I think you'll really see a lot of the lower payroll teams fighting for free agents and playoff spots this year. Especially since the old big salary teams can't buy players that would be first liners on some of our teams and use them as second and third liners on their teams. It's going to be a whole new league when hockey returns and I'm excited about what it can bring.
After reading the article, I hate to admit but I'll give Darcy credit. The Sabres could make a splash and grad a true big name free agent with the room they'll have over other teams that didn't prepare as well.
Let's just hope an agreement is reached soon because we need hockey back!
After reading the article, I hate to admit but I'll give Darcy credit. The Sabres could make a splash and grad a true big name free agent with the room they'll have over other teams that didn't prepare as well.
Let's just hope an agreement is reached soon because we need hockey back!
This is such good news for the Sabres. They are looking good right now. I know nothing has even started yet, but from this article and info plus comparisons to the Leafs situation, its nothing but UP and UP!! They definitely need to bring back the HECHT, JP, BRIERE line for sure. BIRON is in trouble too IMO.
Interestingly, I also read on SLAM yesterday, that ATLANTA will have trouble signing HEATLY and KOVULCHUK (sp??). What are the realistic options that the Sabres could "splurge" $$$ and attract KOVULCHUK?? I would go crazy if he was considered. Any thoughts on this. I know its a long shot, but they will have some extra bank to throw for sure and if ATL can't sign him. WOW!
From the looks of things, I think we could field a forward unit of Hecht, Briere, Dumont, Vanek, Drury, Afinogenov, Pyatt, Roy, Kotalik, Peters, Gaustad, Mair, and Bartovic + Noronen and Miller + a defensive corps of Kalinin, Mckee + Fitzpatrick for roughly $20M. It will be interesting to see if management aims to stay under the $29M luxury mark or gives Darcy the green light on the fixed cap number, but I would love to see two big-time UFA defenders acquired with our cap space.
For as much as I've criticized Regier in the past, I will compliment him for his financial strategy prior to the lockout. It seems as though he possessed the foresight that we as fans often lack while spewing our frustrations in the heat of the moment.
I guess something can be said for uber-conservativism.
From the looks of things, I think we could field a forward unit of Hecht, Briere, Dumont, Vanek, Drury, Afinogenov, Pyatt, Roy, Kotalik, Peters, Gaustad, Mair, and Bartovic + Noronen and Miller + a defensive corps of Kalinin, Mckee + Fitzpatrick for roughly $20M. It will be interesting to see if management aims to stay under the $29M luxury mark or gives Darcy the green light on the fixed cap number, but I would love to see two big-time UFA defenders acquired with our cap space.
For as much as I've criticized Regier in the past, I will compliment him for his financial strategy prior to the lockout. It seems as though he possessed the foresight that we as fans often lack while spewing our frustrations in the heat of the moment.
I guess something can be said for uber-conservativism.
Bettman prolly warned him with all the talks he had with Regier before Golisano bought the team.
I notice they have Jillson pegged as an AHL depth dman. Seems about right unless he picks up his game.
The negative implications for the Leafs and other teams that had high payrolls is overstated. They can afford to buy out their big contracts so they can sign younger free agents. If I ran the Leafs, I'd buy out everyone of the big contracts unless the player were willing to renegotiate. They'd be better off starting from scratch than overpaying old stars. I can't imagine they'd have any problem signing players if they have cap room.
I'm not really the self promoting type, but I'm going to do it now, consider yourself warned.
I typed 'til I was blue in the finger tips last year that the moves last season were made with a pending cancelled season and new salary landscape in mind. Gosh darnit, I was right on the money.
It certainly was a risk, the Sabres had actually put themselves in pretty bad shape if there was a season or the owners caved. They certainly look like they're in good shape for the "new way" but frankly I hope the front office doesn't look at it as carte blanche to overspend.
If, like Takeo suggests, they leave themselves with $8-9 mil of room to upgrade defense, spend it wisely. Don't fill cap space just for the benefit of filling it. What I'm saying is don't throw frugality to the wind in the "new way."
And it is nice to see an article promoting the Sabres and simultaneous trashing the Leafs.
you know it's funny but if you go to any team's board in our division, they will tell you that their team will be very competitive this coming season.
OTT obviously has the strongest team.
I see that BUF are optimistic and seemingly eager to spend on UFAs.
BTN will tell you that they are in the best spot of all with them having the most cap room in the NHL (I believe).
MTL are high off their young nucleus that reached the 2nd round in '04, thinking that Bonk's arrival will only improve things.
And yes, even Leaf fans optmistic... thinking their players will accept a 50% pay cut to "have one last shot at the cup"... and that they'll sign the likes of Allisson and Lindros for about 1.5 a year.
So yes... everyone thinks they are well positioned and we all know we can't all be right.
The Sabres will use $7.5 million to pay goalie Mika Noronen, defencemen Jay McKee, Rory Fitzpatrick and Dimitri Kalinin (provided Kalinin does the expected and exercises his player option). Forwards Chris Drury, Andrew Peters and Adam Mair also are under contract.
Unlike the Maple Leafs, the Sabres have a handful of young players who can step into the lineup. Goalie Ryan Miller is ready for prime time and that should allow the club to cut its ties with Martin Biron, who played for $2.8 million in 2003-2004.
DEPTH
Jeff Jillson played in the American League and will be a depth defenceman for less than $1 million. Kitchener Rangers graduate Derek Roy should be ready to step into the lineup and gifted goalscorer Thomas Vanek looks ready as well.
The Sabres can qualify as many of their first- or second-line Group 2 free agents as they like. They can return Maxim Afinogenov, Daniel Briere, J-P Dumont and Jochen Hecht to fill out their top two lines for another $6.1 million.
That's a core of 15 players at, say, $15 million.
Even If They don't want to go above the 29 million Luxury tax point. It's 14 million to spend on a Few players to fill out the Roster.
you know it's funny but if you go to any team's board in our division, they will tell you that their team will be very competitive this coming season.
OTT obviously has the strongest team.
I see that BUF are optimistic and seemingly eager to spend on UFAs.
BTN will tell you that they are in the best spot of all with them having the most cap room in the NHL (I believe).
MTL are high off their young nucleus that reached the 2nd round in '04, thinking that Bonk's arrival will only improve things.
And yes, even Leaf fans optmistic... thinking their players will accept a 50% pay cut to "have one last shot at the cup"... and that they'll sign the likes of Allisson and Lindros for about 1.5 a year.
So yes... everyone thinks they are well positioned and we all know we can't all be right.
Well, personally i think the NE division is easily the toughest, but, i am not talking up the Sabres chances that much. Not until we secure a legit #1 d-man to play alongside Kalinin, and a top line scoring forward. Without those two things, we will struggle to make playoffs IMO. And i havent even mentioned goaltending yet!
Ottawa has an awesome team, that is a given. And Boston and Montreal have the chance to make good, young teams as well.
So really, if the CBA is as tight on spending as i hope it will be, then the only team that is screwed is the Leafs.
