Cammalleri, Daley make Team Canada

While they were far from the only ones to be selected for their national teams, Mike Cammalleri and Trevor Daley were the only Sabres to represent one of North America’s teams as eleven of their team-mates declined to participate; Daley joins a defense lead by New Jersey’s Dion Phaneuf, whereas the Camel will be fighting for a place on the forward-loaded top lines. Others of note joining them at the World Championships are team captain Marian Hossa – who will also captain the Slovakian national side – and the Czech Republic’s recently-resigned right winger Martin Havlat; Denis Ezhov (Russia), Jochen Hecht (Germany) and Vladimir Sobotka (Czech Republic) round off those selected from the full team. Of more concern for the respective managers are the amount of Sabres who chose not to play – Rick Nash and Cam Barker both turned down the chance to play with Team Canada, Vesa Toskala did likewise with Finland and the Americans were hit hardest by the news that Ryan Miller, Keith Ballard and Sid Sorensen had all said “No”; Miller was the biggest blow, as he would have brought experience to a goaltending group lacking in it – none of Phillipe Sauve, Brian Boucher and Jeff Frazee have spent any significant time as a starter, and Frazee spent last season in the AHL with the Louisville Panthers.

However, the silver lining was sizable as, in the wake of Michal Grosek’s release, both Barker and restricted free agent Jay McClement accepted their respective offers. McClement, who spent the whole of last season unsigned when Buffalo chose not to extend his contract at the end of 2009/2010, will make $8.8 million over the next four years, whereas Barker will earn $13 million over the same time period. This follows from the resigning of Havlat, Ballard and Daley, leaving only Toskala and Mathieu Dandenault out of contract when free agency begins; Toskala and his agent have been in negotiations with the Sabres for some time, but Dandenault is not expected to brought back.