Orpik and the RFAs

LEWISTON -- The Sabres aren't allowed to talk to other teams' free agents until July 1. But the Sabres' prospects can talk to their brothers, so they've got that going for them, which is nice.

Andrew Orpik, the East Amherst native who was the Sabres' seventh-round pick in 2004, lives with his brother, Brooks, in the offseason. The elder Orpik is exactly what Buffalo is looking for on the blue line (big, tough, mean), and he's about to become a free agent unless Pittsburgh pulls out a stunning offer.

"I actually live with him in the summer so I'm with him every day," Andrew Orpik said Wednesday. "Whatever decision he ends up having to make, he'll make the right choice. He's going to want to go to a team that's going to be a contender, and obviously Buffalo always is one.

"He's going to have a few offers, I think, on the table, and he's going to pick something that fits for him. Who knows where he's going to end up. July 1 will be the interesting day for him.

"I think Buffalo is a place he'd definitely want to come. He grew up here and he's got a special bond with the place, but like I said, it's a business, too, and it's his way of living so we'll see what happens."

Buffalo has the money and the cap room to sign the former first-round pick.

In other news, Mike Harrington tells me people are itching to find out if the Sabres extended qualifying offers to Steve Bernier, Paul Gaustad, Daniel Paille, Clarke MacArthur and Mark Mancari, their restricted free agents. They did.

---John Vogl

Comments

[Marie]

I think Optik Brooks sign as Sabres for Dmitri Kalinin.

[Tim]

Next year's salary cap was announced as $56.7 Mil... looks like no bargain UFAs for us. Convenient how the salary cap is always announced right before free agency begins. Outclassed and outspent.

[Sports and Business]

You can dump Afinigenov for a 106th rounder for all I care. Not that he wouldn't embarrass us if he comes back. The fact of the matter is that frees up $3.5 MM next year and that is huge. If we can use it to get Orpik it is worth the "trade". This team without Max and with Orpik is better. We have enough flashy players that don't produce.

Speaking of which, do the same with Connolly. There's another $3.5 MM. I would use $2.0 MM of that to get Orpik ($3.5 frm Afin + $2.0) and then sign someone like Laroque for $1.5 who can play hockey AND drop the gloves. Dropping Petey saves another $0.5 (Sorry Petey, but it's a business after all).

Would I trade Afinigenov and Connoly for Orpik and Laroque? In a New York minute.

I do think it makes sense to use the money from Kalinin and Teppo to sign Miller and Pomm. Let's hope that's all it takes...

So you have a new roster next year adding 2 guys and subtracting 4. Teppo and Connolly never really played. Now that I think about it, neither did Max or Kalinin.

[Chad]

As much as I'd like Orpik because he fills a need (combo of talent and toughness, qualities that seem mutually exclusive on this squad), I'm not optimistic about getting him. Buffalo tends to offer FA's deals no longer than 3 or 4 years, reserving the longer contracts for players who have proven themselves in the organization (insert Drury/Briere barb here) like Pominville, Roy, etc. Several teams who have plenty of money to spend have said they're going to use it on defensemen. I'm afraid one of those teams is going to blow Orpik's doors off with a longer, more lucrative offer than what the Sabres will give. I'm hopeful, but not optimistic. I'm hoping playing at home, with his brother, in a great hockey market on a team with a lot of young talent is too hard to pass up. Fingers crossed.

[chris is telling it how it is]

Can people around here get their heads out of the clouds and realize nobody is trading for Max. Why would anybody want a one way player who had less than 30 points last season and is clearly past his prime? Additionally, the game is evolving into one that does not serve Max's brand of hockey very well. I just love the people that get mad that we didn't trade him during the draft. When are buffalonians going to realize you can't trade away your garbage and not expect garbage in return. I'm sure Darcy probably got a few offers for Max, but the most we'd get in return would be a 6th or 7th round drat pick. Would you take that trade? I'd rather see if he can turn it around in the last year of his contract then trade him away for a late round pick or worse. Unless we buy his contract out, there is now way he is not a Sabre again next year. And I'm fine with that.

[chris]

There is no way we sign Orpik. Anytime the Buff News and WGR personalities suggest something personnel wise, it never comes to fruition. So write it down, Orpik will not be a Sabre. Just makes too much sense for it to happen. I'm willing to bet we have our team already. Prove me wrong Darcy. You won't.

[Tim]

The money from Teppo and Kalinin (and possibly Finny and Connoly if you look ahead) are earmarked towards re-signing Pomminville and Miller. I would be suprised if we spent some of that money (or new money) on a free agent like Orpik. A rising salary cap never seems to phase this ownership.

[kriszaP]

The signing of Orpik would make alot of sence and fill a big void on de for a physical presence there. Lets see if Mgt steps up hear and makes a legit attempt to sign. Not surprised to see Afingonev still around. Not alot of teams seemed to be lined up to trade for him. I was hoping some team out west had blinders on and would give up something to add potentail speed and scoring.
No such luck.

[Sports and Business]

I disagree here. I think Orpik gets a solid, but not stupid, offer from Sabres. Not sure why, but $4.5 - $5.0 per season seems good to me.

Continuing a theme, I say don't resign Teppo or Kalinin which saves $4.9 Million from last year's budget. As Teppo didn't play I think it is an easy bet this lifts the performance over last year.

I love being a GM.

[JB]

Considering Afinegenov is still on the roster, do you really think they're going to do something as smart as signing Brooks Orpik? Sorry guys, I just can't muster my optimism any more. Every see the movie 'Major League'? Tell me that's not what Golisano is doing.