matter2003 Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 Or will he let key players walk away over a million dollars or less? Golisano...we love what you have done so far, but now it's really time to step up and make sure we have a winner here for a long time... You don't always get these types of chances...now is not the time to be cheap and blow it... He has to know that this city will live and die by this team, and will spend the money to see a winner... Mr. Golisano...PLEASE PLEASE open up the checkbook...
ncsabre Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 I think he will. This team will be intact for a while. I think Mr. Golisano will do what ever it takes to bring a cup to buffalo. If they don't sign Jay Mckee then I will have a problem.
jad1 Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 He doesn't even have to sign big name free agents, just keep the core of this team together. And he probably even has Biron's salary to throw into the hopper (even though I hate to seen him go).
ncsabre Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 He doesn't even have to sign big name free agents, just keep the core of this team together. And he probably even has Biron's salary to throw into the hopper (even though I hate to seen him go). I like Biron too. But he deserves to be a number one goalie. He's a great guy and team mate. I wish him the best of luck next year. I hope he goes out west and becomes the best goaltender behind Miller.
jad1 Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 I like Biron too. But he deserves to be a number one goalie. He's a great guy and team mate. I wish him the best of luck next year. I hope he goes out west and becomes the best goaltender behind Miller. I agree he deserves to start, and Miller is definitely the guy in Buffalo.
PromoTheRobot Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 Or will he let key players walk away over a million dollars or less? Golisano...we love what you have done so far, but now it's really time to step up and make sure we have a winner here for a long time... You don't always get these types of chances...now is not the time to be cheap and blow it... He has to know that this city will live and die by this team, and will spend the money to see a winner... Mr. Golisano...PLEASE PLEASE open up the checkbook... Don't hold your breath. PTR
Taro T Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 I would be surprised to see Biron back. The Sabres won't have to pay Ryan what they are paying Marty based on where he sits on the free agent totem pole and I doubt that the Sabres will offer Marty what he was making unless they have a trade lined up. This is part of the reason that I wanted to see the Sabres keep Mika vs keeping Marty. I truly believe they are similar goalies, but Mika has a larger upside. It's all moot now, but I definitely hope that they sign the forward and top 2 d UFA's before they spend money on Marty. Had they kept Mika, they'd have ~1.4MM less of an outlay to the backup than they will if they re-sign Marty.
frisky Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 I wouldn't hold my breath either. Not to be pessimistic but TG is a businessman and he's still in the red overall owning the team. I would expect more of the same type of negotiation tactics and a slightly increased budget.
deluca67 Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 The Sabres are going to stay the same course. Draft smart and develope players and retain those players who still have upside and not over pay for those who don't. You have to remember that this team is built for the long haul. They will be very good for a long time. The Sens are ready for a major fall. The Sabres will look at their FA's and determine not only who can help them next year but who can help them two or three years down the road. There are some huge question marks on this team. Is Connolly ever going to play again. Should the Sabres risk a contract on a player with his health history. Will Teppo retire? Can his body hold up to an 82 game schedule? With Lydman and Tallinder stepping up as the Sabres top two blueliners, does that make McKee expendable? With Kalinin and Campbell stepping up can the Sabres afford to pay McKee the $3 million he would get on the FA market? Will Drew Stafford make the big club? Will Thomas Vanek recover from his playoff benching? It's going to be a great summer. Isn't traing camp only three months away?
Kristian Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 ? With Lydman and Tallinder stepping up as the Sabres top two blueliners, does that make McKee expendable? With Kalinin and Campbell stepping up can the Sabres afford to pay McKee the $3 million he would get on the FA market? I sincerely doubt you can lock McKee for as little as 3 mill. There are tons of teams out there willing to pay him 4 mill. I bet. Wouldn't do it myself though. 2.5 or 3 seems fair to me, if he keeps playing the way he has. If he disappears again like after his last contract negotiation, I'll freak.
inkman Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 The Sabres are going to stay the same course. Draft smart and develope players and retain those players who still have upside and not over pay for those who don't. You have to remember that this team is built for the long haul. They will be very good for a long time. The Sens are ready for a major fall. The Sabres will look at their FA's and determine not only who can help them next year but who can help them two or three years down the road. There are some huge question marks on this team. Is Connolly ever going to play again. Should the Sabres risk a contract on a player with his health history. Will Teppo retire? Can his body hold up to an 82 game schedule? With Lydman and Tallinder stepping up as the Sabres top two blueliners, does that make McKee expendable? With Kalinin and Campbell stepping up can the Sabres afford to pay McKee the $3 million he would get on the FA market? Will Drew Stafford make the big club? Will Thomas Vanek recover from his playoff benching? It's going to be a great summer. Isn't traing camp only three months away? Thank you Deluca for bringing sense to this thread. Darcy has already shown us the blueprint for this organization. They will continue to develop in Rochester, and bring up players as they develop or are needed. The only free agents/trades they made prior to this year was on the blue line because they didn't have enough bodies. I would expect the same if we lose Mckee and Teppo. This team is not going to make any huge splash in the free agent market. It will be hard enough to get everybody we already have to sign contracts and stay within the budget plan.
Stoner Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 This is the scenario I envisioned way back when and brings us around to "The Plan" debate. I wondered then what the front office would or should do if the Sabres made a serious run at the Cup and came up just short. Staying the course -- drafting smart and developing players, keeping the payroll under control -- makes good sense, given how young this team is and how they should be better next year (a scary good thought). But the 75 and 99 Sabres stayed the course too and never really had a sniff at the Cup in the years that followed. Their deficiencies (to oversimplify, goaltending in 75 and scoring in 99) never were really addressed. I don't think the 06 Sabres have any serious deficiencies, and I am not advocating dramatic change. But if Teppo retires (even if he doesn't and isn't healthy next year either), defense is one area to look at for improvement. Keep McKee. That's a no brainer. Then go out through free agency or a trade and get a solid stud on D who might put this team over the top next year. Biron's 2 million won't be back. And a trade wouldn't necessarily add a ton of payroll. Ahhh, I'm wandering here. I just don't see why we can't keep this team together AND add one big piece -- and maybe a little piece, some graybeard forward who can win a faceoff and score a big goal in the playoffs and add a bit of seasoning to the mix without distrupting that precious chemistry. Hopefully, Tom has been bitten by the bug and is thinking exactly the same way.
apuszczalowski Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 This is the scenario I envisioned way back when and brings us around to "The Plan" debate. I wondered then what the front office would or should do if the Sabres made a serious run at the Cup and came up just short. Staying the course -- drafting smart and developing players, keeping the payroll under control -- makes good sense, given how young this team is and how they should be better next year (a scary good thought). But the 75 and 99 Sabres stayed the course too and never really had a sniff at the Cup in the years that followed. Their deficiencies (to oversimplify, goaltending in 75 and scoring in 99) never were really addressed. I don't think the 06 Sabres have any serious deficiencies, and I am not advocating dramatic change. But if Teppo retires (even if he doesn't and isn't healthy next year either), defense is one area to look at for improvement. Keep McKee. That's a no brainer. Then go out through free agency or a trade and get a solid stud on D who might put this team over the top next year. Biron's 2 million won't be back. And a trade wouldn't necessarily add a ton of payroll. Ahhh, I'm wandering here. I just don't see why we can't keep this team together AND add one big piece -- and maybe a little piece, some graybeard forward who can win a faceoff and score a big goal in the playoffs and add a bit of seasoning to the mix without distrupting that precious chemistry. Hopefully, Tom has been bitten by the bug and is thinking exactly the same way. Very good point, but this team does have some needs, but nothing that requires a huge overhaul or some big moves. They need to do some tweaking to make this team a true contender. The defence is the biggest area of concern next year even if Teppo doesn't retire and McKee is resigned. The defence was questionable all year. McKee, Tallinder, Teppo, Cambell (really stepped up big) are probably the top defencemen, with Lydman (good but has moments of question) and Kalinan right behind, and then Paetsch and Janik would alright for next year, but it would still be a question mark sometimes. Paetsch or Janik fighting for the #7 spot (maybe Janik 7 with Paetsch being the first call up from Rochester if needed since I believe he can still be sent down) and maybe finding a top tier defencemen to replace Lydman or Kalinan (if Mckee or Teppo are still here) would bring the defence up a notch. Fitzpatrick and Jillison have had their chances, but I don't think they can cut it here anymore. A defencemen that comes to mind (I saw him on a TSN show recently) who stepped it up a bit this year, was Andy Delmore of the predators, and he is a FA this year. He was a good "special teams player" this year and could come cheap As for the offence, Drury, Briere, Mair, Roy (if he can shake the diver reputation), Gaustad, Pomminstein, Connolly (if he can come back at all, hopefully not another year off due to injury), Greer (even though he disapeared in the last round of the playoffs) are all players Buffalo has to make sure are back next year. Dumont would be nice to come back but he has to step it up a bit more along with Max (just put the puck in the net and finish it, the break aways are nice, but they mean nothing if you don't get a goal or assist). Kotalik too would be somebody that I wouldn't mind seeing back but could be used as trade bait if necessary, and if Pyatt could play like he did in the playoffs, He should have a spot on Mairs line. Hecht is another guy that I don't mind seeing back or used as trade bait. Vanek has gotten on my bad side because he is continually looking more and more like Satan 9and blaming the coach for your lack of play doesn't cut it on this team where no one else is having a problem) I see him having an attitude and hopefully since he is young he can change his ways, quickly. Picking up another forward who can provide more goals would be a nice touch, but not absolutely necessary. As for goalies, Miller is the starter, hands down. The guy is an excellent goalie and the future (or maybe I should say present and future) of this team. (he's not the next hasek, but no one is and very few will ever be) Lock him into a long term deal. As for Biron, I would love to see him back, but I think that decission rest solely on him, and I can't see someone his age deciding to stay as a backup when a bunch of teams will come calling for him as a starter. I think picking up a solid backup will be required
nfreeman Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 Guys, I think everyone needs to emotionally prepare for McKee's departure. Our payroll was about $28 million this year. It will go up a bit next year, but not higher than $30 million or so. If McCabe got $5 million per year, someone is going to give McKee $4 million. That is about 13% of the Sabres' payroll and I think that is going to be too rich for us. I want to keep McKee as much as anyone else does, but it has to be at the right number. It's not as simple as "c'mon Golisano -- open up your wallet -- you're rich, so you can afford it". Life isn't like that. Nobody runs a business that loses millions of dollars per year. That is how we almost lost our team. There is no way we are taking a $5-$6 million shot at someone like Chara. I think what we can realistically expect is that we keep our restricted FAs and continue to make intelligent pickups that represent good value (e.g. Lydman, Numminen, Grier, etc.). The veteran forward PAFan is looking for who can contribute in the playoffs will probably be available in this category. Splashy free agent moves don't equate to success. The foundation comes from smart drafting and good coaching, with free agents providing the fine-tuning. Go Sabres.
Kristian Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 Vanek might be the next Connolly, but even when Tim struggled the most, he didn't have an attitude problem. Therefore, dump Vanek and see what he can fetch. Also, he's too slow for the style of game The Sabres play.
jad1 Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 Vanek might be the next Connolly, but even when Tim struggled the most, he didn't have an attitude problem. Therefore, dump Vanek and see what he can fetch. Also, he's too slow for the style of game The Sabres play. I don't know if I'd go that far. He might have just hit the rookie wall. I'd keep around and put his locker between Drury and Grier. He's got too much talent to dump after such a short time.
Stoner Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 Yeah, Vanek did score 25 goals his rookie season! I don't think the payroll is going to be limited to $30 million. If so, we are in trouble. Golisano has always said he had no intention of losing money year after year, but also that 1. He wasn't in this to make a lot of money and 2. When revenues went up, so would payroll.
hopeleslyobvious Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 Yeah, Vanek did score 25 goals his rookie season! 1. He wasn't in this to make a lot of money and 2. When revenues went up, so would payroll. Agreed. I am pretty sure we made a profit during the regular season, and probably made a sizeable profit during the playoffs. I have 2 rules for the off season: 1. Don't go after the big name free agents (unless they fall under rule 2). 2. Go out and find the right players for our team. Last summer Darcy was riddiculed for his off season moves, but I have to say Lydman and Numminen really fit in on this team, let's hope this summer's acquisitions work out as well.
apuszczalowski Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 The salary cap is going to go up 4+ million next year which also mean the salary floor will go up too (teams hav a minimum to spend too, not just a maximum) I can't see this team not raising their self imposed salary cap up atleast the 4 million that the NHL cap is going up, plus this team made alot of extra money making it to the conference finals. If Golisano still decideds to spend less then 32 million next year when the team will be probably atleast break even due to the extra season tickets bought for the playoff perks, Golisano is only in this for the money and is not an owner looking to field competitive teams. I don't expect him to remove their self imposed cap, but he will be spending more this season, especially if he wants to keep this team competitive and have a chance to compete for the cup. Otherwise we will becom just a glorified AHL team, developing talent and then letting them go when they become good and want a raise. As long as he fields a competitive team, the fans will keep coming. Right now I see atleast the first month of the season as sell-outs (unless the team decides to become cheap on us to maximise profits over winning) due to the playoff run we just had. As long as fans show up and support the team, TG will earn a profit and will put money into the team
shrader Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 A defencemen that comes to mind (I saw him on a TSN show recently) who stepped it up a bit this year, was Andy Delmore of the predators, and he is a FA this year. He was a good "special teams player" this year and could come cheap You must be thinking of someone else. Delmore spent the entire season in the Columbus organization, playing only 7 games in the NHL. Even if he was an option, that bridge has been burned anyway.
apuszczalowski Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 I could be wrong, it may have been Columbus, but I could swear it was Delmore they were talking to and that he played for them the entire season, Oh well, could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time
shrader Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 I could be wrong, it may have been Columbus, but I could swear it was Delmore they were talking to and that he played for them the entire season, Oh well, could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time I forgot to include the link in my last post: http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdispla...pid%5B%5D=23910
apuszczalowski Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 I forgot to include the link in my last post: http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdispla...pid%5B%5D=23910 Ok, I guess that proves I was wrong, lol Maybe I just wasn't listening or paying attention all that well to the TV, I do remember he was the only one that chose Buffalo to win, thats when i turned to my brother and said he was a good guy
topshelfcookies Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 I liked DeLuca's approach, and wanted to just toss out some opinions on his post. The Sabres are going to stay the same course. Draft smart and develope players and retain those players who still have upside and not over pay for those who don't. Remember too that part of staying the course means that guys who fit into the plan such as Roy and Pominville, who weren't really projected to contribute much, will be back, with more experience under their belts. If the Sabres are to succeed using "The Plan" (pardon me PA), they'll need a couple Roy/Pominville types to come in each year and be counted on for 20pt seasons, speed and either good special teams play, or responsible defensive play. You have to remember that this team is built for the long haul. They will be very good for a long time. The Sens are ready for a major fall. I think this is partly why WNY seems to be taking this loss, this season rather in stride. This is just the beginning for this club and this group of players, not the end of an era. Besides playing completely different styles of hockey (and playing essentially in different eras as well), the 2006 and 1999 Sabres teams differ in this respect as well. Hasek had already hit his prime by 1999, and while he was still amazing, wasn't going to get any better. You can't say the same for Miller, who may already be more of a reliable playoff goalie than Dom ever was (another thread for another day, right there!) Not only were they close this year, it wasn't because they were simply lucky and received good playoff draws. They outplayed Philly and Ottawa and came close to beating Carolina. It's not as if this year ended with a train wreck of a bad call or crappy goal...it just sort of quietly ground to a halt. The Sabres will look at their FA's and determine not only who can help them next year but who can help them two or three years down the road. That's the fun part of building with a young team. You might be able to wait for a guy like Vanek to develop and mature over the course of a few years, knowing that when he really hits his prime in 2 or 3 years, you'll still be competitive. With Lydman and Tallinder stepping up as the Sabres top two blueliners, does that make McKee expendable? With Kalinin and Campbell stepping up can the Sabres afford to pay McKee the $3 million he would get on the FA market? I'm not sure how much Tallinder and Lydman have an impact on McKee as does the performance this postseason by Kalinin, Campbell and Fitzpatrick. There is certainly a role for McKee and there is certainly an emotional/sentimental attachment to him and the community, but players like McKee (essentially defensive specialists) can be found throughout the leauge. I'm not saying I'd like to see him go, but it's alot easier to replace a guy like Jay McKee with another top 4 defensive defenseman than it is to replace a guy like Drury. Will Drew Stafford make the big club? Will Thomas Vanek recover from his playoff benching? Yes and Yes. Like I stated above, I think the Sabres, using the type of system they have, will rely on being able to plug at least 2 new rookies into the lineup and have them perform at a competitve level during the season. This year it was Roy and Pominville. Novotny and Stafford are my early picks for next season - guys that can find their niche on the team and maybe get you about 15-25pts. Vanek (also another thread for another time probably!) in my opinion will be fine. Not every player is adept at handling the playoffs (Joe Thorton, Max Afinigenov) yet that's no reason to simply dump a guy. May I remind everyone here that Vanek finished 8th in the NHL this season in points among rookies? In the most talented rookie class in how many years? With two years worth of rookies? 8th! C'mon people. Vanek will come around. It's a matter of him gaining maturity and finidng the right linemates. It's going to be a great summer. Isn't traing camp only three months away? AMEN brotha! By the way, what a great distraction from the Bills this team will be again come October!!!
shrader Posted June 2, 2006 Report Posted June 2, 2006 Remember too that part of staying the course means that guys who fit into the plan such as Roy and Pominville, who weren't really projected to contribute much, will be back, with more experience under their belts. If the Sabres are to succeed using "The Plan" (pardon me PA), they'll need a couple Roy/Pominville types to come in each year and be counted on for 20pt seasons, speed and either good special teams play, or responsible defensive play. Next on that list: Daniel Paille.
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