I'd love that. But, I can't see Pittsburgh dealing Staal away with Crosby's concussion issues.
Agreed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TehDoak
And at least one winger who can play a top 6 role with size
How about building something around two underachieving prospects, Pääjärvi & Adam?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jame
but i might trade Roy and Nash 1st for Strome...
I doubt Isles would do that. The best chance to get Strome is to trade Vanek. Islanders have a boatload of good prospects and need someone good to play with Tavares. But I guess Buffalo isn't rebuilding at the moment so Vanek <-> Strome++ is not going to happen.
I'd rebuild incrementally, starting but not completing the process this off-season:
Roy plus the Nashville pick to get a second pick in the top ten, to come out of the draft with two centers. Insert who you think that would be. For this post, I'll just go with Forsberg and Gaunce.
Two centers and Armia as the forwards in the pipeline, Pysyk, Schliestel and Brennan on defense.
I'd evaluate this team through the 2012-13 season. The addition of Stoll and the elevation of Foligno and McNabb might be enough to off-set the smurfiness of the team. Either way, I'd consider further moves depending on play. With Hodgson, Myers, Ennis, Foligno, Gerbe, Sekera, McNabb and the prospects, the team has the ability to shed some current players and remain viable long-term.
Do a lot of people think Ennis has a future as a center? I hope we keep him there the rest of the year (let's be honest, the Ennis-Hodgson-Stafford line will probably last 2 or 3 games at the most with Ruff at the helm) to further evaluate him there. This would heavily influence my opinion about whether or not Roy should be moved.
I know a few others have said this, but the free agent I really want to target is Jarrett Stoll to center the third line. Right now we don't have the space to take a run at Parise or Suter (though if Roy, Leopold, and/or Regehr are moved at the draft, that could change), so Stoll would be a more inexpensive piece that would help bring the lineup together.
Do a lot of people think Ennis has a future as a center? I hope we keep him there the rest of the year (let's be honest, the Ennis-Hodgson-Stafford line will probably last 2 or 3 games at the most with Ruff at the helm) to further evaluate him there. This would heavily influence my opinion about whether or not Roy should be moved.
I know a few others have said this, but the free agent I really want to target is Jarrett Stoll to center the third line. Right now we don't have the space to take a run at Parise or Suter (though if Roy, Leopold, and/or Regehr are moved at the draft, that could change), so Stoll would be a more inexpensive piece that would help bring the lineup together.
Regardless of whether Ennis is a center, I think they need to upgrade at the top 6 center spot over Roy & Ennis and they need to shore up their #3 & #4 center slots with more "robust" players than Ennis.
Moving Ennis to Hodgson's wing and hoping for chemistry is the better long term move, IMO.
IMO we keep the two first round picks or try to move up into the top 3 or 4 in an attempt to guarantee that we get galchenyuk (i think he is better than grigorenko, but grigs will likely go first due to galchenyuk's injury).
but what really piques my interest is the situation out in LA... disappointing season, if they fail to make the playoffs/get bounced in the first round, i would package roy and the firsts for kopitar in a heartbeat, if he is ever made available... LA just took on two big, long term contracts in richards and carter, so for all we know kopi may end up the odd man out... i would do anything short of trading myers to get kopitar here.
I'm amazed at how people continue to lobby for Vanek to be traded. Putting aside the illogical theory of dealing the franchise's only true goal-scorer and consistent power forward for a minute, what makes anyone think that Regier will trade him other than for a motherload of an overpayment?
I would stake my house on the certainty that, as long as Regier and Ruff are in Buffalo, Vanek, Miller and Pominville will all stay Sabres - the only way any of them leave is if they go to management and ask for a trade, or management is changed with a new coach and GM.
The only two players considered part of the "core" that I see being dealt in the future - and who knows when - are Roy and Stafford. With the way Roy has been playing for the past month, I won't be shocked to hear Regier defend his poor year by claiming Roy is now playing well for the first time because he's healthy and skating normally.
Not sure how we'd get another center, but how do people feel about:
Roy for Bobby Ryan
Depends on draft. I wouldn't like to trade our #1 center for a winger unless I felt Hodgston was ready and we drafted another center. Would love to have Bobby Ryan.... and after the game tonight a lot of Ducks fans seem they'd love to do it too.
What do you think the Sabres will give Ennis after this year?
Brown for Pominville (Stafford isn't gonna be good enough; adds sandpaper to top 6)
Trade 2nd+ Leopold of Parise rights
Sign Steve Ott
Sign Carkner
Draft any Center's who's last name starts with G
I'm amazed at how people continue to lobby for Vanek to be traded. Putting aside the illogical theory of dealing the franchise's only true goal-scorer and consistent power forward for a minute, what makes anyone think that Regier will trade him other than for a motherload of an overpayment?
I would stake my house on the certainty that, as long as Regier and Ruff are in Buffalo, Vanek, Miller and Pominville will all stay Sabres - the only way any of them leave is if they go to management and ask for a trade, or management is changed with a new coach and GM.
The only two players considered part of the "core" that I see being dealt in the future - and who knows when - are Roy and Stafford. With the way Roy has been playing for the past month, I won't be shocked to hear Regier defend his poor year by claiming Roy is now playing well for the first time because he's healthy and skating normally.
The only scenario that a Vanek trade makes sense in is if they get a legit #1 center (like Anze Kopitar) in the deal.
And Vanek is not a power forward. He's big, but he doesn't play enough of a physical game to get the power forward tag, IMO.
I see Vanek as Dave Andreychuk 2.0 and Dave never got the power forward tag.
Brown for Pominville (Stafford isn't gonna be good enough; adds sandpaper to top 6) Can't see it... As long as Lindy Ruff is breathing, Jason is gonna be the Sabres captain.
Trade 2nd+ Leopold of Parise rights - overpayment for neg. rights - Ehrhoff only cost a 4th RND pick - Parise is UFA, there is no point wasting a 2nd+ on his rights
Sign Steve Ott Ott is not a free agent - he has 2 yrs left after this year
Sign Carkner The muscle would be nice, but he doesn't have anything McNabb/Finley don't already bring to the party
Draft any Center's who's last name starts with G Yes.
Brown for Pominville (Stafford isn't gonna be good enough; adds sandpaper to top 6)
Trade 2nd+ Leopold of Parise rights
Sign Steve Ott
Sign Carkner
Draft any Center's who's last name starts with G
Gives us three scoring lines while also giving us grit and size.
Pommer is better than Brown in every aspect. Brown's hitting doesn't come close to negating that. That trade makes no sense for us and neither does the overpayment of a 2nd and Leopold for Parise's rights.
Though I don't think they're quite ready to give up on him yet, I don't think Darcy would flinch if LA demanded Luke Adam in a deal for Brown. With Vanek, Ennis, Gerbe, and Leino able to play LW in the top-9, and guys like Foligno, McCormick, and Ellis able to play LW in the bottom-6, they could deem him expendable. I think this would also require the belief that he won't be able to hack it as a center in the NHL--personally, I'm already there.
The more I think about it, the more I think Darcy will be using him in proposals.
Do a lot of people think Ennis has a future as a center? I hope we keep him there the rest of the year (let's be honest, the Ennis-Hodgson-Stafford line will probably last 2 or 3 games at the most with Ruff at the helm) to further evaluate him there. This would heavily influence my opinion about whether or not Roy should be moved.
I know a few others have said this, but the free agent I really want to target is Jarrett Stoll to center the third line. Right now we don't have the space to take a run at Parise or Suter (though if Roy, Leopold, and/or Regehr are moved at the draft, that could change), so Stoll would be a more inexpensive piece that would help bring the lineup together.
I don't
Ennis belongs in the top 6 and he isn't one of the top two centers on the team with Hodgson here.
I'm amazed at how people continue to lobby for Vanek to be traded. Putting aside the illogical theory of dealing the franchise's only true goal-scorer and consistent power forward for a minute, what makes anyone think that Regier will trade him other than for a motherload of an overpayment?
I would stake my house on the certainty that, as long as Regier and Ruff are in Buffalo, Vanek, Miller and Pominville will all stay Sabres - the only way any of them leave is if they go to management and ask for a trade, or management is changed with a new coach and GM.
The only two players considered part of the "core" that I see being dealt in the future - and who knows when - are Roy and Stafford. With the way Roy has been playing for the past month, I won't be shocked to hear Regier defend his poor year by claiming Roy is now playing well for the first time because he's healthy and skating normally.
What makes you think someone would overpay to get him?
You're overrating his value. Teams are built down the middle, on defense and in net. They're not built around goal scoring wingers (no matter how good) with huge cap hits (Vanek still has one of the biggest cap hits in the NHL, tied for 12th).
I'm not saying we coulndn't get a good return for him but he isn't quite the golden asset some think he is.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Bob
The only scenario that a Vanek trade makes sense in is if they get a legit #1 center (like Anze Kopitar) in the deal.
And Vanek is not a power forward. He's big, but he doesn't play enough of a physical game to get the power forward tag, IMO.
I see Vanek as Dave Andreychuk 2.0 and Dave never got the power forward tag.
What team in their right mind would trade away a legit #1 center for a #1 LW? Let alone one with a cap hit like Vanek's?
I've been thinking about this a lot recently. I'm trying to think in terms of what the Sabres needs are (in my opinion, top-6 grit, middle-line center, and if that isn't covered in one acquisition checking center), GMs Regier has worked with in the past, and realistic, Darcy-style moves. Some of this is dependent on what happens down the stretch and into the playoffs, but...
I posted this trade idea on the rumor board and it was mostly panned:
To Buffalo:
Ryane Clowe
Antti Niemi
To San Jose
Ryan Miller
Nashville's first
Luke Adam
I just have a hunch that Regier will make a deal with this team over the summer. Unless the Sharks really go on a tear, I can see them, like the Sabres, looking for a big shakeup. Thornton and Marleau have NMCs and Couture and Pavelski are untouchable. Clowe is having a down year and Niemi is up-and-down (and if the Sharks want a new voice in the locker room, Miller certainly is that). I know it sounds unlikely (and I respect Sabretip's point about Miller being a Regier untouchable) but I think there's a lot of variables that could slide into place to make this trade work for both teams. The Sharks get a star in goal, a young forward who has shown he can deliver when playing with talent, and a high pick. The Sabres get what they were hoping Kassian would become and a goalie who can tandem with Enroth (though who knows how Ruff would handle that). There are probably a plethora of other deals that would work with the Sharks, but I can't think of one offhand that meets the teams' (potential) needs and salary structure. If Clowe and Niemi are on fire in the playoffs, of course SJ says no. If they falter, I hope Darcy would see this and pounce on a trade of opportunity.
I have some other ideas and potential trading partners. I can see Chicago looking for a goaltender and being a Miller suitor — would they pull the trigger on Kane? Regier has acquired Grier and Zubrus from Washington in the past few years — are they interested in swapping Roy for Laich?
St. Louis and Columbus have some interesting pieces (can we move a middling prospect to try and rescue Brassard?) and Darcy has dealt with them in recent years as well. Edmonton is often linked to Stafford, but who knows how real that is. Dare I point out that we have Robyn Regehr, two first-round picks, and Iginla is going into the last year of his deal?
I highly doubt we will see another deal with Nashville and/or Vancouver in the summertime.
One thing I've been wondering about: Might Richards and Carter put in a good word for Leino in Los Angeles, and what do we need to add to get Kopitar or Brown? (That's not to say that there aren't other potential trade pieces with the Kings.)
I also think that if trades can be completed at the draft that free up space, we could see a serious pitch for Parise or Suter. Darcy loves defensemen, and if Stafford is still on the team, maybe he sways Parise. If Regier trades McNabb in a cap-space-clearing move, Suter is on the table. Also in FA I see us shopping for the third-line center type — hopefully not just bringing Goose back, but getting a guy like him.
Anyway, I think the Kassian move showed a new willingness on Regier's part to make a big splash. I expect an equally surprising trade or two this summer and some prudent free-agent pickups.
Though I don't think they're quite ready to give up on him yet, I don't think Darcy would flinch if LA demanded Luke Adam in a deal for Brown. With Vanek, Ennis, Gerbe, and Leino able to play LW in the top-9, and guys like Foligno, McCormick, and Ellis able to play LW in the bottom-6, they could deem him expendable. I think this would also require the belief that he won't be able to hack it as a center in the NHL--personally, I'm already there.
The more I think about it, the more I think Darcy will be using him in proposals.
Plus the addition of Hodgson (22) to the NHL roster, Sundher (20) heading to Rochester next year and Catenacci a year behind. Suddenly Adam's value to the organization as a young center is diminished. Particularly with Sundher and Catenacci being FAR better skaters which is an issue for Adam. And to top it all off they may be drafting a high potential center this year as well.
What team in their right mind would trade away a legit #1 center for a #1 LW? Let alone one with a cap hit like Vanek's?
A team with Kopitar-Carter-Richards down the middle with almost no wingers. They've spent all their draft picks and have struggled to score. If they could get Roy+Vanek+ some picks for Kopitar+Brown, it'd be a good return. They could platoon Carter-Roy as the top two centers and have Richards in a shutdown role with a legit scoring threat on the left side, AND restock the cupboard as they spent so much to get Carter/Richards.
A team with Kopitar-Carter-Richards down the middle with almost no wingers. They've spent all their draft picks and have struggled to score. If they could get Roy+Vanek+ some picks for Kopitar+Brown, it'd be a good return. They could platoon Carter-Roy as the top two centers and have Richards in a shutdown role with a legit scoring threat on the left side, AND restock the cupboard as they spent so much to get Carter/Richards.
A team with Kopitar-Carter-Richards down the middle with almost no wingers. They've spent all their draft picks and have struggled to score. If they could get Roy+Vanek+ some picks for Kopitar+Brown, it'd be a good return. They could platoon Carter-Roy as the top two centers and have Richards in a shutdown role with a legit scoring threat on the left side, AND restock the cupboard as they spent so much to get Carter/Richards.
Carter is playing wing right now. Sure, he can slide into the center position if someone goes down, but it seems he's there to score goals off the wing. Also, wingers are much easier to acquire than centers. You don't trade a guy with Kopitar's two-way ability because of one down season--and I'm not sure I'd call 70 points much of a down season. If the cap stays static, they have $10m to find some scoring off the wing.
