Goaltender Options for the Flyers - Part 2 posted by Kevin Christmann

Part 2 of this series will include Restricted Free Agent options as well as possible acquisitions via trade.

In Part 1 of this series I covered some of the more realistic Unrestricted Free Agent options for the Flyers in their quest to acquire a starting goaltender. In addition to the Unrestricted Free Agent options, there are several viable Restricted Free Agent options. The benefit of restricted free agents is that they are all young…that is, after all, why they are restricted free agents. They are often times coming off their entry level contracts, and just haven’t played enough seasons to be eligible for unrestricted free agency. The bad part about restricted free agency is that, depending on how much the player is signed for, the team is required to pay some sort of draft pick compensation.

The compensation thresholds are dependent upon the salary cap ceiling for that respective season. Since we don’t know what the salary cap will be set at for next season, the compensation thresholds have not been set either.

Last year’s compensation was as follows:

-at or below $863,812 = no compensation

-$863,813 to $1,307,812 = One 3rd round pick

-$1,307,813 to $2,615,625 = One 2nd round pick

-$2,615,626 to $3,923,437 = One 1st round pick, one 3rd round pick

-$3,923,438 to $5,231,249 = One 1st round pick, one 2nd round pick, one 3rd round pick

-$5,231,250 to $6,539,062 = Two 1st round picks, one 2nd round pick, one 3rd round pick

-$6,539,063 or above = Four 1st round picks

Los Angeles Kings @ Detroit Red Wings (Game Recap 12/19/2007) posted by Matthew R. Hastings

Different Game, Same Story for the Los Angeles Kings.  On Tuesday against Colorado the Kings took a bad early and it set the tone for the rest of the game, well against the Red Wings it was no different!  Jason LaBarbera was looking to build off that performance he gave Monday night against the Avalanche, but in this game he would get no help.

Cammalerri took holding penalty just 22 seconds into the 1st period, and just like that the Red Wings are up 1-0 less than one minute into the game!  The Red Wings got another goal from Hudler toward the midway of period one.  With a 2-0 deficit, the Kings were in another hole early.  Detroit forward Franzen was called for a holding penalty with two minutes left in the 1st period.  The Kings, Dustin Brown then cashed in on the golden opportunity to get them back in the game by netting a Power-play goal. 

The Kings came out for the 2nd period and shocked the Red Wings, by not only scoring 15 seconds into the period but tying the game as well.  The people in the Hockeytown thought they were going to be in for a game, but then the Red Wings woke back up with some help from the Kings. Three minutes after tying the game Zetterberg flipped the puck towards Kings goalie Labarbera when defense-man Tom Preissing deflected the puck with his hand confusing goalie Jason LaBarbera, Thomas Holmstrom was then able to poke the puck into the goal to give the Red Wings the lead right back at 3-2. 

After that it was no looking back as the Red Wings poured it on.  The Red Wings got 3rd Period goals from Cleary, Franzen, and Filppula to cap of the win.  The game that was once tied 2-2, was quickly changed by four straight goals from four different Red Wings.  Future Hall of Fame goalie Domink Hasek was sharp enough for the Red Wings stopping 18 of 20 shots.  Once again bad penalties and mistakes cost the Kings.  The Red Wings showed why they have been an elite team for the last 10 years.  All the players on the team know their role and they combine it into the system to work.  They also get good goal-tending, make teams pay for the mistakes made, and they capitalize on the Power-play.   

The trade is done... the waiver wire work has begun. posted by Roland Lesterlin

I woke up this morning with a sense of joy.  Jarome Iginla managed to produce a wonderful 4 point night, including a game winner.  As any fantasy hockey enthusiast will surely attest, a hat trick is a wonderful thing.  A hat trick that includes a powerplay goal and a game winning goal is even better; throw in 9 shots on goal and a couple of PIMS and the dream night is complete. 

As we approach the 30 game mark of the season, it is time to let the sleeping dogs lie.  If you have underperformers on your fantasy team, now is the time to cut bait and find new fertile fishing grounds.  It is better to have a hot player that gets you a few points then drop him and find the next hot commodity then to hang onto a massive underperformer.  It is true that I continue to hold my breath on Maxim Afinogenov, but that is because he has finally started to put up points. 

Here are some hot players to consider: 

Sean Avery:  One of the leagues best agitators is returning to the Blue shirts line-up.  New York wins with this guy in the line-up.  He will get plenty of PIMS, shots and even powerplay time.  What more could you want from your 2nd or 3rd string LW?

Mike Fischer:  This guy can flat out play the game.  If he was on a team that didn’t boast some of the highest scoring professionals in the game today, he would get a lot more respect.  He’s feeling it right now and his ice-time is increasing.  Ride him while he’s hot, which might be for a little longer than you’d expect. 

Sabres extend qualifying offers to 3 (AP)

The Buffalo Sabres retained the rights to three key restricted free agents by extending qualifying offers to forwards Drew Stafford and Clarke MacArthur and defenseman Andrej Sekera. General manager Darcy Regier made the announcement on Monday, hours before a 5 p.m. deadline for teams to make offers to their restricted free agents. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Sabres draft son of ex-captain Foligno (AP)

Marcus Foligno vividly recalls attending the on-ice ceremony when his father, Mike, was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres' Hall of Fame. Little did the youngster realize then that some four years later he'd earn an opportunity to build on the family legacy in Buffalo. Foligno, the youngest son of the popular former Sabres captain, will get that chance after Buffalo selected him in the fourth... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Sabres hope to re-sign Spacek

The Buffalo Sabres are negotiating with Jaroslav Spacek in an attempt to re-sign the veteran defenseman before he's eligible to become a free agent next week.General manager Darcy Regier said he's made Spacek an offer and plans to have further discussions with the player's agent, Stephen Freyer, before the start of free agency on July 1.Freyer said his client is interested in staying in Buffalo, but said it's too early to predict what will happen. [read full article]

From FOXSports.com News for NHL

Sabres looking to re-sign D Spacek (AP)

The Buffalo Sabres are negotiating with Jaroslav Spacek in an attempt to re-sign the veteran defenseman before he's eligible to become a free agent next week. General manager Darcy Regier said he's made Spacek an offer and plans to have further discussions with the player's agent, Stephen Freyer, before the start of free agency on July 1. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Old home of Sabres all but gone (AP)

The old home of the Buffalo Sabres is all but gone. A wrecking crew pulled down the last roof supports on Buffalo's Memorial Auditorium Saturday morning. A section of the building collapsed with a roar in a billowing cloud of dust. The Aud has been empty since the Sabres left for HSBC Arena 12 years ago. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports