If we’re tampering, we’re pretty poor at it because those two kids are still sitting in Vancouver

Of course, this is what I could find in the CBA about tampering:

 No Player who is a party to an SPC with a Club shall, during the term of such SPC (including any permissible option year under a 1995 SPC that has been properly exercised by the Player or Club, as the case may be), enter into negotiations with another Club.

So no, Mr. Burke, it’s not tampering only during the times it is successful.  Nice try, though.  I doubt they’ll get any sanctions anyway, as the ‘reason’ they gave for him jetting over was valid (signing that goalie).  But hey, if you’re not cheating, you’re not trying.

So…what can we expect from Hecht this year?  His two previous years were both positive on the Goals For/Goals Allowed numbers, but then again, those teams were higher scoring.  A modest rebound (15 goals, 25 assists, even or better +/-) would not be too much to ask, I think.  It’ s not like Yo-yo is all that tradeable.  I’m waiting to see what the new lines will look like, though, as they will be different this season.  I like Hecht and will be pulling for him this year.

The Buffalo Sabres announced today they will be holding a summer development camp from July 6-10 at Dwyer Arena on the campus of Niagara University in Lewiston, N.Y.

There will be on-ice sessions open to the public from Tuesday through Thursday from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. each day, and on Friday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The full roster is here, with notable attendees including draft picks Zack Kassian, Marcus Foligno and Connor Knapp, Tyler Myers, Tyler Ennis, Tim Kennedy, Nathan Gerbe, Jhonas Enroth and many more.  My son wants to see Sabre guys, but doesn’t like going when it’s cold, so this could be a good opportunity.

• Marian Hossa signs a 12 year deal, worth 62.8 million dollars total, to go to Chicago.
• The Sedin twins signed twin deals to stay in Vancouver, 5 years, $30.5 million each.
• Jaroslav Spacek signed on with Montreal for 3 years, $11.5 million.  Actually Montreal was busy, nabbing Hal Gill, Brian Gionta, and Mike Cammalleri as well.
• Obviously Buffalo did not bring back Jaro, but they did sign Steve Montador.
• The Rangers managed to deal Scott Gomez’s huge contract, but then followed it up by signing Gaborik to 5 years, $7.5 million per.  Good luck with that.

One other helpful chart at From the Rink is the top 100 FAs, with the contracts getting filled in as they sign.  Good for figuring out who your GM is not going to sign. ;)

Skip ahead to about 1:46 for the big shot.  Barring some defensemen moving out, I can’t imagine Darcy signing anyone else, including Spacek.  This is still an awful lot of guys on the blueline.  Still, a solid guy at a reasonable price.  A Darcy move, exactly.

7:56:33 AM: Story so far: Scott Gomez to the Habs for Chris Higgins and a top Prospect. Heatly says no to the Oil for now, J-Bo signs with the Flames

8:47:20 AM: Going throught the list of guys already signed…Colorado already resigned one of their existing goalies? they watched ‘em play, right?

9:28:11 AM: Sabres Left Wingers: Vanek, MacArthur (RFA), Mair, Hecht, Paille. Hecht and Mair can play Center if needed. Tim Kennedy in Portland.

9:32:08 AM: Sabres Centers: Connolly, Roy, Gaustad. Gerbe in Portland.

9:33:14 AM: Sabres Right Wingers: Pominville, Stafford (RFA), Kaleta (RFA). Mancari in Portland. Maybe the biggest need?

9:34:36 AM: Sabres D: Rivet, Lydman, Tallinder, Paetsch, Bulter, Sekera (RFA), Weber, Gragnani. Myers in the wings.

9:35:59 AM: Sabres Goalies: Miller, Lalime, Enroth on deck. And i misspelled Butler. Go me.

10:35:29 AM: From this day last year, I posted to welcome Patrick Lalime, and to lament Orpik not coming here. That may be more than I get to do this yr

11:34:19 AM: RT @wyshynski: $6.1 mil per season. RT @DarrenDreger Sedins have agreed to 5 year extension and will stay with the Canucks.

11:43:44 AM: Good riddance: RT @patty_in_dallas: NHL Network says Heatley’s taking the deal.

11:59:40 AM: Buckle UP

12:31:12 PM: RT @Sean_Leahy: TSN: Ohlund signs 7 years, $3.75 avg/year

12:51:38 PM: Dvorak back with the Panthers

1:12:17 PM: Money NOT confirmed as per DP RT @TheFourthPeriod: Kovalev gets 2-year, $8.8M deal… Habs also extend offers to Hossa, Gaborik and Havlat.

1:16:05 PM: Ugh. Darcy may want to keep Peters then. RT @mirtle: Here’s a head shaker: RT @Sean_Leahy: TSN: #Leafs sign Colton Orr 4 years, $1 mill /per

1:28:17 PM: RT @mirtle: RT @Forechecker: EJ Hradek reports that Andy Greene has re-signed with the Devils…

1:44:26 PM: Great weather, low tax RT @wyshynski: Wait, someone *staying* in FLA? How novel. RT @FlaPanthers signed David Booth to a 6-yr contract…

1:57:17 PM: Damien Cox sez Kubina to Thrashers, Sportsnet reports Craig ‘the ogler’ Anderson to Colorado.

1:58:25 PM: Placing over/under on games missed for injury at 25 RT @mirtle: New blog entry: Hossa signs with Blackhawks http://sbnation.com/e/697503

2:16:17 PM: Conkblock to the Blues, breaking with Winter Classic tradition.

2:27:03 PM: Hey, a move!!!! RT @Sean_Leahy: Sportsnet: Steve Montador to #Sabres. 2 years, $3.1 mill

2:28:13 PM: Heading out – see you all later!

Looking at the other two lists, I’m not seeing a lot that would make me jump out of my seat.  I’d be happy with Pahlsson, or maybe Mikael Samuelsson from Detroit…John Madden is an idea, if you go defensive-minded.  But really, after the big names the Sabres will never sign, the Forwards list is a bunch of guys like what they already have.  How many guys are better than Kotalik, who’s an option, just as an example?

On defense, much depends on whether or not Darcy finds a trade partner to take Tallinder or Lydman or whoever off his hands, if he even really wants to do that.  The team has a lot of defenders right now:

Rivet – Butler
Tallinder – Lydman
Paetsch/Weber – Sekera(RFA)

Add to that Tyler Myers, who will do his best play his way in during the ~10 games he’s here before he’d have to go back to Kelowna.  That’s a lot of bodies at the very least, and you’d have to think 1 or 2 of them would need to go for them to bring somebody in.  And again, other than the big/too expensive names out there, who’s better than just bringing back Jaro?  Scuderi?  So basically, we’re left hoping Darcy can fleece someone in a deal.

3 (66) Brayden McNabb D Kootenay Ice
4 (104) Marcus Foligno LW Sudbury Wolves
5 (134) Mark Adams D Malden Catholic High School
6 (164) Connor Knapp G Miami University
7 (194) Maxime Legault RW Shawingan Cataractes

McNabb is another big defenseman, Foligno is also a tough kid, and they even drafted a 6′5″ goalie.  None of these guys will probably be able to help this year or next, but long term, it does give the Sabres some more size in the pipeline.  Interesting that they again did not draft any Euro players.  It’s been a few years now, seems too long to be a coincidence.