How would you rate our offseason so far?

by SPACE K on Jul 4, 2011 5:09 PM EDT

For years as Sabres fans we have gone into the offseason with the expectation that we weren't going to overpay ANY UFA, that we'd resign our RFAs, and that as the first week of July came to an end we'd snag a couple UFAs that were going below market average (think Montador, Morrison, Leopold, Niedermyer, Grier, ect.).

This offseason we experienced, for the first time, an owner committed to winning more than the bottom line. Which meant that he was willing to be a big player/spender on July 1st. So that being said. I will offer up my grade for the Sabres offseason.

The good:

- Bringing in Robin Regehr. He came at a reasonable price and contract length, and we acquired a second round pick in the process. He is an upgrade in terms of toughness, experience, and skill level from the departures of Butler and Rivet.

The Bad:

- Ville Leino is NOT worth the contract he was given. I'm sorry but for a guy who hasn't gotten to the 20 goal mark in his career; he should not be making 500,000 more than Derek Roy. In my opinion his signing was Pegula flexing his muscle, and not thinking in terms of future UFAs and our own RFAs.

The Wait and See:

- Christian Ehrhoff brings a lot of offensive upside to the table. Even before he went to Vancouver I liked him on San Jose. Whenever he was on the ice he seemed to be a force on the offensive side of the puck. In Vancouver he has been pegged as a product of a great goaltender, and playing with the Sedin twins. I don't think he has Vanek like expectations (that meaning that he has the forced media pressure of preforming up to the standards of the contract he just signed) but I also think that if our powerplay underperforms while he's quarterbacking it; it could be a disasterous signing for Buffalo.

- What we do with Kotalik? I have no idea why anyone would want to bring him back. He played on the fourth line his last time around, showed no heart unless he was on the powerplay, and has not stuck on an NHL team since he departed Buffalo. If we dump his salary to the AHL I will be most please. If he stays up....then...well....what the hell Lindy/Darcy

Overall Grade: B-

We'll have about 17 mil to sign Ennis and Myers next year to long term deals. Which is enough but will mean we won't be big players in UFA market next year. Leino's contract was too impulsive thus dropping us down to a 'B'. Not addressing the need for a 1st line center puts us at a B-. If we trade for a first line center in the upcoming weeks the grade will move to a A-.

Poll

How would you grade the Sabres offseason moves so far?

A

224 votes

B

225 votes

C

29 votes

D

0 votes

F

1 votes

479 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

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Comments

I vote an A

Our team has upgraded at least on paper with every move Darcy has made so far. With the way the rules are right now, with an owner who has publicly stated that he is willing to lose money and with the statement we have made to the rest of the league…. big win IMO. Also with the ability to dump salary into the minors or teams needing to hit the salary floor we still shouldnt have any cap problems. Just need to be willing to hurt a feeling or two when you have to do what you have to do with bad contracts. God it feels good to know that we are finally on par with any other market for the first time:) Go Sabres!

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 Jul 4, 2011 9:18 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

You echo my thoughts.

by Slica on Jul 4, 2011 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions

On Board -

With your comments about Leino, although I’ll take him over Connolly.

Ehrhoff is someone who I like a lot, but I’m wondering if we’re getting too soft on the back-end. Rehger and Weber are tough stay-at-home guys, and Myers is certainly developing as a bit of a bad-ass, but MAG, Leopold, Ehrhoff even Sekera are all skaters who aren’t especially tough – particularly down low.

Don’t care about the #1 Center – Roy can be productive as a #1, and has proven it, although I prefer him as a #2. Would like another center, however.

All in all, we’ve upgraded the spots where we lost people. That’s the sign of a good off-season. Assuming they sign MAG and Enroth, I’d definitely give it an A.

by T McGee on Jul 4, 2011 11:47 PM EDT reply actions

The toughness level is fine

Better yet, the Sabres have assembled an extremely mobile defensive corps. This is just off the top of my head, but I feel comfortable asserting that Buffalo has the best-skating D in the league right now, presuming we ink Sekera. Coupled with our super-speedster forwards, Sabres hockey is going to look a lot different from how it did in the dead years. I’m excited.

by Katemc on Jul 5, 2011 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Disagree on Leino.

In this UFA market – where there is/was a lack of center talent – signing a potential 2nd line center for a $4.5M cap-hit is the type of risk I like my GM to make. If it works out, we got a 2nd line center on a competitive contract. If not, we got a very good depth piece for about $1M more than the going rate.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
Keep Reyes, Trade Wilpon.

by Ogre39666 on Jul 4, 2011 11:54 PM EDT reply actions

Leino

Since the Leafs signed Tim to a large contract it doesn’t make our signing of Leino look bad at all, he has alot of untapped potential and has said he played center from when he was younger until he was 23. And further stated that he feels very comfortable playing in the middle

by billsfan26 on Jul 5, 2011 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Have faith Sabres fans

That said I would have thrown something if the Flyers signed Leino to 4.5 million in the context of them trading away Carter and Richards and their 5 million contracts.

Simon Gagne may move between towns, wear new jerseys and call different arenas home but, at the end of the day, he will always be a Philadelphia Flyer.

Mike Richards may move between towns, wear new jerseys and call different arenas home but, at the end of the day, he will also always be a Philadelphia Flyer.

by PursuitOfLappyness on Jul 5, 2011 3:59 AM EDT up reply actions

I really just don’t want Roy on the same line as Vanek, they both need the puck to produce and it doesn’t work when they’re on the same line. “Experts” keep putting them on the same line and it was proven that when Roy went down Vanek’s numbers skyrocketed. Roy should be our second line center Leino should be our starting center and maybe put Roy with Pommy and Boyes…

by billsfan26 on Jul 5, 2011 1:45 AM EDT reply actions

I gave a B

Bottom line is while the Sabres are better than they were at the end of the season, they still have work to do.

The player I would like least at #9 would be my sister’s cat, Captain Creamsicle. She does have a great work ethic and agility, but I’m really concerned that at 9 lbs., she’s too small to play safety in the NFL. She also bites way too often on play action and is easily distracted by someone waving string in the crowd. Lastly, her wonderlic score was pretty awful, answering "meow meow meow" for most of the questions- Dr. Brackish Okun

by mob16151 on Jul 5, 2011 9:21 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I feel like the statement alone is worth a B

But the players we got back push it over the top, at least for me,

Make no mistake, Leino is the replacement center we were looking for, and the fantastic offensive and defensive additions at the blue line only cements the notion that the Sabres are here to play, both during the games and in the offseason.

It’s going to be a fun ride.

by cwel87 on Jul 5, 2011 9:56 AM EDT reply actions

I gave an A

Like mob said, the Sabres are a better team now than they were when we lost to Philly in 7. There is still work to do, agreed there too, but unlike in the past when little to nothing would change save for a role player here or there, I think the work can and will get done. So I voted A on the moves so far and because I now believe Darcy will get done what needs to get done.

by buffaloparks on Jul 5, 2011 12:53 PM EDT reply actions

I’m still very apprehensive about Leino, but there have been some fantastic moves, especially on D. Symbolically this was an even bigger deal – T Pegs and Darcy made a huge STFU statement to those who criticized the organization for being cheap & Darcy for being timid. (Both with limited merit – the Sabres were historically average on payroll and Darcy, though he erred on the side of the conservative, has always been a shrewd dealer. But perception is everything.)

I don’t think they’re quite done yet (at least I hope not). A top center might be out of reach for the time, but I’d be happy with a solid 2/3 center – I’ll try this Leino at center experiment for awhile, but Boyes & Hecht need to go back to the wing & Goose needs to drop back to the forth line. Conditionally, the Sabres get an A- for Awesome (minus).

by Katemc on Jul 5, 2011 1:00 PM EDT reply actions

You're wrong on Leino

The guy is a highly-skilled player who will add a lot to this team…..wait and see!

by ccthemovieman on Jul 5, 2011 1:46 PM EDT reply actions

A- or B+

Move by move
Butler and Byron for Regehr, Kotalik, and a 2nd – Butler for Regehr is a straight up win-now move. I have little doubt that 5 years from now Butler will be better than Regehr. Such is the nature of trading younger players for older ones. But Regehr is right now a top pair D-man and we have a lot of skilled youth in the system. Great move there. As for Kotalik, meh. Pegula really is willing to spend, so we can bury him if he isn’t productive. I am not at all upset at the loss of Byron, and a 2nd could be useful at trade deadline. All in all, a fantastic deal for us.

A 4th for Ehrhoff, sign Ehrhoff for 10 yr $40 million. – Interesting. Good cap hit. I’m worried about his playoff production, but he was the best D-man available on the market (Wisniewski ans Bieksa might have been competition, but neither was available). We are somewhat handcuffed to him, but if Pegula is willing to spend on things like buyouts or burying players in the minors (and by all indications he is) then I will not complain about him risking his money. Adds some offensive punch to our blueline. Certainly an upgrade offensively, though I am worried about his playoff production. A solid move.

Sign Leino at 6 yrs 27 million – I was a bit apprehensive. Then I saw what Connolly and Laich were getting, and decided that while the term was a bit excessive, the cap hit was right. When the cap increases, so too do salaries. I’d rather have Leino than Connolly. And in contrast to Ehrhoff, Leino’s numbers suggest that he steps it up in the postseason. Overall, a middle of the road signing.

Finally, the big questions. Is the team now better than the team 3 weeks ago. I can find no measure by which it has gotten worse. We do have some risks, but I think they are acceptable ones. I think this team is better defensively, should be better on the power play, and should be about the same offensively. Add in the effects of age on the team, and while Hecht’s game may deteriorate further, Gerbe, Ennis, Myers, Weber, Sekera, and Gragnani should only improve. We have deep, talented pool of wingers led by a legitmate star. We have a decent group at center that could upgrade to good if Roy continues to perform at a ppg pace. We have a very good, balanced, relatively young defense, and in net we still have Miller. This team can compete for the Cup. We aren’t the favorites, but we are a contender.

by Hopefulcynic on Jul 5, 2011 2:13 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I think youd have to out Leino into the "Wait and See" catagory as well.

Id give us a solid A

This team is much better than last time we saw them on the ice.

Kotalik is someone that we’re going to want on this team, at least for the first month or so… I keep forgetting Pommers is likely to miss the first 6 weeks or so. We will need a player that knows Ruffs system and can be plugged right in. But after a while, Id assume hes down in Rochester, unless hes playing well.

Now attending the Univ. of Hockey.

by bflo on Jul 5, 2011 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

Unless they go with Adam or Foligno.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
Keep Reyes, Trade Wilpon.

by Ogre39666 on Jul 5, 2011 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

They could.

I would just think that if Darcy is standing by his word in that he said “Were going to give Al Kotalik a chance to play” that he will be on the roster opening night. Plus he has that bomb of a shot that we’ll miss with 29 being sidelined for so long.

Now attending the Univ. of Hockey.

by bflo on Jul 5, 2011 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I heard him say that too

but I took it to mean “he’ll have a chance to win a spot in camp” presumably fighting with Adam, Foligno, and possibly even Kassian.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
Keep Reyes, Trade Wilpon.

by Ogre39666 on Jul 5, 2011 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Kass

I feel like Kassian will definitely surprise people during training camp. Being a Niagara University Alum I got to watch a little of Kassian last year and he looked like he could handle the pressure of being in the NHL, maybe a surprise 3rd line fill in? But I remember last year Ruff saying that he liked Kassian’s talent and something to the tune of it will not be long before he is “rocking the suburbs”…okay he didn’t say the second half but yeah I feel like it won’t be long before he’s in the blue and gold

by billsfan26 on Jul 5, 2011 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the only thing stopping him is his skating.

Another camp should definitely help but I’d put my money on Adam emerging.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
Keep Reyes, Trade Wilpon.

by Ogre39666 on Jul 5, 2011 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I definitely think Adam will be a top 6 player in the next two or three years and I think he will see some considerable time in blue and gold this year. And I agree that Kassian has to work on his skating and getting faster but other than that I can see him develop into a solid player

by billsfan26 on Jul 7, 2011 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions

It's not your money and Pegula doesn't care about his money.

We’ve been trained for years to treat signings and contracts like we were writing the checks ourselves. I like the signings and don’t care how much he spends. When it comes time to have to sign a franchise player (i.e. Myers) we’ll make room and shed the deadweight through buyouts, demotion to Rochester, or trades. If you just look at the players we added and subtracted I really like what we did so far this offseason. I still want a #1 center however, and would like to see Kotalik, Morrisonn, and Hecht gone. There’s a few others I think we can do without as well (Goose, Leopold) if it means getting an all star center. B+ so far. With a top Center, solid A+.

by anthj99 on Jul 5, 2011 11:31 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Ok....

First and foremost, I am absolutely STOKED that we got Regehr and Erhoff (although the Erhoff contract is a tad bit lengthy) and I love that Kotalik is coming back (I have actually missed him since he left, will make a great backup to bring in for an injury sub if he doesn’t make the cut). Now as for Leino…. I have never really liked him, mostly because I despise the Flyers. That being said, I am starting to warm up to him. Not because of things he has done, but because I have to. We will see how he does this year. I agree with (almost) everyone that his contract is a bit high. Now we need to sign another center and I think we will be all set for the off season. And PLEASE don’t flame me for this next comment….. nobody has signed Drury yet. All I am saying is if we can do it cheap enough on a one year contract (such as Nediermeyer) why not give it a shot.

by mattyd22 on Jul 6, 2011 10:55 AM EDT reply actions

why not give it a shot?

Because he would serve no purpose and he would be a bad addition.

by JSCoope on Jul 6, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

soooo

You wouldn’t spend say $650K or even a million on Drury for one year? I mean that’s no too big of a hit to see if a guy who flourished here before can perhaps rekindle the fire. I say there is little risk in a one year contract for a million especially if Pegula is willing to throw money around and we don’t plan on using it anyway. It’s kinda dumb to not do it if we have the room anyway.

by mattyd22 on Jul 6, 2011 12:58 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

It'll be hard to rekindle anything on one knee.

Save Jenrry Mejia!
Keep Reyes, Trade Wilpon.

by Ogre39666 on Jul 6, 2011 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions

No. I wouldn’t.
He wont be rekindling anything. And what you initially said was you wanted him for his leadership, not for 65 points on the 2nd line.
That’s 1 million we can use re-signing somebody useful or taking on extra salary in a trade.

by JSCoope on Jul 6, 2011 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I never mentioned his leadership. And I am open to another Center for a one year deal, I just think Drury would already be comfortable in our rink, in our city, with this staff, and with (most of) his teammates. He wouldn’t need a whole season (Neidermeyer) to get comfortable with his surroundings.

by mattyd22 on Jul 6, 2011 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

I highly doubt anyone signs him within the next month. If it comes down to training camps, would you offer him a tryout contract to see if he could make the team?

Die By The Blade - Where we've even turned ourselves around since January 1st.

by Zachary Zielonka on Jul 7, 2011 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Sorry

Everybody else seemed to be mentioning his leadership, I must’ve been reading another post and thinking it was you. Anyway, since you didn’t mention his leadership then why on Earth would you want him on the team?

by JSCoope on Jul 7, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd give the Sabres a B+

I am not sure all of u understand how and why we got Kotalik. We had to accept him as part of the robbery of Calgary. It was a salary dump. They offered us a choice of 2 or 3 overpaid guys and we chose him. I expect Al will spend all his time in rochester unless injuries happen. Remember folks, winning the cup is more then just having the best starters. There will be injuries and lots of them. Without a deep rochester farm team, we have no shot at the cup. U need at least 3 guys in rochester that can play on our 4th line and at least 2 more D. I suspect if we go to rochester for a third goalie, the season is lost anyway.
    So, u do need to have some talent in the minors that u can call up and Kotalik fills that spot. He can score at this level and he can help in shootouts if he is here (and the PP).
   I thought Leino was overpaid too, but, after what washed up guys like Tim Connolly, Jason Arnott, and Jamie Laungerbrunger got, as well as one hit wonder clarke McCarthur got, well getting a kid that is entering his prime is not too bad. I still think we need a good second or third line center (or a solid 1 and drop roy to 2), but, once injuries happen in the league, perhaps we can turn kotalik and a first (and prospect) into a stasny or something like that (desperate teams do dumb things).
   Keep one other thing in mind. Some guys are great regular season players and not good post season guys, and some others are vice versa. U need both kinds of players on your team b/c u have to first get to the dance, then once u are in the playoffs, u need guys who can rise to the occasion. Stafford may only be a regular season guy. Leino may be the second coming of claude lemieux. Remember him? the guy lived for the cup. But, he suxed during the regular season. U need to have a mix of both. True stars do it in both seasons, but, those guys are hard to find. We got a playoff guy in Leino, and that excites me. So, I wish we could have gotten one more solid player, but, for right now, that is why they get a B+ (or A-) and we wait to see how Darcy moves forward. We have a lot of extra pieces to trade up to a number 1 center if a team needs them. U can’t force a horse to drink your water unless it is really thirsty.
    Lastly, remember, Terry said 3 years. This is only year 1. In 2 years, this team will look very different. It takes time to build a deep team that can win the cup. Life is not like a video game where u can flash forward 2 years and watch that season. It will be 2 long long years before we are at the level where we will be cup favorites. Yes, we can challenge for the cup, even win it, but, we are not a favorite. Not yet. Give them time.

by dancam1 on Jul 7, 2011 11:10 AM EDT reply actions