In addition to Eklund's rumor today that the Sabres are extremely interested in Brian Rolston - and why wouldn't they be based on the veteran leadership the team has lacked since Chris Drury departed - I found an interesting tidbit.
What do he and Thomas Vanek have in common?
Same agent.
Steve Bartlett of Rochester, N.Y., just down the Thruway from Buffalo, represents 35 NHL players including Vanek and Rolston.
Bartlett has not returned any calls from the Minnesota Wild regarding contract negotiations for Rolston in a week, according to a report today by SportsNet.ca.
Buffalo has had a good relationship with Mr. Bartlett despite the offer sheet from Edmonton that his client had no choice but to accept, as anyone would. Bartlett also represents Buffalo's Andrew Peters and Sabres prospect Derek Whitmore.
Maybe they can make something happen with the UFA on July 1.
Also, SportsNet.ca is reporting today that Curtis Joseph does not plan on returning to Calgary, in fact he is saying he wants to return somewhere as close to Toronto as possible.
Buffalo's pretty close, and though I'm not 100% sure the Sabres would be interested in the 41-year-old netminder - he can't have too many years left -, we do know that Buffalo is looking for a backup goaltender and he's a recognizable veteran.
Just a few things to keep an eye on in the coming days.
Interesting thought. The fact that Rolston is gonna want around $5M a year makes me reconsider him coming here. 1.He's 35 and getting older. He wants at least a 2 year contract at that price. For that much money, we could go after Langkow or trade for someone that costs that much and is younger. IMO, he's not worth more than $3.5. If we can get him signed for a reasonable price, id be fine with it.2. We have Bernier, Max, Stafford, Pomminville, Kotalik, Kaleta, we don't need another one.
Spaulding, take a look at his numbers, but also the intangibles he brings - as a two-way player and as a leader. I think it's a no-brainer. He's exactly the type of guy you want in your lockerroom and I think he'd make a great addition to our squad. That being said, Langkow is intriguing.
Ya, I know hes a great leader and 2 way player, but he's going on 36 and wants one last big contract. He wants to secure himself, and I think he's over priced at his age. By the time his contract is up he'll be 38! I can't see him scoring back to back 30 goals a year at his age either. Maybe It's just me then. $5 M a year is expensive just for leadership. Go get someone else for that price that also can bring leadership and is 5 years younger.
well we'll agree to disagree on this one! Rolston has always been a very reliable player, take a look at his career stats. Never missed more than 4 or 5 games his last five-six NHL seasons (in other words, played 75 or more). so he's built well, not injury prone, and he'll bring it each and every night. yeah, maybe he wont score 30 goals a year, but id sign the big deal in a second - the intangibles and what he does for the lockerroom would just be huge.
I 100% agree with what he brings, I just don't think it's worth 2 years $10M he's asking for at his age.
I do..haha..thanks for the comments
I have to agree with you millertime i think he is worth the 5 million he brings it every game hes a bigger guy and like brindamour he is not a young gun anymore but he is built like a tank he is the kind of player that would help bufflao in multiple areas not just offense. And hey hes another michigan boy :P
I'd rather give the back up goalie job to a youngster( Dennis or Enroth ) than see Cujo in the back up role here. Let a kid play 5 of the first 20 or so games and assess his progress at that point, If its not working out, then bring in a veteran to let the kid further develop in Portland.
sabretooth, why not? i tend to agree with you. i dont see any harm in doing it, but if the sabres' history means anything, you wont see enroth for at least a few years and dennis may be a year away still too. they work their goalies slowly and try not to rush them. But.... maybe they should give it a try like you say, and I agree -- just look at Carey Price. youngsters can succeed in the NHL if given the opportunity
If this team was close to winning a cup (like 06 or 07) then I'd go for a veteran back up right away. There's always a veteran kicking around( Dennis, Raycroft) that you could plug in later. I like the Mike Green rumour, although Max in Washington with OV and Semin could be a scary line!
Yeah a line with OV, Max and Semin would score 100 goals and give up about 130. Entertaining nevertheless. Max's train is leaving the station, I do not want to see him reach training camp on the Sabres roster. I just don't think we'll get much for him.
I think if he was going to be moved it would have happened at the draft. But we all know what Darcy is like!
millertime, Liles has re-signed with the Avs, so sadly cross him off the Sabres wanted list. I don't see the Florida/Boumeister deal happening... seems too high profile and high $$$ for Darcy. I'll be totally satisfied getting an Orpick / Commodore type D guy and dropping Max.