No Vanek and Roy on the same line.

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

Hecht is in no way close to retiring. I'd say he still has a good 3-4 years left in him at a reduced salary on another team.

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

The iffy thing about this deal is that he's better paid like a top center before playing it? But if Philly was offering 3.5M a year, a million more a season to change teams and change positions isn't as much of an overpayment as it first seems. If say he's put between Vanek and Stafford, he could put up some really nice numbers and $4.5M has the potential to look like a bargain.

Now the interesting thing to me is if the TSN story is true and Richards is signing with the Rangers for $58.5M over 9 years.

Richards is about a $6.5M a year cap hit for 9 years and probably the last 3 of those are walk away years.
Leino is about $4.5M for 6 years.

It will be interesting to compare the their numbers and effectiveness over the next few seasons.


http://wgr550.com/Brad-Richards-Signs-9 ... t/10261385

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

Here's how I look at this signing. Over the years it has become apparent to me that Darcy has an eye for talent that not a lot of other people see. Take Jordan Leopold, for example. When he signed here everyone was like "He seems ok, but..." There were a lot of concerns with concussions and him just simply not being 3 mil/year good enough. However, he turned into one of the Sabres best defensemen. Now 3 million for a 10+ goal/ 30+ point scoring d-man seems like a great deal. Also, who does Steve Montador have to thank for his big pay day from Chicago? Not to mention he had the patience to stick with Gerbe and Stafford until they finally broke out and lived up to potential (And I think because of injuries and such, we haven't seen everything from both of those guys). I'm not saying I like this Leino deal yet, but I trust Darcy knows what he was doing when he signed him.

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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!"

As the cap continues to rise, 4.5 million is starting to look like it's less and less.

At any rate, look what we did with Connolly and Hecht as our top two centers against the Flyers.

Swap in Roy and Leino, think about our veteran wingers coming back hungrier, think about the growth of Ennis and Gerbe, think about the meaness of McCormick, Kaleta, and Gaustad, and then look at our new defense pairings.

Does that not get anyone else really excited?

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Wheelhouse

I just want October to come so we can see what this team can do. I couldn't be more excited for hockey season to start. This team has gotten so much better in this past week. I know we all wanted the "true" #1 center that's been talked about, but I think Roy has shown he can take that role and run with it. He had a point per game until the injury last season. Plus, looking at Brad Richards' stats, aside from two 91 point seasons (05-06 with TBL and 09-10 with DAL) he's put up numbers similar to Roy (maybe a little higher, but they're still close). So, I think this team is going to be very good this coming season and that we will have a legitimate shot at the Cup.
Furthermore, we're not sure if Darcy is working on some trade to bring us that center. The way he's been going, no one can be quite sure.

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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!"

Fuck yeah. This team is going to be nasty

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"Let's just trap Sekera in the caverns underneath HSBC arena." -BlueandYellow

Reporter: "Steve, you guys now lead the league in defensive scoring."
Montador: "It's probably because of how good-looking we are."

I go over to HF boards and if you can believe it Rangers fans are thinking this was a dumb overpayment and yes it looks like it is but seriously Ranger fans?? who really cares what other teams fans think I want this season to start so badly right now.

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

This from fans of a team who paid $7M a season for Chris Drury and somewhere between $5-6M for Gomez...both of whom are not on their roster 3 seasons later.

Umm, how much did they pay Paul Mara to play in the minor league?

This from fans of a team that are the Buffalo Bills of the NHL with picks like Dylan McIlrath instead of Cam Fowler.

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

I said this to my friend, so I'll say it here. If people don't think Roy has the ability to play as the #1 Center, I don't know what to think anymore.

While I'd rather we did get a true #1 center, Roy is plenty capable, and has shown he's about a PPG, or at least .9 PPG type player.

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

Exactly.

And you could make a strong argument the at Boston doesn't have a #1 center, either. Seems to be working out fine for them.

I really don't get all the Roy hate

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"Let's just trap Sekera in the caverns underneath HSBC arena." -BlueandYellow

Reporter: "Steve, you guys now lead the league in defensive scoring."
Montador: "It's probably because of how good-looking we are."

I dunno I think you could make the argument that Patrice Bergereon plays like a #1 center.

I think the hate stems from not being allowed to say anything critical of his game. Roy can sometimes kinda start doing his own thing when things aren't going well on the ice which has led to other players ditching the system. Or maybe its the "Superman Syndrome" he can get into which leads to turnovers and killing the first 30-40 seconds of a powerplay. He's obviously turned Vanek off from playing his game. I mean there's been times where Roy's been a turnover machine, but Sabre fans get on Vanek for not backchecking hard enough...which is does, but maybe didn't a few season back but you'll hear this before you'll hear anything ill towards Roy's game.

He's great player, but when he messes up...things like a 4 on 1 with the puck on Gaborik's stick occur.

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

I understand the Roy hate, somewhat. He's not a tough player and his attitude sucks.

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

If this was Facebook this would get a like from me.

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

It's not his role to be a tough player. I disagree with you about Roy's attitude. Could you elaborate a little on what you feel is wrong with his attitude?

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This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.
--Emerson

It gets me excited.. and Im also excited to see Myers get even tougher.. Throughout his 1st 2 seasons he became more and more physical and pissed off... It's amazing seeing the kid pissed off.. Im looking forward to seeing his mean side come out even more

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Miller, Myers and Greir are sick, but not Jesus Christ..

KILL OTTAWA

I liked the Leino signing and then I saw the below video on youtube, now I love it. I never knew this guy had these kinds of moves plus he has some great hands. Just thought I'd share.

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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

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