Sabres avoid arbitration, Sekera

[CatScrap]

Andrej Sekera signed a 4 year deal yesterday with a cap hit of $2.75 million.

The contract is front loaded with a $3 million signing bonus the first year with pay as follows

$4.25 mil, $3.25 mil, $1.75 mil, $1.75 mil.

This gives the Sabres 7 d-men, 13 forwards, and 1 goalie signed for next year while being $2.395 million over the cap.

Most likely scenario come october will see Weber heading to Rochester along with Kotalik which will free up $3.95 million and give the Sabres enough cap space to resign up and comer Jhonas Enroth as our backup.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

I don't like the $ on that. Too high for my blood.

And that leaves Gragnani unsigned. And with the way he played down the stretch and in the playoffs last year, I want to see him get a chance.

I agree that Kotalik likely doesn't stay up, but I think Weber will stay and Morrisonn will be the odd man out. He's a hit of $2M, so between him and Kotalik you free up just over $5M, which leaves the space to sign Enroth and still have a bit of space for the trade deadline.

 

[CatScrap]

Your right, I think Morrisonn will find himself the odd man out. Also, I think you could see Gragnani fighting for a spot on the Forward line this year and not the D-line.

 

[dash]

Baby, What a Big Surprise...

Oh sorry, that's Chicago and Peter Cetera.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Yeah, I know he has some experience playing up front.

I'd like to see him on about a $700K, which doesn't put them at a whole lot of risk if he can't cut it at the NHL level over an entire season.

I want him to get a shot though, because I could see him being a very good QB on the second PP unit (Ehrhoff being the QB on the first).

 

[CatScrap]

What about Myers and Leopold? Either of them are certainly more than capable of being a good PP QB.

I think Gragnani is still 1 year removed from the pros myself. I can't believe I'm saying this about the Sabres, but it's not so much on account of he isn't ready, but our lineup is just too good right now for him to crack into.

Next year, I think he will get a better shot at making our lineup though, on account of the fact that we will need to spend alot to lock up Myers, Ennis, and Gaustad, and will likely see one of our other forwards, Hecht or Boyes, walk. This will open up a space on the 3rd forward line for him to try and break the lineup. It still won't be an automatic, as he will have Kassian, Adams, and others to contend with who will also be looking to fill in that last spot.

In all reality I could see us trading him or another prospect at the deadline as we now have a very deep talent pool at defense and offense.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Nothing against Myers or Leopold on the PP, I just think Gragnani could be better than both of them as a PP QB. I don't think he'll be as good as Myers on the whole though.

Depending on what happens this season (obviously a big if), I'd be content to let Boyes and Hecht walk, given what I've seen of them in the past. Obviously the history with Hecht is longer, but neither of them (so far) is showing me they're worth what we're paying them.

 

[CatScrap]

Nothing against Myers or Leopold on the PP, I just think Gragnani could be better than both of them as a PP QB. I don't think he'll be as good as Myers on the whole though.

Depending on what happens this season (obviously a big if), I'd be content to let Boyes and Hecht walk, given what I've seen of them in the past. Obviously the history with Hecht is longer, but neither of them (so far) is showing me they're worth what we're paying them.

True Gragnani would prolly do better being a PP QB, but who are you going to bump out of your lineup in order to bring him in solely for that purpose? Sekera? Weber? Kaleta? McCormick? I don't see Gragnani being brought up this year unless he has a SPECTACULAR training camp and preseason this year.

As far as Boyes and Hecht, I think we need to give Boyes, and Hecht too one more year to see what they can do.

Last year Boyes was thrown onto a new team, with a new system, and put into a position that isn't his natural one, he's a natural winger not center. Putting him back on the wing this year could really help his production.

Also, putting Hecht back as a centerman with 2 wingers who actually have some skill, Gerbe and Boyes, might bring him back to his full potential. I know he hasn't produced in the past, but look at who Ruff has put him on a line with. Any player's stats are going to drop when paired with 3rd and 4th line players.

I think we give them both 1 more year before we write them off and keep the better of the two. If we do, most likely we keep Boyes who will be 30 and still in his prime for a few more years vs. Hecht who will be 35 and looking at retirement soon. That is unless we plan on going after Semin in FA next year.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Fair points about both, though I personally believe we've given Hecht enough chances. I don't advocate cutting him or trading him in the final year of his deal, but I don't see him back after this, especially considering some of the good up-and-comers we've got in the system.

Boyes is more of a crapshoot since his time in the Sabres organization is so short. He's had several consecutive off years though, so if he can't turn it around this year, I don't see him returning, though I believe he deserves the chance moreso than Hecht, because he's at least proven that he can score big in the past.

I don't want Gragnani solely as a PP QB, because I think he's got a solid defensive game too, keeping in mind also that he did win D-man of the year in the AHL last season. If Morrisonn is gone (or down), I see Sekera, Gragnani, and Weber fighting it out for most of the season to see who gets in as the 6th D and the other being a healthy scratch.

Sekera showed pretty well last year that he needs that motivation of being benched to light a fire under him, so I think the competition would be good.

 

[CatScrap]

Fair points about both, though I personally believe we've given Hecht enough chances. I don't advocate cutting him or trading him in the final year of his deal, but I don't see him back after this, especially considering some of the good up-and-comers we've got in the system.

Boyes is more of a crapshoot since his time in the Sabres organization is so short. He's had several consecutive off years though, so if he can't turn it around this year, I don't see him returning, though I believe he deserves the chance moreso than Hecht, because he's at least proven that he can score big in the past.

I don't want Gragnani solely as a PP QB, because I think he's got a solid defensive game too, keeping in mind also that he did win D-man of the year in the AHL last season. If Morrisonn is gone (or down), I see Sekera, Gragnani, and Weber fighting it out for most of the season to see who gets in as the 6th D and the other being a healthy scratch.

Sekera showed pretty well last year that he needs that motivation of being benched to light a fire under him, so I think the competition would be good.

Sekera's new contract shows that the brass have given him the nod of approval, So the battle for the last spot, if there is a battle, would be between Weber and the rest of our up and comers. Remember we still have McNabb, Pysyk, and Brennan to push for that spot too.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

This is new territory for us Sabres fans. Talking about how to get UNDER the cap? WTF !!


The fans in Rochester must be thrilled !!

 

[CatScrap]

I know Boss, Read my other post, I said the same things.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

I know Boss, Read my other post, I said the same things.

Sorry, brother I should pay attention.

 

[CatScrap]

Don't appologize, I'm in agreement with you. Just happy we got something to look forward to this year.

 

[buffhockey]

Just happy we got something to look forward to this year.

So true!!!!

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Our defense should be solid. That's for sure. Put them in front of Miller and you never know.

 

[CatScrap]

Hopefully we can lock up Enroth for a 3 year contract so he and THE MILLER will be coming up at the same time and we can either stick with THE MILLER or bring in the new kid. Plus it will give us a solid backup, which we've lacked for some time, for the next 3 years.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Jhonas Enroth has signed a multi-year deal.

No terms as of yet.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Jhonas Enroth has signed a multi-year deal.

No terms as of yet.

YES!!!!

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Defense and goal tending is set. Get another top forward and this team could be a force.