If we were going to sign anybody to a huge contract

[chernobylwraiths]

I guess I would like to sign somebody like Joe Thorton. He is a bit of a loose cannon, but if he can learn to control his temper, he is the force that Buffalo could embrace.

[Turf]

Re: If we were going to sign anybody to a huge contract

That's who I wish they'd throw their wad at. Give him his 6-7 million and be over it already.

[Don Cherry]

Re: If we were going to sign anybody to a huge contract

He is a Restricted FA.

He has already rejected a 5 year $25 million deal. Looking for $6-7 Million, probably for at least 5 years- or until he hits the UFA age.

If he were to be signed by Buffalo- they would have to give up at least 4 first round draft picks.

From ESPN

Here is the official free agents list as released by the NHL after the free agency period began at noon ET on Monday.

GROUP II COMPENSATION
OFFER	COMPENSATION
$660,000 or below	None
Over $660,000-$1 million	3rd-round choice
Over $1M-$2M	2nd-round choice
Over $2M-$3M	1st-round choice and 3rd-round choice
Over $3M-$4M	1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-round choices
Over $4M-$5M	Two 1st-round choices, one 2nd- and one 3rd-round choice
Over $5 million	Four 1st-round choices

Group II Free Agents
The most restrictive of all groups. Should a Group II free agent sign an offer sheet from another team, the team that owns his rights has the option of matching the offer or receiving compensation in the form of draft picks from the new team. Draft choice compensation is based on the amount offered by the new club. Original clubs must tender a qualifying offer, a minimum amount based on the player's previous salary, to qualify for matching rights and compensation.

Qualifying age/experience: Group II free agents are players 30 and younger as of June 30 who have been tendered qualifying offers by their teams.

[Don Cherry]

Re: If we were going to sign anybody to a huge contract

Now if Boston can't get him to agree long term- then the Bruins will field offers- be ready to give up Vanek, Tallinder, & Biron for starters

[SabreEleven]

Re: If we were going to sign anybody to a huge contract

And they probably wouldn't want to send him to a division rival. Just like the Flyers sent Roenick to the west coast

[Canadian'eh!]

Re: If we were going to sign anybody to a huge contract

Now if Boston can't get him to agree long term- then the Bruins will field offers- be ready to give up Vanek, Tallinder, & Biron for starters

Their goalie was rookie of the year.... what would they want the very average Biron for? I think you need to start with names like Drury, Afinaganov and Conolley.

Not to mention the divsional problem.

not happening.

[chernobylwraiths]

Re: If we were going to sign anybody to a huge contract

Forgot he was a RFA.

[Don Cherry]

Re: If we were going to sign anybody to a huge contract

Their goalie was rookie of the year.... what would they want the very average Biron for? I think you need to start with names like Drury, Afinaganov and Conolley.

Not to mention the divsional problem.

not happening.

Raycroft isn't going to play 70 plus games. Felix Potvin is a Free agent. They will want a veteran presence between the pipes who can give them 35-40 games- Biron might be too expensive (Nooronen maybe a better fit) - but the point is- he will cost the Sabres a lot of their top talent .

I'm sure Chris Drury would be high on their list.

[Turf]

Re: If we were going to sign anybody to a huge contract

Raycroft isn't going to play 70 plus games. Felix Potvin is a Free agent. They will want a veteran presence between the pipes who can give them 35-40 games- Biron might be too expensive (Nooronen maybe a better fit) - but the point is- he will cost the Sabres a lot of their top talent .

I'm sure Chris Drury would be high on their list.

Whens the last first round pick we had that panned out. I say go for him, he's worth it.

[pyrrhonist]

Re: If we were going to sign anybody to a huge contract

There aren't many players worth that many draft picks.

If we want Darcy to throw some solid money at a player, we need him to bid for Hamrlik. IMO, we still need another blueliner on this squad. I haven't even heard Hamrlik talked about at all. He's no Niedermayer or Foote, but he is a decent mix of defense with offense.

Also, another solid scoring winger is needed on this team, to replace Satan (Keep that Vanek gibberish down...he's going to be good, but let's not expect 41 goals in his first year at the NHL level). He's a bit older, but what about Peter Bondra? Or, since I believe he should be paid less for his crappy past 3 years, what about Teemu? Perhaps with the "new" NHL atmosphere, he can return to his old 76-goal form?

[Dozerdog]

Re: If we were going to sign anybody to a huge contract

How about getting Mogilny back??

[Myers57]

Re: If we were going to sign anybody to a huge contract

That would be pretty sweet and word has it he is still available...

[Crisis]

Re: If we were going to sign anybody to a huge contract

Their goalie was rookie of the year.... what would they want the very average Biron for? I think you need to start with names like Drury, Afinaganov and Conolley.

Not to mention the divsional problem.

not happening.

I'll personally drive Connelly to the airport.

[chernobylwraiths]

Re: If we were going to sign anybody to a huge contract

I'll personally drive Connelly to the airport.

I'll pay for his ticket.

[Dozerdog]

Re: If we were going to sign anybody to a huge contract

Their goalie was rookie of the year.... what would they want the very average Biron for? I think you need to start with names like Drury, Afinaganov and Conolley.

Not to mention the divsional problem.

not happening.

I think the whole thing behind trading Thornton would be the Bruins would want GOOD players- They will set the price- not someone trying to dump garbage.

Drury is a start, but they wold want a lot more