Another Loss to the Ducks

Once again the Sabres came out very poorly in a loss to the Anaheim Ducks. Gaustad and Kotalik both scored, but they were the only players who did anything on offense. Both goals came from Kotalik just blasting the puck into the net, and it's something this team has to do more often.

The Ducks received solid play from Buffalo native Todd Marchant. While getting outshot by the Sabres in the first period, they better took advantage of Buffalo's defensive breakdowns.

Official Three Stars

Jean-Sebastien Giguere

Todd Marchant

Paul Gaustad

My Three Stars

Ales Kotalik (one goal, one assist, five shots)

Todd Marchant (one goal, one assist, plus two)

Teemu Selanne (one goal, plus one, four shots)

Ovechkin steals the Show

This past all star weekend presented a problem to the networks, as they had to figure out how to promote this big time event without the media's favorite player Sidney Crosby being present. Fortunately they saw Ovechkin come in with enough excitement and flash to steal the show.

Even without Crosby there I had assumed that they would spend all their time talking about him anyhow. Instead they actually did a good job talking instead about the players that were there like DiPietro, Chara, and Atalanta's favorite Ilya Kovalchuk. The big name they were able to latch unto however was Ovechkin. The Russian forward was by all appearances the most happy to be there, and the most understanding that the whole weekend was about having fun and a good time.

He scored two goals in the shootout, and along with Getzlaf was the only player who realized that the goal of scoring the shootout was all about being over the top and crazy. Granted he didn't even manage to hit his shots towards the net, let alone score, but at least he went for something. Had he gotten a goal off of that move it would have been awesome, but even as it was he gets more respect then the players who failed doing boring stuff like trying to just quickly switch sides and wrist it through the corner.

In other news Selanne decided to return for the Ducks (like Niedermayer). However in a strange twist, unlike Niedermayer Selanne did not make the all star game despite missing most of the season.

Anyone left to pick up?

The Sabres have been criticized this off season for doing almost nothing. Seeing the more active the first week would have been nice, but at this point there isn't too much they can do. Despite my earlier speculation it seems unlikely that Peca will sign with Buffalo. This begs the question of who's left? The quick answer is almost nobody.

Given that Peca is unlikely to come back, and that the Sabres have no need for any additional defense, the options are slim. Forsberg is nowhere near worth the money it would take to sign him, and is really too slow to make it with a team like the Sabres. If he will sign a one year contract for under a million great, but thats not going to happen.

The best free agent pick up would be getting Selanne. However, given his age and his expected salery, I don't think that Buffalo would be able to offer him any contract of more then a single year. He would be a useful member of the team, and a leader as well. Interestingly it would also put the two remaining Winnipeg Jets on the same team (along with Numminen).

The only other big name player I can see the Sabres picking up is Esche. The team already has a back up goalie, but not one at the same level that Esche is. He won't be quit the same quality back up that Biron was, but he is a solid player, and at this point could be signed rather cheaply. He is going to want to go somewhere, and most teams are already set on their top two goalies and really aren't looking for any more.

Beyond this I don't see anyone significant left in free agency. The Sabres are likely to pick up one or two unknown players, but I'm really doubting that we will see too much in terms of moves that will actually affect the opening night roster.