BUFFALO (LGS) — The Buffalo Sabres had a whopping 12 players file for arbitration last summer. This summer the number was drastically reduced as only centerman Derek Roy and defenseman Nathan Paetsch elected for salary arbitration.
Roy was Buffalo's fifth-leading scorer last season with 21 goals and 42 assists while earning a +37 rating. Paetsch picked up two goals and 24 assists in 63 games as Buffalo's seventh defenseman.
29 players league-wide elected for arbitration before today's 5pm deadline.
The most notable names on the list included Mike Ribeiro (DAL), Steve Montador (FLA), Mike Cammalleri (LA), Michael Ryder (MTL), Sean Avery (NYR), Marcel Hossa (NYR), Ray Emery (OTT), Chris Kelly (OTT), Christoph Schubert (OTT), Colby Armstrong (PIT) and Lee Stempniak (STL).
NHL clubs are also permitted to elect arbitration for eligible players by Friday at 5pm.
Arbitration hearings will be held in Toronto from July 20th to August 4th. The last possible day for a rulling to be handed down is Monday, August 6th.
Sabres retain two; Pick up goaltender
Andrew Peters was also eligible for arbitration but both sides agreed to a two-year deal earlier today. The Sabres also re-signed forward Michael Ryan to a one-year deal.
Buffalo wasn't done making moves today as the team also picked up a back-up goaltender for Ryan Miller with the signing of unrestricted free agent Jocelyn Thibault to a one-year deal.
Thibault, the 10th overall choice in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, spent the last two seasons in Pittsburgh. In 22 games last season, the Montreal-native notched a 7-8-2 record with a 2.83 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage. He earned $1.5 million last season.
Financial terms on today's deals were not released by the team.
Sabres Six-Day Rookie Camp
The Buffalo Sabres will hold a rookie conditioning camp starting tomorrow morning through July 11th. Each morning, players will take part in off-ice workouts at HSBC Arena. The players will then head out to the Amherst Pepsi Center for on-ice workouts each evening from 5-7pm.
The following Sabres' properties will participate in the six-day camp:
- J-S Allard
- Alex Biega
- Benjamin Breault
- T.J. Brennan
- Paul Byron
- Chris Butler
- Mike Card
- Adam Dennis
- Brad Eidsness
- Nick Eno
- Jhonas Enroth
- Michael Funk
- Matt Generous
- Nathan Gerbe
- Phillip Gogulla
- Marc-Andre Gragnani
- Dylan Hunter
- Patrick Kaleta
- Tim Kennedy
- Clarke MacArthur
- Drew MacKenzie
- Mark Mancari
- Thomas Morrow
- Andrew Orpik
- Daniel Paille
- Dennis Persson
- Drew Schiestel
- Felix Schutz
- Andrej Sekera
- Drew Stafford
- Corey Tropp
- Mike Weber
- Marek Zagrapan
