Buffalo Sabres Offseason Pt. Two: Possible Trade Market and Free Agent Additions

I am one of those people that think the Sabres are better off without MacArthur, but there are others that think he has a bright future in this league. Which he might. But I am willing to call up Nathan Gerbe, or Tim Kennedy from the minors and watch them give 110 percent each night, something MacArthur failed to do night in and night out.

Nathan Paetsch, 25, D/RW; 2008-09 salary: $800,000

Paetsch is another player whose contract expires at the end of next season. He is a player that can play both sides of the ice, both offense and defense, but is likely to remain on the blue line if moved to another team.

He is another player that could bring a late-round pick in return.

Adam Mair,30, C; 2008-09 salary: $775,000

With the emergence of younger players such as Pat Kaleta, Paul Gaustad and Matt Ellis, it almost looked as though Mair's role diminished on the team as a checking-line guy. Lindy Ruff almost used him in some cases in an offensive role, playing in between Ales Kotalik and Maxim Afinogenov for some portion of the season.

That is total opposite of the player he is. 

With that said, if the Sabres want to go in a different direction and either try and bring someone in via free agency who can grind, but also score, than I think Mair is very much tradable.

Derek Roy, 25, C- 2008-09 salary: $3.5 million

Rumors. Don't you love them?

Well, I for one do not think the Sabres will move Roy unless they get a very enticing offer—which is not totally out of the picture considering the kind of player he can be when at his best—a top-pair defenseman is the only thing I would accept in return.

For the second season in a row, post Drury-Briere era, Roy led the Sabres in points. Last season he recorded 70 points (28G, 42A) in 82 games, which was a drop off from his 81 points in 79 games the year previous, but still very good nonetheless.

Two seasons ago he signed a six-year, $24 million deal, which is a remarkable bargain for a guy who is capable of putting up 80-plus points per season.

The biggest knack on him, though, is his size. At only 5'9", 185 pounds, he does not fill the need the Sabres have in the size department. Still, my final verdict on Roy is that he will remain a Sabre next season.

Trading Roy would be a major deal for a rather timid front office. Just don't see it happening, folks.

Free Agent Market

As far as the free-agent market goes, I can go on and on about the big-name free agent players that would immediately make a huge impact in Buffalo. In free agency, there are plenty of rumors lingering over every player and it's really hard to ignore all the speculation.

Moreover, I will try to be realistic, but I will also discuss players whom I think the Sabres should take a run at, but likely not sign. Make sense?

Jay Bouwmeester, 25, D; 2008-09 salary: $4.87 million ( Florida Panthers)

This past Sunday, Bucky Gleason of The Buffalo News played GM for the day. He, like most GM's in the NHL would love to sign the perennial all-star. Gleason stated that if the Sabres were able to get rid of some "dead weight" players, a.k.a. Hecht, Tallinder, the Sabres would have the cap room to sign Jay Bo.

Still, the guy will probably get upwards of around $6.5 to $7 million, and from the looks of it, the Sabres are way out of the running. The names in play are Philadelphia, Vancouver and Calgary. Rumors are swirling that Philly would be the likely candidate, but they would have to move some major cap room first.

The 6'4", 215 pound defenseman would make an immediate and long-term impact if the Sabres decided he was worth the dough. The Sabres' have lacked a d-man of Jay Bo's caliber for years.

He had 15 goals and 42 points last season for the Panthers, while also being one of the best defensemen in the league. In my opinion, Ryan Miller is a top-goaltender in the NHL, and the addition of a top-five defenseman would make him even better.

However, the Sabres would have to make room for his contract, and that would not be easy. If the Sabres really want Bouwmeester, then you would definitely see either Roy or Connolly moved.

Mike Cammalleri, 27, LW; 2008-09 salary: $3.6 (Calgary Flames)

Here's a player whose name I've been hearing in the Buffalo Sabres rumor mill. The winger had 39 goals and 82 points with the Flames last season. He reminds me a lot of Daniel Briere, very smart with the puck, but also has a knack to find the twine.

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