There’s a reason/reasons he was moved.
- sbroads24

Supposition

But even IF O’Reilly had asked to be traded...
we should not have brought back TWO players that are SLOW & AVERAGE

We’d be better off with the Cap space

He's a key player on what is effectively our 2nd line. You don't have to work so hard to defend him.

The RoR trade was a great deal on many levels. If someone can't see that by now, there's really no convincing them. If you love the Skinner deal and hate the RoR deal, you really need to look in mirror and accept that vets don't always have the value you'd like them to have.
- Lunaion

That line was playing well BEFORE Berglund was put on it

There's many and the 1st rounder was the biggest piece coming back. You're getting baited into a pretty dumb argument, and I don't believe today is even RoR day.
- Lunaion

And please...
go ahead & look up how 1st rounders outside of the top10 turn out

It’s FAR from a guarantee that it’ll be an impact (top6) player

I’m sure i don’t need to start listing all our 1st rounders over the years...
do i?

Supposition

But even IF O’Reilly had asked to be traded...
we should not have brought back TWO players that are SLOW & AVERAGE

We’d be better off with the Cap space
- jdfitz77

There are very few teams that would be able to absorb that cap hit wiithout returning salary. Fewer still would offer a 1st in addition to current, capable NHL players to fill out the bottom of our roster.

The $7.5m salary is broken into 3 pieces: one contract is 4 years, one is 2 years, and one is year-to-year. No individual piece is above $3.8

The only problem is Bogo has never been good. Crosby is maybe the 3rd or 4th best player of all-time.
- Wetbandit1

I've written off bogo before too. But, I think he's shaken the injury bug.

He is a terrible decision maker at times.

But, fun to watch. I enjoyed the 50 foot run when he crushed dube on Calgary

There are very few teams that would be able to absorb that cap hit wiithout returning salary. Fewer still would offer a 1st in addition to current, capable NHL players to fill out the bottom of our roster.

The $7.5m salary is broken into 3 pieces: one contract is 4 years, one is 2 years, and one is year-to-year. No individual piece is above $3.8
- jcragcrumple

Right,
but if those players weren’t “Cap dumps” like I’ve been told...
then StL could’ve moved them elsewhere
We wouldn’t have HAD to take them

I've written off bogo before too. But, I think he's shaken the injury bug.

He is a terrible decision maker at times.

But, fun to watch. I enjoyed the 50 foot run when he crushed dube on Calgary
- Boss34

I used to like Bogo
And even though he’s stayed healthy so far,
I have zero confidence anymore that he will remain so

There's many and the 1st rounder was the biggest piece coming back. You're getting baited into a pretty dumb argument, and I don't believe today is even RoR day.
- Lunaion

I think it's Larrson day?

Right,
but if those players weren’t “Cap dumps” like I’ve been told...
then StL could’ve moved them elsewhere
We wouldn’t have HAD to take them
- jdfitz77

What I'm saying is, we would have to take salary back from any team we made a trade with. None of the players coming back were going to be as good as ROR. That's the nature of that kind of trade

I used to like Bogo
And even though he’s stayed healthy so far,
I have zero confidence anymore that he will remain so
- jdfitz77

I shouldn't have brought up bogo.

As for ror:

I agree, great offensive output. Clearly used wrong here, if we were trying to win last year.

There is something to his lockerroom/teammates continuity. Maybe the Sabres aren't in the last playoff spot with him?

What I'm saying is, we would have to take salary back from any team we made a trade with. None of the players coming back were going to be as good as ROR. That's the nature of that kind of trade
- jcragcrumple

Definitely.

I think it's Larrson day?
- Boss34

Sounds right. Hell of a turnaround for the guy. I'm shocked by it tbh. I didn't think he'd step up an earn his spot and then force his way into the everyday lineup.

I shouldn't have brought up bogo.

As for ror:

I agree, great offensive output. Clearly used wrong here, if we were trying to win last year.

There is something to his lockerroom/teammates continuity. Maybe the Sabres aren't in the last playoff spot with him?
- Boss34

He & Jack both denied it
Even after ROR moved on
They had no reason to do so after the trade
Both are locked up to long term deals

Maybe we’d still be using him wrong here
But I’d still take him over the “parts” we got,
any day of the week

Even if we just got Thompson & the picks,
that would’ve been a better trade

Go ahead & make a lineup for next year,
and show me exactly where u want Berglund & Sobatka in it

I’d rather have Asplund & Nylander up
And use that Cap space to go after someone like Stone, etc

Sounds right. Hell of a turnaround for the guy. I'm shocked by it tbh. I didn't think he'd step up an earn his spot and then force his way into the everyday lineup.
- Lunaion

Totally agree.

I really liked his game right before he broke his wrist 2 years ago.
Last year he was terrible. Driving the tank. Dumb penalties.

This year, showing speed, effort, good pk, restraint.
28-10-22 I like this line.

Phil should get some credit for this line and the top line

Definitely.
- Boss34

The trade was

1 good/borderline game changer

For

Depth
Roster flexibility
Moveable contracts
A young player with upside
A late first round lottery ticket

There's a plan there on Botterill's part. I personally would have kept ROR for another year, but I understand Botterill's vision. The team has improved year-over-year, so I trust his vision so far

He & Jack both denied it
Even after ROR moved on
They had no reason to do so after the trade
Both are locked up to long term deals

Maybe we’d still be using him wrong here
But I’d still take him over the “parts” we got,
any day of the week

Even if we just got Thompson & the picks,
that would’ve been a better trade

Go ahead & make a lineup for next year,
and show me exactly where u want Berglund & Sobatka in it

I’d rather have Asplund & Nylander up
And use that Cap space to go after someone like Stone, etc
- jdfitz77

10 and sobotka were both cap dumbs for sure
Also upgrades from nolan and cristo/Griffith
Same for Thompson, we didnt have a 6'5 1st round prospect slowly developing

I've written off bogo before too. But, I think he's shaken the injury bug.

He is a terrible decision maker at times.

But, fun to watch. I enjoyed the 50 foot run when he crushed dube on Calgary
- Boss34

let's say he has, even if he's marginally better than he's ever been for the Sabres, he's way, way overpaid.

The trade was

1 good/borderline game changer

For

Depth
Roster flexibility
Moveable contracts
A young player with upside
A late first round lottery ticket

There's a plan there on Botterill's part. I personally would have kept ROR for another year, but I understand Botterill's vision. The team has improved year-over-year, so I trust his vision so far
- jcragcrumple

I liked ror, on the ice and in person.
He's playing well, similar to team canada ror.

let's say he has, even if he's marginally better than he's ever been for the Sabres, he's way, way overpaid.
- Wetbandit1

True

I think he brings intangibles.

Toughness
Likeability among teammates
Not fun to play against
A little offensive upside
Veteran leadership (A)

About 2 million worth, not 5 plus

10 and sobotka were both cap dumbs for sure
Also upgrades from nolan and cristo/Griffith
Same for Thompson, we didnt have a 6'5 1st round prospect slowly developing
- Boss34

Maybe I’m wrong about Thompson & he will work out
And maybe the picks will turn into something years down the road

But we could’ve upgraded the guys u mentioned without taking on that amount of Cap, and for that long (in Berglund’s case)

For those who thought ROR was gonna drop off...
please Lmk about your outlook for Berglund over the next 3years

I liked ror, on the ice and in person.
He's playing well, similar to team canada ror.
- Boss34

I always enjoyed watching him play

The trade was

1 good/borderline game changer

For

Depth
Roster flexibility
Moveable contracts
A young player with upside
A late first round lottery ticket

There's a plan there on Botterill's part. I personally would have kept ROR for another year, but I understand Botterill's vision. The team has improved year-over-year, so I trust his vision so far
- jcragcrumple

I get it
Just didn’t like the trade then
And it looks worse now,
except the 1st will be higher than we thought

Maybe I’m wrong about Thompson & he will work out
And maybe the picks will turn into something years down the road

But we could’ve upgraded the guys u mentioned without taking on that amount of Cap, and for that long (in Berglund’s case)

For those who thought ROR was gonna drop off...
please Lmk about your outlook for Berglund over the next 3years
- jdfitz77

You're comparing 3 more years at $3.8 to 4 more years at $7.5

The implications are drastically different. I don't necessarily disagree with you fwiw. But the early returns have yielded a positive impact on the team

True

I think he brings intangibles.

Toughness
Likeability among teammates
Not fun to play against
A little offensive upside
Veteran leadership (A)

About 2 million worth, not 5 plus
- Boss34

Even Tampa has Callahan
His 5mil doesn’t hurt us that much if he can just stay healthy
Bc when he’s playing & not at 100%
he seems to lose all confidence & make dumb play after dumb play

You're comparing 3 more years at $3.8 to 4 more years at $7.5

The implications are drastically different
- jcragcrumple

So is their production though

All these ppl were saying RORs drop off would be NEXT YEAR

We’ll see
Sure doesn’t look like it to me

Meanwhile...
Berglund already has dropped off

In all seriousness...
make a lineup for next year
I wanna see where u have Sobatka & Berglund
I bet neither are in the top9
And I’d rather them gone if possible