The first installment of this four-part Sabres free agency preview, which focused on realistic centers set to hit the market July 1, can be found here: http://talkbuffalosports.com/showthread.php?t=256.
The focus today will be on wingers; frankly, it's debatable whether the Sabres should even address the position, as they already have a glut of wings, but, with the chance of guys like Afinogenov and Kotalik leaving, you never know.
This list is much shorter than the center board mainly because most of the wingers who are set to become free agents aren't that appealing. Even Cory Stillman looks pretty unappetizing now after his performance as a Senator. Nevertheless, onward and upward ...
Jaromir Jagr, NY Rangers: Under more normal circumstances, no way would I view the 36-year-old Jagr as a viable option for the Sabres; however, he expressed a great interest in playing in Buffalo's wide-open system back in February, which holds a lot of weight with me. (I don't think Jagr was kidding.) Though Jagr isn't listed as a free agent, I'm fairly certain there was a clause in his contract that said fewer than 84 points during this past regular season would've voided the final year of his deal. Jagr finished with 71; in Buffalo, he'd look fantastic on a top line with Roy and Vanek. As long as management made it clear he wouldn't be looked to as a primary leader, I think the marriage could work out. Offer: Two years, $11 million.
Brian Rolston, Minnesota: Rolston is the apple of many Sabres fans' eyes because he's an American-born leader and two-way player who's been a consistent 30-goal scorer for a couple years now; in both senses, he's a little like Drury. Though Rolston is impressive, one has to be wary of his age, 35, when thinking about a long-term contract, which he very well might receive from a winger-needy team. Like Jagr, Rolston would fit nicely on Buffalo's top line. Offer: Three years, $14 million.
Jay Pandolfo, New Jersey: Unlike Jagr and Rolston, Pandolfo isn't a big-name player who's going to put up gaudy offensive numbers; rather, he's a tremendous leader, multi-time Cup winner and Selke-nominated forward who's capable of shutting down other teams' top lines as a checking-line winger. All of those are admirable traits, especially for a young team whose goals for the forward group should include adding more grit, defensive awareness and leadership. The 33-year-old Pandolfo fills those requirements in spades. Offer: Three years, $9 million.
Jarkko Ruutu, Pittsburgh: A fourth line consisting of Ruutu, Mair and Kaleta would perform its duties terrificly. Ruutu was third on the Penguins in hits during the regular season and is regarded as one of the NHL's worst players to face; in less fancy terms, he's a real pain in the ass to play against, much like Mair and Kaleta. Offer: Two years, $3 million.
Matt Cooke, Washington: Along the lines of Kaleta, Cooke is an agitator who's capable of getting other teams' players totally off their games. However, Cooke has also shown some offensive adroitness, evidenced by five straight years of at least 10 goals, and he finished the regular season with a whopping 198 hits. The youngest player of this group, the 28-year-old Cooke would be solid on a checking line for the Sabres. Offer: Three years, $6 million.
*Next up, FA goalies.
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Originally Posted by CaptPantalones
