Back in 2008 when I wrote articles here and there at Billszone, I tried my hand at projecting the Bills schedule before the season started. In that article, I made one huge fatal mistake that doomed the entire article. For a brief moment, I turned into a total homer and completely forgot that the team was still coached by Dick Jauron. Looking back at it, I can't believe that I actually thought the Bills would finish 10-6. At least my negative opinion on Brett Favre has remained consistent throughout the years.

I never projected the 2009 Bills schedule; however I did predict them to finish 5-11 in my AFC East preview, so that kind of counts, right? Unlike the Bills, I made a huge improvement within one season. This excites me greatly. And with that, let's break down the 2010 Buffalo Bills schedule in brutal game-by-game detail.

Week 1: Miami Dolphins

I can see the Bills winning this game for a couple of reasons. First, it's opening day and that is usually the week where most upsets occur. Let us not forget that on two separate opening weeks in Foxboro, the Bills came within a handful of points of upsetting the Patriots. Second, spinning off my first point, the Dolphins aren't the Patriots and this game is being played in Buffalo. Third, the Bills throttled the Dolphins at home last season and I'd like to think the Bills are a little bit better going into this season (maybe). On a positive note for the Dolphins, Brandon Marshall will play a huge role in this game since it's unlikely that he'll be arrested this early in the season. (1-0)

Week 2: @ Green Bay Packers

I really see no way that the Bills can beat the Packers, let alone beating them in Green Bay. The last time Buffalo and Green Bay faced each other, the Bills came out on top thanks in large part to multiple bonehead turnovers from the turnover machine himself, Brett Favre. However Green Bay has moved on and improved greatly in this area. The Bills strongest point is their pass defense, but I still don't think it will be good enough to stop Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay passing attack. In case everyone forgot his last meaningful game, Rodgers went off in Arizona to the tune of 28 for 42, 423 yards, 4 touchdowns, and a 121.3 QB rating. Granted the Green Bay secondary was shredded worse by Kurt Warner, but um, the Bills will most likely be starting Trent Edwards, who isn't exactly Kurt Warner. Interesting note, this game has the potential to be the Brian Brohm grudge match if he wins the starting job. Seriously, this is what we've resorted to as Bills fans. (1-1)

Week 3: @ New England Patriots

It's been so long since Buffalo defeated New England that I can barely remember when it happened. I'm not even going to look this up but I feel pretty confident in stating that the Bills have never won a game in Gillette Stadium since it became the new home for the Patriots several years ago. With that in mind, I see no reason to think that this year will be any different. My Boston angst continues. (1-2)

Week 4: NY Jets

The Bills and Jets are usually good for splitting the season series, despite how good or bad each team is. Last year they split and the Bills were a five win team while the Jets were one win away from the Super Bowl. In 2008 the Jets swept Buffalo, but that is only because the glorious combination of Losman and Jauron decided to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. They must have been returning the favor because in 2007 the Bills swept. In 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, all splits. So really for me, it's a matter of which game do the Bills get and which do the Jets get. Since their second meeting will be in Week 17 where the Jets will probably have the playoffs locked up and playing scrub ball, I'll give this game to the Jets and that game to the Bills. (1-3)

Week 5: Jacksonville Jaguars

Last season the Bills almost beat the Jags in Jacksonville. Given the circumstances, it really showed how bad the Jags were. The Bills had just fired their coach and Ryan Fitzpatrick was starting the game. If that wasn't enough, Fitzpatrick hit Terrell Owens for a 98 yard touchdown at one point in the game. I have to be honest, even in past seasons when the Jags were playoff bound, I've never really thought of them as a good team. Given that this game is early in the season and in Buffalo, I can very well see the Bills stealing this game with a last second field goal. (2-3)

Week 6: BYE

Week 7: @ Baltimore Ravens

Coming out of the bye week, it's the Willis McGahee revenge game: part two. The first revenge game was won by Buffalo, but to be honest, it felt like a loss. If it wasn't for Rian Lindell bailing out the pathetic Bills offense with four field goals, the Bills easily lose that game. In addition to that, the Bills benefitted from some horrendous play calling by Baltimore and their now former coach, Brian Billick. Finally, McGahee scored on a 46 yard touchdown run and finished the day with 114 yards, so it wasn't like the Bills shut him down and proved any point. If anything he stuck it to Buffalo a little bit, despite losing the game. This time the game is in Baltimore and the Ravens have Joe Flacco, not Kyle Boller. (2-4)

Week 8: @ Kansas City Chiefs

For as bad as the Bills have been the past two seasons, Kansas City has actually been worse. If you don't believe me, please see exhibit A and exhibit B. In fact, the Chiefs haven't defeated the Bills since 2003. You can go ahead and put me in the group of people that was never really impressed with Matt Cassel and figured that Kansas City was making a huge mistake last season. I don't see any reason why this year will be any different. Plus I'm sure Chan Gailey would like to get back at his former team just a little bit. (3-4)

Week 9: Chicago Bears (Toronto)

I'm sure the Bills could beat the Bears, but that would require the Bills to actually win a game in the lifeless "Bills in Toronto" series that makes just about every Bills fan sick. I have absolutely no fear of the Bills leaving for Canada, so that isn't the reason this game bothers me at all. It's more along the lines of the Bills throwing away a home game, playing on a crappy field in the Rogers Centre, and playing in front of about 30,000 fans who could give a damn about the Bills. It's practically a neutral field game. Reminds me of those junky bowl games in mid-December that nobody cares about. At least the Bills smartened up and stopped giving away division games. (3-5)

Week 10: Detroit Lions

The Lions might be an improved team, which isn't saying much, but the Bills should be able to get a win here. Don't get me wrong, the Bills are a bad team, but please also remember that the Lions are a team that has two combined victories in their last 32 regular season games. It will be interesting to see these two teams actually play a real game though. I'm so used to just seeing them play their annual scrub bowl game in the last week of the pre-season that this should be a nice change of pace for sure. Then again, a week 10 meeting between the Bills and Lions isn't exactly a marquee matchup. (4-5)

Week 11: @ Cincinnati Bengals

I bet you're thinking there is no way the Bills can beat the Bengals on the road this late in the season. This is where I say you're wrong. I know this means absolutely nothing in regards to the game this year, but does anybody realize the last time the Bengals even defeated the Bills. I'll give everyone a hint: I was only three years old. That's right; it was in January of 1988. Again, I know this has no bearing on the game this season, but when you're a Bills fan, crazy trends and statistics are about all we have to go on. (5-5)

At this point I'd like to note that this will officially start the "mathematically in the playoff race" talk for the Bills, when in reality, there is no way they are making the playoffs. It's an annual tradition for us Bills fans and late November seems like a good time to start it off.

Week 12: Pittsburgh Steelers

For me personally, not all Bills fans, these two weeks of the season are going to be pure hell. Even the occasional reader of this site should be able to pick up on the fact that I really dislike all Pittsburgh sports and I'm not exactly wearing Wranglers and joining the Brett Favre fan club anytime soon. Honestly, the Bills could go 2-14 this season with these two games being the only wins, and I'd be perfectly content with that. All that being said, the Bills will lose these two games and make my life a living hell until at least early February. On the positive side, I'm pretty sure I'm going to break the record for most rapist jokes told in a one week span. (5-6)

Week 13: @ Minnesota Vikings

If I were a fortunate sports fan, things would make sense, and Brett Favre would turn the ball over at least four times and throw away an easy victory against the Bills. Watching Brett Favre play is like being a little kid and waking up on Christmas morning. The anticipation of the inevitable turnover that costs his team the game is overwhelming at times. Last season Favre did his best to disprove this theory, but the world righted itself when it mattered most and as we all know, the Saints went on to win the Super Bowl. So like I said, if things made sense, the sports gods would throw me a bone and let the Bills win this game while forcing multiple turnovers. But that isn't the way things work for Buffalo fans and I'm starting to accept that. Instead Favre will most likely go off for at least three touchdowns while posting a perfect 158.3 QB rating. Oh and I'm pretty sure whoever I'm playing in fantasy that week will start Favre and ruin my season there as well. (5-7)

Week 14: Cleveland Browns

The Bills should be able to beat the Browns at home. Then again, they should've been able to beat the Browns at home the past two seasons as well. In fact, the Browns have actually defeated the Bills in the past three seasons, all by a combined 13 points. This includes a game that ended 8-0 and 6-3. Let's just say these two teams don't get together and put on the greatest show for the fans. Something has to give though. I can't possibility mark down a fourth consecutive loss to the Browns. (6-7)

Week 15: @Miami Dolphins

I hate how the NFL schedule has the Dolphins in Buffalo for the early game and the Bills in Miami for the late game. We all know it should be flipped around so the Dolphins are playing in the elements. Not that it matters though. By this point in the season the Bills will probably have an NFL leading 26 people on injured reserve and starting players that just finished their UFL season. (6-8)

Week 16: New England Patriots

If the Patriots haven't sealed the division by this point of the season, this game should do the trick. The Patriots have dominated the Bills so much recently that I wouldn't be surprised if they just became part owners of the team. The trend has to end sometime but there is no way I'm predicting it. I've been down that road before and it's ruined my credibility. What? I never had any credibility to start. Hmm, oh well. (6-9)

Week 17: @ NY Jets

As I highlighted above, the Bills and Jets are a safe bet to split the season series which would give the Bills the Week 17 victory and a solid seven wins for the 2010 season. One way this would be avoided is if the Jets need this victory to make the playoffs and actually show up to play. Otherwise, mark it down as a split. (7-9)

I have to be completely honest; predicting the Bills to finish 7-9 is taking a gigantic leap of faith. They could realistically be a two or three win team in 2010. However, that would give the Bills the number one or two overall draft pick in 2011, and we wouldn't want that to happen. The Bills have specialized in being bad enough to consistently miss the playoffs, but good enough to at least have mid-round draft pick. 7-9 sounds just right.

The news on July 1^st that the Sabres only signed Jordan Leopold was met with this type of reaction.

Sabres: "The Sabres have reached an agreement with Jordan Leopold"

Generic Fan A: "Who is that?"

Generic Fan B: "Some guy from Pittsburgh."

(Frantically Googling 'Jordan Leopold')

Generic Fan B: "He isn't a big name, I hate this."

Generic Fan A: "Wow, the Sabres are awful. How could they do this to me?"

Needless to say, it was an overreaction of epic proportions. Is Jordan Leopold the answer? Hardly. Is he a great signing? Not really. Was it that terrible? No, it wasn't.

Combine this with the overreaction to losing Toni Lydman and Henrik Tallinder and what you're left with is a massive headache. Just to review a few things, Lydman and Tallinder are easily replaceable. Neither was overwhelming during their time in Buffalo. In fact, before last season, most of the Sabres fan base wanted Tallinder run out of town. You can put me in that crowd. In fact, I wrote numerous times last offseason that I wanted the Sabres to dish off both contracts before they expire, even if it resulted in them getting a bag of pucks in return.

Flash forward to this season and all of a sudden losing both guys is a bad thing. Just for the sake of argument, here are the numbers for all three players for the past two seasons. Numbers don't tell the whole story, but they help paint a picture.

2009-10

	GP	Goals	Assists	Points	PP Points	+/-
Leopold	81	11	15	26	1	-2
Tallinder	82	4	16	20	0	+13
Lydman	67	4	16	20	0	+10

 
2008-09

	GP	Goals	Assists	Points	PP Points	+/-
Leopold	83*	7	17	24	1	-15
Tallinder	66	1	11	12	0	-2
Lydman	80	3	20	23	0	0

*Traded at deadline which accounts for one extra game played.

Leopold got identical money as Lydman got from Anaheim. +/- is the only real stat that Lydman was better than Leopold in. Otherwise, they are basically the same. The real difference between the two is that Leopold scores more goals. Just throwing this out there, but the Sabres could use some more goal scoring from their blue line.

As for Tallinder, where do we start? I already mentioned how nobody wanted him around but what changed this past season? Well for one, he had a major bounce back season that must have brain washed the fans' minds into thinking he was good again. So why did he have a bounce back season? Contract year? Paired up with Tyler Myers? You decide. I'm no expert (obviously), but watch New Jersey regret his contract roughly halfway through its tenure.

Again, I'm not getting on my soap box and backing this decision 100%. In fact for the sake of argument, here is what I wrote about him just before free agency started. But I also realize that it's only July 6^th and the Sabres don't lace up the skates for a number of weeks still.

In a solid and under the radar signing, the Sabres re-inked Cody McCormick to another one year deal. The big difference this season compared to last is that this year it's a one way deal, which would indicate that he'll be spending the entire season up with Buffalo as opposed to Portland.

I was extremely high on McCormick in my Sabres season preview, maybe even a little too high on him seeing that he didn't even make the roster. That being said, he was called up during the playoffs and played very well in the final three games. Apparently the Sabres front office agrees because it looks like he'll be replacing Adam Mair or Matt Ellis. Actually, both might not return with this move.

From what I know about McCormick, I'm pretty excited to see him in Buffalo all season long.

So what's the next move gonna be?

NHL Free Agency kicks off July 1^st, so I figure that now is a good time to review the upcoming UFA and RFA class. Unlike last season, I won't be ranking them in terms of overall worth, but instead the rankings will reflect their worth to the Sabres and how bad I'd like to see the particular player in blue and gold next season. Please remember, these rankings are completely biased.

Finally, we've made it to the forwards. This might be the biggest problem area for the Sabres this summer. Buffalo has put a ton of faith in their system and their guys, and so far it hasn't exactly worked out. Thomas Vanek has had his moments where he's been that guy, but other times where we all bash our head against the wall when we realize he is the highest paid player on the team. Jason Pominville is still living off his 15 minutes of fame for a big playoff goal he scored over four years ago. Derek Roy has been the leading scorer for the Sabres in the regular season but failed to show up in the playoffs. Tim Connolly opted not to play at all in the playoffs. I could go on and on, but you get the point. The Sabres need some more muscle up front and a true number one center.

If I had my choice, the Sabres trade Connolly and get a decent return. He has a $4.5 million dollar cap hit this season and then his contract expires. I'd like to see the Sabres get something from him because I think there is a 0.03% chance the Sabres bring him back after this season. I know other fans are quick to jump on the trade Derek Roy bandwagon, but I'm a little more hesitant on that one. Facts are facts. He has been the team's leading scorer for the past three seasons and he only makes $4 million per season. He is also locked up for the next three seasons. Not a bad deal if you ask me.

As if everyone needs this reminder again, but these rankings reflect my personal opinion on players the Sabres need and should go after, not overall UFA rankings like done in the past. That means no Ilya Kovalchuk in these rankings. Not happening, nor should it.

1. Patrick Marleau (SJ) – I would crack a bottle of champagne and celebrate the day if the Sabres signed Marleau. His point totals since the lockout have been 86, 78, 48, 71 and 83. He would instantly improve the Sabres goal scoring and be their best forward. Maybe he'd even show Pominville a thing or two about earning his contract.

(Ed. Note: After the writing this article, Marleau re-signed with San Jose for a massive $6.9 million per year.)

2. Tomas Plekanec (MTL) – There is a part of me that wonders if Plekanec is one of those guys who over-achieved during his contract year and will ultimately cash in and let down his next team but I'm willing to ignore those thoughts for the time being. This past season was definitely a bounce back season but he also chipped in 69 points in the 2007-08 season so maybe it's unfair to label him as a one hit wonder. Like I said in the defenseman rankings, another positive to signing Plekanec would be stealing him away from a division rival.

(Ed. Note: After writing this article, Montreal did in fact resign Plekanec to a 6 year deal.)

3. Alexander Frolov (LA) – Since the lockout, Frolov hasn't scored less than 50 points in any season. That would instantly put him in the top five for scoring on the team. Frolov's cap hit was $2.9 million but I'm guessing he'll be looking at about $4 million per season coming up. Judging on his numbers, he looks like a near identical image of Derek Roy, which probably isn't a heartwarming thought for most Sabres fans but I can live with it.

4. Ray Whitney (CAR) – Whitney isn't exactly young and won't exactly provide a ton of toughness, but there are other added benefits to signing him. I advocated for him at the trade deadline and nothing has changed, except the Sabres can now get him without giving up any players or draft picks. Because of his age (38), I'd be uncomfortable with anything more than a two year deal.

5. Lee Stempniak (PHX) - Stempniak flamed out in Toronto big time, but blew up after the trade deadline while in Phoenix. Stempniak grew up in the Buffalo area which automatically means he'd be a great Sabre. /sarcasm. But seriously, I think he showed his true potential in Phoenix. There are plenty of reasons why he struggled in Toronto. For one, putting it nicely, the Leafs weren't a very good team. Two, his game was examined under the strongest microscope with some of the toughest fans to please. When the pressure was off while playing in a non-hockey town, he lit it up. Granted he'd be going back into a big hockey city with large expectations, but I'd like to think he has his confidence back.

6. Manny Malhotra (SJ) –Malholtra falls into the bargain category. His cap hit was a miniscule $700,000 last season in San Jose. In return he scored 14 goals and 19 assists. That is essentially the same amount of money Adam Mair made while providing double the scoring. I will absolutely sign up for that. In fact, Mair has never even scored double digit goals during his seven seasons in Buffalo. His highest total is eight goals in the 2008-09 season. In a similar six year span, Malhotra scored nine goals one season and eclipsed double digit goals in the other five. This would be a very good under the radar signing for Buffalo if they went in that direction.

7. Matthew Lombardi (PHX) – Lombardi has a few aspects that stand out to me. He's only 28 years old and his cap hit was $1,816,667. To put that into perspective, that is a little more than what Mike Grier makes. It's less money than what Drew Stafford, Paul Gaustad and the majority of Sabres forwards bring home. With that in mind, Lombardi scored 19 goals last season and contributed another 34 assists. So no he isn't a top line 40 goal scorer, but for the cap hit and the production, he's a great bargain that would improve the team.

8. Bill Guerin (PIT) – Like Ray Whitney, Bill Guerin is a little too old for my taste, but I'd sign up for a one or two year deal. Guerin has the ability to chip in 20 goals but would also provide a great deal of toughness and leadership. Having someone like Guerin on the roster would help a great deal during the playoffs when the young guys are busy being invisible. All of that being said, Pittsburgh would be crazy to let him go. He's a perfect fit for them.

9. Matt Cullen (OTT) –Cullen would be a decent signing for the right price, mostly for the veteran presence and leadership. I can't stress this enough, the Sabres need more players that will take control of the locker room. There is a reason the Sabres wasted no time signing Mike Grier before letting him hit the open market. It was refreshing to see them recognize his importance and place a value on it.

10. Saku Koivu (ANA) –I'm lukewarm on the thought of Koivu in a Sabres uniform, but I needed a nice even list of 10 for this article so here he is. I'm all for adding another 50+ points to the Sabres group of forwards, but I wouldn't be crazy about him taking up three million or more against the cap. Now if you were to tell me that the Sabres were able to unload Drew Stafford and his $1.9 million cap hit and replace it with Koivu and a $3 million cap hit, I can easily live with that. Again, the Sabres need some more consistent scoring.

If I have one internet pet peeve, it's people playing GM on the internet with unrealistic scenarios that would only happen on Xbox. However, now that we've seen my rankings for goalies, d-men and forwards, allow me to play the role for a few minutes.

The Sabres currently have around $10 or $11 million in cap space for the upcoming season. They have 10 forwards, 5 defensemen and one goalie under contract.

Sign Martin Biron for $1.2 million. Sign Carlo Colaiacovo for $2 million. Trade for Tomas Kaberle, in the process trading Drew Stafford and whatever draft picks Brian Burke wants. Re-sign Patrick Kaleta and Tim Kennedy, each getting a minor raise. Sign Ray Whitney and Matthew Lombardi. Raise another division champion banner in HSBC.


 

 

 

 

NHL Free Agency kicks off July 1^st, so I figure that now is a good time to review the upcoming UFA and RFA class. Unlike last season, I won't be ranking them in terms of overall worth, but instead the rankings will reflect their worth to the Sabres and how bad I'd like to see the particular player in blue and gold next season. Please remember, these rankings are completely biased.

We've finally reached the point where the Sabres will most likely be letting both Toni Lydman and Henrik Tallinder walk. For me personally, this makes me very happy. I have nothing personal against either player, but with their contracts expiring, it opens up over five million dollars in cap space for the Sabres to actively pursue some new faces to call HSBC home. Of course I could be saying all of this very prematurely because Darcy Regier has said more than once that he's had conversations with both players about returning, however I really don't see that happening. I'd be shocked if both players didn't get a raise and I swear if the Sabres shell out over three million for either player, my head might explode.

Before I dive into the free agents that will be available, I want to address a player that might be available via trade.

1a. Tomas Kaberle (TOR) – If I had a nickel for every time Kaberle's name was mentioned in a trade rumor, I'd have a ton of nickels. With every rumor I hear involving Kaberle, I almost always hear the Sabres name mentioned at the same time. Because Kaberle is heading into the final year of his deal and the draft is coming up, I'm being forced to take this rumor a little more serious this time. Despite his age (32) and salary (4.25 million/year), I'd be very pleased if the Sabres swung a trade for Kaberle.

Since the lockout, Kaberle has contributed point totals of 67, 58, 53, 31 and 49. Factor in that his 31 points came in 57 games, and it's all the more impressive. Kaberle would instantly be the best scoring defenseman on the Sabres, along with Tyler Myers. The idea of Kaberle in Buffalo also excited me because he's a power play specialist and the power play for Buffalo is horrendous. Literally, it's to the point where I wish the Sabres could actually decline penalties and just play 5 on 5.

Buffalo is clearing right around 5.5 million with Tallinder and Lydman leaving and I'd be perfectly okay with them giving that money to Kaberle for roughly four years. Rumors I've read have said Buffalo would have to give up a couple of draft picks and possibly Drew Stafford to acquire Kaberle. For me, that just sweetens the deal. Maybe Stafford will pan out and become a very good player, but my patience has run out on him and the sooner he's gone, the better. If Buffalo traded for Kaberle and locked him up, they would head into the season with Kaberle, Rivet, Montador, Myers, Sekera and Butler. Call me crazy but I'm more than okay with that. Rivet will most likely miss the beginning of the season but the Sabres have two players in Mike Weber and Marc-Andre Gragnani that could easily fill in and even challenge Sekera and Butler for regular playing time.

There is always the chance that the Sabres don't get this deal done, so with that in mind, let's see who will be available on the open market. Keep in mind, this isn't an overall ranking, but a ranking on who I think would be a good fit for the Sabres. I'm also only ranking the top 10 players to keep this as short as possible. Salary, age and scoring are the three things I'm factoring in here. If there has been one thing lacking in the past few seasons, it's been consistent scoring from the defensemen.

1b. Anton Volchenkov (OTT) – Volchenkov doesn't fit the bill for a scoring defenseman like I highlighted above, but I'd still love to have him in Buffalo for a few reasons. Volchenkov is only 28 years old and has been one of the better defensemen for Ottawa over the past few seasons. He'll be looking for a large payday since he's arguably the top defenseman overall, so the odds of Buffalo making a play on him are pretty rare. Part of the allure in my eyes is not only would the Sabres be upgrading their blue line, they would be directly hurting a division rival in the process.

2. Carlo Colaiacovo (STL) – Colaiacovo isn't a household name for most hockey fans but he would be a very solid signing for Buffalo. His current salary was $1.4 million, so even with a raise; he would bring a modest cap hit at best. Combine that with his age (27) and his recent point production, and I'm all for this signing. After being drafted by Toronto and constantly being injured, he has been relatively healthy for the past two seasons playing in 73 and 67 games respectively. In those two seasons he chipped in 30 and 32 points, which would make him the second highest scoring defenseman in Buffalo.

3. Joe Corvo (WAS) – Corvo doesn't have the highest point totals, but I would definitely be on board with him signing in Buffalo. I'm guessing he'll be looking at a contract right around three million per season for about four years, and I could live with that. I think I've mentioned it at least 80 times in this article, but the Sabres power play is an absolute joke. Corvo isn't quite in the class of Kaberle or Gonchar, but he'd still help upgrade that particular aspect for the Sabres.

4.
Sergei Gonchar (PIT) – Gonchar's salary and age go directly against my rules for signing a defenseman in free agency. However, if it was a one or two year deal and he took a significant pay cut of two million or more, I could talk myself into that signing. Gonchar would be a veteran presence on the blue line (with Cup winning experience) and possibly someone who could breathe some life into the power play as well. Like Kaberle, Gonchar would immediately be the best offensive defenseman the Sabres would have. Tyler Myers led the Sabres last season with 48 points in 82 games. In only 62 games with Pittsburgh, Gonchar had 50 points.

5. Marc-Andre Bergeron (MTL) - Bergeron's point totals aren't anything to write home about, but his cap number is rather modest and he's only 29 years old, so I wouldn't mind this signing at all. In the past two seasons his point totals have been above 30, so if anything, he'd instantly be the second highest scoring defenseman on the team. The biggest concern I have about Bergeron is how much he's bounced around so far in his career. Since the lockout he's played for the Oilers, Islanders, Ducks, Wild and Canadiens. That's an awful lot of teams in such a short time span.

6. Dan Hamhuis (NAS) – Hamhuis would help upgrade the blue line for Buffalo, but not necessarily in the scoring department. His point totals since the lockout have been 38, 20, 27, 26 and 24. Combine that with is current salary (2.5 million) and the likelihood of a significant raise, and his odds of signing in Buffalo are pretty slim. The biggest thing I noticed about Hamhuis is his durability. In the past five seasons in Nashville, Hamhuis has missed a total of seven games.

(Ed. Note: Nashville has already traded Hamhuis' rights to Philadelphia, so unless they really screw up and don't sign him, he is already off the market.)

7. Paul Martin (NJD) – Martin's price tag is a bit much for my liking, but he'd be a solid signing nevertheless. Martin was hurt for the better part of last season but still managed to net 11 points in 22 regular season games. I'd have to defer to the experts on this, but I do wonder how much of his success is tied to the system in New Jersey

8. Jay McKee (PIT) – This is more of a nostalgic pick because to be honest, I really don't know how much McKee has left in the tank. He's only 32 which isn't terribly old, but he's blocked so many shots over the course of his career that he might as well be 40. With all that in mind, he still suited up for 62 games last season in Pittsburgh and among the games he missed, many were because he was the 7^th defenseman and ended up being a healthy scratch. His cap hit was only $800,000 which is a tremendous bargain considering what you're getting in return. If he would be willing to accept a similar amount of money with similar circumstances to come back home to Buffalo, I'd be more than fine with it.

9. Pavel Kubina (ATL) – At 33 and carrying a price tag of five million per season, Kubina would be a tough sell for me. Besides a veteran presence, Kubina really doesn't fit into any of the three categories I'd be looking for. However, if he took a minor pay cut and Buffalo signed him, I'd definitely be able to talk myself into it.

10. Jordan Leopold (PIT) – Leopold will be 30 heading into next season and looking at a cap hit around two million, so I wouldn't be too excited if the Sabres were to sign him. He's only eclipsed 30 points in a season once (in 2003-04) and didn't make a huge difference for Pittsburgh in their latest playoff run. There are obviously worse choices, but signing Leopold would most likely be a 'more of the same' type signing for Buffalo.