Sabres have two top 20 centers!?

[gtown27]

So said Darcy Regier in a recent interview on WGR550...

Sad.

 

[dash]

Darryl Sutter thinks the Flames are one player away from being a top team...The Kool-aid is strong with that one ;-)

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Darcy also believes in Santa and tooth fairy. Good god he actually said that?

Holy crap we are screwed !!!

 

[Bizzle McDizzle]

So said Darcy Regier in a recent interview on WGR550...

Sad.

to be fair (ugh, that phrase just sucks now)...

he didn't say top 20 in what...

Could be top 20 in tape use. Top 20 in hair gel. Top 20 in sales of bootleg copies of The Hangover.

 

[puckhead]

It took some digging, but i found it.

derek roy - #10 in game winning goals
tim connoly - #19 in assists


they were also both tied for #13 in the playoff in shorthanded goals, with 0

 

[gtown27]

It took some digging, but i found it.

derek roy - #10 in game winning goals
tim connoly - #19 in assists


they were also both tied for #13 in the playoff in shorthanded goals, with 0

Lol. Makes me feel a lot better now.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

It took some digging, but i found it.

derek roy - #10 in game winning goals
tim connoly - #19 in assists


they were also both tied for #13 in the playoff in shorthanded goals, with 0

You suck !!!! But thanks for the info puckhead.

 

[CatScrap]

No boss... We have two top 20 centers. The problem is that they are in the top 20 for second line centers.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

No boss... We have two top 20 centers. The problem is that they are in the top 20 for second line centers.

LOL, Yeah, it's good to see they addressed this in the draft. Maybe they will be more active July 1st in signing someone.

We have enough defense men that's for sure but obviously one or maybe two will be gone when free agent signing start's in July. I hope they re-sign Tallender he plays well with Myers.

 

[CatScrap]

Yeah, I agree.

I think a 2 year deal with Gonchar to help on PP would be great if you let lydman go.

Then, since regier said yesterday he's not looking at trades at all this year just additions through free agency, lee stempniak to fill out your wings abit and let the young guys mature another year or two.

I don't really see any centers in FA up for grabs that are better than roy or connolly, so I guess we just have to live with mediocrity for another year at center until we can possibly resign connolly for 2-3 million and free up some cap space for a real first line centerman.

 

[CatScrap]

The other cool thing is if you sign hank up for a 2 year 2.5/yr deal, gonchar to a 2 year 5/yr deal, and stempniak to a 6 year 4.5/yr deal, Darcy will have markedly improved his team while managing to spend more than a million less than last year. Seems like a no brainer to me...

Which means we won't do it.

 

[IPostedWhat]

Why don't we just wait till the trade deadline approaches again and see the Sabres pick up another great player like Ford Torres.

 

[gtown27]

The other cool thing is if you sign hank up for a 2 year 2.5/yr deal, gonchar to a 2 year 5/yr deal, and stempniak to a 6 year 4.5/yr deal, Darcy will have markedly improved his team while managing to spend more than a million less than last year. Seems like a no brainer to me...

Which means we won't do it.

Those two options don't seem like a no brainer to me whatsoever.

Sorry, but how does Lee Stempniak get $4.5 mil per? I also think Stempniak is one of those players that would rot in the Sabres' "system."

Also, Sergei Gonchar is nowhere near the Sabres' plans. They'd be dumb to fetch that kind of money for someone of his age. You're better off getting a younger player like Paul Martin for half the cash.

Also, Hank is likely to get a raise. The cap went up, and he's coming off a solid season where I'm pretty sure he made around $2.5-$2.75 mil. I wouldn't mind giving him a two-year, $6 million deal, but the Sabres are probably going to try and get a better player for a bit more. At least I think they should.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Gonchar wants a 3 year deal. He would laugh at 2.5 million per year as well. We're talking 5 million at least. Pittsburgh offered him a 2 year contract. Sergei said NO.

 

[gtown27]

Gonchar wants a 3 year deal. He would laugh at 2.5 million per year as well. We're talking 5 million at least. Pittsburgh offered him a 2 year contract. Sergei said NO.

I initially I thought he meant $5 mil per. He's likely going to get somewhere around there.

 

[CatScrap]

First off, I did mean 5 million per year for Gonchar. The reason I think we should pick up Gonchar is because he is a solid d-man, and he can QB our powerplay unit.

I also understand he's old. I think the sabres should get him for 2 years even if it means giving him 5.5 million per year because it will allow their lesser D-men like Gragani and butler and sekera to develop in the minors a bit more before making the leap to the pros in 2 years. Plus if we sign him to a 2 year contract he will clear the books right when we need to resign Myers.

As far as Stempniak, He appears to be a bright young forward with nothing but potential. At 27 he is just starting to enter his prime and coming off a career season with 28 goals and 20 assists. If he was on the Sabres last year that would have tied him with Vanek for first on the team for most goals and with 48 points he would have tied with Myers for 5th most points. He is a fast skater who brings good energy, which the sabres veteran need to rediscover. I can see him easily turning into a 30-35 goal scoreer with 60-80 points per year in the next 2 years. Is it a gamble to lock him up for 6 years, but its a Risk I would like to see us take.

As far as stempniak not being worth 4.5 million per year, look at the company he has in his point output and goals produced category from last year. He got the same number of goals and 2 more assists than Gionta who makes 5 million per season, Joe Pavelski got 3 less goals and 6 more assists than him and makes 4 million per year, Ryan Malone got 7 less goals and 6 more assists and makes 4.5 million a year. There are many examples of players his calibre and they all make between 4-5 million per season, so I think a deal for 4.5 will be a legitimate number to offer. Who knows, with the salary cap increase his value may be pushed closer to 5 million per season.

 

[gtown27]

First off, I did mean 5 million per year for Gonchar. The reason I think we should pick up Gonchar is because he is a solid d-man, and he can QB our powerplay unit.

I also understand he's old. I think the sabres should get him for 2 years even if it means giving him 5.5 million per year because it will allow their lesser D-men like Gragani and butler and sekera to develop in the minors a bit more before making the leap to the pros in 2 years. Plus if we sign him to a 2 year contract he will clear the books right when we need to resign Myers.

As far as Stempniak, He appears to be a bright young forward with nothing but potential. At 27 he is just starting to enter his prime and coming off a career season with 28 goals and 20 assists. If he was on the Sabres last year that would have tied him with Vanek for first on the team for most goals and with 48 points he would have tied with Myers for 5th most points. He is a fast skater who brings good energy, which the sabres veteran need to rediscover. I can see him easily turning into a 30-35 goal scoreer with 60-80 points per year in the next 2 years. Is it a gamble to lock him up for 6 years, but its a Risk I would like to see us take.

As far as stempniak not being worth 4.5 million per year, look at the company he has in his point output and goals produced category from last year. He got the same number of goals and 2 more assists than Gionta who makes 5 million per season, Joe Pavelski got 3 less goals and 6 more assists than him and makes 4 million per year, Ryan Malone got 7 less goals and 6 more assists and makes 4.5 million a year. There are many examples of players his calibre and they all make between 4-5 million per season, so I think a deal for 4.5 will be a legitimate number to offer. Who knows, with the salary cap increase his value may be pushed closer to 5 million per season.

If Jaro Spacek wasn't in the Sabres plans at 34? and at $3.75 per, than a 36? year old Gonchar isn't in the Sabres plans at $5. Darcy Regier is the last person in all of the NHL wanting to sign Sergei Gonchar.

And Raffi Torres led the Sabres in goals upon his arrival. Does that make him worth $4.5 million? I dunno, it's not really the same thing you did, but those comparisons were kind of dumb. Everyone here know Montreal overpaid for Gionta. And Malone was signed after a great year in Pittsburgh.

You also have to take into account that many players don't exactly flourish under Lindy Ruff offensively.

Lee Stempniak is an average player as of now. He proved that in Toronto when he had the chance to emerge offensively. Do you really think he can repeat his whatever ridiculous goal total after the trade deadline last season (he had like 15 goals after being acquired by PHX? Me thinks no.

He's never had more than 52 points in a season. Seems about right for him as far as production. How that equates to $4.5 million is beyond me. The Sabres are already deep with players who don't live up to contracts. Stempniak would surely fit in there.

I've heard more about Stempniak over the last three seasons than I'd care to. I could care less if he is from West Seneca or right next store to my house. I want someone better for $4.5 million.

 

[gtown27]

I also want to clarify, I'm not trying to be a dick or anything either.

But this is a make or break season. The Sabres have to do more than spend half the money they have left under the cap than signing Lee Stempniak.

 

[CatScrap]

Well, Gtown, what would you do with the 12 million in cap space that is Budgeted for, realizing the sabres will not spend to the cap, Since Regier already said he's not going to do any trades this offseason, only signings. Realize this 12 million is open because of all the UFAs and RFAs that the sabres currently have unsigned. Would love to hear something beyond my own point of view.

NOTE: I am not being sarcastic or a dick, as I read this post and it kinda sounds a little sarcastic, I would truly like to hear a different point of view.

 

[gtown27]

Well, Gtown, what would you do with the 12 million in cap space that is Budgeted for, realizing the sabres will not spend to the cap, Since Regier already said he's not going to do any trades this offseason, only signings. Realize this 12 million is open because of all the UFAs and RFAs that the sabres currently have unsigned. Would love to hear something beyond my own point of view.

NOTE: I am not being sarcastic or a dick, as I read this post and it kinda sounds a little sarcastic, I would truly like to hear a different point of view.

Well, I actually think we can expect much of the same from Regier this offseason.

I think one of Tallinder or Lydman will re-sign for around $2.75-$3 million. I also think the Sabres will add a couple of average players to fill the void up front and at the point.

Without really do any real research on what's out there, I think the Sabres may try someone like Joe Corvo or MA Bergeron for a cheap guy to man the second PP unit. I like Paul Martin, but he's one of those players Regier would be reluctant to sign seeing that he is underrated and he's probably going to get somewhere near $4 million.

I also think they can go many different ways up front. They can add third-line veteran depth with someone like John Madden or Matt Cullen. Now while I wouldn't free up $4.5 mil for Lee Stempniak, I wouldn't say he wouldn't be worth looking into. If they can get someone like him for around $2.75 mil I would listen.

I don't think the Sabres are going to make a push for a Gonchar or a Kaberle.

However, I think they will at least try to be active. At least I hope. I really don't have an answer. And actually, I'll bet $100 that none of the aforementioned are Sabres by the end of the offseason. It's that unpredictable. Just fun to talk about.