[poll id=”6″]
Just what it says. Would you consider it a ‘blockbuster’ deal if, say, Roy and a pick went to Anaheim for one of the big three names bandied about? Would that be enough to shake up the team, in your mind? Or do multiple core guys need to go? Not sure where I am on this scale.
Much more exciting than the Sabres’ recent games, at least for fans, is the fact that the GM of the Ducks has declared their roster open for business, with only Selanne and Koivu off limits. They’ve already tried a coaching change, and are still only 1 point away from being the worst team in the NHL, so now it’s roster shakeup time. We’ve talked about Bobby Ryan before (blast from the past there – remember when Kaberle had trade value?) and Ryan Getzlaf would be the center everyone dreams of. That’s not even mentioning Corey Perry. And hey, maybe we could get Toni Lydman back. That would be kind of fun.
Interesting that Bob Murray wants ‘core players’ in return for his core players if he trades them, not picks or prospects. That creates an atmosphere where an actual blockbuster trade might really happen. As for who can go from the Sabres…well, I’ve had ‘Untouchables’ the past few years, but not anymore. There are two players I would be upset over if they got traded, Myers and Vanek, but if Darcy got a good return, I could probably be brought over to his side. I just don’t think you trade your best goal-scorer when goal-scoring has been a problem at times. I like a lot of the other guys, but I like a lot of the Ducks too. There’s never been a better time for a roster shake-up. Get it done, Darcy
I only got to see bits and pieces of the Sabres games in Europe, since I was at work for one of them, but you can’t ask for much more than what they did. Two wins, including one after a terrible night of travel. Contributions from Ehrhoff and Leino, Thomas Vanek doing his Atlas thing, Luke Adam making a case to stick with the big club long term. Oh, and your new captain Jason Pominville leading by example with 4 points already. The Sabres got a bit squirrelly in the 3rd periods, but Miller seems ready to take care of business in the Buffalo end, so you’ve got that too. The next game can’t come soon enough, though I understand they need time after the trip so I will manage to wait until Friday. 😀
There were feeds to watch the non-televised game against the ducks on Tuesday, but the game didn’t matter for some very good reasons. The Sabres faced yet another backup goalie, and the Ducks were on game 5 in 7 days of a cross-country trip, so there was probably no way the starter was going back in. They got gift-wrapped power plays to start the game, including a 5 minute one for Jason Blake running Kaleta head-first into the boards. I mean, the only way Craig Rivet is scoring is against a team that has mailed it in. All I hope to gather from that and carry forward into tonight’s game against the Panthers is getting little Gerbe scoring.
Bobby Ryan is a restricted free agent, and a tweet from Jeff Marek of CBC got me thinking about him.
Burke wants a forward who can score w/size. Bobby Ryan remains unsigned in ANA. Ducks may lose Nieds. Kaberle on the mrkt. Just sayin’…
Obviously this is in reference to wheeler-dealer Brian Burke up the QEW, but this is a move the Sabres could make. Ryan would be a solid pickup, adding size and scoring that the Sabres sure could use (back to back 30 goal seasons). Now, the Sabres don’t have a Kaberle to dangle in trade talks, but may be able to work something with picks/prospects. I would love to see Bobby Ryan opposite Thomas Vanek.
Not directly related, but Kaberle has an interesting NTC:
can name 10 teams that he will accept a trade to; if the Leafs miss the playoffs in 2008-09 or 2009-10, he can be traded without restriction from that Entry Draft until August 15
Interesting that you can specify a window when you can be traded, to avoid deadline day, or early season trades., based on playoff performance (or non-performance, in the case of the Leafs).