Search the Community

Continuing the roster review with one of the summer's quieter acquisitions #17 David Legwand C (one year left left at $3 million per, age 34) Ottawa 80/9/18/27/1/32 Something that may be an eye-opener for those who have him pegged as nothing more than a salary dump: David Legwand would have finished fifth in scoring on the Sabres last year. Two years ago, his 51 points would have had him in first. He might be 34 and nearing the end, but he is still a former 2nd-overall pick who has played more than 1,000 NHL games. He played 14 years with Nashville Predators, most of them as a solid 2nd-liner. He peaked at 27 goals and 63 points in 2007, but maintained about a 50-point full-season pace since then before falling off statistically last year. Focusing on recent years, Legwand has shown he can take faceoffs, play a solid two-way game and contribute on special teams. Ottawa fans say he has lost a step and dropped down the lineup as the season progressed. He’s also said to be good in the room. Tim Murray indicated Ottawa insisted Legwand be part of the Lehner deal, but he has to have his fingers crossed he can be a positive influence on another pair of centres drafted 2nd overall. Links to the rest of the series:

Next, in the ongoing roster review #4 Josh Gorges D (three years left at $3.9 million per, age 30) Buffalo 46/0/6/20/-28/16 Gorges was generally welcomed by the fanbase when Murray traded an extra second-round for him last summer. A gritty, fearless leader with a reputation as being a solid top-four defensive defenceman, he was considered a good guy to help show the kids the way through what was expected to be a tough season. The results were mixed. His commitment was evident, but the results were sketchy. Gorges appeared to wear down after night after night of throwing his body in front of shots playing against the other team's top shooters. The constant losing also appeared to chafe on him mentally to a greater degree than most. Injury ended his season prematurely. Whispers have since grown that perhaps Montreal traded him at just the right time because he has lost a step. And the revelation he has undergone micro fracture surgery, a procedure basketball players have been slow to return from, has many concerned he will be able to contribute much this year at all. However, it has also been argued that his injuries may have contributed to his disappointing play prior to his departure. He definitely enters the season with something to prove. Links to the rest of the series:

Next up in our continuing discussion, the man with the C. #12 Brian Gionta RW (two years left at $$4.3 million per, age 36) Buffalo 65/13/22/35/-13/18 A western New York native who overcame serious doubt about his stature to win a Stanley Cup and captain the legendary Montreal Canadiens, Brian Gionta should be a figure of love and respect in Buffalo. The love affair hasn’t exactly ignited yet. That happens when you are appointed as the face of one of the worst teams in Sabres’ franchise history. His role in Buffalo was defined very clearly on the day of his signing by GM Tim Murray: "He's heart and soul. He plays to the most of his ability and the most of an effort level every shift. He blocks shots, he's the type of player that can wear a letter, he's definitely part of the leadership group. He brings a lot of intangibles." It may surprise some fans to discover Gionta also brought offence, at least relatively speaking. Statistically, he was a solid second-liner. Despite an injury, he finished 40th among NHL right wings in scoring last year. His points-per-game pace was similar to that of Justin Williams. After a very slow start in Buffalo, he caught fire after returning from injury, piling up 16 points in 19 games down the stretch. Focused on the tank, most fans responded with mild annoyance if they noticed at all. Gionta enters the season low on the radar even though he played in all situations last year. Despite his role as captain and one of the team leaders in ice time, many seem to pencil him in as a 3rd or even 4th-liner. It will be interesting to see how he is used by the coaching staff and how he relates to players like Kane, Eichel and O’Reilly. Links to the rest of the series:

Player two in the offseason roster review series: #36 Pat Kaleta RW (28-year-old UFA) Buffalo 42/0/3/3/-11/36 No one doubts Pat Kaleta bleeds Buffalo Sabres blue. We've seen it many times as he's thrown his face in front of elbows, fists and pucks. The question is whether he has any more blood to give. The team's most veteran player after nine years here, Kaleta played just 42 games this season after playing just five the year before and just 34 the season before that. During those three seasons, he scored a total of one goal. He has played more than 60 games just once in his career. In some ways, Kaleta's presence in the lineup this year could be declared a victory in itself. He overcame major injuries, league disciplinary troubles and a paralyzing reputation as a cheap-shot artist that threatened his ability to play the game. He carved his NHL career as a feared hitter, a good penalty killer and an instigator with a great knack for drawing penalties. All of those qualities were seen less often from him this year. Does he still have the wheels to hold off challenges from this team's many prospects? Have his injuries become too much to ignore? Will this team repay his years of dedication with another contract? Or is it time to move on?