Part I/III: Buffalo Sabres Mock Tradecentre
By Jordan Bean
Thought I would do something innovative and creative the next couple of weeks. It is called Buffalo Sabres Mock Tradecentre. In each of my three articles, of which I will review 10 teams for each, I consider good hockey trades that I would make as a general manager for the Buffalo Sabres, and the reasons why I would make them. Let me know what you think, and thanks for reading.
A few things to consider:
– There are no substance to these trade rumours, I have made them up myself, and welcome feedback from fellow Sabres’ fans and NHL Fans alike to create their own forum in the comment section at the bottom to support, disagree, or even add to some of the trades that I have considered because I have by no means exhausted every scenario.
– If you have a buddy that cheers for one of the teams’ I reviewed, or any hockey fan in general that could bring in a different point of view, have them check it out. The more people contribute to the forum, the more discussion that is facilitated, and the more fun it is for everybody.
– Although I have made most of these trades up, each of the players I’ve used in the trades on both sides have been thrown about in trade rumours at one point or another. For example, I’m not going to even bother considering a Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin in this debate, that would be wasting everybody’s time.
– I’m going to do my best to consider each and every one of these trades from a non-bias perspective. Trades need to make sense for both teams obviously.
– Below is a list of untradeable Sabres players, whom I will not include in an of the below scenario’s. Below that, I feature the players’ who I believe could welcome a valuable return, and at the same time are expendable from the Sabres’ point of view.
Untradeable Assets: Tyler Myers, Christian Ehrhoff, Mark Pysyk, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc, Jake McCabe, Cody Hodgson, Jason Pominville, Marcus Foligno, Tyler Ennis, Mikhail Grigorenko, Steve Ott, Zemgus Girgensons, Joel Armia, Ryan Miller
Trading Block: Drew Stafford, Thomas Vanek, Brayden McNabb, Andrej Sekera, Jordan Leopold, Adam Pardy, TJ Brennan, Luke Adam, Robyn Regehr
PACIFIC DIVISION:
San Jose Sharks Buffalo Sabres
Patrick Marleau, Brandon Mashinter FOR Thomas Vanek
Analysis: Two well-seasoned veterans, both whom have come onto the NHL chopping block fairly recently. They both have similar salaries and point production; Marleau (6.9M-64 pts), Vanek (7.1M-61 pts). While they play different styles, Marleau being a speedy two-way winger/centre, Vanek being a pure goal scorer with great size, both have struggled with consistency offensively. Both could benefit from a change of scenery, Vanek is four years younger at 28, and has more offensive upside going forward, so I’ve decided to throw in San Jose prospect, Brandon Mashinter into the mix. I watched him play in the OHL for the Kitchener Rangers, and although he is not a great skater, he has awesome size, fights, goes to the dirty area’s, and can score too.
Phoenix Coyotes Buffalo Sabres
Mark Visentin, ‘2013 first rounder FOR Drew Stafford
Analysis: Phoenix has no depth up front, especially with the probable loss of Shane Doan. Although Drew does not bring the leadership qualities that Doan does, he has the potential to be just as productive, if not more productive points-wise. This trade would make sense for the Sabres because I do not think the Coyotes will make the playoffs this year, and with such a deep draft crop in 2013, would hold a high market value, and give the Sabres leverage to trade their own first rounder. The Sabres, according to www.wgr550.com, don’t believe Jhonas Enroth has what it takes to carry the load for an entire season, and with a dearth of top end talent in the goalie pipeline, Mark Visentin is a great pick up.
Los Angeles Kings Buffalo Sabres
Dustin Brown FOR Thomas Vanek, Brayden McNabb
Analysis: Of any of the possible trades with the Sabres in the Pacific Division, this is the least likely to happen. Brown was rumoured to be on the trading block at the trade deadline last season, but his stock soared astronomically down the stretch, and during the Los Angeles Kings Stanley Cup Run. The Kings are not likely to want to change the dynamic of the team much, especially a leader like Dustin Brown who is difficult to replace. That being said, his NHL stock has never been higher, and the Kings could get a large ransom for a player of his calibre. At 3.2 Million, Brown has a very reasonable cap hit. With so many intangibles to offer, Thomas Vanek and Brayden McNabb probably would not be enough, but I would not give away any more than that.
Anaheim Ducks Buffalo Sabres
Emerson Etem FOR Luke Adam
Analysis: The Anaheim Ducks need a number two Centre. Luke Adam may just be the answer. Off to a torrid start last year on a line with Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek, his two-way play faltered, lost his confidence, and was placed in AHL Rochester the rest of the year. Now he sits behind a depth chart that includes Cody Hodgson, Tyler Ennis, Mikhail Grigorenko. The Ducks would be smart to take a chance on him, and the same can be said about Emerson Etem with the Ducks, whose been an absolute beast with Medicine Hat of the WHL, scoring 107 points last year, and playing in a starring role with the American World Junior Squad the last two.
Dallas Stars Buffalo Sabres
Brendan Morrow FOR Robyn Regehr
Analysis: Each have a similar age and cap hit; Morrow (33 yrs- 4.1M), Regehr (32 yrs- 4.0M). Also both are heading into contract years. Joe Nieuwendyk is apparantly fielding offers, as this is the first time that I have heard of him being on the trading block. There is a lot to like about this trade, despite both mirroring eachother in terms of there age and contracts, Dallas is in need of a veteran type defensive d-man to complement their influx of young D, and the Sabres are looking to add a leadership type player who has had a lot of experience and can help groom some of the younger players. Both teams would be wise to execute this trade sooner rather than later, as neither player is getting any younger.
NORTHWEST DIVISION:
Calgary Flames Buffalo Sabres
Jarome Iginla FOR Drew Stafford, Adam Pardy, Brayden McNabb
Analysis: At 35, yes Jarome Iginla is aging, but he is showing no signs of slowing down. He posted 67 points last year, although his $7.0M cap hit is worrisome. Much like the Dustin Brown’s, and Brendan Morrow’s, Jarome Iginla is an unbelievable leader who will do everything for his team. The rumour is he’s been on the market for quite a while now, and if Calgary is truly committed to their rebuild, they will make a trade like this. Drew Stafford can replace most of his production, at a younger age and lower cap hit, Adam Pardy would return to where he had the most success in his NHL career, and Brayden McNabb is one of the best defensive prospects in the NHL at the moment. Everybody wins.
Colorado Avalanche Buffalo Sabres
Paul Stastny FOR Thomas Vanek, Jordan Leopold
Analysis: I have been pushing for the Sabres to go after Paul Stastny ever since his name was put onto the trading block. The rumour is, the Avs and Sabres have been exercising scenarios where Thomas Vanek would go straight up for Paul Stastny and maybe an additional piece or two. I think the Sabres need to lower their standards here and take what they are given, and throw in Jordan Leopold, as the Avalanche are after defenceman as well. Paul Stastny is such a sought after trade commodity with other teams throwing offers for him, the Sabres will have to slightly overpay to get him.
Edmonton Oilers Buffalo Sabres
Ales Hemsky FOR Drew Stafford
Analysis: I really like the idea of making this deal. Both teams would be taking a chance on these players. Hemsky is 28 years of age and does not really fit in with the Oilers plans anymore, while Stafford is 25. They both have struggled with consistency at times, and could benefit from a change of scenery. Yakupov would look great as Stafford’s playmaker. Also, Stafford’s uncle is the equipment manager with Edmonton, an interesting connection there. Hemsky is a playmaker, who I believe would thrive in a Sabres uniform.
Minnesota Wild Buffalo Sabres
Charlie Coyle FOR Brayden McNabb
Analysis: Minnesota is pretty much set for years to come up front, with Dany Heatley, Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu, Devin Setoguchi, Cal Clutterbuck, and PM Bouchard, Mikael Granlund leading the charge, leaving little room for prospect Charlie Coyle. Coyle, a beast of a power forward, who has been a prolific goal scorer at every level that he has played at, is the type of player Sabre fans salivate over. GM Chuck Fletcher picked him up as a part of the trade to San Jose that packaged Devin Setoguchi as well for top D-man Brent Burns. McNabb, in many ways reminds me of Burns in the type of game they play, and could be a good replacement for them.
Vancouver Canucks Buffalo Sabres
Nicklas Jensen FOR Luke Adam
Analysis: If I’m Darcy Regier, I’m selling to Mike Gillis the idea that Luke Adam is an ideal candidate for the third line position that they are looking to fill. Luke Adam is a top prospect and will play in the NHL someday, just not for the Buffalo Sabres at least, with so many great centres ahead of him on the depth chart. Coming the other way, Nicklas Jensen would be an excellent pick-up in that, he is a great scorer that can play both wings, and is quite large in stature at 6-foot-2, 202 lbs.
Again, let me know what you guys think, do not forget to follow @jords82 or @sabrenoise, and thanks again for reading. Hope everyone is looking forward to part 2 of this series.