Buffalo Sabres Offseason Pt. Two: Possible Trade Market and Free Agent Additions

Ahh, the Stanley Cup Finals have come to a thrilling close. For a couple weeks, I actually forgot about the Buffalo Sabres offseason-to-do list. Hockey fans were treated to an unbelievable best-of-seven series between the two best teams in hockey, the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins.

So before I get into homer mode, I want to say congrats to the Penguins and their fans.

Unfortunately, I have to get back to the reality of what is currently going on in Sabreland. Nothing. But hopefully, with free agency quickly approaching on July 1, and the draft June 26, Darcy Regier and Co. will work their magic. I don’t exactly know what that magic is, but I hope they have a plan to improve the current Sabres’ roster.

After watching the NHL playoffs, I was constantly reminded of the kind of players that make up winning teams. Yeah, it would be nice to have a team of Malkins, Crosbys, Ovechkins and Lidstroms, but those players are a little hard to come by.

I found myself saying, “Man, if only the Sabres had that guy,” plenty of times during the playoffs. Not only about the aforementioned players, but about guys like Maxim Talbot, Dustin Byfuglien, Darren Helm, and Milan Lucic—exactly the kind of players the Sabres lack.

The Sabres not only need to re-sign certain restricted and unrestricted free agents this summer, but they also need to find a way to open up some cap room, and bring in one or two players off the free agent market.

Recent history tells us that Regier will likely stay put with his current guys, but I truly believe that he needs to take a different approach this offseason.

This summer marks the start of both Jason Pominville’s and Tim Connolly’s extended contracts and also most likely the start of Andrej Sekera’s, Drew Stafford’s and Pat Kaleta’s deals, as they will also be extended by the team.

With these deals coming into place, the Sabres will be very limited when it comes to signing free agents this summer.

It has been widely rumored that the Sabres are trying to move current roster players such as Jochen Hecht, Henrik Tallinder and maybe even Derek Roy, in order to free up some cap space so they can bring in a player to fill one of their needs—top defenseman, depth,gritty, skilled forward.

Trade Market

Jochen Hecht, 31, C/LW; 2008-09 salary: $3.8 million

The Sabres have their hands tied with Hecht’s four-year $15 million deal. Last season, the two-way forward mustered only 27 points (12G, 15A) and a -9 plus-minus rating. He can easily be replaced by a prospect player, and definitely by a depth forward acquired via free agency.

Managing only 27 points in 70 games, while playing mostly on a line next to Pominville and Connolly, is absolutely horrendous. The Sabres need more from players who are making $3.8 million per season.

If a team is willing to trade a draft pick in return, it would be a pretty easy decision to send Jochen packing. Its the contract that is the biggest issue. This offseason will be a successful one if Hecht is playing elsewhere next season. Sorry, Jochen.

Henrik Tallinder, 30, D; 2008-09 salary: $3.25 million

Tallinder is a little more tradable than Hecht. His contract is still too much for a player of his caliber, but after next season, he will become a free agent. At 6’4″, 215, Hank has good size, and he is also a very good skater. He actually played forward as a young teen, before moving back to the blue line.

If Regier is actually trying to move Tallinder, than I think the Sabres may reel in some draft picks in return. I think there is still a 50/50 chance he may want to keep Tallinder around for the last year of his contract because Jaroslav Spacek becomes a free agent this summer also.

Clake MacArthur, 23, LW; 2008-09 salary: $522,00

Now you may be asking yourself, why is MacArthur even on this list? Well, he is a restricted free agent this summer, and I think the Sabres can reach a deal with him similar to that of Dan Paille’s two-year, $2.2 million deal that was inked last summer.

MacArthur scored a career-high 17 goals last season, but was inconsistent to say the least, like most of the Sabres roster. But if the Sabres are looking for a top-tier defenseman—which I think they are (not of the Jay Bouwmeester caliber of course)—then maybe MacArthur is one of those players that can help bring him in via trade.

I am one of those people that think the Sabres are better off without MacArthur, but there are others that think he has a bright future in this league. Which he might. But I am willing to call up Nathan Gerbe, or Tim Kennedy from the minors and watch them give 110 percent each night, something MacArthur failed to do night in and night out.

Nathan Paetsch, 25, D/RW; 2008-09 salary: $800,000

Paetsch is another player whose contract expires at the end of next season. He is a player that can play both sides of the ice, both offense and defense, but is likely to remain on the blue line if moved to another team.

He is another player that could bring a late-round pick in return.

Adam Mair,30, C; 2008-09 salary: $775,000

With the emergence of younger players such as Pat Kaleta, Paul Gaustad and Matt Ellis, it almost looked as though Mair’s role diminished on the team as a checking-line guy. Lindy Ruff almost used him in some cases in an offensive role, playing in between Ales Kotalik and Maxim Afinogenov for some portion of the season.

That is total opposite of the player he is.

With that said, if the Sabres want to go in a different direction and either try and bring someone in via free agency who can grind, but also score, than I think Mair is very much tradable.

Derek Roy, 25, C- 2008-09 salary: $3.5 million

Rumors. Don’t you love them?

Well, I for one do not think the Sabres will move Roy unless they get a very enticing offer—which is not totally out of the picture considering the kind of player he can be when at his best—a top-pair defenseman is the only thing I would accept in return.

For the second season in a row, post Drury-Briere era, Roy led the Sabres in points. Last season he recorded 70 points (28G, 42A) in 82 games, which was a drop off from his 81 points in 79 games the year previous, but still very good nonetheless.

Two seasons ago he signed a six-year, $24 million deal, which is a remarkable bargain for a guy who is capable of putting up 80-plus points per season.

The biggest knack on him, though, is his size. At only 5’9″, 185 pounds, he does not fill the need the Sabres have in the size department. Still, my final verdict on Roy is that he will remain a Sabre next season.

Trading Roy would be a major deal for a rather timid front office. Just don’t see it happening, folks.

Free Agent Market

As far as the free-agent market goes, I can go on and on about the big-name free agent players that would immediately make a huge impact in Buffalo. In free agency, there are plenty of rumors lingering over every player and it’s really hard to ignore all the speculation.

Moreover, I will try to be realistic, but I will also discuss players whom I think the Sabres should take a run at, but likely not sign. Make sense?

Jay Bouwmeester, 25, D; 2008-09 salary: $4.87 million ( Florida Panthers)

This past Sunday, Bucky Gleason of The Buffalo News played GM for the day. He, like most GM’s in the NHL would love to sign the perennial all-star. Gleason stated that if the Sabres were able to get rid of some “dead weight” players, a.k.a. Hecht, Tallinder, the Sabres would have the cap room to sign Jay Bo.

Still, the guy will probably get upwards of around $6.5 to $7 million, and from the looks of it, the Sabres are way out of the running. The names in play are Philadelphia, Vancouver and Calgary. Rumors are swirling that Philly would be the likely candidate, but they would have to move some major cap room first.

The 6’4″, 215 pound defenseman would make an immediate and long-term impact if the Sabres decided he was worth the dough. The Sabres’ have lacked a d-man of Jay Bo’s caliber for years.

He had 15 goals and 42 points last season for the Panthers, while also being one of the best defensemen in the league. In my opinion, Ryan Miller is a top-goaltender in the NHL, and the addition of a top-five defenseman would make him even better.

However, the Sabres would have to make room for his contract, and that would not be easy. If the Sabres really want Bouwmeester, then you would definitely see either Roy or Connolly moved.

Mike Cammalleri, 27, LW; 2008-09 salary: $3.6 (Calgary Flames)

Here’s a player whose name I’ve been hearing in the Buffalo Sabres rumor mill. The winger had 39 goals and 82 points with the Flames last season. He reminds me a lot of Daniel Briere, very smart with the puck, but also has a knack to find the twine.

His 5’9″, 185 pound frame, though, wouldn’t exactly feel the Sabres need in the size department. Notice how I’ve really been big on the Sabres size issue. Well, it’s kind of a big deal, at least in my opinion. However, I wouldn’t mind seeing Reiger somehow get rid of Hecht and sign Cammalleri to a similar deal. The guy can snipe.

Brian Gionta, 30, RW; 2008-09 salary: $4 million (New Jersey Devils)

Like Cammalleri, Gionta’s frame isn’t very impressive. At 5’7″, 175, he’s actually smaller, but can still be a very good player in this league. With younger players like Travis Zajac and Zach Parise emerging in New Jersey, Gionta will likely find another home this offseason.

Well, for starters, he could possibly move back to the place he grew up in. The Rochester, NY native would probably be pleased with a contract in Buffalo. He made $4 million last season, but with his point production plateauing in recent years, it is very likely he could take less.

He recorded 89 points (48G, 41A) in 2005-06 for the Devils, but since then has averaged about 55 to 60 points per season. Gionta said he wishes to stay in New Jersey, but he has yet to receive an offer.

I wouldn’t totally question Regier if he brought in either Cammalleri or Gionta. They both would fit in well offensively and with the salary cap. According to HockeyBuzz Eklund, the Sabres are very much a contender for either of these players. Perhaps both?

Mike Knuble, 36, RW; 2008-09 salary: $2.8 million (Philadelphia Flyers)

If I was Sabres’ GM, Knuble is surely a guy I would love to bring in this summer. He is exactly a kind of player the Sabres would benefit from. At 36, he is aging, but everyone and their mother knows the Sabres lack veteran leadership. His size, and scoring ability would be a huge boost to the Sabres offense.

He scored 27 goals last season for the Flyers, and with rumors swirling in Philly about Jay Bo, it looks as thought Knuble’s four-year stint as a Flyer has come to an end.

Mattias Ohlund, 32, D; 2008-09 salary: $3.5 million (Vancouver Canucks)

The next three free agents I will talk about all depend on what the Sabres do with defenseman, Jaroslav Spacek.

At 32, Ohlund can surely still play. He was one of the better d-man in Vancouver for the past few seasons and has averaged around 30 points per season in each of his 11 years in Vancouver. He’s very reliable in his own end, and is capable of averaging 25 minutes of ice time per game.

Ohlund is definitely an option to fill Spacek’s potential void on the blue line, but will likely demand somewhere around $3 million to $3.5 million per.

Marc-Andre Bergeron, 28, D; 2008-09 salary $1.69 million (Minnesota Wild)

If the Sabres were interested in Bergeron, it would be solely for his offense ability. Like Ohlund, he too can average around 30 to 40 points a season while playing the point. He has excellent puck-moving ability and is also a very smooth skater.

At 5’10”, 200 pounds, he’s not exactly small, but I strongly believe if the Sabres decided to part ways with Spacek, they may look to fill his void with a bigger, more stay-at-home defenseman.

Jordan Leopold, 28, D; 2008-09 salary $1.5 million (Calgary Flames, from Colorado)

Another free agent player that Eklund has rumored to have Regier’s interest. Apparently Leopold has been a player of Regier’s interest for quite sometime, seeing that he was rumored to be on his way to Buffalo at the trade deadline.

Leopold is a solid defenseman that can fill the void on the blue line at a very affordable price. He can play as a second-tier defenseman in Buffalo, and average close to 20, 23 minutes per game.

Free agent forwards Samuel Pahlson, Todd Marchant, Travis Moen and Brad May all could be in the mix as well. Like I stated earlier, one of the biggest needs in Sabreland, at least in my opinion, are with gritty, depth forwards who can play.

Brad May may be a reach, he’s not exactly that type of player, but he’s a fourth-line guy who isn’t afraid to stick his nose in someone else’s business if need be. He has a very memorable history in Buffalo (“May day, May day, May Day! Brad May!), but I don’t see Brian Burke letting him go in Toronto.

Pahlson and Marchant would fit in great in Buffalo. Both have size and toughness, and can play center. Pahlson was a very vital addition to the Chicago Blackhawks at the trade deadline, and played a very important role for them in the playoffs.

Marchant is very similar to Pahlson, and is of great value in Anaheim. I don’t think he’d mind returning to his hometown, but he has received a contract offer from Anaheim, per Orange County Register. He is yet to decline or accept that offer.

Wrap up

Well, we are just one week away from the beginning of NHL free agency, and just days away from the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, which will be held this Friday and Saturday in Montreal. Pretty soon we all can expect the mayhem that comes along with free agency. Possible trades, big named players being moved, and of course, rumors.

The Sabres can either continue to stick with their core players or they can dig a little deeper this offseason and make some major changes.

Though I wouldn’t mind seeing a little bit of both, I strongly believe that the Sabres should try and trade Hecht and Tallinder, and bring in one or two free agents that could help the team reach the postseason once again.

I also wouldn’t mind if Regier went really overboard, and brought in a player like Bouwmeester, Martin Havlat or Marian Gaborik, but hat’s probably a little out of the question.

Either way, Sabres fans have become very impatient, as they should.

The fact of the matter is, Darcy Regier and Co. have been on the hot seat since the days of you-know-who, and this is the year they need to get it right, right? Sabres fans can only hope.

Posted by SabresLive on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 7:16 pm
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Dominik Hasek: The Greatest Goaltender of All-Time

My cousin Tim and I grew up in the 80’s as die-hard hockey fans and the Boston Bruins have always been our favorite team. We each laced-up the skates around the ages of five, and we’re both fortunate enough to play the greatest game on earth for many years before succumbing to injuries.

Every Christmas Eve, our families would spend the afternoon and better part of the night at Tim’s house in Medford, MA. While the adults were inside on each Dec. 24 holiday partaking in the Christmas festivities, Tim and I would be outside—rain or snow—playing street hockey.

Running around with Sherwood sticks with Graf hockey gloves on, we always pretended to be NHL players.

Aside from being Andy Moog, Cam Neely, and Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins, the Buffalo Sabres were another team from the Adams Division that had a few players in which we grew fond of—Alexander Mogilny, Pat Lafontaine, and the greatest goalie in the world, Dominik Hasek.

On Apr. 9, 2009 the Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 in OT. We decided to sell our tickets (season ticket holders) to that game in order to save-up for the Eastern Conference playoffs that were scheduled to be played exactly one week later.

We got together at my house to watch the B’s play their future first-round opponents and arch rivals on my new big-screen TV—had a few fermented beverages, and engaged in hours of hockey-talk.

One conversation in particular stemmed from an event that took place a few weeks prior. On Mar. 17, 2009 New Jersey Devils net-minder Martin Brodeur won his 552nd game—surpassing Patrick Roy, and becoming the all-time NHL leader in regular wins.

On a local sports radio station here in Boston a host of an afternoon show went on to say that Martin Brodeur is the greatest NHL goalie of all-time, and that, “Hasek doesn’t breathe the same air as them (Brodeur and Roy).”

That was when the debate heightened, and the research began.

Born on Jan. 29, 1965 in Pardubice, Czechoslovakia, Dominik Hasek first played hockey at the age of six. Growing up through the Communist Era in his native Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, Hasek lived behind the Iron Curtain until his NHL debut in 1990. During this time—unable/unwilling to emigrate—Hasek started his illustrious Czech and Czechoslovak play.

At 16-years old, Hasek played in the top hockey league—the Czechoslovakia Extralgia—from 1981-90, for his hometown, HC Pardubice. He would play in his hometown for eight years, capturing two league titles, and winning numerous individual awards.

Czechoslovak & Czech Awards

Five time winner of the Czechoslovak & Czech Republic Golden Hockey Stick Award: Awarded to the top player of the Czechoslovak Elite league, and the top player of the Czech Republic, respectively. 1987, ’89, ’90, ’97, ’98
Five-time winner of the Czechoslovak First League Best Goaltender: 1986-90
Czech Hockey Player of the 20th Century

Continuing his incredible play in net, Hasek was a three-time Silver Medal winner at the 1982, ’83, and ’85 World Junior Hockey Championships—while being awarded WJC Best Goaltender in ’82 Games.

Capturing four medals in the World Championships, Hasek was again awarded the Best Goaltender award in 1985 and ’87.

Perhaps the most memorable moments in Hasek’s career happened during the 1998 Olympic Winter games in Nagano, Japan. “The Dominator” led the Czech National team, allowing just six total goals, while being named the Olympic Games Best Goaltender.

NHL CAREER

The Chicago Blackhawks drafted Dominik Hasek with the 199th overall pick in the 10th round of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft

It wasn’t until after the 1989 Velvet Revolution when Czechoslovakia opened its doors to immigration and overthrew the Communist government that Hasek made his way to the United States.

Hasek stayed in Chicago for his first two NHL seasons—eight years after he was drafted. He posted a 20-11-1 record with the IHL Indianapolis Ice, and also played the role of back-up to the Vezina, Calder Memorial, and William M. Jennings winner, Ed Belfour with the NHL Blackhawks.

Hasek watched the Blackhawks win the Presidents Cup during the 1990-91 season with a 49-23-8 record in the Norris Division. The following year Chicago headed to the Stanley Cup Finals, but were swept in four-straight by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

BUFFALO SABRES

The best years for Hasek were undoubtedly in Buffalo, where he played his next nine seasons. Hasek was traded to the Sabres on Aug. 7, 1992 in exchange for Stephane Beauregard and future considerations (Eric Daze). Hasek split time between the pipes with Tom Draper, and future Hall of Fame goalie, Grant Fuhr.

	Games Played	Wins	Losses	Ties	GAA	SV %
Dominik Hasek	28	11	10	4	3.15	.896
Grant Fuhr	29	11	15	2	3.47	.891
Tom Draper	11	5	6	0	3.70	.881

The Buffalo Sabres finished fourth in the NHL Adams Division during their 1992-93 campaign. Dominik Hasek picked up his first career postseason victory on Apr. 24, 1993 against the Boston Bruins—allowing one goal on 24 shots on net in Game Four.

The Sabres bounced the Black and Gold in the Division semi-finals in four-straight before being swept by the Montreal Canadiens in the Division Finals.

During the 1993-94 season, the Buffalo Sabres finished fourth in the Northeast Division before losing in the Quarterfinals to the New Jersey Devils, 4-3. Hasek posted a 3-4 record with two shutouts, a .950 save-percentage, and led all playoff goalies with a 1.61 goals-against average in 484 minutes.

No.39 played in 58 games with a 30-20-6 record, while leading the league with a 1.95 goals-against, .930 save-percentage, and seven shutouts. Hasek, at age 29, also won his first-of-six Vezina Trophies, first-of-three William M. Jennings Award, was selected as First Team All-Star, and was the Hart Memorial runner-up.

Due to a lockout, the 1994-95 NHL season was shortened to just 48 games. The NHL implemented a few new rules to the league. The Boston Bruins were playing in their final season in the Boston Garden, and Dominik Hasek continued on with his amazing, and somewhat unorthodox style of play.

Buffalo once again finished fourth in the Northeast Division, while losing once again in the first round of the playoffs—4-1 versus the Philadelphia Flyers. “The Dominator” posted a 19-14-7 record in ‘95, leading the NHL once again in GAA with 2.11, a .930 save-percentage, and five shutouts (tied with Ed Belfour).

Hasek won his second-straight Vezina Trophy, First team All-Star, and was a Hart memorial candidate.

Finishing fifth in the Northeast Division, Hasek and the Sabres failed to reach the playoff in the 1995-96 season. A pivotal reason for missing the postseason had to do with trading away one of their most prolific offensive players. Alexander Mogilny was shipped to the Vancouver Canucks, leaving Sabres’ center Pat Lafontaine to run the one-man-show.

Over the next two seasons, from 1996-98, Hasek continued to carry the slightly above-average Sabres into the playoffs, while having historical back-to-back seasons. Buffalo finished first in the Northeast Division in 1996-97 (third overall), but lost 4-1 in the Conference Semifinals to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Although the Sabres were bounced from the playoffs in the first two rounds, Hasek officially etched his name as the league’s most dominating and feared goalie—as if he hadn’t already—while solidifying himself as an all-time great.

Hasek won back-to-back Vezina and Hart Memorial Trophies in 1997 and ’98, along with the Lester B. Pearson Award—becoming the first goaltender ever to win the Hart Trophy twice.

In the 1997-98 season Hasek also set a franchise record with 13 shutouts, while playing in a career-high 72 games. In the month of December, The Dominator tied an all-time record for most shutouts in a month, with six.

Hasek and the Sabres headed to the Stanley Cup Finals the following year for the first time since the 1974-75 season. Hasek ended the regular season leading the NHL in save percentage for the sixth consecutive time with his career-high .937.

The seventh ranked Sabres would end up losing to the Dallas Stars 4-2, but Hasek ‘s individual numbers throughout the playoffs were astounding as usual. In 19 playoff games Hasek posted a 13-6 record, two shutouts, a 1.77 goals-against average, and led all goalies with a .939 save percentage.

Hasek’s season was by shorted forty games due to a groin injury sustained during a game versus the Blackhawks in October. The future Hall of Fame goalie was back in time for the playoffs, but Buffalo was once again knocked out by the Flyers, 4-1.

During his final season with Buffalo in 2000-01 Hasek went out with a bang by collecting his sixth Vezina Trophy—a Modern Era record—and winning his second William M. Jennings Trophy. The Sabres beat the Flyers in six in the first round of the playoffs, but would lose to Mario Lemieux and the Pittsburgh Penguins in seven.

DETROIT RED WINGS & OTTAWA SENATORS

Before the start of the 2001-02 season, Hasek was traded to the Detroit Red Wings, where he would play in four of his last five seasons. The Dominator helped lead the Wings to a league-best 116 points, while posting a career-high 41 wins with just 15 losses.

Hasek won his first Stanley Cup during his first season in Detroit, a 4-1 triumph over the Carolina Hurricanes. Defenseman Niklas Lidstrom took home the Conn Smythe honors, but No.39’s numbers were staggering throughout the postseason.

He led all goaltenders with 1,455 minutes in 23 games played, 16 playoff victories, and six shutouts. Top it all off with a 1.85 goals-against average, and a .920 save-percentage.

After his first (brief) retirement from the 2002-03 NHL season, Hasek returned to Detroit for his second stint with the team the following year. Sidelined with a groin injury, Hasek appeared in just 14 games in the 2003-04 season. Unselfishly, Hasek refused almost half of his $6-million contract that season, and did not accept any pay since Jan. 9, 2003.

“He just felt that he wasn’t doing what he really had set out to do, which is to play hockey, and play at a high level,” General Manager Ken Holland said. “At that time, he told me that he did not want to receive any further salary until he was ready to play.”

After the injury-plagued season, Hasek’s contract expired, and he signed with the Ottawa Senators on Jul. 6, 2004. Hasek reached a milestone that year by collecting his 300th career win against the Boston Bruins–a 5-1 victory on Oct. 15, 2005.

After the Senators were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs, Hasek was released in the off-season, despite his willingness to play for a discounted $500,000.

“.. I’ve had discussions with his agent, Rich Winter, and (Hasek) wants to come back,” said Senators GM John Muckler.

Hasek once again returned to Detroit for the 2006-07 season, signing a one-year contract worth $750,000. No.39 and the Red Wings finished the season with 113-points and as the No.1 seed in the Western Conference. Hasek played in 58 games, while posting a 38-11-6 record with eight shutouts, 2.14 goals-against average, and a .913 save-percentage.

Hasek played in all 18 playoff games for the Wing, compiling a 10-8 record with a 1.78 goals-against average, and .923 save percentage. Detroit lost 4-2 in the Western Conference Finals against the eventual Stanley Cup winners, the Anaheim Ducks.

After contemplating retirement, Dominik Hasek re-signed with the Red Wings on Jul. 5, 2007 to another one-year contract. The contract was reportedly worth two million dollars with an additional two million in bonuses—this after Hasek turned down the initial five million dollar offer in order to clear some needed cap space for the rest of the squad.

Hasek played his final 41 games in 2007-08, collecting his second Stanley Cup, and officially passing the torch to Chris Osgood.

Throughout his 16 seasons in the NHL, Dominik Hasek was clearly the best player at his position.

Just as Patrick Roy popularized the “butterfly style” of goaltending, Hasek’s more unorthodox “flopper style” was equally as successful. His unparalleled off-season workout regimen allowed him to be one of the most flexible and dexterous net minders we have ever seen.

To add to his unusual style of play, The Dominator would usually cover-up the puck with his blocker rather than his trapper (glove). And while other goalies were getting funky with abstract designs on their goalie helmets, Hasek opted for a simple helmet and cage.

While other all-time greats—Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy—started their NHL careers at the ages of 19 respectively, Hasek began his at 26. During that time, instead of dominating in the NHL, Hasek had solidified himself amongst the international best.

With his great International career, World and Junior World Championships, Olympic Games medals and honors, and his long illustrious NHL impact, Dominik “The Dominator” Hasek is the greatest goalie of all-time.

This article was originally published on Examiner.com

Posted by SabresLive on Monday, June 15, 2009 at 2:14 pm
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Inside Enemy Territory: An NHL Team in Hamilton Will Hurt the Sabres

Before I really dig into this article, I’d like to clarify a couple things to the readers.

First, I know this article is incredibly late to the initial press release regarding this situation. There have not been many updates to the story, besides Jim Balsillie saying he is open to an auction for the team.

Second, I am aware that ESPN ran an article that had a nearly identical name in regard to this story. Two US senators from New York originally made this claim, and I am simply writing my own take on it.

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s begin.

I’ve written my first few Inside Enemy Territory columns on the Buffalo Bills. With the Sabres done, and the NFL season on the rise, I felt it was more appropriate to write about the Bills.

However, this notion that the Phoenix Coyotes might move to Hamilton, Ontario became troublesome to me, especially over the last few days.

You see, the city of Buffalo is not what it used to be. It is no longer has a strong economy, it’s population has been dwindling, and there just does not seem to be much hope for improvement.

In the last year or so, there have been talks that the Buffalo Bills might relocate to Toronto once the team’s ownership changes hands.

If you have ever had the pleasure of being in the great city of Buffalo, you would know how badly this city loves its sports teams. The entire population would be devastated if one of its two major professional sports teams was moved to a rival sports city.

The potential (and in my opinion, probable) move of the Coyotes to Hamilton would hurt the fanbase and revenue stream of the Buffalo Sabres. In fact, the team’s move might even affect the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Hamilton is a mere 43.5 miles away from Toronto, and only 64.5 miles from Buffalo. There are plenty of “fans”, of the Maple Leafs and Sabres that would jump at the opportunity to root for a team in their hometown.

Critics of this school of thought are sure to say “real fans would not change allegiance because a team is closer to their home!” That could be incredibly true. However, teams not only need “true fans”, they also need casual fans to drive their income.

Casual fans are just as important as hardcore fans. You see, casual fans get to go to a few games a year. When they attend, they might buy a higher-priced ticket, buy lots of food and drinks, and maybe a souvenir or two.

Casual fans might also stay in the city late, hit up a bar, and spend the night in a hotel in the city since they might be too drunk to drive home.

It’s these little things that we tend to forget when thinking about fans attending a game. It drives up the city’s economy.

Before I get comments saying I’m crazy, I’d just like to add that I’m not arguing that a team in Hamilton would immediately tear apart the Sabres and drive them into bankruptcy.

The issue here is that it might hurt the Sabres in the long run. The city of Buffalo is a small-market city, there is no arguing that. They clearly do not have the resources like the Boston Bruins or New York Rangers to support a dent to their fanbase.

That’s not to say that Buffalo does not have a strong fanbase, because it does. Anyone who has ever watched hockey, especially the playoffs a few seasons ago, knows the passion that Sabres fans bring every night.

In a blue collar, economically troubled town like Buffalo, there are limitations to what people can spend. Going to a Sabres game is a luxury, and if anyone has ever taken a basic economics course, you cannot always spend your income on a luxury.

I’d also like to point out to readers that I would love another hockey team in Canada. Hockey is the sport of Canada, and each team has an amazing group of fans. I’d compare the support for an NHL team in Canada to soccer hooligans in Europe, only Canadians are much more civilized.

Gary Bettman has not been the greatest Commissioner in the history of the NHL, we all know that. Let’s just hope that he makes the right decision here for the sake of the Buffalo Sabres (and Toronto Maple Leafs), and prevents the Coyotes from moving to that region.

(Inside Enemy Territory is a Buffalo Sports Column written by Alec Szczerbinski. Follow the column on Twitter @InEnTerritory, or email any questions/comments to InsideEnemyTerritory@gmail.com.)

Posted by SabresLive on Sunday, June 7, 2009 at 9:15 pm
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Can You Hear Me Now, Buffalo? The Braves Deserve Some Space at HSBC

The buzz has been around since HSBC Arena opened.

Why not create some space for the legacy of the Braves? Hang some jerseys, some banners; put some memorabilia in a display case in the lobby. Good idea?

Until now, arena management has said an emphatic, “No!”

I can see their point, I suppose. The Braves never played in HSBC. The Braves ditched town.

Any tribute to the Braves would involve expense to the arena, the Sabres, and the city. Certainly not for the Braves, or their successors the Los Angeles Clippers.

On the other hand, the Braves may be gone, but not their memory, and certainly not the place they hold in the hearts of thousands of fans; fans who fill the HSBC for Sabres and Bandits games.

It could be argued that this is why sports franchises should not be portable. The intangilbles, the spirit, the true essence of a team is in the memories, the space, the place, the sentiment. The identities of a town and team in the venue of origin are as interdependent as heart and soul.

A heart can be surgically removed and transplanted, but the soul isn’t transient.

Cut a team out of it’s physical body and you have a team with no soul. Transplant it on the opposite coast and you have a fan base with no connection to history.

What’s left? A zombie franchise.

So, it could be argued that more of the true essence of the Buffalo Braves remained in the hearts of Buffalonians and in the walls, the seats, the halls and tunnels of Memorial Aud than was packed up and shipped off to San Diego.

Those of us who had the opportunity to pay our last respects, to walk up to the demolition site and peer through the safety fence, through the gaping hole at naked memories fully exposed.

We could feel the sighs, hear the cheers, see the lights, the colors, the composite emotion and commotion of eight years worth of basketball passion that is just as real, just as palpable as they were when the Braves were at their peak.

Ironically, the last wall of the Aud will fall within days of the falling of a man who rightly called himself “the institutional memory” of the Braves.

Now that Randy Smith is dead, the subject of a tangible tribute to the likes of Smith, McAdoo, DiGregorio and company is cropping up again around cyberspace.

The worst expression of this sentiment is a call for the Clippers to retire some jerseys. Clippers, Schmippers! There isn’t a fan in LA, unless they are Buffalo Ex-Pats, who would remember or care.

It’s a zombie franchise. So forget the Clippers.

Build the temple where the spirit remains. Especially now that the Aud is gone and our “Institutional Memory” with it, the need to house that memory and that spirit is critical.

It is time for Buffalo fans to rise up and demand that HSBC Arena hang a banner commemorating the accomplishments of the Buffalo Braves.

It is time for a display case to remind us of the spirit that Randy Smith and company brought to this city and its citizens.

It is time, before there are any more obituaries to write, to invite the likes of McAdoo, DiGregorio, Heard, McMillain, McMillen, Walt Hazard, Bob Kauffman, Emmet Bryant and the rest for a Buffalo Braves reunion, for a banner hanging ceremony, a dedication of “Braves Corridor” in their new home at HSBC.

Pictured Above: former Buffalo Brave, Randy Smith (right) with A.C. Green (center) when Green broke Smith’s record of 906 consecutive NBA games played.

Posted by SabresLive on Friday, June 5, 2009 at 11:54 pm
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A Realistic Look at The Sabres Potential Offseason

I’ve been reading everything Sabre related on this site for a while now and I’m tired of disputing things in the comments. I’m gonna tell you what will and needs to happen and why all these ridiculous ideas will not work.

I’d love for us to make some changes and bring in some different players as well, but a lot of these crackpot ideas are just not possible.

Let’s start by telling you what will not happen this offseason:

1. The Sabres will not trade Derek Roy.

It’s obvious the goal for this offseason is going to be to make the team better prepared for a playoff run this season.

While I don’t doubt we could get a good package for Roy, what are we going to get for him that will make us better right away? You won’t get a better scorer. You won’t get someone better in the faceoff. You won’t get a better value at $4 million.

Maybe if you could get a top defenseman for him and clear enough salary to sign an adequate replacement center it would make us better. But it’s a lot more likely we’d be gaining salary while losing a consistent offensive player (and we are already short in that department).

Any deal where we move Roy is likely only going to give us depth or long-term potential, neither of which makes us better this season. And after the player salaries we get back, how much money could we actually save?

$1-2 million?

Now if you switched Roy’s and Vanek’s contracts there would be some benefits to this deal. But at only $4 million we aren’t clearing enough room where we can get back young impact talent and sign a free agent player who can be an important part of the team.

More importantly, you know Connolly will miss some time and basically every free agent capable of centering a first or second line will cost more than Roy on the open market and is probably out of our price range after we fill the defensive holes.

The Sabres will be out of the playoffs again if we’re left with some combination of Gaustad, Hecht and Gerbe as our top 2 centers for any extended period of time when Connolly is out.

Also, Lindy loves Roy.

He made him the top center for team Canada at the worlds. He was second on a star-studded team for ice time for forwards there. He also really picked up his play in the draw after the break.

Lindy won’t let him go.

If there is one thing that Darcy and Lindy do well, it’s work together and he isn’t going to trade away one of the coach’s favorite players.

2. The Sabres can’t easily cut payroll.

Lets go through every contract the Sabres have that is more than $2.5 million (other than Miller and his $6.25 million) and evaluate who we can and should explore trading.

Thomas Vanek (cap number $7,142,857, five years left) is just too expensive to get fair compensation for in a trade. And besides, he’s had 36-plus goals three years in a row.

Roy broke 30 two years ago and Pominville did it three years ago. The rest of the Sabres’ roster (who has a chance at coming back) has a combined two 20 goal seasons, and both of those are still question marks (Stafford last year, who could leave as a restricted free agent, and Hecht two years ago, who was a non-factor last season).

If we lose Vanek, our offense is back to the abysmal years from 1996 to 1999, when we couldn’t win a cup with what might be the best five-year period a goalie’s ever had.

Jason Pominville (cap number $5,300,000, five years left) had too bad of a season (especially defensively) to have enough trade value to be worth trading.

Honestly who can we get for him that has more potential and/or makes less and still produces to give us flexibility? Maybe a 35-year-old with a year or two left. But that isn’t in the best interest of the organizaiton.

Pominville had 30 goal and 80 point seasons in the very recent past and finished strong last year (six goals, 12 assists, +7 in his final 13) so there is some hope it was just an off year (and I still blame some early offensive struggles on being stuck with Hecht).

If the Sabres were going to go out on the line and sign a big winger to replace him and then trade Pominville later (for a defensemen, draft picks or cheaper players) I wouldn’t have a problem with it, but free agency isn’t that deep at right wing. You mostly have guys that are too expensive (Hossa, Gaborik, Havlat), past their prime (Satan anyone?), or not a big enough offensive threat (we could always get Kotalike back).

I have a bad feeling the one big offensive sign will end up being Brian Gionta. I’ll cry if they bring in another umdersized forward.

Tim Connolly (cap number $4,500,000, two years left) I think has potential to be traded if the right situation arises. He’s too much of an injury risk and we need a sure thing.

If a team who’s deep at center would trade some reliable player for the higher-ceiling Connolly, I think it would be in our best interest. Swapping him for a physical 50-60 point center could be a great move, but we would need to find the ideal situation (somebody three-deep at center).

Otherwise we gotta keep him and hope for the best.

Derek Roy (cap number $4 million, four years left) I already talked about.

Jochen Hecht (cap number $3,525,000, three years left) is the one who in my opinion absolutely has to go. I don’t care if we get one draft pick from the last round and nothing else. I don’t care if we swap him for another disappointing player from another team.

I’d trade that contract for spare zamboni parts if there was a taker.

He can’t score, he can’t win draws and he drags down his linemates. I really think the prolonged Hecht/Pominville pairing early in the season is the reason that Jason dropped so much this year, at least offensively.

Craig Rivet (cap number $3,500,000, two years left) is the captain, the leader and our most physical defensemen (the biggest hole our team has). We need to add physical defensemen who can provide leadership, not subtract it.

He also reportedly started his offseason workouts a month ahead of his usual schedule, so he should hopefully be able to avoid the injuries that nagged him this year.

Tony Lydman (cap number $2,875,000, one year left) is a keeper for me right now because of how the defense as a whole looks.

Right now all we have is Rivet (who is brittle), Tallinder (see below), Paetsch (who is best suited as a backup playing defense or the fourth line whenever needed) and then a bunch of guys with less than a year’s experience in Butler, Myers, Weber and Gragnani.

Lydman was pretty bad with the puck in our zone last year (although I think part of that was being stuck with Tallinder), but he played physical and led the team in hits and blocked shots. He’s likely gone by the deadline anyway, but we should keep him to start the year to give the youth more time to develop.

Henrik Tallinder’s (cap number $2,562,500, one year left) time is up in Buffalo. My second must go along with Hecht. The defense needs to be rebuilt and he’s the first piece to go. You’ll find someone in need of multiple blue liners willing to give up something very small to take him on for a year.

When it comes to the rest of the players who have contracts for this year, Gaustad, Paille, Butler and Paetsch are all guys that have to stay.

The only player with a questionable contract is Gaustad, but he’s a good faceoff man with size and physicallity, which the Sabres lack. I’d prefer Ellis (an unrestricted free agent) over Mair, but the difference is probably negligible for a fourth line center.

To summarize, Hecht and Tallinder are gone. Lydman will be gone by the deadline, but it’s probably better to hold him until you see how Rivet and the kids hold up. Pominville and/or Connolly could go if everything lined up perfectly, but those aren’t the most likely scenarios.

Scoring talent is just too thin on this team and you can’t give up players with that type of potentital unless you get someone similar back, which isn’t likely to happen with their quesiton marks.

3. There won’t be giant turnover this offseason, as I’ve seen suggested in many places.

Yes it would be nice to drop some of our dead weight and replace them with some more reliable veterans, but it isn’t feasible for our team.

We aren’t a big enough market to spend up to the cap like some teams. We also have a core of six guys (Vanek, Roy, Pominville, Connolly, Rivet, Miller) who it isn’t really easy, smart or beneficial to move, making up about $31 million of our projected $52 million budget.

I’m expecting we keep the payroll the same as last year, which isn’t a given with the failing economy.

That would then leave $21 million for the remaining 14 players, or $1.5 million a player, which isn’t much, especially when everyone wants to pony up more for a better backup goalie and keep the luxury of a player like Paetsch who wouldn’t play every day.

That also doesn’t include the money that is paid to Stafford (or a top line forward to replace him) and Spacek (or another defensemen to put in the pairing), both of whom are necessities.

We’d be lucky to only spend $7 million there, leaving $14 milion to spend on the remaing 12 players, or $1.3 million per player.

I’ll show you exactly how hard it is to spend that below.

There just isn’t enough money for us to be Pittsburgh and fill out the roster with guys like Fedotenko, Sykora and Satan every offseason. We also don’t have the offensive depth to move those big contracts.

Unless we can get two 20-goal scorers for the price of one of our top guys (which isn’t all that likely), it isn’t going to make the team any better right now.

4. So what do we do this offseason?

First off, dump Hecht and Tallinder for whoever you can get. That saves $6 million and I’m assuming they get nothing that helps next season.

That leaves $40 million committed to 13 players (Vanek, Pominville, Roy, Connolly, Gaustad, Paille, Mair, Rivet, Lydman, Butler, Paetsch, Miller and Lalime).

Assuming we don’t have Paetsch starting and the payroll stays the same as last year, that means we have $12 million to spend on two left wingers, three right wingers, and three defensemen, including a winger with offensive talent to play in the top six and a top defenseman (Spacek or a replacement).

Next we’ll sign restricted free agents Kaleta (obvious choice) and MacArthur.

MacArthur was good when he was with Stafford and Roy early and when he was with Pominville and Connolly late, he won’t be a star but give him a shot in the top six and he’ll score 50 points; well worth the money.

Each should only cost about $1 million (due to inexperience, injuries, slumps), leaving $10 million to spend on one left-winger, two right-wingers, and three defensemen.

Next we’ll go to Portland.

Gerbe cleary deserves the spot as the last left winger.

We’ll assume that one out of the group of Myers/Weber/Gragnani breaks camp in the third defensive pairing (or we resign Sekera). Without Sekera the two should cost about $1 million combined, leaving $9 million for two right wingers and two defensemen.

Here’s where we get into trouble.

We cut $6 million in payroll, we resigned our two cheapest restricted free agents, we promoted two players from the AHL making around the league minimum, and we haven’t touched any of our unrestricted free agents.

We still have four empty roster spots, only $9 million to spend, and still clearly need a right winger to play in the top six, a defenseman for the top pairing, and probably a third line scoring threat.

Even if we move someone like Roy or Connolly, we only save $4-5 million, and would then need to try and fit two top six caliber forwards, a top defenseman and two more players into the payroll just to stick with the formula we had last year.

Ideally, I’d love to see us add a few million in payroll (and you could trade Lydman and resign Sekera for a little extra cash as well) and then have the space to both resign Stafford and Spacek and bring in Mattias Ohlund and Nik Antropov (I just really want to add size in the baddest way).

I also think a line of Gerbe, Gaustad and Antropov would be hard to defend (and that is far from a typical Sabres line). It’s at least a third line that could bruise and gets its fair share of goals.

That’s not going to be the exact offseason, but I think it’s pretty accurate until we get to those last four spots to fill.

Admittedly, the salary numbers for Kaleta, MacArthur, Gerbe and the rookie defensemen are probably off, don’t really know how entry level contracts work with players that aren’t called up yet, or what the market will be for the restricted free agents.

I’m more just pointing this out to show you can’t just say we need to sign a better backup goalie and some veterans on defense and the third line and expect the budget to work out, because it won’t. With Miller and Pominville getting giant raises this year and Stafford looking for his first big deal we’re already over last year’s salary before trying to addi any new players.

Anyway lets hear what you have to say.

Does anyone disagree on my reasons for why players won’t/shouldn’t be traded?

Is there any obvious trade partners out there that may be willing to trade a young player primed for a breakout who could help us right away?

The biggest problem to me is the only proven 20-goal scorers are Vanek, Roy, Pomminville and Stafford (although a healthy Connolly and MacArthur on the second line all year would both likely do it). And then it’s a real possibility that Connolly gets hurt and Stafford signs elsewhere.

Can we really trade Roy (or any of the big contracts) with that little offensive depth?

Most teams would probably want to base a deal around draft picks anyway. Wouldn’t that just be conceding the season before it starts?

I just really don’t see our core players changing for a while, at least not unless we have some breakout players come up (Gerbe), making other guys become expendable.

We are a legitimate playoff contender and trading any of our top guys jeopardizes that. I think we are overreacting a little to missing the playoffs.

There are some issues and reasons for concern, but even with the doubts we’re still easily a six seed or better if Miller and Vanek are healthy. Our team also matched up against Boston, New York, New Jersey, and Montreal fairly well, while Pittsburgh, Washington and Philly are going to start having roster turnover from cap issues.

One of the next few years we just need the cards to fall right. Good matchups, a well timed Miller hot streak and a little luck and we’re in the finals where anything can happen.

Posted by SabresLive on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 1:58 am
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