23-man Roster

[buffjoe]

Assuming that Satan and McKee sign and Boulton starts the season on IR, it looks like 3 spots are open. Pencil Peters in until Boulton returns and that takes it down to 2 spots. Begin, Roy, Bouchard and Fitzpatrick seem to be the 4 fighting for those two spots. Bouchard and Fitzpatrick may be out of luck since the Sabres have 7 fulltime d-men on the roster already(Campbell, Delmore, Kalinin, McKee, Patrick, Tallinder and Zhitnik).

[Jim Bob]

From what my wife overheard at training camp there is next to chance that Bouchard makes the Sabres out of camp.

Fitzpatrick's situation is interesting as I heard he got a 1 way contract over the summer. I wouldn't be shocked if the Sabres carried 8 defensemen to start the year and only went with one extra forward.

[buffjoe]

Does Begin have a one way contract too? If so, Roy might be the one to go.....again.

[Jim Bob]

I believe that Begin just might have a 1 way deal. I know the Sabres tendered him with a 2 way deal, but I think he, like Fitzy and Boulton, took less NHL money in exchange for a 1 way deal.

I think Roy will be on the roster for the 1st two games while Connolly is suspended. If he looks really good and the Sabres get decent offer for Connolly, then I could see a deal that opens up a roster spot for Derek.

But barring any roster spot opening trades, injuries, or an extended holdout by Satan, I think it will be hard for Derek to stick with the big club.

But we shall see.

[buffjoe]

Defense could be the weak spot. Zhitnik and Kalinin can handle the first line but it's going to be hard to match up against the oppositions 2nd and 3rd lines with Campbell, Delmore and Tallinder in the lineup. Lots of offensive potential though.

[pigskin]

I had also heard that Bouchard has been one of the best players in training camp. I wouldn't be suprised if he makes the club.

[Forum21]

I think Tallinder is being overlooked in everyone's assessment of the defensive depth. At the least he's a steady in his own zone.

If McKee comes back I'm not too worried about the Sabres D, it really hasn't been that grave of a problem for them. They seem pretty deep and have some good AHLer's making a push to keep guys honest. There's a reason Warriner was expendible.

[mikeylikess99]

you know i liked what i seeing with andrew peters, and if boulton isnt a better all around player then peteers should keep the job....i thinkeven if peters isnt as well round that he shoulds stiuck for that reason period....mike

[sabrfan]

Originally posted by jj@jj.com [/i]
I think Tallinder is being overlooked in everyone's assessment of the defensive depth. At the least he's a steady in his own zone.

I agree, I thought for the most part before he was injured that he looked every bit as good as any of the D- men we had last year.

[thegame]

Satan won't sign.

[Jim Bob]

Originally posted by thegame
Satan won't sign.

I'll bet you 3500 Buffalo Chips that Satan signs with the Sabres.

[Thumper]

You think Satan is done here, game?

[Forum21]

Originally posted by Jim Bob
I'll bet you 3500 Buffalo Chips that Satan signs with the Sabres.

That's a given. The question's when. I'd bet 2000 chips that he wont be suited up for the 1st game as you think he's just avoiding training camp.

[Jim Bob]

We should find out soon how much budget space the Sabres have left to give to their only remaining RFA.........

[LALAFONTAINE]

If you go to the NHLPA.com site and then subtract the salaries of likely cuts, substitute Peters for Boulton, you are left with slightly over $7M for Satan and McKee. I'm guessing Regier could go as high as $5.2M for Satan, but he shouldn't.

[Jim Bob]

Originally posted by jj@jj.com
That's a given. The question's when. I'd bet 2000 chips that he wont be suited up for the 1st game as you think he's just avoiding training camp.

That's too close to call for me.

I'd bet 2000 chips that he's in the line up by the 5th game of the year.

I could see him signing on the eve of the 1st game and not dressing for the game because he's waiting for a flight to the states.

[Forum21]

The McKee signing's making me rethink my position.

[Jim Bob]

Here is why I think Satan will sign right around the start of the season.

In 1998, Miro, and Z, signed just before the season opener.

In 1999, Miro fired Rich Winter and did his own deal that he signed just before the team's 2nd game of the year.

In 2001, Miro went to arbitration and got the 2 year deal that just expired.

Since he didn't opt for arbitration I'm guessing Miro will press right up until the start of the year like he did the last 2 times his deal was up and he didn't opt for arbitration.

And with Golisano in charge, the deal might get done sooner.

As you can guess, I'm a guy that likes to bet with trends.;)