With open season for free agents begins July 1st, we will take a look at the top 30 unrestricted free agents and determine if they will fit on the Sabres. The list comes from The Fourth Period.
Number 15 - Alex Kovalev
The Good: Kovalev can still find the back of the net and put up points. His 65 points were the best for the Canadiens this past offseason.
The Bad: For Kovalev, all of the hype surrounding him weighs heavily on his play.
2008-09 Salary: $4,500,000
Verdict: The Canadiens are seriously considering resigning him and therefore probably out of the market soon.
Number 14 - Derek Morris
The Good: Morris is a solid defenseman that could help bolster any team. His quality of competition of .02 was third highest among Ranger defensemen and his five goals were second on the team for defensemen.
The Bad: Morris has an alarming +/- at -10 and his -8.2 Corsi is just as alarming.
2008-09 Salary: $3,950,000
Verdict: The Sabres have shown some interest and Morris would probably be a good fit for the team.
Number 13 - Saku Koivu
The Good: Koivu brings consistency and leadership to any team that he would be on. He has been the captain of a very high profile Canadiens team so he would be used to the pressure of playing in a concentrated market.
The Bad: If Koivu does not return to the Canadiens, most likely he would head to the Wild to play with his brother.
2008-09 Salary: $4,750,000
Verdict: Koivu would fit the type of player that has been missing but comes at a price tag that would be too rich for the Sabres blood.
Number 12 - Brian Gionta
The Good: Gionta has 60 points on a very defensive oriented Devils team, good for fifth on the team. His 20 goals also was good for fifth on the team.
The Bad: Gionta would need to take a pay cut at this point to join the Sabres
2008-09 Salary: $4,000,000
Verdict: Gionta would be an interesting choice for the Sabres. Considering that he is from Rochester, playing close to his hometown may be enticing and hopefully an option.
Number 11 - Mattias Ohlund
The Good: Ohlund is a sound defenseman that can play well in both ends. He also has veteran leadership and could take the younger players under his wing.
The Bad: Ohlund would be looking for a multi-year deal and at 32 it adds that element of risk.
2008-09 Salary: $3.500,000
Verdict: Ohlund would be a good fit on the Sabres but would probably not come here.
Number 10 - Nicolai Khabibulin
The Good: Khabibulin is a good goaltender with years of experience in net. He was a main reason that the Blackhawks got as far as they did in the playoffs this season.
The Bad: Khabibulin is a streaky goaltender. He had his moments where he couldn't stop a beach ball.
2008-09 Salary: $6,750,000
Verdict: The Sabres have no need for a goaltender.
Number 9 - Alex Tanguay
The Good: Tanguay is a very talented forward that can seem to find the net.
The Bad: I'm not sure I have much bad to say about him
2008-09 Salary: $5,375,000
Verdict: The Canadiens are going probably going to resign him.
Number Eight - Mike Komisarek
The Good: Komisarek plays a physical type of game, leading the Canadiens in hits and blocked shots.
The Bad: With a physical style of play comes the propensity to take more penalties. Komisarek's 121 leads the Canadiens as well.
2008-09 Salary: $1,900,000
Verdict: Again, the Canadiens will probably resign him.
Number Seven - Martin Havlat
The Good: Havlat found his groove again this season with the highest point total in his career. He also led the Blackhawks and was 22nd in the league.
The Bad: Havlat is injury prone, having only played over 60 games in a season once in the past four seasons.
2008-09 Salary: $6,000,000
Verdict: The Blackhawks need his veteran presence in the lineup and the Sabres really have no need for him.
Number Six - Mike Cammaleri
The Good: Cammalleri is a prolific scorer leading the Flames in goals and was 9th overall.
The Bad: Cammalleri is still young and looking for a big raise from his $3.6 million.
2008-09 Salary: $3,600,000
Verdict: While it would be nice to see Cammalleri in a Sabres uniform, Darcy won't go and spend that much
Numbers Five and Four - Henrik and Daniel Sedin
The Good: The Sedin twins are great players and work well together. Their 82 points each put them 14th and 15th in overall in the league.
The Bad: You get one, you get them both. As of now the twins will only play for a team that will take them as a pair.
2008-09 Salary: $3,575,000 each
Verdict: While great players, they are looking for way too much money to be considered by the Sabres. Look to our friends up north in Toronto to take them.
Number Three - Marian Gaborik
The Good: Playing his whole career for the defensive Wild, Gaborik can find the back of the net scoring 219 goals in 502 career games.
The Bad: Gaborik is injury prone, much to the level of Connolly injury prone.
2008-09 Salary: $7,500,000
Verdict: Again, a great player that the Sabres just will not be able to afford.
Number Two - Marian Hossa
The Good: Hossa is a dangerous sniper that can score at will it seems.
The Bad: His price tag will be an issue and he will want to play for a contender.
2008-09 Salary: $7,500,000
Verdict: The Sabres are no where close to be in the running.
Number One - Jay Bouwmeester
The Good : Bouwmeester is a great puck moving defenseman who can jump into the play at any time.
The Bad: He seems to very young and the situation screams for someone to overpay him.
2008-09 Salary: $4,875,000
Verdict: Calgary traded before the draft to obtain his rights and they aren't going to walk away from that without getting something out of it.