Trade Target Watch

[nfreeman]

So, the "bottom three," whom I like, are Souray, Moreau, and Turco. Moreau will be expensive (he's under kx for another year at 1.75, so figure on a prospect or a current player and a decent pick, or more); Souray probably less expensive, and Turco, even less.

I'll say no thanks on Souray -- he's got a nice slapper, but that's about it, and he's under contract for $5.4MM per year for 2 more years after this one. I wouldn't be opposed if he were a pure rental, but that contract puts him into NFW status for me (and, I'd guess, for Darcy).

[LabattBlue]

I'll say no thanks on Souray -- he's got a nice slapper, but that's about it, and he's under contract for $5.4MM per year for 2 more years after this one. I wouldn't be opposed if he were a pure rental, but that contract puts him into NFW status for me (and, I'd guess, for Darcy).

Thank you. In addition to this, he was never known to be above average in his own end.

[bottlecap]

Thank you. In addition to this, he was never known to be above average in his own end.

 

plus he's got zero powerplay goals this year...

 

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=307761

[Eleven]

I'll say no thanks on Souray -- he's got a nice slapper, but that's about it, and he's under contract for $5.4MM per year for 2 more years after this one. I wouldn't be opposed if he were a pure rental, but that contract puts him into NFW status for me (and, I'd guess, for Darcy).

 

Should have done my research on his contract--you're right, and he's off my list.

 

Moreau and Turco, I still like though.

[spndnchz]

I'll say no thanks on Souray -- he's got a nice slapper, but that's about it, and he's under contract for $5.4MM per year for 2 more years after this one. I wouldn't be opposed if he were a pure rental, but that contract puts him into NFW status for me (and, I'd guess, for Darcy).

 

He's 4.5 but still too much for him. As I said before I'd rather trade for Joni Pitkanen. UFA in 11-12, 4.5 next year. Killer on the PP.

[LabattBlue]

Should have done my research on his contract--you're right, and he's off my list.

 

Moreau and Turco, I still like though.

I am not a fan of rentals as previously stated, but if the organization had their mind made up that this team could make a serious run and didn't want to take on any contracts long term, Torres or Cullen, and Corvo(If he is ready to play by March 1st) would be nice additions. They are all UFA's after this season.

[Mbossy]

Souray gives his "list of teams" to Edmonton.

 

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=307623

 

He's too much money for Sabres. The Kotalik has been syndrome.

 

I highly doubt Buffalo is on that list. His family is on the West coast and he's already said that family comes before hockey..

[nfreeman]

He's 4.5 but still too much for him. As I said before I'd rather trade for Joni Pitkanen. UFA in 11-12, 4.5 next year. Killer on the PP.

You're right that salary is $4.5MM and that it's too much. $5.4MM is the cap hit, which is still relevant though given how close the Sabres have been to the cap.

[weehawk]

You must not follow Carolina very well. Aaron Ward is spat upon in public around here. He is one of the worst players on the team other than Brind Amour. If you're thinking about getting rid of Montador for Ward, that could be an even trade. They both suck.

 

 

 

In Carolina, the UFA choices are: Ray Whitney, Matt Cullen, Scott Walker, Stephane Yelle, Joe Corvo, Aaron Ward, Niclas Wallin, Manny Legace

 

 

My interests are bolded..

[X. Benedict]

I'll say no thanks on Souray -- he's got a nice slapper, but that's about it, and he's under contract for $5.4MM per year for 2 more years after this one. I wouldn't be opposed if he were a pure rental, but that contract puts him into NFW status for me (and, I'd guess, for Darcy).

 

Souray would help the powerplay but kill the pairings.

 

I think Rivet is too old to cover for him these days unlike their time in Montreal.

[SabresFan526]

I know that everyone on here will reject this idea, but I kind of would not mind bringing Kotalik back. Now, please don't interpret that to mean that I am strongly in favor of it and that Kotalik puts this team over the top into Stanley Cup contention. No, I'm not delusional enough to think that. But, he does bring a skillset that is missing from this team. He certainly can help the PP, obviously he's great on the shootouts, and he's pretty diverse and can play all 3 forward positions, and surprisingly is pretty good on faceoffs, which this team needs help with aside from Gaustad. He's also a pretty consistent 20 goal scorer. Since he cannot get on the ice with the Rangers and Tortorella hates him, maybe there's a way for the Sabres to trade impending waiver UFAs such as Paetsch or Mair so that the Rangers can simply get rid of Kotalik's contract. I would not even give up a draft pick or prospect or anything else. I would only give the Rangers one of the Sabres impending UFAs whom they have zero intention of re-signing such as Paetsch. I would even ask the Rangers to throw in an additional draft pick since the Sabres would be doing them a favor by taking on Kotalik's contract. The only problem, aside from the fact he cannot play a lick of defense and refuses to use his big body to play physically, is that Kotalik is signed for 2 more years after this year. I'd take Kotalik as a rental, but not for 2 more years after this year, and that's a problem.

 

If I'm Darcy, I'd really focus on going after Whitney or Cullen. I would prefer Whitney over Cullen since Whitney is a better scorer, but Cullen is pretty good on faceoffs and that will be important come playoff time. I still would like to get one more defenseman to be a PP QB. I'd like Liles, but he might be too expensive. Zidlicky is probably the best option and is a UFA after this year, but I think the asking price will be increasing for him as we near the deadline.

 

Either way, I'm waiting for this offseason when the Rangers buyout Drury's contract giving them enough cap space to sign Kovalchuk, allowing the Sabres to sign Drury for a 1 or 2 year deal for $2 million. Since he'll still be getting paid like $4-5 million from the Rangers as part of the buyout, the Sabres could easily pony up $2 million for Drury. I would not be surprised at all if that happened because he absolutely sucks for the Rangers and Rangers fans hate him. I have no idea how he's even an Olympian. Having said all that, I'd still take him back in Buffalo.

[X. Benedict]

I know that everyone on here will reject this idea, but I kind of would not mind bringing Kotalik back. Now, please don't interpret that to mean that I am strongly in favor of it and that Kotalik puts this team over the top into Stanley Cup contention. No, I'm not delusional enough to think that. But, he does bring a skillset that is missing from this team. He certainly can help the PP, obviously he's great on the shootouts, and he's pretty diverse and can play all 3 forward positions, and surprisingly is pretty good on faceoffs, which this team needs help with aside from Gaustad. He's also a pretty consistent 20 goal scorer. Since he cannot get on the ice with the Rangers and Tortorella hates him, maybe there's a way for the Sabres to trade impending waiver UFAs such as Paetsch or Mair so that the Rangers can simply get rid of Kotalik's contract. I would not even give up a draft pick or prospect or anything else. I would only give the Rangers one of the Sabres impending UFAs whom they have zero intention of re-signing such as Paetsch. I would even ask the Rangers to throw in an additional draft pick since the Sabres would be doing them a favor by taking on Kotalik's contract. The only problem, aside from the fact he cannot play a lick of defense and refuses to use his big body to play physically, is that Kotalik is signed for 2 more years after this year. I'd take Kotalik as a rental, but not for 2 more years after this year, and that's a problem.

 

 

 

What one or two players would you be willing to dump to make room for Kotalik's 3M salary?

 

I don't think anyone sniffs him. I wouldn't be surprised if he is waived though.

[SabresFan526]

What one or two players would you be willing to dump to make room for Kotalik's 3M salary?

 

I don't think anyone sniffs him. I wouldn't be surprised if he is waived though.

Paetsch and Mair. Since the Sabres waived both guys, I find it hard to believe that they plan on re-signing either one of them after the season is over. I would not get rid of Lydman since he actually brings a lot more trade value than either Paetsch and Mair who both cleared waivers. Hence, I'd simply give them Paetsch and Mair and ask for a 4th round pick in return in addition to taking Kotalik's contract off their hands. Again, this is hypothetical, and more something to consider than something I'm fervently in favor of.

[Calvin]

Paetsch and Mair. Since the Sabres waived both guys, I find it hard to believe that they plan on re-signing either one of them after the season is over. I would not get rid of Lydman since he actually brings a lot more trade value than either Paetsch and Mair who both cleared waivers. Hence, I'd simply give them Paetsch and Mair and ask for a 4th round pick in return in addition to taking Kotalik's contract off their hands. Again, this is hypothetical, and more something to consider than something I'm fervently in favor of.

I doubt the Rangers need players like Paetsch and Mair.. their defense core is pretty young and getting better with Del Zotto and Gilroy, and they have dime-a-dozen scrappers among forwards like Doobie and Higgins and Avery and Brashear..

[Eleven]

What one or two players would you be willing to dump to make room for Kotalik's 3M salary?

 

I don't think anyone sniffs him. I wouldn't be surprised if he is waived though.

 

There's already 1.8 in space according to NHL Numbers. I like this idea if we get him sooner rather than later, since he's a shootout specialist. Paetsch can go, as can a couple of other guys, IMO (I have Stafford in my sights, lately).

[LabattBlue]

I know that everyone on here will reject this idea, but I kind of would not mind bringing Kotalik back.

:sick:

[SabresFan526]

I doubt the Rangers need players like Paetsch and Mair.. their defense core is pretty young and getting better with Del Zotto and Gilroy, and they have dime-a-dozen scrappers among forwards like Doobie and Higgins and Avery and Brashear..

It's not an issue of needing players. Totally hypothetical, but if the Rangers made that trade, they get about $1.5 million in cap relief because both Paetsch and Mair combined make about $1.5 million less than Kotalik makes. Additionally, both Paetsch and Mair are impending UFAs whereas Kotalik is signed for 2 more years after this year. Since Kotalik is a consistent healthy scratch, it does not look like he will ever see the ice again as a NY Ranger. The Sabres would be doing a huge favor to the Rangers by helping them get out of that horrible contract, and the Sabres get a guy who they know well and can contribute for them in shootouts and on the PP and probably can play on the 4th line with Kennedy and Kaleta or Kennedy and MacArthur or Kennedy and Ellis. I think it could work out, but I would not be disheartened if the Sabres didn't do it either.

[Two or less]

Definitely no to Kotalik. Not even sure why he was even brought up? Shootout specialist?

 

He was traded away from us for a reason. It wasn't because we HAD to land Dominic Moore. They just didn't like Alko on the team for whatever reasons. Maybe because he's lazy? He was criticized for being lazy in Buffalo. And he's said to be lazy for the NY Rangers and which is why he's benched so often. Sabres need to bring in guys who are good puck possession players. Someone with size. Someone who can score. Some type of leader.

[SabresFan526]

:sick:

Like I said before, I'm just kind of throwing the idea out there. I would not be too disappointed if it didn't happen. I think he would upgrade the 4th line a little bit, can easily move up to a scoring line if there are any injuries, and of course add value on the PP and in shootouts. It's not a move that wins the Stanley Cup, but I think it might make the team a little better.

[SabresFan526]

Also, just to make my point of view clear here, I'd take Petr Sykora who likes like he will be available pretty soon since he refuses to report to the AHL over Kotalik.

[Calvin]

I know Bernier didn't have the greatest time out here for the short time we had, but would Bernier over Stafford be worth it?

[bottlecap]

if Bflo makes a deadline deal this year, I hope it isn't for guys like Zubrus, Moore and Bernier, players with inflated reputations who are in truth mediocre, obviously didn't push them over the top and left the team immediately after they were eliminated. If they're going to get someone who's going to leave, they need one or two real difference makers like a Whitney or a Tkachuk or a Selanne and not any of these mediocre role players without giving up the house.. Sabres need some star power to keep up with the Washingtons, the San Joses and about 4-5 other teams...The scoring is too inconsistent and they need to put someone else with Vanek.

[nfreeman]

I know that everyone on here will reject this idea, but I kind of would not mind bringing Kotalik back.

If this had come from almost anyone else on this board, I'd be asking whether you were on drugs. Still: is something going on we should know about?

 

I don't think anyone sniffs him. I wouldn't be surprised if he is waived though.

+1

 

I know Bernier didn't have the greatest time out here for the short time we had, but would Bernier over Stafford be worth it?

This is an interesting question. I think when the Sabres traded him, DR felt like he had to choose 2 out of Paille, Stafford and Bernier, and Bernier was odd man out. I wonder whether DR would make a different decision if he could go back and do it again.

[LabattBlue]

This is an interesting question. I think when the Sabres traded him, DR felt like he had to choose 2 out of Paille, Stafford and Bernier, and Bernier was odd man out. I wonder whether DR would make a different decision if he could go back and do it again.

If DR had anything to do over again, I wonder if he would have chosen(or was offered) a different player other than Bernier. Setoguchi? Clowe? Someone else?

[inkman]

Either way, I'm waiting for this offseason when the Rangers buyout Drury's contract giving them enough cap space to sign Kovalchuk, allowing the Sabres to sign Drury for a 1 or 2 year deal for $2 million. Since he'll still be getting paid like $4-5 million from the Rangers as part of the buyout, the Sabres could easily pony up $2 million for Drury. I would not be surprised at all if that happened because he absolutely sucks for the Rangers and Rangers fans hate him. I have no idea how he's even an Olympian. Having said all that, I'd still take him back in Buffalo.

I think Chris Drury has WAAAAYYY to much pride (perhaps even ego) to don a Sabres uniform again, at least under Darcy, Larry and OSP. He felt slighted by the negotiations and will hold it against them indefinitley.