What is next for the Sabres

[mikgaes]

For all the critics, it seems as Regier, Quinn, and the Sabres are going about business as planned leading up to the draft. With Kennedy, Enroth, Gerbe, and Persson in the fold, what's next for the Sabres before the draft?

[keyron79]

To sign John-Michael Liles

[two4trippn]

Salary dump packages for picks or a #1 Center.

[Bay Side]

Top line center with leadership, and a nice D-man!

[sukie]

7 mil a year for Miller 6 years... DO IT NOW... He is HOF material.

[ddpderek]

7 mil a year for Miller 6 years... DO IT NOW... He is HOF material.

You honestly think that ? Im not saying i wouldnt do it but i guess im not as impressed by Millers as some.


I think we need to pull of a couple trades for a couple Vets. We obviously have a couple holes but we have lots of pieces we could consider to move around.

[mikgaes]

You honestly think that ? Im not saying i wouldnt do it but i guess im not as impressed by Millers as some.


I think we need to pull of a couple trades for a couple Vets. We obviously have a couple holes but we have lots of pieces we could consider to move around.

I'm quite confident that he was being sarcastic.

http://www.kidcrosswords.com/animated_dictionary/d_e_f/expression.gif

[TheAnswer74]

Miller and Pominville next.

And I think Liles is almost a lock to be a Sabre, the wildcard is Orpik.

If they can get both we are gold.

[Bay Side]

Sorry but i give Miller no more than 3 years until he can prove what he is worth and i am a Huge Miller fan!!

[mikgaes]

Sorry but i give Miller no more than 3 years until he can prove what he is worth and i am a Huge Miller fan!!


The Sabres need to upgrade the defense in front of him. However he needs to prove he's better than he has shown. Three years, though, is a lot of rope to hang oneself.

[GoBillsTom]

Three years for Miller is unrealistic. I don't think he would settle for less than four or maybe five. (See: Campbell, Brian)

[Buffalo87]

Three years for Miller is unrealistic. I don't think he would settle for less than four or maybe five. (See: Campbell, Brian)

I agree, he's going to want some security and some guaranteed money. If it really comes down to it just sign him long-term then when Enroth is ready (if Enroth develops as some expect) trade one of them. I just don't feel comfortable letting Miller walk after next year, Enroth will not be ready by then.

I'm really not sure how I feel about Liles, a small puck-moving dman is not at all what we need. I'd much rather spend the money on Orpik or someone of that sort (Commodore maybe).

[Papaduke]

I am a Miller fan, he had a rough season but there were a lot of mitigating factors. A lot of Sabres did not have great seasons. The defense was an absolute sieve at time. There were several periods where the Sabres did not get out of the defensive zone. He got NO rest during February and March when the Sabres basically played every other night.


That being said, the premise of this thread is what will the Sabres do between now and the draft... very little. Cannot sign Miller or Poms until July 1. Trade talk will really heat up just prior to the draft. Relax for the next couple weeks, drink a beer, hit the Range and get ready for Ottawa June 20th.

[sukie]

That is not the premise... Sign Miller and lock him up for 11

[SabresFan220]

Miller should not get $7 million a year unless its based on reaching incentives. He should get between $5 and $6 million for around 7 years as a base salary. He has not earned more than any other goalie in the league until he proves he's as good or better than any other.

[sukie]

You don't have one of his cool jerseys... obviously.

[keyron79]

.
And I think Liles is almost a lock to be a Sabre,
.

I hope your right about that...Liles would be a great add and he make a lot of people forget about Soupy.Not saying I don't miss Soupy it would take the sting out of losing him.

[Papaduke]

What has made Liles a lock in signing here?

[keyron79]

I don't know I just hope he's right!

[keyron79]

Who let the guy from Sex In The City in here???

[TheAnswer74]

What has made Liles a lock in signing here?

Why wouldnt the Sabres go after Ryan Miller's best friend to replace Brian Campbell. Liles fits our system.

[keyron79]

Agion I hope your right...but that dose not make Liles a lock.

[Buffalo87]

Why wouldnt the Sabres go after Ryan Miller's best friend to replace Brian Campbell. Liles fits our system.

What makes sense often does not sit well with Buffalo management. You have to expect the unexpected with the FO here.

[comericatigers]

Get a good center and a d-man.

[charbs]

My Priority List:

1) We need a big defensive defensemen. A shot blocking gritty guy who will throw his body. Max could bring us this guy if the right deal is made.

2) Center. We have a glaring need and some extra Tim Connolly Life insurance wouldn't hurt the family. He must be a finisher who has a solid two way game.

3) Pominville. 6 years 29 million if he takes it. He scores, plays the powerplay/penalty kill. For god's sake he was our captain. One of the only ones who stepped up and brought something to the table when he was. F--- it. I would go as high as 6 years 35 million. Seriously.

4) Miller. What goalies get paid now, and players in general is on the rise. What the heck, the cap is on the rise too. If hypothetically we gave miller a 6 year 36 Million dollar deal, the cap might be well over 70 million by year 4. I mean the direction the league is going in a sense could be working in favor of these lucrative deals that keep getting thrown around.

5) Steve Bernier. He will morph into the animal we all want him to be and should be a top 6 forward by next season. 5 years, 19 million sounds about fair. He does love Buffalo being able to play against montreal and be close (or atleast closer then san jose) to it.


Other notables:
6) Teppo. Yes he's old. Yes we have an upcoming defensive core. With Campbell gone, why couldn't he step into Kalinins spot? He looked like he hadn't missed a beat ( i know it was one game). He brings intangibles. Leadership, poise, the calmness, he's been there done that but I have no problem with him/paetsch (if he ever comes along, i feel like he's been the same player 2 seasons in a row) being our 7th defensemen. Especially if Pratt is off ship. He would be an excellent accent as well to who ever we get in need #1.

7) Mike Ryan? I don't know. He showed flashes this year but unfortunately when he started getting good, he got hurt. It's up in the air whether I keep him or not, he's still on the fence. Same with Clarke MacArthur. It really comes down to one or the other for that 3 year 5 million dollar deal I guess.

8) Paul Gaustad should get a decent extension as well. 4 year, 10 million sounds good to me. Dan Paille's showing promise too. A similar contract for him wouldn't be too bad.

I think that sums it up pretty much.

[biggbrd27]

Miller and Pominville next.

And I think Liles is almost a lock to be a Sabre, the wildcard is Orpik.

If they can get both we are gold.

Why would Orpik leave the Pens for Buffalo? Because he is from here? Look at the Pens roster and future. Who would you rather play for? And, a lot of these guys in Pittsburgh are young. They potentially are very good for a long run. Though eventually, they could face Sabre style conundrums because of the Salary Cap and idiotically escalating salaries thanks to profligate spending managements of the NYR, NYI, Philly and our friends in Tonto...

But, in the mean time, if you are Brooksie, who do you think has a better chance of winning the Cup in his lifetime? The Sabres or Pens? Dream on if you think he is coming here...

[Buffalo87]

Why would Orpik leave the Pens for Buffalo? Because he is from here? Look at the Pens roster and future. Who would you rather play for? And, a lot of these guys in Pittsburgh are young. They potentially are very good for a long run. Though eventually, they could face Sabre style conundrums because of the Salary Cap and idiotically escalating salaries thanks to profligate spending managements of the NYR, NYI, Philly and our friends in Tonto...

But, in the mean time, if you are Brooksie, who do you think has a better chance of winning the Cup in his lifetime? The Sabres or Pens? Dream on if you think he is coming here...

It's a business, as Sabres fans we should know it's all about the money. Now I'm not sure we would outbid everybody (or anybody for that matter), but it's all about the money. The Pens aren't going to be able to afford him unless he takes a somewhat significant pay-cut and I just don't see that happening. He's coming up on his one big-time payday and I doubt he's going to want to sacrifice that for loyalty.

[ddpderek]

Why would Orpik leave the Pens for Buffalo? Because he is from here? Look at the Pens roster and future. Who would you rather play for? And, a lot of these guys in Pittsburgh are young. They potentially are very good for a long run. Though eventually, they could face Sabre style conundrums because of the Salary Cap and idiotically escalating salaries thanks to profligate spending managements of the NYR, NYI, Philly and our friends in Tonto...

But, in the mean time, if you are Brooksie, who do you think has a better chance of winning the Cup in his lifetime? The Sabres or Pens? Dream on if you think he is coming here...

Dream on if you think hes going to stay with the Pens.

I think some team not us will offer him a huge deal and he will take it.

[3LH]

Yup I think the reality is what ddpderek and buffalo87 have stated. It's kind of a Soupy-like situation: even if he wants to stay with the Pens, he wants to test free agency more. Otherwise, he'd be signed by now by Pittsburgh.

[biggbrd27]

Dream on if you think hes going to stay with the Pens.

I think some team not us will offer him a huge deal and he will take it.


Well then the last place he will ever sign will be Buffalo. Unless he is willing to settle for about a third of what he can make on the open market...

[ddpderek]

Well then the last place he will ever sign will be Buffalo. Unless he is willing to settle for about a third of what he can make on the open market...

Well if he did sign here it be what he could make on the open market seeing how we would be a part of that market.

Also if we want him we would offer him a fair deal like we did to Spacek a couple years back.

Also if you dont think we play players get off it as Spacek, Hecht, Tallinder, Roy, and Vanek are all making a good amount and others such as Pominville and Miller will soon be joining them.