Sabres avoid arbitration, Sekera

[CatScrap]

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

Are we gonna do some dirty accounting to do that AND be under the cap?:typing:

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Are we gonna do some dirty accounting to do that AND be under the cap?:typing:

I am just hoping I guess.


I don't expect much this year but I feel good about the next few years.

 

[CatScrap]

Actually, I feel good about this year. It's next year that worries me.

I don't see the cap going up much more than $1.5-2 million because of the new CBA that will have to go through. So lets assume next year's cap will be around $66.3 million. Assuming Enroth has a cap hit around $1.25 million the Sabres will have $50.32 million committed to salaries next year and have a minimum of 5 skaters to sign just to have 12 forwards 6 d-men and 2 goalies signed.

Of those 5 skaters we have to sign are Gaustad, Ennis, and Myers. I assume Gaustad will command in the $3 million range, Myers, based on comparable RFA salaries of D-men his stature, is going to get in the neighborhood of $6 million, and Ennis will most likely get $4 million if he has a good year this year. Based upon those figure we will have $63.32 million spent and just under $3 million in free cap space to sign two 3rd line wingers, that is IF the cap goes up $2 million next year.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Actually, I feel good about this year. It's next year that worries me.

I don't see the cap going up much more than $1.5-2 million because of the new CBA that will have to go through. So lets assume next year's cap will be around $66.3 million. Assuming Enroth has a cap hit around $1.25 million the Sabres will have $50.32 million committed to salaries next year and have a minimum of 5 skaters to sign just to have 12 forwards 6 d-men and 2 goalies signed.

Of those 5 skaters we have to sign are Gaustad, Ennis, and Myers. I assume Gaustad will command in the $3 million range, Myers, based on comparable RFA salaries of D-men his stature, is going to get in the neighborhood of $6 million, and Ennis will most likely get $4 million if he has a good year this year. Based upon those figure we will have $63.32 million spent and just under $3 million in free cap space to sign two 3rd line wingers, that is IF the cap goes up $2 million next year.

Obviously a lot can happen over the course of a full season, but I would be surprised at this point if Ennis gets $4M per year. I'd expect to see him somewhere more in the $3M range.

Though I certainly hope he has that kind of a year to warrant it!

 

[dash]

I'm still waiting for you guys to ship Ennis to Calgary where he truly belongs...

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

So who's the salary dump defenseman Buffalo is sending the Isles for their 4th round pick back?:

 

[BOSSMANPC]

So who's the salary dump defenseman Buffalo is sending the Isles for their 4th round pick back?:

Morrisonn he would fit in well.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Morrisonn he would fit in well.

In that case we'll keep the 4th round pick. You can have Trent Hunter for Morrisonn.

 

[CatScrap]

Deal!!! We'll even be nice and send Kotalik your way as well for free!!!

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Hell, we'll even throw in a 7th if you take Kotalik.

 

[CatScrap]

Obviously a lot can happen over the course of a full season, but I would be surprised at this point if Ennis gets $4M per year. I'd expect to see him somewhere more in the $3M range.

Though I certainly hope he has that kind of a year to warrant it!

This past year Ennis scored 20 goals and racked up 49 points. The two key RFA's this year who have comparable numbers are Ryan Callahan and Brad Marchant.

Assuming he has an identical year next year to what he did this year, another 20 goals and 49 points, his salary will likely be closely tied to what these two players get signed for this year. Also, being the number 2 left winger and most likely number 3 or 4 scorer on the team adds value to his contract as well.

If he has another year like last year and doesn't get better, which I think he will since it is a contract year for him and he has better teammates around him this year, I would say he will command between $3-$3.5 million next year. However, since I assume he is probably going to get around 25 goals and 60 points this year, I would say a contract valued around $4 million isn't out of the question.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Fair points for sure, I'm thinking that a couple other factors will come in, most notably the recent contract to Stafford. He had 31/21 last season in only 62 games and earned only a $4M salary.

The other being Gerbe's recent contract. While I think Ennis is a better player, I think the Sabres would have a strong negotiating position to say is he really worth 2.5x as much as Gerbe?

I guess that's why Darcy is the GM and not us though.

 

[CatScrap]

Fair points for sure, I'm thinking that a couple other factors will come in, most notably the recent contract to Stafford. He had 31/21 last season in only 62 games and earned only a $4M salary.

The other being Gerbe's recent contract. While I think Ennis is a better player, I think the Sabres would have a strong negotiating position to say is he really worth 2.5x as much as Gerbe?

I guess that's why Darcy is the GM and not us though.

Gerbe can't even be brought up in the talks. The only players who can be brought up during salary arbitration are players who are players who are comparable to the player in question. Gerbe, although he may be comparable next year, was not at the time of his signing.

Stafford will probably be brought up by the Ennis camp, not the Sabres, because 31 goals and 52 points is very close to 20 Goals and 49 points, especially since Ennis will most likely do better next year, and Ennis will be looking for an identical contract. The only players signed this year who could be brought up to look at would be Stafford, Callahan and Marchant, all three RFAs with similar numbers to Ennis.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Ennis isn't eligible for arbitration next year. Based on his age when he signed his first contract - 19 I believe - he has to have 4 years of "professional service" before he can go to arbitration.

 

[CatScrap]

Ennis isn't eligible for arbitration next year. Based on his age when he signed his first contract - 19 I believe - he has to have 4 years of "professional service" before he can go to arbitration.

Incorrect. He has to have 4 years of service before HE can elect to goto arbitration. The club, however, can elect to take the player to arbitration anytime in his career.

It all depends on what the Sabres offer him. They will obviously give him a Qualifying Offer, but after that, if he has a similar year to this year, and they are offering $2.5 million for 3 or 4 years, he'll probably sit and wait, and the Sabres may be forced into filing for arbitration.

If I'm Darcy, I wait until January 1st and Start talking to him then, before this year is over and he has a higher value. If you are able to sign him to an extension in January, you very well could get him for $2.5-$2.75 million for 3 or 4 years.

WOOO HOOO 500th POST!!!

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

I don't think that's correct that the club can take him.

Section 12.1 (b) states

Only Players who qualify as Restricted Free Agents as described in
Section 10.2 of this Agreement, who meet the qualifications in Section 12.1(a) above, and who have not signed an Offer Sheet are eligible either to elect salary arbitration or be subject to a Club-elected salary arbitration.

Emphasis is mine.

Section 12.1(a) is the section that describes the age and service requirements.

 

[CatScrap]

touche

 

[CatScrap]

Callahan's new cap hit of over $4 million is definately going to be brought up next year when Ennis is looking for a new contract.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Deal!!! We'll even be nice and send Kotalik your way as well for free!!!

With that contract I'd hardly say Kotalik is FREE. No thanks you can keep him.

Enjoy Hunter & his 2 year 2 million per left on his contract. He's such a good skater that by the time he reaches Center Ice Grabner is battling the other teams defenseman for the puck behind the opposing teams net. Hunter is almost a lock to miss at least half the season as well.: