I really hope he gets in together for next season. The Sabres definitely need wingers and he fits into the top 6 if healthy and focused.
- The Don

I like the optimism, but have my doubts. 30 years old with 5 more years at 6M AAV is a hard contract to get rid of. Tavares keeps getting players overpaid. Moulson, Nielsen, and potentially Bailey will be all be regrettable contracts.

I’d have to think that as of now...
the plan for next year would be to keep Sam at RW with O’Reilly, since that was very effective in the 2nd half
That likely leaves Okposo playing RW with Jack
If he stays healthy, that should get him back above 20 goals & 35 assists

If we get Svechnikov or Zadina,
maybe we see if Okposo can shift over to LW?
He did play there at times with Tavares,
but it’s been a while

My last comment may have been a tad harsh. I apologize.

But before you fixed it, it read:

"That be ridiculous holy poop.
And you Fuller"

It's devoid of verbs, or at least any correct verbs. It was confusing
- jcragcrumple

never noticed that...

just curious, everyone talks team speed, and I get that, however, is every player on those teams fast?...just like defensemen, is every d-man a mobile puck-mover?
- Michael Pachla

Obviously not every single team is going to have every single guy as a speedster.

The point is there are teams that have made speed a priority (especially their wingers) and have found that to be a successful way to play the game.

Think of the 06-07 Sabres.

That team was loaded with speed up front.

Defensemen don't have to have foot speed but they have to be able to think and move the puck fast.

I’d have to think that as of now...
the plan for next year would be to keep Sam at RW with O’Reilly, since that was very effective in the 2nd half
That likely leaves Okposo playing RW with Jack
If he stays healthy, that should get him back above 20 goals & 35 assists

If we get Svechnikov or Zadina,
maybe we see if Okposo can shift over to LW?
He did play there at times with Tavares,
but it’s been a while
- jdfitz77

then what core guy Is leaving ?

then what core guy Is leaving ?
- gerbe75pts

Risto would be the guy left from the core in this scenario

Risto would be the guy left from the core in this scenario
- Stripes77

I’m only moving him if we get a player like a hall “before” he broke out

Or a top 5 pick and a player

Risto would be the guy left from the core in this scenario
- Stripes77

If he's serious about getting fast on the wing like he said, it's gotta be Reinhart or Okposo. Or he just means on the left side and they're both safe, and it's ROR who's gone, but he's not a winger, so that doesn't fit what Botterill said. So i have no idea. Risto is probably safe unless Risto is in a package for a better defenseman

I’m only moving him if we get a player like a hall “before” he broke out

Or a top 5 pick and a player
- gerbe75pts

I am not disagreeing

I would like to add to the blue line and keep Risto personally

Kyle Connor For Ristolainen

Is the type of package I’m hoping we look for

If he's serious about getting fast on the wing like he said, it's gotta be Reinhart or Okposo. Or he just means on the left side and they're both safe, and it's ROR who's gone, but he's not a winger, so that doesn't fit what Botterill said. So i have no idea. Risto is probably safe unless Risto is in a package for a better defenseman
- jcragcrumple

I think Reinhart could be moved if his contract negotiations don't go well.

I really think O'Reilly is the guy that could be moved, but I think they would have to find a temporary 2nd line center before Mittelstadt is ready for those duties.

Kyle Connor For Ristolainen

Is the type of package I’m hoping we look for
- gerbe75pts

Agreed on the type of package

Not a chance Winnipeg moves him though especially with their blue line unless they really move on from Trouba

Obviously not every single team is going to have every single guy as a speedster.

The point is there are teams that have made speed a priority (especially their wingers) and have found that to be a successful way to play the game.

Think of the 06-07 Sabres.

That team was loaded with speed up front.

Defensemen don't have to have foot speed but they have to be able to think and move the puck fast.
- Stripes77

so there is room for players who might not be the fastest or d-men who have other attributes

then what core guy Is leaving ?
- gerbe75pts

why does a "core guy" need to be moved if you're building a top-nine forward group?

so there is room for players who might not be the fastest or d-men who have other attributes
- Michael Pachla

Of course there is

However to answer your next question before you even ask it, those teams don't have players fill up half of their top 6 (Okposo, ROR, Reinhart)

They might have 1 or 2 guys that don't fit their mold speed wise but not half of their big minute eating guys.

why does a "core guy" need to be moved if you're building a top-nine forward group?
- Michael Pachla

That was related to the end of the yea press conference where reporters started speculating that someone from the core is being moved in the off season

Agreed on the type of package

Not a chance Winnipeg moves him though especially with their blue line unless they really move on from Trouba
- Stripes77

Maybe the flyers would be ok with dealing konecny for Ristolainen

But agreed with jets I think it would be a huge mistake to trade Kyle Connor

Kyle Connor For Ristolainen

Is the type of package I’m hoping we look for
- gerbe75pts

isn't defense still a major weakness on this team?

why does a "core guy" need to be moved if you're building a top-nine forward group?
- Michael Pachla

He said it in his PC

Edit late

Of course there is

However to answer your next question before you even ask it, those teams don't have players fill up half of their top 6 (Okposo, ROR, Reinhart)

They might have 1 or 2 guys that don't fit their mold speed wise but not half of their big minute eating guys.
- Stripes77

got it...but what if that's dispersed amongst the top-nine next year?

He said it in his PC

Edit late
- gerbe75pts

was it a definitive?...or was it a "possibly"?

isn't defense still a major weakness on this team?
- Michael Pachla

Wing is to and he be a major upgrade and his speed would be a welcome addition

But this depends if we win the lottery..

I think Reinhart could be moved if his contract negotiations don't go well.

I really think O'Reilly is the guy that could be moved, but I think they would have to find a temporary 2nd line center before Mittelstadt is ready for those duties.
- Stripes77

I think they're the best candidates for sure. If i had to pick one of 15, 90, 23, 21 and 55 to move in order to get better, i would pick Okposo, but i realize that is unlikely to say the least. So then it's between ROR and Reinhart, because i find it unlikely they'd trade Risto for a lot of reasons.. Which player gets you the better return? I don't know.

I do hope Botterrill doesn't make a move just to shake things up. Any move should be to make this team better for next year imo.

then what core guy Is leaving ?
- gerbe75pts

Two things...

1) i said “AS OF NOW”

2) how do we know we are getting rid of a “core” guy?

I’d have to think that as of now...
the plan for next year would be to keep Sam at RW with O’Reilly, since that was very effective in the 2nd half
That likely leaves Okposo playing RW with Jack
If he stays healthy, that should get him back above 20 goals & 35 assists

If we get Svechnikov or Zadina,
maybe we see if Okposo can shift over to LW?
He did play there at times with Tavares,
but it’s been a while
- jdfitz77

They are a very slow duo