Apr 4, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets forward Mathieu Perreault (85) celebrates Winnipeg Jets goal by Winnipeg Jets forward Michael Frolik (not pictured) during the first period at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Tim Redinger – Senior Editor, Buffalo Sabres Empty Wing Problem
I love these round table posts. It is great to see that by committee, we all think the Buffalo Sabres should do something different when it comes to free agency.
Certainly there are a lot of moving parts that could change the landscape between now and July 1st. Players that are drafted, players that are traded for. The roster could look drastically different come Sunday morning than it does today.
As far as free agency is concerned, I wouldn’t care if the Buffalo Sabres passed on July 1st and didn’t overpay free agents. But we know there are holes on the team and there is money to spend. So with that, I think the Buffalo Sabres need to focus on free agency even in a thin class this year – as opposed to overpaying in a trade on draft day.
The Buffalo Sabres need depth at right wing. We have long since said that about them down the middle, a position they now haven plenty of prospects and players at. You can’t build a solid ship by only focusing on one part though.
Who gets the tap at right wing? How about Michael Frolik from the Winnipeg Jets?
The Jets don’t have the cap space that the Buffalo Sabres do and won’t be able to get Frolik on their roster at the price he is going to be asking. Buffalo can afford to get him in around the 5 million mark that the agent is probably going to be looking for.
All it takes is a phone call from former teammate Evander Kane – were the two of them close? Great locker room chemistry? I mean if there is a problem between the two guys then you wouldn’t want that in your locker room.
It might even be worth sending the Jets a conditional trade on draft day, say a late round pick that bumps up to a third round pick if we sign him before July 1 – keeping him from testing the open market.
The Buffalo Sabres need to attack free agency, but doing it wisely, and not just throwing money at a player and hoping they sign in Buffalo.
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