Free Agent Leaders Available

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

I love getting rid of Ehrhoff. Tim Murray said he wants people here who want to be here. Ehrhoff mailed it in the final 30 games of last year faster than a teenager using his snowbird neighbors' address for 10 free Columbia House Cd's.......

 

So...who is out there that could set a good example for a few years in the way they play the game? There aren't world beaters out there, but there are plenty of guys who could keep the room focused and play hard and smart.

 

In no particular order.....

 

Jarome Iginla..... probably has no interest in coming here, but if you want Reinhart to not lose confidence quickly, all the supposed high hockey IQ is going to go to waste when your best options of feeding the puck to are Drew Stafford and Tyler Ennis. He'd be a big money guy to help to the floor. Doubtful.

 

Shawn Thornton.....you could easily offer him 30-50% more than what a contender will and he might actually think about it. If you have a bunch of young guys, you need someone willing to stick up for them. The guy has a Cup and was able to crack minutes on arguably the best team in the league over the past 5 years. Realistic.

 

Matt D'Agostini....he was one of a handful of guys who played his heart out last year for this cluster. He is what he is, but sets a good example on a team with little talent and can play minutes in almost any aspect. Coach respects him. Likely.

 

Cory Sarich.....Always brings effort and is willing to play physical. While not an offensive threat, doesn't skate like he is in quicksand. A guy like Zadorov would appreciate being paired with him as a 2nd pair for a year or two. Reasonable.

 

Willie Mitchell....see Sarich, but with Cups. Might be shot and probably not willing to play for a bottom feeder given his age.

 

Mike Rupp....a crafty vet who would be a huge force in the locker room. A healthy scratch on a contender, he could be a guiding force and a player/coach type. Realistic.

 

Brian Boyle...is still young enough to contribute when the team turns. He is a guy you could overpay for 5 years knowing he would be a good character 3rd/4th liner in the playoffs in his early 30's. Plays the game hard and has shown enough offense over the years that he wouldn't be just a mucker. Possible.

 

Benoit Puliot...still young and has offensive back class. While never coming into his offensive potential, has shown effort and could actually log real minutes on a team like Buffalo. Enough skill and effort that kids could look up to. Possible.

 

Anton Stralman...a perfect target. Still fairly young and versatile on D. He has gotten better each and every year and plays the game like you wish a guy like Tallinder would have. Mobile enough, and for a 6' Swede, he loves contact. He could eat big minutes and would be a great guy to pair with Myers going forward or Ristolainen/Zadorov in a few years. He is probably ready to be a top 4 guy on a top team and could easily be 23-25 minute guy on a bottom feeder. Target.

 

David Moss....a D'Agostini type who is a fringe player on a good team, but has high effort and enough talent to not be foolish. Probable.

 

Steve Ott.....you know

 

There are more talented guys out there, and maybe a Gionta or Moulson will be needed to sign to help get to the floor, but this team could turn into poison quickly if they are as bad as is setting up. It's just going to be hard to get a top guy in here who wants to win and justify the contract you will have to pay them.

 

 

 

 

[Eleven]

Pernell Karl Subban. Get it done. I will keep posting this in every thread in which it is even slightly relevant. And I'll bet Murray has the stones to sign an offer sheet, too.

[Hoss]

I think Brooks Orpik and Willie Mitchell are two really good options on the back end to make up some $$$ differences while contributing with what they know. Orpik is a step or two slow now, but he could still play reasonably well while teaching.

 

Pernell Karl Subban. Get it done. I will keep posting this in every thread in which it is even slightly relevant. And I'll bet Murray has the stones to sign an offer sheet, too.

 

I would give him 7 years, $60 mill.

Edited June 29, 2014 by Tankalicious

[26CornerBlitz]

Pernell Karl Subban. Get it done. I will keep posting this in every thread in which it is even slightly relevant. And I'll bet Murray has the stones to sign an offer sheet, too.

 

At the cost of McDavid or Eichel? NFW!

[Weave]

Pernell Karl Subban. Get it done. I will keep posting this in every thread in which it is even slightly relevant. And I'll bet Murray has the stones to sign an offer sheet, too.

 

Is he an rfa? If so, dont we lose 1st round picksif we sgn? Thats not what we need to do.I

[TrueBlueGED]

Pernell Karl Subban. Get it done. I will keep posting this in every thread in which it is even slightly relevant. And I'll bet Murray has the stones to sign an offer sheet, too.

 

And sacrifice next year's 1st? Insanity.

 

I'm fully on the Stralman and Pouliot train to get to the floor.

[Hoss]

 

 

At the cost of McDavid or Eichel? NFW!

 

###### ###### I forgot that's how it works. Nevermind my offer. Sorry PK.

[LastPommerFan]

Pernell Karl Subban. Get it done. I will keep posting this in every thread in which it is even slightly relevant. And I'll bet Murray has the stones to sign an offer sheet, too.

At the cost of McDavid or Eichel? NFW!

 

yeah, the Subban offer sheet would certainly be in the range that would cost us our first next year. NFW

[Eleven]

At the cost of McDavid or Eichel? NFW!

Is he an rfa? If so, dont we lose 1st round picksif we sgn? Thats not what we need to do.I

And sacrifice next year's 1st? Insanity.

 

I'm fully on the Stralman and Pouliot train to get to the floor.

###### ###### I forgot that's how it works. Nevermind my offer. Sorry PK.

 

So did I. Dammit. ###### me with a broomstick, I wanted to get him here.

 

EDIT: What if the Sabres trade Conacher for him?

Edited June 29, 2014 by Eleven

[inkman]

At the cost of McDavid or Eichel? NFW!

Thank you.

[26CornerBlitz]

So did I. Dammit. ###### me with a broomstick, I wanted to get him here.

 

EDIT: What if the Sabres trade Conacher for him?

 

I will now put down the torch and pitch fork.....the assembling mob will now return home. :lol:

[Weave]

I hear Christion Ehrhoff might be available......

[TrueBlueGED]

So did I. Dammit. ###### me with a broomstick, I wanted to get him here.

 

EDIT: What if the Sabres trade Conacher for him?

 

Getting ###### with a broomstick may actually be more enjoyable than being a season ticket holder this season :P

 

/ducks

[darksabre]

I hear Christion Ehrhoff might be available......

 

You beat me to it :thumbsup:

[Eleven]

Getting ###### with a broomstick may actually be more enjoyable than being a season ticket holder this season :P

 

/ducks

 

Yeah, well, since I'm a season ticket holder…

[Weave]

Yeah, well, since I'm a season ticket holder…

 

That post makes it sound like you are soliciting.

 

Just sayin...

[Hoss]

You could build a good lineup out of this year's free agency:

 

Vanek/Stastny/Iginla

Moulson/Richards/Vrbata

Cammalari/Ribeiro/Hemsky

Ott/Boyle/Gionta

 

Boyle/Niskanen

Ehrhoff/Gilbert

Meszaros/Orpik

 

Miller/Hiller

 

 

The bolded are guys I could see Buffalo reasonably targeting.

 

Some other potential leading-type guys: Michael Handzus, David Legwand, Olli Jokinen, Lee Stempniak, Ray Whitney, Dany Heatley (just kidding), Brenden Morrow, Martin Havlat, Dom Moore, Manny Malhotra, Stephen Gionta and Danny Cleary.

Edited June 29, 2014 by Tankalicious

[TrueBlueGED]

You could build a good lineup out of this year's free agency:

 

Vanek/Stastny/Iginla

Moulson/Richards/Vrbata

Cammalari/Ribeiro/Hemsky

Ott/Boyle/Gionta

 

Boyle/Niskanen

Ehrhoff/Gilbert

Meszaros/Orpik

 

Miller/Hiller

 

 

The bolded are guys I could see Buffalo reasonably targeting.

 

Wasn't Ribiero's attitude a major reason for his buyout? Can't see Murray bringing him in.

 

I'd definitely take Vrbata, he's been undervalued his entire career so it would be a reasonable contract I think.

[Eleven]

I'd give 2x5s to Vrbata and Orpik and longer deals to Stastny and Moulson. That would solve several problems.

[darksabre]

I'd give 2x5s to Vrbata and Orpik and longer deals to Stastny and Moulson. That would solve several problems.

 

100% yes.

[Hoss]

I'd give 2x5s to Vrbata and Orpik and longer deals to Stastny and Moulson. That would solve several problems.

 

I would be okay with this.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

There are more talented guys out there....just trying to be realistic in who would be willing to come here for a payday and still give top effort and be a good role model.

[26CornerBlitz]

@TIOPS_DePaoli

 

Sabres buyout of Ehrhoff interesting. They've been going hard after Brooks Orpik, will throw big money at him. Eye leader around young guys

[nfreeman]

Is he an rfa? If so, dont we lose 1st round picksif we sgn? Thats not what we need to do.I

 

And that's the end of that.

 

That post makes it sound like you are soliciting.

 

Just sayin...

 

Very nice.

 

GoDD: good thread. I agree with most of your suggestions.

 

I'd also add Volchenkov as a candidate for D. As I posted elsewhere, if they keep Risto and Rudy in Rochester, they are going to need FOUR new defensemen.

[Hoss]

I'd also add Volchenkov as a candidate for D. As I posted elsewhere, if they keep Risto and Rudy in Rochester, they are going to need FOUR new defensemen.

 

NJ did say they aren't using any compliance buyouts, so maybe he's a guy that we look to acquire. $4.25 cap hit for the next two seasons.