Northeast Sports Discussion

[Spaulding97]

Originally Posted by Jaybird

Knowing this is off-topic, but if the Sabres ended up NEVER winning the Stanley Cup as a franchise, and if the team had to re-locate...

you think it should re-locate to ALBANY? Then NYS could still keep its third team. Then those stupid Leaf fans will have to spend about $10 and drive 280 miles to go to hockey games there!

Albany Jaybird? Really? C'mon Albany!!? I was thinking more along the lines of Mexico City or Honolulu but Albany that's ridiculous!

[Sabretooth]

If they moved to Albany, they could be renamed the Albany Brunos and play in the Joseph L. Bruno arena on Joseph L. Bruno Blvd.

It's ridiculuous how many things that asshole names after himself. Probably more than Lenin and Stalin combined.

[Jaybird]

Originally Posted by Spaulding97

Albany Jaybird? Really? C'mon Albany!!? I was thinking more along the lines of Mexico City or Honolulu but Albany that's ridiculous!

Nah, it's just a thought that occurred to me, and I wanted to hear some peoples' reactions to it, and now I've heard them. Not a good idea, lol!

[jmancuso]

Originally Posted by KevD

Why did you put a picture of the sabres old symbol? You probably don't even follow the team... or hockey...

not a sabers fan, no. i am a hockey fan...i like the rangers.

[Jaybird]

Looks like Zubrus' days in Buffalo are numbered, sounds like he'll test free agency.

[Sabretooth]

I don't think they've made any effort to retain him, nor have they really done any for the "Big 3" for that matter.

I've been biting my tongue for the last two years, but I never did think Regier was a very good GM. I think evidence of that is that the Sabres have not won at least one cup in the last two years. He lost me when he traded away LaFontaine for nothing. God that would have been a lopsided deal had he done so. He and Quinn - how the hell did he get back into the team after having been practically run out of town 10 years ago - are both idiots for all I'm concerned.

[Spaulding97]

It's not looking good for us Sabre fans of late huh? What really pisses me off is the fact that last year before Briere went to arbitration, he wanted 5 year $25 million. We turned it down. And instead gave him 1 year $5 million.Then he has his best season in his career and becomes a free agent. And what does Quinn offer him, THE SAME EXACT OFFER HE WANTED LAST SUMMER!!!!!!(5 year $25 million) And it wasn't even a raise!!!!! I would be upset if i were Briere too. The next 72 hours are gonna be nerve racking.

I heard that Vanek is very close to signing.

[BuffCity]

when money is tight, so are options.

[Sabretooth]

Briere - I barely think he's worth what they offered. So he was the team's leading scorer throughout the season, but I still think it left a little to be desired. Scoring isn't everything, as they learned as a team this year (or so you'd hope they learned).

One of my coworkers' arguments is to let him go and sign Drury at any cost. Then dump a few D-men (Zhitnik errr Spacek, Kalinin) in exchange for a few. The argument being that Tim Connolly, when healthy, is at worst an equal replacement for Briere. Problem is, I think Drury's already gone because of a perceived lack of commitment. He's just not going to say that, but it would explain why he's been so hush-hush since the season ended.

I still want to know how Quinn got back into leadership in the front office (as well as why he's become the de facto Mr. Waterfront, but that's another issue).

[Spaulding97]

According to TSN, Brieres agents says they're gonna definitely test the market. I can't imagine Drury signing w/o Briere here.

[Jaybird]

That sucks. We have to keep at least one of those two, Drury or Briere. I would suggest Drury, because he's no Mr. Moneybags like Briere is seemingly becoming right now. Plus, he's a much more harder-working, grittier forward and is a great leader for this franchise, plus he has a Stanley Cup under his belt.

Then, I don't know how to juggle everything, it's now starting to look like everything this team built up the last two years could be gone in a flash. But, you never know.

[Sabretooth]

It's funny how initially they said, Briere especially, that they would consider a "hometown discount". Seriously, did anybody believe them? Funny how quickly money becomes the deciding factor.

Seriously, if I got paid millions to do something most people do for fun, I'd be stupid not to.

[xzmattzx]

I think the Flyers will make a big move today. They are still targeting all three big names.

It looks like a 4 other Atlantic teams want Gomez. They Flyers and Rangers seem to be most interested in him.

The Canadiens will supposedly offer Briere a long-term contract. Briere has mentioned that he would like to play for Montreal. The Kings are also interested in Briere, and Briere is in Southern California today with Chris Drury. Montreal, Philadelphia, Edmonton, Los Angeles, and San Jose will all supposedly offer Briere a contract today.

As I mentioned earlier, it looks like Drury will sign with the Sharks or the Kings.

Flyers will spend to get a top center
Their priorities are Gomez, Briere or Drury. They have $9.6 million to spend.

By Tim Panaccio
Inquirer Staff Writer


Chris Drury, who last played for Buffalo, has been mentioned as a fit for the Flyers. Rumors have him signing with San Jose. Unrestricted NHL free agency officially begins at noon today when clubs can contact agents with offers. Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said he intends to come away with a center.
"We will be very, very aggressive," Holmgren said.

Scott Gomez seems to be the Flyers' priority, although the team will also keep its negotiating options open with Buffalo's Danny Briere and Chris Drury.

Briere and Drury reportedly turned down initial offers from the Sabres on Thursday averaging $5 million and $6 million, respectively.

The Los Angeles Kings, with more than $22 million in cap space, are reportedly prepared to make major contract offers to Briere and/or Drury, both of whom are in Southern California today.

For the Flyers, Gomez is a better fit over Briere given that the Flyers emphasize a defensive transition game. His agent, Ian Pulver, the former NHLPA lawyer, is going to want probably $8 million a year for his client.

The Flyers are $9.6 million under the 2007 salary cap of $50.3 million that was announced on Friday. The most any player can earn next season is $10.06 million.

Of all the centers available, Drury is the ultimate fit for the Flyers, ahead of Gomez. But several agents said they expect Drury to sign with San Jose. Vancouver, Colorado, the New York Islanders and Montreal are also seeking centers.

[Sabretooth]

Yeah, they baaaalewww it. Hopefully they'll sign with teams who want them. It's alot like when Johnny Damon signed away from the Red Sox.

Bucky Gleason's column in today's paper nailed it to a tee.

[xzmattzx]

As Paul Holmgren said they would be, the Flyers were aggressive on the first day of free agency. The Flyers signed Daniel Briere for 8 years, $52 million, with a no-trade clause incorporated inot the contract.

Other key moves:

~Joe Thornton signs an extension with San Jose for 3 years, $22 million.
~Brian Rafalski signs with Detroit for 5 years, $30 million.
~Tom Poti signs with Washington for 4 years, $14 million.
~Matthieu Schneider signs with Anaheim for 2 years, $11 million.

Rumors:

~Scott Gomez to the Rangers
~Sheldon Souray to the Devils, Rangers, or Kings

[Jaybird]

At least Briere went to Philly and not Toronto. 8 years, $52 million, not as insane as the DiPietro contract, but this would come a close second, but Briere is really good.

Now the Sabres MUST keep Drury, or move to Albany.

BTW, isn't Souray already with the Canadiens?

[Sabretooth]

I'd be amazed if Drury re-signs. If he has something good to say, he speaks it; if he doesn't, he stays silent. He's been awfully silent lately.

Briere, as I said, I couldn't care less. Maybe in Philadelphia they'll get him to show up (or be less invisible) in the playoffs, or maybe he'll languish like he did in Phoenix (not that that should have been alarming). If nothing else, at least we don't have to hear his awful cue-card Northtown Lexus commercials anymore.

And we thought they choked in the playoffs?!?!? How much longer before they're calling for Larry Quinn's head on a pike again?

[xzmattzx]

Breaking news is that the Flyers have traded Joni Pitkanen and Geoff Sanderson to Edmonton for captain Jason Smith and Joffrey Lupul. The Oilers are trying to free up cap space to sign Scott Gomez.

[bjfan82]

well it was nice being the favorite to win the stanley cup for 2 years...back to middle of the pack

[xzmattzx]

Wow, looks like the Rangers signed both Gomez AND Drury (5 years, $35 million) today. The Rangers won with the free agent moves.

The Atlantic Division is going to be very tough this year with the Penguins getting better and more experienced, the Rangers improving today, and the Flyers building for the future.