Trade Target Watch

[spndnchz]

I know that everyone on here will reject this idea, but I kind of would not mind bringing Kotalik back. Now, please don't interpret that to mean that I am strongly in favor of it and that Kotalik puts this team over the top into Stanley Cup contention. No, I'm not delusional enough to think that. But, he does bring a skillset that is missing from this team. He certainly can help the PP, obviously he's great on the shootouts, and he's pretty diverse and can play all 3 forward positions, and surprisingly is pretty good on faceoffs, which this team needs help with aside from Gaustad. He's also a pretty consistent 20 goal scorer. Since he cannot get on the ice with the Rangers and Tortorella hates him, maybe there's a way for the Sabres to trade impending waiver UFAs such as Paetsch or Mair so that the Rangers can simply get rid of Kotalik's contract. I would not even give up a draft pick or prospect or anything else. I would only give the Rangers one of the Sabres impending UFAs whom they have zero intention of re-signing such as Paetsch. I would even ask the Rangers to throw in an additional draft pick since the Sabres would be doing them a favor by taking on Kotalik's contract. The only problem, aside from the fact he cannot play a lick of defense and refuses to use his big body to play physically, is that Kotalik is signed for 2 more years after this year. I'd take Kotalik as a rental, but not for 2 more years after this year, and that's a problem.

 

If I'm Darcy, I'd really focus on going after Whitney or Cullen. I would prefer Whitney over Cullen since Whitney is a better scorer, but Cullen is pretty good on faceoffs and that will be important come playoff time. I still would like to get one more defenseman to be a PP QB. I'd like Liles, but he might be too expensive. Zidlicky is probably the best option and is a UFA after this year, but I think the asking price will be increasing for him as we near the deadline.

 

Either way, I'm waiting for this offseason when the Rangers buyout Drury's contract giving them enough cap space to sign Kovalchuk, allowing the Sabres to sign Drury for a 1 or 2 year deal for $2 million. Since he'll still be getting paid like $4-5 million from the Rangers as part of the buyout, the Sabres could easily pony up $2 million for Drury. I would not be surprised at all if that happened because he absolutely sucks for the Rangers and Rangers fans hate him. I have no idea how he's even an Olympian. Having said all that, I'd still take him back in Buffalo.

 

The only ex-Sabre I want back is Dumont. The rest can go ######.

[Calvin]

The only ex-Sabre I want back is Dumont. The rest can go ######.

Agreed. I don't want Briere and his frailty, and neither do I want Captain Intangible back.

 

Grier I'm glad we brought back, and JP would be a good addition too.. JP for Mac any time.

[Two or less]

I know Bernier didn't have the greatest time out here for the short time we had, but would Bernier over Stafford be worth it?

 

I wouldn't do it. Bernier played with Daniel and Henrik Sedins. Didn't produce. He's a high energy guy who scores a few goals. I don't think he's anything special. I do think, Stafford still has 30 goal potential. If Stafford played with Henrik and Daniel i think he'd be this years version of a Alex Burrows.

[X. Benedict]

I wouldn't do it. Bernier played with Daniel and Henrik Sedins. Didn't produce. He's a high energy guy who scores a few goals. I don't think he's anything special. I do think, Stafford still has 30 goal potential. If Stafford played with Henrik and Daniel i think he'd be this years version of a Alex Burrows.

 

.....the Anton Carter effect.

[revmattb74]

I think Edmonton is gearing up for a big selloff. I would like to see Horcoff come here, I think he would fit this teams style, and while he is not a huge star he is a proven player. He does have a bigger contract at 5.5 a year. However sending Lydman in a package takes care of some of that. Maybe Mac, Lydman, and a 2nd round pick. They essantially get a high pick and a thirdline forward while clearing out some salary. We get a topsix forward with a bigger contract who is good on faceoffs. We could toss in Weber if need be since we have alot of young D-men.

[nfreeman]

I think Edmonton is gearing up for a big selloff. I would like to see Horcoff come here, I think he would fit this teams style, and while he is not a huge star he is a proven player. He does have a bigger contract at 5.5 a year. However sending Lydman in a package takes care of some of that. Maybe Mac, Lydman, and a 2nd round pick. They essantially get a high pick and a thirdline forward while clearing out some salary. We get a topsix forward with a bigger contract who is good on faceoffs. We could toss in Weber if need be since we have alot of young D-men.

I'd be very happy to get Horkie, but he's one I think the Oilers will not want to part with.

[LabattBlue]

I think Edmonton is gearing up for a big selloff. I would like to see Horcoff come here, I think he would fit this teams style, and while he is not a huge star he is a proven player. He does have a bigger contract at 5.5 a year. However sending Lydman in a package takes care of some of that. Maybe Mac, Lydman, and a 2nd round pick. They essantially get a high pick and a thirdline forward while clearing out some salary. We get a topsix forward with a bigger contract who is good on faceoffs. We could toss in Weber if need be since we have alot of young D-men.

A 5.5 mil cap hit for 5 more years, will be 31 in the fall, has only two 20 goal seasons to his credit and averages 45-55 points a season except for a big season coming out of the lockout.

 

No thanks.

[carpandean]

I'd be very happy to get Horkie, but he's one I think the Oilers will not want to part with.

They put him on their checking line, so ...

[Two or less]

I highly doubt Buffalo is on that list. His family is on the West coast and he's already said that family comes before hockey..

 

According to Darren Dreger, Souray didn't list any Eastern Conference teams in his trade list. So you were right.

 

About Horcoff- I think he would cost a lot, but i do think that is a deal Sabres would love. He's a center, a play maker, he's been in the finals and is considered one of the best defensive forwards in the league. He always plays against top lines. I was watching TSN one night earlier this season and they were saying Horcoff should make the Olympic roster so he can line up against Ovechkin line, Sedin line and play the PK....i doubt Sabres make such a big trade though.

[wjag]

if Bflo makes a deadline deal this year, I hope it isn't for guys like Zubrus, Moore and Bernier, players with inflated reputations who are in truth mediocre, obviously didn't push them over the top and left the team immediately after they were eliminated. If they're going to get someone who's going to leave, they need one or two real difference makers like a Whitney or a Tkachuk or a Selanne and not any of these mediocre role players without giving up the house.. Sabres need some star power to keep up with the Washingtons, the San Joses and about 4-5 other teams...The scoring is too inconsistent and they need to put someone else with Vanek.

 

 

But, but, but THESE are the guys Buffalo trades for... They are under the trade radar guys..

[Eleven]

But, but, but THESE are the guys Buffalo trades for... They are under the trade radar guys..

 

Hang on, there. When the Sabs traded for Zubrus, a lot of people thought the added grit was necessary.

 

The Moore and Bernier trades? The Sabres were selling, not buying. They got in trade poorly, perhaps, but it's not like they were looking for that extra ingredient for a Cup run.

[BetweenThePipes00]

Remember Darcy did once trade for Doug Gilmour at the deadline ... he had a bad year the next season, but he was a point per game guy the year they got him and he had liek 17 points in 11 games to get them into the playoffs after the trade. So Darcy will make a deal for a name guy if it is there.

 

Of course, that deal was such a fleecing it may be part of the reason no one will trade with him ... Gilmour and Dumont for Grosek. What would the current equivilent be? It's like trading MacArthur to Carolina for Ray Whitney and a young, former first rounder like Brandon Sutter or Boychuk ... it could never happen today.

[Calvin]

I'm watching the Kings @ Bruins, and Stuart just laid out Kopitar with a shoulder on the blue line.. Simmonds immediately jumped on Stuart and started the punching, while another Kings player slammed another Bruin with a hold against the ice. I like how the Kings are looking this season, they remind me of the President's Trophy Sabres, only with more grit.

 

All I ask for is a player who will beat the crap out of the guy that runs Miller (usually a Devil). It's almost guaranteed that the road to the Stanley Cup will run through one or both of the Devils and the Caps, and a physical assertion might be fantastic.

 

So we're looking for a 2nd/3rd line playoff-tested veteran center who is gritty and can contribute a few goals. That's market validation for you Darcy, who is out there matching those specs?

[Eleven]

According to Darren Dreger, Souray didn't list any Eastern Conference teams in his trade list. So you were right.

 

About Horcoff- I think he would cost a lot, but i do think that is a deal Sabres would love. He's a center, a play maker, he's been in the finals and is considered one of the best defensive forwards in the league. He always plays against top lines. I was watching TSN one night earlier this season and they were saying Horcoff should make the Olympic roster so he can line up against Ovechkin line, Sedin line and play the PK....i doubt Sabres make such a big trade though.

 

Doesn't look like Souray is going anywhere fast.

[Hank]

The one player I'd like to see the Sabres get more than any other is Shea Weber. I'd give up any number of packages that didn't include Miller or Myers. Vanek, Butler, Gerbe and a 1st round pick I'd give up, I'd also take some dead contract weight back if they insisted. I think he's that good.

 

I'm also not as down on our own Weber as most seem to be, I still think he's going to be a stud.

[Calvin]

The one player I'd like to see the Sabres get more than any other is Shea Weber. I'd give up any number of packages that didn't include Miller or Myers. Vanek, Butler, Gerbe and a 1st round pick I'd give up, I'd also take some dead contract weight back if they insisted. I think he's that good.

 

I'm also not as down on our own Weber as most seem to be, I still think he's going to be a stud.

Shea Weber for Vanek, Butler, Gerbe and a 1st round pick???

 

Much as I like Weber (he's on my fantasy team too), the package you just gave up was more along the 'what to give up for' a major player like a Pronger, or a Lidstrom. Not Weber.

[Hank]

I believe Weber will be better than Pronger was/is.

[BetweenThePipes00]

Even if Weber is worthy of that package ... how does that make sense for the Sabres? They lose their top goal scorer, leaving a HUGE hole up front ... plus Weber is signed only through next season ... at which point he is getting at least $6 million a year .... and Connolly's contract is up also so they almost HAVE to pay him with Vanek gone ... and then in two years what do they do with Myers when his deal is up? Give him $6 million+ also? So you're looking at $20 million+ tied up in your goalie and 2 defensemen and you still have not replaced Vanek ... I love Shea Weber but odds are you would either lose him next summer or if yo manage to extend him, you make it very difficult on yourself to keep Myers in the fold the following year.

 

 

 

[Hank]

Even if Weber is worthy of that package ... how does that make sense for the Sabres? They lose their top goal scorer, leaving a HUGE hole up front ... plus Weber is signed only through next season ... at which point he is getting at least $6 million a year .... and Connolly's contract is up also so they almost HAVE to pay him with Vanek gone ... and then in two years what do they do with Myers when his deal is up? Give him $6 million+ also? So you're looking at $20 million+ tied up in your goalie and 2 defensemen and you still have not replaced Vanek ... I love Shea Weber but odds are you would either lose him next summer or if yo manage to extend him, you make it very difficult on yourself to keep Myers in the fold the following year.

 

Not sure it makes sense. IMHO he will develope into a Norris candidate. Hell, he is right now if he was on a more high profile team. He produces goals and can quarterback the powerplay, something we are desperate for. He's solid defensively and he bangs. If I remember right, you live in the middle Tenn. area so you probably see him as much or more than I do. Tell me you wouldn't love to see him and Myers on the same blueline. Yes, we would lose our top goal scorer, but I believe in building from the goal out. Yes, I would give him 6+ over six or seven years, and give him the C. Then I'd lock up Myers for the next ten years for whatever it cost. If you do it early long term you could probably get him for 6. Like I said earlier, I think our Weber will be a stud. Pair him with Myers and Shea with Sekera and let them eat up 25 min each. Maybe a specialist to quarterback the powerplay and another cheap seasoned veteran to eat up the 5-10 minutes a night that the top four dont play.

 

As far as scoring goes, I'd rather put my money into an all world goalie and a couple perennial Norris candidates, and roll four even lines of 2nd-3rd line forwards making 2-3 mil each. It would make for alot of 2-1 games, and probably be boring, but I think it's a recipe for success in the playoffs.

[deluca67]

Any thoughts on Jordan Leopold? He is cheap and a UFA after the season. His hits would put him near the top of the Sabres and he has more blocked shots(102)than any Sabre. Seems like the prefect get at this point. Cheap and fills needs.

[Calvin]

Any thoughts on Jordan Leopold? He is cheap and a UFA after the season. His hits would put him near the top of the Sabres and he has more blocked shots(102)than any Sabre. Seems like the prefect get at this point. Cheap and fills needs.

Does he play on the PP or the PK?

[X. Benedict]

Any thoughts on Jordan Leopold? He is cheap and a UFA after the season. His hits would put him near the top of the Sabres and he has more blocked shots(102)than any Sabre. Seems like the prefect get at this point. Cheap and fills needs.

 

I really don't see what Leopold adds.

 

Sabres don't really block shots low and I don't think Leopold offers the point shot they need.

[nobody]

The Ducks waived Nick Boynton.

[deluca67]

I really don't see what Leopold adds.

 

Sabres don't really block shots low and I don't think Leopold offers the point shot they need.

The Sabres benched one third of their defense core. What he adds is quality so they don't have to rely Montador, Lydman or Paestch come playoff time.

[deluca67]

The Ducks waived Nick Boynton.

Would also be a upgrade over the current 5th and 6th defensemen. Cheap as well, no contract beyond this year.