Sabres walk away from Dumont award

[Madferret]

Sabres walk away from Dumont award
TSN.ca Staff

BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Buffalo Sabres have decided to exercise their walk-away option on the arbitration award to forward J.P. Dumont.

Effective immediately, Dumont becomes an unrestricted free agent able to sign with any NHL team.

Dumont had his case heard by an arbitrator on Monday, July 31, and was subsequently awarded a one-year, $2.9 million contract.

Dumont, 28, scored 40 points in 54 games for Buffalo last season. Since being acquired with Doug Gilmour in a trade from Chicago for Michal Grosek on March 10, 2000, Dumont scored 223 points in 362 games with the Sabres.

For his career, Dumont has 256 points in 434 games with Chicago and Buffalo.

Source (http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=173646&hubname=)

http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20060424/sabres_78717.jpg

[charlio lemieux]

So who is going to chase him?

Do the Sens have the room for him?

Edmonton?

A lot of teams could use a guy like Dumont. Who can afford him?

[Asterix]

Here we go... the countdown is on before the floodgates are open, rumours from Montreal flying to see him in a Habs' uniform... in 3... 2... 1!

He's way overpaid at $2.9 million and I can't blame the Sabres from backing out of the deal! He had the exact same production as Jan Bulis who just signed with the Canucks for $1.3 million! Didn't Nagy sign for $3 million and he's a heck better than Dumont? And Michael Ryder, who scored 25 goals two years ago and 30 last year, was just awarded $2.2 million? Where's this arbitrator from anyway??? :shrug:

[TimmyTabasco]

Here we go... the countdown is on before the floodgates are open, rumours from Montreal flying to see him in a Habs' uniform... in 3... 2... 1!

He's way overpaid at $2.9 million and I can't blame the Sabres from backing out of the deal! He had the exact same production as Jan Bulis who just signed with the Canucks for $1.3 million! Didn't Nagy sign for $3 million and he's a heck better than Dumont? And Michael Ryder, who scored 25 goals two years ago and 30 last year, was just awarded $2.2 million? Where's this arbitrator from anyway??? :shrug:

Yeah, he would be a solid fit on the Habs..

I've been wanting to see him in a Canucks uniform for years. Playing with the twins, he could easily have a career year

But, he's only worth $2-$2.5 million a season

[KB in Kelowna]

A couple of points. I think the owners will want to revist Arbitration the next time the CBA is up. Secondly does anyone think that Dumont will play for less somewherelse at some point this season?

[Asterix]

Dumont told the reporters that Montreal is on top of his list (source (http://www.rds.ca/hockey/chroniques/210279.html))... But again according to RDS, the Habs are sitting at $43.3 million on a $44 million cap! I don't know where they get those figures as everywhere I look, they're around $41-42 million... :shrug:

http://members.shaw.ca/cdelosreyes/
http://hockeyanalysis.com/?page_id=329

Still, considering that we gave Ryder $2.2 million, Nagy signed for $3 million and that Bulis signed for $1.3 million with identical stats, I wouldn't give him more than $1.5-1.75 million!

[prucha_for_mvp]

Dumont isn't worth more then 2 million.

[TimmyTabasco]

Dumont isn't worth more then 2 million.

Well..I'd say he is worth Mark Parrish money..

So..$2.25 million would sound right

[Asterix]

RDS.ca (http://www.rds.ca/canadien/chroniques/210653.html) is reporting that Bob Gainey was in touch with Dumont's agent Yves Archambault this weekend. Archambault told Renauld Lavoie of RDS that although they had a good, long discussion, no offers are on the table as of yet. It appears that only one team has made a serious offer to Dumont and Archambault is expecting that the case should be closed within the next few days...


I'm really wondering who the Canadiens would trade in order to make room for Dumont. I truly hope it's not Ryder as some Montreal media are trying to say.

[TimmyTabasco]

I'm really wondering who the Canadiens would trade in order to make room for Dumont. I truly hope it's not Ryder as some Montreal media are trying to say.

Ryder to the Canucks?

Damn, that would be great :nod:

But I think it will be Bonk, or Ribs...

[Asterix]

Update today in La Presse...

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/article/20060815/CPSPORTS/608150693/5128/CPSPORTS01

Basically saying that Dumont's agent was scheduled to meet with Gainey today to further discuss the possibility of him signing with the Habs. Dumont is quoted on a phone interview saying that if the Habs' can squeeze him under their salary cap, he will be playing for them next season. He's saying that he's happy that the Canadiens finally called him...

Bob Gainey, as usual, refused to discuss the issue.

Then Dumont is saying that it's basically over with the Sabres. They made him a final offer that was well below what he was awarded by the arbitrator. He enjoyed playing for them but it's now time to look elsewhere. Dumont is also saying that he wants to see some progress by Wednesday or Thursday, stating that he's not sure if he'll take a long term deal or sign a one year deal and be a UFA again next year...

[TimmyTabasco]

Hmm..still isn't signed

It will be interesting to see what happens