Shutdown Pair

Tag: Derek Whitmore

  • Derek Whitmore and a Whole Bunch of Crickets

    Derek Whitmore (RFA) signed a 1-year deal with the Sabres, keeping him with the Portland Pirates this year.  He was a solid contributor there, scoring 18 times last season.

    Beyond that, it’s quiet all throughout the league.  A few development camps are keeping the beat writers busy, but everyone is waiting for Kovalchuk to find his way to a team.  The teams in the hunt for Kovy aren’t signing or trading anyone until they know they need to, but once he signs there will be a chain reaction.  There are a few teams that NEED salary to reach the floor, so either they will overpay the lackluster free agents that are out there, or they will have to trade for some big money players.  Just wish it would happen now, and give us something to write about.

  • Sabres RFAs

    Thankfully, the Buffalo Sabres won’t have a lot of RFA drama this offseason.  As far as RFAs that made any sort of roster appearance with the big show this year, well, there ain’t that many:

    • Tim Kennedy
    • Patrick Kaleta

    You know those guys are coming back.  Neither one is worth enough for another team to make an offer sheet for, but they hold down important roles on the Sabres.  The next tier of RFAs are the ones leading the way for the Portland Pirates:

    • Mark Mancari
    • Marc-Andre Gragnani
    • Mike Weber
    • Phillip Gogulla

    Mike Weber (who got some PT with the Sabres a couple of years ago) is a guy that some are looking to step up to the show potentially, if Tallinder and Lydman both end up leaving.  No guarantees though, considering that Sekera and Butler had basically been sharing the 6th d-man spot down the stretch.

    The third tier of RFAs are guys I know very little about, to be honest.  You can get more info on them at Sabres Prospects, but if there are any RFA types that don’t get tendered an offer by the Sabres, it’s these guys

    • Matt Generous
    • Jean-Phillipe Lamoreaux
    • Michael Kostka
    • Derek Whitmore

    Not a bad year for Restricted Free Agency for Buffalo.  Only one guy is arbitration eligible, and he’s in the third tier (Generous).  Shouldn’t be too much stress there.