So it seems like Botts is gonna let Stephan walk. And it looks like he's chosen Johansson over Peterson.

- PrinceChill

more like Johansson agreed to sign here, Petersen has not


there is room for both, honestly room for all 4 if you include Lehner and Ullmark


I am shocked they did not sign Estephan

Why does it have to be one or the other? Why can't he have both? Johansson needed a contract because he already left Sweden. He played the last few weeks or so of the AHL season with the Amerks on an ATO. Botterill is supposed to just sit around and wait for Petersen to make up his mind? How do you think that would make Johansson feel?
- HonkFortheGoose

Signing JJ makes sense. Most likely Peterson becomes a FA and odds are against the Sabres signing him at that point. But looking at his numbers, it's hard to get too excited over this signing.

correct.. we need multiple goalies not just one. even if Cal signed Johanson is still needed to fill out the rochester roster so that we can send Kasdorf to the ECHL where he belongs
- IndianaSabresFan

I'd terminate Kasdorf's contract

more like Johansson agreed to sign here, Petersen has not


there is room for both, honestly room for all 4 if you include Lehner and Ullmark


I am shocked they did not sign Estephan
- homiedclown

I think he's a huge long shot to ever make the NHL

Sill probably would have signed him, but Oh well

Signing JJ makes sense. Most likely Peterson becomes a FA and odds are against the Sabres signing him at that point. But looking at his numbers, it's hard to get too excited over this signing.
- PrinceChill

with Johansson, it's important to remember the numbers are in part reflected on the team around him.

Ullmark was on a brutal team overseas and had similar results

When Johansson went up a level for a few games, his numbers were better, albeit 2 games.

Also in Rochester, his numbers got better with more games played and Rochester's D was a hot mess

With Ullmark, and Johansson, if Vegas leaves Ullmark alone, we have 2 decent goalies in the pipeline and goaltending has really never been an issue with the sabres


aside from lalime, t blow and back up bob essensa

Signing JJ makes sense. Most likely Peterson becomes a FA and odds are against the Sabres signing him at that point. But looking at his numbers, it's hard to get too excited over this signing.
- PrinceChill

Johansson's numbers? I don't think his numbers look that bad. If you're looking at his Rochester numbers, you have to keep in mind that Rochester was TERRIBLE (Ullmark had his work cut out for him for most of the season) and Johansson needs to adjust to the smaller ice surface. I'll withhold judgement on him until he gets a decent amount of time in. Hopefully Botterill can work some magic with that roster as well.

I think he's a huge long shot to ever make the NHL

Sill probably would have signed him, but Oh well
- sbroads24

agreed, but it would have been nice to see what he could have done for a full season in rochester

if your going to have nylander, baptiste, fasching, jt smith, bailey, malone, etc as wingers in rochester


you need better centers than Eric Cornel and Justin Kea

Plus we don't know what will happen with the expansion draft. We have to leave one of Lehner or Ullmark unprotected. I know most say that if they leave Ullmark unprotected he won't get taken, but I'm not going to sit here and say that with 100% certainty. It's possible we could need to sign someone just to cover the backup duties next year.
- HonkFortheGoose

They could re-sign Nillson (sp?)?

If they re-sign him can they leave him unprotected?

with Johansson, it's important to remember the numbers are in part reflected on the team around him.

Ullmark was on a brutal team overseas and had similar results

When Johansson went up a level for a few games, his numbers were better, albeit 2 games.

Also in Rochester, his numbers got better with more games played and Rochester's D was a hot mess

With Ullmark, and Johansson, if Vegas leaves Ullmark alone, we have 2 decent goalies in the pipeline and goaltending has really never been an issue with the sabres

aside from lalime, t blow and back up bob essensa
- homiedclown

This is fair. And it's true about Sabre goaltending historically. Far more important, and difficult, to fix a broken defensive corps.

They could re-sign Nillson (sp?)?
- jochfr

I'm sure there'll be a few options available in the offseason if they do in fact need to bring someone else in. My point is just that in general you need 4 goaltenders to fill out both your NHL and AHL squad at a minimum. So with signing Johnansson, we have 3 currently under contract (I'm not counting Kasdorf as he's terrible). That means we still probably need to get at least 1 more under contract (ideally Petersen).

If Vegas doesn't take whoever it is we leave unprotected that gives you Lehner and Ullmark for the NHL club, and then we'd have Johansson and Petersen for the AHL club. That's if things work out in our favor on a few fronts though.

They could re-sign Nillson (sp?)?

If they re-sign him can they leave him unprotected?
- jochfr

You can only protect 1 goalie. So yes, I would imagine he would be unprotected.

You can only protect 1 goalie. So yes, I would imagine he would be unprotected.
- SDSabre

I don't forsee him signing just to be put out there for Vegas to take.

They could re-sign Nillson (sp?)?

If they re-sign him can they leave him unprotected?
- jochfr

I would wait til after expansion draft

Ullmark is NHL ready for backup if not drafted by Vegas

I hate the heat

I hate the heat
- SABRES 89

I'll be in Vegas a week from Monday. Can't wait!

I would wait til after expansion draft

Ullmark is NHL ready for backup if not drafted by Vegas
- homiedclown

I'm tired from all the prescriptions so i don't know what the (frank) I'm talking about.

I'll be in Vegas a week from Monday. Can't wait!
- HonkFortheGoose

It's hot

I don't forsee him signing just to be put out there for Vegas to take.
- HonkFortheGoose

My point was no matter where he signs, he will be left for Vegas to take as teams can only protect one.

It's hot
- SABRES 89

I figured it would be. After the pretty crappy month we just had here in Buffalo, I'm looking forward to seeing the sun. Though, the last few days have actually been decent.

I'm just more excited to travel to a place I've never been before. We're going to NYC first to go to a Yankees game and then heading out to Vegas for the rest of the week.

My point was no matter where he signs, he will be left for Vegas to take as teams can only protect one.
- SDSabre

he can't sign with a team other than Buffalo prior to the expansion draft since he doesn't officially become a UFA until July 1st.

I figured it would be. After the pretty crappy month we just had here in Buffalo, I'm looking forward to seeing the sun. Though, the last few days have actually been decent.

I'm just more excited to travel to a place I've never been before. We're going to NYC first to go to a Yankees game and then heading out to Vegas for the rest of the week.
- HonkFortheGoose

The Yankee game should be the highlite of your trip.

It's hot
- SABRES 89

first time I went was in early june

never again


the swimming pool was warmer than the hot tub


late october is the best time IMO

The Yankee game should be the highlite of your trip.
- SABRES 89

jays are bashing the ball again


let's see how your pitching staff is this weekend

jays are bashing the ball again


let's see how your pitching staff is this weekend
- homiedclown

What pitching staff ?

first time I went was in early june

never again


the swimming pool was warmer than the hot tub


late october is the best time IMO
- homiedclown

February.