Miller and Pominville are your two big signings for next year...

[LabattBlue]

For those thinking that the Sabres are going to have all kind of cap space next year by jettisoning Connolly, Kotalik and Max(cap hit 8.55 mil combined), think again. Pominville & Miller's contracts kick in next year and have a combined cap hit of 7.8 mil higher than this year. Plus you have to deal with the RFA status for MacArthur, Stafford, Kaleta and Sekera. If you choose to send Spacek packing also, you have 3.3 mil to play with, but other than that, expect Weber, Kennedy & Gerbe to be on the roster at the beginning of next year and maybe one new blueliner to replace Spacek, and Weber replaces the Marlboro Man.

 

I actually would not be surprised to see Darcy attempt to sign Connolly to a new contract in the range of 2 to 2.5 mil per year with the spin that his injuries were a fluke.

[R_Dudley]

For those thinking that the Sabres are going to have all kind of cap space next year by jettisoning Connolly, Kotalik and Max(cap hit 8.55 mil combined), think again. Pominville & Miller's contracts kick in next year and have a combined cap hit of 7.8 mil higher than last year. Plus you have to deal with the RFA status for MacArthur, Stafford, Kaleta and Sekera. If you choose to send Spacek packing also, you have 3.3 mil to play with, but other than that, expect Weber, Kennedy & Gerbe to be on the roster at the beginning of next year and maybe one new blueliner to replace Spacek and Weber replace the Marlboro Man.

 

I actually would not be surprised to see Darcy attempt to sign Connolly to a new contract in the range of 2 to 2.5 mil per year with the spin that his injuries were a fluke.

 

 

Lets also factor in that right now in the current economic climate predictions are stating that the Cap will be going down next year. So with this teams Business model and economic uncertainty I am not expecting any major signings.

The DR "Changes will have to come from within" comment past week becomes very telling...... Hope the kids are ready...

[nfreeman]

For those thinking that the Sabres are going to have all kind of cap space next year by jettisoning Connolly, Kotalik and Max(cap hit 8.55 mil combined), think again. Pominville & Miller's contracts kick in next year and have a combined cap hit of 7.8 mil higher than this year. Plus you have to deal with the RFA status for MacArthur, Stafford, Kaleta and Sekera. If you choose to send Spacek packing also, you have 3.3 mil to play with, but other than that, expect Weber, Kennedy & Gerbe to be on the roster at the beginning of next year and maybe one new blueliner to replace Spacek, and Weber replaces the Marlboro Man.

 

I actually would not be surprised to see Darcy attempt to sign Connolly to a new contract in the range of 2 to 2.5 mil per year with the spin that his injuries were a fluke.

There is zero chance that we re-sign Connolly at anything above $1MM per year -- and only a 3% chance of that.

 

As for cap space -- it's the cash outlay number that is most relevant, not cap space, since the Sabres are and will continue to be well below the cap. Either way, I would expect them to try to dump Tallinder as well -- that's another $3.25MM. And Vanek's salary drops by $1.6MM next year as well. So, as I posted in another thread recently, dumping Tallinder and not re-signing any of the UFAs would give them about $6.5MM in cash to bring in 1-2 veteran impact players. Not enough for Hossa, but enough for 1 or 2 good players.

[R_Dudley]

There is zero chance that we re-sign Connolly at anything above $1MM per year -- and only a 3% chance of that.

 

As for cap space -- it's the cash outlay number that is most relevant, not cap space, since the Sabres are and will continue to be well below the cap. Either way, I would expect them to try to dump Tallinder as well -- that's another $3.25MM. And Vanek's salary drops by $1.6MM next year as well. So, as I posted in another thread recently, dumping Tallinder and not re-signing any of the UFAs would give them about $6.5MM in cash to bring in 1-2 veteran impact players. Not enough for Hossa, but enough for 1 or 2 good players.

 

Man I hope I hope your right, :thumbsup: With the right couple of players and a few kids making the jump and a little more experience for a couple of the boys already here and this team has a chance to show some solid improvement..

[deluca67]

For those thinking that the Sabres are going to have all kind of cap space next year by jettisoning Connolly, Kotalik and Max(cap hit 8.55 mil combined), think again. Pominville & Miller's contracts kick in next year and have a combined cap hit of 7.8 mil higher than this year. Plus you have to deal with the RFA status for MacArthur, Stafford, Kaleta and Sekera. If you choose to send Spacek packing also, you have 3.3 mil to play with, but other than that, expect Weber, Kennedy & Gerbe to be on the roster at the beginning of next year and maybe one new blueliner to replace Spacek, and Weber replaces the Marlboro Man.

 

I actually would not be surprised to see Darcy attempt to sign Connolly to a new contract in the range of 2 to 2.5 mil per year with the spin that his injuries were a fluke.

The only way Tiny Timmy is back next season is if Timmy and Darcy are secret lovers. :thumbdown:

[shrader]

Unless one of those RFAs suddenly starts lighting up opposing goalies (stafford and MacArthur), none of them will be too much of an issue. Obviously Kaleta will remain well south of the million dollar mark. Sekera will get a nice raise, but he'll still be under a very affordable rate.

 

Come one Blue, no mention of the space opened up by the impending free agency of Andrew Peters? :D

Wait, he'll probably be back anyway.

[inkman]

I actually would not be surprised to see Darcy attempt to sign Connolly to a new contract in the range of 2 to 2.5 mil per year with the spin that his injuries were a fluke.

I want to fight you. :angry:

[tom webster]

For those thinking that the Sabres are going to have all kind of cap space next year by jettisoning Connolly, Kotalik and Max(cap hit 8.55 mil combined), think again. Pominville & Miller's contracts kick in next year and have a combined cap hit of 7.8 mil higher than this year. Plus you have to deal with the RFA status for MacArthur, Stafford, Kaleta and Sekera. If you choose to send Spacek packing also, you have 3.3 mil to play with, but other than that, expect Weber, Kennedy & Gerbe to be on the roster at the beginning of next year and maybe one new blueliner to replace Spacek, and Weber replaces the Marlboro Man.

 

I actually would not be surprised to see Darcy attempt to sign Connolly to a new contract in the range of 2 to 2.5 mil per year with the spin that his injuries were a fluke.

 

My calculations concur with Free that they will have roughly $3 million to $5 million to play with depending on what they do with Spacek and Tallinder and assuming that Weber, Butler, Gerbe and maybe Kennedy are part of the team. MacArthur and Kaleta won't have much impact on the cap at all and I actually expect Clarke to be gone at the deadline if the Sabres are buyers.

As for Duds assertion again that the cap will go down next year. no one expects the cap to drop next year, it is the 10/11 year that could see a significant drop and even then Buffalo would be close to what it is expected to drop to.

[tom webster]

Another way to add that center we all think they need is to find someone that doesn't think they gave Hecht too much money. As most of you know, this is my new "I'm gonna beat it to death topic".

Get a $5 million center and a $1.5 million veteran defensive forward and get rid of Jochen.

[LabattBlue]

I want to fight you. :angry:

Fight Darcy. I seriously wouldn't put it past him thinking he could "steal" Connolly by signing him to a lesser contract.

[Chief Enabler]

I do believe that by the time summer rolls around, the economy shall reveal some realisitc numbers amongst the NHL community. Just a forethought <_<

[stenbaro]

Another way to add that center we all think they need is to find someone that doesn't think they gave Hecht too much money. As most of you know, this is my new "I'm gonna beat it to death topic".

Get a $5 million center and a $1.5 million veteran defensive forward and get rid of Jochen.

I'm all for adding Lydman to that also..

[apuszczalowski]

Fight Darcy. I seriously wouldn't put it past him thinking he could "steal" Connolly by signing him to a lesser contract.

Im with you on that, I can see Darcy re-signing Timmy (maybe to a lower rate as a deal for him stealing that $3 mil a year from the Sabres for the last 3 years) Sayingthat he is healthy and that the injuries are behind him, cause if he is healthy, he can be a great player and will be a steal!

[nfreeman]

Another way to add that center we all think they need is to find someone that doesn't think they gave Hecht too much money. As most of you know, this is my new "I'm gonna beat it to death topic".

Get a $5 million center and a $1.5 million veteran defensive forward and get rid of Jochen.

I don't disagree that $3.525MM (average per year) is a bit too much for Yo-yo. I think $2.5MM is about right for him (maybe $3MM if he were to score 20 consistently like he did last year). However, I wouldn't want to get rid of him either. This team just seems to me like a bunch of soft kids without enough adult supervision. Hecht is one of the few grownups. He's also a good all-around player. Now, if we brought in 3-4 other good veterans, OK. But that isn't going to happen.

[Kristian]

I do believe that by the time summer rolls around, the economy shall reveal some realisitc numbers amongst the NHL community. Just a forethought <_<

 

But to think that's a good thing for us, is something entirely different.

 

If the cap goes down, what makes us believe our self-imposed cap won't follow suit?

[Claude Balls]

Well it's a damn good thing Miller and Pommers are playing up to their new contracts. I would hate to see the Sabres overpaying for anyone.

 

And if DR brings Tin Man back, he is going to have to give the trainers monster raises for all the extra time they spend working on his broken ass.

[carpandean]

I'm all for adding Lydman to that also..

If he plays like he has been this year, I'd prefer to keep him for next year. Just so long as he never plays with Tallinder again.

[JohnRobertEichel]

Do we really NEED a big name free agent signing? Aside from a reliable defensive center, what glaring roster holes are there that can only be filled from outside the organization? Replace Spacek, Numminen, Connolly, and Afinogenov with Butler, Weber, Gerbe, and a reasonably priced free agent center to get this 2009-10 roster:

 

Miller

Lalime

 

Rivet-Lydman

Tallinder-Sekera

Butler-Weber

Paetsch

 

Vanek-Roy-Stafford

Hecht-free agent center-Pominville

Gerbe-MacArthur-Kotalik

Paille-Gaustad-Kaleta

Peters-Mair

 

With another year of experience and some forward line stability, this would be a perfectly affordable roster than can make the playoffs and provide a reasonable challenge for the Stanley Cup. Just my opinion, though. What's yours?

[Kristian]

Do we really NEED a big name free agent signing?

 

Nope, a Mike Sillinger type player would suffice, IMHO.

 

Face-off specialist, good defensively, experienced, reasonably mobile, not afraid to lay a hit once in a while, and with reasonable skills offensively.

 

Definitely doesn't need to be someone who'll light the lamp 30 times a year.

 

Wouldn't mind Stu Barnes back one bit either.

[Chief Enabler]

But to think that's a good thing for us, is something entirely different.

 

If the cap goes down, what makes us believe our self-imposed cap won't follow suit?

Right, it wouldnt change our philosophy of signing our own. The Campbells, Brieres, and Drurys would still get monster money from the markets. I dont see anyone on the horizon worthy or to be stressed about signing on the Sabres anytime soon. The conversation will continue once the 2nd, 3rd and 4th lines start scoring.

[K-9]

When TC comes back, averages a point a game, and has this team headed to the playoffs as the hottest team in the league come late March, I want all you haters to make formal apologies. Hand written in your best penmanship.

 

GO SABRES!!!

[shrader]

Do we really NEED a big name free agent signing? Aside from a reliable defensive center, what glaring roster holes are there that can only be filled from outside the organization? Replace Spacek, Numminen, Connolly, and Afinogenov with Butler, Weber, Gerbe, and a reasonably priced free agent center to get this 2009-10 roster:

 

Miller

Lalime

 

Rivet-Lydman

Tallinder-Sekera

Butler-Weber

Paetsch

 

Vanek-Roy-Stafford

Hecht-free agent center-Pominville

Gerbe-MacArthur-Kotalik

Paille-Gaustad-Kaleta

Peters-Mair

 

With another year of experience and some forward line stability, this would be a perfectly affordable roster than can make the playoffs and provide a reasonable challenge for the Stanley Cup. Just my opinion, though. What's yours?

 

 

Since we're talking about the future roster, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see Mancari on the roster full time. Obviously he'll never go back to Portland following this season, so he's either traded or a part of the 24 man roster.

 

And I've never really been one to mess around with defensive pairings all that much, and I don't know how the right-handed/left-handed deal works out with those 6, but I'd be very curious to see Rivet skate with Butler instead of pairing up the two kids.

[nucci]

When TC comes back, averages a point a game, and has this team headed to the playoffs as the hottest team in the league come late March, I want all you haters to make formal apologies. Hand written in your best penmanship.

 

GO SABRES!!!

What do we get when it doesn't happen?

[That Aud Smell]

And if DR brings Tin Man back, he is going to have to give the trainers monster raises for all the extra time they spend working on his broken ass.

wait, now it's his ass that's injured?

 

When TC comes back

who?

 

:rolleyes:

 

What do we get when it doesn't happen?

another year of your team missing the playoffs. :death:

[Kristian]

When TC comes back, averages a point a game, and has this team headed to the playoffs as the hottest team in the league come late March, I want all you haters to make formal apologies. Hand written in your best penmanship.

 

GO SABRES!!!

 

Do you draft up one next time he plays three games, and goes on IR again then?