Buffalo Boy's Blog

I don't expect much from the Buffalo Sabres in the offseason, just don't screw it up anymore than it has been screwed up the last two years.

However, I can't get the comments Darcy Regier made on WGR 550 yesterday. He was commenting on making additions to the team and commented that they want to make additions that will benefit the team in the short term but not break the long term chemistry in the locker room......not break anything?

Darcy, comments like that are exactly what I am afraid of. That comment showed just how out of touch you are. This team has finished in 10 place two years in a row, its broken, there is nothing you can do to make it much worse, unless you plan on finishing dead last next year.

So, with the draft coming this weekend, if there were a trade to be had, is there a player on the roster that is untouchable?

I have no untouchables, thats right none. The last two years this group has gotten to no better than 10th so why hold back? Yes, Ryan Miller is included, he can be dealt too if the trade makes sense and you find a new starting goalie in the process.

This is my list of players that I am wiling to let go for next to nothing if it means cleaning out some cap space:

Max Afinogenov- He will never score 50 goals, he is like a piece of furniture with a nice veneer, the outside looks nice but then you chip through the shiny outside to find out its nothing but cork board. He skates like Bure, but as we have found out over the years can't finish worth shit.

Jochen Hecht- Used to be the best two way player on the team but all of a sudden became captain absent minded. This is no coincidence, he needs a change of scenery, he looked bored at times, disinterested even. Maybe they think he can come back, I don't, if no one wants him, send him to waivers and hope someone takes a chance.

Henrik Tallinder- He has had three years since that Carolina series to get his head together, he hasn't been the same since. Some guys just can't get back to their old selves, he has a lot of mileage on him, needs a change of pace or may fizzle into obscurity.

Toni Lydman- I have mixed feelings, if we can get the physical side of Lydman without the stupid ass penalties, Im willing to talk about keeping him, if he keeps on taking stupid calls late in games Im trading or releasing him before game one of the regular season.

Andrew Peters- Waste of a roster spot, no offense

Adam Mair- If I have to go through one more game where he plays on the second or third line Im going to start breaking beer bottles (empty of course) and gouge my eyes out. He is not a goal scorer, a playmaker or anything close to that, with injuries last year he actually sniffed time as the number one center........if that has to happen again, they will finish 10th for a third straight year. The only way Im keeping Adam Mair is if Darcy and Lindy can put it in writing that Adam Mair will play exclusively on the fourth line and no where else. I would rather call up a prospect than let Adam Mair skate with guys who need to put the puck in the net.

Dominic Moore: Sorry not impressed by anything down the stretch after we basically traded Ales Kotalik for you. Toronto can have you back.

This is my list of players Im willing to trade for the right price:

Derek Roy: If you can get a guy with the same skill set but better leadership skills do it. I am so sick of Derek Roy and the faces, the dives and the crap he portrays on the ice. Not once did we see Drury make a face or bark at a ref. Game face no matter the situation. If I can improve the locker room and get the same skill set I make the move in a heart beat.

Jason Pominville: He tailed off but came on stronger as the season went on. Point wise he was close to the previous season, goal scoring wise, not even close. Pominville needs to see its population increase dramatically next season. For the right price Im willing to give him a new address. He is still young and some teams may look at him to have some potential to develop still with the right linemates so I think he could fall into the if the price is right, trade him category.

Unrestricted Free Agents:

Jay Bouwmeester: Hes the talk of the town lately and every story I have read from wishful thinking media types think its good move and I want the drugs they are smoking. I just don't see it happening. The only way this happens is if Darcy comes to the draft high on some powerful drugs.

Shane Hnidy- If Bouwmeester is too much, and trust me for Darcy he will be, Shane Hnidy would provide some toughness and shore up the blueline. Hes a veteran with lost of experience in the division with the Bruins.

Nick Boynton: Another Florida Panther defenseman is on the market and he might be another great second choice. Hes tough, he could play some power play and hes still relatively young at 30 years old, like Tallinder, he has logged a lot of miles already and any move to get Nick Boynton will have to come with assurances that he has a clean bill of health.

Alex Tanguay: If you wanted to trade Derek Roy and replace him with a center via free agency, heres your man.

Brian Gionta: Another forward that I would love to get but might be a pipe dream, however, if Darcy wanted to score some local points he is from Rochester and still young. He would be the leadership guy we were looking for too. He'll put up Drury like numbers and he comes with Stanley Cup rings.

Jaro Spacek: Im okay with this at the right price. If its too much as to prohibit signing another guy via free agency then Id rather go big or go home. Id say in the 2.5-3 million range would be good. Hes getting up there in age and that money would save about a million on what he was making last year.  

Restricted Guys:

Drew Stafford: Need to sign him based on the fact that hes still only 24. Hes got a big season in him and he started to show it in spurts last year, just not consistent enough. He should be your number one center if Derek Roy should depart via trade.

Clarke MacArthur: Hes restricted so I would say 1-1.5 mill per season for three years with some bonus money built in would suffice. No more than that, way too inconsistent last year, again hes only 24 like Stafford so with any consistency, these two guys are a big part of the future.

What Id Be Happy With:

Don't screw up the draft, which in Darcy's defense, he usually is pretty solid at the draft. Other than that, get rid of the guys mention above (Max and company) and try to make some moves that will improve this team. I don't expect Bouwmeester, that would be nice, but not necessary.

I would settle for Nick Boynton and trading Derek Roy and a draft pick for a leader up front or signing a guy like Gionta and trading Roy for a defencemen. Either way.

One solid forard with some leadership skills and a solid veteran defenseman that has a few years left to bang things up and to help Rivet with the youngsters.