Patrick Sharp

[Sabrepower]

A discussion on WGR550 today that has been going on since the Blackhawks won the Cup is: who is going to have to go on the Chicago team now that bonuses has pushed the Blackhawks over the cap? One of the players mentioned in this discussion was Patrick Sharp, a Center who played very well in the playoffs and put up 66 pts during the regular season. I know he's not exactly a huge name but for the fiscally responsible Darcy Regier he may be very attractive. I don't know his playing style and wonder if he is a product of the talent around him or if he is the real deal? Also 6ft 1" and 197lbs is also another attribute that is much needed on our diminutive team. Any thoughts on him?

[deluca67]

A discussion on WGR550 today that has been going on since the Blackhawks won the Cup is: who is going to have to go on the Chicago team now that bonuses has pushed the Blackhawks over the cap? One of the players mentioned in this discussion was Patrick Sharp, a Center who played very well in the playoffs and put up 66 pts during the regular season. I know he's not exactly a huge name but for the fiscally responsible Darcy Regier he may be very attractive. I don't know his playing style and wonder if he is a product of the talent around him or if he is the real deal? Also 6ft 1" and 197lbs is also another attribute that is much needed on our diminutive team. Any thoughts on him?

If he were a bit more physical than I may have interest.

[VansTheMans]

He'd demand a salary around 4.5 million. He's a second line talent, but plays with heart. He stands on his own two feet, and plays a solid two way game.

 

I'd love to have him on the Sabres, but Connolly would have to be dealt in order to bring Sharp on.

[shrader]

He'd demand a salary around 4.5 million. He's a second line talent, but plays with heart. He stands on his own two feet, and plays a solid two way game.

 

I'd love to have him on the Sabres, but Connolly would have to be dealt in order to bring Sharp on.

 

He's signed for 2 more years at a $3.9 million cap hit, so what he demands really isn't an issue at least until this time next year.

[kcclor]

He's a leader and won a cup. Great face off guy and quarterbacks the PP from the point or the half-wall. He is a second line player on the Hawks, but a first line center here. He checks a lot boxes for us in the "needs" category and I hope we make a play for him. Beggars can't be choosers and we are begging for a first-line center. Finally, he has little say were he goes and is locked up for 2 yrs at $4 mill per. Sounds like our best chance to address our most outstanding need.

[LabattBlue]

He's a leader and won a cup. Great face off guy and quarterbacks the PP from the point or the half-wall. He is a second line player on the Hawks, but a first line center here. He checks a lot boxes for us in the "needs" category and I hope we make a play for him. Beggars can't be choosers and we are begging for a first-line center. Finally, he has little say were he goes and is locked up for 2 yrs at $4 mill per. Sounds like our best chance to address our most outstanding need.

I didn't see Chicago much in the regular season nor did I watch much of the Finals, but Sharp is listed as a LW and he only took 450 or so faceoffs during the season. Is LW his more natural position moving forward?

[carpandean]

He's a leader and won a cup. Great face off guy and quarterbacks the PP from the point or the half-wall. He is a second line player on the Hawks, but a first line center here. He checks a lot boxes for us in the "needs" category and I hope we make a play for him. Beggars can't be choosers and we are begging for a first-line center. Finally, he has little say were he goes and is locked up for 2 yrs at $4 mill per. Sounds like our best chance to address our most outstanding need.

I am all for trading to get Sharp, but the reason that we are "begging for a first-line center" is that we have two second-line centers when Timmy is health; one when he's not. Would we be a little better swapping Timmy for Sharp (in two different trades)? Probably, but we still wouldn't have a true first-line center. It may not be possible, given the market, to get one, but that doesn't mean our most outstanding need would be met with a better second-line center; just band-aided over.

[nfreeman]

He's a leader and won a cup. Great face off guy and quarterbacks the PP from the point or the half-wall. He is a second line player on the Hawks, but a first line center here. He checks a lot boxes for us in the "needs" category and I hope we make a play for him. Beggars can't be choosers and we are begging for a first-line center. Finally, he has little say were he goes and is locked up for 2 yrs at $4 mill per. Sounds like our best chance to address our most outstanding need.

Very good post. I would be very happy to get Sharp. I suspect though that Chicago will first try to unload Versteeg.

[nfreeman]

I am all for trading to get Sharp, but the reason that we are "begging for a first-line center" is that we have two second-line centers when Timmy is health; one when he's not. Would we be a little better swapping Timmy for Sharp (in two different trades)? Probably, but we still wouldn't have a true first-line center. It may not be possible, given the market, to get one, but that doesn't mean our most outstanding need would be met with a better second-line center; just band-aided over.

Can't argue with this but getting Sharp via trade seems more likely than getting Marleau. Not sure who else is available that is a clear-cut #1 center.

[otis]

Former Buffalonian living in Chicago here. I've watched Sharpie over the past few years. He is very consistent, articulate, versatile, and has a wicked/accurate shot. He was one of the leaders on a young team here. Would make a fine captain and would certainly be a fan favorite. The Sabres absolutely need someone like him.

 

But I have no doubt that Dale Tallon will make him his #1 target when he starts dealing in Florida. Trading for him was one of Tallon's best moves. He will drive the price up.

 

Otis

[inkman]

Otis my man!!

[Sabrepower]

Former Buffalonian living in Chicago here. I've watched Sharpie over the past few years. He is very consistent, articulate, versatile, and has a wicked/accurate shot. He was one of the leaders on a young team here. Would make a fine captain and would certainly be a fan favorite. The Sabres absolutely need someone like him.

 

But I have no doubt that Dale Tallon will make him his #1 target when he starts dealing in Florida. Trading for him was one of Tallon's best moves. He will drive the price up.

 

Otis

Yes good call on Dave Tallon, he most certainly will be looking to scoop up some of his old talent for sure. We shall see what draft day moves are made, it should be interesting...I hope from a Sabres perspective.

[nfreeman]

Here is a very good analysis of Chicago's cap situation. The key takeaway is that it looks like even if they stash Huet in the minors (ie eat his entire $5.6MM salary), they will probably have to dump not one but 2 of their $3MM+ forwards -- so 2 out of Versteeg, Sharp, Bolland and Byfuglien.

One solution often discussed is for Chicago to demote Huet to the minors and trade away a player like Versteeg or Byfuglien, moves that would free up roughly $8.6-million and leave Bowman with about $5.5-million to pay four or five forwards, two or three defencemen and get Niemi under contract.

 

Three restricted free agents in Ladd, Hjalmarsson and Niemi will eat up far more than that space easily, however, meaning it’s very likely we see more than just Huet and a well salaried forward punted away. Bowman has to make some significant changes.

 

The Sabres need to be in the mix.

 

[nucci]

Otis my man!!

Wait'll Otis sees us........

[otis]

After sitting out most of the season with a back injury, Bolland was terrific in the playoffs. He was matched up against the Sedins and Thornton's line and beat them physically and mentally. Dynamite penalty killer. Worth going after.

 

Versteeg is speedy, shifty, and offensive-minded. A lot like Roy and Conolly. We've seen that movie before. I'd stay away.

 

Buff will not be for sale. He demonstrated his value in the playoffs after an inconsistent regular season. When properly motivated, he is someone that opponents must game plan for, which opens up room for the skill guys. The classic disruptive force. This town would howl in protest if he were traded. He became a legend here this spring.

 

nucci/inkman: Shamma Lamma DingDong.

 

Cheers,

 

Otis

[nfreeman]

After sitting out most of the season with a back injury, Bolland was terrific in the playoffs. He was matched up against the Sedins and Thornton's line and beat them physically and mentally. Dynamite penalty killer. Worth going after.

 

Versteeg is speedy, shifty, and offensive-minded. A lot like Roy and Conolly. We've seen that movie before. I'd stay away.

 

Buff will not be for sale. He demonstrated his value in the playoffs after an inconsistent regular season. When properly motivated, he is someone that opponents must game plan for, which opens up room for the skill guys. The classic disruptive force. This town would howl in protest if he were traded. He became a legend here this spring.

 

nucci/inkman: Shamma Lamma DingDong.

 

Cheers,

 

Otis

Bolland seems like a good 2-way player but a bit overpriced at $3.375MM per year. He's 6'0, 176 and probably a 40-50 point guy. He's a center, which the Sabres will need if they dump TC and/or Roy, but I can't say I'd be happy with him as the #2 center (and certainly not #1).

 

I agree that Chicago would be crazy to trade Byfuglien. He was such a powerful physical presence in the playoffs -- which is when you really need that kind of guy. Still, I've read a fair amount of speculation from reputable hockey writers that he could be on the block.

 

Great Animal House references in this thread, btw.

[kcclor]

I think that's a matter of opinion. I feel Sharp can be a first line center on this team and grow into it much in the way Drury did. Also, Chicago can only take picks and non-rostered prospects in trade to deal with their cap issues. Assuming Roy and Connolly stay, I suspect Roy goes back to wing and Connolly would be #2 center. But I think it is all moot as I do not see the Sabres parting with prospects and picks to get Sharp. They won't outbid Toronto or anyone for Marleau and I cannot believe that Florida is stupid enough to trade Horton for either Roy or Connolly as has been speculated. I imagine in the end our top 12 forwards will look much the same as it did against Boston and the back-end will get younger and add someone like Kubina. Hope I am wrong.

 

I am all for trading to get Sharp, but the reason that we are "begging for a first-line center" is that we have two second-line centers when Timmy is health; one when he's not. Would we be a little better swapping Timmy for Sharp (in two different trades)? Probably, but we still wouldn't have a true first-line center. It may not be possible, given the market, to get one, but that doesn't mean our most outstanding need would be met with a better second-line center; just band-aided over.

[shrader]

I think that's a matter of opinion. I feel Sharp can be a first line center on this team and grow into it much in the way Drury did. Also, Chicago can only take picks and non-rostered prospects in trade to deal with their cap issues. Assuming Roy and Connolly stay, I suspect Roy goes back to wing and Connolly would be #2 center. But I think it is all moot as I do not see the Sabres parting with prospects and picks to get Sharp. They won't outbid Toronto or anyone for Marleau and I cannot believe that Florida is stupid enough to trade Horton for either Roy or Connolly as has been speculated. I imagine in the end our top 12 forwards will look much the same as it did against Boston and the back-end will get younger and add someone like Kubina. Hope I am wrong.

 

Chicago could take on a guy like Gerbe or Kennedy, rostered players but with relatively cheap contracts (assuming Kennedy re-signs cheaply, and I'm sure he will). It would free up a good amount of space. It might take more than one deal to make that work for them, but it is entirely possible.

 

And I don't mean to suggest those two Sabres as possible trade fodder. I just mentioned the first names that came to mind.