By taking a look at CapGeek's Sabres roster and salary chart, two things can be discerned - the Sabres have 22 players under contract and (factoring in $940K in bonuses) still have $6.689M in cap space.

I honestly don't see any moves being made at this point with the exception of Gerbe being sent back to Portland and Stafford being traded or demoted once he loses his job to Tyler Small. There might be a depth defensive signing, but Darcy indicated today that Rivet ought to be ready to go by day one.

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mechaphil

He did?
I was under the impression the recovery from his surgery would keep him out until November or so.

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Hold my beer and watch this...

Yea, during the press conference after Kennedy's signing.

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mechaphil

Yeah, Rivet has always been one of those guys that bounced back way ahead of schedule though. When he had his knee scoped his first year here, he was quick to get back on the ice too. I think part of it is genetics, the other part of it is toughness. He's a warrior, better he's back sooner than later too, I don't necessarily think we need to have Sekera and Butler in the lineup full time

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

Squanto 7/27/2010

Thanks for this.

So if MGMT leaves some change for flexibility they could certainly spend a cold hard 5 million this season. Which is to say, somewhere down the line they could add a star player to the roster.

I actually like this team as it is right now. Let's drop the puck.

The Sabres are poised to make a big move at the trade deadline next year.

The team they have now could get them into the playoffs for sure, and the right deadline deal could make them instant contenders.

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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

And they aren't already?

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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.

Contenders?

Sure, it's certainly possible, look at last season. But to be viewed as a favorite, not yet.

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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 didn't include Mike Weber because Butler and Sekera may impress enough and Rivet may in fact be ready, leaving no room for Weber.

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mechaphil

Leopold - Myers
Weber - Montador
Sekera - Rivet
Butler

If that is our d-corps to start the season I'll be pissed. Sekera and Butler are 7th d-men at this point. For one/either of them to get starting minutes isn't the most horrible atrocity in the league, but it sure as hell means that the d-corps (a weakness last season) is not any better. Willie Mitchell and Andy Sutton (maybe) are the only UFAs that could significantly upgrade that position, but even Jay McKee would be worth signing as a #6 guy to bump out Sekera or Butler (whoever sucks more).

Again, I wouldn't fork out all that cash for Sutton or even Mitchell. Now Jay McKee for under a million is doable, but I still think either Sekera or Butler are going to be in the lineup for 40+ games because McKee or Rivet )or both) figures to miss some action due to injury.

But I'm happy with the defense as it is now, maybe Butler finds the infinite wisdom he was searching for in Iraq, which by the way is such a selfless act and I applaud him and all the other brave young men taking the time out of their vacation to improve moral for all of our troops. Really. But anyways, Butler could be an improved player, and you know Sekera isn't anywhere near the prime playing years of an NHL defense man either. Both of those guys could be more reliable now.

Having said that, let's hope Miller stays Miller.

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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

One summer won't make much difference for either player. What's "all that cash" anyway? Who says any of those players will demand high dollar? I don't necessarily think any of them are that good, but I'm only thinking in terms of an upgrade to the 5-7 spots. I think Rivet will be much better when healthy, but otherwise, after the 1st pair, that d-corps is not the caliber to go to the conference/SC finals. The last four Cup winners show that.

I really wanted to see an upgrade with a deep FA class of d-men, or through trade. I'm fine with Leopold, and I have really high hopes for Weber, but reality says that group is still in the bottom third of the league...like it has been for years.

Our D was one of the best in the league, be on Miller maybe, but we ranked 3rd or 4th in goals against at the end of the season. Miller may see 30+ shots a game, but bad angle shots aren't going in and ones he can see aren't going in either. We don't need our d-men to block every shot, we just need them to clear the front of the net and let Miller see his shots.

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Fix your pairings;

Myers-Weber (Franchise+Stay at home)
Rivet-Leopold (banger + puck mover)
Butler-Montador (Balanced Defender + Vet Grit player)
Sekera

Looks ok to me. Plus all the things Darcy has said about secondary trade market, and still a few players available, makes me think he's not totally done. Just my hunch, but I have a feeling 2 or 3 roster players may be moved, brining in some salary dump solid players to fill out our roster.

If not. We have nearly 7M to play with in cap space, and I can't imagine the Sabres ownership wants to see another first round exit. That's money out of their pocket.

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

Squanto 7/27/2010

The one thing about Weber-Myers I don't agree with is that I don't think they'll start the season together (save a stellar camp and preseason), but they'll 100% end it together.

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mechaphil

Weber will be motivated. I don't think he'll start with Myers either, but I think we'll see them united sooner rather than later. I can remember his last preseason was a stinker and I can remember basically calling for his head. This year though I have confidence that he'll prove he belongs, given his dominance during his last time in the NHL and with the Pirates last year.

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Rest in Peace Nani. 10/3/10

Gerbacity



"Grier coming in over the line. He leaves it to Gaustad. The shot. THEY SCOOOREE!! RING UP ANOTHER ONE FOR THE GOOSE!!! HONK IF YA HEAR THE GOOSE!! 3-0 BUFFALO!"

Just look at what everybody else is making, of course they will command 3mil/year. I'd rather keep the 5 mil flexibility for better improvements. And what does Sutton bring? He's slow, gets beat and takes bad penalties to make up for it. Sure he hits, but the Sabres have a few guys that hit already. I mean yeah, they aren't the most physical defense corp in the league but they at least have mobility.

I like Mitchel on the team, even though he is a total jackass. But again, what exactly does taking about 3 mil away from other areas of improvement and adding it to the hitting really do to improve the team as a whole? Mitchel brings a lot more than just hitting but it's not like he's going to run the power play or come out of the corners with pucks on the power play.

I'd rather they start the season with what they have, give it 30-40 games and see exactly what these guys plan to contribute. Then start lining up a blockbuster trade.

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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

The Penalty kill was really impressive too.

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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

A strong penalty kill is a Lindy Ruff trademark. It helps when you've got Jochen Hecht and Mike Grier

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mechaphil

And oh yeah, Ryan Miller.

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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

Truth. He had (I believe) the highest PK SV% last season in the league.

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mechaphil