how excited are we for july 1 this year?

[trapezeus]

Do you think they'll actually bring in a real center this year? they got their defensemen. They got people in the pipeline for wings from the AHL.

is this a year to make a splash in FA to prove we are serious, or does the team have to take stock of the moves they've made thus far with kassian, foligno, regehr, etc and see where they are?

[OpIv37]

I'll say this: I was a lot more excited before I found out about a potential Connolly re-signing.

Ditching Rivet, the Boyes move (because he had another full year) and the Regehr move were so much different from what the previous ownership did, so that's been encouraging. But the talk of re-signing Connolly makes me question if they really get it.

In a perfect world, Connolly, Lalime, Grier and Special Neids will all be allowed to walk, and we'll get our center. I'd love to grab Brad Richards, but that would pretty much kill all our available cap space for the foreseeable future. Rumor has it that they want Parise.

[trapezeus]

i absolutely hate the idea of signing connolly, but if it's a one year deal at $2mm or less, i could survive. and in my mind that just signals that they have more of a 3 year horizon on mind than a "win this second" attitude.

parise would be exciting.

[don137]

According to Regier Connolly's role will be different. He will be a defensive 3rd line center and not a playmaker. I think he can do that role well. I agree I don't want him with a large contract but since his role is different his pay will be according to his role.

[clumping platelets]

On a scale of 0-10, I'm at an 8

However, I do not have a problem resigning Connolly at say $900,000-$1.1 million and serve in the role as a 3rd line center.

[CuseJetsFan83]

RealKyper (http://twitter.com/#%21/RealKyper) Nick Kypreos



Lots of disappointed #NHL (http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23NHL) teams hearing #Capitals (http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Capitals) Brooks Laich re-signs 6 yrs. 27M. 4.5 will be the cap hit.

2 minutes ago (http://twitter.com/#%21/RealKyper/status/85713323420680192)

this could be a mixed blessing with some teams having to spend a little extra to prevent them from hitting the market....

but seriously do you think an offer sheet on stamkos (if it gets that far) would be a good idea... or maybe pull an edmonton on them?? [/URL] (http://twitter.com/#)[URL="http://twitter.com/#"] (http://twitter.com/#)

[clumping platelets]

:mad:

[THATHURMANATOR]

I couldn't care less about Brooks Laich....

I am not as excited as I could be because there are no centers out there. Doubtful we get Richards so who else is there?

[THATHURMANATOR]

Where they currently stand:

Vanek 6.4
Pominville 5.5
Stafford 4.0
Roy 4.5
Boyes 4.0
Hecht 3.0
Kotalik 3.0
Gaustad 2.5
Kaleta .95
Ennis .875
Regehr 4.0
Leopold 3.0
Morrisonn 2.075
Myers .875
Miller 6.25
Total: 50.925
source (http://www.nhlnumbers.com/teams/BUF?year=2012)

Salary cap: 64.3

So they're about $13 mil under the cap. Gerbe, Sekera and Weber are RFAs, they're trying to re-sign McCormick, and they need a backup goalie. Doesn't look good for Richards.
The eye-popper on this list is Kotalik. Unless they get him off the books, he's really hurting the chances of making a FA splash.
Face it, this will remain the core. The team is still locked into the direction it chose several years ago.
Dude Morrison is most assuradely going to be bought out and same holds true with Kotalik. ESPECIALLY if there is a free agent they want. Add 5 mil to the total easily.

[CuseJetsFan83]

http://www.thefourthperiod.com/freeagents/top30.html


<table id="AutoNumber47" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tbody><tr><td align="center" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" height="152" width="5%"> 1 (http://www.thefourthperiod.com/magazine/)4</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" height="152" width="16%"> http://www.tfpmedia.com/tfpsite/mug/tim_connolly.jpg</td> <td bgcolor="#FFFFFF" height="152" valign="top" width="37%"> Tim Connolly, C (BUF) 2010-11 Salary Cap Hit: $4.5 million | Age: 30 With Darcy Regier, Buffalo's GM, you never really know what's coming, but we'd be shocked if the Sabres re-sign Connolly this summer.

Buffalo is expected to go in a different direction, which would make Connolly available on the open market.
</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" height="152" width="27%"> http://www.thefourthperiod.com/dal.jpg (http://www.thefourthperiod.com/Dallas/) http://www.thefourthperiod.com/col.jpg (http://www.thefourthperiod.com/Colorado/) http://www.thefourthperiod.com/min.jpg (http://www.thefourthperiod.com/Minnesota/) http://www.thefourthperiod.com/wpg.jpg (http://www.thefourthperiod.com/Winnipeg/)</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" height="152" width="15%"> Available</td></tr></tbody></table>
according to that list laich was the 2nd best available UFA

connolly is 14th?

[Philagape]

According to this (http://www.nhlnumbers.com/teams/BUF?year=2012), they're currently about $12 million under the cap. Add to that RFAs Gerbe, Weber and Sekera (or their replacements), they're trying to re-sign McCormick, and they need a backup goalie. Looks like no chance at Richards. :mad:
Bringing back Kotalik at $3 mil is really making a dent.
Face it, the core of the team remains the same. They're still locked into the direction that was chosen five years ago. :mad:

[Philagape]

Dude Morrison is most assuradely going to be bought out and same holds true with Kotalik. ESPECIALLY if there is a free agent they want. Add 5 mil to the total easily.

They'll need replacements. If Morrisonn goes, that leaves three D-men under contract.

[THATHURMANATOR]

According to this (http://www.nhlnumbers.com/teams/BUF?year=2012), they're currently about $12 million under the cap. Add to that RFAs Gerbe, Weber and Sekera (or their replacements), they're trying to re-sign McCormick, and they need a backup goalie. Looks like no chance at Richards. :mad:
Bringing back Kotalik at $3 mil is really making a dent.
Face it, the core of the team remains the same. They're still locked into the direction that was chosen five years ago. :mad:
Heard you the first time and already responded.

Enroth is the backup goalie.

Kotalik will be buried in the minors unless we actually need him.

Morrison is gone as well.

[THATHURMANATOR]

They'll need replacements. If Morrisonn goes, that leaves three D-men under contract.
Myers - under contract
Weber - been qualified and will be signed
Reigher - under contract
Sekera - been qualified and will be signed
Gragnani - been qualified and will be signed
Leopold - under contract.

Think we are set.....

[SkateZilla]

they already said no one will be bought out.

didnt richards say he wants to play in a small market?

[CuseJetsFan83]

Myers - under contract
Weber - been qualified and will be signed
Reigher - under contract
Sekera - been qualified and will be signed
Gragnani - been qualified and will be signed
Leopold - under contract.

Think we are set.....

from what i've been reading i think the sabres still make 1 more defensive move. maybe someone like wisniewski over in MTL.

still think center is owe biggest need..... and if the QO can be fairly low.... should leave about 9 million to play. plenty of money for 2 players

[Philagape]

Heard you the first time and already responded.

Enroth is the backup goalie.

Kotalik will be buried in the minors unless we actually need him.

Morrison is gone as well.

Brain fart, the first post was before I saw the site already did the math for me.
Add Enroth to the RFA list. How much do you think it will take to sign Enroth, Gerbe, Weber and Sekera? Plus, Myers and Ennis are up next year.

[Dr. Lecter]

According to this (http://www.nhlnumbers.com/teams/BUF?year=2012), they're currently about $12 million under the cap. Add to that RFAs Gerbe, Weber and Sekera (or their replacements), they're trying to re-sign McCormick, and they need a backup goalie. Looks like no chance at Richards. :mad:
Bringing back Kotalik at $3 mil is really making a dent.
Face it, the core of the team remains the same. They're still locked into the direction that was chosen five years ago. :mad:
How do you figure they need a back up goalie? Remember Enroth?

They can move players too. Kotalik and Morrisson are candidates for Rochester, which removes the cap hit.

[Dr. Lecter]

Brain fart, the first post was before I saw the site already did the math for me.
Add Enroth to the RFA list. How much do you think it will take to sign Enroth, Gerbe, Weber and Sekera? Plus, Myers and Ennis are up next year.
To sign all four? Maybe 6 million at most.

[Philagape]

Myers - under contract
Weber - been qualified and will be signed
Reigher - under contract
Sekera - been qualified and will be signed
Gragnani - been qualified and will be signed
Leopold - under contract.

Think we are set.....

But the others don't count under the cap right now.

[THATHURMANATOR]

they already said no one will be bought out.

didnt richards say he wants to play in a small market?
When did they say no one will be bought out?

[Dr. Lecter]

But the others don't count under the cap right now.
No,but they are not expensive either.

[THATHURMANATOR]

They could bury them in Rochester as well.

[Dr. Lecter]

Buying these guys out makes no sense - there is still a cap hit and they need to replace the body.

Sending them to Rochester makes much more sense

[THATHURMANATOR]

But the others don't count under the cap right now.
They won't command big money. Under 4 mil for all three. Possibly under 3 mil for all three.

[Philagape]

We'll see. Considering Myers and Ennis, I still don't see room for a major FA without dumping one of the core guys. Think anyone will take Pominville and his $5.5 million?

[Mski]

i already started a thread about this but... stamkos will likely bring in the cap max offer sheet ~12.8mil (sabres cant afford him) Richards will likely be close to ~10mil

[Dr. Lecter]

We'll see. Considering Myers and Ennis, I still don't see room for a major FA without dumping one of the core guys. Think anyone will take Pominville and his $5.5 million?


After this year Hecht and Boyes, over 7 million total, come off the cap.

Ennis won't be crazy expensive either.

[Philagape]

And nowhere did I account for Connolly either. I really hope we don't have to.

[ddaryl]

we have to make a move or 2... A top center would be great but pickins are slim... Adding more bad ass defensemen also works.


As for excitement.. It Pegula's 1st offseason.. yeah that alone makes it more exciting

[OpIv37]

we have to make a move or 2... A top center would be great but pickins are slim... Adding more bad ass defensemen also works.


As for excitement.. It Pegula's 1st offseason.. yeah that alone makes it more exciting

I think part of it is just that we are talking Buffalo sports here, and disappointment is par for the course. Pegula has said all the right things, but we don't know if he'll actually DO them yet.

20 years (give or take) of being a Buffalo sports fan has made me jaded enough that I'll believe it when I see it.

[Ebenezer]

But the others don't count under the cap right now.

I believe that in the NHL, during the offseason, teams can exceep the cap (there may be some sort of maximum percentage that they can exceed). The cap only is calculated from the first day of the regular season.

[OpIv37]

i already started a thread about this but... stamkos will likely bring in the cap max offer sheet ~12.8mil (sabres cant afford him) Richards will likely be close to ~10mil

Is there a listing of available cap space by team somewhere? How are these guys going to get that much if no one has the cap room to make it happen?

[Ebenezer]

Is there a listing of available cap space by team somewhere? How are these guys going to get that much if no one has the cap room to make it happen?


http://www.capgeek.com/

try reading the CBA - it is painful.

[Ebenezer]

btw, if you look forward in the Sabres Cap years it is next year, imo, that they really become players. they currently only have seven players under contract (granted it is for $30 mil) but that will mean that they will have $35 mil (at least) to spend (before accounting for Myers and some other RFAs). They could still have $15-20 mil to make two major moves after the 2011-12 season.

[trapezeus]

btw, if you look forward in the Sabres Cap years it is next year, imo, that they really become players. they currently only have seven players under contract (granted it is for $30 mil) but that will mean that they will have $35 mil (at least) to spend (before accounting for Myers and some other RFAs). They could still have $15-20 mil to make two major moves after the 2011-12 season.

and if this is true, it makes a one year deal for connolly somewhat tolerable.

[chernobylwraiths]

Dude Morrison is most assuradely going to be bought out and same holds true with Kotalik. ESPECIALLY if there is a free agent they want. Add 5 mil to the total easily.

IMO, neither get bought out. They both possibly go down to Rochester.

[Ebenezer]

and if this is true, it makes a one year deal for connolly somewhat tolerable.

The fact is that there are very few centers who are going to be available. If they don't get Richards or Stampkos then who should they go after and what will the cost be? This is a weak FA class and, sadly, they might to suck it up for one more year and live with Connolly.

[chernobylwraiths]

I think Connolly will see what he can make on the open market. At least I hope so. Thinking he would take 2 million or under to stay here before finding out what he could make is crazy IMO.

[chernobylwraiths]

Kennedy from Pittsburgh never got tendered, so he might become an UFA. Is he a center?

[Ebenezer]

Kennedy from Pittsburgh never got tendered, so him might become an UFA. Is he a center?

Nice grammar!!


To answer your question, yes.

[chernobylwraiths]

Nice grammar!!


To answer your question, yes.

LOL, thanks!

[Mski]

I believe that in the NHL, during the offseason, teams can exceep the cap (there may be some sort of maximum percentage that they can exceed). The cap only is calculated from the first day of the regular season.i think it's 10% + the value of any injured players contract

[Mski]

i think chris higgins is a UFA this year, dont think he's #1 type center, and pretty sure he hasnt played center since he left montreal, but i think he's an upgrade

[JD]

I believe it was on draft day.. Regier said nobody would be bought out. Everyone will compete for a spot on the starting roster, those who do not make the cut will spend the year in Rochester. Those who are shipped to the farm will not have a cap hit.

[DraftBoy]

Reports Ive read on Twitter are saying Richards to NYR is a done deal.

[OpIv37]

Reports Ive read on Twitter are saying Richards to NYR is a done deal.

is that a violation of tampering rules? FA doesn't start til Friday...

[SabreEleven]

I'm excited we can even have this conversation now.

[tampabay25690]

Reports Ive read on Twitter are saying Richards to NYR is a done deal.

Maybe but maybe not........

I did just hear that the Sabres are not going to let Richards make that decision to easy.......
The SABRES are going to make a run at Richards, they are thinking it's going to be in the $6-6.5 mill per season area.......
The owner and the staff are trying to get Brad to make his decision and come to Buffalo....
If I find out more u will know....
It's nice to hear good news once in a while.......

I do know they are very active getting ready for Friday.
The whole front office staff will be together today because they are finishing the deal with the AMERKS today........My guy is with them the next few days......

[Dr. Lecter]

Imagine the fun you could have if someone walked up, handed over $15 million and said, "You can spend this Friday if you want."

That's essentially the situation in which Darcy Regier finds himself.

The Buffalo Sabres' general manager is two days away from Christmas in July, also known as the opening of NHL free agency. In the past, Regier has expressed his disdain for July 1, bemoaning the high-priced deals that ruin the salary structure he envisions.

This year, thanks to owner Terry Pegula and his open-wallet policy, Regier is eagerly anticipating Friday's noon start of the market.

"You have to give, in this case Terry, a tremendous amount of credit because he's opened up the ability for us to focus on unrestricted free agents and given us the resources," Regier said. "It's a small list this year, but knowing that we have the ability to compete for those players with the other teams is tremendous."

The Sabres would like to add a forward (preferably a center) and a defenseman to their roster. They have enough money to go after any players they want.

The salary cap has risen to $64.3 million for 2011-12, up $4.9 million from last season. The Sabres, according to salary numbers from CapGeek.com, have 15 players signed for $51.8 million. That leaves $12.5 million available. They have committed $3.9 million to their key restricted free agents (forward Nathan Gerbe, goaltender Jhonas Enroth and defensemen Andrej Sekera, Mike Weber and Marc-Andre Gragnani), leaving them with $8.6 million in cap room.

In the summertime, teams can spend 10 percent above the salary cap. That additional $6.4 million provides the Sabres with $15 million to entice the available talent.

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/sabres-nhl/article471490.ece

[OpIv37]

If the Sabres spend above the cap now, then they have to rectify it by the start of the season, correct?

If they spend to the max, it all but guarantees that Kotalik AND Morisson will be in Rochester next year.

[OpIv37]

Maybe but maybe not........

I did just hear that the Sabres are not going to let Richards make that decision to easy.......
The SABRES are going to make a run at Richards, they are thinking it's going to be in the $6-6.5 mill per season area.......
The owner and the staff are trying to get Brad to make his decision and come to Buffalo....
If I find out more u will know....
It's nice to hear good news once in a while.......

I do know they are very active getting ready for Friday.
The whole front office staff will be together today because they are finishing the deal with the AMERKS today........My guy is with them the next few days......

I'll be shocked if $6.5MM a year gets Richards. Can't hurt to make the offer though.

[Dr. Lecter]

If the Sabres spend above the cap now, then they have to rectify it by the start of the season, correct?

If they spend to the max, it all but guarantees that Kotalik AND Morisson will be in Rochester next year.
Yes.

There are other options though too besides sending those guys to Rochester.

Like Florida is way below the cap right now. So they might take a Morrisson, Kotalik or Hecht in a trade just to hit the cap floor.

I just want Kotalik to play for the Sabres during a Versus game that I am watching so I can hear the announcers call him "Kot-a-lick" again.

[chernobylwraiths]

GR reporting this morning from some source that Richards is looking for about an 8 year deal worth $56 mil.

[Dr. Lecter]

I'll be shocked if $6.5MM a year gets Richards. Can't hurt to make the offer though.
The structure of the deal might be key.

Give hime 10 million this year, then a few years at 7 or 8 an work your way down so the last few years are a 2 million or less so he can be bought out when he hits 35 or so. He still gets a boatload of money and when he is washed up, the Sabres can buy him out with minimal cap hit.

[trapezeus]

richards concussion at the trade deadline line and his age scare me. i'd be willing to part with someone for stamkos because he's younger and seems like a 10 year superstar.

a richards move says, "win now." and they will need to give the team more than a resigned connolly to win now. but they'll have the goaltending and possibly the defense to pull this off.

pretty much any move on July 1st other than watching sabres leave will be greeted with flowers and jazz hands by me.

and i am surprised that richards can be bought at 7mm a year. that could be a result of other teams not having the space in their budget for more.

[THATHURMANATOR]

If the Sabres spend above the cap now, then they have to rectify it by the start of the season, correct?

If they spend to the max, it all but guarantees that Kotalik AND Morisson will be in Rochester next year.
They are like 13 mill UNDER not counting the RFAs which won't amount to more than 5Mil. That is counting Kotalik and Morrison.

We have more than enough room to get Richards.

I honestly will not be surprised if the Sabres land him.

[OpIv37]

They are like 13 mill UNDER not counting the RFAs which won't amount to more than 5Mil. That is counting Kotalik and Morrison.

We have more than enough room to get Richards.

I honestly will not be surprised if the Sabres land him.

If we are 13 mill under, counting Kotalik and Morrisson, but not counting RFA's, and RFA's total 5 mil like you said, that gives us 8 mil against the cap.

If we got Richards, it would be our only move without going over the actual cap. With that 10% leeway, we could grab Richards and one more player in the 4-5 mill range, but then we'd have to clear some cap to get below the actual cap before the start of the season.

So, long story short, we could get Richards without having to trade/demote anyone, but that would be our only move.

[tampabay25690]

I'll be shocked if $6.5MM a year gets Richards. Can't hurt to make the offer though.

He is there big priority I do know that.....
Could get interesting they are also looking for another D guy...

[tampabay25690]

GR reporting this morning from some source that Richards is looking for about an 8 year deal worth $56 mil.

I dont think he is worth that type of $$$$

[tampabay25690]

Stamkos would be the guy I want over Richards all day....

Stamkos fits the Sabres system like a tee......
But Richards fits as well....

[Dr. Lecter]

Stamkos would be the guy I want over Richards all day....

Stamkos fits the Sabres system like a tee......
But Richards fits as well....
Stamkos will be almost impossible to get. Tampa has right of first refusal. If they get him long term (a one year deal is not worht the picks it would cost) that might mean Myers and Ennis are history.

And interesting name to go after though - for sure.

[Philagape]

I believe that in the NHL, during the offseason, teams can exceep the cap (there may be some sort of maximum percentage that they can exceed). The cap only is calculated from the first day of the regular season.

You are correct, they can go 10 percent ($6.4 mil) over.
I feel better now.

I really hope they have a chance at Richards. He's the definition of what they need: a true No. 1 center, a leader, a playoff performer, someone who can make them a legit contender. If he passes whatever medical tests they run, it's worth the risk.

[trapezeus]

stamkos would only require us to part with our 4 years of first round picks, right? if you buy that the sabres are a win now team and trust there is enough talent in the system (kassian, adam, foligno, etc), the sabres could use their d (which is getting strong through trades), an all world goalie in miller and a legit star at center with stamkos and roy as a really good number 2.

i'm more for getting stamkos than relying on an old vet

[THATHURMANATOR]

We can't get Stamkos. Why even think about it?

[OpIv37]

What happens if Tampa Bay doesn't have the cap space to give Stamkos the contract he wants, and no one is willing to give up the 4 1st rounders to sign him to an offer sheet?

[Dr. Lecter]

stamkos would only require us to part with our 4 years of first round picks, right? if you buy that the sabres are a win now team and trust there is enough talent in the system (kassian, adam, foligno, etc), the sabres could use their d (which is getting strong through trades), an all world goalie in miller and a legit star at center with stamkos and roy as a really good number 2.

i'm more for getting stamkos than relying on an old vet
I am OK with the 4 picks, but only if it is along term deal. And I am not sure they can give him a long term deal that will not be matched.

[Philagape]

I think Richards is just as much of a win-now factor as Stamkos, and would be cheaper and with less commitment.
Over the past two seasons, the two of them are 6th and 7th in the league in points per game.
Richards is 31, not old in the NHL. He's two and half years younger than Briere. He can offer Stanley Cup experience and leadership that Stamkos can't.
The only caveat for Richards is his health.

[SkateZilla]

Richards wants 55 Million / 8 Years, Err Maybe
Stable Ownership, Check
Small market, Check
Young Team, Check.



About a 6.8 Mill Cap Hit.

[DraftBoy]

is that a violation of tampering rules? FA doesn't start til Friday...

And your point is?

[tampabay25690]

Stamkos will be almost impossible to get. Tampa has right of first refusal. If they get him long term (a one year deal is not worht the picks it would cost) that might mean Myers and Ennis are history.

And interesting name to go after though - for sure.

Problem is Tampa already has $$ invested in Vinny and Marty...
Stamkos is going to what huge $$$...
To be honest I don't know how much he wants but I do agree I don't think he is coming to B-LO but a real nice thought.....

[OpIv37]

Stamkos will be almost impossible to get. Tampa has right of first refusal. If they get him long term (a one year deal is not worht the picks it would cost) that might mean Myers and Ennis are history.

And interesting name to go after though - for sure.

I'd give up Ennis for Stamkos without thinking twice.

But we can't afford to lose Myers.

[OpIv37]

And your point is?

usually they at least pretend to play by the rules and don't have contract teams and terms coming out 48 hours before FA starts.

[SabreEleven]

Wasn't there a FA who signed like 5 minutes after the FA period opened a year or two back?....no tampering there :rolleyes:

[chernobylwraiths]

What happens if Tampa Bay doesn't have the cap space to give Stamkos the contract he wants, and no one is willing to give up the 4 1st rounders to sign him to an offer sheet?

Michael Peca come to mind? There are others, I think Yashin was one of the biggest names.

[OpIv37]

Wasn't there a FA who signed like 5 minutes after the FA period opened a year or two back?....no tampering there :rolleyes:

Not sure about NHL but that happens EVERY year in the NFL. The agents start talking to GM's at the combine, things get worked out, the contract is faxed over at exactly 12:00 am on March 1, signed and faxed back at 12:01 am.

But, there's generally very little discussion or even rumors prior to it happening. When the news comes out that early, if it turns out to be true, the NHL would pretty much have to investigate to avoid making their tampering rules appear completely useless.

[chernobylwraiths]

Problem is Tampa already has $$ invested in Vinny and Marty...
Stamkos is going to what huge $$$...
To be honest I don't know how much he wants but I do agree I don't think he is coming to B-LO but a real nice thought.....

Vinny, St. Louis, Malone, no goalie, Hedman to be a free agent next year (is there another high priced player I forgot about?) ... They only have so much cap room.

[OpIv37]

Michael Peca come to mind? There are others, I think Yashin was one of the biggest names.

I remember both of those players but not their contract situations.

[chernobylwraiths]

I remember both of those players but not their contract situations.

Peca wanted like $4 mil a year as a restricted free agent and the Sabres I think were around $2.5-3. He ended up sitting out for the year.

I was wrong on Yashin, he held out while under contract.

[CuseJetsFan83]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=370367



The Montreal Canadiens have traded the rights to defenceman James Wisniewski (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/?name=james+wisniewski) to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2012.

The pick will become a fifth-rounder if Columbus actually signs him.
Columbus will have an exclusive window until Friday to negotiate a new contract with Wisniewski before he becomes an unrestricted free agent.


one of the rumor sites said the sabres were offering the same but only a conditional 6th, so the bluejackets one upped.... i wouldn't mind him on the blueline as well. only 27 and still deserves a chance

[CuseJetsFan83]

TheFourthPeriod (http://twitter.com/#%21/TheFourthPeriod) David Pagnotta



Told the Islanders offered more than $5M per year for Ehrhoff, on a multi-year deal, but the d-man declined.

he's another one that wants big money..... but to the right team... i'd pass on ehrhoff though

[CuseJetsFan83]

and to those wanting to join the stamkos sweepstakes... this is the philly rumored offer...

[/URL]

[URL="http://twitter.com/#%21/DNFlyers"]DNFlyers (http://twitter.com/#%21/DNFlyers) Frank Seravalli by wyshynski



Would 12 yrs and $115 mil ($9.58M AAV) w/ no-movement clause from start on offer sheet to Stamkos be a poison pill for Tampa? Interesting.

[CuseJetsFan83]

go to TSN.ca now.... they have a thing about the sabres :) on the video section.... saying how pegula + $$ = hope to spend in FA, and may be one of the top bidders for richards

[psubills62]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=370367




one of the rumor sites said the sabres were offering the same but only a conditional 6th, so the bluejackets one upped.... i wouldn't mind him on the blueline as well. only 27 and still deserves a chance
:huh:

Since when is a conditional 7th "upping" a conditional 6th? Did the Sabres actually offer a conditional 7th that would turn into a 6th if he signed and Columbus upped it to a conditional 7th that becomes a 5th if he signs?

[SkateZilla]

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=370390