Anyone can look at the Philadelphia Flyers' incredible run to the Stanley Cup finals and

rationalize about the Sabres being equally capable of doing the same. The Flyers provided

evidence that anything can happen if a team comes together at the right time and has

everything fall into place.

The Sabres finished four spots ahead of the Flyers in the conference standings. The Sabres

had much better goaltending, which is huge in the postseason. They had more depth than the

Flyers did. Buffalo, if it had beaten Boston, also would have had home-ice advantage after

Washington and New Jersey were knocked out.

So it easily could have been Buffalo in the finals, right? Well, it's not that simple.

Any playoff team can go deep, but the Flyers had a few things in place that increased their

chances. One was a top defenseman in Chris Pronger, whose physical style and competitiveness

is built for the postseason. At forward they also had stars in Mike Richards, Daniel Briere

and Simon Gagne, highly productive rookies in Ville Leino and Claude Giroux — he was

taken 22nd overall in 2006, two spots before Buffalo took defenseman Dennis Persson —

and Aaron Asham playing a gritty, two-way game.

The Flyers were a good team that underachieved most of the year, switched coaches, came

together, gained confidence, fed off their resiliency and never winced until the Blackhawks

stopped them. What Philly had in abundance that Buffalo sorely lacked was one of the great

assets a team can have in the postseason:

Gamers.

The Sabres won the division for the sixth time in franchise history. By most accounts, it

was a successful season. But let's not kid ourselves. They were exposed by a Boston team that

had more experience, more bite and more production from its top players than Buffalo did. The

Sabres don't need an overhaul, but they do need changes.

Allow me.

This marks the fourth year I'm playing general manager for a day. Staying within the

confines of the budget is never easy. The salary cap, which many predicted two years ago would

plunge, is expected to increase to more than $58 million. The Sabres spent about $56 million

last season, so a self-imposed $57 million cap figure seems reasonable (the actual salaries

will be lower).

We're not talking about acquiring Ilya Kovalchuk, Patrick Marleau and Sergei Gonchar.

They're either making too much money or wouldn't be interested. Let's be realistic. I'm

looking for a veteran defenseman, preferably with some toughness, who can help quarterback the

power play. I want another center who will play both ends of the rink and, if possible, more

scoring along the wing. Is that too much to ask? Not if we make smart, aggressive decisions

and find the right trade partners.

I want three players in general. Specifically, I want Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp.

The goal is to get the Sabres back into contention with the idea they have a real chance of

winning it all next season or the following year. They weren't as close as some people

believed this season, but they're also not that far away going into next year if they do

things right this summer.

In order to get what the Sabres need, the first step is ridding them of what they don't

need. What the Sabres don't need are players who disappear for long stretches, are only

productive enough during the regular season to justify their paychecks and vanish in the

postseason. They don't need Philly-style superstars. They need the right players.

The Sabres have $46.243 million already earmarked for 2010-11 contracts, which allows less

than $11 million to sign several of their own players and add needed help. It means getting

creative with the big picture in mind. Simply, what looks like a bad move one day would lead

me to make better moves down the road.

Tim Connolly must come off my payroll one way or another. It's a classic case of addition

by subtraction. Trade him for a mid-round draft pick, a no-name prospect or a hockey bag and a

case of scotch. Drew Stafford and Andrej Sekera have at least one skate out the door, too, in

an effort to cut costs and create options.

Connolly should have been gone at the 2008-09 trade deadline and instead was given a $1

million raise in a two-year extension. Ridiculous. He's a primary example of the Sabres

becoming enamored with the wrong players, one they kept in lieu of others with value. He's not

in my plans and I don't want him around my collection of young players.

He's going to be an unrestricted free agent next summer. Plus, and this is important, I

want to free up $4.5 million to pay for players who can help in other areas this year and

beyond. He can take the highlight-reel dipsy doodles, the hot streaks and periods of

inconsistency along with his lack of leadership somewhere else.

I want gamers.

If I can get Connolly off my payroll, I can become much more aggressive in trying to

address needs and acquire players who can help elsewhere.

Sharp and Toronto defenseman Tomas Kaberle or Edmonton blueliner Sheldon Souray are at the

top of my summer wish list. I'm not expecting all three, but it's possible. I want three

players who are similar to these guys and maybe even a fourth.

Derek Roy stays. He was criticized this year and rightfully so. He was brutal in the

postseason. He and coach Lindy Ruff had their share of disagreements. But the center has

played at least 78 games and averaged more than 28 goals and 73 points over the last three

seasons while collecting $10 million. He has three years and $14 million remaining on his

contract.

To me, that's value. Connolly over the same stretch has averaged 56 games. The 65 points he

had last season were a career high. He has never scored more than 18 goals in a season. He

hasn't scored a playoff goal since 2005-06, going 22 straight postseason games without one.

He's not taking another $4.5 million from my team.

Anyway, I need to pay Sharp, who can take over at center.

The Blackhawks will need to make moves this summer to get under the salary cap, and their

superstars aren't going anywhere. Sharp has two years and $8.3 million remaining on his

contract. He plays in every situation, had 25 goals and 66 points this season. He was terrific

in the playoffs.

Chicago would rather keep Sharp, but it has five players (Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews,

Marian Hossa, Brian Campbell and Duncan Keith) taking up more than half of its cap space with

several players who need to be signed. It makes Sharp, who makes $4.1 million and will be an

unrestricted free agent after the 2011-12 season, a primary candidate for departure.

What would it take to get him? Prospects and draft picks. I'm willing to part with both in

an effort to win the Cup in the next two years.

Kaberle could pop free now that his no-trade clause is no longer in effect. Leafs GM Brian

Burke is looking for young, edgy players with skill. Clearly, he liked Tim Kennedy, which

explains why the South Buffalo forward was selected for the world championships over Connolly,

Paul Gaustad and Jason Pominville.

Sorry, but Kennedy isn't going anywhere. The Sabres don't need fewer players like Kennedy.

They need more. He's certainly not worth dangling for Kaberle, who has only one year remaining

on his contract. Another prospect and a third-round pick? A first-round pick if he signs an

extension? Stafford? Sekera and a prospect? Nathan Gerbe?

Now we're talking.

Souray could be had without much work. The Oilers are prepared to take a hit if they can

unload his $5.4 million cap figure. He's making $4.5 million in actual salary in each of the

next two seasons. He's coming off shoulder surgery, but he's 6-foot-4, 235 pounds and a tough,

dependable player when healthy.

Souray or Kaberle in Buffalo — and I'm shooting for both — makes for a very

good defense corps that would also include Tyler Myers, Craig Rivet, Steve Montador, Mike

Weber and Chris Butler. Sekera can be a sweetener in a trade. They still have Marc-Andre

Gragnani, who has spent four years in Portland and can't be any worse.

It also would mean no need to re-sign Henrik Tallinder or Toni Lydman, both of whom made

more than $3.1 million last season. If one of them wants to come back at the right price,

meaning the same salary or less, I'm listening. Otherwise, it's time to move forward. There

are other players who can be effective with Myers.

If I can keep one but not the other, the money can be spent elsewhere. Free agency isn't

for me, but I'm keeping my options open.

There are free agent options on defense. Paul Martin is unrestricted this summer. He's not

going to command the $4.5 million he made last season after playing just 22 games. Pavel

Kubina, a right-handed shot, isn't likely to exceed the $5 million he made last season in

Atlanta. Joe Corvo, another righty, could be had for considerably less.

The good news is that the Sabres' young players are competitive, talented and cheap. Rookie

Tyler Ennis, their best forward in the postseason, makes $875,000. Kennedy is a restricted

free agent who made $635,000. Patrick Kaleta is a restricted free agent who made $522,000 last

season.

Kennedy and Kaleta could accept one-year deals with mandatory 10 percent raises, but it's a

good bet they would be back at the table again next season with more leverage. It's especially

a risk with Kennedy, who could put up much better numbers if he becomes a regular winger on

the power play. Given what he showed late last season, he should be.

Forget the Buffalo connection with Kennedy and Kaleta, by the way. It means nothing. I like

their styles, their effort and their attitude. I really liked them in the playoffs. I want

them locked up for three years. Giving them a considerable bump on their deals now — a

three-year deal worth $3.6 million for Kennedy and three years, $3 million for Kaleta, for

example — postpones spending too much in the future.

There are numerous options to fill out my team. Martin St. Louis is one of the bargains out

there at $4 million for each of the next two seasons. He's small but durable. He has not

missed a game since the lockout and averaged nearly 32 goals and 90 points over that span.

He's a gamer. Could he be acquired from a team looking to get younger under new ownership?

Matt Cullen is another veteran free agent who can help offensively, provide some grit and

kill penalties. He made $2.8 million last season. Or how about unrestricted free agent Vinny

Prospal, who made $1.1 million? He's 35, but he's still effective and could help fill a role

here given his ability and experience. He's good for 20-plus goals and 50-plus points.

Looking for another Buffalo guy who could give them some offense off the wing so long as

he's playing on the right line? Lee Stempniak is a two-time 27-goal scorer and unrestricted

free agent who made $3.5 million last season. Restricted free agent Mark Mancari had 28 goals

and 74 points and a plus-16 to lead Portland last season.

Yes, there are options.

The more dead weight that can be trimmed from payroll, the better. Jochen Hecht, for

example, is available because dumping him would free up $3.525 million in cap space. His 21

goals last season were less impressive when discounting his knack for scoring from terrible

angles.

I wouldn't be desperate to trade Hecht, but I'm listening if he can give me a good return

after a 20-goal season. The money exchange would depend on the trade, obviously, but younger

and cheaper works for me so long as equal quality is coming back in return. If not, Hecht

sticks around. He's a sound player if not an overpaid one.

A backup goaltender also is needed. Ryan Miller proved last year he can handle a heavy

load, so there are no worries there. Martin Biron can take $900,000 or leave it. If not, I'll

find another backup and hope Miller stays healthy.

Otherwise, most pieces are in place.

Cody McCormick was very effective in his brief playoff stint and would be a good fit for

this team. He made $550,000 last season. A one-way deal in the $650,000 range seems well

within reason for him. Matt Ellis was a solid player and team guy who gave an honest effort

when given the opportunity.

The hard part is saying goodbye to Adam Mair, a consistent and selfless player who gave the

Sabres much-needed punch. For years, he brought the right attitude and work ethic that the

team lacked last season and was exposed in the playoffs. He wasn't the most talented guy in

the dressing room, but he gave the Sabres what they lack now.

He was a gamer.

Bucky Gleason's Sabres Salaries

Forwards 2010-11 Cap Figure Actual Salary

Thomas Vanek $7.143 million $6.4 million

Jason Pominville $5.3 million $5.5 million

Derek Roy $4 million $4 million

Jochen Hecht $3.535 million $3.5 million

Paul Gaustad $2.3 million $2.5 million

Mike Grier $1.4 million $1.4 million

Tim Kennedy $1.2 million $1 million

Patrick Kaleta $1 million $900,000

Matt Ellis $750,000 $750,000

Tyler Ennis $875,000 $875,000

Mark Mancari $660,000 $660,000

Cody McCormick $650,000 $650,000

Patrick Sharp $3.9 million $4.1 million

Defensemen 2010-11 Cap Figure Actual Salary

Craig Rivet $3.5 million $3.5 million

Steve Montador $1.55 million $1.55 million

Tyler Myers $875,000 $875,000

Chris Butler $576,000 $585,000

Mike Weber $880,000 $880,000

Tomas Kaberle $4.25 million $4.25 million

Sheldon Souray $5.4 million $4.5 million

Goaltenders 2010-11 Cap Figure Actual Salary

Ryan Miller $6.25 million $6.25 million

Martin Biron $900,000 $900,0000

Totals $56.894 million $55.525 million

Note: Figures for players already under contract are from nhlnumbers.com. Salaries for free

agents are based on what Bucky Gleason would be willing to pay them as general manager.