Updated 6:55pm EDT:
Darcy Regier wasn't pulling any punches when he was asked about the upcoming NHL trade deadline. Regier says that ALL of his players-- and that includes Ryan Miller, Jason Pominville, and Thomas Vanek-- are all under consideration. Regier said that he is getting phone calls from other GMs, who are inquiring about all of his present Sabres players, and key organizational prospects, too.
“We have to be open to everything, and we have to be open to that as well,” the Sabres GM said.
“You’re looking to get a group of top players that are going to play together, not on a one-year basis, but, going forward, multi-year basis, and so that’s our focus, and it could involve any players, and I think the players are aware of that.”
Regier's phone will continue to ring.
The zillion dollar question now is:
Will regier be trading any of his "Big Three" at the deadline?
My sense is that he will trade one of them and will try to re-sign the other two. With the NHL salary cap shrinking from $70,300,000 this year to $64,300,00 next season there will not be enough money in Regier's budget to do what Ananhein did in re-signing Getzlaf and Perry each to eight year, $65 million contract extensions.
“It’ll all come down to the numbers,” Regier said. “You could look at Anaheim and they obviously signed their two big guys, but… there’s only so many of those guys you can have on your roster with the cap the way it is and you need top, quality young players to fill out because they’re both good and inexpensive.”
Are there any "untouchables", Darcy?
“I wouldn’t single out anyone but, I think if the focus is in the right position for us organizationally in an area we feel we still have a need, then we will,” Regier said.
“There continues to be a lot of speculation. Listen, where our hockey club is right now, we have to be open to listening to just about anything and everything and I am listening,” Regier said. “I have talked to [the other 29 GMs] over the last – if I say week, it certainly takes in all of them – and I’ll continue to try and figure out ways that we can be better, not just for this year, but more importantly, for the future.”
I can see the Sabres trading Pominville at the deadline.
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Darcy Regier held a scheduled media session to debrief the Jordan Leopold trade to St. Louis. Here are some of the out takes from the revealing presser:
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5:45pm EDT:
Scouts o'plenty will be watching this game in Buffalo tonight. Two struggling teams on the ice with slim playoff hopes is an invitation for the eyes in the sky to take a look-see in person. The NHL trade deadline is at 3pm on Wednesday April 3.
Its likely that they will be here to watch UFA-to-be Robyn Regehr.
After today's Leopold trade, its safe to say that Darcy Regier is in dealing mode.
Firstly, the Western teams: Dallas, St. Louis, Nashville, and Los Angeles top the list.
From the East: Winnipeg, Pittsburgh, (2 scouts) Ottawa, Montreal, and Boston.
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Jordan Leopold was a good soldier in Buffalo. Always reliable. Always honest and hard working. Leopold always had time to speak after wins and losses. I'll always appreciate him for speaking with me as often as he did during the NHL lockout. While many of his Sabres teammates jumped the pond to play in Europe, Leopold stayed home and manned the shop in Buffalo. he was their player rep during the work stoppage.
He's now on his way to a Stanley cup contender.
Leopold will play on a top D pairing in St. Louis.
He added a ton of value and leadership in his three season tenure in Buffalo.
He's a UFA-to-be and will be a nice rental piece for the Blues.
The way I see it, this deal is a win/win for both teams. Buffalo convert a veteran with an expiring contract into another second round pick in a deep 2013 entry draft. St. Louis gets a veteran puck mover who can play 5 on 5, PK, and PP. The Blues have been scouting Buffalo for the past two months.
The Sabres can opt to keep the picks, or, they can parlay them into another trade deal between now and 3pm Wednesday April 3.
Its now time for the Buffalo organizational depth to step to the forefront.
Pysyk, McNabb, and McCabe are on the rise.
"Draft picks" are what the Sabres will get in return for the UFA to be.
Specifically a second rounder and a conditional fifth rounder in this June's NHL draft. The fifth rounder will be upgraded to a fourth rounder IF the Blues win a playoff round.
Might this be the set-up for a Regehr to Pittsburgh trade? The Penguins announced before their win over the NY Islanders today that their their D Paul Martin is out six weeks with a broken bone in his upper body (wrist? arm?).
I'll be at the arena for the Sabres-Caps game and I'll post the reaction.
More to come....
