This is an intriguing post, and I am thusly intrigued by it. In fact, I am knowingly rubbing my chin whiskers as I type this. I am not at all opposed to the idea of making the defense the second strongest part of the team (there's no topping the goal-tending) and it would only take one or two shrewd moves to make that happen rather quickly. I think some of those teams kind of overdid it with the defense, especially Chicago who have an insane amount of elite quality blue liners. I mean even Sopel who's like their 5th guy is pretty freaking solid. I like a balanced team with clearly defined roles, I am a bit of a NAZI about this stuff so bear with me.

Keep the defense at a maximum cap hit of 18 million. This ensures that you can ice a really good team and not just a good defense. Here's the recipe:

2 Stars. Preferably one right shot and one left. Put them on separate sides of the ice and on separate pairings. This makes it really hard to key in on both of them during a game (or series). The more well rounded these guys are the better, you definitely want them both to be able to contribute something to both special teams as well as 5 on 5. These guys suck up 5-7 million EACH but they also play 24-28 minutes a game. So basically, you have an all-star defense man on the ice practically the entire game, every game, all season long. Keith, Chara, Doughty, Neidermeyer, Bouwmeester, etc..

1 Bruiser. Every team needs that one blue liner who can keep opposing forwards honest with clean, punishing hits that occasionally stray over the rules. Not necessarily a big lumbering dolt, but somebody very mobile and opportunistic will do. Some of these guys can be affordable but the proven commodities get pricey, ranging around 2-5 million. Volchenkov, Sutton, Mitchell, Orpik, Murray, etc..

4 Mr. Reliables. Reagher, Zanon, Phillips, Gorges, Scuderi, etc.. These guys will cost you 1.5-4 million each and do everything well. They are positionally reliable, shot blockers, don't get beat one on one, exceptional penalty killers, make wise passes, and if they make a highlight reel play it's from breaking up a 2 on 1 or scoring a goal off of multiple shin pads from long range. I think Lydman falls into this category, he's a really smart player.

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"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger

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FIGHTER OF THE NIGHTMAN

"on the ice now for buffalo, looking for the pass, and gets it, afinogenov, couldnt get the shot away, now HE DOES, HE SCORES!!!! HOLY MACKEREL ROLE THE HIGH LIGHT FILM, MAXIM AFINOGENOV, WHAT A MOVE!!!!.... thats not fair... that was unbelievable"
-R.J. and Lorenz

Ha. He's a terrible fit for the type of hockey they play.

Good riddance. I don't want him... and I think the downfall of the New Jersey Devils is upon us.

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Wheelhouse

If this is true, that means they aren't close to re-signing Paul Martin. It also means that Toronto is willing to take less than a 1st rd pick for Kaberle, since NJ gave it's 1st rd pick to Atlanta for Kovalchuk.

I'm totally with PSP about Kaberle...he is not the player Buffalo needs, unless he's only going to get ice time on the PP. He plays soft, often looks like he's not giving a full effort, and is marginal defensively at best. Dennis Seidenberg would have been great - a decent PP QB, good defensively, and blocks shots like a mad man. Boston was smart to re-sign him.

If Paul Martin were at all affordable he would be the best d-man to go after, but we all know that's not going to happen.

Bingo.

You know what couldn't make me happier in terms of defensemen acquisitions? Visiting Sabres.com tomorrow and seeing a headline stating they've come to terms with Toni Lydman.

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Wheelhouse

Toronto wants an NHL ready prospect or a 1st. And kaberle has to be willing to go to the team, his no trade clause is still in effect. I wouldn't be surprised if darcy tried to offer burke crap like stafford and connolly straight up for kaberle.

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It's sad that as long as Quinn is in charge Regier will be here, and as long as Regier is here Ruff is here. Say hello to more years of mediocrity Buffalo. However it is urged that you don't accept it.

RIP K.E.G. 3-16-2004

Martin would be a good fit, and I don't think he will get a penny over 4.5/year for his next contract.

Lydman hell yeah, but if they are going to give Tallander 3m./year why not squeeze another 1.5 out for a guy who can quickly set-up the power play and provide outstanding play in all 3 zones?

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"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger

Tallinder's cap hit was 2.562 mil, not 3 mil per. Martin's cap hit was 3.833 mil, and I expect him to be at well over 4.5 mil wherever he goes. NJ wants to keep Martin, but they are in the Kaberle talks because they don't anticipate being able to keep him. Kaberle's cap his is 4.25 mil, so that should tell you that Martin is looking at a big pay raise for being the top UFA d-man on the market this summer.

If somehow Martin was signed, it would eat up all the cap room left from Tallinder and Lydman leaving. Martin would not be paired with Myers, since they are both puck movers. Weber would have to step up and prove himself also, and Butler and Sekera would have to be better until Rivet got back in the line-up. I'd like to have Martin, but he's probably going to be priced out of Buffalo's cap room.

I wouldn't break up the entire band just for Yoko...I mean Paul Martin. But I promise you somewhere there are a few GMs in the league that will offer Tallinder 3+ million per year this summer. All I'm saying is that if the Sabres are willing to spend that much on Tallinder, why not squeeze out another 1.5 per year more for Martin?

Lydman/Myers
Martin/Montador

etc..

Get Lydman back for 3.2/year or less, sign Martin for 4.5/year long term.

Basically, both top 2 pairings get better in all 3 zones of the rink for 2.263 more than you spent last season. That's around what the cap increase will be for next season if the rumors are true. Down the road the Lydman and Martin contracts will squeeze out Montador and Rivet and more youth will have to step in.

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"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger

I guess you don't realize that Regier is only going to re-sign Tallinder or Lydman for LESS than their current contracts. Darcy fairly well said so in is public comments, without trying to insult them. They both want to stay in Buffalo, and certainly neither player is worth what they made the last three years anyway, so if they choose to take the pay cut it's worth keeping them.

What Burke wants is Bobby Ryan (a big, skilled top 6 forward) for Kaberle.

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Sabres Hockey: Commitment to Mediocrity

Truth.

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mechaphil

And if your a smart GM you don't offer anything more than a 2nd rounder for Kaberle. All I can say is I hope no teams plan on trading with him. Burke goes after players he wants and will do whatever it takes to acquire those players unlike Darcy. This Buffalo team needs some improvements on defense some more scoring and they lack any prospects in the minor's besides Adam and Kassian that are offensive threats. Unfortunately this team needs to start stockpiling some picks and load up the system. Darcy needs to trade Connolly and Stafford and get some players that have some size and skill to them and aren't afraid to get dirty when they have to.

Wasn't this the issue last year then when we made a few signings everyone said that the issue was solved? Every time we lost it's size. MAYBE WE NEED SOME SKILL? Some scorers?

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

All Buffalo needs as far as size is a forward or two that can sustain a forecheck, but they have to be skilled enough to play on the top two/three lines so they can retain puck possession long enough to provide chances for the skilled forwards.

We need a player like Hecht that doesn't make 3.5 mil/season. Of course a superstar C/RW would always help. Ennis and Kennedy look promising, but as hard as they work on the boards, they will simply get muscled off the puck if they have to work the boards too long. Other players should be doing that so Connolly/Pominville/Roy/Vanek/Ennis/Kennedy have open ice. There's not enough balance right now, but we don't just need to get big and strong just to be tough and mean. We need a player that has offensive instincts to make the most of the skill guys...Guerin, Bertuzzi, Maltby...someone like that.

The only thing that Darcy did was draft some size but most were lacking any type of skill. This team needs to start acquiring guys with some size and skill. The whole Northeastern Division is going to be real good for years to come with Boston, Montreal and Toronto. The reason I say Toronto because Burke won't sit back and be conservative like Darcy he will go out and make the necessary changes to improve his team. Boston already has a decent team and will be better with either Hall or Seguin joining their team soon. Montreal already has been improving their team and with Halak in goal and a young PK Subban on defense they are going to be tough. Buffalo has some issue's with this current roster with Stafford and Connolly. Lets face it Stafford hasn't gotten better in his time in Buffalo and it's sad when you have been on the squad for a few years and our benched for Gerbe. I'm not saying Gerbe is bad but come on use your size and your skill and prepare to work your ass off on the ice. Drew doesn't seem like he has any drive. He needs to be moved. Now on to Connolly. Yes we know he is skilled with the puck and is a good playmaker but lets face it he's overpaid and seems to be afraid of getting hurt. He was nonexistent in the playoffs when this team needed him most. Here is the other issue I have with this current squad. Roy, Ennis, Gerbe and Kennedy. We have too many small forwards up front and I believe we need to move one or two of them. Ennis can stay as he's going to be a good one but the other three I don't mind seeing two of them go. We have issue's on defense with Tallinder and Lydman hitting free agency. Do you keep one of them or let them both walk. If you let both of them go do you bring in someone or do you think Weber and Butler can fill in their spots fulltime. To me Butler took a step back and hopefully he learned something by not playing as much and that he will work his ass off in the offseason to become a better player. Same goes for Weber. Everyone thought last year he was going to be up for a spot on the blueline and also took a step back. But hopefully with the time he had in Portland and a long summer of working out hard that he comes back as the player everyone expects. I personally wouldn't mind building up the defense either thru a free agent or thru the draft and bring in a center to help Vanek. Lets get rid off some of our garbage for picks or prospects and tinker this roster some. Because this current roster doesn't have what it takes to make a run in the postseason.

The only reason Butler got the call over Weber in 2008/2009 is because Weber was injured at the time of the call-up. Halak is being shopped - the Habs have already admitted it, and are already fielding offers for both him and Price. Sure, Burke makes changes, but are they always the right one. In landing Kessel, he has forfeited taking either Hall or Seguin, who were both projected 1 and 2 before last season even began. Oh yea, he also gave Boston a second round pick this draft AND a first rounder next draft.

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mechaphil

Yes Toronto gave up the first but that doesn't stop Burke from making moves with other players and thru free agency. Also if Montreal is shopping Halak and Price but I don't see Halak going anywhere unless there is an offer too good to pass up. I see Price being moved before Halak. Montreal was a much better team with Halak in net. Yes Burke gambled on Kessell thinking they would be better but unfortunately he will be giving up the number 2 pick. But lets face it Kessell isn't a bad player himself and is still young. Plus Kadri should be on Toronto fulltime this season and will definetly help them. He should have been in Toronto fulltime last season and was sent back to juniors. I just think Darcy needs to start improving this team and stop his conservative ways. The last two seasons he hasn't done much to improve this team at all. Moore and Torres were wasted 2nd round draft picks for a rental player. I'm not too keen on giving up high round picks for a rental unless you have all the pieces in place to make a deep run and both of these guys weren't the answer.

At the time, Torres was exactly what the Sabres needed for their run. Unfortunately, he came over injured with a really shitty attitude.

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mechaphil

But face it if he was that good do you think Columbus would have let him go! Him and Moore were total busts and both proved to do nothing for this team. Yes Torres threw his body around but never really fit in on any line. I'm not a fan about giving up high picks for rental players!!!! If this team had quality scoring on two lines and only needed one guy from making a serious run then I don't mind giving up a pick but this team is a few guys away.