LOL, he had a long meeting with Darcy today, Darcy said that "the pieces needed to win a cup are not here right now" but he is talking about re-signing the 4th line center. Why not sign Parise instead of bringing in all these 3.5-4 million dollar losers? would you rather have Goose and another 4 mill winger or Parise? when Myers deal kicks in next year the Sabres are not going to have much cap room, signing Goose is not going to win any cup but it might make everyone all warm and fuzzy inside.

Goose 38 playoff games ZERO goals. Played 19 mins per game average the last two playoff years. His faceoffs were 33% vs Boston in game 6(49% overall), against Flyers he was -6 and lost very important faceoffs for tying and game winning goals. For those who claim that "checking centers are not paid to score goals", well, Dave Bowland had 8 goals when Hawks won the cup, Jordan Staal scored well in playoffs, etc. Team sport and you can't win a cup without goals from bottom 6 guys. Most over rated player ever to wear the blue and gold. Remember the goal is the CUP not to be nice and kind to low skill players. Someone please take Darcy's check book away. The good news is that Goose is asking for so much just maybe Darcy won't re-sign him, thank God.

Ryan Kesler makes 5 mill even per season for cap hit, Jordan Staal 4 million even. They both score in the playoffs and shut down top lines.

I like goose. I really do. Solid at the dot. Solid Pk. But 4.5 per.... Really ? Is that the market rate? Huh... Gonna be an interesting off season

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$4.5 is in the range of top six forward, top four defenseman. Too much for a role player.

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

I have to agree. I can't see him as a 1 or 2 c. Or top wing. Id love to keep him. But it's gonna kill us to upgrade the top 6. So now we need even more centers....lol

1. Not on the roster
2. Ennis. Looks promising there
3. Adam. If he can put it back together
4. Cody? Or uuuggghhh.

Gonna be an interesting off season

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Where was this said. Is it a complete guess that he's asking for 4-4.5 mil or is there a source?

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If there is any weight to this, and if it is in fact true as to what Goose is looking for, I say move him this week and don't look back. Ship his ass out west and don't bother with the tissues.

Anything over MAYBE 1.75/yr for his services, to me, is an overpayment. And that is being generous...

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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

And a hinderance to making this team better... I just dont see how you can commit that much money to a, at best no. 3 Center.... When you still dont have a No.1 C.... Im sorry Roy isn't a No.1 C....

If Goose wants 4.5... out west he goes... and let the house cleaning begin... At minimum... Roy and Stafford gone... and if Goose really want 4.5, Im sorry, get what ya can now and maybe try and re-negotiate in July when he sees what his true market value is....

I know face-offs and PK arent really shown here... but isn't the score sheet where it counts.... These are 3 centers.... whos who... whos worth 4.5...

Player A = $1.75 Cap hit....
Season Team League GP G A TP PIM
10/11 NHL 82 8 13 21 66
11/12 NHL 58 16 11 27 40

Player B = $2.5 Cap hit
10/11 NHL 81 12 19 31 101
11/12 NHL 53 7 10 17 65

Player C = $4.0 Cap hit
09/10 NHL 82 21 28 49 53 |
10/11 NHL 42 11 19 30 24 |
11/12 NHL 39 19 8 27 28 |

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4.5 is a bit on the low side for a top 6 forward. Well I guess any player who can get 50 points will get a 4.5 per contract.

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I refuse to believe this is true. Gaustad would ask for $4.5 million if he didn't want a contract with any team next season. He makes in the ballpark of what he should, if not a little bit on the high side. His faceoff skill does not add another $2+ million to his value.

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Haha. I hope it's true. Then DR will be forced to go out, and get a good center who can win face-offs. You know, one who can score, and maybe play with Vanek and Pommers. Ennis is fine as the 2nd. Trade Roy, or keep him as a 2b, 3a with Ennis. Seeing they're small, it is probably smart to keep a good supply of them. Adam can play 4th, and Cody steps in to match toughness. Bye Goose.

Isnt this just ferret in a different vermin shell?

Is there a link to a source for this? I just can't see Goose asking for this amount per season. Maybe the total of a multi-year deal, but not ONE YEAR.

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Yes, it's ferret.

And I haven't seen a single source anywhere throw this 4.5M number out. Unless he can provide a source, which I'm betting he can't, it's just ferret's normal anti-Gaustad rage.

Safe to ignore it.

Gaustad is a fine 3rd line center. I submit two stat lines. One is Gaustad. One is Malholtra, a name I've seen thrown around as someone who would be a fine replacement for Goose.

7G 10A 17P +1
6G 10A 16P -9

Gaustad makes $2.3M. Malholtra $2.5M. They're about as identical as you can get.

3rd line centers make between 2 and 3 million in today's NHL. That's just how it rolls right now. He current contract is not terrible, and even if you kept him for a small raise to $2.75M - $3M, you'd get pretty much the same production as any other 3rd line C.

Gaustad's status is not the problem with this team. If you get a good return then move him, if you don't there's no reason to dump the guy. His replacement is going to cost similar money, and give you the same thing.

As soon as I saw the Squirrel username I automatically assumed it was him....

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Unlocked

It was brought up to me that 4.5 was a number thrown around on twitter.

I think Goose is out of here no matter what though.

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if that number is true, I think it almost has to be a high-ball offer that screams TRADE ME!

But from whom? None of the reputable journalists or hockey insiders that I follow have said anything about a contract that Gaustad may or may not be asking for.

squirrels are not vermin!

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Where did I say you pay all your top six forwards this much?

Top three forwards would naturally average more than that in today's market. However; if a player can't crack the top six, $4.5 is too much to pay.

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.