Next year's lineup...

[spndnchz]

Just FYI: Leopold and Montador played together for a few years, they may be paired together.

[inkman]

I don't really know ###### about prospects as I never get a chance to see many college/junior/AHL level games, but I think it's interesting that you guys want Kassian in the lineup. I mean, he's obviously unproven at this level, but like I said, I really have no idea where his development is at. A few months ago you guys all wanted his head after that bar fight fiasco -- don't know if it was you specifically, but I recall conveying the idea that the situation wouldn't affect his career at all, and was virtually torn apart by you guys. :death:

There were a select few posters that were and still are anti-kassian but I think the majority of this board desperately wants this kids toughness on the team.

 

I don't condone what he did but I never crucified him for it either.

[nfreeman]

I don't think Kassian will make the team this year, but there is a possibility that both he and Weber will be dressing for the Sabres. Now there's a shot of nastiness. Probably not enough to get Roy and Pommer to cancel their subscriptions to Teen Beat magazine, but still interesting.

[Sabre Dance]

Maybe there were better D-men available via UFA than our young guys but Regier didn't want to pay for them & big name players don't seem to be coveting signing in Buffalo.

 

 

I think this statement bears examining...ever wonder why big-name players shy away from Buffalo? Hmm... Well, most players want to play in a city where hockey is a big draw and fans fill the arena - Buffalo fits that bill. They don't want to go to a city out west (too much travel time) - Buffalo's division rivals are all just about an hour away by plane. Our cost of living is low, schools are good (well, in the suburbs, anyway) and there is plenty of stuff to do (and if you get bored, Toronto is only an hour away). By all accounts, players should be anxious to come to the Sabres. But, we know they aren't. Why? The explanation I'm left with is that the team either treats players badly and/or they have no real dedication to putting a Cup-contender on the ice. Who the heck wants to play for a team like that?

[shrader]

McCormick is on a one-way deal and cannot play in Portland. He could potentially sit in the press box like Paetsch did 95% of the 08-09 season. Mair is currently a UFA (thank god).

 

The one-way deal doesn't mean that he can't play in Portland. All it means is that he makes an NHL salary regardless of where he plays. When it comes to the Sabres, they don't pay guys NHL money to play in the AHL, but they could send him down if they really wanted to (after clearing waivers).

[thesportsbuff]

The one-way deal doesn't mean that he can't play in Portland. All it means is that he makes an NHL salary regardless of where he plays. When it comes to the Sabres, they don't pay guys NHL money to play in the AHL, but they could send him down if they really wanted to (after clearing waivers).

 

Thanks for clearing that up, I always thought one-way meant NHL only. :blush: Boy it would suck if somebody claimed him off waivers on the way down though....

 

ps: that was a joke^

[Barnabov]

All good points being made.

 

While we need his toughness, Kassian probably needs a season in the AHL to transition from juniors to the NHL. I'd imagine he'll get some callups this year but highly doubt he'd make the team out of training camp (Myers wasn't even a lock to do that because of concerns about the big jump). Also, unlikely they would have signed a player like McCormick if Kassian was penciled in - I'd say McCormick will probably be displaced in a year by Kassian.

 

My statement about being ok with the lineup mainly relates to there not really being any remaining UFAs that would be an improvement over the current players. Just try clicking through the list:

 

My link

 

It's pretty poor pickings. That said, hopefully Regier improves the roster through a trade. If he doesn't make at least one substantive swap (Stafford for someone, etc.) before training camp is over then I'll be not ok with the roster.

[thesportsbuff]

Obviously this is unrealistic (and I'm not FOR the move), but just out curiosity, who would you guys rather have playing RW this season? Drew Stafford or Max Afinogenov?

[Barnabov]

I think this statement bears examining...ever wonder why big-name players shy away from Buffalo? Hmm... Well, most players want to play in a city where hockey is a big draw and fans fill the arena - Buffalo fits that bill. They don't want to go to a city out west (too much travel time) - Buffalo's division rivals are all just about an hour away by plane. Our cost of living is low, schools are good (well, in the suburbs, anyway) and there is plenty of stuff to do (and if you get bored, Toronto is only an hour away). By all accounts, players should be anxious to come to the Sabres. But, we know they aren't. Why? The explanation I'm left with is that the team either treats players badly and/or they have no real dedication to putting a Cup-contender on the ice. Who the heck wants to play for a team like that?

 

 

I think there might be some truth in the last 2 reasons (the Peca situation and the Briere/Drury non-resignings probably linger in players' memories) but it might also be that guys don't realize what a treasure it is to live and play hockey in Western NY. It seems like most guys who end up with the Sabres rave about their time in Buffalo and many retire there. What you don't hear is UFAs talking about how they really want to go to Buffalo. I'd say Regier, Ruff, the current team and the city leaders should be promoting Buffalo and courting potential FAs when the opportunity arises. Instead of identifying players we want and giving them the hard sell, we get secrecy and namby/pamby negotiating by Regier (who lets face it isn't the most personable of GMs).

[static70]

All good points being made.

 

While we need his toughness, Kassian probably needs a season in the AHL to transition from juniors to the NHL. I'd imagine he'll get some callups this year but highly doubt he'd make the team out of training camp (Myers wasn't even a lock to do that because of concerns about the big jump). Also, unlikely they would have signed a player like McCormick if Kassian was penciled in - I'd say McCormick will probably be displaced in a year by Kassian.

 

My statement about being ok with the lineup mainly relates to there not really being any remaining UFAs that would be an improvement over the current players. Just try clicking through the list:

 

My link

 

It's pretty poor pickings. That said, hopefully Regier improves the roster through a trade. If he doesn't make at least one substantive swap (Stafford for someone, etc.) before training camp is over then I'll be not ok with the roster.

Well, there in lay the delimma with Kassian, he isn't going to the AHL this season. His age.

Another year in Juniors does him nothing, his coach said it, the Sabres have hinted it and he himself actually has been the only one so far to say if its a three peat in Windsor than so be it, but it would do nothing for his development. He is a man among boys in the OHL.

[static70]

The one-way deal doesn't mean that he can't play in Portland. All it means is that he makes an NHL salary regardless of where he plays. When it comes to the Sabres, they don't pay guys NHL money to play in the AHL, but they could send him down if they really wanted to (after clearing waivers).

Does it not also mean he would have to clear waivers both up and down?

[darksabre]

Obviously this is unrealistic (and I'm not FOR the move), but just out curiosity, who would you guys rather have playing RW this season? Drew Stafford or Max Afinogenov?

 

Guh, this makes me feel dirty.

 

I'd rather have Max.

 

:sick:

[thesportsbuff]

Guh, this makes me feel dirty.

 

I'd rather have Max.

 

:sick:

 

Same. :death:

[static70]

Just FYI: Leopold and Montador played together for a few years, they may be paired together.

That would be an interesting pairing, considering how often I saw Monty jump into the offensive side of things this past season.

I can't imagine they would allow him to do that with Leopold as his partner.

[thesportsbuff]

That would be an interesting pairing, considering how often I saw Monty jump into the offensive side of things this past season.

I can't imagine they would allow him to do that with Leopold as his partner.

 

I think anybody paired with Montador makes for an interesting outting, you just never know when Steve is gonna trip over his own feet and cough up a breakaway...

[static70]

Obviously this is unrealistic (and I'm not FOR the move), but just out curiosity, who would you guys rather have playing RW this season? Drew Stafford or Max Afinogenov?

There's a kid with the Wheatfield Blades that I'd rather see in there than those 2.

I think he's 15, my son plays on the team with him. Blazing speed with great agility, but he's already a 164 pounds and punishes the other kids up along the boards and in the corners.

 

Thats my choice over those 2. :thumbsup:

[static70]

I think anybody paired with Montador makes for an interesting outting, you just never know when Steve is gonna trip over his own feet and cough up a breakaway...

Breakaways are bad.

But he also likes to do the same thing right next to Miller and give away the game winning goal. :wallbash:

[thesportsbuff]

Breakaways are bad.

But he also likes to do the same thing right next to Miller and give away the game winning goal. :wallbash:

 

This is true :wallbash:

[Skibum]

I'm still holding out hope that Darcy has one more deal left up his sleeve. There will be about $8M in cap space left after Kaleta and Kennedy sign. That's way more room than the Sabres usually start the season with.

 

You can question the judgement of the FO all you want, but you can't really say they're cheap. They DO spend the money, albeit on overpaying guys like Hecht. I am betting they are willing to spend $4-6M in cap space to bring in an impact player. This would put them $2-4M under the cap, which seems to be their comfort zone in recent years.

 

Keep hope alive!!!

[nfreeman]

I think this statement bears examining...ever wonder why big-name players shy away from Buffalo? Hmm... Well, most players want to play in a city where hockey is a big draw and fans fill the arena - Buffalo fits that bill. They don't want to go to a city out west (too much travel time) - Buffalo's division rivals are all just about an hour away by plane. Our cost of living is low, schools are good (well, in the suburbs, anyway) and there is plenty of stuff to do (and if you get bored, Toronto is only an hour away). By all accounts, players should be anxious to come to the Sabres. But, we know they aren't. Why? The explanation I'm left with is that the team either treats players badly and/or they have no real dedication to putting a Cup-contender on the ice. Who the heck wants to play for a team like that?

There are plenty of good things about life in WNY, but it simply doesn't compare favorably with most of the other NHL cities -- especially for young millionaires who want to go out and chase women at night.

 

And Toronto isn't an hour away unless you have a helicopter or a car that goes 100 miles per hour and is magically immune from traffic and border crossings.

[Stoner]

I'm still holding out hope that Darcy has one more deal left up his sleeve. There will be about $8M in cap space left after Kaleta and Kennedy sign. That's way more room than the Sabres usually start the season with.

 

You can question the judgement of the FO all you want, but you can't really say they're cheap. They DO spend the money, albeit on overpaying guys like Hecht. I am betting they are willing to spend $4-6M in cap space to bring in an impact player. This would put them $2-4M under the cap, which seems to be their comfort zone in recent years.

 

Keep hope alive!!!

 

OSP has left plenty of money on the table over the years. Relative to other franchises, they are cheap.

[nfreeman]

I'm still holding out hope that Darcy has one more deal left up his sleeve. There will be about $8M in cap space left after Kaleta and Kennedy sign. That's way more room than the Sabres usually start the season with.

 

You can question the judgement of the FO all you want, but you can't really say they're cheap. They DO spend the money, albeit on overpaying guys like Hecht. I am betting they are willing to spend $4-6M in cap space to bring in an impact player. This would put them $2-4M under the cap, which seems to be their comfort zone in recent years.

 

Keep hope alive!!!

Thanks. I needed that. My spirit is flagging.

[tom webster]

I'm still holding out hope that Darcy has one more deal left up his sleeve. There will be about $8M in cap space left after Kaleta and Kennedy sign. That's way more room than the Sabres usually start the season with.

 

You can question the judgement of the FO all you want, but you can't really say they're cheap. They DO spend the money, albeit on overpaying guys like Hecht. I am betting they are willing to spend $4-6M in cap space to bring in an impact player. This would put them $2-4M under the cap, which seems to be their comfort zone in recent years.

 

Keep hope alive!!!

 

 

Its actually closer to $6 million under after Kennedy, Kaletta, Ennis and Gerbe are calculated in, but the point is the same. Especially if they rid themselves of Stafford as part of their moves.

[shrader]

Does it not also mean he would have to clear waivers both up and down?

 

To be sent down, yes, but not to be called back up. He's exempt from re-entry waivers because he qualifies as a veteran minor league player: he's played over 320 pro games in North America but has not been on an NHL active roster for 80 games.

 

 

Its actually closer to $6 million under after Kennedy, Kaletta, Ennis and Gerbe are calculated in, but the point is the same. Especially if they rid themselves of Stafford as part of their moves.

 

That's assuming Gerbe isn't in Portland, which I think is a big assumption at this point. Going with the current roster, Gerbe and Ennis are the only waiver exempt players. If they had to choose between them, I'd have to think Ennis would win out.

[tom webster]

To be sent down, yes, but not to be called back up. He's exempt from re-entry waivers because he qualifies as a veteran minor league player: he's played over 320 pro games in North America but has not been on an NHL active roster for 80 games.

 

 

 

 

That's assuming Gerbe isn't in Portland, which I think is a big assumption at this point. Going with the current roster, Gerbe and Ennis are the only waiver exempt players. If they had to choose between them, I'd have to think Ennis would win out.

 

 

I was counting both based on a 23 man roster. Of course most of the time they go with 22 which would eliminate Gerbe in my opinion as well.