Well we found the new Captain

Photo- Getty Images(duh)

Well it took till march, but the rotating captaincy in my mind is over. Jochen I thought would keep it. But he might just be an "A", but Mr Pominville has been quite consistent as the year as gone on. Plus he's been picking it up of late. The one guy you find showing up every night is Jason Pominville. He's quiet, he works hard, but the puck goes in the net. And its not shock he also plays on the same line with another consistent player, Jochen Hecht. (Who with even Danny Briere couldn't get to 20 goals) Now paired with Paul Gaustad, they form the top line. Plus they are sound both ways. But being consistent doesn't make you a captain right?

I think thats wrong. He's always taking the tough questions, hes always there for the guys. He's not a yeller, a screamer or a blame everyone else but me guy. A guy that was waived 2 years ago, and NO ONE wanted him. The Sabres I'm sure prayed to the Hockey Gods, he'd pass through. He's worked up his way through the lineup to be the leading scorer of the HIGHEST SCORING TEAM in the league. But who talks about him being a great player, no one. Hes totally under the radar of everyone. Yet if you don't pay attention, he'll kill you. So lets go to the numbers.

26 goals 48 assists 74 points and a +21

He's 17th in the league in points

So far in March he has 7 Goals 14 Points and a +10, a + 9 in the last 3 games. So when his team needs him the most and when the C anointed on him, he has delivered. The "C" can be heavy, but it just makes Pominville seem faster. This is after coming off a 17 point February. So, as the games got more and more important, he showed up every night. He feels like if Danny Briere merged with Chris Drury, you'd get Jason Pominville. Not that big, quiet, puts in key goals but also can set up anyone on the ice.

So Darcy, this summer. Talk with Pominvilles agent. Work out a long term deal. You know 6, 7 years. 30 to 35 million. It seems like a lot. But this kid is only gonna get better. Come next summer some one will put a offer sheet in on him. Lock him down, and show the team you value leadership. Don't let this one get away.

Jason Pominville how much is he worth?

Hey look I'm the team point leader!

Everyone talks about Ryan Miller being signed this summer to a long term deal, but people tend to forget about Jason Pominville. He is the point leader on the team. He plays great two way hockey. Can play the Power Play and Penalty Kill, and stays pretty healthy. Plus he has scored one of the signature goals in Sabre history.


Oh I can watch that all day. Though game 1 of the series,might be my favorite Sabre game ever.

But really how much is he worth and can you get him to sign lower then what he probably could get on the open market?

Right now he is paid, .925 Million and next year is gonna get 1.375 Million. A bargain for the type of talent he is. Then he's a restricted Free agent. But some crazy GM will give him a huge offer sheet. Though Ryan Miller is going to a UFA in 2 summers, Pominville is also critical to lock up long term this summer.

So lets take the point leaders around him and see what they are getting and maybe adopt a rough contract.

1. Olli Jokinen 62 Points 5.25 Million
2. Jason Arnott 61 Points 4.5 Million
3. Eric Staal 61 Points 4.5 Million
4. Tomas Plekanec 61 Points 1.4 Million (getting a raise soon)
5. JP Dumont 60 Points 4.00 Million (new deal)
6. Ray Whitney 59 points 3.55 Million
7. Kristian Huselius 59 Points 1.4 Million (UFA)
8. Danny Briere 57 Points 10.0 Million

As you can see for a guy like Jason, who is young, still getting better and a all around player. He's probably going to want something like Derek Roy got. Which is a downright bargain right now. So this summer if you can get a Jason Pominville to a 6 or 7 year deal in the 26 to 32 Million dollar range. I would consider the Sabres lucky. He isn't going to get worse. He can be the face of the franchise. And building around young guys like Vanek, Roy, Pominville and Miller will lead this team to success in the years to come.