1277 replies to this topic

[korab rules]

wonderbread, on 28 February 2012 - 10:47 PM, said:

I agree the lack of a cap has ruined baseball.
Baseball has ruined baseball.
Baseball sucks.

Fixed that for you.

Edited by korab rules, 29 February 2012 - 10:25 AM.

[Glass Case Of Emotion]

TheChimp, on 29 February 2012 - 02:19 AM, said:

So I never, EVER do this, because frankly I'm usually nowhere NEAR the loop to even dream of knowing any scoop that you all back home don't know weeks ahead of me.  But my dad just told me today that when he was at his favorite barber shop in Orchard Park, he heard it from an inside source (i.e. player also getting his own hair cut at the time) telling the barber that the chances that Goose comes right back to the Sabres in the offseason are almost 100%.  And unless whoever said it in my dad's presence is totally FOS, I'm putting Gaustad on all my 2012-2013 armchair rosters.  Just sayin.  

When could this have happened, they were on the way to the airport when the trades were announced?

[Glass Case Of Emotion]

This Roster:

Vanek-Hodgson-Pominville
Leino-Ennis-25-Goal-Winger
Gerbe-Roy-Stafford
Kaleta-Goose-Foligno/McCormick

Current Defensive Group

Would be a 250+ GF team if everyone just plays an average season*. I think that's a good way to look at it, because some guys will have down seasons, and some career years. 250+ has kind of been the magic number for post lock-out Champions. There are some wildcards there:

Who is that 25 goal scorer we can pick up in trade/FA?
Ennis, Gerbe, and possible Leino's averages are based on a very small sample size and could be much higher (or much lower)
Can the D maintain it's scoring touch?
Would Goose resign at a reasonable price, or do we need to find a new 10-goal defensive center?

Obviously if 2010/2012 Ryan Miller plays the team could be a top contender, if 2011 Ryan Miller plays, its a outside contender.



*Goal averages are based on all seasons other than rookie years for all non-rookie players, no adjustments for injuries have been made.

[TheChimp]

shrader, on 29 February 2012 - 09:45 AM, said:

Assuming it's the place I'm well aware of, they get a lot of Bills players.  I have no idea why anyone from the Sabres would be there though since they all live out in Amherst.

I live in Albuquerque, so I'm not claiming to know any of this personally, and again, I don't normally feel comfortable sharing rumors like this, but I trust my dad...who said in that conversation that he heard that Kassian, himself, used to go to this place, heard that he was living out in West Seneca with a "friend" while he was here.  If that's checkable, maybe my dad's credibility on this goes up, I dunno.

LastPommerFan, on 29 February 2012 - 10:32 AM, said:

When could this have happened, they were on the way to the airport when the trades were announced?

Uh, what do you mean?  My dad just got his hair cut yesterday.  He either said that the players were "just in there" before him (he said it was two players that were talking to the owner guy about it), or he was actually there at the same time.  Forget I said anything.  It is what it is, a rumor.  I'm trusting my dad.  I don't expect you to.

[korab rules]

TheChimp, on 29 February 2012 - 03:25 PM, said:

Uh, what do you mean?  My dad just got his hair cut yesterday.  He either said that the players were "just in there" before him (he said it was two players that were talking to the owner guy about it), or he was actually there at the same time.  Forget I said anything.  It is what it is, a rumor.  I'm trusting my dad.  I don't expect you to.

The Sabres flew to Cali on Monday.  If the players were in Cali, they couldn't have been in the barbershop yesterday.  Not saying your dad isn't reporting what he heard, but hearsay is inadmissible for a reason.

[krt88]

thewookie1, on 27 February 2012 - 11:16 PM, said:

Thanks to the cool roster caculator on Capgeek....
http://www.capgeek.c...up.php?teamId=8

CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR
FORWARDS
Thomas Vanek ($7.142m) / Zach Parise ($7.100m) / Jason Pominville ($5.300m)
Ville Leino ($4.500m) / Cody Hodgson ($1.666m) / Dustin Brown ($3.175m)
Tyler Ennis ($0.875m) / Luke Adam ($0.875m) / Nathan Gerbe ($1.433m)
Corey Tropp ($0.700m) / Cody McCormick ($1.200m) / Patrick Kaleta ($0.907m)
DEFENSEMEN
Tyler Myers ($5.500m) / Robyn Regehr ($4.020m)
Christian Ehrhoff ($4.000m) / Jordan Leopold ($3.000m)
Andrej Sekera ($2.750m) / Mike Weber ($0.950m)
GOALTENDERS
Ryan Miller ($6.250m) / Jhonas Enroth ($0.675m)
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $62,020,356; BONUSES: $1,012,500
CAP SPACE (20-man roster): $2,279,644


Trade Stafford and Roy, 1 to get draft picks/prospects,  1 to get Dustin Brown

Sign Parise at 6 to 8mil

That leaves around 2.3 to 1.5mil to give +s to are RFAs/UFAs we want to keep along with whatever the amount the cap goes up.

Your gonna trade Roy or Stafford for Dustin Brown...really how's eactly do you plan and getting Anaheim to do that?  Are you gonna kidnap the daughter of te GM to force that deal.

[krt88]

http://capgeek.com/charts.php?Team=8
According to CapGeek we have 6.25 million in cap room for next year

What can we really do with the space and the roster?  Very tough decisions will have to be made.

1. Roy is scheduled to make 5.5 million next season with a 4 million cap hit.  You can buy him out for 1.815 million and you get stuck with a two year cap hit at that number.  Or trade him in a give away for propects and picks.  This is the most likely.

idea: trade him to Columbus for Boone Jenner - a 6-2 center prospect with a solid two way game, good offenisve upside.

2. Stafford - good luck trading him after his disappearence this past season, 4 million cap hit for 3 more years, any buyout would cost you 4 million and create a nasty cap hit.  Looks like we are stuck with him.

  Try to trade him the same way we will try Roy, perhaps a 2nd round and a conditional at the draft and we take back a nice cap hit player to bury in minors, like we did this year.

3. Ennis must be resigned and he'll likely run a 2/3 year deal at 2.5 million+ (hopefully less)

4. Boyes expires and disappears and Hecht gets bought out due to the concession at around 850K

5. depending on the trades, you could have as little as 3 to 4 million in real cap room or as much as 11-12 million.

Any dealing beyond that will need creativeity

Luke Adam must put in some work in the off season and get better in his own end and his skating needs to improve.

A veteran BIG centermen to anchor the 3rd line is a must.  Goose is a UFA but would we go there?
A BIG physical winger who can skate would also be helpful.

With Hodgeson and Adam as the 1-2 centers and the scoring of Ennis, Poms and Vanek on the wings (Lenno too if he ever gets back from the bank) and we'd have a nice top 2 lines.

I could see a top 6 forward entering via free agency or trades but whoever it is must add size and grit.

I'd love to hear realistic ideas because I don't believe Dustin Brown or Rick Nash are truly realistic and as much as I'd love to get a hold of Shea Weber that ship isn't going to sail.

[LGR4GM]

thewookie1, on 27 February 2012 - 11:16 PM, said:

Thanks to the cool roster caculator on Capgeek....
http://www.capgeek.c...up.php?teamId=8

CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR
FORWARDS
Thomas Vanek ($7.142m) / Zach Parise ($7.100m) / Jason Pominville ($5.300m)
Ville Leino ($4.500m) / Cody Hodgson ($1.666m) / Dustin Brown ($3.175m)
Tyler Ennis ($0.875m) / Luke Adam ($0.875m) / Nathan Gerbe ($1.433m)
Corey Tropp ($0.700m) / Cody McCormick ($1.200m) / Patrick Kaleta ($0.907m)
DEFENSEMEN
Tyler Myers ($5.500m) / Robyn Regehr ($4.020m)
Christian Ehrhoff ($4.000m) / Jordan Leopold ($3.000m)
Andrej Sekera ($2.750m) / Mike Weber ($0.950m)
GOALTENDERS
Ryan Miller ($6.250m) / Jhonas Enroth ($0.675m)
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion)
SALARY CAP: $64,300,000; CAP PAYROLL: $62,020,356; BONUSES: $1,012,500
CAP SPACE (20-man roster): $2,279,644


Trade Stafford and Roy, 1 to get draft picks/prospects,  1 to get Dustin Brown

Sign Parise at 6 to 8mil

That leaves around 2.3 to 1.5mil to give +s to are RFAs/UFAs we want to keep along with whatever the amount the cap goes up.

I bolded 3 things that made my head drop to the side and go WHHHHHATTT?

1) Zack Parise - I don't think the sabres can afford him.  Hes an elite winger and will make a lot of money for a long time.  I would like to query the board on if Parise can play center as well?  It seems this is another "lets move this winger to center" idea.

2) So Tyler Ennis - hes fast, young, great hands, and he is probably 1 of the top 4 forwards on this team... he does not get a raise?  His contract ends in july and I doubt that this kid stays at under a mil and I would not be surprised for a 3yr contract in the 2mil range.  Also you put him on the 3rd line?  seriously? are you joking? If Leino was half the player Ennis was we would be a lot better off.  Ennis will never drop below the 2nd line unless we start rotating 3 scoring lines.

3) Patrick Kaleta - another player who is an RFA.  He will probably be in around McCormick money.  So there is several Million gone from the sign parise fund.

4) Finally, I do not believe that ROY AND STAFFORD can be traded magically in the offseason or that DR has any intention of trading them.  If he did that trade would have happened last week.  Stafford is not going anywhere and Roy's next shot at being traded is the next deadline.  So thats -8million for the Parise fund.

krt88, on 29 February 2012 - 03:38 PM, said:

Your gonna trade Roy or Stafford for Dustin Brown...really how's eactly do you plan and getting Anaheim to do that?  Are you gonna kidnap the daughter of te GM to force that deal.

Dustin Brown plays for the LA Kings... fail.

Edited by LGR4GM, 29 February 2012 - 04:07 PM.

[sabres1970]

Zach Parise at all costs next summer. Send Drew Stafford over here to NJ to convince his BFF to come play in B-LO.

[Punch]

krt88, on 29 February 2012 - 03:57 PM, said:

A veteran BIG centermen to anchor the 3rd line is a must.  Goose is a UFA but would we go there?
A BIG physical winger who can skate would also be helpful.

...

I'd love to hear realistic ideas because I don't believe Dustin Brown or Rick Nash are truly realistic and as much as I'd love to get a hold of Shea Weber that ship isn't going to sail.

Shawn Thornton is an UFA--- I'd love to bring him in as a veteran big body for the bottom 6. HNiC's Elliotte Friedman speculated yesterday that Dustin Brown may realistically be available in the offseason. I hope it's true and Darcy sends one of those 1sts to the Kings. Lombardi was supposedly interested in Drew Stafford but as much as I'd hope for it I'm skeptical this type of deal will take place.

Edited by Punch, 29 February 2012 - 04:36 PM.

[LabattBlue]

LGR4GM, on 29 February 2012 - 04:06 PM, said:

4) Finally, I do not believe that ROY AND STAFFORD can be traded magically in the offseason or that DR has any intention of trading them.  If he did that trade would have happened last week.  Stafford is not going anywhere and Roy's next shot at being traded is the next deadline.  So thats -8million for the Parise fund.

So you've never heard of trades occurring in the off-season, especially immediately prior to the draft?  There are bigger names moved in the off-season.  Here is the list leading up to last years draft.   Stafford and Roy have a greater chance of moving in the off-season versus the trade deadline...

http://wild.nhl.com/...s.htm?id=566996

[K-9]

Punch, on 29 February 2012 - 04:36 PM, said:

Shawn Thornton is an UFA--- I'd love to bring him in as a veteran big body for the bottom 6. HNiC's Elliotte Friedman speculated yesterday that Dustin Brown may realistically be available in the offseason. I hope it's true and Darcy sends one of those 1sts to the Kings. Lombardi was supposedly interested in Drew Stafford but as much as I'd hope for it I'm skeptical this type of deal will take place.

Do you think a 1st and Stafford might get it done in the summer. IIRC, the cap hits are around the same, no?

GO SABRES!!!

[korab rules]

K-9, on 29 February 2012 - 04:47 PM, said:

Do you think a 1st and Stafford might get it done in the summer. IIRC, the cap hits are around the same, no?

GO SABRES!!!

For Brown?  I would think we would need to add a defensive prospect, not McNabb or Pysik, to get that done.

[Skibum]

Mostly I hope they can trade for a bigger body in the top six, if one is available. I wouldn't mind if they brought Goose back, even if it's for a minor overpayment. I think we're stuck with Stafford and Leino's contracts, so maybe it's Ennis or Gerbe that gets moved along with a pick or two.

And unlike seemingly everybody else in Sabreland, I am hoping they keep Roy around. He's too good of a value and I think he rebounds next season. From a management standpoint, I can't see a rational reason to trade him.

Remember, we haven't even seen how Hodgson fits in Buffalo. That will tell us a lot about what needs to happen this summer.

[K-9]

korab rules, on 29 February 2012 - 04:53 PM, said:

For Brown?  I would think we would need to add a defensive prospect, not McNabb or Pysik, to get that done.

Puck moving or stay at home? I think we could swing either one given our depth at the position.

GO SABRES!!!

[korab rules]

K-9, on 29 February 2012 - 05:01 PM, said:

Puck moving or stay at home? I think we could swing either one given our depth at the position.

GO SABRES!!!

They can take their pick.  Time to start cashing in some of those chips in Rochester before they reach their expiration date.

This is a deal I would jump all over, so it fails the legitimate trade idea test on that ground, but if Staff starts to round into form these next 20 games, and we have seen flashes of it recently, this deal would be at least plausible.

[Spndnchz]

This is a good question.  Why didn't we think of talking about the Sabres '12-'13 roster sooner?

[Eleven]

spndnchz, on 29 February 2012 - 05:09 PM, said:

This is a good question.  Why didn't we think of talking about the Sabres '12-'13 roster sooner?

But...


Oh.

[LabattBlue]

spndnchz, on 29 February 2012 - 05:09 PM, said:

This is a good question.  Why didn't we think of talking about the Sabres '12-'13 roster sooner?

You're so cute when you moderate!

[korab rules]

spndnchz, on 29 February 2012 - 05:09 PM, said:

This is a good question.  Why didn't we think of talking about the Sabres '12-'13 roster sooner?

Is your clicky finger getting all twitchy?

[Punch]

K-9, on 29 February 2012 - 04:47 PM, said:

Do you think a 1st and Stafford might get it done in the summer. IIRC, the cap hits are around the same, no?

GO SABRES!!!

korab rules, on 29 February 2012 - 04:53 PM, said:

For Brown?  I would think we would need to add a defensive prospect, not McNabb or Pysik, to get that done.

I think that sounds about right. I'd bet the Kings would like to try and reload whatever role they had in mind for the future with Jack Johnson.

Apparently, the Stars held onto Steve Ott for a potential playoff run this year, but may consider moving him once the season ends. If true, then despite losing some size to Gaustad I'd prefer Ott to resigning Goose.

Edited by Punch, 29 February 2012 - 05:45 PM.

[LGR4GM]

LabattBlue, on 29 February 2012 - 04:39 PM, said:

So you've never heard of trades occurring in the off-season, especially immediately prior to the draft?  There are bigger names moved in the off-season.  Here is the list leading up to last years draft.   Stafford and Roy have a greater chance of moving in the off-season versus the trade deadline...

Golly gee mister... I aint never heard none of them there trades in the offseason...

Point being if Regier wanted to move Roy or Stafford, he would have, thats my own personal opinion but thanks for the condescension.

Edited by LGR4GM, 29 February 2012 - 06:30 PM.

[deluca67]

I don't even want to think of next season's roster until Pegula has a chance to speak to Rick Nash and get the Sabres on his short list.

[LabattBlue]

LGR4GM, on 29 February 2012 - 06:29 PM, said:

Golly gee mister... I aint never heard none of them there trades in the offseason...

Point being if Regier wanted to move Roy or Stafford, he would have, thats my own personal opinion but thanks for the condescension.

Here you go mister digital age millenial...

010110010110111101110101001000000110000101110010011001
010010000001100001001000000110011001110101011000110110
101101101001011011100110011100100000011010010110010001
101001011011110111010000100001

[TheChimp]

korab rules, on 29 February 2012 - 03:31 PM, said:

The Sabres flew to Cali on Monday.  If the players were in Cali, they couldn't have been in the barbershop yesterday.  Not saying your dad isn't reporting what he heard, but hearsay is inadmissible for a reason.

Yeah, hmmm, that's right they were, huh....I'm tempted to ask my dad if the name of the barber shop is Eklund's Supercuts, but I don't think he'd get it....

LabattBlue, on 29 February 2012 - 07:57 PM, said:

Here you go mister digital age millenial...

010110010110111101110101001000000110000101110010011001
010010000001100001001000000110011001110101011000110110
101101101001011011100110011100100000011010010110010001
101001011011110111010000100001

My binary's a little rusty, but did you just say something about his sister and a rutabaga?

[carpandean]

krt88, on 29 February 2012 - 03:57 PM, said:

1. Roy is scheduled to make 5.5 million next season with a 4 million cap hit.  You can buy him out for 1.815 million and you get stuck with a two year cap hit at that number.

Actually, because his contract is increasing in salary, the "paid" cap hit to date has exceeded the paid salary to date.  A buyout actually corrects for this.  As a result, while Roy's payouts over the next two years would be $1.833M, his cap hit next year would only be $0.333M.

Edited by carpandean, 29 February 2012 - 10:17 PM.

[Doohickie]

krt88, on 29 February 2012 - 03:57 PM, said:

A veteran BIG centermen to anchor the 3rd line is a must.  Goose is a UFA but would we go there?

I like to think that was the plan from the start.  Get a pick for Goose to rent him out for a playoff run.  Re-sign him after the season.  The only risk is that he decides the change of scenery did him good.

[RazielSabre]

Shopping list in no order:

1. Veteran RW that can handle 2nd/3rd line duties. (question: Kotalik? If he wants to come back to the USA for cheap).
2. 2nd/3rd line center who's got some size, preferably younger. Not Goose unless he wants to come back for no more than $2mill.
3. Ditch Stafford, we can get a 1st rounder or mid level prospect (RW/C/G).
4. Promote Tropp full time.
5. Let Boyes and Hecht walk away. Unless Boyes is willing to sign for a 1 year $1mill deal to act as 3rd line center. That lessen's our need for another C.
6. Not sure about the prospects, we're deep defensively, who would we keep and who would we move.
7. Depending on how deep this draft is use all 4 1st and 2nd round picks. If its not that deep use one from each and use the others in trades.
8. Trade Leopold, after this season his value isn't bad and it's certainly not going to go up. Maybe resign Sulzer as 6th dman if he is ok and use a Roch player as 7th.

Trading Roy in his contract year seems daft and we are still quite weak at center. Stafford is to expensive and expendable. This is a quite list made during lunch at work so alll rough imho.

[thesportsbuff]

There are so many possible moves that can be made I can't even contain my excitement. I've said it in another thread, and maybe it isn't even all that realistic, but seriously -- we've heard all this talk about how New Jersey isn't going to be able to afford Parise this summer (even tho according to CapGeek they'll have plenty of room, but I think the Devils are in financial turmoil right now)... so why not offer them a first rounder for his rights? That'd be a steep price for a player's rights, but with Pegula and co, I think there's a good chance we could get a deal signed.

I also like the idea of trading for Dustin Brown, but I doubt LA is really looking to move him at all.

Nash, meh. Too steep of a price. Too unrealistic a deal.

I think a defenseman will get traded this summer simply because we have too many. McNabb seems like a lock to make the team next year, so somebody has to move out -- that's 7 NHL-ready defenseman, and you don't want to pay somebody to ride the pine. So you trade one, and maybe you re-sign Sulzer just to have a 7th body, while not exactly breaking the bank for him.

Honestly right now I'm leaning towards keeping Roy around next season. Everyone has come to this foregone conclusion that we're trying to trade him, but I wouldn't be shocked if he plays out the remainder of his contract here. If you bring in someone to replace him, then sure, by all means, trade him if you get the right deal. But I also have no problem keeping Ennis on the wing with Hodgson and Roy down the middle. The more talent in the Top 6 the better. Luke Adam becomes my third line center. Maybe next February we trade Roy at the deadline for a first round pick...

[2ForTripping]

A first round pick for Parise's rights?  Easy Jack , put down the tube for a bit and let your head clear,steep price indeed

[LabattBlue]

2ForTripping, on 01 March 2012 - 10:16 AM, said:

A first round pick for Parise's rights?  Easy Jack , put down the tube for a bit and let your head clear,steep price indeed

Exactly.  Giving up a 4th or 5th round pick like they did for Erhroff is one thing.  Giving up 1st, 2nd or even 3rd round picks is a whole different story.

[SwampD]

These'll make me move in the off season.
[attachment=3047:Realistics.JPG]

[Drunkard]

thesportsbuff, on 01 March 2012 - 08:22 AM, said:

Honestly right now I'm leaning towards keeping Roy around next season. Everyone has come to this foregone conclusion that we're trying to trade him, but I wouldn't be shocked if he plays out the remainder of his contract here. If you bring in someone to replace him, then sure, by all means, trade him if you get the right deal. But I also have no problem keeping Ennis on the wing with Hodgson and Roy down the middle. The more talent in the Top 6 the better. Luke Adam becomes my third line center. Maybe next February we trade Roy at the deadline for a first round pick...

I agree with the part on Roy. I want Stafford to go, but with Roy being in a contract year, I'd prefer to hold on to him and unload him at next years deadline for a 1st rounder. I'd still be open to trading him before then, but we'd have to either get a better player in return (not likely) or get a solid center prospect in return.

Roy and Hodgson as scoring line centers with Vanek, Pominville, Ennis, and another upgrade at wing makes for a solid top 6, plus good scoring potential on the 3rd line with Gerbe, Leino, and Adam/Gaustad/Free Agent Center or Trade pickup.

[nfreeman]

K-9, on 29 February 2012 - 04:47 PM, said:

Do you think a 1st and Stafford might get it done in the summer. IIRC, the cap hits are around the same, no?

GO SABRES!!!

Definitely not.

korab rules, on 29 February 2012 - 04:53 PM, said:

For Brown?  I would think we would need to add a defensive prospect, not McNabb or Pysik, to get that done.

Maybe, but that still sounds pretty skinny for Brown unless it's McNabb or Pysyck.

Punch, on 29 February 2012 - 05:42 PM, said:

I think that sounds about right. I'd bet the Kings would like to try and reload whatever role they had in mind for the future with Jack Johnson.

Apparently, the Stars held onto Steve Ott for a potential playoff run this year, but may consider moving him once the season ends. If true, then despite losing some size to Gaustad I'd prefer Ott to resigning Goose.

Definitely.

[Taro T]

Doohickie, on 01 March 2012 - 01:35 AM, said:

I like to think that was the plan from the start.  Get a pick for Goose to rent him out for a playoff run.  Re-sign him after the season.  The only risk is that he decides the change of scenery did him good.

I was thinking that might be the case as well, but the more I think about it, I'm not sure how a $2.5MM+ 30 year old faceoff/PK specialist 4th liner fits into the mix.

[LabattBlue]

Taro T, on 01 March 2012 - 03:54 PM, said:

...but the more I think about it, I'm not sure how a $2.5MM+ 30 year old faceoff/PK specialist 4th liner fits into the mix.

Maybe more people will buy into when you say it.     I've been saying it for months now with mixed results.

[tom webster]

Punch, on 29 February 2012 - 05:42 PM, said:

I think that sounds about right. I'd bet the Kings would like to try and reload whatever role they had in mind for the future with Jack Johnson.

Apparently, the Stars held onto Steve Ott for a potential playoff run this year, but may consider moving him once the season ends. If true, then despite losing some size to Gaustad I'd prefer Ott to resigning Goose.

The Kings are laoded with young defensive talent which is why they were able to trade Johnson. For all the talk on this board about Buffalo's abundance of prospects, they are not thought of quite so highly league wide.

[Taro T]

LabattBlue, on 01 March 2012 - 03:57 PM, said:

Maybe more people will buy into when you say it.     I've been saying it for months now with mixed results.

I've been one of the bigger proponents of keeping him around and didn't particularily take issue with bringing him back at what he's currently getting, but for some reason I thought he was about 2 years younger than he is.  The team will have enough young guys in the mix that his salary wouldn't make or break the team, but I'd expect he'll be looking for a 4 year deal and I expect him to be out of the lineup for significant stretches (moreso than currently) when he starts getting up past 32.

I really want them picking up a vet free agent this offseason that can win faceoffs.  It took them ~10 years to replace Peterson and I don't want to go through that spell again.  If Goose will take a paycut, I'm still good with bringing him back.

If we could know (and obviously we can't) how the league will treat the retirement cap loophole, then I could be back on board with bringing him back.  As it is, I expect his ship has sailed for good.  (Or at least until he's ready for one of those $1.2MM 4th liner hanging on salaries, because the Sabres do need SOMEONE to win faceoffs and I don't see that person on the roster or in the immediate wings.)

[nfreeman]

Taro T, on 01 March 2012 - 03:54 PM, said:

I was thinking that might be the case as well, but the more I think about it, I'm not sure how a $2.5MM+ 30 year old faceoff/PK specialist 4th liner fits into the mix.

Taro T, on 01 March 2012 - 04:17 PM, said:

I've been one of the bigger proponents of keeping him around and didn't particularily take issue with bringing him back at what he's currently getting, but for some reason I thought he was about 2 years younger than he is.  The team will have enough young guys in the mix that his salary wouldn't make or break the team, but I'd expect he'll be looking for a 4 year deal and I expect him to be out of the lineup for significant stretches (moreso than currently) when he starts getting up past 32.

I really want them picking up a vet free agent this offseason that can win faceoffs.  It took them ~10 years to replace Peterson and I don't want to go through that spell again. If Goose will take a paycut, I'm still good with bringing him back.

If we could know (and obviously we can't) how the league will treat the retirement cap loophole, then I could be back on board with bringing him back.  As it is, I expect his ship has sailed for good.  (Or at least until he's ready for one of those $1.2MM 4th liner hanging on salaries, because the Sabres do need SOMEONE to win faceoffs and I don't see that person on the roster or in the immediate wings.)

Me too, but someone will get daffy in UFA and give him $10MM+ for 4 years, and that is just too much for the Sabres to allocate to him when they have pressing needs higher up in the forward ranks.  He's gone, IMHO.

[Punch]

tom webster, on 01 March 2012 - 04:13 PM, said:

The Kings are laoded with young defensive talent which is why they were able to trade Johnson. For all the talk on this board about Buffalo's abundance of prospects, they are not thought of quite so highly league wide.

Admittedly, I know next to nothing in regards to the Kings' organizational depth--- the speculation on a possible return for Brown was based on 'credible' reports that LA would be looking for secondary scoring and a young offensive D-man coming back.