After signing Numminen and Spacek...

[two4trippn]

and a few days later, does anyone miss Grier and McKee for $5.75M combined? It might not have been what everyone hoped for but this offseason has to be addition by subtraction. Two players gone, a 3rd in Janik, throw Fitz & Leighton not tendered offers and their creating minimal room. Marty & Max go away for picks frees up the needed $3M for Miller & Briere. I'm sure Darcy would like to swing a trade or two now before the arbitrators set his payroll for him, creating 1 year deals that might turn into McKee type situations. Overall, one week later, the club is still in tact with many options all dependant on arbitrators and league wide values.

[shotgun]

well i wanted to keep mckee

[Ron C.]

I'm pleased with the Spacek signing. Although after crunching the numbers with most likely arbitration numbers the payroll jumps to 38 Million. Someone has to go.

[Ron C.]

Oh and by the way , can anyone beat a "rep power" of 1?

[shotgun]

Oh and by the way , can anyone beat a "rep power" of 1?
u mean 102

[kritter65]

Oh and by the way , can anyone beat a "rep power" of 1?

Maybe I can beat that "rep power" ... lemme see.

Anyway, I can see the Biron situation going on and on until training camp when Darcy will FINALLY make a deal : Biron for a second rounder and a prospect.

[The MVP]

I don't consider this off-season a success or failure so far.

They lost McKee, but that was out of the team's control, since he was paid too much. He was replaced with an older, more developed version of Brian Campbell with a good ability to block shots. I'd say the biggest thing I'm worried about is a possible drop-off in leadership from Jay to Jaro. If Jaro can lead and play well, we'll be fine there.

Retaining Numminen was something I advocated, but the coaching staff will need to get him off time during the season so he can be primed to experience a solid playoff, unlike last year when he was hurt during the 'Canes series.

As for Grier, I'm really unhappy he didn't return. Once again, out of the Sabres' control because he didn't really want to come back. But, his leadership was invaluable, and should be greatly missed. Mike's production is easily replaceable, but there will be an experience and leadership void.

To make the off-season a success, the team needs to get Briere, Miller, Tallinder, Pominville, Roy, etc. signed to long-term deals. The core must stay together.

And don't count on Biron being dealt anytime soon; he could very well be here until March's trading deadline.

We'll see, though...

[Norwoodsrevenge]

I'll miss their toughness for sure but not their effect on the payroll.

[Bay Side]

Maybe time to trade for some toughness and leadership!!

[two4trippn]

Well it would have to go on defense since we're ass deep in forwards.

[buffalofan19]

ITo make the off-season a success, the team needs to get Briere, Miller, Tallinder, Pominville, Roy, etc. signed to long-term deals. The core must stay together.



There is no way Regier locks all of those guys, I could see Briere and Miller, and that is about it. Pominville and Roy have to do their thing for more than just one season before they are considered long-term worthy. You can throw Tallinder into that mix too. This is the first season the guy has done anything. I might be the only one, but I am not head-over-heels about Tallinder as an individual player. Don't get me wrong, he is decent, and yes I realize what he and Lydman did together throughout the playoffs, but that is the point. Tallinder and Lydman are very good as a pair of defenseman. Take them away from eachother, and they seem average. I look at the Ottawa series, in game 2 when for some reason Ruff decided to put Tallinder and Numminen together (probably because of Kalinin's injury), he didn't look too impressive. He got caught out of position alot and Numminen had to cover for him. I am not trying to knock the guy, as he did his job well for the most part, but he is not an all-star defensman by any means. Actually, to be honest, I think that Dmitri Kalinin is the Sabres' best defenseman individually, when he is healthy.

[The MVP]

There is no way Regier locks all of those guys, I could see Briere and Miller, and that is about it. Pominville and Roy have to do their thing for more than just one season before they are considered long-term worthy. You can throw Tallinder into that mix too. This is the first season the guy has done anything. I might be the only one, but I am not head-over-heels about Tallinder as an individual player. Don't get me wrong, he is decent, and yes I realize what he and Lydman did together throughout the playoffs, but that is the point. Tallinder and Lydman are very good as a pair of defenseman. Take them away from eachother, and they seem average. I look at the Ottawa series, in game 2 when for some reason Ruff decided to put Tallinder and Numminen together (probably because of Kalinin's injury), he didn't look too impressive. He got caught out of position alot and Numminen had to cover for him. I am not trying to knock the guy, as he did his job well for the most part, but he is not an all-star defensman by any means. Actually, to be honest, I think that Dmitri Kalinin is the Sabres' best defenseman individually, when he is healthy.


You only want two guys getting long-term deals? Geez. Then enjoy this season, because we'll be SOL next off-season.

And as for Tallinder, he's our best defenseman. The guy was becoming an elite player, yet you aren't convinced. I couldn't disagree more with your statements. I respect them, but don't agree.

[buffalofan19]

You only want two guys getting long-term deals? Geez. Then enjoy this season, because we'll be SOL next off-season.

And as for Tallinder, he's our best defenseman. The guy was becoming an elite player, yet you aren't convinced. I couldn't disagree more with your statements. I respect them, but don't agree.

I am not necessarily saying that I only want 2 long-term contracts, but I can't see Darcy doing more than that. He is not one to go hog-wild with contracts. We've seen that for years, and I doubt it will change. What I think should happen, and what I think will happen are two completely different things. I am not saying that these guys all don't deserve long-term contracts, but I can only see Regier offering two, possibly a third, and Briere and Miller are the guys I think will get them. If there is a third, which I doubt because of the deal given to Spacek, I bet it is Kalinin over Tallinder. Henrik Tallinder is solid, very solid, but I don't think he can be called the team's best defenseman. If he is, it isn't by much. This corps is so good now that noone is head-and-shoulders above the rest. What makes the Sabres defense good is that they are good as an entire unit. If you give one a long-term deal, you have to give them all one. If I had to choose one, I would say it is Kalinin, when he is healthy, and that is not counting Spacek, which remains to be seen. Given what he is being paid, I am guessing the Sabres expect him to be their #1 guy.

[The MVP]

I am not necessarily saying that I only want 2 long-term contracts, but I can't see Darcy doing more than that. He is not one to go hog-wild with contracts. We've seen that for years, and I doubt it will change. What I think should happen, and what I think will happen are two completely different things. I am not saying that these guys all don't deserve long-term contracts, but I can only see Regier offering two, possibly a third, and Briere and Miller are the guys I think will get them. If there is a third, which I doubt because of the deal given to Spacek, I bet it is Kalinin over Tallinder. Henrik Tallinder is solid, very solid, but I don't think he can be called the team's best defenseman. If he is, it isn't by much. This corps is so good now that noone is head-and-shoulders above the rest. What makes the Sabres defense good is that they are good as an entire unit. If you give one a long-term deal, you have to give them all one. If I had to choose one, I would say it is Kalinin, when he is healthy, and that is not counting Spacek, which remains to be seen. Given what he is being paid, I am guessing the Sabres expect him to be their #1 guy.

Now I understand where you're coming from. Definitely some good points, especially concerning the players on our team being equally good. Nice job.

[ddpderek]

i loved Jay Mckee as he was my fav player for years and still will be but for the 5.7 million I rather Spacek and Teppo more then Grier and Mckee. Spacek has a great 5 or 6 years ahead of him and Teppo is so solid. Mckee only has a few left and Grier is easily replaced by a youngster.

[The MVP]

i loved Jay Mckee as he was my fav player for years and still will be but for the 5.7 million I rather Spacek and Teppo more then Grier and Mckee. Spacek has a great 5 or 6 years ahead of him and Teppo is so solid. Mckee only has a few left and Grier is easily replaced by a youngster.

The problem with that theory is that Spacek is three years older than McKee, and no youngster will be able to replace Grier's leadership. Big Mike's stats were nothing special, but what he brought to the locker-room was invaluable.

I'm worried about the leadership void. The onus is on Spacek to step up in Jay's absence on and off the ice, while guys like Drury will have to pick up the slack even more with Grier gone.

[SabresFan220]

i loved Jay Mckee as he was my fav player for years and still will be but for the 5.7 million I rather Spacek and Teppo more then Grier and Mckee. Spacek has a great 5 or 6 years ahead of him and Teppo is so solid. Mckee only has a few left and Grier is easily replaced by a youngster.
Mckee plays a more rugged style than Spacek, so Jaro's years on Jay are wiped away when you consider the beating Mckee has taken over 10 years of professional hockey. Spacek doesn't deliver big hits, and I question if he can handle taking them, but avoiding possible injury that way bodes well for his longevity. Mckee will be under enormous pressure in St. Louis as arguably their top defenseman, probably paired with Brewer if he stays there. The move to a less solid team will add to his regular season wear and tear, but there won't be any playoffs for him to worry about. Overall, I expect Mckee's shot blocking numbers to go even higher in St. Louis since nobody else can block shots on that team. I think Spacek can handle fitting in with our defense and is a step in the right direction as a puck moving defenseman who can still block shots, he even costs less than keeping Mckee would have.

[ninecarpileup]

I hope everyone realizes it takes more than one guy. I keep reading over and over and over again about Mike Grier's leadership. Well, today is a new day and someone else will step into that role. This will be Tayor Pyatt's biggest opportunity to produce. He should be moved onto the line with Drury. It was reported during the playoffs that Drury had many conversations with Tayor when he was being moved in and out of the lineup. This kid has size, much better hands than Grier and can be a physical presence when needed. Combine that with Drury's daily mentoring and we might see something special out of this kid yet.

[buffjoe]

and a few days later, does anyone miss Grier and McKee for $5.75M combined? It might not have been what everyone hoped for but this offseason has to be addition by subtraction. Two players gone, a 3rd in Janik, throw Fitz & Leighton not tendered offers and their creating minimal room. Marty & Max go away for picks frees up the needed $3M for Miller & Briere. I'm sure Darcy would like to swing a trade or two now before the arbitrators set his payroll for him, creating 1 year deals that might turn into McKee type situations. Overall, one week later, the club is still in tact with many options all dependant on arbitrators and league wide values.
Did anyone miss Zhitnik or Satan? I'll bet you would all say "no". However, if the Sabres went into the playoffs with those two players and Numminen in the lineup we probably would have won the Cup.The Sabres would probably have broken even instead of making 5 mil..... but they would have won the Cup. Nobody can deny that it would have been better to have Zhitnik out there instead of Jillson or Satan out there instead of Novotny or Pyatt.

[ninecarpileup]

Did anyone miss Zhitnik or Satan? I'll bet you would all say "no". However, if the Sabres went into the playoffs with those two players and Numminen in the lineup we probably would have won the Cup.The Sabres would probably have broken even instead of making 5 mil..... but they would have won the Cup. Nobody can deny that it would have been better to have Zhitnik out there instead of Jillson or Satan out there instead of Novotny or Pyatt.

You can't ever say anyting like this. You don't know what effect having these two guys on the team would have had on the regular season or in the earlier playoff rounds. Using your logic, maybe if the Sabres had these guys in the lineup Poms never gets on the ice and does not score the goal against Ottowa. Ottowa scores on the power play and goes on to beat the Sabres in game seven. You can never play the what if game. Same as everyone crying that Darcy did not sign another d man before the trade dead line...boy hindsight is always brilliant. What if he did, then they lost Briere and Drury instead??

[two4trippn]

Did anyone miss Zhitnik or Satan? I'll bet you would all say "no". However, if the Sabres went into the playoffs with those two players and Numminen in the lineup we probably would have won the Cup.The Sabres would probably have broken even instead of making 5 mil..... but they would have won the Cup. Nobody can deny that it would have been better to have Zhitnik out there instead of Jillson or Satan out there instead of Novotny or Pyatt.
They would not have made it with those 2 here because the AHLers that carried this club throughout its injury plagued season would have had less ice time. Keep in mind that Zhitnik was hurt come March as well.