Saw alot of Red and heard a lot of cheers for the Flames.
- fastek

The arena was nearly empty towards the end of the 3rd. I mean like almost completely empty. Never seen anything like that here.

I think the best path forward is to move out many of the players GMTM brought in:

They were brought in to play a style of hockey that became antiquated very quickly.

They are going to be too old by the time we will be anywhere close to winning a playoff series.

They have the stink of the tanks on them and probably don't have the heart anymore to turn it around.

They also probably hold the most value on the team (minus the untouchables)

At this point I would be very happy to ship them out for prospects who are more of a known asset or maybe a true leader who has actually won something to come in and hopefully teach everyone in the room how to win.
- Shadman306

We need to win while we have Eichel (most importantly), ROR, Risto, etc. in their primes. That's all I care about.

The arena was nearly empty towards the end of the 3rd. I mean like almost completely empty. Never seen anything like that here.
- MCGUIZZY

Most likely going to be like that next year another year of a top 5 pick

Yea and I have to believe the pressure to get better is even greater now. Did you see the stands last night?
- MCGUIZZY

Last night was a way better crowd then a few other games this year.

Islanders on a Thursday
Devils
Florida

At least Canadian fans came to see a Canadian team.

I actual look forward to seeing some of the western teams . Nashville next monday

You get to a certain level of competence as a team and then you make your FA and trade moves to put you over the top.

Perhaps if Bogs stayed healthy, Moulson would have played like he was capable and ROR played like he did in Colorado things would be looking much different today and we'd be on the doorstop of the playoffs. Becasue none of that happened though .....we've taken a big step back.
- fastek

This all implies they were that good before. Maybe ROR, but moulson and bogosian's capabilities were greatly over exaggerated in an attempt to justify the price tag our astute GM spent.

If those moves brought in actual top 4 d-men and or goal scorers he still has his job and we're a playoff team.

Most likely going to be like that next year another year of a top 5 pick
- gerbe75pts

Which you can get away with in cities like Arizona, Carolina, Etc. but I don't think they can afford to do that in this city. That's my point. I see big moves this summer.

We need to win while we have Eichel (most importantly), ROR, Risto, etc. in their primes. That's all I care about.
- MCGUIZZY

The good thing is Eichel’s prime is for another 10-12 years. Superstars play at a high level for longer than guys like O’Reilly, Kane, Risto etc.

The focus should be reshaping the “core”, and making sure we have depth.

Murray’s idea of a core wasn’t good enough

Which you can get away with in cities like Arizona, Carolina, Etc. but I don't think they can afford to do that in this city. That's my point. I see big moves this summer.
- MCGUIZZY

Id say you are more likely to get away with it in buffalo than arizona.

even when buffalo is bad and the attendance is bad, our version of bad is lightyears ahead of arizona's version of good.

Thats probably what forced Chyka to go ape poop in the off season and why botterill might be able to get away with taking it slow

Which you can get away with in cities like Arizona, Carolina, Etc. but I don't think they can afford to do that in this city. That's my point. I see big moves this summer.
- MCGUIZZY

I think one of Sam, ristolainen,ROR will be gone

Id say you are more likely to get away with it in buffalo than arizona.

even when buffalo is bad and the attendance is bad, our version of bad is lightyears ahead of arizona's version of good.

Thats probably what forced Chyka to go ape poop in the off season and why botterill might be able to get away with taking it slow
- Sabresfan-365

Couldn't disagree more

Probably a stretch. I think they are actually doing upgrades to the arena soon including bathrooms and such.

I just don't think season ticket holders will be rushing to re up on season tics when games are selling for $10-$15-$0 on stubhub, craigslist, etc.
- MCGUIZZY

Six bucks for the Nashville game. Six. Six dollars.

Six more dollars than I'm willing to pay, that's for sure.

Couldn't disagree more
- MCGUIZZY

i mean, they have up till now. the bar is so low that any sort of excitement will draw fans back.

Mittelstadt and guhle might be enough for that

Six bucks for the Nashville game. Six. Six dollars.
- TheSabresTaco

I get offered free tickets weekly and can usually scalp for about $10-$15 for cheap to decent seats.

The good thing is Eichel’s prime is for another 10-12 years. Superstars play at a high level for longer than guys like O’Reilly, Kane, Risto etc.

The focus should be reshaping the “core”, and making sure we have depth.

Murray’s idea of a core wasn’t good enough
- sbroads24

If the guys that Murray traded for actually played to the level they were at when the trades were made ..... we'd be singing a different tune right now.

It's gotta be so tough to be the GM of the Sabres. It's hard enough to make good trades but on this team you also have to deal with the fact that nearly everyone you bring onto this team is going to have an immediate 50% drop in production and contribution compared to where they came from.

If you’re trading for a guy with one year left to be the Starting QB, I’d think more than not an extension would be already in the works.
- dadeadhead

Agreed. It happens within a week of the trade.

So if the Flames miss the playoffs, the Islanders (if they miss too) could actually win twice and pick twice in top 3. Scary.

i mean, they have up till now. the bar is so low that any sort of excitement will draw fans back.

Mittelstadt and guhle might be enough for that
- Sabresfan-365

Mittelstadt maybe. Guhle isn't some stud get you off your seats player. I really do think fans have had it.

I think one of Sam, ristolainen,ROR will be gone
- gerbe75pts

If we trade risto, F*c$ this team.
People blaming him when he has zero supporting team members.
For me that's as bad as trading eichel or 2018 1st.

So if the Flames miss the playoffs, the Islanders (if they miss too) could actually win twice and pick twice in top 3. Scary.
- Lilroot9

shame, cause i think treliving is a pretty good GM but the optics of this are brutal.

If we trade risto, F*c$ this team.
People blaming him when he has zero supporting team members.
For me that's as bad as trading eichel or 2018 1st.
- zombres

Im not sure how you get someone better than him for the top pair without including him in the deal.

Im not sure how you get someone better than him for the top pair without including him in the deal.
- Sabresfan-365

Okay so hypothetically you trade risto + whatever for a better D say douhhty. How does that change that team at all. We would still be trash.
We lose that trade 9 outta 10 times.

The good thing is Eichel’s prime is for another 10-12 years. Superstars play at a high level for longer than guys like O’Reilly, Kane, Risto etc.

The focus should be reshaping the “core”, and making sure we have depth.

Murray’s idea of a core wasn’t good enough
- sbroads24

Superstars can demand trades too

Okay so hypothetically you trade risto + whatever for a better D say douhhty. How does that change that team at all. We would still be trash.
We lose that trade 9 outta 10 times.
- zombres

we'd have exactly one more top pairing core guy than we do now. Im not saying make that move and call it a day, but that'd be a helluva start.

Superstars can demand trades too
- MCGUIZZY

I don’t think it will ever get to that

I don’t think it will ever get to that
- sbroads24

You hope.