Stumpy to Sign with Sabres?

[bernsy74]

Here is the link:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20030921.whoto22/BNStory/Sports/?query=thomas


It's right at the bottom.

Personally, I'd rather give some younger players a shot. Don't get me wrong though, I like Steve Thomas.

[Forum21]

I don't see where this guy fits in. He's 40!

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid%5B%5D=5377

[Jim Bob]

He fits in as a depth guy that looked really good late in the year for Anaheim, especially in the playoffs.

If this team is serious about making the playoffs this year, then adding a guy like Stumpy for less than $1 million makes a lot of sense.

He'd only be taking the spot of a young guy that likely wouldn't produce a whole lot this year like a Gaustad.

And he'd bring a lot of leadership into the locker room.

[Forum21]

Yeah, but did I mention he's 40?

[bernsy74]

Originally posted by Jim Bob
He fits in as a depth guy that looked really good late in the year for Anaheim, especially in the playoffs.

If this team is serious about making the playoffs this year, then adding a guy like Stumpy for less than $1 million makes a lot of sense.

He'd only be taking the spot of a young guy that likely wouldn't produce a whole lot this year like a Gaustad.

And he'd bring a lot of leadership into the locker room.

As long as that guy isn't Roy, I'd sign him. Doesn't really make sense at his age to sign with an underdog like the Sabres??

[Jim Bob]

It does if no other team is calling.

[Jim Bob]

Originally posted by jj@jj.com
Yeah, but did I mention he's 40?

Who cares how old he is if he can still play.

Chris Chelios is 40 yo and I'd love to have him on the Sabres blueline.

Ron Francis is 40 yo and I'd love to have him centering the Sabres #1 line.

[Forum21]

Originally posted by Jim Bob
Who cares how old he is if he can still play.

Chris Chelios is 40 yo and I'd love to have him on the Sabres blueline.

Ron Francis is 40 yo and I'd love to have him centering the Sabres #1 line.

OK, you just compared Steve Thomas to Chelios and Francis... I just though you needed to know that.

[csm61]

Sign him once Miro and JAy are inked. He would bring a lot of leadership and clutch goal scoring to this team. LAst year Lindy cried about the need for veteran leadership. Drury and Delmore provide that, but Thomas would be a nice addition. He could fill in on the top two lines during injuries. Age shouldn't matter, it's if you can produce and Thomas did bigtime down the stretch and in the playoffs for the Ducks. He has always been money and would be a positive role model on all these kids we have.

[delectrolux]

i would sign thomas. total clutch player - captain material.
.

[Forum21]

I find it strange that they're talking to a RW when it's one position where we're pretty deep, if Satan's in the line up.

Get it?

[Drury81]

IMO his age is one of his best attributes to this team. Being one of the youngest teams in the league (I think we are), leadership has been a major lack for this team the past 2 years. Guys like Andreychuk, Gilmour, Barnes, Ray provided great leadership for the young guys. Steve Thomas would be an excellent signing to be a leader on and off the ice. He can teach this team how to win again. Sign Satan first, of course.

[thegame]

I always loved Stumpy, but I think it's a little too late in his career for Buffalo to go after him.

[Thumper]

I've wanted Steve Thomas for a while now. He'd be a great veteran leader, and has the knack to be a hero.


http://buffalorange.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=419310&highlight=Steve+Thomas#post419310

"I'd like to see the Sabres grab a guy like Steve Thomas. He still hasn't been re-signed by the Ducks, and he'd be a perfect fit on either of the bottom 2 lines. Obviously we'd have to trim a bit more salary to get him, but we have to trim a bit of salary to get anyone. And his price tag isn't too gigantic to over come. If we DID make the playoffs this year, he would add some clutch scoring and excellent leadership throughout the regular season as well. Getting another new face that is a proven winner on this team, like Drury, wouldn't be a bad idea. Thomas is a warrior."

[LALAFONTAINE]

Where does he fit? Unless we deal a few forwards - or don't sign one - it doesn't make sense.

[Forum21]

Originally posted by LALALALALALAFONTAINE
Where does he fit? Unless we deal a few forwards - or don't sign one - it doesn't make sense.

Totally agree. These are pre-emptive talks in the event they don't sign Satan.

[Jim Bob]

Stumpy fits on the 3rd or 4th line if they don't like how players like Afinogenov and Connolly look as the 3rd and 4th line RWs and they want to add a gritty wily veteran that can add playoff experience and a solid locker room presence.

Thomas won't be playing on the first line in lieu of Satan.

The only way this affects Satan is if Afinogenov looks god-like in the pre-season and he make Satan expendable.

Then Stumpy will fill in the spot on the 3rd or 4th line created by moving Max up in the line up.

[Thumper]

I have no idea how he fits on this team when they can't even sign McKee and Satan, and they're already at that 30 million dollar mark for the payroll. It makes me think that Golisano isn't afraid to exceed 30 million.

[Forum21]

Originally posted by Thumper
I have no idea how he fits on this team when they can't even sign McKee and Satan, and they're already at that 30 million dollar mark for the payroll. It makes me think that Golisano isn't afraid to exceed 30 million.

There was already a quote from either Regeir or Quinn saying that they will be over $30 million.

[Jim Bob]

Originally posted by Thumper
I have no idea how he fits on this team when they can't even sign McKee and Satan, and they're already at that 30 million dollar mark for the payroll. It makes me think that Golisano isn't afraid to exceed 30 million.

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20030921/1007907.asp?tbd1007907.asp

At the same time, the player payroll will be appreciably above Golisano's previous public estimate of around $30 million.

"When the dust settles, we're going to be at $33 million when the season starts," Quinn said. "Tom is demonstrating that he's willing to make an investment in the competitiveness of this team."

Besides, the Sabres will only sign Thomas for a one year deal for around $500,000 to $750,000. At that price it would only be a minor increase over the young player on a 2 way deal that he would be replacing.

So in effect, the net impact on the budget for signing Thomas would be less than $500,000.

[bduff54]

he would be great for you guys, a good leader and he can still score 20 a year

[LALAFONTAINE]

He can still score 20 a year? He hasn't done that since 1999-2000.

He'd be a decent guy to have on the 4th line, but only if we clear out some forwards and pay Thomas $750K or less.

[Forum21]

My thinking is that it may be too late in his career to get along in a Ruff system. It seems to me that it's the younger players that get along well under Ruff and the old players that sour on the fact that they are not played enough or given any opportunities. I see the same type of thing potentially happening with Thomas. If things go wrong, $750,000 would have been a steep price for locker room distraction a la Gilmore

[Thumper]

That's possible. But I don't think Steve Thomas is the kind of guy that would make a big stink like Gilmour did. If he came here, he'd know his role. I wouldn't expect a fuss.

[Jim Bob]

I agree that what role he would be used in would be a part of the talks prior to striking any deal.

And the Gilmour situation was different because it was a trade and he didn't have nearly the input into his destination as a FA would.

[bduff54]

i defnitley think he can score 20 a year, if you guys have him on the PP he can score goals. See him in the playoffs? he was great.

[Kotalik12]

What's the current payroll right now with Satan and McKee unsigned? Don't tell me it's $33 mil lol.

[Hurls]

Originally posted by bduff54
i defnitley think he can score 20 a year, if you guys have him on the PP he can score goals. See him in the playoffs? he was great.

I think he's a big waste of time for this young team. I liken him to Kirk Muller, who really helped the Stars this year, lol

[Jim Bob]

Originally posted by Kotalik12
What's the current payroll right now with Satan and McKee unsigned? Don't tell me it's $33 mil lol.

The normal NHL roster is 23 players.

Using the data from NHLPA.com the top 21 players that are likely to start the year in Buffalo gives you a payroll number that's just under $26 million.

But here is an option:

trade Connolly for a pick/prospect and then sign Thomas.

That would save money and make a lot of fans happy.;)

[Forum21]

Originally posted by Jim Bob


But here is an option:

trade Connolly for a pick/prospect and then sign Thomas.



Connolly won't go anywhere as long as Regeir is calling the shots.

[Hurls]

and what's he worth now? He hasn't shown anything but "what ifs". Until he plays well, he's dead weight to us

[LALAFONTAINE]

Originally posted by bduff54
i defnitley think he can score 20 a year, if you guys have him on the PP he can score goals. See him in the playoffs? he was great.

2000-01 Toronto Maple Leafs 57 8 26 34 46
2001-02 Chicago Blackhawks 34 11 4 15 17
2002-03 Chicago Blackhawks 69 4 13 17 51
2002-03 Anaheim Mighty Ducks 12 10 3 13 2

Signing Thomas is not signing a 20 goal scorer. People get old. Thomas is 40 years old. He is not physically capable of the things he did even 4 years ago.

[Hurls]

alright, another thing we agree on

[Jim Bob]

Originally posted by jj@jj.com
Connolly won't go anywhere as long as Regeir is calling the shots.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. Regier's job could be on the line. If he feels that dumping Connolly for the right pick/prospect and then adding Thomas makes this team more likely to make the playoffs, then I think he'll make that move.

Regier did say that he was waiting to see how the younger players looked before he decided to get really serious about going after Thomas.

I think Tim, Max, and Steve Begin are the 3 players that fell directly into that category.

[LALAFONTAINE]

Originally posted by hurls
alright, another thing we agree on

I also think Gilbride is an idiot and running the ball inside the 15 and everywhere else is a must.

Buddy Ryan was right, except he really should have used an uppercut on Gilbride.

[bduff54]

lol, i remember that lafontaine. ryan went nuts.

[Hurls]

i know this is a Sabres board, but it's leading to this:
3 way death match, in one corner, wearing red, GreGGGG. In aanother corner, wearing black(for death), Kevin Gilbride. And in a 3rd corner, wearing white, the tag-team of Gray-LeBeau. Battle to the death, with special enforcer, Andrew Peters. he has the power to thrash them all at any point he wants to. Last man standing gets the Bills