There are rumors that Ryan Clowe might be on the block due to cap reasons.

See if SJ wants a package that centers around Stafford + Gerbe or Kennedy.

There is talk that if NJ signs Kovalchuk that they may need to shop Langenbrunner.

See if NJ wants anything the Sabres could offer for Langenbrunner.

Calgary is deep on defense and thin up front.

See if there is a deal to be made that lands Ian White or Mark Giordano with some forwards headed Calgary's way.

I doubt that the Sabres have guys that Burke wants for Kaberle, but I'd see if they did.

Also, I'd look at some of the guys that elected for arbitration in the event that their current clubs don't like the awards.

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Sabres Hockey: Commitment to Mediocrity

Lagenbrunner wont be the one shopped, he only makes 2.8M against the cap. And he has a NTC

The only viable option for them to shop is Zajac, 3.9M against the cap, 3 years. If Kovie only took 8M; we couldnt send them back anything more than 1M; so the package would have to be (Young talented forward under 1M contract) and 1st round pick probably.

Clowe is a nice option, but he's not an immediate need for the Sabres, especially with young tough grinders like Foligno, Kassian, and company in the system.

Calgary is an interesting scenario, but really, how many more defensivemen do we need on our roster? You can send them Stafford and Butler/Sekera/Weber but that leaves a gaping 35-40 point hole on our top 3 lines; with limited free agent availability.

I mean; lets face it, Burke is asking way to fucking much for a UFA defender to be.

There really aren't a lot of viable moves out there, other than rolling the dice on a free agent on a short term deal.

Thats the problem that a lot of folks aren't realizing.

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

Fuck a PR nightmare - do what it takes to WIN, not what it takes to keep fickle fans HAPPY.

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mechaphil

Then we need to sign people and stop trying to build from within. By within, he means the guys we have in the AHL that will score 60 goals, right?

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

No, that isn't the solution, either. It's making the hard, but smart choices - trading away the face of the team for a package of commensurate talent that would address the shortcomings elsewhere, making smart signings of players prepared to have their breakout season, taking the gamble on prospects who show great promise instead of letting them develop one more year, etc.

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mechaphil

I'm just saying, how many sponsors pull out because Miller isn't there anymore, how many fans leave, so on and so forth. Keep in mind, the general manager handles a lot more than just roster moves. And it is a business.

Miller is marketable, and good for business, you could bring in a no personality guy like a Burrows or Kopitar; and they might be more productive than a Roy or Pomminville, but they don't necessarily make money for the team outside of hockey; and at the end of the day, thats what the NHL is about. Making money; all owners will say they want to win, but their first priority is making money.

I don't agree with it, but it's the nature of the beast.

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

Langenbrunner would waive the NTC to play with his Team USA homeboy Ryan Miller



Clowe is more than a grinder. He could play LW on a line with Connolly and Pominville and allow Hecht to slide to the 3rd line with Gaustad & Grier.

Plus, Clowe would add some bite to the Sabres 2nd PP unit.



I can pencil in 4 lines minus Stafford that look OK right now:

Ennis-Roy-Vanek
Hecht-Connolly-Pominville
Kennedy-Gaustad-Grier
Gerbe-McCormick-Kaleta

I think Hecht in the top 6 is better than having Stafford there.



I think he's praying that the Bobby Ryan situation gets really ugly and he can get the Ducks to bite on a deal that centers around Kaberle for Ryan.

It will be interesting to see what happens if Ryan re-signs with Anaheim.



I just want any UFA signings to make sense and not be signing square pegs to try and fit into round holes ala the Zherdev rumor.

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Sabres Hockey: Commitment to Mediocrity

No, the general manager handles ONLY roster decisions - the VP of business operations does the rest. And as well all have clearly seen, Darcy is no VP.

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mechaphil

Well aware of that, but you dont think that they consult within on these decisions? (btw that should read, the GM is involved in a lot more than just roster moves. Started to say he handles the roster, but he is involved in the business end, but got side tracked in my edit)

Why are we even talking about this anyway...oh yeah Kovalchuk needs his own 1 hour special like that fucking ego tard in the NBA...

I really hate diva-esque players like Messier, Kovalchuk, Crosby, etc...fucking the whole world revolves around them, and they need to make a big spectacle of it...

Kovie will end up in the NHL next year, and he's just trying to make a team sweat into paying him max contract over 5-8 years. That's all this is.

I'm willing to bet my life that he's an NHL player next season.

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

Me, too. Nabokov, however...

But yea, LeBron can get the fuck off the TV now, thanks. What a crock of shit NBA free agency is.

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mechaphil

It's like a fucking reality show. What about the people who HATE basketball? Like, you know, smart people?

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

well, hes a future hall of famer, who could go to a number of teams. its huge news around the sports world. but you are right. now players are visiting teams and the teams are visiting the players. hell, lebron has an office to conduct business in with teams in an office tower in downtown cleveland. when did this start?

but im keeping tabs on it myself, because, well, its big news.

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What's wrong with basketball?

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"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." ~ Han Solo


We truly are not worthy of Miller!

It's a drama story.

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

How is it a drama story? Because Lebron is making a big deal out of where he wants to go. Same shit is happening in the NHL with Kovie, it's just people in the USA don't care about it as much so you never see it on ESPN. If you don't like it, turn your TV off.

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"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." ~ Han Solo


We truly are not worthy of Miller!

I DO turn my TV off and I don't watch it, because of that reason. It pops UP everywhere, and ESPN is DEVOTED to it.

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

its lebron james. its a HUGE deal.

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It IS a huge deal, yes, but why does a fucking athlete need an HOUR-LONG SPECIAL devoted to where he's gonna sign?

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mechaphil

He's gonna make his choice in the first ten minutes, and he's sending all the procedes to the boys and girls club. It seemed like an asshole thing to do at the start, but now... Not so much.

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"Call a cop he robbed Delmore blind!!!"
Rick Jeanerette after Marty Biron's diving save back in 2000.

"I'm going to go to the spa and have a hot tub and massage and relax," Miller said. "That's it, and it's back to work tomorrow." Ryan Miller after clinching the North East division.

Last I heard on the radio, he's making his decision at the very end of the show.

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mechaphil