Will the Sabres do anything at all on July 1 (or today)?

[apuszczalowski]

That's a good point. If I were a GM who could make more money and have more control, I'd leave Buffalo. Darcy could be more responsible for what has happened, but a lot of us don't want to accept that idea. When was the last time Darcy brought in a GOOD UFA veteran to better the team? I'm not referring to a rental.

 

I want to point out I'm not putting all of this on one person. I think the troubles that have been going on are caused by Darcy, Quinn, and Tommy G.

Oh I'm sure things might not be as easy in Buffalo with TG running the show with his budget, but one of my biggestg Pet Peeves around here is how everyone is always running to blame LQ for all the wrongs and that DR can do no wrong because LQ and TG have his hands tied and he can't make the moves he wants/needs to to make the team successful. I'm sure LQ is an @sshole, I'm sure DR may have to run ideas through upper management first, but I don't think its that much different then any other team, except that TG might stick to his budget a little more.

[SabresFan526]

I am expecting nothing and have been very frustrated by the re-signing of Liles with the Avs and Tampa acquiring Rolston's rights. As of now, Rolston has not signed with Tampa, so from all indications, it is possible he could go to tomorrow, and if he does, I expect Darcy taking a very hard run at Rolston, even if he comes up short.

 

With regard to Orpik, I would absolutely love to see him wearing blue and gold, especially since he's from Buffalo. I think there's a good shot the Sabres make a play for Orpik, but I'm not certain they will sign him and I don't expect it.

 

What I do think could happen are things at the end of this week/middle of July. For example, I could see Ron Hainsey getting signed at the end of this week since he's now the guy who can "replace" Campbell's skillset since Liles re-signed with the Avs and since Campbell and Redden are not coming to Buffalo. I could see the Sabres maybe sign a Brendan Morrison type player towards the end of the week when the dust settles. If the Sabres do not win the Orpik sweepstakes, I could see Captain Rhett coming back for a 1 year $850K - $1 million deal. I could also see Max getting moved a little later into offseason probably before or after arbitration season starts, most likely after. And, if the Sabres are going to acquire that impact player via trade i.e. the Gaborik rumors which I don't believe, it probably won't happen until after the UFA signing dust settles as well. So for those expecting something to go down tomorrow, I'd be very skeptical, but that's my opinion.

[2ForTripping]

Day 1 signing.... Brooks Orpik to Buffalo. 5 year, $23 million.

hope springs eternal

[Team Strike Force]

Day 1 signing.... Brooks Orpik to Buffalo. 5 year, $23 million.

 

That would be tremendous, but I think he'll get more money than that. Maybe not a five year deal, but higher money per year.

[LabattBlue]

Day 1 signing.... Brooks Orpik to Buffalo. 5 year, $23 million.

That is more than I would pay him. I'd go 5 years 17.5 mil...3.5 per year.

 

For some reason, I believe that Quinny is in love with the local boys and sees some kind of marketing tie-in. But then again, I am always of the belief that Quinny is up to something. :lol:

[LabattBlue]

That would be tremendous, but I think he'll get more money than that. Maybe not a five year deal, but higher money per year.

5 years 23 mil, would be 4.6 per year. I'll come here and say I was wrong if it plays out that way, but I would be amazed if Orpik gets that much let alone more as you are suggesting.

[darksabre]

I said it in another thread, gimme Orpik for $18.75 for 5

[Team Strike Force]

I dunno, these highly sought after free agents have been breaking the back since the end of the lockout. Why should Orpik be any different?

[ROC Sabres]

I dunno, these highly sought after free agents have been breaking the back since the end of the lockout. Why should Orpik be any different?

He wants to live with his brother year round?

 

EDIT: Oh right, he'll be in portland.

[stenbaro]

My prediction is that Buffalo will not sign any of the big name freeagents..If Rolston is there he would be the one they go after..I see them letting the rest of the NHL beat themselves up over the freeagents then swooping in on a few younger not prospect type players in a trade in their areas of need..Thats my realistic view

 

 

My hope is for Orpik Rolston and Jason Smith..If they did that I would be very happy

[LabattBlue]

He wants to live with his brother year round?

 

EDIT: Oh right, he'll be in portland.

I am not even sure if Andrew Orpik will be offered a contract when his senior season completes next year. Shrader can probably offer more of an opinion in terms of Orpik's pro chances(even at the AHL level).

[tom webster]

I am not even sure if Andrew Orpik will be offered a contract when his senior season completes next year. Shrader can probably offer more of an opinion in terms of Orpik's pro chances(even at the AHL level).

 

 

Shrader already pointed put that Andrew isn't any good. As far as Brooks, I might as well be the one to say 5 for 25.

 

 

 

 

 

I really think that's too much.

[ROC Sabres]

Shrader already pointed put that Andrew isn't any good. As far as Brooks, I might as well be the one to say 5 for 25.

I really think that's too much.

I actually like Labatts numbers. 4.6 per would be good. somewhere in the 4-4.5 range is probably what the sabres are going to be working with though.

[Team Strike Force]

Maybe he would come over here because his brother is in the system, regardless of contract status. But we've made assumptions about a player's desire to come here for a "hometown discount" in the past, and have been way off.

 

I'd be pleasantly surprised if Buffalo gets Orpik for less than 4.6 mil/yr.

 

If that doesn't work out, I still think that Mike Commodore could be on his way here and that he could be had for a better price. Maybe not tomorrow, though.

[Bmwolf21]

I'd be cool with paying him ~$4.5. Sometimes you've gotta overpay a little to make sure you get what you need. I'd rather overpay (somewhat) for him and know what we're getting, than underbid and have to settle for someone else and hope they can fill the tough, physical defenseman role.

[BamBam]

This is an easy one.

How many years has it been since the sabres made a significant trade or FA signing?

We have all come to understand that this is not the way the team does business in this new era of fiscal responsibility.

[nfreeman]

Here's a bit more cold water on the hope that we'll make a splash tomorrow -- there are quite a few teams with a ton of cash to spend. That means guys like Rolston and Orpik (and let's not forget Soupy) are gonna get huge offers. We are not going to be in the mix, despite what Eklund's "sources" tell him.

[Guest Sloth]

Oh I'm sure things might not be as easy in Buffalo with TG running the show with his budget, but one of my biggestg Pet Peeves around here is how everyone is always running to blame LQ for all the wrongs and that DR can do no wrong because LQ and TG have his hands tied and he can't make the moves he wants/needs to to make the team successful. I'm sure LQ is an @sshole, I'm sure DR may have to run ideas through upper management first, but I don't think its that much different then any other team, except that TG might stick to his budget a little more.

 

Umm...I said I believe every one of them has played a part in the problems that are going on w/ the Sabres. Where did the "DR can do no wrong" come from? If I say each of them has played a role, that means Darcy has as well.

[nfreeman]

And still more cold water on hopes for a big splash tomorrow:

 

Looking forward to the start of the free-agency period, Regier said the Sabres have targeted several mid-range players, particularly defencemen, to bolster their young roster, but he wasn't expecting to make any significant moves.

 

"Patience is always going to be a big part of what we're doing because we've got a very good core," Regier said. "As far as the big splash, you're not going to see that."

[apuszczalowski]

Here's a bit more cold water on the hope that we'll make a splash tomorrow -- there are quite a few teams with a ton of cash to spend. That means guys like Rolston and Orpik (and let's not forget Soupy) are gonna get huge offers. We are not going to be in the mix, despite what Eklund's "sources" tell him.

Well, according to Orpik and what he said in an interview, he would love to play for Buffalo, but this is a buisness. In other words, the Sabres won't get him with a "hometown" discount, they will have to bid for him just like everyone else

[Bmwolf21]

Here's a bit more cold water on the hope that we'll make a splash tomorrow -- there are quite a few teams with a ton of cash to spend. That means guys like Rolston and Orpik (and let's not forget Soupy) are gonna get huge offers. We are not going to be in the mix, despite what Eklund's "sources" tell him.

Agreed, it's hard to believe teams like Columbus, Atlanta and LA aren't going to be very aggressive with all that cap space. $30M? That's ridiculous.

 

A couple key FAs at each and they could all be in the playoff hunt.

[apuszczalowski]

Umm...I said I believe every one of them has played a part in the problems that are going on w/ the Sabres. Where did the "DR can do no wrong" come from? If I say each of them has played a role, that means Darcy has as well.

i wasn't refering to you with that point, considering you pretty much were agreeing with what I had said

[djwilli3]

I think they will buck the trend and make at least one signing on Day one. I don't know that it will be one of the top name guys, but they will pick up someone. Our need for a top D-man will force the team to make a move, as many of the people we could potentially have been targeting have now been taken off the market. I expect that they will make one move very early, and sign another player in FA rather late, and will resign Miller to a longer extension by the end of the offseason. I think that the rush to resign those top D-Men before the deadline today will force the FO's hand and they will shell out. If they sign one of the top two or three guys out in FA, expect it to be Orpik.

[apuszczalowski]

I think they will buck the trend and make at least one signing on Day one. I don't know that it will be one of the top name guys, but they will pick up someone. Our need for a top D-man will force the team to make a move, as many of the people we could potentially have been targeting have now been taken off the market. I expect that they will make one move very early, and sign another player in FA rather late, and will resign Miller to a longer extension by the end of the offseason. I think that the rush to resign those top D-Men before the deadline today will force the FO's hand and they will shell out. If they sign one of the top two or three guys out in FA, expect it to be Orpik.

Or they could just do like they said they would and be more involved trying to make a trade then sign a FA

 

FA isn't the only way to obtain players

[Bmwolf21]

Or they could just do like they said they would and be more involved trying to make a trade then sign a FA

 

FA isn't the only way to obtain players

Earlier in the offseason he did say something to the effect of being more active in the trade market than free agency.