Moments after Zach Parise stepped to the mic and mumbled "no decision" on his UFA drama, Darcy Regier launched a stealth-like surgical strike on Dallas. When I stood in Roy's scrum on locker clean out day and he smiled as he chirped Lindy Ruff's coaching tactics, I know Roy's days in Erie County were done.
thanks, sabres.com
I personally think the change will do @roy9ner a lot of good. his act wore out after a while in Buffalo.
Roy will have to trade in his trademark Gongshow lid for a 10 gallon stetson.
As for Ott, he will add IMMEDIATE piss and vinegar to the Buffalo lineup. Will Pominville allow him to wear #29 in Buffalo? Maybe the Sabres trade Pommer for Bobby Ryan still.... more on that later.
Lucic, Chara and Thornton will have to fight Ott and John Scott from now on. eat it, Chowds!!
I told you last week that I caught a serious whiff of Derek Roy to Dallas for Steve Ott rumours. Today, the deal came to fruition. Dallas GM, Joe Niewendyk, needs a play maker to get the biscuit to Jamie Benn, Loui Ericksson, and the newly acquired Ray Whitney.
I'd call the Darcy the winner of this trade as he acquires a ferocious forward with leadership qualities, and, a solid Dman to boot. Pardy played in Calgary with Robyn Regehr and Jordan Leopold.
Shame on those who have been saying for weeks that Roy has zero trade value in the NHL. I laughed at "Roy for picks" takes.
Here's my blog from 6/26:
I caught a whiff of an interesting rumour earlier today that I'd like to fly up the @SabresBuzz flag pole. As it was told to me, the Sabres, among several other teams, are interested in acquiring one of the nastiest, crankiest S.O.B's in the NHL to play against.
He's a wide-bodied centre man, who is capable of, playing Lindy Ruff's ideal style of play: holding onto pucks and cycling deep in enemy territory; creating time and space for his linies. He's capable of scoring 20 goals and adding 20+ assists per season. Not quite #1 centre material, but the kind of guy you want on the ice with the likes of Vanek and Pominville. He wins face-offs with equal parts dexterity and smack. In fact, he was rated #14 in the entire NHL last season in faceoff win percentage. He's a heart and soul player, who would tackle and fight the zamboni if his coach directed him to. He's intense, skilled, and he plays a 200 foot, heavy brand of hockey.
Ladies and gentleman: Steve Ott
Ott has two years remaining on his contract in Dallas. No no-trade or no movement clauses. He's a $2.95 million cap hit, which by today's standards, is a steal. Whats more, he's 29 years of age and has played a ton of meaningful NHL hockey games to this point in his career.
When the Stars traded centre Mike Ribeiro at the NHL Draft, it sent a spitball around the NHL that the Stars are looking to build their team around its best players, Loui Eriksonn and Jamie Benn.
Imagine Ott providing protection and pucks for Ennis, Hodgson, Gerbe, Stafford, Ennis, Vanek, Pominville, et al.
Hell, imagine Ott chirping Lucic, Spezza, Lupul, Subban and the rest of the Northeast division.
Were I Darcy Regier, I'd offer Roy and Sekera for Ott. Luke Adam may be a chip that Buffalo that Buffalo would want to throw into the deal.
Regier said on Monday that just because he had drafted 5 centres in the 2012 draft, it doesn't mean that he would pass up the opportunity to add veteran pivot.
Here's the Sabres media release:
Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier today announced that the Sabres have acquired forward Steve Ott and defenseman Adam Pardy from the Dallas Stars in exchange for forward Derek Roy.
Ott (6’0”, 190 lbs., 8/19/82) had 39 points (11+28) and 156 penalty minutes in 74 games with the Stars in the 2011-12 season. A native of Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Ott was selected by Dallas in the first round (25th overall) of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. In 566 career games with the Stars, he has totaled 220 points (85+135) and 1,170 penalty minutes.
Now entering his fifth NHL season, Pardy (6’4”, 220 lbs., 3/29/84) spent three seasons with the Calgary Flames before joining the Stars in 2011-12. Selected by the Flames in the sixth round (173rd overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, the Bonavista, Newfoundland native has recorded 29 points (4+25) and 157 penalty minutes in 183 career games.
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