http://www.buffalonews.com/2010/02/23/9 ... tland.html

Darcy Regier and some Sabres organization personnel are busy scouting the farm team blueline.
With the impending Free Agency of Lydman and Tallinder, and Darcy's comments about finding help from within, it is extremely likely we will see a lateral move from the farm team to the big club come the deadline. With 8 D men with the big club and 8 with the farm team, a move is coming to clear the bottleneck to allow some movement.

Lydman - At 32 going on 33 this year, he will most likely be gone at the trade deadline. The team will most likely look for draft pick or a foward prospect in return. Sekera, Weber or Gragnani to replace him for sure.

Tallinder - At 31 he isn't far behind Lydman. Hank plays a solid game with in a tandem with the rookie phenom Myers. But that does not necessarily secure his position. Myers will have other solid partners, now may be the time to build that partnership. The team is competing this season, they are not likely to move Tallinder at the deadline, but they face loosing him to FA if he asks for too much money. A dilemma for Darcy. I think Tallinder stays and plays out the season, but then walks as Darcy will not overpay for him while Weber or Gragnani are waiting in the wings to come up with the big club.

Paetsch - As unfortunate as it is, it would appear as though he may not be tradable. This being the case, he will most likely not be resigned at the end of the season unless its a 2 way contract with Portland.

Sekera - Trade bait? Perhaps, but Fulltime duty for Sekera is on the way. Signed through the 10-11 season, this kid has shown more steadiness on the blueline and has an offensive touch. He is also throwing the body around more often. Full time duty is what this kid needs and Darcy knows it. Expect to see Sekera up fulltime with the club upon Lydmans departure at the deadline.

That about sums up my opinion on the Sabres Blue Line. Whats your thoughts?

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

Interesting.

I fully believe Tallinder and Lydman could land some high quality offensive talent.

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Wheelhouse

Doesn't surprise me or bother me. I said earlier in the season, with Tallinder playing well, it makes sense to at least entertain offers for him.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

I doubt it.

I think they might be able to land a 2nd round pick for either guy.

But neither guy is at the Campbell level with regards to rental trade value.

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Sabres Hockey: Commitment to Mediocrity

I humbly disagree with your assessment here JB.

I think Lydman offers a lot of upside to a team trying to make a run at a cup. He's not a big name defensive man, but he's a solid 2nd to 3rd pairing defensive man and adds a guy who can kill penalties, play 18-24 mins a night, and blocks a lot of shots, and isn't a liability in transition.

Teams that may look at him, in my opinion are, Chicago, Washington, Rangers, and possibly Phoenix. All of which have offensive talent to spare, and assets the Sabres may be interested in.

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

Squanto 7/27/2010

I'm going to be editing your thread title. It's VERY misleading.

Nowhere in that article does it say that Reiger is DEFINITELY replacing Lydman or Tallinder. It simply mentions that Darcy has to make decisions to let those players walk, or get something in return.

Very good Squanto and sorry, I tend to fill it in on the fly as my day goes on.
But ya, I short handed it. Since he was scouting the farm team, its only an assumption on my part, but then again, why would he be scouting the farm team personally if he wasn't considering a move.

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

This freeze on trades during the Olympics - does it resume next Monday? Trade deadline is March 3rd, so there's exactly three days to get things done. Is this correct?

No problem.

Frankly, I'd expect him to be scouting the farm team at every opportunity to have a good handle on what he has in the pipeline.

Yes. Olympic roster freeze ends March 1st. Teams have 63 hours to consummate trades before the deadline.

If we really think we have a shot at a good playoff run, it makes no sense to move any of our defenseman at this time; unless it is part of an upgrade at the position. There are no defenseman in our system or even on our team that I want to see playing more than presently.

Now if someone on the farm has really raised the level of their game, and I haven't heard of anyone doing that; then maybe that changes things a bit. I have not seen Portland play, I admit.

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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.

The difference this year is the lack of sellers on the market.

Loods and Tallinder are both top 4 defensemen with playoff experience.

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Wheelhouse

If you look at the trade deadline moves of the past, guys like Tallinder & Lydman do not get monster returns.

Chicago would be an interesting example just from the mitigating factor that they have a looming cap crunch due to the extensions given to Toews, Kane, and Keith that kick in next season.

So, they MIGHT be more willing to part with some intriguing forward(s) that are under contract beyond this season.

But, if the Sabres are to make a deal that involves Lydman moving for say a Patrick Sharp or Dustin Byfuglien, then you can bet that the Sabres are also giving up some sweetener like a high pick or a solid forward prospect.

I can't see a scenario where Lydman or Tallinder by themselves net the Sabres a solid forward that isn't a rental. And Regier has said that he doesn't want to give up a lot for a rental.

So, you might see something like last year where they dealt Kotalik for a 2nd and then flipped the 2nd for Moore.

I could see the Sabres perhaps moving Lydman for a 2nd and then flipping the pick for forward help....

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Sabres Hockey: Commitment to Mediocrity

Really?

Ever since the advent of the cap & the loser point, more teams have been on the edge of the playoffs at the deadline than pre-lockout.

This year isn't all that different than last year where there were a lot of teams on the borderline of being in at the deadline.

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Sabres Hockey: Commitment to Mediocrity

If we trade with chicago, the thought would be lydman for a pick or forward prospect. I admit a guy like sharp could help, and probably be had if butler or sekera + a pick where thrown in, but what about a guy like Skille or sweat from chicago. As well if we can consider a different team for a second, what about the likes of Grabner from Vancouver. I feel this makes a bit of sense as we have another austrian on the team, and grabner is an offensive guy.

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"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

I agree, why would we trade veterans with playoff experience and bring up prospects for a playoff run? Especially when we'd probably be getting forwards in return, when our biggest problem is defense. Doesn't really make since if you're trying to make a run for the cup.

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"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid." ~ Han Solo


We truly are not worthy of Miller!

Purely speculation here, but this is my opinion or take, it you will, on the situation with the organization.
Darcy has stated there is next season as well to run for the Cup. He makes that statement, I pay attention.
If Buffalo deals at the deadline, it won't be for rental's. Not with Darcy making that statement.
Darcy scouting the farm team, could he be looking to deal with the Blue Line issue from within? Probably, Weber or Grags most likely.

Dealing the UFA's (Lydman, Tallinder, Paetsch, Mair), my take would be in a deal for picks, maybe prospects, but most likely picks, unless a sweet deal for a foward comes into view.
The teams current needs: I don't know, everyone has a slightly different opinion, for me, its in this order:
RWer (for Vanek-Roy line) Horton? Very possible.
LWer (to replace Mac if he's dealt at the deadline) Frolov? He's a UFA and goes against my instincts with Darcy. Some one, but who? Internal perhaps?
backup goalie - not likely, the team is probably going to ride out Lalime's contract.
Defenseman - not likely, not if Darcy is scouting the farm team and states they are going to look internally.
Center - Would love one, but who and who would they replace and/or what line?

Many questions come deadline, but once again, my gut tells me Darcy dumps Lydman, maybe Tallinder for picks. Mac is probably gone as well.

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

if we really think we have a shot in the playoffs, then there is something else wrong with us. This team maybe able to get to the playoffs (save regier's job for another contract, denote do not sign when team doing well ie Dick Jauron), but so far miller has not shown he can play the hasek amount of games and still perform, and lets face it right now that is what this team is relying on, Miller. I agree with the veteran thought, would help with the keeping the pressure off miller, but in this modern cap era, you need a decent crop of prospects to be able to afford a team. The flyers are tied up in pronger, carter, and richards, and they've had to go el cheapo on the supporting cast especially goaltending. This is one reason i've been a bit of a proponent of swapping out a so called core player for a player who can play with that heart, and bring the accountability needed to make it through the playoffs. I also want a different back-up goaltender as i have previously stated this team is going to ride miller, it would be nice if the back up was capable to step in and win here and there. unfortunately i don't see that until the off season. As well remember Lidstrom, gonchar, Mckee, Zidlicky are free agents this summer. here is a complete list. http://www.nhlnumbers.com/freeagents.ph ... &type=none

Basically find a trade that brings in veteran presence with out sacking the future of the team and a player who is going to last more than the rest of the season. suggestions, are guys like sharp, frolik, horton,

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"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

Agreed to a point.

Still, tons of writers and GM's around the league have said that this year would be especially difficult.

Time will tell I suppose. If it's truly a more restricted market, Tallinder and Lydman should bring us something worth while.

Now I'm not saying necessarily that trading tallinder or lydman would directly bring in a Patrick Sharp/Nathan Horton, but teams looking to rebuild could certainly find the picks we get for them attractive.

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Wheelhouse

your saying frolov to replace MacArthur, I'd almost want whitney there. I just think Whitney is the better option over frolov. as frolov has been widely deemed lazy, and whitney would add a bit of veteran leadership. though the resigning would be the bullet. I think a lot really depends on how this team plays coming out of the olympics. they face a tough team right out the door, and if it looks like the fall is going to be present, then i would see regier scraping the blue line to give youngsters a shot. I wouldn't mind throwing Montador's name on that list of tradable, at this point i'd say weber, paestch, or sekera are the better option. I really can't see regier scraping his blue line if they think they have a shot at the playoffs no matter the free agency status. As well we could always save ourself the embarrassment and rid of Perrson.

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"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret