Sabres Trade Rumors

"The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon plan to name Kevin Dineen as their American Hockey League head coach in Portland, giving the 19-year NHL veteran the responsibility of developing a fresh group of prospects while allowing him to stay with the same team. A news conference has been scheduled for 2 p. m. today in Portland, where the announcement will be made. Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier would neither confirm or deny Dineen’s hiring, but several sources confirmed Monday that an agreement had been reached. Dineen has been the top candidate for the job since July 24, when former Rochester Americans coach Randy Cunneyworth left the organization to become an assistant coach with the ..."

"Ryan Miller and Paul Gaustad just returned from a 10- day European vacation. They went their separate ways after getting back in the States, but it appears they could be reuniting long term with the Buffalo Sabres. Gaustad signed a four-year, $9.2 million contract Monday, the same day General Manager Darcy Regier announced he has begun preliminary discussions with Miller's agent about an extension for the goaltender."

"The opening bell will sound on Canada Day Tuesday, marking the start of the NHL's free-agent season. Here's a look at some of the players who will be most coveted by NHL general managers."

"Buffalo, as fans no doubt recall, was abuzz last July 1 when unrestricted free agency opened. Cocaptains Daniel Briere and Chris Drury commanded $87 million in the first few hours of business. This year, it would be a surprise if the Sabres' unrestricted players topped $8.7 million. Buffalo has five players entering the market - Dmitri Kalinin, Teppo Numminen, Nolan Pratt, Michael Ryan and Jocelyn Thibault - and Kalinin is probably the only one who will get a contract offer Tuesday on the first day of bidding. The others are on the second tier (or lower), so there shouldn't be a big outcry inside or outside the organization if any or all leave town."

"The trade chatter is heavy this year at the NHL draft, and that includes the Buffalo Sabres. "Boy, it's been interesting," Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier said tonight. "There's been lots of talk. A lot of teams are open to trading, but they're not locking into anything until they get a sense of who's going to be available.""

"Walking into the office of Brian Petrovek, managing owner and chief executive officer of the Portland Pirates, a few things stand out. There are team pictures from his time at USA Hockey. There are comfortable director’s chairs, which allow visitors to see the passers-by on Free Street. And there on his computer screen, in all its Blue and Gold glory, blazes the Buffalo Sabres’ Web site. No one is ready to confirm the Sabres are moving their minor league affiliate to Portland, but Petrovek’s interest in whether the Sabres are signing their college prospects for next season is a really big clue. The Sabres are leaving their American Hockey League base of Rochester after 29 years, and ..."

"A report out of Toronto on Tuesday said Sabres owner B. Thomas Golisano had discussions this winter about selling the team. But Regier shrugged off the report from the Toronto Star that focused on Golisano’s chat with Jim Balsillie, who is trying to place a team in Hamilton, Ont. “I’ve been aware [of sales talk], they’ve kept me abreast of it, and it hasn’t been any big deal to me, quite frankly, because I don’t think there’s anything there,” Regier said. The Sabres suggested Golisano is open to offers, something The Buffalo News wrote in February."

"Billionaire Jim Balsillie contacted the owner of the Buffalo Sabres about buying the team earlier this season, a sign the Research in Motion co-founder is still seeking an NHL franchise after two previous high-profile flameouts. Balsillie phoned Sabres owner Tom Golisano around Christmas, according to a source familiar with the matter. Golisano indicated he would be open to selling the club – but not if Balsillie intended to relocate it."

"Now on the market: One speedy, electrifying, jersey-selling right winger, who also commits grievous turnovers, strays outside the system and makes linemates wonder what he’s doing. Maxim Afinogenov, the longest-tenured Buffalo Sabre, may have played his final game for the Blue and Gold. The 28-year-old’s career took a big step back this season, and General Manager Darcy Regier acknowledged Thursday it may be time to trade the eight-year veteran."

"The Sabres’ front office set several goals for this summer. The most important involves signing goaltender Ryan Miller and forward Jason Pominville to long-term contract extensions. Miller and Pominville are under contract for one more season, and the team can renegotiate beginning July 1. “We’ll do everything we can to lock them up,” Regier said. “We’re hopeful that we can get it moving as soon as possible, but we’re not going to look at it as though if it’s not done by July 2 that we’re losing players.”"

"How long will it take before the Sabres conclude that this is the year they finally unload the enigmatic winger? For the most part, he looks no better in Season Eight than he did in Game Eight of his NHL career, when fans envisioned the next Pavel Bure but instead found a player who was closer to Valeri Bure. At some point, enough is enough."

"If all goes well with final contract negotiations and Whitmore passes the obligatory medical examination, the Greece resident will sign an entry-level contract with the Sabres as early as today."

"Could former Michigan State goaltender Ryan Miller be the Red Wings' goalie of the future? That's the rumor that has been swirling around Buffalo since the Sabres have watched their best players leave through free agency or trades since winning the Presidents' Trophy in 2006-07. Miller, who grew up in East Lansing, will become an unrestricted free agent in July 2009."

"Meanwhile, the Rangers are believed looking elsewhere for help on defense, perhaps toward Edmonton's Joni Pitkanen, since Tampa's Dan Boyle yesterday signed a six-year, $40 million extension that removes him from the top of the rental market... With Boyle re-signing with the Lightning, Tampa is expected to have to deal former Conn Smythe Trophy winner Brad Richards, who has a no-trade clause and may have the Rangers, and possibly the Devils, on his short list of acceptables."

"Given the circumstances, they need help, and Dan Boyle (Tampa Bay) and Brian Campbell (Buffalo), two as yet re-signed blue-chip defensemen, were still available yesterday afternoon, as were forwards Vaclav Prospal and Brad Richards, of Tampa."

"There were scouts from 10 different teams listed on the press box roster Saturday as the trade deadline approaches on Tuesday. Dallas Stars director of player personnel Dave Taylor, the former Los Angeles All-Star winger and general manager, has been following the Sabres closely all week."

"Buffalo's Brian Campbell and Colorado's John-Michael Liles, who would fill the Devils' need for a power-play point man, are available, as is Thrashers right wing Marian Hossa. Getting Toronto's Mats Sundin to waive his no-trade to come to New Jersey is a long shot, but a deal for Bryan McCabe or Pavel Kubina, who also would have to waive no-trades, might be doable."

"Lamoriello was back from the GM meetings in Florida in time to watch his Devils win a 20th home game for the eighth straight season, beating the Sharks 3-2 in Newark for a three-game winning streak. He intends to be a trade-deadline buyer, if he can find suitable sellers... Upcoming unrestricteds who could interest the Devils include Marian Hossa, Ladislav Nagy or Mats Sundin up front and Rob Blake, John Liles, Dan Boyle or Brian Campbell on defense."

"The Bruins, Rangers, Senators, Ducks, Sharks and Flyers have all made a pitch for D Brian Campbell, who the Sabres would prefer to keep... Devils D Karel Rachunek is about to be dealt. He was a healthy scratch yesterday vs. the Hurricanes."

"If the Sabres are unable to sign defenseman Brian Campbell, who is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, to a contract extension before the NHL trade deadline next Tuesday, he figures to be one of the most coveted commodities on the market."

"Brian Campbell supposedly wasn’t talking about his contract any more this season whether it was with you, me or the Sabres until last week when it started sinking in with you, me and the Sabres that the high-flying defense-man’s career could be down to a few thank-yous and goodbyes."

"This season, Waddell is probably a seller. Atlanta’s Marian Hossa, one of the premier wings in the league, can become an unrestricted free agent July 1. Waddell faces the quandary of holding on to Hossa for a tight playoff race or dealing him at the deadline to avoid losing him for nothing. Buffalo (defenseman Brian Campbell), the Islanders (forward Miroslav Satan) and Tampa Bay (forward Vaclav Prospal) are in the same situation."

"As the "Who stays, who goes?" debate heats up in Toronto these days, the big news in Buffalo is the status of pending free agent defenceman Brian Campbell of the Sabres. Should the Sabres not be able to ink Campbell to a new deal as the Feb. 26 trade deadline approaches, don't be surprised if GM Darcy Regier moves him in order to get some sort of return for the smooth-skating defenceman."

"Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier and Larry Kelly, the agent for Brian Campbell, met here Wednesday to continue discussions on a new contract for the defenseman. And while Campbell said “that’s what I fully expect” when asked after the morning skate if he would be a Sabre next season, Regier gave a lukewarm report on the talks. “We didn’t go from zero to 100 today but we’re still moving down the road"

"The Devils are believed trying to upgrade their team both on defense and at center. Brad Richards, Olli Jokinen, Ladislav Nagy, Robert Lang and Martin Havlat are names mentioned by inside figures up front, with Dan Boyle, Brian Campbell, Rob Blake, Joni Pitkanen and John-Michael Liles among the possibilities on defense."

"Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brad Stuart and Buffalo Sabres blue-liner Brian Campbell, both unrestricted free agents after this season, are said to be on the Devils' radar screen. So are forwards Ladislav Nagy of L.A. and Robert Lang of Chicago."

"Just a thought, but Brian Campbell would make a nice fit in San Jose and rookie Devin Setoguchi would fit into Buffalo’s plans. The 21-year-old winger had nine goals and was plus-8 in 29 games while bouncing between San Jose and AHL Worcester."

"Do you sign defenseman Brian Campbell, trade him or watch him slide freely into unrestricted free agency like the others? He would have been a bargain over the summer. Ultimately, it’s an ownership decision."

"The Buffalo Sabres, still reeling from the loss of last year’s co-captains Daniel Brière and Chris Drury, are on the verge of losing another valuable player: Brian Campbell, their All-Star defenseman."

"How would Hawks fans feel about a trade of Cam Barker and Jack Skille, both former No. 1 draft picks, to the Buffalo Sabres for defenseman Brian Campbell?"

"The Flyers' pursuit of a puck-moving defenseman became a little more urgent Saturday when Braydon Coburn tore a ligament in his buttocks in the first period of a 2-0 loss to the New York Rangers... Among the defensemen believed to be on the trading block are Toronto's Tomas Kaberle, Buffalo's Brian Campbell, Tampa Bay's Dan Boyle and Filip Kuba and Los Angeles' Brad Stuart."

"The TD Banknorth Garden press box was brimming with NHL scouts, perhaps on hand to watch Sabres defenseman Brian Campbell, the 28-year-old rising star who is heading to unrestricted free agency this summer if he isn’t re-signed. Or he could be traded before the Feb. 26 deadline."

"Defenseman Brian Campbell said there’s nothing new to report on contract talks with the Sabres and downplayed the notion that the impending Feb. 26 trade deadline is going to be a major distraction for him. The Sabres’ asking price for Campbell has been expected to be a current player, a prospect and a No. 1 draft choice. Several Canadian media outlets reported in the last two days that’s in fact the current strategy. “I’m not thinking about it too much,” Campbell said. “I want to stay a Sabre and that’s all I know. I want to get this team in the playoffs."

"They can’t possibly make the same mistake again. Can they? Brian Campbell, their All-Star defenseman, will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. Campbell has called off negotiations. Almost surely, he has become too expensive for Tom Golisano, the absentee owner. Campbell is as good as gone. So the Sabres have to trade him before the NHL deadline three weeks from today. Darcy Regier, the Sabres’ GM, has conceded that trading Campbell is an option. But knowing Regier, he’ll fiddle around until the trade deadline, fretting and waiting for the perfect deal."

"Should the Avs try to get in the bidding for Toronto's Mats Sundin, Atlanta's Marian Hossa or Buffalo's Brian Campbell, or any of the other pending unrestricted free agents?"

"The clock is ticking toward the Feb. 26 trade deadline, and talk of available players is starting to heat up. And if the players who are rumored to be available become available, do you honestly think these general managers can help themselves? Dangle a few of these names in front of your nose for a minute..."

"The Flyers' bid to sign Peter Forsberg took an interesting turn Saturday when general manager Paul Holmgren revealed he is in Sweden on a scouting assignment. While Holmgren's trans-Atlantic flight is not expected to yield a return ticket for Forsberg today, it could pave the way for Forsberg's return to Philadelphia later this week... Dan Boyle and Filip Kuba of the Lightning, Brian Campbell of the Sabres and Rob Blake and Brad Stuart of the Kings are believed to be on the trading block."

"Five weeks before the deadline, the rumor mill is churning. Here's a look at some of the players who might be moved and the chances of landing them..."

"Brian Campbell said he hopes to remain with the Buffalo Sabres. Funny, but that's exactly what Daniel Briere and Chris Drury both said. As it evolved, neither did stay. It's quite likely the same will happen with Campbell, a gifted 27-year-old defenceman, who will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1."

"Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier admitted Tuesday he’s disappointed that defenseman Brian Campbell has broken off contract negotiations and acknowledged a trade is possible to ensure that the Sabres get some return for their lone all-star, rather than get nothing if he exits via free agency."

"A day after Brian Campbell broke off negotiations on a contract extension, Sabres GM Darcy Regier said he isn't planning to put the defenceman up for trade. Campbell, scheduled to become a free agent following this season, said Monday he was done talking about a new contract. Yesterday, Regier insisted a trade is not imminent. "The focal point is to try to sign him," said Regier."

"Campbell said after practice Monday that he's done talking to the team about a contract, likely meaning he will test free agency like former co-captains Daniel Briere and Chris Drury. Regier dismissed the notion the Sabres will deal Campbell before the Feb. 26 trading deadline and said the team will continue to pursue a new longterm contract with its only all-star."

"Teams have been sniffing around Rangers 6-foot-6, 240-pound defenseman Marek Malik, an 11-year vet, and it would be logical to think the Hawks might be one of them. On the other hand, since everyone we know in hockey thinks the Hawks are going to overpay to get Buffalo free agent Brian Campbell next summer, why not deal for him now and get him acclimated to Barnum and Bailey?"

"The questions before them are simple, unlikely to short-circuit the melons of the franchise’s deep thinkers. Question One: Are they a Stanley Cup team? Question Two: Is defenseman Brian Campbell coming back?"

"Darcy Regier is expected to resume negotiations with Brian Campbell in the next week or so, which would be a sign of progress all the way around for the Buffalo Sabres. The defenseman is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, and his price tag is climbing. Talks have been stagnant at best."

"South Buffalo native Tim Kennedy is an early candidate for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top U.S. college player. Kennedy had 10 goals and 15 points in 11 games going into the weekend to lead Michigan State in scoring. He led the Spartans to the NCAA championship last season. The Sabres could have signed the winger without breaking the bank and started him in Rochester."

"Talks to get Buffalo defenceman Brian Campbell signed with the Sabres will resume next week. It's believed he is seeking a five-year, $25-million contract. After losing centres Daniel Briere and Chris Drury to unrestricted free agency last summer, the Sabres want to get something done"

"Talks continue between the Sabres and free agent defenseman Nolan Pratt. His agent told The News he hopes Pratt is on the ice somewhere in the next few days. “We’ve been in communication with [General Manager] Darcy [Regier], and we’re hoping there’s a fit,” agent Ben Hankinson said by phone. “Nolan wants to play hockey.”"

"Another move expected to occur is the signing of defenseman Nolan Pratt. The 32-year-old Tampa resident was saying goodbye to his former Lightning teammates after Saturday’s game. The Sabres would have the option of sending Pratt to Rochester for a conditioning stint, but since they don’t play again until Thursday in Boston, they likely could work him into game shape."

"It appears Nolan Pratt is about to become the newest Buffalo Sabre. The free agent defenseman skated with the Sabres again Saturday morning as part of a twoday tryout, and the visit went well. Though Pratt said nothing is official and General Manager Darcy Regier told The News a decision would be made in the next day or two, the former Lightning defenseman and Tampa resident was being congratulated by his former teammates after Saturday’s game."