Ahh, the Stanley Cup Finals have come to a thrilling close. For a couple weeks, I actually forgot about the Buffalo Sabres offseason-to-do list. Hockey fans were treated to an unbelievable best-of-seven series between the two best teams in hockey, the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins.
So before I get into homer mode, I want to say congrats to the Penguins and their fans.
Unfortunately, I have to get back to the reality of what is currently going on in Sabreland. Nothing. But hopefully, with free agency quickly approaching on July 1, and the draft June 26, Darcy Regier and Co. will work their magic. I don't exactly know what that magic is, but I hope they have a plan to improve the current Sabres' roster.
After watching the NHL playoffs, I was constantly reminded of the kind of players that make up winning teams. Yeah, it would be nice to have a team of Malkins, Crosbys, Ovechkins and Lidstroms, but those players are a little hard to come by.
I found myself saying, "Man, if only the Sabres had that guy," plenty of times during the playoffs. Not only about the aforementioned players, but about guys like Maxim Talbot, Dustin Byfuglien, Darren Helm, and Milan Lucic—exactly the kind of players the Sabres lack.
The Sabres not only need to re-sign certain restricted and unrestricted free agents this summer, but they also need to find a way to open up some cap room, and bring in one or two players off the free agent market.
Recent history tells us that Regier will likely stay put with his current guys, but I truly believe that he needs to take a different approach this offseason.
This summer marks the start of both Jason Pominville's and Tim Connolly's extended contracts and also most likely the start of Andrej Sekera's, Drew Stafford's and Pat Kaleta's deals, as they will also be extended by the team.
With these deals coming into place, the Sabres will be very limited when it comes to signing free agents this summer.
It has been widely rumored that the Sabres are trying to move current roster players such as Jochen Hecht, Henrik Tallinder and maybe even Derek Roy, in order to free up some cap space so they can bring in a player to fill one of their needs—top defenseman, depth,gritty, skilled forward.
Trade Market
Jochen Hecht, 31, C/LW; 2008-09 salary: $3.8 million
The Sabres have their hands tied with Hecht's four-year $15 million deal. Last season, the two-way forward mustered only 27 points (12G, 15A) and a -9 plus-minus rating. He can easily be replaced by a prospect player, and definitely by a depth forward acquired via free agency.
Managing only 27 points in 70 games, while playing mostly on a line next to Pominville and Connolly, is absolutely horrendous. The Sabres need more from players who are making $3.8 million per season.
If a team is willing to trade a draft pick in return, it would be a pretty easy decision to send Jochen packing. Its the contract that is the biggest issue. This offseason will be a successful one if Hecht is playing elsewhere next season. Sorry, Jochen.
Henrik Tallinder, 30, D; 2008-09 salary: $3.25 million
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