I know it's a long way off, but it's never too early to talk about free agency and what the Sabres need to do in order to go from a disappointment back to a Stanley Cup contender. I don't think the team is far off at all -- just a few minor tweaks -- but I'm also not sure Regier, who's a phenomenally good trader, will do much in free agency; he'll probably go the trade route, but nevertheless, let's take an early look at some players who could be what Buffalo's looking for.
Today we'll look at available UFA centers who are realistic, worthwhile options; in the future I'll analyze some wingers, defensemen and backup goalies.
Center: The question is, do the Sabres need a high-level center like, say, Daymond Langkow or a low-level player to just grab third- or fourth-line duties? Personally, I think they'll just try to grab the latter.
Doug Weight, Anaheim - Though Weight is already 37 years old, he's the type of player the Sabres really lacked this past season. He's a calming influence on younger players, a leader and a Cup winner. Weight's offensive skills are dwindling (10 goals, 15 assists), and he's won fewer than half his face-offs this year, but I don't think what he'd bring to the locker room should be underestimated. He might make a nice third- or fourth-line center for the Sabres. Likely price: $1.5 million per year.
Bobby Holik, Atlanta - Like Weight, Holik has been a Cup winner, and he's also 37. At 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, Holik would add further size and physicality to the Sabres as a checking-line center, and he's also an outstanding, Mike Sillinger-like face-off man (over 58 percent last season) who can chip in 15-20 goals. The knock on Holik from Atlanta fans is that he can be lazy, which is worrisome.Likely price: $3.5 million per year.
Glen Metropolit, Boston - Metropolit is an under-the-radar player, but he's also a valuable vet. The 33-year-old won close to 50 percent of his face-offs this season, and he also showed defensive skill by finishing with 15 more takeaways than giveaways (37-22). The 6-0, 195-pounder had 11 goals and 22 assists during the season for the Bruins. He could be on Buffalo's radar. Likely price: $1 million per year.
Craig Conroy, Calgary - Every team he's gone to, Conroy has been viewed as an invaluable, highly respected veteran presence. At 36, Conroy's offensive skills are diminishing (12 goals, 22 assists), but he's a good FO man (51.4 percent in 2007-08) who's not afraid to play physical. Being from nearby Potsdam might give the Sabres the inside track on Conroy. Likely price: $2 million per year.
Stu Barnes, Dallas - Barnes isn't physical at all (14 hits), nor is he the offensive player he was, but his 54-percent FO ability would be extremely valuable to this team. Of course, not to mention his presence in the locker room. Barnes is one of the most beloved Sabres in recent memory, and he'd bring a lot as a low-line center/cheap veteran leader. Likely price: $900,000 per year.
Marty Reasoner, Edmonton - A Rochester native and longtime NHLer who won nearly 53 percent of his face-offs for the Oilers this season. He's a very realistic option for the Sabres. Likely price: $1 million per year.
Bryan Smolinski, Montreal - A respected veteran presence who won 52 percent of his face-offs during the season and had 11 more takeaways than giveaways (30-19). Smolinski isn't an offensive threat anymore, but his 51 playoff points shouldn't be overlooked. Likely price: $1.5 million per year.
Chris Kelly, Ottawa - The youngest player listed, Kelly, 26, won over 53 percent of his FOs during the regular season and finished with 50 takeaways compared to 35 giveaways. He's also had three straight 30-point seasons, which isn't bad for a checking- or fourth-line center. Likely price: $2 million per year.
Chris Gratton, Tampa Bay - The 31-year-old ex-Sabre won 54.5 percent of face-offs, had 12 more takeaways than giveaways and amassed 10 goals and 88 hits in 60 games for the hapless Lightning. In addition, Gratton gushed about the city of Buffalo in the newspaper earlier this season, so it seems he'd be open to a return. Likely price: $1.75 million per year.
Brendan Morrison, Vancouver - Unlike the centers listed above, Morrison is very capable of being a 60-point player in the Sabres' wide-open system. The only problem is that Morrison, who played in 82 regular-season games for six straight years prior to 2007-08, missed 43 games this season because of a severe ACL injury. Likely price: ?. He made $3.2 million last season, but it really depends on the health of Morrison's knee. He'd be a risk. With Tim Connolly on the roster, does Buffalo need to take another gamble at center?
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Originally Posted by Smashingt
