Assuming that our UFA/RFAs re-sign for the following cap hits...

McCormick - 850k
Sekera - 1.5 mil
Gragnani - 850k
Weber - 850k
Enroth - 850k

That gives us 12 forwards, 8 d-men, and 2 goalies for a total of about 61.75 mil. Take away Morrisonn or Sekera and that's about 60 mil. Take away Kotalik and that's 57 mil. So we could reasonably have all other important roster spots filled and still have over 7 mil per for Richards. If we still need cap room there's the rest of the summer to make a trade to get us under the limit.

I really think people are going to be disappointed because I don't think Richards will sign here.

I don't think so either. Being in the conversation is good enough for me.

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mechaphil

I won't, we were 9th in goals scored and 18th is goal allowed. Regher and Ehrhoff help in both regards. Regher helps more with stopping goals, while Ehrhoff is no slouch in his own end, he's a guy who can keep the puck up the ice and in the zone on the PP.

We've done enough as long as we made an offer to Richards.

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If your having goal problems, I feel bad for ya son....we got 99 problems but Vanek ain't one!

Even if Richards goes somewhere else we've had a good to great off-season. Then there's still the conclusion to who ends up being added as a plan B center. My logic for the last couple seasons has been - with a better d-corps we won't be playing so damn much in our own end, and getting the puck up ice more for our talented forwards to score more and earn their salaries to the max.

I'm by no means complaining, making an offer will be good enough. If he chooses to come here, I certainly wouldn't complain; but, I just don't know how realistic that is.

Bingo

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I feel he'll want to play for Tortorella again and skate with Gaborik. But the Rags still need some more pieces.

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

It's a little harder to figure out NYR's cap situation because they have a few buy-outs and still a bunch of UFA/RFAs to decide on. My plan B though is this...if Richards goes to NYR, that puts them in a tougher cap situation to re-sign Dubinsky, who they are already having a tough time with in contract negotiations. Buffalo could then submit a reasonable offer sheet to him, up to 3.134 mil per season, and only have to give a 2nd rd pick in return. Speaking of 2nd rd picks, we seem to have an extra one now after the Calgary trade. You see how my master plan all comes together?? Muhuhahahahaha!!!

I'd do that. The Rangers are also up against it because it's believed Callahan will get offer-sheeted.

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mechaphil

oh yes, I don't know why the media hasn't really talked about him. Callahan is always out there making plays.

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

NYR will do about anything to keep Callahan, and that's why Dubinsky should be ripe for the picking.

http://twitter.com/#!/sportsnetbroph

sportsnetbroph Mike Brophy
Now hear the Sabres could make Brad Richards a huge, front-end loaded deal in neighborhood of 8 yrs and $60 mil with $50 mil in first 5 yrs

anyone know this guy?

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Original inventor of the "Taco in a bag."

©2006

I don't follow anyone on twitter, but that salary structure is about what I'd expect with Buffalo's offer. They'll take the same route as Ehrhoff's contract, but a year or so shorter with more money. If they can sign him by selling the organization and area, and keep the cap hit close to 7 mil, it would be the most lopsided off-season win by any team since the salary cap was introduced.

I'm cool with adding Richard's as long as they follow it up with a trade for a power forwad.

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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

Richards has to be very intrigued now, that Ehrhoff is aboard

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

Richards this year will be just like Drury a few years back. We matched what NYR offered but he chose to go to NY for non-monetary reasons. I think Richards will do the same due to Tortorella being the coach there.

I'm ok with this but it means there has to be another deal made for Stastny/Spezza/Stamkos (I know Stamkos is a pipe dream). I feel both Stastny & Spezza are better than Richards for a couple reasons...1) both are younger so a long term deal won't hurt as much on the back end 2) If we make a trade for either, we will free up cap space in doing and 3) Richards will get more per year than what either Stastny or Spezza currently are under contract for.

Just my

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"Every time I think you say the dumbest thing ever...you keep on talkin' " - Hank Hill
"Starting today, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win a Stanley Cup" - Terry Pegula

I'm not really high on Spezza...

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"...they came down into the stands and asked if I knew how to do play by play. I said...No. But. I'll take a shot at it if you want".- Rick Jeanneret

I like Stastny...does Colorado really want to give him up though?

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"Oh honey, I would but...I don't want to" ~ Karen Walker

If Brad Richards goes elsewhere I think Stastny might come via a trade.

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13