Sabres defense options

[revmattb74]

I'd be okay with that plan as long as you take out Weber as one of the trade away pieces. He's one of the guys I want to keep in order to maintain that physical/finesse balance. I also think you get more for Sekera than the others in the trade market since he is more flashy offensively.

would like them to trade Sekera because I nearly have a stroke everytime he touches the puck, nice upside on the offence but still gives the puck away to much. I am fine with them moving forward with Myers, Weber and Butler especially if you bring in Bieska or Erhoff, having Leopold and Grangani rond out A very good six. Hell trade Leopold and sign both of Vancouvers Dmen, now that would be a cup ready D MYers, Weber, Ehroff, Bieska, Butler, Granganni

[BuffaloSoldier2010]

would like them to trade Sekera because I nearly have a stroke everytime he touches the puck, nice upside on the offence but still gives the puck away to much. I am fine with them moving forward with Myers, Weber and Butler especially if you bring in Bieska or Erhoff, having Leopold and Grangani rond out A very good six. Hell trade Leopold and sign both of Vancouvers Dmen, now that would be a cup ready D MYers, Weber, Ehroff, Bieska, Butler, Granganni

Anything with butler in the top 6 is not a cup ready D IMO. Maybe in a couple years. Definitely would be a step forward though.

[dudacek]

I think a stay-at-home guy is more lacking in our mix at the moment, but it's all about upgrades people.

You lock Myers into one of the top two pairings and acquire the best top four (preferably top 2) option out there on the market.

A piece, or pieces, of WeberMorrisonButlerSekeraLeopoldGragnani get used as bargaining chips.

And we'd fashion the rest of the D corps out of whoever's left over — which would probably depend on who we had to sacrifice.

Remember, we have a slew of defensive prospect coming.

[revmattb74]

Anything with butler in the top 6 is not a cup ready D IMO. Maybe in a couple years. Definitely would be a step forward though.

I really lik Butler yes he has games that are really, really bad, but he does have games that he is physical clears the front of the net and plays mean. As a 6th D-man he only needs 5-8 minutes a night while he works on being more consistant. IMHO

[BuffaloSoldier2010]

I really lik Butler yes he has games that are really, really bad, but he does have games that he is physical clears the front of the net and plays mean. As a 6th D-man he only needs 5-8 minutes a night while he works on being more consistant. IMHO

if he can work on being consistantly good then maybe, but from what I saw in the playoffs, the kids panics way too much in his own end. He's going to be great someday don't get me wrong, but I don't think it will be with this team.

 

I'm no oracle, same with everyone else on this board, so I could be proven totally wrong next season due to some intense training regiment he goes through over the summer.

 

Right now I could do without him. I wouldn't be opposed keeping him, and with two vet additions he could mature very quickly, but without those key additions it will be at least a couple years minimum until he becomes the reliable physical D man we would like him to be

[wjag]

While sending Morrisonn to Portland would work to make room for a "stud", he'd have to clear waivers, which he prolly would. The issue would be that if you need him to come back, he has to clear re-entry waivers. If he does get picked up the Sabres are responsible for half his salary/cap hit. That's a million wasted on him since he's not playing in Portland or even on the team and makes you spend (if this indeed is the idea) 1 million less to keep the room. IMHO, it would be better to just keep him as a #7 and not waive him unless u think McNabb, Schiestel, or Brennan(all still waiver-less) are ready. I'd pick McNabb first.

I think Washington is still laughing ath this one..

[LGR4GM]

Weber stays only hard nosed def we got. Myers stays, cuz hes gonna be an all star. I honestly do not care about anyone after that. I would keep a couple of our young guns (gragani and X) and ditch what else i could if I could sign or trade for upgrades...

 

Maybe we could trade miller for a good d-man... <_<

[JJFIVEOH]

So am I to assume that Montador isn't coming back?

[BuffaloSoldier2010]

So am I to assume that Montador isn't coming back?

good question. i wouldnt mind signing him for less and keeping him as the 7th, but odds are he's going too

[LastPommerFan]

Bieksa > Erhoff IMO.

 

Unfortunately this is true, which is why i believe he will not be available come July 1. Hopefully Vancouver will Drury/Briere this situation and we can sign them both at 5.5M a piece. We should buy Larry Quinn plane tickets out west. Preferably one way.

[LGR4GM]

Unfortunately this is true, which is why i believe he will not be available come July 1. Hopefully Vancouver will Drury/Briere this situation and we can sign them both at 5.5M a piece. We should buy Larry Quinn plane tickets out west. Preferably one way.

agreed and loving the avatar

[Drunkard]

Pick up a good defenseman like Bieksa or Erhoff, ship Morrison to Portland or trade him for whatever and our defense would look pretty good.

 

Myers - Bieksa/Erhoff

 

Leopold - Weber

 

Gragnani - Sekera

 

Butler

[drnkirishone]

I still think the D we have signed/RFA is still a solid group. Shoan I think will be much better in year 2 as most all FA D have been for Ruff.

 

I am however off the fan wagon of Butler..... I let alot of the crap play he has done be blamed on skating with Rivet. But with that turnstyle out all season from the lineup I still saw the bad plays and headscratching decisionmaking from Butler. I will concede that maybe he was playing to many minutes against to high "quality of opposition". I would like to see him being on the 3rd pair so we can see if he can make it in the NHL, cause it is clear to me he will not be a top 4 guy.

 

Ideally if we can snag some top line forwards in trades or have to trade some defense to get it, I would say we need someone to play with Myers and a solid 2way 2nd pair guy. Also I say a solid 2way defenseman as opposed to the lockdown type some are meantioning mostly cause I believe in a quick skating mobile defense.

 

Myers - Erhoff

 

Lepold - (not sure what 1.7-2.5 million 2way D is out there)

 

Weber - MAG

 

Butler/Sekera/Morrisson (depending on who we traded away for some forwards)

 

The only 2 D that are on my only insanely lopsided trade lists are Myers and Weber. MAG I would trade but it would have to be a deal that slants in the Sabres favor. All others I would be willing to trade more then I get back in value if we pick up Erhoff and another FA

[dudacek]

During the Hot Stove on tonight's game they said Nashville may not be able to afford Weber.

In my view, that is the best possible addition this team could make.

We need a prayer emoticon.

[BuffaloSoldier2010]

During the Hot Stove on tonight's game they said Nashville may not be able to afford Weber.

In my view, that is the best possible addition this team could make.

We need a prayer emoticon.

But what will we do with TWO webers?

[drnkirishone]

Shea and Tyler playing who can crush the puny forwards the most.......... now that is hockey heaven :worthy:

[deluca67]

Shea and Tyler playing who can crush the puny forwards the most.......... now that is hockey heaven :worthy:

If Shea Weber is not under contract to Nashville on July 1st then Terry Pegula needs to force Regier to sign him to a offer-sheet large enough that it will impress Weber and make it difficult for the Predators to match. The goal is to win the Stanley Cup. If the Predators are foolish enough to allow a 25 year old stud defenseman to hit free agency, the Sabres need to take full advantage of it.

[LastPommerFan]

If Shea Weber is not under contract to Nashville on July 1st then Terry Pegula needs to force Regier to sign him to a offer-sheet large enough that it will impress Weber and make it difficult for the Predators to match. The goal is to win the Stanley Cup. If the Predators are foolish enough to allow a 25 year old stud defenseman to hit free agency, the Sabres need to take full advantage of it.

 

Would you give up $2-3M/year in cap space and 4 1st round draft picks to upgrade from Ehrhoff/Bieksa to Weber?

 

Please think about the minnesota vikings while you answer that.

[BuffaloSoldier2010]

Would you give up $2-3M/year in cap space and 4 1st round draft picks to upgrade from Ehrhoff/Bieksa to Weber?

 

Please think about the minnesota vikings while you answer that.

Is he an UFA or a RFA?

 

if he's not restricted, then the picks wouldnt be necessary.

[deluca67]

Would you give up $2-3M/year in cap space and 4 1st round draft picks to upgrade from Ehrhoff/Bieksa to Weber?

Please think about the minnesota vikings while you answer that.

I would gladly give all that up and will be thinking about the 2006-2007 Anaheim Ducks as I do it.

 

Miller is a good goalie. If the Sabres plan is to stick with Miller then putting a pairing of Myers and Shea Weber in front of him should be a no-brainer. He is only 25 and along with Myers can be the face of the franchise for years to come.

[deluca67]

Is he an UFA or a RFA?

 

if he's not restricted, then the picks wouldnt be necessary.

He's a RFA.

[LastPommerFan]

I would gladly give all that up and will be thinking about the 2006-2007 Anaheim Ducks as I do it.

 

Miller is a good goalie. If the Sabres plan is to stick with Miller then putting a pairing of Myers and Shea Weber in front of him should be a no-brainer. He is only 25 and along with Myers can be the face of the franchise for years to come.

 

We will never agree on this. But I like your moxy, I am much more conservative when mortgaging the future. But your point is reasonable, what are the odds we get even one Shea Weber with the 20th-30th pick in the next 4 drafts?

 

Could we trade for his rights? Butler or Grags + Ennis or Gerbe + 1st round pick + conditional 1st/2nd? Then we could sign him for cheaper and not eat the cap space.

[BuffaloSoldier2010]

We will never agree on this. But I like your moxy, I am much more conservative when mortgaging the future. But your point is reasonable, what are the odds we get even one Shea Weber with the 20th-30th pick in the next 4 drafts?

 

Could we trade for his rights? Butler or Grags + Ennis or Gerbe + 1st round pick + conditional 1st/2nd? Then we could sign him for cheaper and not eat the cap space.

At this point I feel like the sabres have been too conservative with the future. Imo the time to get those big names is now. I would rather go the first round pick route than trade ennis or grags tho.

 

I know what you mean though, I think a trio of myers shew weber and miller would be great. Not to mention great for enroths confidence if and when he takes over.

[dudacek]

Trading for his rights before he becomes an RFA is the best route.

It would take a hell of a lot.

To start, you're looking at a young, talented forward — Stafford, Kassian or Ennis, a good young defender — pick 'em except Myers, and a first rounder.

And we'd probably have to sweeten that deal.

And yes, I would do it — Sabres have good players, what they need is one or two great ones. That's not Bieksa and Erhoff.

Miller/Myers/Weber and Pegula's wallet would guarantee we're in the hunt for the next five years.

[BuffaloSoldier2010]

I'll give em Stafford or kassian, I just wanna keep ennis. If were gonna trade away picks id like to hang on to him, tons of potential.