Craig Rivet is a Sabre

[ROC Sabres]

well yeah if you are going to talk about buying guys out and such they would have had as much money as they needed to go get anyone ... while they were at it why not buy out Tllinder and Lydman too so you can replace them with new guys. I'm trying to deal in reality here as much as possible, we all know they were never buying anyone out.

Even if we were able to buy out their contracts we would still have to pay around 4 mil this year and next so we would be taking about 2 mil off the books. Its not bad but not really enough to make any significant additions.

 

Salary Cap Explained

 

Some nice info for all. :thumbsup:

[SwampD]

They could have which is the frustrating part. Max's $3.5 would have canceled out Rivet's contract. Buying out Connolly would have given some room to help get Orpick signed.. The Sabres go into this season with what may be the softest group of forwards in the league. You can't expect Rivet to fight all their battles for them.

 

As far as Orpick wanting to be play in Buffalo. I'll take the word of his family before any media speculation.

Complain all you want, but Rivet as a Sabre is nothing but a good thing. Could we have gotten Orpik? Maybe, but he said that Buffalo is a place where he would like to play. He also said that he wanted to stay in Pitt. Which is it? Maybe both? Players say alot of things when they are trying to get more money. Because of that one shift in the playoffs, at just under 4mil a year, I think he is now overpayed. Rivet is more of a leader than Orpick and will make the entire defense better. Heck, just by getting rid of Kalinen I think our entire defense will be better.

 

And this soft group of forwards ended up fourth in scoring last year so who cares if they're hitting people or not. I'm actually kind of interested to see what Max is going to do playing for a contract this year. Also buying out Connelly is just dumb. If he can skate(I know, I know) I want to see him on the ice because he is so exciting to watch.

[ROC Sabres]

Also buying out Connelly is just dumb. If he can skate(I know, I know) I want to see him on the ice because he is so exciting to watch.

Since everyone is pretty much on board with Connolly getting hurt this season (as usual), I think we should wait to talk about him til the NHL schedule is announce and then start a thread just for Connolly's Injury Pool. Have it be a buck a game you want to put your marker on and such. Come on admins, lets get moving on this one!

[inkman]

I want to see him on the ice because he is so exciting to watch.

 

It is quite enticing trying to determine which part of his body is next in line to go down.

[SarasotaSabre]

Agreed. When Bernier came in, it was because he offered size, pedigree and more size. I don't think Ruff liked his style. Regardless, they got smaller up front -- yet again. Now Gaustad and Kaleta, two limited talents, must carry the physical play. Mair has to worry about his head and Peters can't track anyone down. Where are the lumbering forwards who are needed on any team? i.e., Hall, Holik, Roberts, blair betts, mayers, etc?

 

Do you have ESP with Ruff? How can you think Ruff didn't like Bernier's "style"? What "style" is that anyways? Word on the street is that Darcy got a heads up an offer sheet was coming, and did a deal to get more in return. I can live with that - if that's the case. If not the case, I would have preferred DR tried to move Kotalik. The supposed rub on Bernier is his "skating" - but who knows if that's the real deal.

[tom webster]

Do you have ESP with Ruff? How can you think Ruff didn't like Bernier's "style"? What "style" is that anyways? Word on the street is that Darcy got a heads up an offer sheet was coming, and did a deal to get more in return. I can live with that - if that's the case. If not the case, I would have preferred DR tried to move Kotalik. The supposed rub on Bernier is his "skating" - but who knows if that's the real deal.

 

According to Bernier's agent, no offer sheet was forthcoming. It appears the move was strictly a salary dump and apparently no one is interested in either Kotalik or Max at this time.

Once again, I love Rivet as a Sabre, but if the budget is so rigid that DR can't surpass even in the off season when no one is actually getting paid, then TG is even more in control then I imagined.

[Stoner]

I have no idea why Darcy is parading around -- as if Rivet is the the next Robert Orr. Rivet is an average defender by any standard. He is a #4 four guy, who is slightly overpaid. On some nights, he is a #2 guy. Hell, ten years ago, you could trade a 3rd rounder for Rivet and a dozen doughnuts. I suppose his value will be to mentor Weber and Butler for three years (to be stay at home physical types). And we owed Wilson a sweetner -- as he lost Campbell to FA. In addition, Wilson is a responsible GM -- and always works for a fair deal. It was good politics.

 

But make no mistake about it, this club still lacks fiber on the backline. Jason Smith is injury prone at this stage of his career. Smith, eight years ago, would have been the right fit. The goal this offseason is/was to protect Miller -- the team's best player (Vanek, sometimes, some will argue Roy). They have NOT done that. Regier needs to cut-bait with the overpaid players (Lydman, Hecht, Afinogenov) and make a move for a dominant rearguard via a trade. There is no reason why this club can't trade a 1st; a TOP prospect (only Gerbe stays); and a 20 goal scoring winger off the lineup (Kotalik!) for a top two (2), physical defender. Orpik was that guy -- at $4 mil. Such a move allows the speedy forwards to fly around and have some protection when "#%^$#! hits the fan" physically. It would not mortgage the future whatsoever. A solid defense, that is mobile, yet sound, creates a solid offense. If they start off the season with this rag-tag crew they got now, with Paetch and Tempo as the subs -- Miller and the fans are going to be pissed by game 25.

 

Remember, this club failed to make the playoff. They are weak around the cage and give up too many rebounds. In addition, they didn't play well in the 3rd period of games. This was due to poor leadership and Ruff's inability to throw someone on the ice with a clear/savvy/calm head. They ran around like chickens with their head's cut off in the 3rd period all season. As such, the goal was/is to get fiber and palyers with moxie and leadership. Rivet is a start. Two more guys are needed. Lydman sits. As does Mair or Paille. The division and conference has gotten MUCH better.

 

This guy's good... scary good. Welcome to the board!

[deluca67]

well yeah if you are going to talk about buying guys out and such they would have had as much money as they needed to go get anyone ... while they were at it why not buy out Tllinder and Lydman too so you can replace them with new guys. I'm trying to deal in reality here as much as possible, we all know they were never buying anyone out.

Do you really equate Max and Connolly to Tallinder and Lydman? The thing that hurt the Sabres most last season is the insane thing that will hurt them this season. Relying on Max and Connolly is going to kill this team again. How many times does the FO have to make the same mistake over and over before they learn.

[X. Benedict]

The division and conference has gotten MUCH better.

 

Welcome aboard. I disagree on this one.

 

Toronto worse. Ottawa worse to even. Montreal will be better. Boston wash.

NYR worse. NJ better. Tampa better. Atlanta wash. Pittsburgh downgraded. Carolina downgrade. NYI who cares?

Florida still has a team. Washington a year older. Philly no better.

[shrader]

According to Bernier's agent, no offer sheet was forthcoming. It appears the move was strictly a salary dump and apparently no one is interested in either Kotalik or Max at this time.

Once again, I love Rivet as a Sabre, but if the budget is so rigid that DR can't surpass even in the off season when no one is actually getting paid, then TG is even more in control then I imagined.

 

I don't see how its a salary dump. They had to move something to get something and their payroll went up with this move. Bernier wasn't going to come close to Rivet's $3.5 million.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

According to Bernier's agent, no offer sheet was forthcoming. It appears the move was strictly a salary dump and apparently no one is interested in either Kotalik or Max at this time.

Once again, I love Rivet as a Sabre, but if the budget is so rigid that DR can't surpass even in the off season when no one is actually getting paid, then TG is even more in control then I imagined.

 

Something is fishy then.....If there was no offer sheet coming, and Darcy couldn't afford to pay him, why did Vancouver give up pretty much what it would cost to sign him to an offer sheet, yet still leave themselves exposed to someone else dropping an offer sheet?

 

Vancouver could have gone up to $2.6 mil and there is NO way Darcy would match the way things sound.

The only benefit Vancouver gets by making this trade is if they think someone is going to offer crazy money for him and they end up getting a 1st and 3rd. Otherwise, wouldn't you make sure a contract was in place before you traded for him?

 

There might be more to the story here....I don't quite know what it is, but don't be shocked if these two teams have another deal go down early this year.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

I just answered my own question. Looks like Bernier's agent negotiated a deal and everyone is trusting everyone else's word. If that is the case...look for $2 millionish per.

 

Nice little article....pretty much what everyone has said.

 

Bernier Deal

[RuffRuff]

This guy's good... scary good. Welcome to the board!

 

 

I don't think much of this post, actually. Scary Off base, if anything. I mean, to not understand the value/importance of Jochen Hecht says a lot. Jochen is going nowhere, and for good reason.

[X. Benedict]

I just answered my own question. Looks like Bernier's agent negotiated a deal and everyone is trusting everyone else's word. If that is the case...look for $2 millionish per.

 

Nice little article....pretty much what everyone has said.

 

Bernier Deal

 

Where is the part about an offer sheet?

 

What deal are you talking about?

 

 

There were rumours Bernier would sign an offer sheet, but Lupien said that was never in the plans.

 

"I don't work like that," said Lupien

[Stoner]

I don't think much of this post, actually. Scary Off base, if anything. I mean, to not understand the value/importance of Jochen Hecht says a lot. Jochen is going nowhere, and for good reason.

 

You don't have to agree with everything this poster said -- I just thought it was refreshing. Fresh meat, I guess.

 

Agree about Hecht. He was The Next Captain Clutch for awhile there last season.

[tom webster]

I don't see how its a salary dump. They had to move something to get something and their payroll went up with this move. Bernier wasn't going to come close to Rivet's $3.5 million.

 

 

Salary dump in the sense that Darcy's budget is somewhere between 48 and 50 (we don't know if its cash or cap, LQ is pretty crafty with his words so you can't pin him down) and he apparently is afraid that he won't be able to dump Max so if he signed all three RFA's at market price, Rivet would put them over. Sorry for the jumbled run on sentence but I think you know what I mean.

Also, while they say differently, I still think there is a move or two left before camp and don't be surprised to see Spacek involved.

[R_Dudley]

Wow I like this though...

 

 

And here he tunes up the superpest Steve Ott...

 

 

:thumbsup: Definitely haven't seen that on the team in some time and if he's the team player they say maybe he can get some of the kids to follow his toughness lead.....

[jad1]

Salary dump in the sense that Darcy's budget is somewhere between 48 and 50 (we don't know if its cash or cap, LQ is pretty crafty with his words so you can't pin him down) and he apparently is afraid that he won't be able to dump Max so if he signed all three RFA's at market price, Rivet would put them over. Sorry for the jumbled run on sentence but I think you know what I mean.

Also, while they say differently, I still think there is a move or two left before camp and don't be surprised to see Spacek involved.

 

I still don't see this as a salary dump. If you look at the depth chart, Bernier is listed at LW, even though his natural position is RW. That means, whether we agree with it or not, the Sabres coaching staff believes that Stafford, Pomminstein, Kotalik, and Afinogenov are all better RWs than Bernier.

 

Regier has repeatedly stated that the team is willing to sacrifice forwards to improve the defense, and they are loaded at the RW position. Bernier's poor production at LW and inability to keep up with the Sabres skating style, helps to make him expendable.

 

I know most don't agree, but this seems like a hockey decision. Move a guy who is still more potential than production, who's salary demands won't meet his place in the depth chart, in order to sign a player who could become the #1 defenseman on the team (if Tallinder continues his lousy play).

[R_Dudley]

Is it sad that Rivet has just about as many YouTube fight vidoes as Peters and he actually won more of his?

 

At least Rivets were from last year Peter's are from how many years ago . :rolleyes:

[carpandean]

I still don't see this as a salary dump. If you look at the depth chart, Bernier is listed at LW, even though his natural position is RW. That means, whether we agree with it or not, the Sabres coaching staff believes that Stafford, Pomminstein, Kotalik, and Afinogenov are all better RWs than Bernier.

Stafford and Pominville, they probably believe are better, but the other two also have contracts attached to them that make them difficult to trade off. Clearly, if they could have, they would have traded Max instead. Kotalik is more a borderline case, bringing 20+ goals and consistent SO performance, but also never really playing as well as you'd hope. It sounds like they weren't convinced that Bernier would be better than two or three of them and couldn't find a taker for Max.

[SwampD]

Welcome aboard. I disagree on this one.

 

Toronto worse. Ottawa worse to even. Montreal will be better. Boston wash.

NYR worse. NJ better. Tampa better. Atlanta wash. Pittsburgh downgraded. Carolina downgrade. NYI who cares?

Florida still has a team. Washington a year older. Philly no better.

:thumbsup: to everything you said. Exactly what I was thinking.

[tom webster]

I still don't see this as a salary dump. If you look at the depth chart, Bernier is listed at LW, even though his natural position is RW. That means, whether we agree with it or not, the Sabres coaching staff believes that Stafford, Pomminstein, Kotalik, and Afinogenov are all better RWs than Bernier.

 

Regier has repeatedly stated that the team is willing to sacrifice forwards to improve the defense, and they are loaded at the RW position. Bernier's poor production at LW and inability to keep up with the Sabres skating style, helps to make him expendable.

 

I know most don't agree, but this seems like a hockey decision. Move a guy who is still more potential than production, who's salary demands won't meet his place in the depth chart, in order to sign a player who could become the #1 defenseman on the team (if Tallinder continues his lousy play).

 

Bernier's agent was quoted as saying that Reiger told him he had to move salary. Its not my opinion. I believe, as apparently you do, that Bernier was going to be the odd man out, but clearly he would have gotten the chance to compete except for the fact that Darcy is apparently under strict guidelines as far as budget.

[tom webster]

Welcome aboard. I disagree on this one.

 

Toronto worse. Ottawa worse to even. Montreal will be better. Boston wash.

NYR worse. NJ better. Tampa better. Atlanta wash. Pittsburgh downgraded. Carolina downgrade. NYI who cares?

Florida still has a team. Washington a year older. Philly no better.

 

 

"X" you know how much I respect you, but I don't get how Pittsburgh and NYR are more then marginally downgraded if at all.

 

Pittsburgh kept their defense, Fleury should be even better, Satan should at least mimic Hossa's regular season production and no one is even close down the middle upfront.

The Rangers added Naslund, Zherdev and Fritsche upfront plus a year older Dubinsky and while Redden may be over paid, he should be an upgrade.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

Where is the part about an offer sheet?

 

What deal are you talking about?

 

If you read the whole article, Bernier's agent says it isn't his style to sign an offer sheet. It looks like Vancouver was interested, Darcy said they could move him, and the agent hooked the two parties up as a match without the blackmail of an offer sheet. It sounds like he has a contract pretty much worked out by word from Gillis. If nobody trusted each other, Vancouver would have signed him to an offer sheet and called it a day.

[Two or less]

"X" you know how much I respect you, but I don't get how Pittsburgh and NYR are more then marginally downgraded if at all.

 

Pittsburgh kept their defense, Fleury should be even better, Satan should at least mimic Hossa's regular season production and no one is even close down the middle upfront.

The Rangers added Naslund, Zherdev and Fritsche upfront plus a year older Dubinsky and while Redden may be over paid, he should be an upgrade.

 

Naslund and Zherdev are nothing but 2nd liners. However, they lost Avery, Shanahan AND Jagr. Kinda hard to replace those guys. And they did add Redden, but they lost Malik and Mara. I know Redden is way better then either of those two, but still, that's alot of ice time lost.

 

As for Pittsburgh, i think you may be right. They lost alot, but they kept their core and as long as they have their defense, MA Fluery, Sid the kid and Malkin, they will be competitive, not to mention Fedetenko, Satan, Cooke are all solid role players to have. I do believe Pittsburgh improved.