Lindy Ruff and Darcy Regier were both on WGR on Tuesday in lieu of a season ending press conference. Regier also talked to John Vogl of the Buffalo News and gave him some tidbits on where he wants to take the Sabres this off season.
One thing that had people buzzing was the fact that Regier mentioned Tyler Ennis and Cody Hodgson more than a few times on WGR and yet he never mentioned Derek Roy once. Many are taking that as Derek Roy (who is one year away from UFA) will be moved this off season.
Regier did mention that he wanted to increase the competitiveness on the team and that he wanted to add a center with size that can contribute either offensively or defensively.
That comment has me dreaming of Regier landing a big name center this off season. The problem might be what Regier is willing to move to get that player as there isn't a big offensive center of note in this year's UFA class.
The names that intrigue me are as follows:
Jordan Staal (Pittsburgh) - Sure, he had a hat trick last night, so his name is buzzing. But, the reason he could be available is that he has one year left on his contract before becoming a UFA in 2013. With Sidney Crosby also slated to hit UFA in 2013, the Penguins may need to move Staal or risk not being able to continue to fit Malkin, Crosby, and Staal under the cap. It would take a huge package and Regier may not want to move what it would take to get Staal out of Pittsburgh (Tyler Myers would likely be a guy that the Penguins would ask about), Staal is the type of guy that would fit nicely with what Regier and Ruff want to do with the Sabres.
Ryan Kesler (Vancouver) - Kesler is a lot like Staal. The big differences are that Kesler is coming off a less than stellar season, he's signed long term, and he has a No Trade Clause that kicks in after this season. But, I would expect that Ryan Miller, Cody Hodgson, and Christian Ehrhoff would be guys that the Sabres use to recruit Kesler ala the recruitment to get Robyn Regehr to waive his NTC last summer. Again, would the Canucks want to shake things up and move a core guy like Kesler? Would the Sabres be willing to part with the type of players that the Canucks would want for Kesler?
Ryan Getzlaf (Anaheim) - Like Staal, Getzlaf has one year left on his contract and is a pending UFA in 2013. Like Kesler, Getzlaf is coming off a less than stellar season. The Ducks have some soul searching to do this summer with Getzlaf & Corey Perry a year away from UFA. Do the Ducks try and extend those two players and continue to try and build around them moving forward or do they blow things up? If they do decide to blow things up after missing the playoffs this season, I would expect Regier to try hard to land Getzlaf.
Joe Thornton (San Jose) - Like Kesler, Thornton would take some recruiting as he has a No Movement Clause in his contract. Like Getzlaf, Thornton is a core guy for the Sharks and it's unknown whether they will look to make some drastic moves this summer. The Sharks do have a lot of centers on their roster. So much so that they have a few natural centers playing on the wing. Would a deal that centers around Vanek for Thornton work for both teams? Could the Sabres get Thornton to waive his NMC? It would be very intriguing.
Before Pegula bought the Sabres, I'd never expect the Sabres to even think about getting any of these guys. Now, I have a sliver of hope.
I can't wait for the playoffs to end so that we can get to the week before the draft when the building for next season will begin.
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