All About July 1 wishes

[dEnnis the Menace]

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)

I agree with Chz that numbers would be great, but i think you're on to something here with the dumping of broken Jochen.

 

I would love to see Richards here, and Ehrhoff or Bieksa. I'm pumped for the trading and drafting and FA to begin...let's face it, there's no football to look forward to, and all the speculating is driving me up a wall... :D

[Weave]

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!"??

 

Since you asked..... You've flipped your lid. Hecht isn't going anywhere. There isn't a team in the league that would be willing to take him at that salary. IMO the only winger we have that is moveable is Stafford (well, Gerbe and Ennis are moveable too but why would we at those salaries). And Kassian doesn't see the NHL next season unless we run into alot of injury problems. Same with McNabb but even moreso because there is more ready depth in the A already. And no way does Boyes fill a "power type" role. Not his game at all. He's purely a finesse guy.

 

Other than that, you're dead on. :P

[LGR4GM]

Vanek 7.1 - Richards 8 - Pommers 5.3

Ennis .975 - Roy 4 - Drew 4

Gerbs 1.25 - Laich 3.15 - Boyes 4

Kaleta .907 - Goose 2.1 - Kassian .87

 

Myers 1.3 - Ehrhoff 5.25

 

Weber .850 - Sekera 1.4

 

MAG .750 - Leo 3

 

Miler 6.1 - Enroth 1.25

 

= 61.55 (+- 100k)

 

Quick defense of the kassian thing, he may not start here but we cold fill that role with mckormick and bring Kass up when hes ready... Growing pains but this team could happen and McNabb is not needed until Butler/Morisonn is gone so hes got time too.

 

Edit: forgot Kennedy's buyout so make it 61.65 ish

[LGR4GM]

Since you asked..... You've flipped your lid. Hecht isn't going anywhere. There isn't a team in the league that would be willing to take him at that salary. IMO the only winger we have that is moveable is Stafford (well, Gerbe and Ennis are moveable too but why would we at those salaries). And Kassian doesn't see the NHL next season unless we run into alot of injury problems. Same with McNabb but even moreso because there is more ready depth in the A already. And no way does Boyes fill a "power type" role. Not his game at all. He's purely a finesse guy.

 

Other than that, you're dead on. :P

I disagree, Hecht is a very responsible player defensively and since the "rise of the grinders" teams could be interested. Teams like NYI for instance who have no veteran presence really or a team like Winnipeg that now isnt in a hockey hating city. He also only has 1 year left on his contract so maybe last year it was unrealistic but this year it could happen. If you do not trade him than you do at the deadline and he plays the forth line this season. Either way Laich is a player we should target maybe even more than Richards, we need that guy because it gives you a goose type player with more offensive upside.

 

Kassian could be here by Nov and McNabb could leapfrog some ppl but either way there numbers are similar to the players who make the team that they would replace. (aka Mckormick and Shiestal/butler)

[X. Benedict]

Since you asked..... You've flipped your lid. Hecht isn't going anywhere. There isn't a team in the league that would be willing to take him at that salary.

Hecht at 1.75 on re-entry waivers isn't a bad deal. He can also be sent down.

[nobody]

Hecht at 1.75 on re-entry waivers isn't a bad deal. He can also be sent down.

 

 

I've been proposing this myself. Send him down and open up 3.5 mil. But of course you have one huge obstacle in the way of this happening: Lindy Ruff.

[Weave]

Hecht at 1.75 on re-entry waivers isn't a bad deal. He can also be sent down.

 

Too be honest.... and I'm not sure I believe I am actually typing this, I'd almost rather see Stafford go. Mostly because we'll get a nice return from Stafford if he's signed to a reasonable contract. And if we can get Laich AND Richards I really like the idea of a Hecht/Laich/Pommer line. I see Boyes replacing Stafford's production completely. Of course, this all means Vanek at RW. Not sure how Lindy feels about that. He only moves him there when he is shorthanded at RW.

[LGR4GM]

Need $ numbers.

 

Vanek 7.1 - Richards 8 - Pommers 5.3Ennis .975 - Roy 4 - Drew 4Gerbs 1.25 - Laich 3.15 - Boyes 4Kaleta .907 - Goose 2.1 - Kassian .87Myers 1.3 - Ehrhoff 5.25Weber .850 - Sekera 1.4MAG .750 - Leo 3Miler 6.1 - Enroth 1.25 = 61.55 (+- 100k)Quick defense of the kassian thing, he may not start here but we cold fill that role with mckormick and bring Kass up when hes ready... Growing pains but this team could happen and McNabb is not needed until Butler/Morisonn is gone so hes got time too.Edit: forgot Kennedy's buyout so make it 61.65 ish

Here are your numbers CHZ, do you think thats feasible? I am unsure of the richards situation but there could be some other ppl available who knows.

 

Since you asked..... You've flipped your lid. Hecht isn't going anywhere. There isn't a team in the league that would be willing to take him at that salary. IMO the only winger we have that is moveable is Stafford (well, Gerbe and Ennis are moveable too but why would we at those salaries). And Kassian doesn't see the NHL next season unless we run into alot of injury problems. Same with McNabb but even moreso because there is more ready depth in the A already. And no way does Boyes fill a "power type" role. Not his game at all. He's purely a finesse guy.Other than that, you're dead on. :P

Hecht at 1.75 on re-entry waivers isn't a bad deal. He can also be sent down.

Which is it, Hecht is garbage or we can do something here?

[X. Benedict]

Too be honest.... and I'm not sure I believe I am actually typing this, I'd almost rather see Stafford go. Mostly because we'll get a nice return from Stafford if he's signed to a reasonable contract. And if we can get Laich AND Richards I really like the idea of a Hecht/Laich/Pommer line. I see Boyes replacing Stafford's production completely. Of course, this all means Vanek at RW. Not sure how Lindy feels about that. He only moves him there when he is shorthanded at RW.

 

Hecht is a different player at wing and limited a center...but 82 games at the wing he's probably still capable of 40 pts. and a solid 2 way game.

 

Stafford has value if you want to move him....he's probably the best piece to dangle to trade for a center.

[Weave]

Which is it, Hecht is garbage or we can do something here?

 

I never said he was garbage, just overpaid.

[inkman]

so from what I understand it looks that yzerman claims that Stamkos will be signed no question.

Hopefully, this will put the Stamkos nonsense to rest.

 

Although I'm sure the next biggest RFA wil become everyones topic of choice.

[LGR4GM]

I never said he was garbage, just overpaid.

...agreed, which is where i think we might have something. Other teams need guys like hecht to fill gaps and like i said i think the new Winnipeg team might benefit or a team like the islanders who need a 3rd line grinder for a year.

 

Edit: also sorry if that came off as bitchy, I wasnt trying to be. I actually think we have a similar value of hecht's worth but I think other teams would be interested in it even though he is overpaid by about 1.25ish

[Tom Backyard]

As an alternative to signing the big fish (Richards), what does everyone think about a possible trade for Stephen Weiss?

 

I'm sure Dineen could put together a list of young Sabres/prospects he would be interested in coaching in Florida.

 

From THN (they're talking about how he could fit the Rangers' needs):

 

Weiss, 28, has two more seasons remaining on his current contract, with a cap hit of $3.1 million per season, plus a no-movement clause. If the Panthers were willing to move Weiss, he'd certainly be a more affordable option than Richards, who is expected to command around $7 million on the open market.

 

Weiss has said he'd prefer to remain with the rebuilding Panthers, but Florida GM Dale Tallon hasn't declared him “untouchable.” Still, it's believed Tallon would prefer to keep Weiss on the roster.

[carpandean]

As an alternative to signing the big fish (Richards), what does everyone think about a possible trade for Stephen Weiss?

Where was that post about having two Roys and two Gooses? :nana:

[CallawaySabres]

Anyone who wants a Dman will be EXTREMELY pleased if the Sabres can pull off what their main target is this off-season. Let's just say he is better than Ehroff....... :unsure:

[LGR4GM]

Anyone who wants a Dman will be EXTREMELY pleased if the Sabres can pull off what their main target is this off-season. Let's just say he is better than Ehroff....... :unsure:

...Shea Weber? Drew Doughty? those are the only guys way better than Ehrhoff that could potentially be FA

[nobody]

Hopefully, this will put the Stamkos nonsense to rest.

Although I'm sure the next biggest RFA wil become everyones topic of choice.

 

 

Andrew Ladd?

[CallawaySabres]

...Shea Weber? Drew Doughty? those are the only guys way better than Ehrhoff that could potentially be FA

 

Yup

[LGR4GM]

Yup

wait seriously? didnt we all decide RFA's werent getting offer sheets from Darcy? Now I am confused are you being sarcastic?

 

Also Andrew Ladd on this team would = awesome.

[X. Benedict]

Andrew Ladd?

 

I don't think he walks away from Winnipeg. But I am waiting to see how much he gets paid.

[nobody]

wait seriously? didnt we all decide RFA's werent getting offer sheets from Darcy? Now I am confused are you being sarcastic?

 

Also Andrew Ladd on this team would = awesome.

 

 

That was before Hockey Heaven.

[LGR4GM]

That was before Hockey Heaven.

I thought i heard darcy say last week he wouldnt go after RFA's most likely but its a an option as in unless someone makes me it aint happening.

[X. Benedict]

I thought i heard darcy say last week he wouldnt go after RFA's most likely but its a an option as in unless someone makes me it aint happening.

 

Mostly because RFA offers are such a crappy deal.

 

The only successful one to date was Dustin Penner....which really didn't work out so good.

[drnkirishone]

you give up alot to get the elite players...... hell if we walked away from the Vanek contract we might have had Tayler Hall. Or am I misremembering compensation levels?

[LGR4GM]

Vanek 7.1 - Richards 8 - Pommers 5.3

Ennis .975 - Roy 4 - Drew 4

Gerbs 1.25 - Laich 3.15 - Boyes 4

Kaleta .907 - Goose 2.1 - Kassian .87

 

Myers 1.3 - Ehrhoff 5.25

 

Weber .850 - Sekera 1.4

 

MAG .750 - Leo 3

 

Miler 6.1 - Enroth 1.25

 

= 61.55 (+- 100k)

 

So far my numbers are doing ok but the sabres have barely rewarded my faith in their ability to improve the team. Can't wait to see if drews new 4mil a year deal makes him suk or propels him to new heights. It at least eliminates one of the contracts we spent weeks discussing.

 

I wonder if with drew locked up the sabres are implementing a plan. Pegula and Black and even regier seem like the type who would sit down in a meeting and come up with a list of steps for the summer and a time frame to get them down.

 

1) player exit interviews

2) locker room renovation begin

3) Player evaluation

4) draft evaluation

5) Sign who we want

6) trade players that do not fit for ones that fit better

7) Explore UFA but try to have a better team b4 july 1

 

so far we have started step 5. I feel like around june20th there might be some trading going on. I wonder however if all those RFA defense we have get contracted first or will there be a couple traded.