Sabres Sign Joe Dipenta

[HordiBrusk29]

Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier announced today the Sabres have agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent defenseman Joe DiPenta on a one-year contract.

DiPenta (2/25/1979, 6’2”, 199 lbs.) collected six points (1+5) in 47 games with Frolunda of the Swedish Elite League last season.

A native of Barrie, Ontario., the 30-year-old DiPenta has appeared in 174 NHL games, collecting 23 points (6+17) and 110 penalty minutes with Atlanta and Anaheim. DiPenta was a member of the 2007 Stanley Cup Champion Anaheim Ducks team.

DiPenta has also appeared in 369 games in the American Hockey League with Philadelphia, Chicago and Manitoba picking up 53 points (9+44) and 411 penalty minutes.

DiPenta was selected in the third round (61st overall) by the Florida Panthers in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

[Jack Schitt]

Wow. What a blockbuster.

I guess they don't have to keep looking to replace Spaceks' offensive output anymore ....


Gratts just got signed. Not much more out there. They had better sign Peters - he's better than nothing.

[Podollan]

I like DiPenta a lot , he is a decent fighter even if he doesnt do it that open and I hope he will be the nr. 6 defender-

If not Portland could also need some help.

So its good-

[djaye]

DiPenta? WTF!

[shedthemitts]

Originally Posted by Jack Schitt

They had better sign Peters - he's better than nothing.

I'm still waiting for them to trade for Ivanans. That trade makes too much sense for both teams, especially if the Kings package Frolov and Ivanans to Buffalo for a player or two Buffalo is comfortable parting with.

Peters sucks. I'd take Fritz over Peters... they both are terrible hockey players, at least Fritz can win a fight vs. an NHL heavyweight.

[Chainsaw Churla]

Originally Posted by shedthemitts

I'm still waiting for them to trade for Ivanans. That trade makes too much sense for both teams, especially if the Kings package Frolov and Ivanans to Buffalo for a player or two Buffalo is comfortable parting with.

Peters sucks. I'd take Fritz over Peters... they both are terrible hockey players, at least Fritz can win a fight vs. an NHL heavyweight.

Is there some substance behind that Ivanans to Buffalo in a trade or just wishful thinking? Is there any fighters out there left in the free agent market? Buffalo has done nothing in that department really this off season, or pretty much any where else.

[CapsFan99]

hey look at the bright side buffalo, if worst comes to worst, you could always sign kassian to do the dirty work with peters.

[Killah_punk]

Don't worry Sabres fans it could be worse, you could be the Coyotes.

[Jack Schitt]

Originally Posted by Chainsaw Churla

Is there some substance behind that Ivanans to Buffalo in a trade or just wishful thinking? Is there any fighters out there left in the free agent market? Buffalo has done nothing in that department really this off season, or pretty much any where else.

I must be out of the loop ... that's the first I've heard of Ivanans coming to Buffalo. Anyone ?


I believe Fritz and Wade Brookbank are still available ....

[ShelleyFan45]

There's still some guys out there if Buffalo really wants a HW. Aaron Downey, Wade Brookbank, Mitch Fritz, Andrew Peters, Andre Roy, Scott Parker, Josh Gratton are all still free agents.

[Jack Schitt]

Originally Posted by ShelleyFan45

There's still some guys out there if Buffalo really wants a HW. Aaron Downey, Wade Brookbank, Mitch Fritz, Andrew Peters, Andre Roy, Scott Parker, Josh Gratton are all still free agents.

IMO they'd just offer a contract to Peters.

The others by rank :

1)Fritz
2)Brookbank
3)Downey
4)Roy
5)Gratton
6)Parker

[shedthemitts]

The Ivanans to Buffalo rumor originated a few weeks before free agency opened. Unfortunately, that's the last I've heard of it. I'm hoping it's still a possibility, as it's a win-win situation for both teams and us fight fans.

Buffalo gets a guy who is absolutely huge, can play on the 4th line for more than the first period unlike Peters, and a guy who rarely loses a fight. Los Angeles gets something back for Ivanans as he most likely will sign elsewhere after this season as a free agent. As fight fans, we finally get to see Kevin Westgarth see full time duty at the NHL level.

Here's how I'd rank the remaining free agent enforcers.

1) Andre Roy - not the best with the gloves off, but the best skating guy left on the market. Ruff wants speed and agility from everyone, and he'd be able to crack the lineup more often than the other guys still available.

2) Mitch Fritz - easily the best fighter left unsigned, and he'd be ridiculously marketable and well-liked in blue-collar western New York. Skating is an issue, though.

3) Wade Brookbank - always like Big Wade. He's had a few issues with sticking in the NHL over the last few seasons, but Ruff always keeps a tough guy around. He's a better skater than Peters, and looked a helluva lot better in fights last year than Peters did, as well.

4) Josh Gratton - undersized, but super tough. Not a very fast guy though for his size, which means Buffalo probably won't go after him.

5) Aaron Downey - a little better player than Gratton, but not as good of a fighter. Good energy/team guy though.

6) Andrew Peters - terrible over the past 2 seasons, can't skate at the NHL level, and apparently can't fight in the NHL anymore either.

7) Scott Parker - no where close to what he used to be, and he refused to report to the AHL after being demoted. I'm assuming that landed him on the black list, and Buffalo probably won't touch him, IMO.

[Cup Sipper]

can you believe dipenta still uses a wood stick? ive got one from 07 on the ducks. hes got a cup ring so he brings some PO experience atleast, but in 07 he was the worst d man on the ducks by far.