spndnchz Posted June 2, 2011 Report Posted June 2, 2011 Well, according to TSN, Brad Richards will not be offered a contract by the Dallas Stars. Link here Obviously this means he will either get traded at the draft for negotiating rights and/or he will sign with another team on July 1st. I'm not sure Buffalo's going to be in the Brad Richards sweepstakes and given how thin this year's market is, he'll get a lot of money thrown his way, and I'm not sure he's worth it. Additionally, my money is that he will sign with the New York Rangers which will lead to a buyout of Chris Drury and/or Wade Redden. Rangers seem like the most realistic choice with Toronto as a second option. I'm sure he'd love to go back and play in Tampa with all his buddies, but I think they have cap problems and it won't work there. I could also possibly see Calgary and reuniting with Feaster, but right now, I'd pick Richards signs with the Rangers. I'd love to see him sign in Buffalo, but I'm not sure it's going to happen. Oh well. He wants to go where there is less media presence. NY ain't it.
SabresFan526 Posted June 2, 2011 Report Posted June 2, 2011 He wants to go where there is less media presence. NY ain't it. I never heard this before or seen this published, but maybe you're right. I'm only going by the Torts - Richards connection, and apparently they are very close. Toronto would also not fit the mold of a team with less media presence. Then Calgary and Buffalo are in play, but I'm not sure Buffalo has the cap space for Richards when you think about all of the RFAs they have to re-sign and Calgary doesn't have much cap space next year either. Tampa apparently has tons of cap space going into next year, but they need to re-sign Stamkos, so a lot will be taken up there. Either way, maybe he might go back to Tampa if there's enough cap space. I think the Sabres could make a trade with Philly either for Carter or Briere as they don't have a ton of cap room and they need goaltending help badly and need to spend money on that. I think one of their centers maybe available for the taking, and I don't think Richards is it, and I don't like him anyway.
beerme1 Posted June 2, 2011 Report Posted June 2, 2011 My greatest fear is that Pegula is still too starry-eyed at this point and Regier will be able to sell him on bringing in the lower tiered free-agents which are the only ones Regier can sign. Is there any doubt that next season the Regier defenders will be flooding the boards with players the Sabres "tried" to sign and trades Regier "tried" to make but couldn't get them done. Do you honestly think that Pegula would be too starry eyed when he is intent on making this a player destination? Do you honestly think that he is too starry eyed even though he has Ted Black telling him everyday if thats what you want this is how you have to do it. Do you honestly think that if their sights are set on a big name or big deal and Darcy comes back and says guys, I just got Antropov or Domenic Moore or whatever lower tiered fa you can think of that he would not be pulled aside to avoid embarrasment in front of others that this was not what they had in mind Darcy? Do you think that if Darcy came back and said hey guys I just made the best lower tier trade of my life that they would not ask him to leave the room and plug someone else in? Maybe you haven't been paying attention to what this team is evolving into. Personally having seen and heard about the effect and efforts of BOTH Pegula and Black I don't see you're scenario developing. And I cant stand Darcy.
beerme1 Posted June 2, 2011 Report Posted June 2, 2011 They also have the advantage of being Toronto. An Original Six team and one of the more storied franchises in the NHL. Burke is "The Master Trader." Just don't tell that to some on this board. They will ignore that he is the only reason the Sedins are both wearing a Canucks jersey. I guess by that standard the Darcy can also rest on his laurels for getting rid of Gratton and getting Briere then. And again, I hate Darcy but are you trying to tell this board that Burke has done anything more than a complete flameout for the what 4 years in Toronto now? Is Burke not just the new version of Slats at this point?
Weave Posted June 2, 2011 Report Posted June 2, 2011 He wants to go where there is less media presence. NY ain't it. I wonder how Buffalo's media is percieved? Didn't a player who left recently complain about the media pressure in Buffalo?
beerme1 Posted June 3, 2011 Report Posted June 3, 2011 I wonder how Buffalo's media is percieved? Didn't a player who left recently complain about the media pressure in Buffalo? Timmaayy? :clapping:
Eleven Posted June 3, 2011 Report Posted June 3, 2011 I wonder how Buffalo's media is percieved? Didn't a player who left recently complain about the media pressure in Buffalo? Frankly, I think this is a really fair point. Hockey isn't a "fourth sport" here, like it is in Dallas. It's a "first sport" for most of the year, and for many of us, for the entire year. We have two major pro sports with no major college sports (no, D-I does not mean "major"), yet a locally-oriented sports talk station (something that a lot of larger cities lack) and a relatively merciless sports page. And demanding fans, as well. For a hockey player, I would imagine that Buffalo's media is a lot tougher than that of Dallas, Denver, Washington, etc. If--and I don't know--that's a big Richards concern, well, he'll be better off in LA or Chicago or even Florida than he will here.
Ghost of Dwight Drane Posted June 3, 2011 Report Posted June 3, 2011 Frankly, I think this is a really fair point. Hockey isn't a "fourth sport" here, like it is in Dallas. It's a "first sport" for most of the year, and for many of us, for the entire year. We have two major pro sports with no major college sports (no, D-I does not mean "major"), yet a locally-oriented sports talk station (something that a lot of larger cities lack) and a relatively merciless sports page. And demanding fans, as well. For a hockey player, I would imagine that Buffalo's media is a lot tougher than that of Dallas, Denver, Washington, etc. If--and I don't know--that's a big Richards concern, well, he'll be better off in LA or Chicago or even Florida than he will here. That's a real leader....worried about the media. Holy cow, I didn't think they had a shot at him to begin with, but I won't complain for not even looking at him.
HopefulFuture Posted June 3, 2011 Report Posted June 3, 2011 Richards most likely wants to go where an 8 to 8.5 million dollar a year for 6+ year contract is. Money is the name of the game, especially for him given this will most likely be his last big contract due to age constraints.
Weave Posted June 3, 2011 Report Posted June 3, 2011 Frankly, I think this is a really fair point. Hockey isn't a "fourth sport" here, like it is in Dallas. It's a "first sport" for most of the year, and for many of us, for the entire year. We have two major pro sports with no major college sports (no, D-I does not mean "major"), yet a locally-oriented sports talk station (something that a lot of larger cities lack) and a relatively merciless sports page. And demanding fans, as well. For a hockey player, I would imagine that Buffalo's media is a lot tougher than that of Dallas, Denver, Washington, etc. If--and I don't know--that's a big Richards concern, well, he'll be better off in LA or Chicago or even Florida than he will here. Noone seems to recall the player (I think it was last season) who said that Buffalo had alot of media pressure? I'm wondering if it was Torres? After hearing this news is anyone else starting to think we've got a good shot at our #1 center? Richards and one of Vancouver's FA defensemen would go a long way towards getting this team where we all want it to be. Can we fit Richards, a Van D-man, and Brooks Laich under the cap?
spndnchz Posted June 3, 2011 Report Posted June 3, 2011 Noone seems to recall the player (I think it was last season) who said that Buffalo had alot of media pressure? I'm wondering if it was Torres? After hearing this news is anyone else starting to think we've got a good shot at our #1 center? Richards and one of Vancouver's FA defensemen would go a long way towards getting this team where we all want it to be. Can we fit Richards, a Van D-man, and Brooks Laich under the cap? CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR FORWARDS Thomas Vanek ($7.142m) / Brad Richards ($7.800m) / Jason Pominville ($5.300m) Brooks Laich ($2.066m) / Derek Roy ($4.000m) / Brad Boyes ($4.000m) Nathan Gerbe ($0.850m) / Paul Gaustad ($2.300m) / Drew Stafford ($3.900m) Patrick Kaleta ($0.907m) / Jochen Hecht ($3.525m) / Tyler Ennis ($0.875m) DEFENSEMEN Jordan Leopold ($3.000m) / Kevin Bieksa ($3.750m) Tyler Myers ($1.300m) / Chris Butler ($0.850m) Andrej Sekera ($1.000m) / Marc-Andre Gragnani ($0.500m) GOALTENDERS Ryan Miller ($6.250m) / Jhonas Enroth ($0.866m) BUYOUTS: Tim Kennedy ($0.166m) CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter) (these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion) SALARY CAP: $62,400,000; CAP PAYROLL: $60,350,356; BONUSES: $425,000 CAP SPACE (20-man roster): $2,049,644
Weave Posted June 3, 2011 Report Posted June 3, 2011 CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR FORWARDS Thomas Vanek ($7.142m) / Brad Richards ($7.800m) / Jason Pominville ($5.300m) Brooks Laich ($2.066m) / Derek Roy ($4.000m) / Brad Boyes ($4.000m) Nathan Gerbe ($0.850m) / Paul Gaustad ($2.300m) / Drew Stafford ($3.900m) Patrick Kaleta ($0.907m) / Jochen Hecht ($3.525m) / Tyler Ennis ($0.875m) DEFENSEMEN Jordan Leopold ($3.000m) / Kevin Bieksa ($3.750m) Tyler Myers ($1.300m) / Chris Butler ($0.850m) Andrej Sekera ($1.000m) / Marc-Andre Gragnani ($0.500m) GOALTENDERS Ryan Miller ($6.250m) / Jhonas Enroth ($0.866m) BUYOUTS: Tim Kennedy ($0.166m) CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter) (these totals are compiled without the bonus cushion) SALARY CAP: $62,400,000; CAP PAYROLL: $60,350,356; BONUSES: $425,000 CAP SPACE (20-man roster): $2,049,644 Hmmm.... Richards *might* sign for 7.8M but I doubt Bieksa signs for 3.75M. Probably closer to $5M? No idea what the market would be for Laich. Sounds like we'd maybe need to shed a little salalry.
Lanny Posted June 3, 2011 Report Posted June 3, 2011 Hmmm.... Richards *might* sign for 7.8M but I doubt Bieksa signs for 3.75M. Probably closer to $5M? No idea what the market would be for Laich. Sounds like we'd maybe need to shed a little salalry. Not sure about Laich at $2.06M either, I'm guessing $3M+ for him. I don't think it's feasible for that many signings unless a big contract is moved off the roster, perhaps drop Laich & add McCormick, giving you another $1.25M to sign a Dman with. Weber's going to be on the roster somewhere also.
dEnnis the Menace Posted June 3, 2011 Report Posted June 3, 2011 Not sure about Laich at $2.06M either, I'm guessing $3M+ for him. I don't think it's feasible for that many signings unless a big contract is moved off the roster, perhaps drop Laich & add McCormick, giving you another $1.25M to sign a Dman with. Weber's going to be on the roster somewhere also. Yeah, I'd guess Weber would be on the roster ahead of Butler. I'd rather keep Cody as well, if it means more to sign a better D-Man.
Lanny Posted June 3, 2011 Report Posted June 3, 2011 Yeah, I'd guess Weber would be on the roster ahead of Butler. I'd rather keep Cody as well, if it means more to sign a better D-Man. I'm guessing both will be on the roster, carrying 7 Dmen.
dEnnis the Menace Posted June 3, 2011 Report Posted June 3, 2011 I'm guessing both will be on the roster, carrying 7 Dmen. True. I'm not a huge Butler fan though.
Weave Posted June 3, 2011 Report Posted June 3, 2011 FORWARDS Thomas Vanek ($7.142m) / Brad Richards ($8.00m) / Jason Pominville ($5.300m) Tyler Ennis ($0.875m) / Derek Roy ($4.000m) / Brad Boyes ($4.000m) Nathan Gerbe ($0.850m) / Brooks Laich ($3.00m) / Drew Stafford ($3.900m) Jochen Hecht ($3.525m) / Paul Gaustad ($2.300m) / Cody McCormick ($.800m) Patrick Kaleta ($0.907m) DEFENSEMEN Jordan Leopold ($3.000m) / Kevin Bieksa ($5.000m) Tyler Myers ($1.300m) / Chris Butler ($0.850m) Andrej Sekera ($1.000m) / Marc-Andre Gragnani ($0.500m) Mike Weber ($0.850) GOALTENDERS Ryan Miller ($6.250m) / Jhonas Enroth ($0.866m) BUYOUTS: Tim Kennedy ($0.166m) This roster comes to $64.381M, just a bit over the projected cap. We def need to drop about $3M in payroll if we want to sign Richards, another C and a top defenseman. Who replaces Stafford at RW? :D
carpandean Posted June 3, 2011 Report Posted June 3, 2011 This roster comes to $64.381M, just a bit over the projected cap. We def need to drop about $3M in payroll if we want to sign Richards, another C and a top defenseman. Who replaces Stafford at RW? :D Stafford, Boyes, or Hecht. Bring up Adam to play LW. If Boyes or Stafford goes, move Vanek over to the RW, where he's shown to be very (arguably more) effective. Edit: I also think Gerbe will get a raise based on the second half of the season and Sekera probably won't be taking a pay cut (made $1.25M this season.)
X. Benedict Posted June 3, 2011 Report Posted June 3, 2011 FORWARDS Thomas Vanek ($7.142m) / Brad Richards ($8.00m) / Jason Pominville ($5.300m) Tyler Ennis ($0.875m) / Derek Roy ($4.000m) / Brad Boyes ($4.000m) Nathan Gerbe ($0.850m) / Brooks Laich ($3.00m) / Drew Stafford ($3.900m) Jochen Hecht ($3.525m) / Paul Gaustad ($2.300m) / Cody McCormick ($.800m) Patrick Kaleta ($0.907m) DEFENSEMEN Jordan Leopold ($3.000m) / Kevin Bieksa ($5.000m) Tyler Myers ($1.300m) / Chris Butler ($0.850m) Andrej Sekera ($1.000m) / Marc-Andre Gragnani ($0.500m) Mike Weber ($0.850) GOALTENDERS Ryan Miller ($6.250m) / Jhonas Enroth ($0.866m) BUYOUTS: Tim Kennedy ($0.166m) This roster comes to $64.381M, just a bit over the projected cap. We def need to drop about $3M in payroll if we want to sign Richards, another C and a top defenseman. Who replaces Stafford at RW? :D That's fun. I would be surprised if Bieksa, Laich, or Richards come in at those numbers...I'm thinking they will average about 1 million more apiece.
Weave Posted June 3, 2011 Report Posted June 3, 2011 Stafford, Boyes, or Hecht. Bring up Adam to play LW. If Boyes or Stafford goes, move Vanek over to the RW, where he's shown to be very (arguably more) effective. My first thought was, if we move Vanek to RW there really doesn't need to be any repalcing. I like this lineup; Tyler Ennis ($0.875m) / Brad Richards ($8.00m) / Thomas Vanek ($7.142m) Nathan Gerbe ($0.850m) / Derek Roy ($4.000m) / Brad Boyes ($4.000m) Jochen Hecht ($3.525m) / Brooks Laich ($3.00m) / Jason Pominville ($5.300m) Luke Adam (??) / Paul Gaustad ($2.300m) / Cody McCormick ($.800m) Patrick Kaleta ($0.907m) My only concern with this lineup would be lack of size at LW in the top 2 lines. And Hecht/Laich/Pommer would be a helluva checking line.
Weave Posted June 3, 2011 Report Posted June 3, 2011 That's fun. I would be surprised if Bieksa, Laich, or Richards come in at those numbers...I'm thinking they will average about 1 million more apiece. That would rain on my parade in a big way.
X. Benedict Posted June 3, 2011 Report Posted June 3, 2011 That would rain on my parade in a big way. Probably your numbers reflect their value......but if they go to market...I see (just guessing) Richards 8.5 x 8 Bieksa 6.5 x 7 Laich 4.5 x 4
LGR4GM Posted June 3, 2011 Author Report Posted June 3, 2011 If you pick up Laichs than Hecht is no longer on the roster IMO, it just overloads us a bit and that would be the player to expend. OFFENSE: My third line would be Boyes, Laich, Gerbe. I would keep pommers on the top line with vanek and richards (obviously if we got him). Roy, Ennis, and Drew would be my second line. The fourth line would be Goose, Kaleta, Kassian. I am at work and too lazy to crunch the numbers but this would work as we dump 3.5 mil in hecht to make this work. so quick recap: Vanek - Richards - Pommers (or boyes) Ennis - Roy - Drew Gerbs - Laich - Boyes (or Pommers) Kaleta - Goose - Kassian Defense: We must keep in mind that Myers will get somewhere around 3-4mil next year for about 4-5years. Id like to just lock him up forever but I dont think darcy is that good or smart. Sekera, Weber, Butler, MAG all are going to get raises of at least 10% (legally we have to) Now we should pick someone and trade them because I think McNabb is going to outshine everyone but maybe MAG and obviously Myers. So I'm thinking butler goes away. You pair Weber with Myers because than you have a offensive shutdown line. You could also pair Myers with the vet you get, I still vote Ehrhoff hes only been minus once in his career. So, Ehrhoff with Myers is your top line. Leo gets paired with Sekera or Mag. Then Sekera/Butler gets paired with Weber. Recap: Ehrhoff - Myers Leo - MAG Weber - Sekera 7th: Morrisonn or Butler until McNabb is ready (mid January would prob be the earliest but you never know.) Now especially on forward and at RW if we had Richards, we would have a lot of mobility to move players around. Pommers is a good defensive forward and could serve better on the third line. Boyes needs to get in a shape (i dont think St. Louis trains like us) and he could be a top line "Power type" player, and by that I mean drive to the net, battle for position and clear space. Drew I would keep on the second line, he meshes well with ennis already and Roy could be a set up man or a here's a rebound for you guy. Ennis and Van I wouldnt switch because Vanek needs the setup guy and we have seen to much of him with roy already. Gerbe and Laich and X would make a great hard nosed 3rd line that can score on you and own you. The fourth line would just be mean. Goose is good at a lot and playing gritty is his best asset along with Kaleta. Kassian is a freight train who will run you over than stop to beat you down. This team with the addition of the 3 players Ehrhoff, Richards (you could sub carter here but idk if thats logical or gets the same results) and Laich, makes your team leadership stacked as well as fundamentally sound down the center and on defense. I think you drop some dead weight with the loss of Hecht(who i like) and Morrisonn. Mckormick can play for portland where he will see the sabres a lot because Kaleta will get injured. I'm not sure if this would win you the cup next year but it would push you in the direction. Our defense would be much stronger after last year and I think we start much better this year. Weber showed a lot in the playoffs but he needs to keep that up for 82 games. Myers rebounded from his slump with great style and that tells me a lot about him. Sekera is streaky and he needs consistency although I thought the games he did play in the playoffs where not bad considering he was injured. Butler I think has peaked unless he shows up at camp different I think he is odd man out. MAG is our new PP coordinator because he makes clean passes and will shoot, he impressed a lot and I think as long as he trains well this offseason hes going to be a top 4 guy in a few years. Which Leaves McNabb, the kid looks great. Hes big and he hits like a truck and hes got the offensive upside of a player like Myers. It will be interesting to see if he can adjust to AHL play quickly or if he will loiter down in the minors for 2 or 3 years (I think mid january we see him and next year he makes the team) In the end I will be delighted when our defense is Ehrhoff - Myers Weber - McNabb MAG - Sekera Time will tell but what do you die hard fans think? Legit team that just needs a little more seasoning or "he's flip his lid!"?? PS: Your Goalies are Miler and Enroth (Enroth will get a 10% raise at least)
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.