:: View topic - Who to keep?

Beside trying to sign or trade for top players and resign important RFAs( + McCormick and Ellis who are no-brainers), the dilemma this summer I think is whether to keep Montador or not.

The guy has done a lot for the community I think, is respected a lot by his teammates and has put together 2 good seasons. Of course, this year's playoffs were a huge disappointement, but actually I wasn't surprised at all.

Montador is our oldest D-man, and with our super young and promising defense we have to be able to count on guys to provide a quiet and confident veteran presence on the blue line.(We've seen that they desperately need it in the playoffs) Someone who plays the game simple, doesn't make mistakes, kinda like Teppo. No need to be spectacular offensively or physical, just make the game look simple(easy breakouts, calm, no turnovers).

After 2 years of watching him, I don't think we can expect that out of him. This is not to say he is a bad player. I just don't think he plays like a veteran. He is a risky player(yes, it's rewarding sometimes), he tries the most risky plays, gets too emotionnal(bad penalties). He also brings a lot of positives, I'm not jumping on the guy, I like Monty. But, I don't think he is the kind of guy we need to set an example of steadiness and calm under pressure to our young defensemen. Leopold does an okay job, Tallinder was really good, Loods was okay too. Morissonn does not.

So, I think you see we're I'm going with it. Thank Montador and start looking for a veteran (still playable) steady defenseman. I'm not even gonna suggest names, it's your job guys! :lol:

Author:	SabresBillsFan [ Wed Apr 27, 2011 1:52 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Who to keep?
Here is my only issue with keeping Montador. This team has a ton of defensive prospects in Portland and in Junior. You have to give these guys their chance sooner than later. I'm okay with Montador gone.

Author:	PatGreen [ Wed Apr 27, 2011 2:00 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Who to keep?
i don't think we have many defensive prospects that are worth a damn.

Author:	ironyisadeadscene [ Wed Apr 27, 2011 2:06 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Who to keep?
according to HF, who i trust for the most part, the sabres dont really have any top tier prospects. second liners and below, backup goalies and below, second pairing and below. http://www.hockeysfuture.com/teams/buffalo_sabres but a plethora of NHL caliber players. just not major impact ones, with kassian and maybe pysyk being exceptions.

Author:	Van_Da_Man [ Wed Apr 27, 2011 6:17 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Who to keep?
- Tim Connolly - Gone. Too mad about how he played this season. But he'll probably tear up the NHL wherever he goes next. - Rob Niedermayer - Gotta keep him or Grier. - Mike Grier - See Nieds - Steve Montador - Torn. I want a hard hitter in his place if he does leave, however. - Cody McCormick - resign the guy was a beauty this season <---- totally agree. - Mark Parrish - whatever. - Matt Ellis - Whatever. - Patrick Lalime - 5 year extension.

Author:	Sabresfansince1980 [ Wed Apr 27, 2011 9:35 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Who to keep?
Connolly and Niedermayer depend on what else happens at center, but either could be re-signed (Connolly at no more than 2.5 mil) as a 3rd / 4th line center if no impact centers can be acquired. McCormick is a no brainer to keep. Montador would be nice to keep as a bottom four guy, but with all the RFAs, Myers and Leopold, there's no room to keep him when much better UFA d-men are available this summer. All the rest are useless or well past their prime.

http://www.sabresjunkie.com/forum/

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Author:	BagBoy [ Wed Apr 27, 2011 10:14 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Who to keep?
Center has been and is the pressing need. I want Connolly gone at any price. It may be a moot point if he is concussed again. I would love to have Nieds back for another year, but yeah, we really do need more strength in the middle.

Author:	X-pensfan [ Thu Apr 28, 2011 11:26 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Who to keep?
Who too keep? Miller Myers Sekera Weber Gragnani Ennis Stafford Vanek Roy That's it. Everybody else is a movable chess piece. I would love to have a lot of the same players back, but if there is a potential trade to be made to improve the team, only those 9 players are untouchable. Also, finding a Lucic-type forward in the draft would be a GREAT find.

Author:	patkane88 [ Thu Apr 28, 2011 5:23 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Who to keep?
Tim Connolly - he is most likely done with another head shot, so let hime go Rob Niedermayer - unless his asking price goes to league minimum say good bye Mike Grier - let him go, Kassian and others can easily replace him Steve Montador - GO AWAY Grags is better Cody McCormick - unsung hero, there is no way he signs else where Matt Ellis - good AHL/NHL depth guy, keep him Patrick Lalime - 9 wins as a backup in his tenure in Buffalo, darcy would probably have to be crack to bring him back

Author:	DS37 [ Thu Apr 28, 2011 5:32 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Who to keep?
Beside trying to sign or trade for top players and resign important RFAs( + McCormick and Ellis who are no-brainers), the dilemma this summer I think is whether to keep Montador or not. The guy has done a lot for the community I think, is respected a lot by his teammates and has put together 2 good seasons. Of course, this year's playoffs were a huge disappointement, but actually I wasn't surprised at all. Montador is our oldest D-man, and with our super young and promising defense we have to be able to count on guys to provide a quiet and confident veteran presence on the blue line.(We've seen that they desperately need it in the playoffs) Someone who plays the game simple, doesn't make mistakes, kinda like Teppo. No need to be spectacular offensively or physical, just make the game look simple(easy breakouts, calm, no turnovers). After 2 years of watching him, I don't think we can expect that out of him. This is not to say he is a bad player. I just don't think he plays like a veteran. He is a risky player(yes, it's rewarding sometimes), he tries the most risky plays, gets too emotionnal(bad penalties). He also brings a lot of positives, I'm not jumping on the guy, I like Monty. But, I don't think he is the kind of guy we need to set an example of steadiness and calm under pressure to our young defensemen. Leopold does an okay job, Tallinder was really good, Loods was okay too. Morissonn does not. So, I think you see we're I'm going with it. Thank Montador and start looking for a veteran (still playable) steady defenseman. I'm not even gonna suggest names, it's your job guys!

Author:	X-pensfan [ Thu Apr 28, 2011 6:15 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Who to keep?
DS37 wrote: Beside trying to sign or trade for top players and resign important RFAs( + McCormick and Ellis who are no-brainers), the dilemma this summer I think is whether to keep Montador or not. The guy has done a lot for the community I think, is respected a lot by his teammates and has put together 2 good seasons. Of course, this year's playoffs were a huge disappointement, but actually I wasn't surprised at all. Montador is our oldest D-man, and with our super young and promising defense we have to be able to count on guys to provide a quiet and confident veteran presence on the blue line.(We've seen that they desperately need it in the playoffs) Someone who plays the game simple, doesn't make mistakes, kinda like Teppo. No need to be spectacular offensively or physical, just make the game look simple(easy breakouts, calm, no turnovers). After 2 years of watching him, I don't think we can expect that out of him. This is not to say he is a bad player. I just don't think he plays like a veteran. He is a risky player(yes, it's rewarding sometimes), he tries the most risky plays, gets too emotionnal(bad penalties). He also brings a lot of positives, I'm not jumping on the guy, I like Monty. But, I don't think he is the kind of guy we need to set an example of steadiness and calm under pressure to our young defensemen. Leopold does an okay job, Tallinder was really good, Loods was okay too. Morissonn does not. So, I think you see we're I'm going with it. Thank Montador and start looking for a veteran (still playable) steady defenseman. I'm not even gonna suggest names, it's your job guys! I think they have to consider trying to upgrading over Montador. Let's face it, he's going to get 3-3.5 million/year. So if they are going to onvest that kind of money on Montador, they may as well play another million and get somebody even better.

Author:	Sabresfansince1980 [ Sat Apr 30, 2011 1:17 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Who to keep?
3 mil a year for Montador? Nobody will give him that much. He's been a #4 d-man at most his whole career, and at 31 he won't get more than around 2.5 if he's lucky. I like Montador for his attitude and effort, and he didn't perform too badly either for most of his contract here, but we need more than what he brings due to what the rest of the d-corps lacks. With all those young guys as RFAs, they are worth keeping with the potential and growth they've shown so far. Leopold can be the steady vet and Myers can be the superstar (hopefully), but we need another top notch talent under 30 back there until (if) the young guys turn out as legit.

Author:	SabresBillsFan [ Sat Apr 30, 2011 2:56 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Who to keep?
The problem with keeping Montador is you already have Myers, Sekera, Butler, Weber, Gragnani, Leopold, and Morrisonn. Plus look at what's in Portland and in junior on defense. This team needs offensive help. I don't mind keeping Montador if it's the right price but this team has plenty of d-man in the system coming.

Author:	Nuthatch [ Sat Apr 30, 2011 4:46 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Who to keep?
Perhaps Monty would be more willing to sign "at the right price" now that conditions in Buffalo are beginning to change for the better. In fact, we might find a number of players who previously would not have considered signing here now willing to sign for a more reasonable figure.

Author:	Van_Da_Man [ Sat Apr 30, 2011 5:32 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Who to keep?
Sabresfansince1980 wrote: 3 mil a year for Montador? Nobody will give him that much. He's been a #4 d-man at most his whole career, and at 31 he won't get more than around 2.5 if he's lucky. I like Montador for his attitude and effort, and he didn't perform too badly either for most of his contract here, but we need more than what he brings due to what the rest of the d-corps lacks. With all those young guys as RFAs, they are worth keeping with the potential and growth they've shown so far. Leopold can be the steady vet and Myers can be the superstar (hopefully), but we need another top notch talent under 30 back there until (if) the young guys turn out as legit. Didn't tallinder or Lydman get 3 or 4 million? Monty getting 3 mill from some desperate team isn't totally outrageous, at least to me.

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Author:	Jammerz04 [ Mon May 02, 2011 2:21 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Who to keep?
Sabresfansince1980 wrote: 3 mil a year for Montador? Nobody will give him that much. Theres always someone out there that'd pay an insane amount of money for a not so great player. All in all I'd let the guy walk. He had an awesome season but the guy quit on us when it mattered most. I don't know what happened but he just didn't show up at all.

Author:	Sabresfansince1980 [ Mon May 02, 2011 2:44 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Who to keep?
He's never had a bigger salary than the 1.55 mil he made with Buffalo the past two years. He's over 30 and just struggled though a playoff series and got benched for the final game. How's that going to translate into a contract worth double than what he's ever made before? I know some GMs make stupid contract offers, but Montador has never done anything to justify a 2 mil salary, let alone a 3 mil salary. I like his effort and his overall performance in Buffalo, and he'd be great to keep as a 3rd pair d-man if we had more talent above him. We don't though and we need more, so we have to use that roster spot to find a 1st pair guy that can help with Leopold to show some leadership and direction for the young guys.