603 replies to this topic

[HopefulFuture]

By the way, here is a little information from a credible reporting source.

[A trade] will be the next move for the Buffalo Sabres if Darcy Regier has his way.* I’ve talked to other teams around the league over the last week.* Regier is doing his homework.* He’s talking trade with teams.* What he’d like to do is move a top 6 forward in return for a top 6 forward.* Easier said than done.* Drew Stafford, Derek Roy, Brad Boyes - those are names that I’ve been told are in play for the Buffalo Sabres.* Not every team in the league is going to want to move a top 6 for a top 6, but that’s what he’s trying to do.


Per LeBrun


So, it would appear that Stafford, Roy and Boyes are the three main components Darcy is looking to move.
He's looking for top 6 returns. Let's discuss.

[SportsFan88]

Discuss what? These guys aren't Top 6 forwards IMO. Maybe Roy.....He aint gunna get much for these guys IMO. It's time to blow it up and start over, make everyone available. You have bigger names that will return some pieces you can build around.

Edited by SportsFan88, 18 January 2012 - 09:10 AM.

[thesportsbuff]

I don't know how many teams even consider Boyes or Stafford to be "Top 6" forwards at this point. But that said, at least it's something...

[RazielSabre]

That makes the most sense. Sad thing it takes Regier to pull off any kind of deal.

SportsFan88, on 18 January 2012 - 09:10 AM, said:

Discuss what? These guys aren't Top 6 forwards IMO. Maybe Roy.....He aint gunna get much for these guys IMO. It's time to blow it up and start over, make everyone available. You have bigger names that will return some pieces you can build around.

I think there are a number of teams who'd take a shot on Stafford and Roy. Boyes less so.

[Claude_Verret]

RazielSabre, on 18 January 2012 - 09:13 AM, said:

That makes the most sense. Sad thing it takes Regier to pull off any kind of deal. I think there are a number of teams who'd take a shot on Stafford and Roy. Boyes less so.

Get 'em out of here. Whatever it takes. I've said it before, who here would be really upset if the Sabres got the short end of the stick in a deal that rids us of Stafford and Roy?

Edited by Claude_Verret, 18 January 2012 - 09:20 AM.

[apuszczalowski]

RazielSabre, on 18 January 2012 - 09:13 AM, said:

That makes the most sense. Sad thing it takes Regier to pull off any kind of deal.


I think there are a number of teams who'd take a shot on Stafford and Roy. Boyes less so.

But for a Top 6 forward? I'm sure there are alot of teams that would take a chance on any of the players on the Sabres roster, but not for that kind of asking price. Teams know the Sabres are desperate, and that those players are underachieving, theres no way they get equal value (or what Regier believes is value equal to the kind of player he thinks they are) in return

[spndnchz]

Same story for the past month. The Sabres are news right now and everyone wants a piece.

To me, this is not new news.

[apuszczalowski]

Claude_Verret, on 18 January 2012 - 09:18 AM, said:

Get 'em out of here. Whatever it takes. I've said it before, who here would be really upset if the Sabres got the short end of the stick in a deal that rids us of Stafford and Roy?

We are talking about Buffalo fans here, everyone wants them gone at any price, but when it happens, this board will go nuts if its not a good return

[SportsFan88]

apuszczalowski, on 18 January 2012 - 09:21 AM, said:

We are talking about Buffalo fans here, everyone wants them gone at any price, but when it happens, this board will go nuts if its not a good return

None of these guys(other then possibly Roy)really have "good return" screaming at them. Just trade a bigger piece to the team, get new players and culture. Would rather suffer growing pains and have a season like this if it meant something, this bad season isn't really due to growing pains of the team.

Edited by SportsFan88, 18 January 2012 - 09:25 AM.

[thesportsbuff]

spndnchz, on 18 January 2012 - 09:21 AM, said:

Same story for the past month. The Sabres are news right now and everyone wants a piece.

To me, this is not new news.

While trading Roy, Stafford, Boyes, whoever, isn't a "new" idea, the fact that other GMs have confirmed Darcy is looking for trade kind of contrasts with Pegula's comments last week about "putting Humpty Dumpty back together" or whatever. At least they are somewhat looking to do something, though not the splash everyone hoped.

Edited by thesportsbuff, 18 January 2012 - 09:31 AM.

[PromoTheRobot]

apuszczalowski, on 18 January 2012 - 09:21 AM, said:

We are talking about Buffalo fans here, everyone wants them gone at any price, but when it happens, this board will go nuts if its not a good return

As we all know any one here can get a deal done for any player we want.PTR

Edited by PromoTheRobot, 18 January 2012 - 09:31 AM.

[RazielSabre]

apuszczalowski, on 18 January 2012 - 09:20 AM, said:

But for a Top 6 forward? I'm sure there are alot of teams that would take a chance on any of the players on the Sabres roster, but not for that kind of asking price. Teams know the Sabres are desperate, and that those players are underachieving, theres no way they get equal value (or what Regier believes is value equal to the kind of player he thinks they are) in return

I'm sure player like Ruutu could be acquired, a rough and ready possibly top 6 forward. Even if it was Stafford plus Ellis or something like that.

thesportsbuff, on 18 January 2012 - 09:30 AM, said:

While trading Roy, Stafford, Boyes, whoever, isn't a "new" idea, the fact that other GMs have confirmed Darcy is looking for trade kind of contrasts with Pegula's comments last week about "putting Humpty Dumpty back together" or whatever. At least they are somewhat looking to do something, though not the splash everyone hoped.

Agreed, at least this proves something is in the works.

[Double-J]

Isn't this Boyes' last contract year? I could see moving him to a contender that needs a veteran body due to injury. But I'd assume all we'd get back would be draft picks (not that I'd be against that). Could Roy and Stafford be packaged together to return a top 6 forward?

[nfreeman]

Too little, too late.

[HopefulFuture]

nfreeman, on 18 January 2012 - 09:43 AM, said:

Too little, too late.

I tend to agree with you nfreeman.
This should have been addressed much earlier than this.

[weave]

HopefulFuture, on 18 January 2012 - 09:45 AM, said:

I tend to agree with you nfreeman.
This should have been addressed much earlier than this.

Yeah. Last year at the trade deadline. I know I keep beating this drum but it was the right thing to do. Sabres MGT missed there chance to blow the thing up and get a quick rebuild started. Now we are in a cap mess and are at the mercy of teams that know we are not dealing from a position of strength. MGT really dropped the ball in their evaluation of this team last season.


Right now I would be happy if Roy and Stafford we dealt for a couple of ready-for-NHL prospects with top 6 projections. Get them here, get them in NHL games, get the next era started.

[bleedblueandgold]

Right below the schedule on the right side of the main Sabrespace page under transactions it has Miller going to the Detroit Red Wings, and then to "unknown"......hahahahahaha....too funny

[bunomatic]

We're dealing from a point of weakness so they've got Darcy right where they want him. Instead of setting the market at a time when his players are valued, Darcy waits till he's between a rock and a hard place and reacts to what he's dealt and lowers the return. When a bold move is needed to change the culture and improve the team he's painted himself into a corner. My guess is he makes a token move for appearances.

[Lumpy]

I think being impatient might make sense for the Sabres. I think clearing salary cap right now is useful as a number of free agents will become available in the summer of 2012. Start courting free agents now (or at least as much is legally permitted). It will be clear we are serious about rebuilding. I think clearing out deadwood right now would be a good idea - get what you can for some chronic underperformers (Roy, Stafford and Boyes) but don't hold out for value. They probably don't have much now. Trade low if you need to and stock up on picks. Also, clear a big number at goalie and make do with Enroth and someone we can pick up in the free agent market.

I would like to see the young kids coming up from Rochester not poisoned by what might be a bad locker room. Losing is contagious. If Kassian, Adam etc regressed with the current team/coach/management in place, don't let them rot in the apple barrel with the other bad apples. A new GM and coach are important part of the equation as I think the attitude of losing, or just making do may be entreched on the new guys coming up.

I think looking to the future, the Sabres should decide on the strategy they want to use. Are they a puck possession team? Are they a "defend the house" first team? Are they a punishing/fighting team? Are they a rucking/mauling team that plays in front of the net? Are they a team dedicated to fitness which will outwork any team? Are they a fast break team? Are they a soft, lost floating team that likes to shoot from the outside (current)?

I don't sense an identity or a strategy here now, but they need to have the personnel for the system they play. I think chemistry needs to be build with consistency, and the Sabres lines are scrambled (even when healthy) far too often. I don't think we have any clear system which allows players to be interchanged so frequently. I think different lines can have different identities, but I think identities help focus players to play with their other teammates.

But I would like to have clarity, strategy and purpose. I suspect, if Pegula is smart, he is making these choices now, caught off guard that he needs to do these course corrections a lot earlier than he planned. Right now, it feels like it is managerial deer in the headlights time, but I am hoping some smart thinking is being done right now which will turn to action very shortly.

[LabattBlue]

Note to Regier...Your "top 6" player, plus one of the million defensemen prospects, plus anything else for a young NHL center prospect in his last year of amateurs, or ready to make the leap from the AHL to the NHL.


I really want Regier fired today. I do not trust him to make any moves.

[Robviously]

The last time Regier made a trade that resulted in us having a top 6 forward? 2003.

Sure, why not? It's only been a decade. I'm sure he's about to work some magic here.

[Double-J]

LabattBlue, on 18 January 2012 - 10:03 AM, said:

I really want Regier fired today. I do not trust him to make any moves.

It would only make sense that if you're going to cut bait, you might as well get a fresh set of eyes (and opinions) to lead the team in a new direction. Alas, I don't think this is the case.

[FolignosJock]

bleedblueandgold, on 18 January 2012 - 09:50 AM, said:

Right below the schedule on the right side of the main Sabrespace page under transactions it has Miller going to the Detroit Red Wings, and then to "unknown"......hahahahahaha....too funny

Yeah what is up with that???

[inkman]

RazielSabre, on 18 January 2012 - 09:32 AM, said:

Even if it was Stafford plus Ellis or something like that.

Matt Ellis? Why would he "sweeten" any deal?

[FolignosJock]

inkman, on 18 January 2012 - 10:12 AM, said:

Matt Ellis? Why would he "sweeten" any deal?

Hahhaah maybe they need veteran leadership for their AHL team?

[LabattBlue]

inkman, on 18 January 2012 - 10:12 AM, said:

Matt Ellis? Why would he "sweeten" any deal?

[spndnchz]

bleedblueandgold, on 18 January 2012 - 09:50 AM, said:

Right below the schedule on the right side of the main Sabrespace page under transactions it has Miller going to the Detroit Red Wings, and then to "unknown"......hahahahahaha....too funny

It's a feed from sportsnet.

[FolignosJock]

spndnchz, on 18 January 2012 - 10:16 AM, said:

It's a feed from sportsnet.

Anything behind it? I tried to look up the links but it just takes you to the homepage...

[Sabres Fan In NS]

cvanvol, on 18 January 2012 - 10:19 AM, said:

Anything behind it? I tried to look up the links but it just takes you to the homepage...

I think that Eklund is behind some of these rumours through "sportsnet" ... they IMO like to stir the pot at times.

[SportsFan88]

cvanvol, on 18 January 2012 - 10:13 AM, said:

Hahhaah maybe they need veteran leadership for their AHL team?

what organization these days cares about their minor league teams?

[Sherman]

Bob McKenzie said something very similar on NHL Network. He also mentioned Leino, Leopold, Regher and Miller. He said the biggest isses with all the players is that they have big contracts and some time left while they are all underperforming. He even went as far as saying Regier was going to have a hard time getting the proper value for those players until they start performing.

To paraphase what he said on Miller specifically, 'Who wants to trade for a goalie, having his worst professional season with two years of $6.25 under contract?'

[FolignosJock]

SportsFan88, on 18 January 2012 - 10:32 AM, said:

what organization these days cares about their minor league teams?

I was being sarcastic

[SportsFan88]

Sherman, on 18 January 2012 - 10:33 AM, said:

Bob McKenzie said something very similar on NHL Network. He also mentioned Leino, Leopold, Regher and Miller. He said the biggest isses with all the players is that they have big contracts and some time left while they are all underperforming. He even went as far as saying Regier was going to have a hard time getting the proper value for those players until they start performing.

To paraphase what he said on Miller specifically, 'Who wants to trade for a goalie, having his worst professional season with two years of $6.25 under contract?'

The islanders...oh wait DP is clogging up a lot of cap space to sit on IR.

[FolignosJock]

SportsFan88, on 18 January 2012 - 10:40 AM, said:

The islanders...oh wait DP is clogging up a lot of cap space to sit on IR.

No he isnt...

[RazielSabre]

inkman, on 18 January 2012 - 10:12 AM, said:

Matt Ellis? Why would he "sweeten" any deal?

First name that came to mind. Admittedly he wouldn't but you get the idea.

[Double-J]

Sherman, on 18 January 2012 - 10:33 AM, said:

Bob McKenzie said something very similar on NHL Network. He also mentioned Leino, Leopold, Regher and Miller. He said the biggest isses with all the players is that they have big contracts and some time left while they are all underperforming. He even went as far as saying Regier was going to have a hard time getting the proper value for those players until they start performing.

To paraphase what he said on Miller specifically, 'Who wants to trade for a goalie, having his worst professional season with two years of $6.25 under contract?'

I'm a little surprised to see Regehr's name thrown in there. Granted, it's just a rumor, but along with Myers, he'd probably the only defenseman I'd want to keep because his skill set is different from any of the other defenders on the roster (physical, veteran presence, defensive defenseman, etc.).

[TrueBluePhD]

I still think people underestimate what we can get in a trade for Roy/Stafford in particular. Coaches and GMs have planet-sized egos, they always think they're so special they can turn around underperformers. Look how often Gratton got traded. Scott Gomez had one of the worst contracts in the history of the NHL, and he plus a few low level prospects got moved for a package that included Ryan McDonagh and a few low level prospects. McDonagh is now on the Rangers top pairing with Dan Girardi, the top record in the league, and the 2nd best defense in the league. You can always find a team who sees raw talent in an underachiever and is willing to take a chance.

The problem, as I see it, is that Regier is looking for a top-6 for top-6 deal, which I find unlikely. Anybody interested in acquiring Roy or Stafford is in win now mode, and it's highly unlikely they trade away one of their better players, unless he himself is seriously underperforming and has an albatross of a contract....in which case, this move doesn't help the Sabres long-term. I think our best options are to write off this year, sell off Boyes/Leopold/Gaustad/Hecht for mid-round picks and then see what we can do with Roy and Stafford. I think Roy is borderline very moveable, and a team like Chicago that needs a #2 center and has ridiculous center depth in the organization seems like a natural fit. They have 3 center prospects which project to the top 6, and I think we could pry one of them away in a deal, plus whatever requisite players are needed to make the salaries work. Frankly, I think a lot of Roy's shortcomings either go away or become relatively unimportant if he's filling the proper role on a team, that of a #2 center. On Chicago he'd be behind Toews, wouldn't be responsible for top defensive assignments, and probably wouldn't be asked to kill penalties. It seems like a perfect fit to me.

[Sherman]

Double-J, on 18 January 2012 - 11:11 AM, said:

I'm a little surprised to see Regehr's name thrown in there. Granted, it's just a rumor, but along with Myers, he'd probably the only defenseman I'd want to keep because his skill set is different from any of the other defenders on the roster (physical, veteran presence, defensive defenseman, etc.).

I was surprised when I heard it too because I think he has a no trade clause in his contract.

[FolignosJock]

TrueBluePhD, on 18 January 2012 - 11:13 AM, said:

I still think people underestimate what we can get in a trade for Roy/Stafford in particular. Coaches and GMs have planet-sized egos, they always think they're so special they can turn around underperformers. Look how often Gratton got traded. Scott Gomez had one of the worst contracts in the history of the NHL, and he plus a few low level prospects got moved for a package that included Ryan McDonagh and a few low level prospects. McDonagh is now on the Rangers top pairing with Dan Girardi, the top record in the league, and the 2nd best defense in the league. You can always find a team who sees raw talent in an underachiever and is willing to take a chance.

The problem, as I see it, is that Regier is looking for a top-6 for top-6 deal, which I find unlikely. Anybody interested in acquiring Roy or Stafford is in win now mode, and it's highly unlikely they trade away one of their better players, unless he himself is seriously underperforming and has an albatross of a contract....in which case, this move doesn't help the Sabres long-term. I think our best options are to write off this year, sell off Boyes/Leopold/Gaustad/Hecht for mid-round picks and then see what we can do with Roy and Stafford. I think Roy is borderline very moveable, and a team like Chicago that needs a #2 center and has ridiculous center depth in the organization seems like a natural fit. They have 3 center prospects which project to the top 6, and I think we could pry one of them away in a deal, plus whatever requisite players are needed to make the salaries work. Frankly, I think a lot of Roy's shortcomings either go away or become relatively unimportant if he's filling the proper role on a team, that of a #2 center. On Chicago he'd be behind Toews, wouldn't be responsible for top defensive assignments, and probably wouldn't be asked to kill penalties. It seems like a perfect fit to me.

Isnt patrick sharp their #2 center?

[TrueBluePhD]

cvanvol, on 18 January 2012 - 11:28 AM, said:

Isnt patrick sharp their #2 center?

They like Sharp as a winger. The reason they tried Kane at center to start the season was they wanted Sharp permanently on the wing. Even now I believe they play Bolland a lot at the #2 center spot, and he's clearly a 3rd liner. Sharp is like a good version of Hecht....he can play center and not kill you, but it really isn't where you want him if you can at all help it.