didn't see this, seems to be just an ahl fill in signing, but heres the story:

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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

damn, just saw this posted in the prospects section...

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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

Yaaay a fourth line AHL guy who gets a lot of penalties.

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

Exactly, he's an AHL signing because Darcy's job is to also fill the Pirates' roster.

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mechaphil

and thats all well and good phil. the fact remains though that there are holes in the sabres roster that still need to be filled.

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Check out my website: http://www.artistzero.com

"That wasn't very nice...I do believe you killed my hat."

Driver of the FIRE LINDY RUFF Bandwagon since 2008.

What's easier - Signing scrubs for the AHL or waiting for Kovalchuk's debacle to come to a close? There are five teams over the cap at this point - when the decision comes down, all hell will break loose in the NHL. At that point, then we ought to bitch if Regier doesn't do anything.

And technically, there are no holes on the roster. Sure people may not like who's on the team, but every spot is filled.

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mechaphil

Just for the sake of argument, Woz, what would you do? Ennis is going to take Stafford's job most likely, so signing or trading for a Stafford replacement robs Ennis of the spot he's gonna earn. And even if they do, where do you put Ennis - on the second line? Hecht makes it work. The third line? He isn't a bottom six player. What would you do about Roy and Connolly? Regier already made it clear he isn't trading either of them. How about on defense, where no one is sure about Rivet yet. Are they gonna sign someone now only to have Rivet be ready? That's a knee-jerk reaction not unlike something Gainey or Sather would do.

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mechaphil

I gotta agree with ya.... there is no reason to be knee jerk right now... the roster is pretty much there, weather people like it or not... barring a trade or two to move talent out, to make room for new talent incoming, there is no reason for Darcy to tip his hand... Darcy always plays it close to the vest.... Ennis deserves a top 6 spot... Staff deserves, at best the press box, at worst to pack his bags... Kennedy and Patty K are back in the fold... and it looks like the D is going to be set with Leopold and Weber stepping in... So, really, who is worth signing out there? And Im not that unhappy if Darcy stands pat and rolls into camp with the current roster... Bottom line, with Hect and Vanek in the line-up vs. Boston, we win that series... Now you have Ennis, who certainly looked the part ready to step in, and we gave up a little experience on D... in all with some health through out the year and Ruff being as solid as he always is... don't be to surprised what they put together this year!

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Don't get me wrong, there is ALWAYS room to improve, but at what cost? Over-powering one position just to de-value another? Over-paying for a rental (the number of people who would ship out Ennis for Kaberle ASTOUNDS me)? There are too many factors in play surrounding the Sabres roster to make a trade or signing easy.

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mechaphil

I'm giggling at the "WTF?!" and the "Darcy is a moron!" comments on facebook. Clearly a Portland signing and nothing more. Not much of a blip on my radar one way or the other.

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there are actual sabres fans that want to give up Ennis for Kaberle? really? are you sure they aren't closet leaf fans? Don't get me wrong I would actually LOVE to see Kaberle in the Blue and Gold... BUT Im NOT giving up anything close to what Burke would want for him, so Im ok with not having him.... The best Id do for Kaberle is Stafford and a 2nd... and the only reason I do that is because I don't see room for Staff with Ennis stepping in and Stafford plays like a girl... Now we could also send Staff packing to the highest bidder for picks and then try and turn those pick(s) + the 2nd for Kaberle... but again, Burke won't do it...

Let me ask, cause I am horrid with NHL player/trade value... What, honestly, is Kaberle worth ... and Im guessing Burke wants double that, lol... top prospect + first round pick, etc.... Just don't fall for it Darcy! Or would you be will to give up a first round pick for him? I like young talent... i don't like sacrificing first round picks...

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If you look past Kaberle's point shot, as Phil has pointed out to me in the past, he coughs up the puck more than I don't know what and makes more turnovers than Grandma Liz. (Not referring to a real person, but if anyone here has a Grandma named Liz, I'm sure her turnovers taste really good!)

If someone were to pry him away from Toronto for something realistic rather than what Burke is asking, then he would be a good addition to any team, really. But I wouldn't move Ennis out for him considering he's likely going to bolt come time the deadline anyway. If by chance he doesn't and finishes the season in Buffalo then lord only knows what he'd be asking for to resign. No thanks.

I like the idea of trying to move Staff's contract if at all possible somewhere, though and making room for Tyler small. The kid plays bigger than he actually is and can make himself smaller than a mouse when needed to make opposing defensemen look like pylons.

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If it's a tight squeeze, spit on it! - NyI

He's a middling AHL player who had the good fortune of a drunk arbitrator. - The Squanto re: Tim Kennedy

Apparently Matt Greene is going to be recovering from shoulder surgery for three months, so if he isn't ready to go at the start of the season, I could see LA going after Kaberle.

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mechaphil

I love what Ennis brought in the play-offs! He would single handedly make 3 or 4 people look just silly! If he can string that together for a season, watch out... to me the kid is untouchable (in terms of trade)! Resign him and Myers (my bad) now, lol....

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Dude, you didn't just spell Myers wrong, did you?

And neither can be re-upped until the July 1st that precedes the final season of their deal. C'mon, that's common knowledge.

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mechaphil

I wasn't bitching at Darcy at all. I am skeptical as to why this is news?

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

That wasn't directed at you, actually.

And it's news because some of us pay close attention to the Pirates (like fan4life61, who posted the thread).

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mechaphil

We should have a pirates thread.

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

I think it's a good idea.

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

We do, in the Prospects sub-forum.

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mechaphil