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Sabres DID file Vanek Papers. And top 10 UFAs Analyzed |
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Contrary to a rumour going around the net today, I just got 100% confirmation from a high-ranking Sabres official that the Buffalo Sabres did indeed file their papers for Vanek last friday at 10:30 am. Sorry Edmonton fans.
Pens have signed Taffe (c) and John Curry (g) to two year deals...Taffe is a real sleeper...and a nice pickup.
Ok, I have been on the phones all the live long day and here's what I have for you to chew on, on this friday night...
First off, I get the sense that teams may not be rushing to sign the remaining UFAs as much as they are trying to move people out to do so. Last year Allison and Carter were squeezed. This year there are at least thirty players that are getting squeezed. However several of these players are the kinds of players that would be a great take....
Here's a quick end of the week synopsis.
1. Peter Forsberg (Vancouver, Detroit, Philadelphia)
There were plenty who said that the fact the Flyers gave his number away to Smith this week may have been telling...I don't think so at all. The Red Wings are the current favorite, but they need to move money. However, not yet. Start thinking late November for Forsberg's return, and a source told me "Peter is 90%" to return to the NHL.
2. Teemu Selanne (Philadelphia, Anaheim, Montreal)
For the amount of production that Teemu put up last year you have to wonder why he has left the Ducks in the dark here regarding his future. Although Anaheim is the favorite, my sources in Finland still tell me that the Flyers may be getting an interesting call in the near future.....Montreal has also inquired since losing out on Souray.
3. Danny Markov (Buffalo, Montreal, Islanders, San Jose)
If I could go to war with one defenseman in the entire NHL I would take Danny Markov. He is a player that will battle and battle...He wants a three year deal and that scared Detroit away. He is a bit of a loose canon, but you don't want to take all of that out of him. He is nuts and will put his face in front of shots. Most people who live normal and simple lives won't do that.
4. Mike Peca (Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Flyers, Carolina, Oilers)
Peca was far better than I gave him credit for in Toronto early on...Far better...I still hear that if the Leafs can move Kubina or McCabe to the Island they would like to sign Peca. The Leafs should find a way to make that happen. However don't count out Ottawa or Montreal. Montreal is still waiting on a possible deal to get Marleau. That deal is not happening tomorrow, but could happen soon. Peca may be gone before Montreal finds out which way the winds blow out west.
5. Andy Sutton (Buffalo, NY Islanders, Columbus, Wash)
All Signs point to Buffalo and with good reason. Andy can really play.
6. Martin Gelinas (Buffalo, Florida)
The Sabres need experience now that Drury and Briere are gone. There is no better place to look than to Martin Gelinas. He fits perfectly and can help Vanek become all he should (and will be required) to be.
7. David Tanabe (Columbus, Florida, NY Islanders, Atlanta)
Another really talented kid that has been victimized by some numbers games. Columbus needs him badly to replace Berard. When Berard was not in the line-up last season the team had a really noticable drop off in the transition game.
8. Alex Yashin (Russia, Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal)
The Fact that Yashin reportedly is using the RUSSIAN league offer as leverage says about all you need to say here. If you are a hockey player and you already have more money than many teams have, and you won't play in the best league in the NHL because a team is willing to give you for 1.5Million, but not 2 million........then you are NOT a hockey player. I have always felt Yashin was somewhat wrongfully demonized because if his huge deal. Hey, that was not his fault that someone signed that deal. But then I watched him in the waining seconds of the Sabres series not hustling when the rest of the Islanders had killed themselves to make the playoffs and battled back against the Sabres. If he had just said, "I want to play in my homeland of Russia" I would have been absolutely fine...But the fact that he has dragged at least three NHL teams through this over money this year...
9. Brian Berard (NY Islanders, Buffalo, Atlanta, Min.)
Berard has had some tough injury issues obviously throughout his career, but in the last few years especially. However, they are all the sort of injuries that heal, and he could easily play an entire season or two injury free from here on out. He is the best puck moving D left out there when healthy and can give an instant punch to a teams power play.
10. Eric Lindros (Dallas, Calgary, Columbus, Buffalo, Van)
Lindros has now gone quite a few seasons without a concussion...And last season and in Toronto he was quite the bargain for the price. #88 still has something left in the tank and in the right situation, an offensive system, he could still be much better than the 1.5 you will be spending on him. Think about all the players that sign at 1.5 and ask yourself, "Would you rather have Eric Lindros?"
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