According to his agent, Robyn Regehr has waved his No Movement Clause to come to Buffalo. TSN's Bob McKenzie reports that the deal hasn't been processed by the league (and still may not, see Ryan Smyth's various deals that haven't happened yet) but confirms the trade details originally broken by Joe Pinzone at Buffalo Wins is as follows:
Buffalo Receives: Regehr and Ales Kotalik
Calgary Receives: Chris Butler, Paul Byron and the 2012 2nd Round Pick
If the trade holds up, this seems like an absolute steal for the Sabres.
- I love getting Regehr. Calgary fans are distraught over how much they're going to miss the man called "The Tunnel of Death" (Best Nickname for a Sabres player at least since "The Cookie Monster" but certainly since "Alexander the Great"). This is the kind of lockdown defenseman that we need and will be a great guy to help improve our guys defensively and will help brutalize top lines with Tyler Myers. Also, putting a veteran in that spot who is going to play that physical game will free up Myers offensively.
- Kotalik's contract is there for Flames cap relief and the Sabres can easily move that down to Rochester, or with more difficulty (per Terry Pegula's focus on players first) either send him to the Czech Republic or buy him out and take a million dollar shot. And, who knows. There's a what if factor; what if he comes back here, gets a talk from Lindy and decides to tell all his doubters to back off by making a place for himself on this team
- Butler hurts a little, but not as much as (realistically) any of our other D-men. Going in, Myers was the only guy I wasn't willing to trade. Sekera has the most promise (did you see him in the Olympics outplaying the Chara?) but doesn't always show it. Gragnani blew us away in the playoffs. Butler or Weber going is something I would have been fine with... especially for Regehr. While they play different games, I see them as a coin-flip value wise.
- Byron is a prospect with eight careers NHL games and is put together with the 2nd rounder. He's not Luke Adam. He's... just a prospect, and not the top prospect (just like Butler isn't the top prospect or the top D prospect). In exchange we get a guy like Regehr? I'm on board.
Now.... like I said, I could wake up tomorrow and this could be blown up, but as of right now, I'm going to go to sleep pleased with what's probably going to happen here. And we'll see you in the morning!
<> Sports Man's Afterthoughts <>
- While I really like the idea of Drew Stafford being on hand to talk to new players, having him interview our new Finish forward Joel Armia who can't quite speak English was almost painful to watch.
- I understand that there were legal issues with using the Jets logo on day one. I'm really hoping it's fixed for tomorrow. The silver and black NHL sweater is atrocious. #missestheblackandorange
- Holy crap there were lots of other trades today. More on them tomorrow but I find the original Soupy Campbell going to Florida interesting and wonder how long that team is for South Florida.
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