Buffalo Sabres Free Agency Primer
by David Oleksy on Jun 30, 2010 9:36 AM EDT
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The NHL Free Agency period begins tomorrow which means Christmas morning for most hockey fans. It usually means a boring day of watching the rest of the league spend money while the Sabres stay on the sidelines. Last season Sabres fans almost fell out of their seat when Darcy Regier announced the signing of Steve Montador on July 1. He wasn't the best player available but any signing is exciting for Sabres fans.
This free agency period is interesting because there seems to be a consensus that change is necessary but this is one of the weakest free agent classes in quite some time. There should be a couple of very good defensive players available and a couple of goalies available as well. The available forwards are not as attractive as the other positions.
The biggest excitement for Sabres fans might be watching what happens to their own free agents. The biggest names on the market for the Sabres are Henrik Tallinder and Toni Lydman.
Pending UFA's : Toni Lydman, Henrik Tallinder, Raffi Torres, Patrick Lalime, Adam Mair, Jeff Cowan, Cody McCormick, Joe Dipenta, Matt Ellis
Pending RFA's : Philip Gogulla, Tim Kennedy, Mike Weber, Marc-Andre Gragnani, Mark Mancari, Patrick Kaleta, J.P. Lamoureux, Derek Whitmore
Salary Cap Space : $13.8 million
Projected Budget : $55 million
Key Needs: Power Play Quarterback, Defensive depth (if Tallinder and Lydman are not re-signed), 3rd line center, Top 6 RW
Potential Targets : Pavel Kubina, Paul Martin, Joe Corvo, Zbynek Michalek, Matthew Lombardi, Ray Whitney, Matt Cullen, Eric Belanger, Brendan Morrison, Colby Armstrong, Lee Stempniak, Kurtis Foster, Glen Metropolit
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I disagree
There’s actually quite a few good defencemen available. I would see any of Volchenkov, Martin, Foster, Michalek, Gonchar, Hamuis and Kubina as welcome additions to our D corps for a variety of reasons. Also, Lydman is certainly a serviceable 2nd pairing guy. Now, a lot of those guys will command more than I’d like to pay them, but they are all players who have valuable assets.
As for RW, it’s full of questionable talents. As a last resort I’d say grab Cheechoo on the cheap and try to get him to return to form. It’s certainly a weak class, but there are options if Darcy sees a risk worth taking.
And finally, I’d project our budget to be higher. Darcy does tend to go pretty close to the cap
by Hopefulcynic on Jun 30, 2010 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Cheechoo is an interesting one. If we could sign him to a low offer and he pulls thru then that would be awesome. If not, we can dumo him. I mean hes only a few years away from a Rocket Richard award isnt he?
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Cheechoo is done. Besides the fact that Thornton banked pucks off him to pad his goal totals, his injuries have taken a toll on him to the point that I don’t believe he makes it back to the NHL. I certainly wouldn’t want the Sabres to risk it when other options are available. Although he might fit the Darcy mold of being a cheap acquisition….
by BuffaloRepresent on Jun 30, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I dunno about that. If they took a shot at him, when no one else would sign him and he ended up working out and becoming a very productive player, or even something that resembled the scoring-machine he was a few years ago, wouldnt that be worth it? Every thing has a price. What I’m saying is that, if they signed him for league minimum and gave him a shot, what do they have to lose?
Fear the Grier!!!!
What I’m saying is that, if they signed him for league minimum and gave him a shot, what do they have to lose?
Yes, that. Heck he could even have a ‘Max-like rejuvination’ and if he ended up putting in 20-25 goals that would be a very welcomed surprise.
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My point was that wile this RW FA class is weak, there are risky options out there. Other than Stempiak I don’t see too many guys who aren’t risks. Seems to me that if you can’t land one of the few good players, you take the risk and ask yourself if at 2 mil or less on a short deal it’s really any worse than sticking with what you have (Stafford).
Also, what’s with the Darcy bashing? When has he had available money and failed to spend it? I can name about two big mistakes he’s made since the lockout (Briere 5 for 5, not handling the apocalyptic free agency period well), and more than that many good calls.
by Hopefulcynic on Jun 30, 2010 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm going out on a limb
and saying this year we will get an “impact” player. I think someone like Martin qualifies as that type.
"Slide DiMaggio, slide!" "Hey, my name isn't DiMaggio, my name is mm..mmmm...mmm....mud."
If he’s healthy, I would be very happy with a Martin signing.
by BuffaloRepresent on Jun 30, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Forgot somebody
Anton Volchenkov. Simultaneously makes a division rival weaker and us stronger, and means that losing Tallinder or Lydman (or both) is not as severe as it could’ve been. He’s looking for $5 million a year, which Buffalo can afford. I also support resigning McCormick and keeping with Buffalo instead of Portland.
I’m definitely on board with Volchenkov as well. I think he’d be the perfect fit to be Rivet’s eventual replacement. Would love to see him paired with Myers…
I think he's exactly the type of D-man to avoid.
D-men like him – guys who play a super physical style and rack up the injuries throwing their body around – tend to fall off a cliff once they stat to decline. He’s 28 and reportedly is looking for a 5-year deal that would take him right into his 30’s.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
I guess I don’t get it. All season long fans complained that we over-rely on “soft” guys who “can’t get it done” in crunch time (i.e. – the postseason) which is why we need to trade Connolly for “a bag of pucks.” I’ve noticed that’s not as common a thread in these parts, but if you glance at the comments of the Buffalo News fans are vocal about it.
So now when a player who can add some physicality is available, we need to avoid him because physicality leads to injuries? I’d rather take the risk. Volchenkov is a solid defensive defenseperson, and Puck Daddy recently pointed out that his offensive capabilities may have been underused in Ottawa.
Besides, our “Cup Window” is the next three years or so while Miller and Vanek are really in their prime. If Volchenkov comes in and has two or three good years, helps the Sabres win a Cup, and then falls off a cliff for the back half of a five-year contract, is that something to really complain about?
.
1. Listening to the Buffalo News commenters (or frankly any online new comment section) is a bad idea. It only attracts the loudest of the masses, who are often the least intelligent (Vurses/NBC and their “experts” is essentially the same thing). This blog, for the most part, is very level-headed and tries to back up assertions with facts rather than solely relying on observations and “gut-feelings”.
2. Yes, we should probably get more physical, but that doesn’t mean we should overpay or target high-risk players to do so. Just because a guy plays a hard-nosed style, which Volchenkov certainly does, doesn’t mean we should automatically throw 6 years/$25.5M at him (that’s what he got from New Jersey incidentally). If you look at guys in the past who fit the mold of a Volchenkov (think McKee or Rich Pilon) they tend to have steep declines. The years you would want a Volchenkov are from 25-30, not 28-35.
3. You can’t bank on winning a Cup to justify long-term, high-risk contracts. Yes, we should probably lean towards the “win now” side of things but to go all-out “win now” mode would not be good business – at leas not in a market like Buffalo; and thankfully (IMO), is not Darcy’s style.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
I like Whitney and Corvo – they are gamers.
I think Tallinder and Lydman will be back by default. Their asking price is too high.
He's a gamer
because he’s not a traitor.
by twoeightnine on Jun 30, 2010 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions
and has gone under the knife mid-season.
Unlike that no good, lazy Captain of ours!!!
/s/
Save Jenrry Mejia!
Corvo and McKee?
I doubt we’re going to go get a player like Volchenkov, so what about getting these guys to fill in until our prospects can make the jump.
by OLD_TIME_HOCKEY on Jun 30, 2010 4:08 PM EDT reply actions
3rd line center
Isn’t Gaustad our 3rd line center? Why is that listed as a “key need”?
IMO
Gaustad should be on the 4th line. And situations where he’ll get more ice time will be PK and PP#2. I think 3rd center is a huge need for us.
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Gaustad
If Gaustad is a fourth liner then he is making about 4-5 times as much as a typical fourth liner working on a minimum contract. That said, I think you are right in your assessment of his skill level.
by Gareth Braxton on Jun 30, 2010 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah I never mentioned his salary, but you bring up a good point… he is a very expensive 4th liner. It sucks we have that much invested in our 4th line center, but hes probably the best 4th line center in the game.
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He's a premier face-off man and very solid defensively
not to mention, fills a leadership role.
2.3M per is pretty good for that package.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
Gaustad is an overpaid 4th line center. The Sabres are in trouble if they rely on Goose as a third liner.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Jun 30, 2010 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions
My few oppinions...
1. Gaustad is our 3rd line Centre, his pay alone cause that. We can find someone cheaper to play on the 4th line.
2. I agree that the RW class is weak but why do we have to limit ourselves to looking for a top 6 RW? I say we get another top LW and move Vanek to RW. Last year when we promoted Kennedy to the top line, Vanek moved over to RW so Kennedy could play LW and they played great.
3. I’d love for us to get one of either Corvo, Mckee, or Foster. They’d be able to play and allow us to be a little more physical and not just give spots on the roster to Webber, Sekera, and Butler.
4. I’d love to have us pick up Lombardi.
Gaustad is our 3rd line Centre, his pay alone cause that. We can find someone cheaper to play on the 4th line
That, I dont agree with. Salary doesnt decide what line they play on. Goose is not a 3rd line center. He is a 4th line center, and probably the best one in the league. We’re kind of screwed with the money he makes, but we cant screw ourselves even harder to think hes a 3rd liner.
This team needs a 3rd line center, I really hope we go after Lombardi, hard. Connolly, Roy, Lombardi and Goose. Those would be the centers, and in order. Maybe even swap Lombardi and Roy… but thats another discussion.
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Sign Lombardi to be our 3rd line center?
Are you nuts? Lombardi is a top 6 forward. Unless you’re the Penguins you don’t bury a guy that good on your third line. Plus then we’d have three centers making over 4 million a year, with comparatively little on the wing. In terms of return on what we’d have to pay, it makes no sense to sign Lombardi to play as a third line guy. If we want to bump one of the guys out to wing, or if we actually think we can run three quality scoring lines like we did for those two wonderful years it might make sense, but signing Lombardi to have him play third line minutes would be a waste.
by Hopefulcynic on Jun 30, 2010 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Matthew Lombardi has scored 20 goals once in his career and last season he had a career high 53 points. That sounds like the perfect third line center. I like what Lombardi can do for this team in a third line role and he would be able to step into the top six if an injury occurs.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
by David Oleksy on Jun 30, 2010 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Lombardi's nice....the only thing is that ...
our current 3rd line center, Gaustad is much better in the faceoff circle.
Lombardi made $2.35M last year. Gaustad is making $2.5M. Goose is also better taking draws, but Lombardi has more offensive upside.
So if we did sign Lombardi, that pushes Gaustad to the 4th line and at $2.5M …that’s a pretty expensive 4th line center.
I guess as an alternative, you could put the Goose on the left wing on the the 3rd line as he’s a left hand shot, have Lombardi at Center and Kaleta playing right wing.
Actually, that’s a pretty good 3rd line….book it.
by OLD_TIME_HOCKEY on Jun 30, 2010 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Because how many times are you gonna put your 4th line out on the ice
If we signed Lombardi, that would either put Gaustad centering the 4th line at $2.5M a season or you could put him on the third line and just have him take the draws.
When a C gets tossed from the circle they put a winger on the ice and given that the Sabres play their forwards almost as interchangable pieces does it really matter if Gaustad or Lombardi takes the draw if they were on the same line?
by OLD_TIME_HOCKEY on Jul 1, 2010 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
So is Tim Connolly a 3rd line Center then?
Tim Connolly – 17 Goals, 48 Assists.
Matt Lombardi – 19 goals 34 assists.
Connolly’s never scored more than 18 goals in a season.
…and maybe the Bruins wouldn’t be able to skate right through center ice like they did in game 81 and in the playoff series.
by OLD_TIME_HOCKEY on Jun 30, 2010 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Among NHL centers he was 36th in pts, 44th in goals. In a 30 team league that screams second line to me. But more importantly, how much money do you think he’ll get? As I said, paying him what we’d need to to get him to then have him play third line minutes isn’t the smartest use of money. If we think we can roll three scoring lines, then maybe there’s something to the idea, but to bury him on the depth chart with defensive players doesn’t make sense to me.
by Hopefulcynic on Jul 1, 2010 12:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Putting a guy on the 3rd line isn't exactly burring someone.
Good teams have depth down the middle.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
We can't follow the mold of recent good teams
First of all, that would fall under “if we think we can roll three scoring lines” logic. Maybe we can. Maybe the right move is to try to get the young guys more involved. I don’t see that as being Lindy’s approach. It might be a good idea, but my instinct is that Lindy wants to do something different.
Our star player, and second biggest contract, is in goal. Our biggest contract is on the wing. We need to follow a different mold from other teams because that’s what we have. If Lindy can get three lines that can all generate offense, I’d love it. I don’t think that’s what he’s going to do. Also, depth down the middle for Chicago meant Toews on a rookie contract. Good teams tend to have guys who score more than 65 points a season Good teams tend to have outstanding defence. And I stand by the opinion that Lombardi is going to cost too much to put on the third line. He’s the best center available so someone is going to overpay him. Depth at center is good, but I don’t think overpaying Lombardi just for the sake of depth at center is worth it.
by Hopefulcynic on Jul 1, 2010 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions
So where does Hecht go?
He’s not a 1st line RW, and any other RW on the roster is 2nd , 3rd, or 4th liner?
by OLD_TIME_HOCKEY on Jun 30, 2010 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I would put Hecht on the 3rd line.
Vanek – Connolly – Kennedy
Ennis – Lombardi – Pominville
Kaleta – Roy – Hecht
Grier – Gaustad – McCormick
You can swap Roy and Lombardi… either way is fine with me. I just picked that to split up Ennis Roy and Pommers, that would be a pretty soft line IMO.
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And I would even flop Roy and Kennedy around every once and a while, if the team needed a shake up or something like that. Having another center like Lombardi would do a lot more than just add one position/player to the team. It would allow us to actually have 3 scoring lines. Instead of 2 and maybe a 3rd. We would be versitle on the top 3 lines.
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I'd rather have Hecht on the 1st line rather than Kennedy
He’s not ready for that – and he probably never will be as he’s seen as a 2nd liner, tops.
Ennis with Lombardi would make for a really fast line though, and Pomers would allow them to take some chances offensively; I like it.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
you could switch Hecht and Kennedy and I guess I wouldnt have a problem with that. Him and Vanek played on a line towards the end of the year and it was clicking there for a bit… but either way. And yes I love that Lombardi line too… come on Darcy.
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I'm really crossing my fingers hard for Lombardi
especially now that the 1st day of signings are done with.
(I want Corvo too)
Save Jenrry Mejia!
Lombardi apparently asking for ridiculous money according to a couple of traditional media members.
D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere
Lombardi to Nashville
for 3years/$10.5M with an annual cap hit of $3.5.
POOP. Would’ve liked him, guess I’ll have to hope for Corvo and Svatos now.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
Hecht is better than 3rd line player.
Since he’s a left handed shot, if we were going to play him on the third line, why would you put him on the right and Kaleta on the left?
Also, Kennedy as a 1st line RW and a RW at all?
Grier as a LW?
While I don’t deny that there may be some chemistry b/t Vanek and Connolly…I’d rather not allow Vanek to get killed and I’d actually like to see Vanek do some of the things he used to do before we made him into Dave Andreychuk.
by OLD_TIME_HOCKEY on Jul 1, 2010 7:31 AM EDT up reply actions
I’d rather not allow Vanek to get killed and I’d actually like to see Vanek do some of the things he used to do before we made him into Dave Andreychuk.
Im guessing youre saying that because Connolly is “soft.” But if hes not playing with Connolly, he’d be with Roy… not exactly Hercules.
You can switch McCormick with Grier. Thats fine with me. And Kennedy isnt effective as a bottom 6 player… no other spots on the top two lines but RW. Hes a hockey player on the fringe of playing in the NHL regularly… he’ll find a way to make it work… or someone else will.
As for Hecht… yes hes better than a 3rd liner. But we have too many top 6 forwards and him playing on a line with either Roy or (hopefully) Lombardi would still be as good as a top 2 line. Thats the way Im looking at it. With the lines I have above I see 3 scoring lines. Not 2 and a maybe.
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Oh no no no
Connolly and Vanek have never clicked. Splitting up Pominville and Hecht would be like splitting Siamese twins. One of them is probably going to die. So minus the first three lines…your 4th seems pretty sweet haha
Connolly and Vanek have never clicked. Splitting up Pominville and Hecht would be like splitting Siamese twins.
Spliting up the Sedins would be bad… Pominville and Hecht… eh? Theyve been good together… but they also havent taken us anywhere while playing together the past 2-3 years. Split them up. If things go south you can always put them back together… its not like Lindy doesnt switch things up.
The reason I want Connolly and Vanek together, which Ive said before, is that Connolly has the best vision and passing on our team. Vanek is our best natural goal scorer… I’d like to see what they could do together. And again… if its not working… switch it up.
And all this is contingent on us signing Lombardi… which we’ll see what happens here in a few hours.
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So where does Hecht go?
He’s not a 1st line RW, and any other RW on the roster is 2nd , 3rd, or 4th liner?
by OLD_TIME_HOCKEY on Jun 30, 2010 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Why can't we benefit from the Great Chicago Fire Sale?
I mean the deal Toronto just got for Versteeg was a no-brainer to make for Burke.
One day we will get off our butts and do something that waste draft picks at the trade deadline for 2nd tier rental forwards too old, too slow, or too dumb to pick up our system to be useful.
by OLD_TIME_HOCKEY on Jun 30, 2010 10:36 PM EDT reply actions
Because Burke was willing to part with someone like a 24 year old Victor Stahlberg
and a former 1st round pick in Philippe Paradis.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
How many former 1st round picks ...
don’t turn into anything? IMO Bruke made out in this deal.
by OLD_TIME_HOCKEY on Jul 1, 2010 7:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Not saying he ever will
And you have to remember that this is a salary-driven deal in that Chicago had to move money. That being said, I think it’s a lateral move for Burke at best. He got a 24 year old who put up 2 years of 20-22 goals playing on a team with Kane/Toews/Hossa/Sharp/Kieth and is signed to a 3year/$9.25M deal, in exchange for a 24 year old who projects to be a 20 goal scorer and will make $850K in 2010-11 and is a RFA after 2011-12.
Save Jenrry Mejia!
Because we LIKE our prospects
That doesn’t fit our ideology at all. We have forward prospects that all have potential to make the big club (although…I think Gerbe’s days are numbered) and defensive prospects that are needed to fill in the holes of Montedor and Rivet once they leave. Burke has no 1st or 2nd round pick next year…he’s GOT to deal his future assets aways for players he needs NOW.
Last predictions before free agency begins:
- Tallinder and Lydman both hit free agent market. We make a play at Martin…but don’t win the bidding war.
-
- We’ll sign TWO new defensemen (my guess: Morris and Corvo) We’ll make a play at Matt Cullen and fail
-
— Drew Stafford’s name gets tossed around more than a salad the next two months. But he’ll be on our team for the start of pre-season
Thanks Darcy...you F#$*
Great all that talk of big moves and all we end up with at the end of the day is getting to watch the Portland Pirates next year. how do you let BOTH Tallinder and Lydman go and not sign Volchenkov for the $4M and change he got from NJ.
Who f’n cares how many prospects we have…Montador,, and Rivet are getting up there so Volchenkov would have been a key piece to stopping Miller from getting shelled this season.
And you know that Volchenkov would have signed here how?
I’ll say it one more time.
IT’S A TWO WAY FUCKING STREET. Just because he signed for $4.5m in NJ doesn’t mean that he would have signed for that here. Or wanted to be here.
Darcy, just go do it...get Max back and what the heck, sign Kariya...
Max … 61 points…to go with a minus 17. Even so, he’d be only 1 of 3-4 players on the team that can skate the puck into the offensive zone.
On the LW we’d have Vanek, Kariya, Kennedy, and Ennis. So Vanek and 3 midgets….perfect.
Before the flame start…i’m kidding.
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