of that?

[DK]

You people are jumping to conclusions about this Buffalo team. They might lose Disher, but in all the games I saw last year, he didn't look to good in net. I mean, he does get a lot of shots, but that's expected with the kind of offense Buffalo is running, but Disher let in 18 if i remember correctly against the SMASH before they had millon and looking back recently in old news articles online, he didn't face that many more shots than most goalies per game. His rookie year Disher looked pretty damn good, but last year I wasn't too impressed with his play, letting in easy goals, who knows, maybe Wearthup (spelling?) looked better than Disher in camp and if Ted feels comfortable with this guy, so do I.

[smc66]

I have NO faith in Kurt Silcott, NO faith in John Rigas, NO faith in the Sabres ownership, BUT Ted Sawicki has shown alot of savvy. He wasn't afraid to get rid of some popular vetrans, and he proved almost everyone wrong with last years young largely unknown team. As DK said, if Sawicki is comfortable with this decision, then so am I.

[Axeman]

I tend to agree with DK's response. Disher had a good rookie year but not that great last year. I still think Buffalo needs an experienced goalie as Wetherup is young and inexperienced and am sure he'll falter in to the seasont. don't get me wrong about Wetherup I believe he'll be a great goalie with some experience in this league.

[Laxiter]

Could Buffalo be considering a trade for a proven goalie? One would have to think that Steve Dietrich is available. That may not be a good fit as it was Dietrich that ran sawicki out of Detroit.

[LadyHawk]

<FONT face="Lucida Console">Why would one have to think that Steve Dietrich is available? Rochester loves Chugger and I can't see us giving him up.</FONT f>

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K-Hawks Rule!

[raphilly]

<FONT face="arial">People see Steve Dietrich as available because the Knighthawks also have Pat O'Toole. However, even if Chugger is available, he's probably not available to the Bandits. Reasons are twofold: 1) the Knighthawks do not want to lend a hand to their bitter rivals from down the Thruway, and 2) the Bandits would be foolish to replace Matt Disher with a goalie who is far older, has had reconstructive knee surgery twice, and arguably is beginning the downslide of his career. Corey Quinn (the third-string goalie in Rochester) might be available to the Bandits, but that still doesn't solve their need for an experienced goaltender.

This is an unlikely scenario itself, but IMO, there is a (somewhat) better chance of Matt Disher being dealt to Philadelphia for Chris Sanderson, provided Buffalo kicks in something extra for bailing them out of this little problem they have. Sanderson is a proven NLL starter (which the Bandits really need), and Disher might not mind going back to the role of understudy for a while in order to become the heir to the throne.

R.A.

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http://www.outsidersguidenll.com/ </FONT f>

[Rockman]

That's an interesting twist RA. It raises some questions:

Why would Philly commute Disher when they don't commute Dallas?

Why would Disher want to be an understudy when he could be a starter anywhere else?

Is Philly commuting anyone in for games?

[Laxiter]

A couple of answers to these questions

Why would Philly commute Disher when they don't commute Dallas?
I doubt they would, unless the get some guarantee that he would move after Dallas retires. I think it would be tough for a goalie to commute. Getting shots in practice is crucial for a goalie to be sharp.

Why would Disher want to be an understudy when he could be a starter anywhere else?

I don't think Disher could be a strter anywhere else. (especially as a commuter).

Maybe Ottawa or Columbus.

Is Philly commuting anyone in for games?
I would guess at least Tom Phair.

[Wing Eater]

RA, I like your idea, partly because it would solve a problem for both teams, and partly because I thought of that idea myself, but haven't had the time to post anything lately. Disher would not be real happy about being a backup, but he would do it. Me thinks he would want to show up the Bandits for their lack of faith. As for Sanderson, he too would want to show up the Wings and could be the answer to the Bandits biggest question mark.



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GO Bandits
Wing Eater

[DK]

Maybe if a trade is not possible and the bandits don't find some way to sign Disher, maybe they could sign Derek General, on PLPA free-agent list, he was there, and maybe buffalo could sign him as at least a year long goaltender and if he does good, maybe a permanent one.

[DK]

Could this whole Matt Disher mess really just be a rumor? The team preview at www.nationallacrosseleague.com says that Disher is returning to the squad! Anyone wanna clear this up?

[Bandit]

I was at the Booster Club Christmas party last night and spoke with alot of the players and other members of the Bandits organization. This is NOT a rumor unfortunately. Apparently, they are still trying to negotiate a way to keep Dish, but as it stands right now, Phil Wetherup and Scott Komer will be the Bandits net minders this season.

Bandit

------------------
~Everything you ever wanted to know about the Buffalo Bandits~
The Unabridged Bandits Encyclopedia (http://www.banditsfans.com)

[LaxBandit]

Derek General was one of the goalies in net for Albany during the four-way scriminage in Buffalo on Dec 8th. So it looks like General is with Albany this season. The other goalie that played was Rob Blasdell.

LaxBandit