Lockout is Over.....2013 Preseason Talk!

[Woodhouse]

No chance Ruff starts Enroth over Miller.

That's not what I'm saying... I'm saying give Enroth a regular start and don't burn out Miller.

 

[Myllz]

That's not what I'm saying... I'm saying give Enroth a regular start and don't burn out Miller.

 

[BuiltTagonTough]

In a 48 game season I'd hope Enroty gets around 12-15 starts. What he'll probably get is 6-8.

I hope Millers been keeping up his conditioning.

 

[Jame]

Now for the worst case scenario: Buffalo trades Ehrhoff at some point prior to Year 7 of his deal, thereby mitigating none of the cap advantage they used in Years 1 and 2. Accordingly, the $10m number freezes with Buffalo. Ehrhoff plays Years 8 and 9 of his deal with a team other than the Sabres. Ehrhoff retires after Year 9. Thus, the recapture provision kicks in on Buffalo's $10m cap advantage, and it's spread out over one season. That means $10m in dead cap space!

I think you have two real options with Ehrhoff:

(1) Buy him out after the 2013-14 season. That obviates any worry of the recapture provision coming back and biting you.

(2) If you do not buy him out, you cannot trade him under any circumstances. You have to keep him and (a) recoup some of the savings in Years 7-10, thereby mitigating the cap advantage and subsequent dead cap space if he retires; and (b) hope he plays out his deal. In other words, you're kinda stuck with him if you don't buy him out in summer 2014.

It's a tough decision, but I lean toward Option 1 and buying him out after 2013-14. I think Ehrhoff was our best defenseman in the second half last year, but I don't think he's worth the type of future liability he would provide.

I don't think a team serious about contending in the near future, worries about a potential 1 year bomb 9 years in the future.

9 years from now, a 10 million dollar cap hit might really be the equivalent of 5 million today. It's bad... but not the end of the world.... not something where you should consider dumping one of your better players.

 

[CrankyJay]

In a 48 game season I'd hope Enroty gets around 12-15 starts. What he'll probably get is 6-8.

I hope Millers been keeping up his conditioning.

I'm sure his wife has been keeping him limber.

 

[Zip15]

Regier says on HH that Grigs will be at camp (known), and Foligno and Hodgson will be pulled out of Rochester. Notably by exclusion, though not surprisingly, was McNabb. Sounds like he has to work through his issues in Rochester.

 

[Jacob582]

Regier says on HH that Grigs will be at camp (known), and Foligno and Hodgson will be pulled out of Rochester. Notably by exclusion, though not surprisingly, was McNabb. Sounds like he has to work through his issues in Rochester.

Notably by exclusion, though not surprisingly, was Adam.

 

[Devo-2]

Regier says on HH that Grigs will be at camp (known), and Foligno and Hodgson will be pulled out of Rochester. Notably by exclusion, though not surprisingly, was McNabb. Sounds like he has to work through his issues in Rochester.

As was Luke Adam. I thougth it was somewhat interesting that he only listed Foligno and Hodgson. On a separate question, Regier acknowledged Brennan would have to clear waivers.

 

[Jacob582]

I'm sure his wife has been keeping him limber.

Re: Miller

But his wife is happy to get rid of him for a few months.

Source: "I learned of the deal when I woke up to my wife saying, 'Yay, it's over,' " Miller said this afternoon in a text message to The Buffalo News

 

[Jacob582]

As was Luke Adam. I thougth it was somewhat interesting that he only listed Foligno and Hodgson. On a separate question, Regier acknowledged Brennan would have to clear waivers.

I thought Porter might get a chance if they needed depth at center.

Also, interesting idea Regier mentioned was to try to bring Amerks up for training camp for scrimmage purposes. This was in response to getting the NHL team ready without preseason games.

 

[BuiltTagonTough]

I thought Porter might get a chance if they needed depth at center.

Also, interesting idea Regier mentioned was to try to bring Amerks up for training camp for scrimmage purposes. This was in response to getting the NHL team ready without preseason games.

Not to mention good experience for the young guys. It couldn't exactly hurt.

 

[CrankyJay]

Re: Miller

But his wife is happy to get rid of him for a few months.

Source: "I learned of the deal when I woke up to my wife saying, 'Yay, it's over,' " Miller said this afternoon in a text message to The Buffalo News

I LOL'd at work

 

[joshjull]

Regier says on HH that Grigs will be at camp (known), and Foligno and Hodgson will be pulled out of Rochester. Notably by exclusion, though not surprisingly, was McNabb. Sounds like he has to work through his issues in Rochester.

Didn't Regier also say that Grigs doesn't have to make the top 2 lines to be kept? Or something along those lines?

If thats the case, they are really setting the table for him to stay.

 

[Woodhouse]

Listen to Regier's HH interview @ http://podcast.wgr550.com/wgr2/3809881.mp3

Also, interesting idea Regier mentioned was to try to bring Amerks up for training camp for scrimmage purposes. This was in response to getting the NHL team ready without preseason games.

Not to mention good experience for the young guys. It couldn't exactly hurt.

Rochester has five games between now and January 19 though, which makes Monday the most feasible day to schedule a H2H scrimmage as any other date would be a day before/after an AHL game and I'm assuming Buffalo would also factor in Rochester's travel/fatigue levels.

 

[Devo-2]

Didn't Regier also say that Grigs doesn't have to make the top 2 lines to be kept? Or something along those lines?

If thats the case, they are really setting the table for him to stay.

Yes, KS specifically asked if Grigs needs to be on the top two lines to stay up and Regier said no. Regier also voluntarily discussed Grigs ability on the power play as an attribute. Made me think he could have a spot on the 3rd, 4th line and as power play specialist for the time being. That said, Regier also talked about the benefits Grigs would have staying in the Q and being "the man" for the rest of the year.

 

[jfb392]

capgeek The 35+ rule -- see Tim Thomas and the #Bruins -- remains unchanged.

http://twitter.com/capgeek/status/288696899672895488

capgeek Reentry waivers have been eliminated, removing one cap calculation nightmare.

http://twitter.com/capgeek/status/288697611110719489

capgeek Long-term injured reserve rules remain unchanged, leaving teams' in-season cap projections as clear as mud.

http://twitter.com/capgeek/status/288699236965576704

capgeek The performance bonus cushion will remain in place for the duration of the new CBA.

http://twitter.com/capgeek/status/288700683887198208

capgeek 1/2 Rather than sign players to one-game amateur tryout contracts in emergency situations, teams will be allowed cap-exempt recalls 2/2 provided they less than or equal to the league’s minimum salary plus $100K. ($625K this season).

http://twitter.com/capgeek/status/288700940628926464
http://twitter.com/capgeek/status/288701005502246912

And for anyone wondering about redoing contracts, no go:

FriedgeHNIC .@IHN_DeFrancesco a team using an amnesty buyout on a player cannot re-acquire him for one season

http://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/288700156285689856

 

[joshjull]

Yes, KS specifically asked if Grigs needs to be on the top two lines to stay up and Regier said no. Regier also voluntarily discussed Grigs ability on the power play as an attribute. Made me think he could have a spot on the 3rd, 4th line and as power play specialist for the time being. That said, Regier also talked about the benefits Grigs would have staying in the Q and being "the man" for the rest of the year.

Thanks.

I just listened to it. Silly me is out of practice with Regier-speak. I should have know there would be counterpoints from him on why Grigs should stay in juniors. I should know better that he wouldn't really tip his hand one way or another.

 

[couture23]

We can basically write off Dominic Moore making a return to the NHL this year. His wife, Katie, passed away today from her battle with cancer today.

Such a sad story.

 

[CrankyJay]

We can basically write off Dominic Moore making a return to the NHL this year. His wife, Katie, passed away today from her battle with cancer today.

Such a sad story.

That's awful.

 

[SackTastic]

Sad to see the news about Moore.

Listening to the presser. Buffalo media is as crappy as ever.

 

[Woodhouse]

Pominville interview from today's skate @ http://buffalonews-video.s3.amazonaws.com/Pommer.mp3

Some blurbs from the presser: Only Hodgson & Foligno will be pulled from Rochester for camp... Regier's already fielded calls about his defenseman, lol... Sabres had a Christmas party for their sponsors, I believe this is the norm... Regier likes roster, has to be wary of depth in compressed season... that December report on Grigorenko was false, no decision has been made on his future... will speak to Hecht's agent.

 

[Zip15]

Sounds like there's smoke with Brochen:

Paul Hamilton‏@pham1717

Darcy is interested in Hecht

 

[1972]

say what you want but a healthy Hecht would add alot to this line up, healthy being the Key.

 

[slip]

say what you want but a healthy Hecht would add alot to this line up, healthy being the Key.

Healthy, and cheaper. I can deal with that.

 

[Woodhouse]

More player interviews:

Jan 8 – Drew Stafford speaks with Brian Duff of SabresTV. <3:26>

Jan 8 – Ville Leino speaks with Brian Duff of SabresTV. <2:09>

Jan 8 – Steve Ott speaks with Brian Duff of SabresTV. <1:55>