Numminen!
August 8th, 2008 by PeterSWell, Darcy is at it again…the Sabres have re-signed Teppo Numminen to a 1-year deal, this time at the bargain price of $1.1 million. This will (sort of) be Numminen’s fourth year with the team - he came to Buffalo in 05-06 right after the lock-out. He provided some great leadership and some pretty solid defensive play. In 06-07 he was a little more up and down, but he was greatly missed last year when he lost the season (except the final game) due to heart surgery. He is now 40 years old, and unlikely to give the team large minutes on a regular basis, but I for one am glad he is back. I am pleased at the price, considering he was supposed to get $2.7 million last year. He was “suspended” when his health situation was revealed, and was not paid his salary last year. His appeal of the suspension was still in process, and I have heard that part of this contract was a settlement of that appeal. My guess is he received some sort of compensation for last season as well for taking the pay cut this year, but honestly a 40-year old coming off not playing a year was probably not going to get a hard look anywhere else.
The Sabres D is actually in solid shape. With the addition of Rivet, there is Spacek, Tallinder and Lydman, a solid front four. Numminen will add some vetran leadership for the youngsters, particularly Sekera and Paescht (who floundered last year with Teppo’s influence) Weber, who looked ready for the NHL in a few games last season, will undoubtably start this season in Portland, but will be called up before winter turns to spring when the injury bug takes root. With some young talent still in the AHL, the Sabres are well-set for when Spacek goes after this season (A prediction on my part - but I’m right more than I am wrong.)
Now, get that Pommenville extension done!!!!
Posted in Sabres Blog
5 Responses to “Numminen!”
By Justin Becker on Aug 9, 2008
Teppo’s signing is encouraging.
Do you think there’s any chance Spacek gets a letter this year? Heaven only knows how the captaincy will work this year, but him getting a letter is the only indicator that I can think of that the Sabres are inclined to keep him.
Regarding Pominville, what sort of term and worth of extension do you expect?
By PeterS on Aug 10, 2008
Hey Justin!
To answer your question, I seriously doubt they will stop this whole “capatincy by committee” thing. Lindy seems to like it, though I find it annoying…but only the team knows what really works. It certainly didn’t help the team last year.
Anyways, back to Spacek, I’m only guessing but with all the money tied up in players next season, he could definitely be a casualty to that with Rivet coming to town and Sekera and Weber, and even some other youngsters coming up…we’ll see.
As far as Pommenville goes, because he’s a RFA he is not as critical a signing Miller was, so that might make it easier for them to wait. If you assume he has a season similar to the last two (30 goals, 70-80 points) he could be looking at an offer sheet in the $5 to $6 million range. I would expect if he does sign, it would be in that range per season, I would hope closer to $5 million, but it all depends on the attitude of the player and the agent…the way to get the most money is to wait…so if that’s all that really matters to the player, that’s what they’ll do.
By Justin Becker on Aug 11, 2008
Just got a chance to listen Darcy’s presser regarding Teppo. I think you’d mentioned it at one point, and I completely agree, that Darcy is being given a chance to make the ‘hockey decisions’ that a GM is hired to make, without a lot of meddling from higher up.
As for Pominville, hopefully Ryan Miller has some influence:
“I chose Buffalo. It is a bit of a buy-in. I buy into what they’re about. That’s winning hockey games based on caring about the players and individuals. I have a great relationship with everyone in this organization. It made a lot of sense to stay here. I have great friends and teammates. I trust my coaches, I trust my management and that’s not a situation you can always step into, especially with free agency.”
By PeterS on Aug 11, 2008
Justin,
You have a good point, it does seem like Quinn has been a little quieter this offseason - I can’t imagine them giving Darcy “more free reign” so to speak…but I suppose it is possible.
At least it’s been a better off-season than last years train wreck.