Smoker2Buffalo Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 NHL Free Agency begins tomorrow! I thought I'd start this thread for rumors, announcements, and discussions. I know the Sabres did no extend qualifying offers to Miro Satan and Eric Boulton. Did they make qualifying offers for all the other RFA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvermike Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 They did qualify just about everybody else - Norm Milley being the exception. And don't have high hopes for free agency, I think, until they trade Biron and free up some cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoker2Buffalo Posted August 1, 2005 Author Share Posted August 1, 2005 You don't think we'll be able to sign some real proven talent right off the bat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvermike Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 I would be surprised if we sing anyone for more than $2M per season. The team's payroll is already in the high $20M's, something like 27 or 28 million. That's not far below what they said they planned to spend. I don't know how they can spend $5M on Connolly, Pyatt, and Biron, but there you go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoker2Buffalo Posted August 1, 2005 Author Share Posted August 1, 2005 Is it that high already with the players they tendered offers to? Well, like you said, I think they'll end up trading Biron, so that'll give us a few million. Either way, I think they're going to go get a player or two tomorrow, they have to get some players to get fans excited. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvermike Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 It'd be nice, wouldn't it? Actually, I think the Sabres have enough talent to make a run without anyone new and expensive. Briere-Hecht-Dumont is our best scoring line in quite a while, and Vanek and Roy could be ready to bust through. Even Connolly might be not-bad in a new system of hockey. It's just the D that worries me, but if Noronen or Miller breaks out, we could be playoff bound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYGPopgun10 Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 Their forward talent is great. Why not take a run at Niedermayer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoker2Buffalo Posted August 1, 2005 Author Share Posted August 1, 2005 Niedermayer would be great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHOUTBOX MONSTER! Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 I would be surprised if we sing anyone for more than $2M per season. The team's payroll is already in the high $20M's, something like 27 or 28 million. That's not far below what they said they planned to spend. I don't know how they can spend $5M on Connolly, Pyatt, and Biron, but there you go. Actually, there's reports they would like to sign one top defenseman and potentially a high quality forward depending on what happens with Satan. And they are in better shape with the than you think... Link. Regier has been quoted as saying they'll probably budget around 28 million for this season. Just saw this too... Satan gone... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvermike Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 That link doesn't tab up their total salaries, just the ones pre-RFA tenders. At www.sabrefans.com (scroll down to the bottom), it looks like we're already pretty close to that $28M mark. Niedermayer would be likely another $7M, well out of our range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayg Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 Fuggin shiznit. Only mother effin personalized jersey/sweater I've ever owned. Never again! Lol. I hope he goes to the Devils. Just saw this too... Satan gone... 394871[/snapback] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoker2Buffalo Posted August 1, 2005 Author Share Posted August 1, 2005 That link doesn't tab up their total salaries, just the ones pre-RFA tenders. At www.sabrefans.com (scroll down to the bottom), it looks like we're already pretty close to that $28M mark. Niedermayer would be likely another $7M, well out of our range. 394875[/snapback] $7M? No way Niedermayer will cost that much a year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brihs2005 Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 $7M? No way Niedermayer will cost that much a year! 394923[/snapback] Just read that Forsberg and Niedermayer may be the only two players to tap out the new cap system at 7.8 million each. However, several GMs may be reluctant to pay the max salary for a single player because they feel that the league will lose more money this year, making them have to work under a more stringent cap number of maybe 35 Million next year. Too lazy to post a link, but it is under Monday's Free Agency column on NHL.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Real Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 I would be surprised if we sing anyone for more than $2M per season. The team's payroll is already in the high $20M's, something like 27 or 28 million. That's not far below what they said they planned to spend. I don't know how they can spend $5M on Connolly, Pyatt, and Biron, but there you go. 394853[/snapback] Actually the Sabres at about 23.7 million. Darcy said something about it this weekend and that he believes the team will spend the money they saved on Satan to land a top notch defensemen. This is the new NHL and I truly believe small market teams will have a shot at top level talent. No one is going to get the max aside from maybe Forsberg or Niedermayer. My instincts tell me that money is going to Alex Zhitnik. If he's not interested move on to another solid minute eater d man. One other prediction. Marty Biron or Mika will be gone by opening night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pine Barrens Mafia Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 Better change that avatar, bub. Talk about wishful thinking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elcrusho Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 Bye Bye Satan and Boulton... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoker2Buffalo Posted August 1, 2005 Author Share Posted August 1, 2005 Better change that avatar, bub. Talk about wishful thinking. 394940[/snapback] LOL, yeah I know. I’ll wait till our first signing and change it to that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Tomcat Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 I wish Satan and Zhitnik would stay, sign 1 maybe 2 FA and go with the team we have now..... I also want to keep Afiniginov....(I have his jersey!)... seriously though the "NEW" NHL is set up for these guys.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoker2Buffalo Posted August 1, 2005 Author Share Posted August 1, 2005 T minus 15 minutes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Darin Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 I don't see Neidermeyer in Buffalo - probably Pittsburgh or back in Jersey. He's a terrific player but to be quite honest I'd rather sign two quality players for that money - or even three. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts