Or, "reboot."
Or the old-fashioned, "rebuild."
Which ever way you slice it, the Buffalo Sabres are looking towards the future.
GM Darcy Regier used the term, "rolling back organizationally," as if anyone really cares. I'm sure many fans in Buffalo would prefer a straight-shooterinstead so a euphemism like that should be thrown on an iceberg heading over the Falls.
Sabres President Ted Black said he prefers "reboot." He said, jokingly, he wants to here Canadians say "it's all aboot the reboot."
Nice attempt at humor from Owner Terry Pegula's PR-guy.
Or how about peeling off another core player from a group that failed.
Regier's "core," or as Black put it, "the Rochester Guys," are being dismantled piece by piece and there are only two left--Thomas Vanek and Ryan Miller (maybe three if you want to include cusp core-guy Drew Stafford.)
Shall we go through the list again?
Tim Connolly, Paul Gaustad, Derek Roy and now Jason Pominville all gone, along with the long-time coach of "the core," Lindy Ruff.
Pegula gave this group a full-blown opportunity to show what they could do last season. The organization went all in with "the core" by sewing letters on all of them: Pominville, Captain; Gaustad, Roy, Vanek and Stafford, Assistants.
The result? An ugly first-half of the season lowlighted by Miller getting steam-rolled by Milan Lucic with no retribution and the longest road losing streak in team history December through January.
During the 2012 off-season the team decided that they needed to be "tougher to play against." Out the door was Roy. In was Steve Ott. They also brought in enforcer John Scott.
The result?
Near the bottom of the league again. Out goes the coach. Out goes the captain.
The Sabres refrained from completely blowing it up for one reason or another, and it's a good thing.
There will be opportunities for the team to move Vanek and Miller this summer or even as late as the trade deadline next season. Both will be on the last year of their respective contracts.
Stafford could be moved next season as well. He'll have two years remaining on his contract.
Word on the street right now is that Vanek and Miller do not want to go through a lengthy rebuild and would be open to getting traded. And it would seem as if management will have no qualms about moving either or both. Too many times in the past Sabres let unrestricted free agents leave without a return. Pegula's directive to Regier is make sure you get something in return for pending UFA's of quality.
The return Regier received for Gaustad, Roy and Pominville can not be disputed: A first round pick for Gaustad, Ott for Roy, a first, second and two prospects for Pominville. He's gathering picks for the "organizational rollback."
But, will he be the one in charge of the rebuild come seasons' end?
That's up for discussion in the next few months.
Showing posts with label 2013 trade deadline. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2013 trade deadline. Show all posts
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
2013 Trade deadline day
The trade deadline is upon us. Time for some thoughts and speculation as to what the Buffalo Sabres might do today.
Sabres GM Darcy Regier already has begun making moves. It's unusual for him. Normally he's the type of GM that waits until today, even late into the day, to make his moves.
But, this past Saturday he traded defenseman Jordan Leopold to St. Louis for a 2013 second-rounder and a conditional 5th (could be a 4th if the Blues advance one round in the playoffs.)
On Monday Regier traded defenseman Robyn Regehr to the LA Kings for second-rounders in 2014 and 2015.
I can't help but think that sub-consciously, Regier's on some kind of karmic mission to come full-circle. He traded away second-round picks three consecutive years: Dominic Moore, 2009; Raffi Torres, 2010; Brad Boyes, 2011.
Of note, Leopold and Regehr joined the previously traded TJ Brennan (FLA, 5th round pick) as three of the Sabres top-eight d-men have already been traded. And there's one more that has the potential as well.
Defenseman Adam Pardy, like Leopold and Regehr, will be an unrestricted free agent at season's end and he might be on the block as well.
Considering that veteran defensemen are a hot commodity at this time of year, it wouldn't be surprising if he's the fourth of Buffalo's original top-eight defenseman to be moved.
And it wouldn't be too surprising if the stay-at-home, mid-bottom pairing d-man fetches a second rounder as well.
The Sabres also have two more pending UFA's in forwards Jochen Hecht and John Scott.
Regier may convince a contender looking for depth that Hecht has value. If he could get anything higher than a 7th-rounder in 2022 it would be a semi-miracle.
As for Scott, he's an enforcer whom I happen to like and hope the Sabres re-sign. Not sure there's a market for him.
Then there's the Sabres "Big-3": Ryan Miller, Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville.
All carry pretty hefty cap-hits, all are considered to be upper-level players and all will be UFA's at the end of next season. But two of them, Miller and Pominville, have limited no-trade clauses where they name eight teams they do not wish to be traded to.
Breaking it down, the most likely to be moved is Pominville.
A solid top-six winger who plays in all situations, Pominville is known for his consistency and smart play.
He's been in a slump lately and for this writer, it could be the beginning of his plateauing (maybe even decline.)
Any number of teams in the playoff hunt, in a playoff spot or with Cup-aspirations could use a player like him.
Andrew Peters mentioned the New Jersey Devils as a perfect fit. I concur.
The market for goalies is thin, but it's being said that there are at least three on the market: Roberto Louongo (VAN,) Mikka Kiprusoff (CGY) and Miller.
In regards to Miller, two teams that would most definitely be in the market are Toronto and Winnipeg. Methinks, though, that both of those teams would be on Miller's no-trade list.
The best fit for Miller, as I've mentioned a couple of times already, would be St. Louis. Their goaltending tandem of Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott have come back to earth. They have a young up and coming goalie in Jake Allen who has mad potetntial.
Having Allen behind Miller for the next season and change would be a solid tandem that could carry a well-rounded, solid defensive team deep into the playoffs.
It might not happen today, but could happen at the draft.
As for Vanek.
He does not have a NTC and there would be a number of teams interested in his services. Because of that teams like Columbus, Winnipeg and Edmonton could all be destinations with a strong return coming back.
Of all the "Big-3," Regier has the most flexibility with Vanek and it would make him the most tradeable.
But Vanek is the only true top-line player on the team. They might wait until next year's deadline to see where the team is and find out what Vanek's thinking.
Another Sabres player that's getting a lot of attention is power forward Drew Stafford.
Stafford is having a very poor year, but is young, big and has scored 30+ goals in a year.
It's been reported that a number of teams are interested in Staff this morning and if the price is right, he'll be gone.
Columbus, who has three first-rounders at the draft this year, would make the most sense. They've already said that the LA first-rounder is in play. Is Stafford worth a first round pick?
Was Paul Gaustad last season?
So.
Because everyone's into predictions here's mine for the Sabres:
--Adam Pardy to any number of teams for a 2013 second round pick
--Jochen Hecht: goin' nowhere
--John Scott: goin' nowhere
--Jason Pominville and a mid-low level prospect (Luke Adam?) to New Jersey for a first-rounder, a future second and a fourth or fifth.
--Ryan Miller to St. Louis, either today or at the draft, for Jaroslav Halak, a prospect and a future first-rounder.
--Thomas Vanek: goin' nowhere
--Drew Stafford and a lower pick (maybe even Hecht?) to Columbus for LA's 2013 first-rounder
Optimistic?
Why not?
Sabres GM Darcy Regier already has begun making moves. It's unusual for him. Normally he's the type of GM that waits until today, even late into the day, to make his moves.
But, this past Saturday he traded defenseman Jordan Leopold to St. Louis for a 2013 second-rounder and a conditional 5th (could be a 4th if the Blues advance one round in the playoffs.)
On Monday Regier traded defenseman Robyn Regehr to the LA Kings for second-rounders in 2014 and 2015.
I can't help but think that sub-consciously, Regier's on some kind of karmic mission to come full-circle. He traded away second-round picks three consecutive years: Dominic Moore, 2009; Raffi Torres, 2010; Brad Boyes, 2011.
Of note, Leopold and Regehr joined the previously traded TJ Brennan (FLA, 5th round pick) as three of the Sabres top-eight d-men have already been traded. And there's one more that has the potential as well.
Defenseman Adam Pardy, like Leopold and Regehr, will be an unrestricted free agent at season's end and he might be on the block as well.
Considering that veteran defensemen are a hot commodity at this time of year, it wouldn't be surprising if he's the fourth of Buffalo's original top-eight defenseman to be moved.
And it wouldn't be too surprising if the stay-at-home, mid-bottom pairing d-man fetches a second rounder as well.
The Sabres also have two more pending UFA's in forwards Jochen Hecht and John Scott.
Regier may convince a contender looking for depth that Hecht has value. If he could get anything higher than a 7th-rounder in 2022 it would be a semi-miracle.
As for Scott, he's an enforcer whom I happen to like and hope the Sabres re-sign. Not sure there's a market for him.
Then there's the Sabres "Big-3": Ryan Miller, Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville.
All carry pretty hefty cap-hits, all are considered to be upper-level players and all will be UFA's at the end of next season. But two of them, Miller and Pominville, have limited no-trade clauses where they name eight teams they do not wish to be traded to.
Breaking it down, the most likely to be moved is Pominville.
A solid top-six winger who plays in all situations, Pominville is known for his consistency and smart play.
He's been in a slump lately and for this writer, it could be the beginning of his plateauing (maybe even decline.)
Any number of teams in the playoff hunt, in a playoff spot or with Cup-aspirations could use a player like him.
Andrew Peters mentioned the New Jersey Devils as a perfect fit. I concur.
The market for goalies is thin, but it's being said that there are at least three on the market: Roberto Louongo (VAN,) Mikka Kiprusoff (CGY) and Miller.
In regards to Miller, two teams that would most definitely be in the market are Toronto and Winnipeg. Methinks, though, that both of those teams would be on Miller's no-trade list.
The best fit for Miller, as I've mentioned a couple of times already, would be St. Louis. Their goaltending tandem of Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott have come back to earth. They have a young up and coming goalie in Jake Allen who has mad potetntial.
Having Allen behind Miller for the next season and change would be a solid tandem that could carry a well-rounded, solid defensive team deep into the playoffs.
It might not happen today, but could happen at the draft.
As for Vanek.
He does not have a NTC and there would be a number of teams interested in his services. Because of that teams like Columbus, Winnipeg and Edmonton could all be destinations with a strong return coming back.
Of all the "Big-3," Regier has the most flexibility with Vanek and it would make him the most tradeable.
But Vanek is the only true top-line player on the team. They might wait until next year's deadline to see where the team is and find out what Vanek's thinking.
Another Sabres player that's getting a lot of attention is power forward Drew Stafford.
Stafford is having a very poor year, but is young, big and has scored 30+ goals in a year.
It's been reported that a number of teams are interested in Staff this morning and if the price is right, he'll be gone.
Columbus, who has three first-rounders at the draft this year, would make the most sense. They've already said that the LA first-rounder is in play. Is Stafford worth a first round pick?
Was Paul Gaustad last season?
So.
Because everyone's into predictions here's mine for the Sabres:
--Adam Pardy to any number of teams for a 2013 second round pick
--Jochen Hecht: goin' nowhere
--John Scott: goin' nowhere
--Jason Pominville and a mid-low level prospect (Luke Adam?) to New Jersey for a first-rounder, a future second and a fourth or fifth.
--Ryan Miller to St. Louis, either today or at the draft, for Jaroslav Halak, a prospect and a future first-rounder.
--Thomas Vanek: goin' nowhere
--Drew Stafford and a lower pick (maybe even Hecht?) to Columbus for LA's 2013 first-rounder
Optimistic?
Why not?
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Miller-time in the home of Budweiser?
It was a good week to be on a Pennsylvania road-trip.
Taking in Gettysburg, munching on Philly cheesesteaks, clanging the Liberty Bell and visiting the Stoogeum was a much better way to spend the week than watching Buffalo flounder in the Sunshine State.
The Sabres garnered one of a possible four points in Florida.
As much as I love Bill Hoppe and his buffalohockeybeat blog, it's hard to think that this coming weekend is "make or break" for the team with the April 3 trade deadline fast approaching.
"Make or break," really, was this past Tuesday and Thursday, and it may turn out to be "break."
Riding a three game winning streak into the week, the Sabres proceeded to sleepwalk through 56:52 of the Tampa game before scoring in a 2-1 loss to the Lightening.
Two nights later, they dropped a 5-4 decision in the shootout to the last place Panthers.
With Buffalo playing a surging Washington tonight and the always-tough Boston Bruins tomorrow, my bet is on another "break."
Which leads us to the trade deadline on Wednesday.
And, quite possibly the trade of longtime Sabre goalie, Ryan Miller.
Writer Chris Peters of cbssportsline put Miller in his Five remaining targets for the deadline. The Sabres goaltender comes in at #2 behind Calgary Flames defenseman Jay Bouwmeester.
Calgary, it might be added, raised the white flag on this season by trading captain Jarome Iginla to the Pittsburgh Penguins this past week.
As for Miller, he (as well as Jason Pominville) has a limited no-trade clause in which he (and Pominville) names eight teams he won't accept a trade to.
According to Andy Strickland (via Peters,) "Ryan Miller gave the Sabres a list of 8 teams he wont accept a trade to before the season. Buffalo has 22 options if they want to deal him." (actually 21, but who's counting.)
Twenty-one options for GM Darcy Regier, but very few, if any, teams in the market for a #1 goalie with one more year left on a contract at a $6.25M cap-hit.
Nearly three weeks ago, Sportsnet.ca's Nick Kypreos got the ball rolling by saying that Miller's name is popping up in the trade-market.
Brian Stubits of cbssportsline followed that up in a piece on Miller with question-marks surrounding the team and also pointing to a very thin market for goalies.
Back on March 15, I surmised that despite a thin market for goalies, especially with playoff-bound and playoff-hopeful teams, there is one team that should get a hard look--the St. Louis Blues.
The Blues play the best team-defense in the league giving up a league-leading 24 shots per game.
But their goaltending is suspect as they're 18th in the league in goals-against (2.79/game.)
St. Louis started out with last seasons' goaltending tandem sensation of Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliot. But they have faltered.
The Blues brought up rookie goalie Jake Allen who was terrific at first, but is declining.
Their individual save percentage goes like this:
In their three losses, Halak gave up three goals on 17 shots (.824 sv. %) at Calgary, Allen gave up three goals on seven shots before getting yanked in a 3-0 loss to Edmonton and Halak stopped 31 of 34 shots vs. Los Angeles.
Also of note, Elliot has been sent down on a conditioning stint.
St. Louis and their team-defense in front of a positional goalie like Miller would form a pretty stout line of defense. Miller and his .911 sv,% (on a team that gives up the second most shots/game in the league--33.0) would go well with the Blues' 2.79 goals/game (the Sabres score at a 2.56 goals/game clip.)
Buffalo, in return, could tap into the organizational depth of the Blues up-front--maybe a David Perron, Patrick Berglund or Jaden Schwartz--and probably receive a pick in the 2013 draft (as well as taking Halak off of their hands.)
Right now, St. Louis has the chips because of the thin goalie market, but if they falter in net on Monday, they might consider dealing for a playoff-proven veteran goalie like Miller and have Allen serve as his back-up.
Maybe St. Louis and Buffalo can pull off one of those coveted "hockey trades" that is good for both teams and good for the sport as well.
Taking in Gettysburg, munching on Philly cheesesteaks, clanging the Liberty Bell and visiting the Stoogeum was a much better way to spend the week than watching Buffalo flounder in the Sunshine State.
The Sabres garnered one of a possible four points in Florida.
As much as I love Bill Hoppe and his buffalohockeybeat blog, it's hard to think that this coming weekend is "make or break" for the team with the April 3 trade deadline fast approaching.
"Make or break," really, was this past Tuesday and Thursday, and it may turn out to be "break."
Riding a three game winning streak into the week, the Sabres proceeded to sleepwalk through 56:52 of the Tampa game before scoring in a 2-1 loss to the Lightening.
Two nights later, they dropped a 5-4 decision in the shootout to the last place Panthers.
With Buffalo playing a surging Washington tonight and the always-tough Boston Bruins tomorrow, my bet is on another "break."
Which leads us to the trade deadline on Wednesday.
And, quite possibly the trade of longtime Sabre goalie, Ryan Miller.
Writer Chris Peters of cbssportsline put Miller in his Five remaining targets for the deadline. The Sabres goaltender comes in at #2 behind Calgary Flames defenseman Jay Bouwmeester.
Calgary, it might be added, raised the white flag on this season by trading captain Jarome Iginla to the Pittsburgh Penguins this past week.
As for Miller, he (as well as Jason Pominville) has a limited no-trade clause in which he (and Pominville) names eight teams he won't accept a trade to.
According to Andy Strickland (via Peters,) "Ryan Miller gave the Sabres a list of 8 teams he wont accept a trade to before the season. Buffalo has 22 options if they want to deal him." (actually 21, but who's counting.)
Twenty-one options for GM Darcy Regier, but very few, if any, teams in the market for a #1 goalie with one more year left on a contract at a $6.25M cap-hit.
Nearly three weeks ago, Sportsnet.ca's Nick Kypreos got the ball rolling by saying that Miller's name is popping up in the trade-market.
Brian Stubits of cbssportsline followed that up in a piece on Miller with question-marks surrounding the team and also pointing to a very thin market for goalies.
Back on March 15, I surmised that despite a thin market for goalies, especially with playoff-bound and playoff-hopeful teams, there is one team that should get a hard look--the St. Louis Blues.
The Blues play the best team-defense in the league giving up a league-leading 24 shots per game.
But their goaltending is suspect as they're 18th in the league in goals-against (2.79/game.)
St. Louis started out with last seasons' goaltending tandem sensation of Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliot. But they have faltered.
The Blues brought up rookie goalie Jake Allen who was terrific at first, but is declining.
Their individual save percentage goes like this:
- Allen-- .906%
- Halak-- .896
- Elliott-- .851
In their three losses, Halak gave up three goals on 17 shots (.824 sv. %) at Calgary, Allen gave up three goals on seven shots before getting yanked in a 3-0 loss to Edmonton and Halak stopped 31 of 34 shots vs. Los Angeles.
Also of note, Elliot has been sent down on a conditioning stint.
St. Louis and their team-defense in front of a positional goalie like Miller would form a pretty stout line of defense. Miller and his .911 sv,% (on a team that gives up the second most shots/game in the league--33.0) would go well with the Blues' 2.79 goals/game (the Sabres score at a 2.56 goals/game clip.)
Buffalo, in return, could tap into the organizational depth of the Blues up-front--maybe a David Perron, Patrick Berglund or Jaden Schwartz--and probably receive a pick in the 2013 draft (as well as taking Halak off of their hands.)
Right now, St. Louis has the chips because of the thin goalie market, but if they falter in net on Monday, they might consider dealing for a playoff-proven veteran goalie like Miller and have Allen serve as his back-up.
Maybe St. Louis and Buffalo can pull off one of those coveted "hockey trades" that is good for both teams and good for the sport as well.
Friday, March 15, 2013
News and notes--The Ides of March edition
Is it any wonder that the Sabres are near the bottom of the eastern conference?
Maybe. But a look at how they've fared over the last couple of seasons vs. the east might have given an indication as to what this season would look like.
We'll stretch back to the first post-lockout season with the two Drury/Briere years:
*************
They say that the goalie market is thin this season and that pretty much all of the teams have their goalie situations worked out.
Fair enough. Teams in a playoff spot or within must have a level of competency between the pipes to get where they are.
Trading Ryan Miller, if that is what management wants to do, will certainly be difficult without any takers--or any takers within Miller's limited no trade clause.
But while looking at the list of contenders, something interesting jumped out in St. Louis--they have given up more goals against than any team presently in the playoffs in the western conference.
Their goals against average of 2.89 presently ranks 22nd in the league and 13th in the west.
As a team, they're giving up only 24.1 shots/game. Tops in the league.
Which leads us to their goaltending trio's save percentage:
The Buffalo Sabres have given up the third most shots/game at 33.
With the Blues defense as solid as it is, would it be too far-fetched to think that Miller would be having a Vezina-like season?
A battle-tested Miller with that defense and a team that's 7th in the league in scoring (3.00 goal/game) looks a lot better than below average goaltending from Halak and an untested Allen heading into the playoffs.
A couple other quick numbers.
Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News wrote that, "the Sabres have had scouts at recent games in Los Angeles, Colorado and St. Louis, with the first two clubs getting watched on multiple occasions."
St. Louis being a late entry. Just about the time that reports are coming out about Miller and his future.
*************
In that same article, Harrington connects the dots with Los Angeles and Buffalo:
Perhaps Thomas Vanek or Jason Pominville would be a fit in Colorado, with the latter being more plausible.
Vanek is a top-line left winger. The Avs have a young, franchise winger in Gabriel Landeskog who happens to be the captain.
On the other side they have PA Parenteau who's having a great year on their top-line. But behind him is big, top-nine winger David Jones.
A top-six, two-way winger like Pominville would seem to be a much better fit for them.
Looking towards next year's salary cap, the Avs have $13M in cap-space to sign/re-sign four players.
*************
Looking at Regehr, Miller and Pominville, all of them have no trade clauses. Miller and Pominville have limited NTC's, each choosing eight teams they do not wish to be traded to.
Regehr has a full NTC, a clause that was re-upped when he came over from Calgary, a condition he demanded. And according to WGR's Paul Hamilton, he's not been asked to waive it at this time.
Nor, according to Hamilton, has Regehr asked to be traded to a contender. When asked if he'd be open to the possibility, Regehr told Hamilton, “I’m not sure. I think I’d just have to see the situation and see where we’re at here and what situation I would be going to. There’s a lot of moving parts to that, but there’s a no movement clause that would have to be signed and waived. If it does come up it’s not just my decision too, it’s also a family one as well.”
Family has always been big for Regehr, that's why Sabres owner Terry Pegula and his wife Kim flew to Alberta to meet with Regehr's family during the 2011 off-season.
*************
The NHL and NHLPA have finalized the realignment plan they'd been working on. And Buffalo's division just got stronger with the addition of the Detroit Red Wings. Tampa Bay's no cake-walk either. Florida will also join the division next season.
As for Sabres fans, things just got worse.
Looking at the northeast division as it stands right now, the Sabres sit in last place seemingly headed in the wrong direction.
The Montreal Canadians have stormed to the top of the division with a young team by overtaking the reigning division champs, Boston. The B's are only two years removed from their Stanley Cup and have a good mix of battle-tested players.
Ottawa's in third, another young team with strong goaltending and the reigning Norris Trophy winner, Erik Karlsson. They've been holding their own with Karlsson out for the season and #1 center Jason Spezza on IR as well.
After a fast start Toronto has come back down to earth, falling to fourth in the division. But even so, they're still eight points ahead of Buffalo.
The new format will have the top three teams in each division qualifying for the playoffs. Right now it would be Montreal, Boston and Ottawa. On the other side of the conference it would be Pittsburgh, Carolina and New Jersey.
The next two best teams points-wise in the conference would land the seventh and eighth playoff spots, or wild card spots as they will be called. Under the new format, right now it would be Toronto and Winnipeg.
To give you an idea as to what it would take to make the playoffs in this scenario, Buffalo is seven points behind Winnipeg. The teams between them (using next year's realignment) would be Detroit (29 pts.,) NYR (28,) NYI (27,) Philly (25,) Washington (23,) and Tampa Bay (23.) The addition of Detroit would give the Sabres a total of seven teams to jump to get into the playoffs.
With all due respect to the organization and their belief in the current team, ummm...right.
And with that in mind, is there any better time to blow it up and start all over again?
Maybe. But a look at how they've fared over the last couple of seasons vs. the east might have given an indication as to what this season would look like.
We'll stretch back to the first post-lockout season with the two Drury/Briere years:
- 2005/06: 46-21-5
- 2006/07: 47-19-6
- 2007/08: 35-25-12
- 2008/09: 32-24-8
- 2009/10: 35-22-7
- 2010/11: 33-24-7
- 2011/12: 28-26-10
- 2012/13: 10-14-3
*************
They say that the goalie market is thin this season and that pretty much all of the teams have their goalie situations worked out.
Fair enough. Teams in a playoff spot or within must have a level of competency between the pipes to get where they are.
Trading Ryan Miller, if that is what management wants to do, will certainly be difficult without any takers--or any takers within Miller's limited no trade clause.
But while looking at the list of contenders, something interesting jumped out in St. Louis--they have given up more goals against than any team presently in the playoffs in the western conference.
Their goals against average of 2.89 presently ranks 22nd in the league and 13th in the west.
As a team, they're giving up only 24.1 shots/game. Tops in the league.
Which leads us to their goaltending trio's save percentage:
- Jaroslav Halak: .881 sv%
- Brian Elliot: .851
- Jake Allen: .915
The Buffalo Sabres have given up the third most shots/game at 33.
- Ryan Miller: .914 sv%.
- Johnas Enroth: .896
With the Blues defense as solid as it is, would it be too far-fetched to think that Miller would be having a Vezina-like season?
A battle-tested Miller with that defense and a team that's 7th in the league in scoring (3.00 goal/game) looks a lot better than below average goaltending from Halak and an untested Allen heading into the playoffs.
A couple other quick numbers.
- The Blues are projected to have approximately $33M in cap-space next season to sign/re-sign 11 players.
- Miller makes $2.5M more than Halak and both will be UFA's after next season.
Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News wrote that, "the Sabres have had scouts at recent games in Los Angeles, Colorado and St. Louis, with the first two clubs getting watched on multiple occasions."
St. Louis being a late entry. Just about the time that reports are coming out about Miller and his future.
*************
In that same article, Harrington connects the dots with Los Angeles and Buffalo:
"Defensemen Matt Greene and Willie Mitchell have been out all season with injuries, and the Kings are familiar with [Robyn] Regehr and [Jordan] Leopold from their days with Calgary’s 2004 Cup finalists." He adds, "The Kings would also be intrigued by the addition of Vanek or Pominville as well for their run at another Cup."As of now, the connection with Colorado seems obscure.
Perhaps Thomas Vanek or Jason Pominville would be a fit in Colorado, with the latter being more plausible.
Vanek is a top-line left winger. The Avs have a young, franchise winger in Gabriel Landeskog who happens to be the captain.
On the other side they have PA Parenteau who's having a great year on their top-line. But behind him is big, top-nine winger David Jones.
A top-six, two-way winger like Pominville would seem to be a much better fit for them.
Looking towards next year's salary cap, the Avs have $13M in cap-space to sign/re-sign four players.
*************
Looking at Regehr, Miller and Pominville, all of them have no trade clauses. Miller and Pominville have limited NTC's, each choosing eight teams they do not wish to be traded to.
Regehr has a full NTC, a clause that was re-upped when he came over from Calgary, a condition he demanded. And according to WGR's Paul Hamilton, he's not been asked to waive it at this time.
Nor, according to Hamilton, has Regehr asked to be traded to a contender. When asked if he'd be open to the possibility, Regehr told Hamilton, “I’m not sure. I think I’d just have to see the situation and see where we’re at here and what situation I would be going to. There’s a lot of moving parts to that, but there’s a no movement clause that would have to be signed and waived. If it does come up it’s not just my decision too, it’s also a family one as well.”
Family has always been big for Regehr, that's why Sabres owner Terry Pegula and his wife Kim flew to Alberta to meet with Regehr's family during the 2011 off-season.
*************
The NHL and NHLPA have finalized the realignment plan they'd been working on. And Buffalo's division just got stronger with the addition of the Detroit Red Wings. Tampa Bay's no cake-walk either. Florida will also join the division next season.
As for Sabres fans, things just got worse.
Looking at the northeast division as it stands right now, the Sabres sit in last place seemingly headed in the wrong direction.
The Montreal Canadians have stormed to the top of the division with a young team by overtaking the reigning division champs, Boston. The B's are only two years removed from their Stanley Cup and have a good mix of battle-tested players.
Ottawa's in third, another young team with strong goaltending and the reigning Norris Trophy winner, Erik Karlsson. They've been holding their own with Karlsson out for the season and #1 center Jason Spezza on IR as well.
After a fast start Toronto has come back down to earth, falling to fourth in the division. But even so, they're still eight points ahead of Buffalo.
The new format will have the top three teams in each division qualifying for the playoffs. Right now it would be Montreal, Boston and Ottawa. On the other side of the conference it would be Pittsburgh, Carolina and New Jersey.
The next two best teams points-wise in the conference would land the seventh and eighth playoff spots, or wild card spots as they will be called. Under the new format, right now it would be Toronto and Winnipeg.
To give you an idea as to what it would take to make the playoffs in this scenario, Buffalo is seven points behind Winnipeg. The teams between them (using next year's realignment) would be Detroit (29 pts.,) NYR (28,) NYI (27,) Philly (25,) Washington (23,) and Tampa Bay (23.) The addition of Detroit would give the Sabres a total of seven teams to jump to get into the playoffs.
With all due respect to the organization and their belief in the current team, ummm...right.
And with that in mind, is there any better time to blow it up and start all over again?
Thursday, March 14, 2013
If the Sabres want to bottom out...
trade goalie Ryan Miller this season.
Pandora's (or Pegula's) Box was opened Tuesday night as Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos opined his thoughts on Ryan Miller's future with the Buffalo Sabres (via cbssportsline's Brian Stubits.)
Kypreos said that the Sabres (along with the Florida Panthers) have put up the "For Sale" sign. Ville Leino is the first name he mentions the Sabres would want to move and then says:
Which brings us to the here and now concerning whether or not Miller wants to be in Buffalo. The 32 year old 5th round draft pick (1999) has said in the past that he wants to be a Sabre and wants to win in Buffalo.
But the Buffalo News' Bucky Gleason penned an article yesterday on whether any of the "big three," Miller included, would want to remain with the team when all their contracts expire at the end of next season.
Miller was quoted as saying:
It would seem as if "the Core" will soon be no more. The "big three" are the only "Rochester Guys" left, and with the salary cap set to go down to $64M next season, having over $18M tied up in those three just isn't going to work financially. So at least one of them looks to be on their way out.
The Sabres need to decide whether or not they are in a full-fledged rebuild-mode., Moving Miller at the deadline certainly would cement that as the nine-year veteran goalie has been the cornerstone for the team throughout most of his career.
And moving him should be a boon for the rebuilding process.
First, the obvious.
Miller is a bonafide #1 goalie. He also has ample playoff experience and has put up some pretty good numbers in the playoffs: 47 games, 25-22; 2.46 GAA, .917 sv%; 3 shutouts.
For a statistical comparison, "King" Henrik Lundqvist, who many use as a comparable (and some would say is a much better goalie) has this playoff line: 55 games, 25-30; 2.31 GAA, .917 sv%; 6 shutouts.
A team in need of a bonafide #1 in the playoff chase, or even in the playoffs but with questionable goaltending, would certainly look to Miller as their playoff ticket or a possible Stanley Cup piece for this season and/or next.
The market for a #1 goalie is yet to be determined, but we do know that there doesn't seem to be any #1's available.
Vancouver's Roberto Luongo has been the subject of trade rumors for almost a full year as back-up Cory Schneider excelled in a starting role late last season.
But Schneider's play has tailed off considerably and Luongo is back to being the go-to guy in Vancouver.
With that in mind, if Miller is truly being shopped, he's unequivocally the best goaltender on the market and might even end up being the top player on the market.
Of all the teams either in the playoffs or fighting for a playoff spot, maybe only a handful might be looking for a bonafide #1 goalie. But, with about three weeks until the deadline, much could change including who's in the race and any possible injuries that might affect the teams.
If GM Darcy Regier could find at least two teams looking to upgrade their goaltending, the return could be substantial (see Paul Gaustad and a 4th-round pick to Nashville for a 1st-rounder.)
In addition to the trade return, the team would more than likely be looking at a draft pick within the top-5 and possibly the top two or three.
There's no question that without Miller in net the team would be worse than their 27th place in the league this season. He has stolen a few games and kept them in almost all of the others. It's something that's been going on for most of the post Drury/Briere era.
Stats-geeks will point to his goals against average and save percentage over the last five-plus seasons pointing to slightly above average play, but more often than not, Miller's the reason that the team was even in the playoff hunt those years.
Without Miller, this team would have been near the bottom of the league. He's the main reason that the team has not had a top-five pick in those years.
Fact is, finding a team to take on Miller this season, if that's the intent of management, will help the Sabres bottom out and start a full-fledged rebuilding process.
It's an unpleasant scenario for Buffalo hockey, but unfortunately it may be a necessity as the team divests itself from "the core" and looks towards the future.
Pandora's (or Pegula's) Box was opened Tuesday night as Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos opined his thoughts on Ryan Miller's future with the Buffalo Sabres (via cbssportsline's Brian Stubits.)
Kypreos said that the Sabres (along with the Florida Panthers) have put up the "For Sale" sign. Ville Leino is the first name he mentions the Sabres would want to move and then says:
"The other interesting name that's starting to float around is, yes, Ryan Miller. Miller's got another year at over $6M next season, but he's not going to get a contract extension and it's time to move on. They'd dearly love to move him at the deadline, but with that shrinking goaltender market out there it might not be the case. They might have to wait until the summer or even into next season.
But Ryan Miller's days are numbered in Buffalo."Miller's the first of the "big three" (Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville being the others) to be mentioned as trade candidates by a major news outlet this season. This is the second time in the last year and a half his name has come up. Back in November, 2011 Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal wrote, "We keep hearing that Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller is out with a concussion and wouldn’t mind if the Sabres traded him." That, of course, was while Miller was recovering from getting steamrolled by Boston's Milan Lucic.
Which brings us to the here and now concerning whether or not Miller wants to be in Buffalo. The 32 year old 5th round draft pick (1999) has said in the past that he wants to be a Sabre and wants to win in Buffalo.
But the Buffalo News' Bucky Gleason penned an article yesterday on whether any of the "big three," Miller included, would want to remain with the team when all their contracts expire at the end of next season.
Miller was quoted as saying:
“Do a couple of pieces need to come in? Or do they need to develop? How long is it going to take?” Miller said. “They are things you have to evaluate as you see decisions management makes to give you a timetable. Right now, yeah, it seems longer. But you have the trade deadline, the draft.
Do we become a younger team or do we become a team that’s going to build and try to get this core group of guys a chance to move forward? Or are we not the core anymore? Who knows? They’re not decisions we make. We react off management and circumstance."That's a lot of questions and indecision coming from your #1 netminder. Miller's not getting any younger and he's not seeing any positive changes in front of him.
It would seem as if "the Core" will soon be no more. The "big three" are the only "Rochester Guys" left, and with the salary cap set to go down to $64M next season, having over $18M tied up in those three just isn't going to work financially. So at least one of them looks to be on their way out.
The Sabres need to decide whether or not they are in a full-fledged rebuild-mode., Moving Miller at the deadline certainly would cement that as the nine-year veteran goalie has been the cornerstone for the team throughout most of his career.
And moving him should be a boon for the rebuilding process.
First, the obvious.
Miller is a bonafide #1 goalie. He also has ample playoff experience and has put up some pretty good numbers in the playoffs: 47 games, 25-22; 2.46 GAA, .917 sv%; 3 shutouts.
For a statistical comparison, "King" Henrik Lundqvist, who many use as a comparable (and some would say is a much better goalie) has this playoff line: 55 games, 25-30; 2.31 GAA, .917 sv%; 6 shutouts.
A team in need of a bonafide #1 in the playoff chase, or even in the playoffs but with questionable goaltending, would certainly look to Miller as their playoff ticket or a possible Stanley Cup piece for this season and/or next.
The market for a #1 goalie is yet to be determined, but we do know that there doesn't seem to be any #1's available.
Vancouver's Roberto Luongo has been the subject of trade rumors for almost a full year as back-up Cory Schneider excelled in a starting role late last season.
But Schneider's play has tailed off considerably and Luongo is back to being the go-to guy in Vancouver.
With that in mind, if Miller is truly being shopped, he's unequivocally the best goaltender on the market and might even end up being the top player on the market.
Of all the teams either in the playoffs or fighting for a playoff spot, maybe only a handful might be looking for a bonafide #1 goalie. But, with about three weeks until the deadline, much could change including who's in the race and any possible injuries that might affect the teams.
If GM Darcy Regier could find at least two teams looking to upgrade their goaltending, the return could be substantial (see Paul Gaustad and a 4th-round pick to Nashville for a 1st-rounder.)
In addition to the trade return, the team would more than likely be looking at a draft pick within the top-5 and possibly the top two or three.
There's no question that without Miller in net the team would be worse than their 27th place in the league this season. He has stolen a few games and kept them in almost all of the others. It's something that's been going on for most of the post Drury/Briere era.
Stats-geeks will point to his goals against average and save percentage over the last five-plus seasons pointing to slightly above average play, but more often than not, Miller's the reason that the team was even in the playoff hunt those years.
Without Miller, this team would have been near the bottom of the league. He's the main reason that the team has not had a top-five pick in those years.
Fact is, finding a team to take on Miller this season, if that's the intent of management, will help the Sabres bottom out and start a full-fledged rebuilding process.
It's an unpleasant scenario for Buffalo hockey, but unfortunately it may be a necessity as the team divests itself from "the core" and looks towards the future.
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