Sabres open 2nd round, select T.J. Brennan

With the 31st pick, the Buffalo Sabres have selected defenseman T. J. Brennan.

Player Profile:

St. John’s • QMJHL
6'0", 204 lbs.
Defense
Shoots left
Born: April 3, 1989 in Willingboro, NJ
Final Ranking: 29 Mid-Term Ranking: 59
North American Skater

Central Scouting Report: A skilled defenseman… has a strong shot and gets it off often… has a very active stick and is patient on the point … is a strong skater with the ability to make good passes… needs to make better decisions when jumping into the rush.

Hockey Profile: Won the Raymond-Legace Trophy as the QMJHL’s Top Rookie Defenseman in 2007… ranked first among rookie defensemen with 41 points (16-25-41) in 68 games… was named Rookie-of-the-Month in February after positing 11 points (7-4-11) in 11 games… played for the Junior Elite Philadelphia Little Flyers under former NHLer Stephane Charbonneau in 2005-06, posting 32 points (9-23-32) in 42 games… didn’t start playing competitive hockey until the age of 10.

Personal Profile: Patterns his game after Toronto Maple Leafs’ defenseman Bryan McCabe – “he is very offensive and plays the body”… “fake shot on forehand, fake backhand and go back to forehand to shoot” is his favorite shootout move… admires his dad and says he has had the most influence on his career because he is “always there for support and has worked with me physically and mentally”… most memorable hockey game watched: 2000 Eastern Conference semifinal game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers – Keith Primeau’s overtime goal came at 92:01 of overtime ending the third-longest game in playoff history and the longest since 1936… favorite hockey game played: St. John’s against Lewiston in 2006-07 season – “we came back from 3-0 to win 4-3 in regulation”… if he could invite three people to dinner they would be: his dad, Calgary’s Dion Phaneuf and Tiger Woods – “I admire my dad the most, Dion is my favorite player and Tiger Woods is the best mentally prepared athlete in any sport”… favorites include: Philadelphia Flyers (NHL team), Dion Phaneuf (NHL player), Dave Matthews Band (group), Remember the Titans and Miracle (movies), SportsCenter and Friends (TV shows) and Adam Sandler (actor).

Here's a video report on him from YouTube:

NHL Draft... tonight!

For those who think it seems odd that the NHL Draft is starting on a Friday, yeah, it's new.

Tonight at 7:00 PM, the 2007 NHL Entry Draft will get under way in Columbus. Round 1 will be tonight (LIVE coverage on Versus!), and rounds 2-7 will happen tomorrow morning.

The Sabres don't have a 1st round pick as of now (traded to Washington in Dainius Zubrus trade), so there's a good chance there won't be much to discuss tonight.

That means the headliner is the local boy who could go #1. Patrick Kane (pictured, center) is the odds-on favorite to go in the top spot to the Chicago Blackhawks. There has been discussion of the Hawks trading that pick, but word is the two serious offers are from teams in the West.

There has been some movement already today on the trade front:

• Vesa Toskala and Mark Bell to Toronto
• Tomas Vokoun to Florida
• Adrian Aucoin to Calgary

Here's to a night in front of the TV. I'll be updating live, so keep checking back for the latest news and info.

UPDATES

6:51 PM: Eric Duhatschek is saying the Coyotes have traded for the top pick. Nothing confirmed yet.

7:13 PM: Doesn't look like that's happening. We're waiting for Gary B. to come to the podium now to open the draft.

7:25 PM: Chicago takes Buffalo native Patrick Kane 1st overall. Two consecutive years that an American has gone #1. Suck on that, Canada.

7:36 PM: Philly takes James van Riemsdyk 2nd. Top two picks from U.S. and A. VERY NICE!

7:44 PM: Los Angeles goes off the board to get Thomas Hickey from Seattle of the OHL. It's about damn time something interesting happened.

7:57 PM: Sam Gagner goes 6th to Edmonton. By the way, the Caps new unis look pretty slick. Not sure, but the number font looks really similiar to the Sabres.

8:13 PM: Damn, those new Bruins jerseys are nice.

8:19 PM: San Jose moves up to #9. They take Logan Couture, the son of Chet Couture, who is one of the top refs in the National Lacrosse League.

8:37 PM: The Habs pass on Angelo Esposito to take a high schooler from Minnesota. Why does Montreal always take Americans?

8:46 PM: Colorado takes Kevin Shattenkirk 14th overall. How the hell is Cherepanov still on the board?

8:57 PM: Minnesota trades up to get Colton Gillies at #16. It seems to me that they could have gotten him at #19, which they dealt to Anaheim for the pick. Riiight.

9:04 PM: Cherepanov to the Rangers. Glad to see him finally picked. Sad to see him go to the Rangers.

9:30 PM: Edmonton takes Riley Nash at the 21 spot. This draft is pretty much impossible to handicap.

9:50 PM: Vancouver takes Patrick White. Trying not to jinx it, but I'm hoping Nick Petrecki drops to 31.

10:01 PM: TSN crew wonders why Columbus fans were booing Yzerman. The Red Wings are probably the biggest rival they have in C-bus.

10:07 PM: San Jose trades up and snags Petrecki. Stupid Sharks.

10:17 PM: Wayne Gretzky & the 'Yotes take Nick Ross with the final pick of the 1st round. That does it for tonight... The Buffalo Sabres are on the clock!

See you all tomorrow...

Looking back... before it's too late

As Saturday's draft approaches, it's the real beginning of the offseason. The beginning of the offseason means the end of last season, and it's pretty much the end of the team that won the President's Trophy as we know it.

Within the next couple weeks, there will be multiple players who will never wear a Sabres uniform again. It's sad, but change is inevitable. By the end of the month, all hell may break loose. No one knows what's gonna happen.

So, in celebration of the season, here's the video/slideshow montage I put together to remember the ride, with music from Buffalo's finest.

Enjoy.

Muckler out in Ottawa?

So what does assembling an Eastern Conference Champion team get you these days? Apparently, it gets you the boot.

According to TSN, the Toronto Sun is reporting that John Muckler is/will be out as GM of the Ottawa Senators.

According to the Toronto Sun, the Ottawa Senators have fired general manager John Muckler.

Muckler wouldn't discuss the issue with the paper, directing all inquiries to Senators owner Eugene Melnyk.

"I haven't been told anything," Muckler told the Sun when asked about potential changes.

Nothing confirmed by the team or anyone else... yet. Either way, there have been rumblings, including this piece by TSN's Bob McKenzie, stating that this would be happening anyways. It's rumored head coach Bryan Murray was dethiring the GM pothithun, er, desiring the GM position.

Whatever happens, if Muckler is gone, we'll always have the memories of this:

And the winner is... Thomas Vanek

Although head coach Lindy Ruff didn't walk away from Thursday's NHL Awards with another Jack Adams trophy, there was a member of the organization that was honored. Sabres forward Thomas Vanek became the first Sabres forward since Pat LaFontaine & Alexander Mogilny in 1992-93 to be named a NHL Second Team All-Star.

Pretty cool honor, huh?

Vanek finished the season with 43 goals and 41 assists for 84 points, with a league leading plus/minus of +47. The 43 goals was tied for the 5th highest total in the league (Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis and Atlanta's Marian Hossa also had 43), and 84 points was tied with Vancouver's Daniel Sedin for the 19th best.

It's nice to see Sabres players recognized, but fans should be a little worried about this, because Vanek's price undoubtedly just went up.

Vanek, a restricted free agent who made $942,400 last season, has been placed in some elite company with this selection. Now with the Sabres trying to sign both their co-captains, this could be another sign that at least one captain won't be back.

When it comes time for Darcy Regier negotiate TV's contract, Vanek's agent is surely going to use this to his advantage. Look at the salaries of the other 2nd teamers last season:

• G - Roberto Luongo, VAN: $6,000,000
  
• D - Chris Pronger, ANA: $6,200,000
  
• D - Dan Boyle, TB: $3,625,000
  
• C - Vincent Lecavalier, TB: $7,166,666
  
• RW - Martin St. Louis, TB: $6,000,000

There really isn't supposed to be any debate, Vanek is the future of the team. He is on his way to being a superstar in this league. Regier will get him signed. But, if the Sabres are serious about signing both captains, how much could that effect what they'll be able to offer Vanek?

For arguments sake, let's say the Sabres sign Vanek to a 3 year, $15 million deal. I think $5M per is about right considering what other top wingers in the league make. Minnesota's Marian Gaborik, who is about the same age, and same production level, makes $5 million a year.

That's an immediate addition of $4 million to last year's payroll. Considering the Sabres' cap number last season was just about close to the $44 million limit, that's huge.

You subtract the contracts of Drury & Briere, (Drury made $3.154M, but cap number was $3.04M... Briere made $5M) you have about $8M to work with. Subtract Numminen's contract ($2.6M), and Zubrus ($1.85M) since they are also unrestricted, and you're playing with just over $12 million. Take out $4 million for Vanek, you're down to $8 million to work off last year's cap number. If the new cap is $49 million, there's $13 million in cap space to sign both captains, and at least a defenseman. There is depth available to replace Zubrus. Not to mention, the Sabres have restricted free agents to sign, including Derek Roy and Nathan Paetsch, both who will get raises. Roy will get at least a $1 million dollar raise.

So, even if the Sabres decide to spend to the cap, which they probably won't, they'll need to get Briere and Drury signed to deals under $6 million each to retain both. There's no guarantee either will take a significant "hometown discount".

Larry Quinn did say at Thursday's press conference that the Sabres will spend more than they did last season. That's probably true. But that doesn't mean they'll be adding any new players. Because of the way the cap works, the Sabres spent to the cap last season. The cap was $44 million, but the total of all the Sabres player salaries was around $41 million. Since the cap number is the average salary over the length of the contract, all of the deals the Sabres made last year were backloaded.

For example, Brian Campbell signed a two year deal last offseason, worth $3 million. His cap number is $1.5M. Last season, he made $1.25M, and this season he will make $1.75M. This is the case in just about every contract the Sabres have given out. So just about every player, even under contract, gets a raise this year. In essence, the Sabres are already spending more money.

Back to Vanek, if they go out and get both captains signed, and spend anywhere close to the $13 million in cap space we discussed, there is potential that some other team will give Thomas Vanek an offer sheet and there will be nothing the Sabres can do. Unless they get some really sweet deals early, they may be setting themselves up.

So, Austin asks, "What does it all mean, Basil?"

It means that someone's not coming back next year. Whether it's Briere or Drury because they can't get them signed, or Vanek because they gave the captains too much money and can't afford to match an offer sheet, or some other roster player they have to move to make cap space, there will most likely be someone who just can't fit in.

* * * *

In other NHL Awards news, no one really came home a winner, but there were many Sabres who recieved votes. The following are the winners, and what Sabres received votes:

2006-2007 NHL ALL-STAR TEAM VOTING RESULTS
CENTER
Pts. (1st-2nd-3rd) Career All-Star Selections
1. SIDNEY CROSBY, PIT 683 (130-10-3) 1 First Team, 0 Second Team
2. Vincent Lecavalier, TB 292 (8-63-63) 0 First Team, 1 Second Team
5. Daniel Briere, BUF 5 (0-1-2)
7. Chris Drury, BUF 2 (0-0-2)

LEFT WING
Pts. (1st-2nd-3rd) Career All-Star Selections
1. ALEX OVECHKIN, WSH 479 (75-29-17) 2 First Team, 0 Second Team
2. Thomas Vanek, BUF 306 (26-47-35) 0 First Team, 1 Second Team

DEFENSE
Pts. (1st-2nd-3rd) Career All-Star Selections
1. NICKLAS LIDSTROM, DET 678 (130-8-4) 8 First Team, 0 Second Team
2. SCOTT NIEDERMAYER, ANA 622 (107-28-3) 3 First Team, 1 Second Team
3. Chris Pronger, ANA 407 (31-79-15)
4. Dan Boyle, T.B. 198 (6-46-30)
9. Brian Campbell, BUF 47 (0-10-17)

GOALTENDER
Pts. (1st-2nd-3rd) Career All-Star Selections
1. MARTIN BRODEUR, N.J. 607 (91-50-2) 3 First Team, 3 Second Team
2. Roberto Luongo, VAN 521 (52-86-3) 0 First Team, 2 Second Team
6. Ryan Miller, BUF 17 (0-0-17)

2006-2007 Hart Trophy Voting
Pts. 1st-2nd-3rd-4th-5th
1. Sidney Crosby, PIT 1225 (91-34-14-2-1)
11. Daniel Briere, BUF 33 (0-2-0-5-4)
13. Chris Drury, BUF 14 (0-0-1-2-3)
20. Ryan Miller, BUF 2 (0-0-0-0-2)
22. Thomas Vanek, BUF 1 (0-0-0-0-1)

2006-2007 Norris Trophy Voting
Pts. 1st-2nd-3rd-4th-5th
1. Nicklas Lidstrom, DET 1217 (87-44-5-4-2)
10. Brian Campbell, BUF 42 (0-0-3-4-15)

2006-2007 Vezina Trophy Voting
Pts. 1st-2nd-3rd
1. Martin Brodeur, N.J. 122 (16-14-0)
7. Ryan Miller, BUF 4 (0-0-4)

2006-2007 Jack Adams Award Voting
Pts. 1st-2nd-3rd
1. Alain Vigneault, VAN 134 (18-12-8)
2. Lindy Ruff, BUF 126 (11-18-17)

2006-2007 Calder Trophy Voting
Pts. 1st-2nd-3rd-4th-5th
1. Evgeni Malkin, PIT 1357 (120-21-2-0-0)
13. Drew Stafford, BUF 1 (0-0-0-0-1)

2006-2007 Lady Byng Trophy Voting
Pts. 1st-2nd-3rd-4th-5th
1. Pavel Datsyuk, DET 705 (38-26-18-15-8)
11. Chris Drury, BUF 105 (2-5-5-7-4)
17. Thomas Vanek, BUF 43 (2-1-1-3-2)
37. Daniel Briere, BUF 12 (0-1-0-1-2)

2006-2007 Frank Selke Trophy Voting
Pts. 1st-2nd-3rd-4th-5th
1. Rod Brind’Amour, CAR 420 (16-21-7-23-9)
4. Chris Drury, BUF 300 (18-6-9-10-3)
14. Thomas Vanek, BUF 77 (3-3-3-3-2)
17. Derek Roy, BUF 47 (2-2-1-2-2)
24. Jochen Hecht, BUF 11 (0-1-0-1-1)
37. Jason Pominville, BUF 7 (0-0-0-2-1)

Good Deal

Keeping things the same at the top of the Sabres organization was just as important as the upcoming free agency period, maybe even more so if you consider the stability, trust and familiarization they bring in returning to not only the players, which is huge, but the fans as well.

It wasn't that long ago that almost any fan wanted to drop the tandem off at the nearest bus station and run. But as fan's we must tip our hat to them for sticking with this team through some pretty rough years. I think it's awesome that they getting the accolade's they not only deserve but have earned, and the teams have prospered and the fans have reaped in the benefits of there success as well.

Finally one last spin on the way this amazing season ended "Don't Let The Disappointment Of Destination Ruin The Beauty Of The Journey"

Lock it up: Ruff, Regier get new deals

The Sabres finally appear ready to start accomplishing something. A report by the Associated Press says the organization has reached deals with head coach Lindy Ruff and general manager Darcy Regier.

The deals will be announced later this week, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Sabres have not yet announced the signings.

Since joining the team in the summer of 1997, the tandem has led the team to four conference final appearances and one Stanley Cup final appearance. Ruff is the longest tenured coach in the league.

The length of the contracts are unknown, but it is widely known that both were looking for long term deals to stay with the Sabres.

It is also unknown how much each will make. It had been indicated that Ruff was seeking to become one of the highest paid coaches in the league, which is appropriate considering his achievements (winningest coach in team history, recent success of two straight conference finals and President's Trophy, 2006 Jack Adams Award winner, not to mention, his great facial hair).

Even though Sabres fans are still fretting over what will happen in free agency, this should be a very assuring turn of events. With Ruff & Regier coming back, despite who's out on the ice, the team will be competitive for the forseeable future.

Don't believe everything you read

It's obvious to every Sabres fan (real fans, who actually care who's under contract), that the next few weeks are crucial to the team's immediate future.

With both captains on the brink of leaving, there is some concern that one, if not both are going to be elsewhere when next season rolls around.

While many believe that Briere is the most likely to return if either do, it's widely believed Chris Drury has California in his sights. The fact Drury lives in Huntington Beach in the offseason leads many to think he's bound for LA or SJ. Of course we all know Drury's college pal and best bro Mike Grier bolted the team last year for the Sharks, taking their offer over the same money to stay with Buffalo. The Kings are a potential suitor as well, a big market with a lot of room to work and loads of potential.

Darcy Regier says it's not one or the other, but it's unlikely B. Tom will open up the wallet to bring both back. It really isn't about staying under the cap now. It's about not spending too much money. It seems unlikely unless a severe hometown discount is in play.

Some think that both could be back... such as Ken Campbell at The Hockey News...

Both Briere and Drury are eligible for unrestricted free agency July 1 and there has been a sense in the hockey community at least one of them will have to go. Regier refutes that notion, saying the math could very well work in the Sabres’ favor.

“I don’t know exactly where that is coming from because we’re not at a tipping point,” Regier said. “We’ve never viewed it as one or the other.”

That’s not to suggest the Sabres will continue to be one big, happy family, but to concede the Sabres won’t be able to keep both is premature.

The fact is, the Sabres are quite nicely set up for next season. They have a total of 13 core players – goalie Ryan Miller, defensemen Henrik Tallinder, Brian Campbell, Toni Lydman, Dmitri Kalinin and Jaroslav Spacek and forwards Tim Connolly, Maxim Afinogenov, Jason Pominville, Ales Kotalik, Jochen Hecht, Paul Gaustad and Drew Stafford – under contract for $28.4 million.

The salary cap is expected to rise next season to somewhere between $47 million and $49 million, so for the sake of argument, let’s just assume it’s going to be $48 million. That leaves the Sabres almost $20 million, if they choose to go to the upper end of the cap, to fill out their roster. After two straight seasons of sellouts and lengthy playoff runs, the Sabres should be able to handle it.

I like the optimism, but I still don't think that the Sabres will spend to the cap. My problem is the terrible math he uses:

Let’s say they can get a hometown discount and sign both Briere and Drury for a combined total of $12 million or $13 million. That takes them up to $41.4 million. Vanek and Roy will cost a combined $3 million, which takes you to $44.4 million. A backup goalie and Peters will cost a combined $1 million and they’ll be able to sign Paille for $800,000 on a two-way deal. That takes us to $46.2, which would mean they’d technically be able to sign Zubrus, but they wouldn’t be allowing themselves much wiggle room.

Wait, what?

Just a heads up to anyone who thinks otherwise: Darcy will be damn lucky if he gets Thomas Vanek signed for under $4 million a year. A 23 year old stud with a 43-goal sophomore season? How in the hell do you expect to get him and Roy (who, if signed before he goes to arbitration, should get somewhere between $1.8 and $2.5 million a year) together for under $3 mil? There is simply zero chance that happens.

"Fact is", Vanek is really the key as to whether or not either captains return. If Darc' can get him locked up long term for a reasonable rate, then that opens the door to bring back one or both. The Sabres will be in deep trouble if they sign Briere and Drury before Vanek. They would be squeezed fairly close to the cap, and probably over their budget already, and some team will give Vanek an offer the Sabres can't match.

I'd love to see the Sabres stock up for another run at the Cup, but Vanek is probably the most untouchable guy on this team behind Mr. Miller. Regier & Co. better keep that in mind before they try too hard to keep the captains off the market.

Minnesota Miracle Man does it again!

Good news for Ducks fans, no trip is needed because Disneyland is across the street. Gordon led the team to victory again! In the same building where they defeated Iceland in that epic shootout.

Dear Ottawa Senators,

Karma is a bitch. You were carried through the conference finals by fluke goals (Corvo in Game 2, Alfredsson in Game 3) and your powerplay. It comes back. The Cup winning goal is what we soccer fans refer to as an own-goal.

Just awesome. Anaheim kicked the crap out of Ottawa. No more watching Chris Neil dive and throw cheap shots. No more listening to Bryan Murray's lisp. No more Daniel Alfredsson shooting the puck at other players.

Of course, I would be lying if I thought the Sabres would have even had a chance. Well, actually they would have had a chance, but that would fall somewhere between slim and none. Anaheim is built to win. They can outskate you, outscore you, and outhit you. The way Buffalo played in the postseason would not have even been close to enough to challenge the still, but not officially "mighty" Ducks. No other team deserved the Cup more than them.

Congrats to the Ducks. I'm sure Hans is looking down and smiling.

3-1 Ducks 4:06 left in 2nd

Chris Phillips puts it into Ray Emery's pad...Ray carries it into the crease and it slides into his net.

Own goal. Bahahahahahaa

Quack Quack

It's a shame that Ottawa's season could end tonight. It really is. I mean look at the players on that squad.

Dany Heatley-Do we really need to go there?
Joe Corvo-He likes to beat up strippers, if that doesn't ooze class, I don't know what does.
Chris Neil-Get some new teeth. He looks like he plays...doo-doo.
Ray Emery-He has had those flashes...you know, the kind where it looks as if he couldn't stop a puck from being shot into a dixie cup.
Daniel Alfredsson-Apparently he forgot the #1 rule that you learn when you first lace up the skates at age 5... DON'T FIRE THE PUCK AT SOMEONE'S DOME. Nice Captain, Ottawa. Another year, another Alfie choke job.

Wow, sure seems like there are a lot of Ducks in B-Lo this time of year.

Yes, this is new.

Alright people, welcome to BACKCHECKING, our new little thing here at BSI.

For the time being, don't expect much, but we're gonna try to make this a daily thing. BSI has grown expontentially in the years I have been there, and I'd like to keep it as a news only site. This will serve as the outlet for my musings about the team, the league, and everything else. In the future, some of the other staff members might jump on too.

So, in the meantime, keep coming back, and we'll try to get going soon. Hope you enjoy it.