Man . Buffalo's good fortune in winning the Dahlin sweepstakes has put some over the edge . Folks need to remember he is going to be a Rookie next year . Don't drive the kid out of town before he gets there. Be reasonable and temper your expectations. Willing to trade everyone already is a little silly . I hope Botterill does not try to accelerate the rebuild like Murray did. You guys know how that turned out. Again congrats on the big win but some in here need to relax and let your GM make the right moves and not just make trades for the sake of making trades
- Gordzilla

I fully expect his development to follow the course of Victor Hedman, especially in the fact that it took a few years before he fully became a force. However, having that guy you know (or at least have as close to a sure feeling as you can) will be a franchise defenseman, makes whatever the results are in the win column much easier to stomach.

The win column is the most important part. However, if you aren't going to excel in that, you need to at least have the pieces that make you think that it can change sooner rather than later. Winning this lottery does exactly that.

I fully expect his development to follow the course of Victor Hedman, especially in the fact that it took a few years before he fully became a force. However, having that guy you know (or at least have as close to a sure feeling as you can) will be a franchise defenseman, makes whatever the results are in the win column much easier to stomach.

The win column is the most important part. However, if you aren't going to excel in that, you need to at least have the pieces that make you think that it can change sooner rather than later. Winning this lottery does exactly that.
- buffalofan19

The crazy thing is, he’s a much better prospect than Hedman was

Pack your sh!t ROR , Sam or ristolainen

Your gone
- gerbe75pts

Ristolainen eh? You want to Draft 7th overall as well?

I highly doubt Botterill ever considered him part of the core.
- buffalofan19

My source says management definitely had high expectations for him. They really thought those 21.25 games played per year were enough to turn the ship.

This is a situation where the fans reed the situation one way while managements situation is part of a bigger situation from the previous situations mistakes.

The crazy thing is, he’s a much better prospect than Hedman was
- sbroads24

I know that, but I do believe it will be 3 or maybe even 4 years until he is that #1 Championship caliber defenseman.

The crazy thing is, he’s a much better prospect than Hedman was
- sbroads24

Much better? Not really, there just isn’t a Tavares in this draft to make the 1st unquestionable, tho I suppose I should expect Sabres fans to over hype Dahlin like he’s the best defensive prospect since Orr.

Ristolainen eh? You want to Draft 7th overall as well?
- Larsson_fan

I doubt Ristolainen is traded for a draft pick, even a top 10 one.

If he is moved, it's going to be for an impact roster player, or part of a package for an impact roster player.

So we're keeping everybody?

Did this year not happen lol

He said the core will be changed up okposo , bogo ate not in the core

One of ROR, ristolainen, Sam will be gone for Jack's winger
- gerbe75pts

It is rather perplexing.

I actually think 2 get moved by the time next season, and my bet is ROR and Risto...largely based on:
A) the value they are likely to bring back
B) apparently, from reports those two are a divisive factor in the locker room, but for different reasons

I also think Risto will be first to go based on Botts comments about players not playing the system is an issue and when they do play the system the team actually has success. If he can get value back, I see him being moved...even more so if Dahlin plays the right side.

I believe ROR gets moved, probably this time next season since Botts May want to shield a young Mitts from too much responsibility right away...much like he provided for a young Eichel. Give Mitts 1 year to settle in before he is handed the keys to 2C.

I found this to be quite enlightening as well concerning the Bills and think it would apply the same to the Sabres situation...
They've lopped salaries from a bloated payroll and excised players who wouldn't fall in line with McDermott's team-first coaching ethos.

Much better? Not really, there just isn’t a Tavares in this draft to make the 1st unquestionable, tho I suppose I should expect Sabres fans to over hype Dahlin like he’s the best defensive prospect since Orr.
- Larsson_fan

Yes, much better. It’s not really close.

You could put Tavares in this draft and he’s still undisputed #1.

People have been talking about Dahlin for 3 years now

Much better? Not really, there just isn’t a Tavares in this draft to make the 1st unquestionable, tho I suppose I should expect Sabres fans to over hype Dahlin like he’s the best defensive prospect since Orr.
- Larsson_fan

Don’t be jelly you don’t have a risto, a guhle, a Dahlin, but most importantly, you’ll never match the talent of Nelson.

Excitement is welcomed here, Sanderson carried that Boston team anyway.

I doubt Ristolainen is traded for a draft pick, even a top 10 one.

If he is moved, it's going to be for an impact roster player, or part of a package for an impact roster player.
- buffalofan19

Wonder what value mccabe has at 1.6 mil? could flip him and pick(s) for a winger

Yes, much better. It’s not really close.

You could put Tavares in this draft and he’s still undisputed #1.

People have been talking about Dahlin for 3 years now
- sbroads24

Hedman is as good as projected, a top 5 D man in the league....is Dahlin projected to be the absolute best Defender when he hits his stride? Because that would be much better. I would say marginally, or somewhat better is more accurate, tho even ‘as good’ would be fantastic for you guys.

I take you guys with a grain of salt tho because you guys figured McDavid was just a C-hair better than Eichel and clearly they aren’t even in the same class.

Okposo and Bogo are part of the supposed “core”. You don’t hand someone a 7 year 42 Million dollar deal to be a passenger. Bogo’s price tag when you acquired him is meant to be paid to someone you envision being on your team for the duration of the contract. So yes part of the “core” moving out could easily mean one of those two players.

Okposo and Bogo are part of the supposed “core”. You don’t hand someone a 7 year 42 Million dollar deal to be a passenger. Bogo’s price tag when you acquired him is meant to be paid to someone you envision being on your team for the duration of the contract. So yes part of the “core” moving out could easily mean one of those two players.
- Pegullaville

Okposo is a good support piece, Bogo is dog poop.

Don’t be jelly you don’t have a risto, a guhle, a Dahlin, but most importantly, you’ll never match the talent of Nelson.

Excitement is welcomed here, Sanderson carried that Boston team anyway.
- washedup20

Hedman is as good as projected, a top 5 D man in the league....is Dahlin projected to be the absolute best Defender when he hits his stride? Because that would be much better. I would say marginally, or somewhat better is more accurate, tho even ‘as good’ would be fantastic for you guys.

I take you guys with a grain of salt tho because you guys figured McDavid was just a C-hair better than Eichel and clearly they aren’t even in the same class.
- Larsson_fan

“He’s the McDavid of defensemen” - Craig Button

I mean I would take your opinion seriously if you didn’t try and tell me Anaheim was going to beat San Jose

Okposo and Bogo are part of the supposed “core”. You don’t hand someone a 7 year 42 Million dollar deal to be a passenger. Bogo’s price tag when you acquired him is meant to be paid to someone you envision being on your team for the duration of the contract. So yes part of the “core” moving out could easily mean one of those two players.
- Pegullaville

I agree except.....who the hell would take them?

Much better? Not really, there just isn’t a Tavares in this draft to make the 1st unquestionable, tho I suppose I should expect Sabres fans to over hype Dahlin like he’s the best defensive prospect since Orr.
- Larsson_fan

Your take isn’t inline with what many, most of the pundits have stated about Dahlin, including one of the greats who have played the position.
He has been compared to Hedman, Linstrom, Leech, Potvin, Karlsson...be talked about as close to a generational talent, if he isn’t in fact a generational talent.

For this team, I absolutely would prefer the prospect for f Dahlin over a Prospect projected to be Johnny T...for this team.
That said...trade Risto and ROR for Johnny as long as we are at it!!!

is this team better next year with casey on jacks wing
ror as second line center
e-rod as 3rd line center


I firmly believe that after getting dahlin, it is

give ror 2 speedy wingers
give e-rod 1 speedy winger

and let's go


casey-eichel-skunk
nylander-ror-baptiste
bailey-e-rod-o regan
wilson-matt ellis-pommer


dahlin-risto
scandella-carlson
mccabe-nelson



put guhle in rochester for 1 more year


put moulson, bogo, okposo on ltir

expose beaulieu to waivers if you cant move him
same for larsson and girgens


LETS GO!!!

I agree except.....who the hell would take them?
- Sabresfan-365

That’s for Botts to figure out. Boy would that be something though if we can rid ourselves from both.

is this team better next year with casey on jacks wing
ror as second line center
e-rod as 3rd line center


I firmly believe that after getting dahlin, it is

give ror 2 speedy wingers
give e-rod 1 speedy winger

and let's go


casey-eichel-skunk
nylander-ror-baptiste
bailey-e-rod-o regan
wilson-matt ellis-pommer


dahlin-risto
scandella-carlson
mccabe-nelson



put guhle in rochester for 1 more year


put moulson, bogo, okposo on ltir

expose beaulieu to waivers if you cant move him
same for larsson and girgens


LETS GO!!!
- homiedclown

That 4th line is titties

is this team better next year with casey on jacks wing
ror as second line center
e-rod as 3rd line center


I firmly believe that after getting dahlin, it is

give ror 2 speedy wingers
give e-rod 1 speedy winger

and let's go


casey-eichel-skunk
nylander-ror-baptiste
bailey-e-rod-o regan
wilson-matt ellis-pommer


dahlin-risto
scandella-carlson
mccabe-nelson



put guhle in rochester for 1 more year


put moulson, bogo, okposo on ltir

expose beaulieu to waivers if you cant move him
same for larsson and girgens


LETS GO!!!
- homiedclown

I like some of these.

If Dahlin plays right, that pushes Risto down to 2nd pairing where he belongs...but exposes a need for a #2 RHD...any ideas on trade targets for that?
EDIT - oooops, LHD

is this team better next year with casey on jacks wing
ror as second line center
e-rod as 3rd line center


I firmly believe that after getting dahlin, it is

give ror 2 speedy wingers
give e-rod 1 speedy winger

and let's go


casey-eichel-skunk
nylander-ror-baptiste
bailey-e-rod-o regan
wilson-matt ellis-pommer


dahlin-risto
scandella-carlson
mccabe-nelson



put guhle in rochester for 1 more year


put moulson, bogo, okposo on ltir

expose beaulieu to waivers if you cant move him
same for larsson and girgens


LETS GO!!!
- homiedclown

Your'e pretty smart for a fish head clown

Your'e pretty smart for a fish head clown

- cabin

That’s for Botts to figure out. Boy would that be something though if we can rid ourselves from both.
- Pegullaville

These contracts don't all need to be moved overnight. There's no need to try to open a ton of cap space for next season. Prudent move is to hold Okposo and Bogo for now. If you can even trade them, they don't get you anything (and probably some bad money coming back). Both of them could/should improve this season, and hopefully restore some value. In Bogo's case, a buyout after next season is a viable option, if it comes to that.