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April 1, 2013, 2:43 PM ET [211 Comments]
GARTH'S CORNER
NHL news by Garth • RSSArchiveCONTACT
reggie
Thanks, Dan Hickling

The trade market for available veteran, stay-at-home defensemen is very sparce right now. Which creates a ton of value for Sabers UFA-to-be, Robyn Regehr. As the witching hour of 3pm Wednesday 4/3/13 draws closer, Regehr's intrinsic value will continue to rise just because the supply is low and the demand is getting higher by the hour.

Regehr played some nasty and passionate hockey in the losses to Washington and Boston. He's like old man Niagara River: steady and fluent.

Thats why NHL teams like LA, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Detroit, and Winnipeg and others have been scouting him both in Buffalo and out on the road.

Teams who win Cups need grizzled, battle-tested vets like Regehr who play their best, most intense hockey when the bright lights of the NHL playoffs are blazing. Buffalo targeted Regehr two off seasons ago for that very reason. Having guys like Regehr in the room and on the bench during playoff games is invaluable. He's a calming presence. his experience is his best teacher. He doesn't run around like his hair is on fire in his own end of the rink. He's a guy that can be counted on to make plays, win battles, and ultimately to lead his teammates.

Regehr can play in any of the three D pairings. He's that solid and steady.

Thats why is is such a valued commodity right now. Not many people can do what he does, as well as he does it.

Regehr has invested his 10,000 hours. And, then some. He's an expert-level NHL defenseman.

On Monday, Regehr was given a maintenance day, so he used his time wisely off the ice. After the team skated, Regehr spoke with the Buffalo News about his future plans.


“Well, I think that’s all being worked out behind the scenes right now. First of all, with Darcy, you have to ask him what his thoughts are on the (Sabres) team and what he’s willing to do with this team at this point, and then from there, I think we can make our decision”.

Is Regehr surprised that his name is being mentioned in so many trade rumors?

Sounds a lot like what Thomas Vanek had to say on Sunday morning. What direction is Regier taking the Sabres into in the next couple of days? Total roster renovation? Add a player, lose a player or two. Stand pat?

Until Regier and Pegula answer the organizational questions, the players are left in limbo.

“I think its just the reality of the situation we are in”

Regehr was asked if it seems weird that a team who he waived his no movement clause to play for may or may not be asking him to do the a 180 degree turn and to waive it again between now and Wednesday's trade deadline in an effort to green-light a trade to a contending team.

Matter of factly, the burly veteran answered the only way he knows how to: candidly.

“I’d have to see the situation. I can’t say “yes” or “no” right now without thinking about the hypothetical. There’s 29 other teams and it would depend on the situation”.


“I don’t think so, its part of the business. So its part and parcel”.


Let me translate for you:

If another bottom feeder comes along and asks for Regehr, he's not interested in waiving his NTC.

However, if a contender like, say, Pittsburgh or LA shows serious interest, he'd have to listen to the opporrtunity.

Why wouldn't he?


Regehr spent some time answering questions about his very good friend and former Calgary running buddy, Jarome Ignla.

“I think he just wanted to put him self in the best possible opportunity to get a shot at the Stanley Cup, and I think its pretty simple.

Regehr wants to win a Cup. Thats why he continues to play the game he's loved his whole life. He's not getting any younger. Now is the time to go win one before the opportunity never presents itself ever again. He and Iggy got to game seven and lost to Tampa in 2004.

The have some unfinished business to tend to.


Two old friends may be reunited at the convergence of the three rivers.



_____________________________________________________________________



Thomas Vanek loves Buffalo. Buffalo loves Thomas Vanek. The Sabres' leading scorer has grown up right before Buffalo's eyes.

We got our first glimpse of his greatness when he led his University of Minnesota Golden Gophers hockey team to the NCAA college hockey championship in 2003. Vanek rightly was named MVP of the Frozen Four tournament in Buffalo, as he scored the game-winning goals in both the semifinal against the University of Michigan in overtime and in the final against University of New Hampshire. Vanek became Minnesota's first freshman to be named Minnesota's team MVP for 2003.

The Sabres saw Vanek's true value and they made him the fifth overall pick on the 2003 entry draft.

Vanek would sign his three year entry level contract in September 2004. In 2004-05, he scored 42 goals and added 26 assists in 72 games in Rochester.

Of all the talented prospects in the incubator in Rochester, Vanek captivated the imaginations of Sabres fans with his intoxicating skill set and his timely goal scoring. Roy, Pominville, Gaustad, and Miller were all impressive in their first exposure to pro hockey with the Amerks, however, Vanek was the one player who seemed to transcend them all. He seemed to have the most NHL-ready abilities. I think Sabres fans looked at Vanek at the guy who was going to lead the Sabres back to respectability on the national level.

The nineteen year old kid that was drafted with the purpose of lifting the Buffalo Sabres from the depths of mediocrity, is now a 29 year old man. He's not a college kid anymore. He's a husband, and a father of three young children. He's a Buffalo guy. He grew up here. He learned to lose, and win here. He honed his skills and learned how to play the NHL style here. He's endured heart aches and the frustration of failures like missing the playoffs. He was a key contributor to two consecutive eastern Conference Finals teams.

Its for these reasons and many more that Vanek wants stay rooted in Buffalo handful of hours remaining between now and the NHL trade deadline. Vanek said yesterday that he wants to stay and play in Buffalo. he likes Buffalo. His wife and kids like Buffalo. They call Buffalo their home.

Vanek, like Pominville and Miller, has one year remaining on his current contract. he'll become UFA in July 2015. His name is name buzzing through the NHL trade rumor mill with great regularity. His first choice is to stay in buffalo and to finish what he started. however, he wants to know which direction that Darcy Regier and Terry Pegula plan on taking the Sabres team in. If the organization is planning a a "tweak" or short term fix, then count him in. However, if they are planning a long term rebuild, Vanek may not be interested in staying.

Vanek is the type of player that NHL GMs want to draft so that they can build a winner around him. He's the perfect type of player that contending teams want to add in order to bolster their lineup to insure a deep run through the Stanley Cup playoffs. For context, when you think of Vanek, think of Marian Hossa. The Penguins and Blackhawks became better, winning teams when Hossa and his sick falre for the offensive skated into their towns. Vanek is every bit the difference maker that Hossa is. The Sabres could trade him today and receive a king's ransom in exchange. However, they can keep him, trade others, and build their future squad with Vanek smack dab in the middle of the roster.

The puck is in Darcy Regier's end of the rink right now. He has Vanek, Miller, and Pominville to deal with right now. His salary cap will shrink from $70,300,00 to $64,300,000 next season.


Thanks, sabres.com


If you ask me, I say that the Sabres will hold onto Vanek and they will discard other aging, ineffective players.

If trading Pominville to keep Vanek is the move, then sign me up.

Vanek is part of the solution. He's not a part of the problem.


Were I the GM, I'd hold onto Vanek because he's been my best offensive player since Danny Briere left town in 2007. He's consistent and accountable. he's earned the right to stay and win a Cup in Buffalo.

I'd find a trade partner and move Pominville at the deadline for a whack of assets (top six forward, a prospect, and a draft choice) that I could use immediately for the re-tool.

I'd have discussions with Miller in July about signing an extension to stay in Buffalo. I'd make him a fair and equitable offer to stay in Buffalo.





**


Embellishment my ass!

ottchara
Thank you, Dan Hickling

That is all.



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