Trade Target Watch

[LabattBlue]

I see it as more than a number. Hits and blocked shots to me represent a mentality of self sacrifice. The willingness to give up the body to make a play.

Outstanding! :worthy:

[carpandean]

Penner has 4 goals and 7 points in his last 22 games.

4 goals and 8 points in his last 21, actually. But, a big thing to remember is that Hemsky has been out for all those games (and some before that), so other teams could focus more on Penner's line.

[Two or less]

I would take Penner in a second. You don't have a "opportunity" to land players such as Penner unless they go through a bad stretch or have a breakdown with their coach or something. Players like that are not available often. Kind of like Danny Briere. He scored 32 goals one season, the next he had lots of problems, showed his flaws in his own end and stopped scoring and the Coyotes traded him. Although, as someone mentioned, i doubt he's even available. Oilers would be dumb.

[X. Benedict]

The numbers would indicate otherwise. Leopold has 24 giveaways this season while Montador has 36 and Lydman 34. He hits more often than Motador and has as many blocked shots as both players combined. Come playoff time that is the type of player I want in front of Miller. A player willing to give up the body to prevent a scoring chance.

 

He is a upgrade at the position. A cheap upgrade at that. If he is available it would be foolish not to take a run at him.

 

He's a better skater than Montador and Lydman, but a very light version of Brian Campbell in my opinion.

He wouldn't replace Montador's right handed shot, and I really think he's a liability when people

start crashing the crease come playoffs.

 

Maybe just a preference.

[static70]

ok, so heres my wish list for Darcy.

 

Penner - Edmonton

 

Sharp - Chicago

 

Eriksson or Neal - Dallas

 

Penner could be that RWer we are looking for, Sharp/Eriksson/Neal could be a nice fit with Connolly and Pommers.

[tom webster]

I see it as more than a number. Hits and blocked shots to me represent a mentality of self sacrifice. The willingness to give up the body to make a play. I look back at the last run that ended in Carolina. That teams willingness to lay the body and to block shots was the primary reason they got as far as they did. They had 13 players that blocked at least 10 shots in the playoffs that year lead my McKee with 64 and a surprise 52 blocks from Toni Lydman. They had 18 players with at least 11 hits lead my Mike Grier's 57 and no surprise with Jay McKee with 41. That to me is simply what it will take for the Sabres to make another serious run. They don't have a Crosby or OV to lean on.

 

I'm sure Miller didn't mind facing 154 less shots during that playoff run.

 

 

a) you sure do put a lot of stock in un-official stats

b) how many of those blcoked shots led to more shots because a player or two was laying on the ice and out of position

c) come play-off time, it is, as Lindy is fond of saying, a time for players to play out of character and do things that they may not do during the season

d) finally, the shot right before the game winning goal, when the puck laid at the feet of our defenseman, was that counted as a blocked shot?

[Sabretip]

The numbers would indicate otherwise. Leopold has 24 giveaways this season while Montador has 36 and Lydman 34. He hits more often than Motador and has as many blocked shots as both players combined. Come playoff time that is the type of player I want in front of Miller. A player willing to give up the body to prevent a scoring chance.

 

He is a upgrade at the position. A cheap upgrade at that. If he is available it would be foolish not to take a run at him.

 

Maybe he is but you're making a big assumption that both Ruff and Regier are ready to give up on Montador. I doubt Leopold is as physical as Lydman so even if the Sabres substitute Leopold in for Lydman, they'd be losing some physicality. Leopold may have good offensive instincts but he's hardly the QB leader the Sabres need at the point.

 

If the rumors are true about the Avalanche anxious to dump Liles, I'd rather take a chance on him than I would on Leopold.

[Sabretip]

I would take Penner in a second. You don't have a "opportunity" to land players such as Penner unless they go through a bad stretch or have a breakdown with their coach or something. Players like that are not available often. Kind of like Danny Briere. He scored 32 goals one season, the next he had lots of problems, showed his flaws in his own end and stopped scoring and the Coyotes traded him. Although, as someone mentioned, i doubt he's even available. Oilers would be dumb.

 

Penner may be the only player aside from Gagner that the Oilers still value and want to build around - there's no way they consider trading him now.

[Sabretip]

ok, so heres my wish list for Darcy.

 

Penner - Edmonton

 

Sharp - Chicago

 

Eriksson or Neal - Dallas

 

Penner could be that RWer we are looking for, Sharp/Eriksson/Neal could be a nice fit with Connolly and Pommers.

 

Can I modify the wish list since I don't think there's a prayer of landing either Penner or Neal and Sharp won't become available until the offseason, if at all?

 

1. Whitney

2. Cullen

3. Stillman

4. Liles

5. Higgins

6. Tanguay

7. Torres

8. Armstrong

9. Nolan

10. S. Koivu

 

For the sake of preserving chemistry and current lockerroom status, I wouldn't want to give up more than MacArthur, Lydman or Paetsch. Stafford is a possibility but it would have to be someone like Liles or Armstrong, not a rental.

[tom webster]

Maybe he is but you're making a big assumption that both Ruff and Regier are ready to give up on Montador. I doubt Leopold is as physical as Lydman so even if the Sabres substitute Leopold in for Lydman, they'd be losing some physicality. Leopold may have good offensive instincts but he's hardly the QB leader the Sabres need at the point.

 

If the rumors are true about the Avalanche anxious to dump Liles, I'd rather take a chance on him than I would on Leopold.

 

 

Liles is making over $4.4 million each of the next two seasons. Friend of Miller's or not, there is no way he is worth anything near that.

[Two or less]

Two players I really want.

 

1. Andrew Brunette.

2. Eric Belenger.

[tom webster]

Two players I really want.

 

1. Andrew Brunette.

2. Eric Belenger.

 

 

Hell, while you are at it, get Zidlicky too and you rebuild your 3rd line, add a face off guy and a power play quarterback and only Brunette is signed for next year at a rather modest $2 million.

 

Since we are dreaming, anyway.

[LabattBlue]

Liles is making over $4.4 million each of the next two seasons. Friend of Miller's or not, there is no way he is worth anything near that.

In addition, I don't believe he is much of a defensive presence in his own end. As I have said for some other proposed acquisitions...I'll pass.

[deluca67]

a) you sure do put a lot of stock in un-official stats

b) how many of those blcoked shots led to more shots because a player or two was laying on the ice and out of position

c) come play-off time, it is, as Lindy is fond of saying, a time for players to play out of character and do things that they may not do during the season

d) finally, the shot right before the game winning goal, when the puck laid at the feet of our defenseman, was that counted as a blocked shot?

a) any stat by it's self doesn't tell the entire story. I have been concerned about this team's ability to play playoff hockey long before I started looking up rankings. If it were only blocked shots I would not be concerned. Being dead last in hits and a 2-1 turnover to takeaway ratio combined with the lack of blocked shots seems to justify my concerns.

 

b)which is the better scenario, a second shot because a player blocked a shot or a face off a center ice because a player refused to sacrifice himself?

 

c) I would love to ask Lindy is it a time for "players to play out of character" or is it a time "to reveal a players true character?"

Considering that Buffalo traditionally has had one of the softest teams in the league under Regier I can see why he would feel the way he does.

 

d) not being a official scorer I don't know how they score that. I do know if the Sabres hadn't played as physical as they did and sacrificed their bodies as they did Game 7 in Carolina never happens which makes the scoring on it being a blocked shot meaningless.

[LabattBlue]

With Whitney's demand of wanting a new 3 year contract to the team he would be traded to, there won't be any takers. Not to mention the kind of return Carolina will be looking for. I'LL PASS!

 

http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/?id=308689

[deluca67]

Maybe he is but you're making a big assumption that both Ruff and Regier are ready to give up on Montador. I doubt Leopold is as physical as Lydman so even if the Sabres substitute Leopold in for Lydman, they'd be losing some physicality. Leopold may have good offensive instincts but he's hardly the QB leader the Sabres need at the point.

 

If the rumors are true about the Avalanche anxious to dump Liles, I'd rather take a chance on him than I would on Leopold.

Leopold is simply a better defensman that Montador and Lydman. If Ruff and Regier are not ready to do whatever it takes to make this team a true contender then the Sabres should be looking elsewhere for a coach and GM for next season. The Sabres window of opporntunity is open this season with Miller's play. The road to the Stanley Cup will likely go through both Pittsburgh and Washington. They are not beating either team in a seven game series with Montador and Lydman as the third pairing. The need to seriously upgrade the blueline to take pressure of Miller.

[SwampD]

a) any stat by it's self doesn't tell the entire story. I have been concerned about this team's ability to play playoff hockey long before I started looking up rankings. If it were only blocked shots I would not be concerned. Being dead last in hits and a 2-1 turnover to takeaway ratio combined with the lack of blocked shots seems to justify my concerns.

 

b)which is the better scenario, a second shot because a player blocked a shot or a face off a center ice because a player refused to sacrifice himself?

 

c) I would love to ask Lindy is it a time for "players to play out of character" or is it a time "to reveal a players true character?"

Considering that Buffalo traditionally has had one of the softest teams in the league under Regier I can see why he would feel the way he does.

 

d) not being a official scorer I don't know how they score that. I do know if the Sabres hadn't played as physical as they did and sacrificed their bodies as they did Game 7 in Carolina never happens which makes the scoring on it being a blocked shot meaningless.

Maybe if they would have blocked fewer shots, they would have been there to play in game seven and won it. (I wish Kaleta was playing tonight)

 

I kinda think that we're not seeing those point shots go in this year because guys AREN'T trying to block them and Miller is getting a better view of them.

[static70]

Penner may be the only player aside from Gagner that the Oilers still value and want to build around - there's no way they consider trading him now.

And Phaneuf was untradable as well, same with Gretzky.

Anyone can be had for the right price. Stafford would be involved in a deal for Penner.

 

Probably Stafford and either a 2nd or 3rd pick or a prospect like Gragnani.

Penner's impact on scoring would immediately boost one of the Sabres lines, whichever one he gels with, but he gives the team more firepower as we head into the final stretch of the season. I guess chemistry would be the key to this, but I do love his 245lb size and he plays hard along the boards, something Stafford lacks.

[shrader]

Maybe if they would have blocked fewer shots, they would have been there to play in game seven and won it. (I wish Kaleta was playing tonight)

 

I kinda think that we're not seeing those point shots go in this year because guys AREN'T trying to block them and Miller is getting a better view of them.

 

And just think of how many of those crazy deflection goals that Miller gave up the last two seasons.

[spndnchz]

Maybe if they would have blocked fewer shots, they would have been there to play in game seven and won it. (I wish Kaleta was playing tonight)

 

I kinda think that we're not seeing those point shots go in this year because guys AREN'T trying to block them and Miller is getting a better view of them.

 

 

And just think of how many of those crazy deflection goals that Miller gave up the last two seasons.

 

QFT. Let Miller see it, he's got a better chance of stopping it (obviously). I remember this year when Roy stuck out his stick and deflected 2 or 3 past Miller. Just keep the shos from far away and let them through.

[darksabre]

QFT. Let Miller see it, he's got a better chance of stopping it (obviously). I remember this year when Roy stuck out his stick and deflected 2 or 3 past Miller. Just keep the shos from far away and let them through.

 

It's very true that goalies would rather see the shot coming. I constantly have to yell at my team mates to stop screening me when I play net, because they think they're being helpful. I let my fair share of honest goals through, but the worst are the deflections off of feet and sticks 2-3 feet in front of the net, because you end up completely out of position and get stuck hoping the deflects wide or hits the post. The best spot for a D-man to be in front of the net, is off to the open side to collect a rebound if it comes out. A skater has a much easier time getting to the puck in front than I do of resetting and getting myself across the crease. Players need to able to jump in on the rebounds, but let the goalie see it (and please move the guys screening! There's nothing I hate more than one of my players standing idly by as some guy is sticking himself right in my face ( :ph34r: ))

[Sabretip]

Leopold is simply a better defensman that Montador and Lydman.

 

Compared to Montador, I would agree with you about Leopold - however, I think Lydman is a better all-around defenseman than Leopold. Stats don't always tell the whole story but in a side-by-side comparison of Leopold to Lydman, over the past 3 years, they do - in short, Lydman is the more physical of the two and blocks more shots but Leopold commits fewer giveaways:

 

2009-10:

Leopold, 56 GP, 7-10-17, -7, 63 SOG, 22:22 TOI, 58 Hits, 103 Blk Shts, 24 Giveaways, 13 Takeaways

Lydman, 39 GP, 1-9-10, +3, 31 SOG, 17:13 TOI, 58 Hits, 47 Blk Shts, 34 Giveaways, 3 Takeaways

 

2008-09:

Leopold, 83 GP (64 COL, 19 CGY), 7-17-24, -15, 107 SOG, 19:33 TOI, 65 Hits, 100 Blk Shts, 24 Giveaways, 20 Takeaways

Lydman, 80 GP, 3-20-23, 0, 99 SOG, 21:46 TOI, 165 Hits, 166 Blk Shts, 67 Giveaways, 20 Takeaways

 

2007-08:

Leopold, 43 GP, 5-8-13, +5, 35 SOG, 15:59 TOI, 26 Hits, 40 Blk Shts, 16 Giveaways, 8 Takeaways

Lydman, 82 GP, 4-22-26, +1, 86 SOG, 21:39 TOI, 159 Hits, 146 Blk Shts, 83 Giveaways, 18 Takeaways

 

Totals:

In 182 GP and avg. of 19:05 ice time, Leopold has produced 19-35-54, is -17 with 149 Hits / 243 Blk Shts / 64 Giveaways

 

In 201 GP and avg. of 20:00 ice time, Lydman has produced 8-51-59, is +4 with 382 Hits / 359 Blk Shts / 184 Giveaways

 

Bottom line, Lydman may commit double the giveaways than Leopold does but Lydman is still a better defensive player, more physical and a better/more willing shot blocker. Given all that, and the fact that their offensive contributions are nearly equal, would you really want Leopold instead of Lydman - especially when the Sabres defense has not been physical enough despite Rivet and Montador being added for that reason?

 

Like you, I would take Leopold over Montador in a heartbeat though...

 

 

If Ruff and Regier are not ready to do whatever it takes to make this team a true contender then the Sabres should be looking elsewhere for a coach and GM for next season. The Sabres window of opporntunity is open this season with Miller's play. The road to the Stanley Cup will likely go through both Pittsburgh and Washington. They are not beating either team in a seven game series with Montador and Lydman as the third pairing. The need to seriously upgrade the blueline to take pressure of Miller.

 

I don't disagree at all - as inconsistent as the offense has been this year, I still think that the Sabres' present defensive corps is the bigger issue and weaker component. Miller's play has hidden a lot of their deficiencies but Myers/Tallinder are the only two legitimate defenders the Sabres have at the moment. That said, unfortunately, I doubt Regier or Ruff see it that way. There have been enough signs that management is confident in Butler, Rivet and Montador. They probably will let Lydman walk this summer as an UFA in hopes of re-signing Tallinder so while Regier/Ruff likely view him as valuable, they probably also know he's expendable past this season.

[PASabreFan]

It's very true that goalies would rather see the shot coming. I constantly have to yell at my team mates to stop screening me when I play net, because they think they're being helpful. I let my fair share of honest goals through, but the worst are the deflections off of feet and sticks 2-3 feet in front of the net, because you end up completely out of position and get stuck hoping the deflects wide or hits the post. The best spot for a D-man to be in front of the net, is off to the open side to collect a rebound if it comes out. A skater has a much easier time getting to the puck in front than I do of resetting and getting myself across the crease. Players need to able to jump in on the rebounds, but let the goalie see it (and please move the guys screening! There's nothing I hate more than one of my players standing idly by as some guy is sticking himself right in my face ( :ph34r: ))

 

I'm not trying to be snarky -- OK, maybe I am, deep down. But do you, and others who play hockey recreationally, think your experience has any application to a discussion of the NHL?

[spndnchz]

TSN:

 

 

The New York Islanders have placed veteran defenceman Brendan Witt on waivers.

 

Witt, 34, was activated off injured reserve this week after sitting out most of last month with a knee injury.

 

Witt has two goals and five points in 42 games this season. If he clears waivers after 24 hours, the club will likely send him to their American Hockey League affiliate in Bridgeport.

 

 

 

 

 

3 million salary.

 

 

 

[static70]

Ryder is available from Boston according to TSN.

 

http://www.tsn.ca/tradecentre/story/?id=308780

 

Don't know if he would be a good fit for Buffalo. He is a RWer and has put up some numbers early in his career. Looking at those numbers, he's only had an off year or 2, I have to wonder if that was based on who he was playing with.

Also, there is a knock on him in Boston about his defensive play, but the fans in Montreal say they were sorry to see him go and he is a goal scorer.

 

Any thoughts on him?