Assessing the Roster

[theend]

Lots of people are clamoring for a trade or for some spark to create a difference in this team. But I think many are realizing Darcy probably can't make many moves with what he has. That being said (let's not get into a discussion over previous bad decisions, or whether or not trades are possible), here's the FA situation for this offseason:

 

UFA's - Lalime, Lydman, Tallinder, Paetsch, Grier, Ellis, Mair

RFA's - Kennedy, Kaleta, MacArthur

 

Minors:

 

UFA's - DiPenta, Cowan, McCormick

RFA's - Weber, Gragnani, Mancari, Gogulla, Lamoreux, Whitmore, Kostka, Generous

 

Who do you re-sign? Who do you not? Who do you bring up from the minors? What positions do you go after in FA?

[Onceagain]

UFAs must sign: Grier, Tallinder. The rest can go...

RFAs will mostly likely be retained cheaply...

[Simpson8]

UFA's - Tallinder, Grier

RFA's - Kaleta, Mac

 

Minors I dont know much about but would like to see some more of Weber

 

Main position in FA would be Center. They need to get rid of Roy, this guy is uninspired. They need a stud center/playmaker (like Drury was when he was here) for Vanek to play with.

[Sabretip]

Lots of people are clamoring for a trade or for some spark to create a difference in this team. But I think many are realizing Darcy probably can't make many moves with what he has. That being said (let's not get into a discussion over previous bad decisions, or whether or not trades are possible), here's the FA situation for this offseason:

 

UFA's - Lalime, Lydman, Tallinder, Paetsch, Grier, Ellis, Mair

RFA's - Kennedy, Kaleta, MacArthur

 

Minors:

 

UFA's - DiPenta, Cowan, McCormick

RFA's - Weber, Gragnani, Mancari, Gogulla, Lamoreux, Whitmore, Kostka, Generous

 

Who do you re-sign? Who do you not? Who do you bring up from the minors? What positions do you go after in FA?

 

My hunch is that the Sabres will push to re-sign Grier, Tallinder and Ellis - but may end up being outbid by other teams on Tallinder. Ellis is a low cost, low maintenance Ruff-favorite so he seems a likely return, and Grier is obviously acknowledged as having made a difference this year.

 

I think Lydman will be let go in an effort to devote more money on Tallinder and give Weber a full-time spot in Lydman's place next season.

 

Kennedy and Kaleta are no-brainers to be re-signed. If the Sabres can't find a taker in MacArthur in some offseason deal (my preference would be to dump him ASAP), I could see the Sabres bringing him back at the same price. If MacArthur's agent argues his stats for a big raise, I hope the Sabres will be smart enough to walk away and not retain him.

[FearTheReaper]

My hunch is that the Sabres will push to re-sign Grier, Tallinder and Ellis - but may end up being outbid by other teams on Tallinder. Ellis is a low cost, low maintenance Ruff-favorite so he seems a likely return, and Grier is obviously acknowledged as having made a difference this year.

 

I think Lydman will be let go in an effort to devote more money on Tallinder and give Weber a full-time spot in Lydman's place next season.

 

Kennedy and Kaleta are no-brainers to be re-signed. If the Sabres can't find a taker in MacArthur in some offseason deal (my preference would be to dump him ASAP), I could see the Sabres bringing him back at the same price. If MacArthur's agent argues his stats for a big raise, I hope the Sabres will be smart enough to walk away and not retain him.

 

Good points. Its time to see what Weber is made of. Lydman is likly looking for 2 to 4 years at 3 to 3 mil. I'm not in favor of that. Sorry Toni, but cya. They need to retain Tallinder, his chemisty with Big T is uncanny.

 

Kennedy and Kaleta aren't going anywhere. And Lalime is going to get kicked out the door. I cant stand Mac and would love to see him traded. But if he stays untill the summer, he must walk. He's going to want upwards toward 3 mil. C ya general.

 

Grier is a must. The guy holds that room in check and forechecks like a banshee. His leadership is invaluable. I would look to keep Ellis and Mair. I like them as 4th liners. But if i could upgrade over Mair i would.

[notwoz]

My guess is that Darcy will look for more figure skaters, more "skill" players who are as soft as a marshmallow, because that's the kind of player that she likes.

[FearTheReaper]

My guess is that Darcy will look for more figure skaters, more "skill" players who are as soft as a marshmallow, because that's the kind of player that she likes.

 

You forgot to mention that those are also the type of players that love to battle in the playoffs. :thumbsup:

[inkman]

Lots of people are clamoring for a trade or for some spark to create a difference in this team. But I think many are realizing Darcy probably can't make many moves with what he has.

Roy, Vanek, Stafford, MacArthur, Kennedy, Guastad, Butler, & Sekera could all be moved in a heartbeat.

 

RFA's - Weber, Gragnani, Mancari, Gogulla, Lamoreux, Whitmore, Kostka, Generous

Weber is the only guy with any value in that group.

[Foligno's Nose]

Roy, Vanek, Stafford, MacArthur, Kennedy, Guastad, Butler, & Sekera could all be moved in a heartbeat.

 

 

This would be a short list at best.

Stop when you get to Miller, Myers...

 

The only reason to consider keeping Tallinder would be because of his chemistry with Myers.

If they are considering keeping him, shouldn't he be signed by now?

He has stayed healthy and his stock is never going to be higher than it is right now.

Sign him or move him before the deadline.

They will not match whatever $$$ he is offered in FA.

 

So, I am guessing both Toni and Henrik will not be here next year.

Sekera becomes a permanent d-man.

Weber gets his opportunity.

Does Paetsch get a top six spot or even get resigned cheap to be the 7th d-man again?

Expect another Montador-like signing if not.

 

Up front:

Roy has long been stagnant on this team.

He was at his best on the wing with Drury and Grier in 05-06.

Maintaining any chemistry with wingers or becoming a leader on this team have not and will not happen any time soon.

He has a great contract and is somewhat consistent offensively.

 

Roy (along with Stafford) seem to be crying out for a change of scenery.

 

No disrespect to Roy's GWG's this year.

 

I just want to see us take that next step forward as a team.

We have a playoff spot.

Now improve the lineup to make some hay in the postseason.

[carpandean]

Up front:

Roy has long been stagnant on this team.

He was at his best on the wing with Drury and Grier in 05-06.

Actually, he was at his best in 2007-08, centering Vanek and (usually) Stafford. He put up 19G, 32A for 51 points and was a +8 in his final 38 GP. The only better players in the NHL down that stretch were Malkin and Ovechkin. He has taken steps backward in each of the two years since.

[theend]

Roy, Vanek, Stafford, MacArthur, Kennedy, Guastad, Butler, & Sekera could all be moved in a heartbeat.

 

I'm not so sure you could move any of the first 4. Or at least, not for much in return. Roy and Vanek's contracts are too large for their recent output. Stafford and MacArthur are inconsistent...they could be traded, but I don't think you'd get much back for them.

 

The rest on your list...you'd either trade for equally mediocre/unproven assets, or a past-his-prime vet like Rivet. Maybe Gaustad could net something decent in return...but why would you want to trade away one of the few physical players left on this team?

[inkman]

I'm not so sure you could move any of the first 4. Or at least, not for much in return. Roy and Vanek's contracts are too large for their recent output. Stafford and MacArthur are inconsistent...they could be traded, but I don't think you'd get much back for them.

 

The rest on your list...you'd either trade for equally mediocre/unproven assets, or a past-his-prime vet like Rivet. Maybe Gaustad could net something decent in return...but why would you want to trade away one of the few physical players left on this team?

There are teams willing to take on salary to increase their talent level and Roy is better than most give him credit for. Darcy has assets to play with, whether or not he uses them to improve the team is anyones guess.

[LabattBlue]

Roy and Vanek's contracts are too large for their recent output.

Not true at all. Roy's contract would make him highly sought after if the Sabres put him on the market in the offseason. Maybe he just needs a change of scenery.

[nfreeman]

I would be OK with trading Roy, but only as part of a package to get a real forward back in return -- not just to dump him because we're all PO'd by him underachieving this year. I also think there is NFW Darcy would trade him just to dump him.

[theend]

Not true at all. Roy's contract would make him highly sought after if the Sabres put him on the market in the offseason. Maybe he just needs a change of scenery.

 

After looking at the contract #s again, I guess I'm more thinking of Pominville when remembering unmovable assets. I still don't think Roy's earning his $4 mil cap hit with his numbers, but they're not as bad as I first thought.

[notwoz]

Seems like the common thread for all the players mentioned so far is "underachiever." Sadly, that pretty much sums up this team.