Deadline Deal

by lassathrax on Jan 17, 2010 7:02 PM EST Comment 30 comments

In the poll below I have listed some of the forwards who will be UFAs at the end of the season. I only included the names that I think will be available and realistically attainable for the Sabres at a fair price. The list ranges from veterans with Stanley Cup rings to younger guys who could potentially stay with the team beyond the rental period. So which players would fit in with our system? Which players would help solve our problems? Who would you give up to acquire them in a trade? What other UFAs (no Kovalchuk please) should be included in the discussion?

Discuss.

Poll

Of the following, which 2010 UFA forward would you most like to see the Sabres add at the deadline?

Paul Kariya (STL)

9 votes

Ray Whitney (CAR)

12 votes

Saku Koivu (ANA)

6 votes

Fredrik Modin (CLB)

0 votes

Jere Lehtinen (DAL)

2 votes

Fernando Pisani (EDM)

4 votes

Lee Stempniak (TOR)

6 votes

Alex Tanguay (TBL)

1 votes

Colby Armstrong (ATL)

5 votes

Raffi Torres (CLB)

3 votes

Keith Tkachuk (STL)

6 votes

Ruslan Fedotenko (PIT)

1 votes

Petr Sykora (MIN)

7 votes

Todd Bertuzzi (DET)

9 votes

Vaclav Prospal (NYR)

5 votes

Other (Explain in Comments)

1 votes

Make no moves at deadline/Keep current roster

9 votes

86 votes | Poll has closed

This is a fanpost written by a member of the community, it doesn't necessarily express the views or opinions of Die by the Blade

0 recs | Comment 30 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

not an impressive group

But Sykora can score and has played in defensive systems in nj and min. I’d take him over these guys but I wouldn’t give up much for any of them.

Rookies are like teabags...you don't know what you're gonna get until you put them in hot water. -Harry Neale

by weswed51 on Jan 17, 2010 8:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I actually watched Sykora play a lot in the AHL in the 90s, and he was one of my favorite players. He’s played well for the Devils, Mighty Ducks, Rangers, Oilers, and Penguins, with tons of playoff experience. I would love to see him play on the wing for the Sabres 2nd line. My only concern is that he is struggling badly this season with the Wild, and the Sabres seem to have enough struggles. For that reason, I probably would not choose Sykora unless his season turns around fast. Then again, if Darcy could land him for a non-first-round pick, I’d take him.

I agree that it is not an impressive group – I actually have not made up my mind yet about which player I would take. Maybe the current roster is ready for a cup run after all. The reality is that Darcy will mostly be looking only at UFA forwards from teams who are out of the playoffs, and thats the above list.

by lassathrax on Jan 17, 2010 9:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good point about Sykora

Kind of over-looked recently because he has failed to be productive at times when he is plain brilliant scoring at others. He is a conundrum much like Vanek in his ineffectiveness at times. Although he would be a less risky pick considering his defensive abilities. That would be maybe the most likely for Darcy to pull off

B-B-B-Byrd Byrd Byrd, Byrd is the Wyrd!"

by willgarr15 on Jan 18, 2010 12:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I voted Bertuzzi

He is a guy who knows how to score goals, plays tough all over the ice and has been in the playoffs for multiple teams. It’s no coincidence that he keeps landing himself on playoff-contending teams every year. I really love Bertuzzi’s game all-around (minus that one unfortunate incident a few years back). He would be a great pick-up to add grit to our 2nd line or a better scoring touch to the 3rd line. Also, I don’t think he would cost that much in return.

B-B-B-Byrd Byrd Byrd, Byrd is the Wyrd!"

by willgarr15 on Jan 18, 2010 12:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The Sabres could always use another nose-to-the-net forward, like Bertuzzi. I think Tomas Holmstrom might be available as well by the deadline.

by lassathrax on Jan 18, 2010 2:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good point

About Holmstrom. The hard part about that is that Detroit will be in the playoffs or at least in the hunt at the deadline. Therefore they would want players in return, not prospects or draft picks. They probably would like to get something for Holmstrom before he’s a UFA though and they are unlikely to sign him long term. Should be an interesting deadline as usual.
Of course it all depends on the Sabres needs at that point. I doubt they will need more grit, but getting a playoff savvy veteran can never hurt (like Maltby, Recchi, Whitney, Walker, Cullen). I foresee the Sabres potentially trying to add another scorer at that time, but we shall see. There is also the possibility of injury that could force a need for defense or another position.

B-B-B-Byrd Byrd Byrd, Byrd is the Wyrd!"

by willgarr15 on Jan 18, 2010 3:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good point, but if we really wanted to get Holmstrom we have plenty of extra roster players to afford to lose one of them. Or there is always the option of a 3-way trade, where we could trade draft picks to another team for another player and then trade that player to Detroit for Holmstrom, or something. I battled with whether or not to include him in the poll, but I ended up deciding that it is probably unrealistic to expect Detroit to let go of a valuable asset when they have their own playoff hopes. Bertuzzi, on the other hand, is probably expendable for Detroit and could maybe help Buffalo… maybe…?

by lassathrax on Jan 18, 2010 6:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps. The problem is that Detroit at the very least will be in the hunt come trade-deadline time. A 3-way trade may work, but the more players involved the harder it is to negotiate the terms in time

B-B-B-Byrd Byrd Byrd, Byrd is the Wyrd!"

by willgarr15 on Jan 19, 2010 3:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bertuzzi is on fire right now

But since “the incident” he has been a shell of his former self. Maybe this year he is finally turning his game around. Not my first choice but i wouldn’t be upset if we got him as long as we don’t give up alot for him.

Rookies are like teabags...you don't know what you're gonna get until you put them in hot water. -Harry Neale

by weswed51 on Jan 19, 2010 10:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope the Sabres never touch Bertuzzi

That man is tainted in my mind forever. I know he’s got talent but he’s just a jerk.

by tpsabres on Jan 19, 2010 5:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Can someone explain the case for Armstrong (3 votes so far)?

by lassathrax on Jan 19, 2010 10:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I like the way Armstrong plays.

He won’t shy away from the physical game and he can contribute offensively. I haven’t followed him much since he went to Atlanta but in Pittsburgh he was the type of player that would fit in on this Sabres team.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Jan 19, 2010 11:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

If he’s still playing like he was in Pitt. I have no problem with adding a Goose/Kaleta hybrid.

All your tshirt needs.

by twoeightnine on Jan 19, 2010 12:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I like the way Colby plays, but I feel like unless we have an injury to a 3rd-4th liner we have no need to make that kind of a move, IMO.

B-B-B-Byrd Byrd Byrd, Byrd is the Wyrd!"

by willgarr15 on Jan 19, 2010 3:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bertuzzi

Did anyone see his SO goal against the Blackhawks over the weekend, sick goal. I am sold on him. BTW, going to the game tonight @ Anaheim, can’t wait.

by North Java Sabra on Jan 19, 2010 11:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Sykora was just placed on waivers...

I guess they could claim him and send Paetsch down. Though I wouldn’t be surprised to see other teams put in a claim.

All your tshirt needs.

by twoeightnine on Jan 19, 2010 2:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

As much as I’d like the Sabres to grab him, they are injury free and thus already have3 or 4 too many guys to play. Sykora deserves to go to a team that has room to play him, and there are plenty of teams with room for him.

by lassathrax on Jan 19, 2010 2:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I would make room for Sykora

B-B-B-Byrd Byrd Byrd, Byrd is the Wyrd!"

by willgarr15 on Jan 19, 2010 3:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I would like too. But where would he fit in on this team?

"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt

by bflo on Jan 19, 2010 3:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Would bump Hecht back to 3rd line, Goose to 4th and Mair to press box.

B-B-B-Byrd Byrd Byrd, Byrd is the Wyrd!"

by willgarr15 on Jan 19, 2010 4:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i wouldnt split up the hecht-connolly-pominville line. all 3 of them are on fire since they were put together. sykora is struggling and could play on the third line with goose and kennedy

by lassathrax on Jan 20, 2010 12:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

I just think that at some point Hecht will become un-hot again and he will get demoted again as well. How about a Sykora-Kennedy-MacArthur line for the meantime until Jochen cools off? I’m just saying there are ways to get a guy on the ice. Certainly he is better than Mair, or even Ellis. That would make our 4th line something like Grier-Goose-Kaleta. Not too shabby, especially with the offense that has come from those 3 lately. They would be a forechecking machine

B-B-B-Byrd Byrd Byrd, Byrd is the Wyrd!"

by willgarr15 on Jan 20, 2010 3:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Raffi Torres and Ray Whitney fit the mold of what we’re looking for. I would absolutely love Koivu to give us some center depth, but Anaheim is on the playoff bubble and I can’t see them dealing him unless they fall well out of the picture.

Jere Lehtinen would be the perfect fit for us. PERFECT. Sadly there’s no way in hell Dallas trades him, unless it’s with a wink-wink-nudge-nudge that he goes right back July 1st.

by HarryNeale'sGarden on Jan 19, 2010 6:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

NHL On The Fly

was talking about Sheldon Souray (I assume the Oilers will be cleaning house) last night, and mentioned that he might fit into the Sabres system, most likely as a powerplay defenseman.

I don’t watch the Western Conference enough to know where I stand on that, but I assume we would have to deal out a defenseman, since there really isn’t room for him right now. Also, I think the Sabres may be more interested in upgrading their forwards before their defense.

Worth whatever we would have to give?

by The Burl 8 on Jan 21, 2010 12:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

He'd still have 2 years at $5.5 left on his contract.

Right now our defense is going to be one of the best bargains in the league next year. That’s a lot to add to it.

All your tshirt needs.

by twoeightnine on Jan 21, 2010 12:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed. Our D is good and cheap. No reason to being Souray and his contract in. Plus we’re deep right now there with 2 healthy scratches, plus Weber and Co. up in Portland.

"Be a wuss at home! Be a man on Rumblings!" - Kurupt

by bflo on Jan 21, 2010 1:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Souray

I don’t know enough about our contract situation.
BUT, i wouldn’t mind giving up a defenseman for souray (as long as its not Myers) providing we could off load a bad contract with it. We have enough decent prospects in portland that i think we could comfortably fill any position (Weber – D, Ennis – C, Gerbe – Winger),

by JSCoope on Jan 21, 2010 1:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You're not going to offload a contract.

No one’s going to trade Souray’s contract to bring in Pominville’s contract.

All your tshirt needs.

by twoeightnine on Jan 21, 2010 1:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

but

Isn’t the Oilers hopes to get better, not necessarily to shed payroll?

by JSCoope on Jan 21, 2010 1:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Lots of votes...

So with 55 votes in, it looks like 15% voted to make no roster changes, while Bertuzzi, Prospal, and Whitney each received 9-10% of the votes. Armstrong and Kariya are close behind. So maybe between these 5 guys there is a worthwhile addition to the team?

by lassathrax on Jan 21, 2010 8:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs