Michael Pachla: Does Rasmus Dahlin change the Sabres' off-season equation?

No it's just a cherry on top


The Sabres need to blow it up start a new core

The one thing I hope he changes is that he helps give the team some entertaining hockey to the fans. The management should know by now who should stay and who should go.

"All of O'Reilly, Reinhart and Ristolainen are good players. All of them have their faults, especially when looked through the lens of these past few seasons, but they're also well regarded throughout the league."

Dilemmas, dilemmas.

Good read MP.

The one thing I hope he changes is that he helps give the team some entertaining hockey to the fans. The management should know by now who should stay and who should go.
- sabreadvocate1

Yeah that's all anyone is looking for at this point. Contending for a playoff spot would probably do it even if we missed.

In Jackmus we trust.

I think the ship is finally starting to turn around for you guys. Keep your expectations reasonable. Too many of my fellow Leaf fans think were suddenly cup contenders because we made the playoffs last year and automatically thought we were suppose to go all the way this year and the dose of reality that were still not that good yet has them thinking irrational.
For your guys situation though I expect a much improved team next season, playoffs?, that's hard to say but I think we'll see a vast improvement. I look forward to more competitive battles with the Sabres going forward and hating you more than I already do! Haha

No it's just a cherry on top


The Sabres need to blow it up start a new core
- gerbe75pts

so you're in favor of trading away all three--ror, skunk, risto?

Does ROR love the game again?


Am i doing this right?

I think the ship is finally starting to turn around for you guys. Keep your expectations reasonable. Too many of my fellow Leaf fans think were suddenly cup contenders because we made the playoffs last year and automatically thought we were suppose to go all the way this year and the dose of reality that were still not that good yet has them thinking irrational.
For your guys situation though I expect a much improved team next season, playoffs?, that's hard to say but I think we'll see a vast improvement. I look forward to more competitive battles with the Sabres going forward and hating you more than I already do! Haha
- NewfieStud

my friend, I cannot wait until the sabres are close to the leafs level...it already is a good rivalry, even with the sabres sucking so bad...the better buffalo gets, the better the rivalry

Does ROR love the game again?


Am i doing this right?
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

yes...at present he's wearing a letter for team Canada

I think the ship is finally starting to turn around for you guys. Keep your expectations reasonable. Too many of my fellow Leaf fans think were suddenly cup contenders because we made the playoffs last year and automatically thought we were suppose to go all the way this year and the dose of reality that were still not that good yet has them thinking irrational.
For your guys situation though I expect a much improved team next season, playoffs?, that's hard to say but I think we'll see a vast improvement. I look forward to more competitive battles with the Sabres going forward and hating you more than I already do! Haha
- NewfieStud

Post more. Read less.

so you're in favor of trading away all three--ror, skunk, risto?
- Michael Pachla

i dont think we are in a position to trade away a D man.. if anyone of those three is to go i would probably side with ROR..

yes...at present he's wearing a letter for team Canada
- Michael Pachla

Didn't even get a Happy Birthday from you on twitter. I am disappointed to say the least and have lost the love i had of reading your blogs.

Didn't even get a Happy Birthday from you on twitter. I am disappointed to say the least and have lost the love i had of reading your blogs.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

sorry...

so you want to be traded?

oh, and, happy birthday...

how old?

sorry...

so you want to be traded?

oh, and, happy birthday...

how old?
- Michael Pachla

30

I will submit my 10 team list by the AM.

30

I will submit my 10 team list by the AM.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

you are one old mfer...

Michael Pachla: Does Rasmus Dahlin change the Sabres' off-season equation?
- Michael Pachla

New blog

Dahlin doesn't change the offseason. But he makes transitioning to a better team much easier. You can use your high end trade chips for needs other than the highly coveted top pair dman. Left wingers, for example.

We no longer need a #1. You manage to pick up a 2, or a guy on his way to being a 2, and you have a solid top 4 with Risto and Scandy.

Your goals are still the same, but turning the roster into a better team should happen a bit sooner now.

so you're in favor of trading away all three--ror, skunk, risto?
- Michael Pachla

Yes one has to go for us to get a Winger

You can't go into next year without a legit wing for Jack
You're just wasting another good year of his

Botteril was on a podcast a couple days ago saying he understood ROR's comments, I don't think it's a dealbreaker for him.

I'm a Hawks fan first, and can confidently say that trading ROR or Ristolainen would be a dumb move. Both guys tilt the ice toward the opposing net, and I'd kill to have either one on the Hawks.

Reinhart is only 22 or 23 I believe, he hasn't blossomed into a #2 overall expectation but he could also put up 65 points on a good team. You don't give up young cost controlled players who can compete.

Good luck next season boys, hopefully this year is a big turnaround for both our teams.

Are people being too nice when they call RoR's skating good? By top 6 standards, isn't he well below average?

I think it would be a mistake to get rid of any of those 3 players. Risto has been overwhelmed having to play too many minutes for a terrible team. He could still flourish even as a number 2 pairing guy. Reinhart is just coming into his own and OReilly has just been beaten down with the constant losing but he is still a very good player and not really replaceable at this point. These are good core guys we just need more of these type of guys. You give some of the good young guys a shot as well as add a few seasoned veterans who are used to winning to change the culture. These guys are not the problem it is the holes everywhere else outside of Eichel that are the problem.

Botteril was on a podcast a couple days ago saying he understood ROR's comments, I don't think it's a dealbreaker for him.

I'm a Hawks fan first, and can confidently say that trading ROR or Ristolainen would be a dumb move. Both guys tilt the ice toward the opposing net, and I'd kill to have either one on the Hawks.

Reinhart is only 22 or 23 I believe, he hasn't blossomed into a #2 overall expectation but he could also put up 65 points on a good team. You don't give up young cost controlled players who can compete.

Good luck next season boys, hopefully this year is a big turnaround for both our teams.
- ObeseOprah

If this were true, I don't think any of us would want to trade them.

I'm gonna give credit where credit is due...


SBroads did not bring up ROR today.

If this were true, I don't think any of us would want to trade them.
- sbroads24