Written by Chris Wassel | 28 August 2009

Well here we are, Labor Day is quickly approaching, and NHL training camps are right around the corner. Almost every NHL roster has taken shape after a flurry of off-season activity, and every team is just about ready to go. There is little talk of roster movement, excluding the Dany Heatley fiasco that never seems to end, and the late signing of Alex Tanguay to the team that never saw a UFA they never didn't like, the Tampa Bay Lightning.

This brings us to my beloved Buffalo Sabres. Sure, the Sabres have been somewhat active this past month, by bringing in some grit by signing Mike Grier and Jeff Cowan to one year contracts. But Mr. Darcy Regier, what about the last RFA on the roster, Drew Stafford? Bueller?

Of course, it is not that Stafford isn't an integral part of the Buffalo Sabres plans for the 2009-2010 season. So what if Stafford is 23, and coming off his first career 20 goal season, and is primed to possibly become a 30 goal scorer? I know Darcy...I know...inking Cowan to play in Portland takes precedence, I know..(Sarcasm off)

What is causing the delay here? The Sabres payroll currently stands at approximately $52.5 million dollars with 23 players signed (14 forwards, 7 defenseman, and 1 goalie (Ryan Miller) and an anchor as a backup, Patrick Lalime (I could not resist!) Assuming that Stafford makes close around $2.5 million, this would push the Sabres payroll close to $55 million. Would this be an acceptable number for Tom Golisano? I think not!

So is the delay with Stafford a signal that the Sabres will move another forward on the roster to clear room for Drew? Or would Regier do the unthinkable, and move Stafford and save money and rely on Nathan Gerbe or even Tyler Ennis to pickup the slack? If so, this would be a dangerous roll of the dice given the importance for the Sabres to make the playoffs after a 2 year hiatus.

Let's assume that the Sabres keep Stafford and desire to trade another forward from the current roster. What player is desirable? Tim Connolly at $4.5 million per? Only if he comes with an State Farm agent, maybe. Jochen Hecht at $3.8 million per, and 3 years left on his contract? I think not, as Hecht is to the Sabres that Ales Kotalik is to the New York Rangers in regards to undesirable contacts (and Glen Sather has no $ left to make this move, otherwise he could be tempted, too bad!)

It will be very interesting to see how the Stafford situation pans out, but as this Sabres fan is accustomed to doing, always fear the worst! In 26 years as a Buffalo Sabres fan, this way of thinking rarely disappoints!

NOTES:

Even though Andrew Peters wasn't the greatest enforcer in the world, and his hockey skills were not up to snuff to compensate for his lack of being a top enforcer, Peters was always entertaining, and will always be remembered for the 'golf swing' towards the Toronto Maple Leafs bench in Buffalo Sabres lore. And his comments this off-season stating how much he enjoyed his time in Buffalo showed me a lot about Peters, and as a fan I wish him nothing but the best going forward and hopes he gets another shot in the NHL. So in Andrew's honor, I present to you, "The Golf Swing"


[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=349LLDpOtyE&hl=en&fs=1&]

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