Buffalo's free agent list. Re-sign or not re-sign? If so, how much?

Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com


The Buffalo Sabres re-signed forward Johan Larsson to a one-year, $950K contract extension on April 29th. Larsson hit career-highs in goals (10) and points (17) and centered the Sabres most consistent line in the latter half of last season.

Sabres GM Tim Murray and AGM Mark Jakubowski have their work cut out for them as they have 24 free agents to make decisions on, 23 if you discount goalie Andrey Makarov, who's back home in Mother Russia and was none too happy with what he perceived as grossly unfair treatment by the Sabres organization.

With that said here's the list of free agents, their current cap-hit, an opinion as to whether or not Buffalo should re-sign said player and a gander as to how much they might be re-signed for if all sides put ink to paper.

Today we begin with unrestricted free agents.

Catching up with long-time Amerks broadcaster, Don Stevens

Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com


When you bring three top-six players into the forward ranks for an organization like the Buffalo Sabres did from February to June this year, lost in the immediacy of the affect it will have on the big club is the benefits trickle right on down to the farm club.

 

Evander Kane (acquired via a trade with the Winnipeg Jets,) Jack Eichel (drafted 2^nd overall, 2015) and Ryan O’Reilly (acquired from the Colorado Avalanche the day of the 2015 NHL Draft) immediately added legitimacy to the top-six forward ranks for Buffalo. And with those three joining Tyler Ennis, Zemgus Girgensons and Matt Moulson in the top-six mix, the rest of the forwards dropped down into place to the point where solid bottom-six players were squeezed out and ended up in the AHL playing for the Rochester Americans. It’s something not lost on long-time Amerks broadcaster Don Stevens.

 

When asked by phone if there was a totally different feel for the Americans this year as opposed to last year, Stevens pointed out that the 2014-15 Amerks started out very well and that there was a good feeling about the team. He said if there's a at this stage of the season it's “not necessarily with the team, it’s with the organization,” and how they added depth.

 

“The depth is so much better than before,” said Stevens, “[Last year] you knew you were going to be losing some players [to call-ups and injuries] and that you would be having trouble replacing the talent-level of those players.

 

“This year [Buffalo’s] talent-level increased with so many more quality-type players to pick from here in Rochester now, and then Rochester has some players that could play [for the Amerks] that have been sent to Elmira (Buffalo’s ECHL affiliation.) There’s a lot more depth, a lot more positive aspect to the [situation] should there be injuries."

Ellis' pulls off the "trick" and, 45 yrs. ago today

Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com


Rochester Americans center Matt Ellis began his 14th season of pro hockey with a bang. The 34 yr. old undrafted free agent, whom the Buffalo Sabres acquired via waivers from the Los Angeles Kings just over seven years ago, finished off a superb night with an empty netter for the hat trick as the Amerks won their season opener 6-4 over the Lake Erie Monsters.

Ellis was his usual humble self post-game. He's consummate pro who's career path has seen him start in the ECHL (Toledo Storm) and bounce between the three AHL teams and three NHL teams. Being long in the tooth and well aware that every season could be his last as a player, Ellis took the hatty for what it was, gave credit to his linemates as well as the team reveled in the moment.

"It's special," said Ellis of the hat trick. "Year 14 [as a player]. You never know how many more opening night you're gonna get. One thing I've learned is that you try to make the most of each moment. Do what you can, live in the moment and enjoy it.

"It's always nice coming back to the bench seeing big smiles and a lot of high-fives and guys enjoying it with you. I understand what my role is here, but at the same time I like to show the young guys the old guy here can still play hockey."

Jean Dupuy, playing in his first pro season, had three assists. Dupuy was signed by the Sabres as an undrafted free agent last November and is in the first year of a three-year entry-level deal. The 21 yr. old who just celebrated is birthday on October 6th played for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds as an overager last season. He had 46 points (18+28) in 54 games for the 'Hounds.

Nate Lieuwen, who hasn't seen regular season action since December, stopped 35 of the 38 shots he faced seving notice that he's recovered from concussion symptoms.


**********

The Rochester Americans celebrated the beginning of their 60th season in the AHL last night as 6,620 came to the Blue Cross Arena to celebrate the milestone and the victory as well. Banners with images of former Amerks like the late Al Arbour and Don Cherry greeted the fans as they headed towards the arena.

Inside five Amerks Hall of Famers were on the ice for the ceremonial puck drop:  Joe Crozier, Dick Gamble, Doug Gibson, Jody Gage, and Chris Taylor.Wendy Charron was there for her late husband, Craig.

Thanks to Kevin Oklobzija of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle for those tidbits. You can read the full article here.


**********

It was 45 yrs. ago today that the Buffalo Sabres played their first-ever NHL game. The new franchise beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 in Pittsburgh.

Jim Watson scored the first-ever goal for Buffalo while Sabres legend and 1970 first overall pick Gilbert Perreault scored the game-winner at the 11:36 mark of the third period on assists from Kevin O'Shea and Gerry Meehan. Roger "the Dodger" Crozier was in net for the Sabres that night. He stopped 35 of 36 Penguins shots for the first victory in franchise history.

Thanks to werqa 123 we have some footage of that night and the Sabres franchise home-opener as well:


Thanks to Joe Pelltier's Greatest Hockey Legends for the links.


**********

Buffalo hosts the Tampa Bay Lightning for a 1pm matinee, the first of 10 afternoon games on this season's schedule.

It's also the first of four meetings with the Lightning all of which will be played within the Sabres first 15 games. Their final matchup will be on November 10th.