THN is starting to get beyond stupid. From this article:

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/44701-Proteau-Teambyteam-buyout-candidates-Pt-1.html

Proteau says the likelihood of Leino being bought out is a 5 (out of 5), in other words, a clear certainty.

Don't hockey writers have to actually research and look around at things before they submit an article? And isn't an editor supposed to then double check these things? I don't get things like this when he's played half a season, has a long contract, has steadily been playing better and better (if not producing as expected) and is still getting into a new system. PLUS, Pegula has already stated that he likes this team as is a lot. How does any of that suggest a certain buy out?

I didn't think it would take this long to happen, but either way I'm glad it did.

We are now certifiably deep at the blue line, no details on money yet, just that it's a 1-year deal

SOURCE: http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=585972

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Idea: Tim Connolly for Brooks Laich.

I've always loved Laich and Mike Knuble (although at this point Knuble might turn out into another Grier/Nieds over the hill situation, so let's focus on Laich) and feel like they would be perfect fits for Buffalo. Washington is having a tough time living up to expectations and are in need of a 2nd line Centers. Laich is having a down year like the rest of the Caps, but he is still a gritty forward with scoring punch who gets in the dirty areas around the net and plays a defensively responsible game. If he stepped in this season he could also step into the Captain role by next season.

I'm not sure exactly how it works but Laich's hit is about 550,000 and Tim's is around 1.1 mil.... If we could just make the switch it would be my preference, otherwise maybe we could get Knuble to make the deal work (about 600,000 cap hit) and give up a roster space (Nieds?) so and fit Knuble in the 3rd or 4th line.

Why would the Caps do it? They need a #2 Center and Connolly has the skill to fit the role perfectly, with a change of scenery he could excel with the personnel the Caps have.

Why the Caps don't do it? They are weak at Center as it is, and this trade is simply a Center for Center swap. Yes they gain their 2nd line C, but they lose one of their leaders and a gritty third line C. Who fills that role? Also, Connolly's deal expires at the end of the year so they would have to resign him (this could also be a reason FOR this trade though, give him a tryout, if it doesn't work then he's off the books at seasons end).

Why the Sabres do it? Everything points to Connolly being gone at the end of the year, this just speeds up the process and also brings in a replacement that can step into the 2nd line between Ennis and Stafford, providing some defensive awareness, toughness and net presence to that line. It gives us a guy that is perfect for Lindy's system that would become a fan favourite pretty quickly in my opinion. He comes from a winning organization, has playoff experience, has some scoring touch. Laich is also at a very friendly cap hit and his numbers are down, meaning his value has likely dropped (I'm not worried about numbers due to the fact that ALL of the Caps numbers are down).

Why the Sabres don't do it? Laich may be a borderline 2nd line C, he is a PERFECT 3rd liner but putting him on the 2nd line may be a bit of stretch, or it could turn out perfectly. A straight up Connolly-Laich deal may be under selling Connolly, especially with the lack of quality Centers on the market (like I said I'm not sure how exactly the numbers would work, i'm just proposing the Connolly and Laich be the centerpieces of the deal, I'm sure there would be more parts to it.)

thoughts?

So It's the off-season. Which means arm-chair GM time.

So who do you guys think are realistic aquisitons for us, and what positions would/should be our priorities?

I'm not up on the salary cap and what/who would have to be done/dealt in order for things to make. But I'm basically just curious as to what the consensus is on this board.

Somebody mentioned Brad Richards in a thread recently, and I think he would be a damn good pick-up. I'm thinking, for us, priorities should be RW, a C (providing either Roy or Connolly are moved. Or if Roy can be effective on the wing.) and a D-Man, as I'm assuming either Lydman or Tallinder will be coming back, but not both.

Centers: Brad Richards (DAL), Andy Macdonald (STL), Mikko Koivu (MIN), Antione Vermette (CBJ), Brooks Laich (WSH)

RW:  Mike Knuble (WSH), Martin Erat (NSH), Wayne Simmonds (LAK), Brad Boyes (STL)

D-Men: As far as D-Men go, I'm not really sure who is "gettable". I know there are guys I would love on our blueline (Joni Pitkanen, Mark Streit, Christian Ehrhoff), but I'm not sure how attainable they are.

All of the guys above I view as attainable either because they had a down year (but still better years than our "down" players like Stafford) and/or because their teams are likely looking to re-tool certain aspects after disappointing seasons/playoffs (Washington, St Louis, Columbus) or, in LA's case, they may be looking to make room for Kovalchuk.

Honestly, I would be happy with 3 or 4 AHL promotions (Gerbs and Ennis. McCormick full-time to replace Ellis/Mair) and allowing some other guys to simply walk or be dealt for decent picks either this year or next. But I am simply curious of your thoughts.

Has anybody been following the Pirates this year? Checking the stats it seems as though Gerbe has regressed, but from what i saw of him in the pre-season he was playing well which makes me think not making the Sabres really destroyed his confidence. I'm just wondering if anybody has anything to report on his play this year? What line is he playing on? Winger or Center? I really like his game and was looking forward to him moving up to Buffalo for good next year.