Trade Target Watch

[TheChimp]

Sorry if I gave you the impression that I actually pay to read Eklund. I don't. I see every one of his rumors posted on one Sabres forum or another.

[Sabretip]

Ray Whitney down in Carolina is a possibility. He is going to be moved without a doubt - veteran player in the last year of his contract playing on a team that's basically already knocked out of the playoffs.

 

I think he could be had for a reasonable price, his experience would be a nice addition, and he certainly would improve our top 6.

 

I would guess for a guy like him that a mid level prospect + 2nd round pick would be close to asking price.

 

Regier's public statements about how great he thinks his own team is may be frustrating to hear but one thing Regier has never done is go back on what he's said. In the WGR interview, he clearly admitted that any trade they make would be for someone who can help them not just this season but at least next season as well. That says to me that he won't trade for a rental that will walk away in the summer or an UFA that he has to work to re-sign like Whitney.

 

With that in mind, players like Andrew Brunette (6'-1", 210 and signed through 2010-11 at $2M although 37 years old), Cory Stillman (Cup winner and signed through 2010-11 at $3.5M although also 37 years old) and John-Michael Liles (signed through 2011-12 at $4.25M & $4.5M but only 30 years old) seem more like the kind of players Regier would target. From what reports out of Florida and Colorado suggest, all three may be had for reasonable returns - maybe along the lines of Stafford, MacArthur or Sekera.

 

Florida rumors also surprisingly suggest that Keith Ballard may be available - if that's true, and since Buffalo originally drafted him, I'd expect Regier to definitely be interested. $4.5M for a 28-year old who's both mobile, a physical defenseman and proven leader is a bargain IMO.

[LabattBlue]

Eklund obviously get a lot of money from Sabres fans.

While I enjoy going to Ek's site strictly for the entertainment value, I have never spent a penny on his site. I am not even sure what you get if you subscribe.

 

We all know that the 99% of what he reports is BS and doesn't come true.

[nobody]

While I enjoy going to Ek's site strictly for the entertainment value, I have never spent a penny on his site. I am not even sure what you get if you subscribe.

 

We all know that the 99% of what he reports is BS and doesn't come true.

 

 

Beyond the subscribers is the money he makes from the ads. So if the stats show that an area or fans of a specific team are hitting his site more often than other areas or teams then you target your comments to that area and team.

[Stoner]

Beyond the subscribers is the money he makes from the ads. So if the stats show that an area or fans of a specific team are hitting his site more often than other areas or teams then you target your comments to that area and team.

 

And then one of minion (minions? dominion?) comes here and posts it?

[inkman]

We all know that the 99% of what he reports is BS and doesn't come true.

You're giving him too much credit.

[inkman]

With that in mind, players like Andrew Brunette (6'-1", 210 and signed through 2010-11 at $2M although 37 years old), Cory Stillman (Cup winner and signed through 2010-11 at $3.5M although also 37 years old) and John-Michael Liles (signed through 2011-12 at $4.25M & $4.5M but only 30 years old) seem more like the kind of players Regier would target. From what reports out of Florida and Colorado suggest, all three may be had for reasonable returns - maybe along the lines of Stafford, MacArthur or Sekera.

If the Sabres are going to take on that kind of salary, something is going to have to be going back. Not sure if the players suggested would be enough $$$ off the cap.

 

Florida rumors also surprisingly suggest that Keith Ballard may be available - if that's true, and since Buffalo originally drafted him, I'd expect Regier to definitely be interested. $4.5M for a 28-year old who's both mobile, a physical defenseman and proven leader is a bargain IMO.

...and so it begins. The first of the "that guy has ties to Buffalo, the Sabres obviously want this player" posts. Todd Marchant, Brian Gionta, Jay McKee, Chris Drury, Danny Briere, J.P. Dumont, Scot Nichol, Marty Biron, Taylor Pyatt, Ryan Callahan, Dan Paille, Brian Campbell, Max Afinogeov, Ales Kotalik, Lee Stempniak, Brooks Orpik, Patrick Kane, Sean O'Donnell want some of this...

[nfreeman]

I probably shouldn't post this, but here is a terribly written, fact-free piece suggesting that the Sabres are working on a trade for Selanne and Koivu. I think I'm posting it to show that Ek isn't the only hockey BS-monger out there.

[nobody]

And then one of minion (minions? dominion?) comes here and posts it?

 

 

And then if a couple of us then go to his site to look at that rumor, even to laugh at it, then he makes a few cents from the ads (I don't know how the numbers work - thousands of hits per penny?)

[Stoner]

I probably shouldn't post this, but here is a terribly written, fact-free piece suggesting that the Sabres are working on a trade for Selanne and Koivu. I think I'm posting it to show that Ek isn't the only hockey BS-monger out there.

 

We're all hockey BS-mongers! The Internet has democratized opinion. Everyone has a voice. You and I could go join The Bleacher Report today.

[Sabretip]

...and so it begins. The first of the "that guy has ties to Buffalo, the Sabres obviously want this player" posts. Todd Marchant, Brian Gionta, Jay McKee, Chris Drury, Danny Briere, J.P. Dumont, Scot Nichol, Marty Biron, Taylor Pyatt, Ryan Callahan, Dan Paille, Brian Campbell, Max Afinogeov, Ales Kotalik, Lee Stempniak, Brooks Orpik, Patrick Kane, Sean O'Donnell want some of this...

 

There's a huge difference between suggesting players will be sought by the Sabres just because they're either born in Buffalo (i.e. Marchant, Stempniak) or former players that were popular (i.e. Biron, McKee) and linking prior draft choices made by management. Ballard was a Regier draft pick and a very-highly touted prospect that never played in Buffalo because he was included in the Reinprecht deal with Colorado that led to the Drury trade subsequently. Regier and his scouts clearly saw enough in Ballard to draft him as their 1st pick in 2002 - the fact that he was traded before ever playing an NHL game doesn't mean the Sabres lost interest in him as much as it says how much he was wanted in return and how much Quinn/Regier wanted Drury. If Ballard never panned out at the NHL level, it would be one thing but Ballard, by most media reports, has become a solid two-way defenseman on two mediocre teams (Phoenix & Florida). He became the leader on defense in Phoenix, contributing offense, being a physical force and fighting to stick up for his teammates.

 

If you want to dispel the idea or dismiss Ballard as a good player, that's your right but don't ignore the fact that Regier has gone after players in the past that he had a hand in drafting (i.e. Dumont, Isles #1 pick in 1996).

[inkman]

If you want to dispel the idea or dismiss Ballard as a good player, that's your right but don't ignore the fact that Regier has gone after players in the past that he had a hand in drafting (i.e. Dumont, Isles #1 pick in 1996).

I'm not hating the player(you), I'm hating the game(internet rumors). Your reasoning isn't terrible and I like him as a player.

[Sabretip]

I'm not hating the player(you), I'm hating the game(internet rumors). Your reasoning isn't terrible and I like him as a player.

 

I know what you mean about the "game" of rumors/theories/etc. getting out of hand. The reality though is that fans and media alike all contribute to it and for those of us rooting for a team like Buffalo, who typically makes little change to player personnel, the resulting frustration from inactivity only heightens the desire to think up possible ways to improve the team. Afterall, aren't 99% of all sports fans "armchair quarterbacks"?

[static70]

If the Sabres are going to take on that kind of salary, something is going to have to be going back. Not sure if the players suggested would be enough $$$ off the cap.

 

 

...and so it begins. The first of the "that guy has ties to Buffalo, the Sabres obviously want this player" posts. Todd Marchant, Brian Gionta, Jay McKee, Chris Drury, Danny Briere, J.P. Dumont, Scot Nichol, Marty Biron, Taylor Pyatt, Ryan Callahan, Dan Paille, Brian Campbell, Max Afinogeov, Ales Kotalik, Lee Stempniak, Brooks Orpik, Patrick Kane, Sean O'Donnell want some of this...

Ya know Ink, If you could assemble a team with some of those names, I would be happy. Here is my list of players, from your list that I would like to "tie" up here in Buffalo.

 

Todd Marchant

Jay McKee

Chris Drury

Danny Briere

J.P. Dumont

Marty Biron

Ryan Callahan

Brian Campbell

Patrick Kane

 

If you can get these guys to come to Buf, I'd be happy :thumbsup:

[inkman]

Ya know Ink, If you could assemble a team with some of those names, I would be happy. Here is my list of players, from your list that I would like to "tie" up here in Buffalo.

 

Todd Marchant

Jay McKee

Chris Drury

Danny Briere

J.P. Dumont

Marty Biron

Ryan Callahan

Brian Campbell

Patrick Kane

 

If you can get these guys to come to Buf, I'd be happy :thumbsup:

To take it one step further, I'd like to see these lines:

Vanek-Drury-Grier

Dumont-Briere-Pominville

Kaleta-Kennedy-Callahan

Marchant-Gaustad-Mair

Myers-Tallinder

Campbell-McKee

Sekera-Weber

[darksabre]

To take it one step further, I'd like to see these lines:

Vanek-Drury-Grier

Dumont-Briere-Pominville

Kaleta-Kennedy-Callahan

Marchant-Gaustad-Mair

Myers-Tallinder

Campbell-McKee

Sekera-Weber

 

I actually kinda like that... :blink:

[static70]

To take it one step further, I'd like to see these lines:

Vanek-Drury-Grier

Dumont-Briere-Pominville

Kaleta-Kennedy-Callahan

Marchant-Gaustad-Mair

Myers-Tallinder

Campbell-McKee

Sekera-Weber

I like it, except for Mair still in the line up. Can't we find a 4th line RWer that isn't Mair :rolleyes:

[nobody]

Afterall, aren't 99% of all sports fans "armchair quarterbacks"?

 

 

I'm an armchair punt coverage team member.

[shrader]

I'm an armchair punt coverage team member.

 

Is there room for an armchair punt catcher?

[LabattBlue]

More entertainment from Ek. How can you do anything but get enjoyment form the stuff he posts...

 

 

...More and more I am hearing the Preds are talking the Devils re: Hamhuis. The Devils need scoring and scoring alone.

 

They just traded for one of the most dynamic offensive players in the game and yet he posts..."The Devils need scoring and scoring alone." Also, what does Hamhuis going to the Devils have to do with scoring?

 

Priceless! :lol:

[Mbossy]

Thanks for that site LB.

 

Looks like Sabres have $5,579,801 in "full year cap" to spend.

 

The question being if DR, and more importantly LQ, are satisfied that this year they make the playoffs without spending more because they don't believe in this years team and are waiting until next year.

[spndnchz]

bump...

 

Dallas claims Brandon Segal on waivers from LA.

 

Rangers put Brashear on waivers. I've read some stuff on him. He was sitting and asked to be traded. I don't see anyone picking up his 1.4 million for this season and next.

[inkman]

bump...

 

Dallas claims Brandon Segal on waivers from LA.

 

Rangers put Brashear on waivers. I've read some stuff on him. He was sitting and asked to be traded. I don't see anyone picking up his 1.4 million for this season and next.

Can the Sabres pick up Brashear and Laraque team them with Grier to form the 36" of fury line?

[darksabre]

Can the Sabres pick up Brashear and Laraque team them with Grier to form the 36" of fury line?

 

:blush:

[inkman]

:blush:

I can hear the opposition now:

 

"I don't know what's going on out there coach, it's like they are playing with two sticks or something."