Tim Kennedy; 1 year, $1 million

So there it is, according to James Mirtle, he’s hearing 1 year, $1 million for Tim Kennedy.

Thoughts?

Tags: Arbitration, Buffalo Sabres, Tim Kennedy

Tim Kennedy’s Arbitration Decision Should Come Today

Tuesday saw the Sabres and Mr. Kennedy wrap up their proceedings for arbitration, with a 48 hour window given for the decision.

Well; that 48 hours is about up. We should be hearing sooner than later the numbers on the deal.

Now I know technically one cannot use other player’s arbitration rulings as a comparison point; but does it not scare you seeing that former Sabre Clarke MacArthur, and his 16-19-35, and a -16 at 25 years old, was awarded $2.4 million in arbitration?

So at 24, Kennedy at 10-16-26, and a -3 is going to net what? $1.5? If so, I’ll be pissed, überpissed. So pissed, I looked up ü. (Hilarious ironic note; überpissed is misspelled according to the old template software here; the word recommend? Overpaid.)

We’ll find out soon enough.

Tags: Arbitration, Clarke MacArthur, Tim Kennedy

Pat Kaleta Re-ups for 2 Years

Ahead of his arbitration date; Patrick Kaleta has signed a 2 year deal with the Sabres.

Details on the contract to follow.

Tags: Buffalo Sabres, Pat Kaleta

Arbitration Dates Announced

Joe Buscaglia, from WGR550, is reporting that the two Sabres arbitration dates are set. From the WGR550 report:

Forward Tim Kennedy and Patrick Kaleta will both have their 2010-2011 season’s salary decided by a judge at the end of the month.

Kennedy will have his hearing on Tuesday July 27. Kennedy had ten goals, 26 total points and was a minus-three in 78 games played last season.

Kaleta’s date is just two days later on Thursday July 29. Kaleta provided a key physical role for the team while scoring ten goals in 55 total games.

Will they get long term extensions signed before then? Probably not, but hopefully things can be settled amicably before then (and maybe a move made after Kovalchuk signs today).

But I’ve got it on good knowledge (no I don’t) that Darcy Regier will be showing this for his arguments in regards to Tim Kennedy.

He should expect the league minimum.

Tags: Arbitration, Buffalo Sabres, Pat Kaleta, Tim Kennedy

Underdogs; A Buffalo Story

This coming via Kukla’s Korner, a nice little story of a hearing-impaired prospect.

Best part?

In junior hockey, Gregg has been a physical player who likes to hit. On occasion, he’s been caught hitting a bit late. But he does have a built-in excuse. He can always say, “I didn’t hear the whistle.”

Sutch recalled one such time, “I hit somebody, I didn’t hear the whistle, but they gave me a roughing penalty. I told the ref I was hearing-impaired. He told me I can’t do anything about that. A penalty’s a penalty.”

That’s funny right there, I don’t care who you are.

Whether or not 5th round pick of this year’s draft ever amounts to anything is beside the point; far from it.

By the way; HE THROWS DOWN.

Tags: 2010 Draft, Buffalo Sabres, Prospects

Sabres Sign Niedermayer

Rob; that is.

Per Darren Dreger, the Sabres have signed Scott’s grittier brother Rob to a 1 year contract.

More as it comes.

And yes; I just got back from an extended vacation, refreshed and all that.

Sabres Draft Round-Up

I picked a helluva week to head out on vacation eh? Currently “working” off the deck, overlooking the Assawoman Bay (seriously), reading up on the weekend that was; and the draft I missed.

Here’s the important round up notes from Friday and Saturday; and what we need to know about Mark Pysyk.

1. Most important? Pysyk stands up for his goaltender.

2. Bob McKenzie’s thoughts:

“Buffalo’s pick of steady defenceman Mark Pysyk is safe and sound. There’s no wow factor, he’s just a solid defensive blueliner. You can never have enough of them.”

3. Selection Video: Beware, Pierre McGuire sighting.

4. NHL.com release

5. Pysyk likes Brad Paisley; I like Brad Paisley.

6. Did We Get a Steal in Gauthier-Leduc?

“Gauthier-Leduc is not a star, but he’s not chopped liver either. He’s No. 50 on NHL Central Scouting’s list of draft-eligible North American skaters, which translates into a late second or early third-round pick. He was invited to the CHL prospects game back in January, won the hardest shot competition and handled himself pretty well. In that contest, he played his usual game — more fundamentally sound than flashy — against the best that are out there. You’d think that alone would have made his games required viewing, and they were — as long as they weren’t in Rouyn-Noranda.”\

7. Gaustad 2.0?

8. Draft Roundup

9. The trending of your 2010 Sabres draft picks; looks like value up and down.

Wonder why Shipley fell so far; that’s gotta be a story somebody is going to write soon.

Tags: 2010 Draft, Buffalo Sabres

The Schedule Is Out

And I am pissed. Here, in our 40th anniversary season, we’re taking it hard.

Check the schedule (I’ll have an excel version up soon, not quite yet).

You see it right? 22 back to backs, just 4 of those having both games at home. Yeah. 22. That leads the league.

What’s that mean? Well, the NHL has effectively taken our best player, and forced him to sit out at least 15 games this year. (Faux Outrage? Maybe)

The NHL has essentially told Darcy Regier; now it’s time for you to get a capable backup, because you have to.

This is not pleasing to me; no, not one bit. Well, the part about actually having to pick up a backup goalie who can actually contribute on the ice, not just the locker room, is a fantastic development.

Tags: 2010-2011 Season, Buffalo Sabres

Opening Night In Buffalo

We’ve already got the season opening dates; ahead of the upcoming scheduled release.

The Sabres will open the season on the road; Friday, October 9th, in Ottawa (so prepare to start 0-1-0) then the home opener is Saturday, October 10th, where the new-look Sabres will open HSBC arena against the New York Rangers.

I’m pumped already.

Tags: 2010-2011 Season, Buffalo Sabres, Schedule

TMZ Buffalo

Prospect Zack Kassian Arrested:

Spitfires forward Zack Kassian was arrested early Sunday morning after his alleged involvement in a fight at a downtown Windsor nightclub.

No charges have yet been laid.

Kassian, 19, was arrested at 1:50 a.m. at The Beach Sports Bar and Grill on Ouellette Avenue and was later released
Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/Spitfires+Kassian+arrested+after+alleged+assault/3091512/story.html#ixzz0pc9xrSU0

Idiot.

Tags: Buffalo Sabres, Zack Kassian