Wtf? The other goalie is starting and he's Latvian too. My grade 11 geography teacher Mr. Spricenieks would be proud.
Zach Bogosian was waived. With great luck a team will claim him. At $5.1MM cap hit, that does not seem likely (the salary would be pro-rated for the time left on the season). Still, Bogo has real size and surprising wheels, and those traits are especially appreciated in the postseason. If he passes through waivers, and if he accepts assignment to Rochester, it’ll save the Sabres $1.1MM. In the end, Botterill has to engineer some cap wiggle room before the trade deadline. Neither Bogo or the Sabres want him in an Amerks’ sweater. I wouldn’t be surprised if he refused to go, and the Sabres void the contract. He’s a great guy in the locker room and in the community. Too bad he knew the trainer’s room over half his time in Buffalo.
Hard to see anyone taking on that caphit, maybe arizona or the canes, pro-rated he's owed about $1.5M. Maybe the Sabres open a spot for Bryson.
Bogo paases through waivers and is assigned to Rochester. The Amerks are well set at RHD, and no one gains by him being there. We'll see if he accepts. The worst case is this saves the Sabres $1.05MM off the cap. It also enhances their abilty to trade him since the new team could keep him in the AHL until he's needed (the playoffs), and Buffalo can retain salary.
Bogo on most playoff teams would be a #5-6 D, his cap is too high. The sabres will be sellers, I could see them unloading Vesey for a 3rd rounder
Teams will pay for a playoff defenseman that they think can push them over the top to the SC. Bogosian brings what a SC team wants and needs. I think there’s now a chance for a trade since he can go to their AHL team, and the Sabres can retain some salary. Of course, for the Sabres, the best option is that he refuses to go to Rochester. That would enable Buffalo to release him and save all his cap space. Since they’ve been playing the LTIR cap-skate game, and will have about $3MM in bonus payouts to ELC players, removing $5.14MM would be HUGE. They gain cap flexibility at the deadline, and avoid the risk that they’d have a ~$3MM charge against next year’s cap.
If a team really wants him they'll find a way to make it work, not sure how the cap hit would work, maybe a 50/50 split. Maybe the Blues bite, try and replace Jay, most teams are up against the cap, so roster players have to go.
Well, I think the Sabres signaled that they’d be willing to retain the max. 50%, or about $2.55MM (before proration), by sending him to Rochester. As an Amerk, he’ll count ~4.1MM against the cap. A trade would net ~$1.5MM in cap savings. I think there could be some haggling over compensation to Buffalo, as in is going to be a 5th or a 6th round pick. Freeing the cap space makes any deal worthwhile. Of course Buffalo may take a contract back, but it would have to save them more than the cap space needed to send him to the AHL. Hell, the hockey team from Boston might even bite.
I wonder if the Bs would be interested. If Kevan Miller is actually coming back I’d think it would be a definite no, if not it could possibly be an option.
A team would basically be willing to replace a $2.55M roster player with Bogos hit. At the same time the sabres willing to take that player in exchange. A team would have to believe that Bogo can stay healthy in a run to the cup, I personally wouldn't take that bet.
The sabres don't necessarily have to take the player if they could manage a 3 way trade. The sabres could unload the player for picks. So many variables, does he have an expiring contract? What incentive is their for a 3rd team to get involved? If the player coming back is valuable, is it worth losing him in order to get the services of an often injured D-man for a rough SC run.
Yeah, it’s already 5:47 in Portugal and I’m getting my hatin’-the-Leafs stuff on. Don’t worry, it’ll come off quickly enough. As for Bogo, I think he’s a worthwhile risk if a team can find a way to make the money work (and that can be done). Bogo has size, he was never fast, but skates well, and he’s never played a postseason game. It makes him a wildcard in that you don’t know stats-wise what you’re getting. He is a very high character guy and with his drought and injuries, I think he’s VERY hungry for the playoffs. (And, he’ll be trying to earn his next contract.). I actually think he’d be a good for Boston, or any team looking for a deep playoff run. Remember, if he goes to the AHL, his new team could save $ by keeping him there until the playoffs.
Let's see how it plays out, not reporting to Rochester will not look good. Should be a good one tonight, no guarantees with the sabres first line intact and Freddie unpredictable off injury.
Hatin’ gear is off, and I’m lovin’ the Leafs today. Throughout the season the Sabres have shown glimpses of what we hope for the future. Last night - especially the third period - was an example. If this were the only game a casual hockey fan saw they’d swear the Sabres roll four lines, backcheck with a purpose, and have a tight D. They come all too infrequently. But it’s fun when they do. With 9 points and boodles of teams to jump, Buffalo has a draft lottery ticket. Still, I want to see continued effort like this on a more consistent basis. Hopefully they can do some judicious buying at the deadline. Seeing Jack smile again in his postgame was quite the elixir. Keep it up!
Vesey’s been playing better lately. Still, I doubt he’d net a third. I think he’s more likely moved as part of a package. Perhaps Vegas, who need D and therefore are already in discussions with Buffalo, might give up Alex Tuch and a mid-round pick for Brandon Montour and Jimmy.
Even Okposo had his best goal of the season. It's games like last night that define the leafs and their inconsitencies all season They'll most likely do what it takes to make it to the playoffs and bow out in the first round again.
