I thought we were talking about roster decisions moving forward, not relitigating the merits of a previous trade
- jcragcrumple

Well then where are you putting those 4 guys?

True, I wonder what that trade is if we dont take those contracts.
like a 3rd/4th round pick
- hubie

Short answer is that it doesn't get made. Maybe another team steps up, but I think you're right, it's more of a Skinner-like return if we don't take any $ back. The structure and size of that contract made it a lead balloon.

Well then where are you putting those 4 guys?
- hubie

22 and 28 are RFAs. I'd let em walk/trade their rights if possible. Or at the deadline, move 28 and a pick for a scoring winger.

Ok soo you are not happy with the STl trade
SO when that 1st becomes a vital part of this team how will you feel?

With the cap going up it will be easier to hide them on the payroll. Even just removing Moulson contract we are in a good spot. T Pegs doesnt seem like hed care for those millions there as long as we are a contender.

ll say again I think Botts is creating a roster for 2020 not 2018. I dont think many thought we would be a in a spot we are right now. Remember this time last year we were already out of it.
- hubie

Dear Lord...

AGAIN... this is not about “the trade”

It’s about bringing in players that don’t fit where we are trying to go
I’d feel the same way if we’d signed Berglund as a free agent to a 4 year deal

Now...
IF (and it’s a big “if”) that 1st does actually turn into something that helps us...
then great!
Especially since Berglund & Sobatka aren’t doing much (so far)
However,
We probably won’t know for years if that pick works out or not
And it’s just as likely that it’ll turn out to be a player like Girgs or Pysyk as opposed to it being a “vital part of this team”

22 and 28 are RFAs. I'd let em walk/trade their rights if possible. Or at the deadline, move 28 and a pick for a scoring winger.
- jcragcrumple

I agree, thats the move id make as well. IMO 22 makes more than Id pay him and 28 I dont think deserves a bump.

SO there is like 6 mill freed up and not counting a pommer move

Fitz on page 5 of a blog

“We have cap room to sign everyone!”

Fitz on page 6 of a blog

“We need to save cap to get rid of the guys that replaced my hero!”
- sbroads24

Cap Space to sign ppl doesn’t mean we should WASTE IT
The amount that you purposely misconstrue what i say is pathetic

MAKE A LINEUP

We make that proclamation because over the last year or so those guys have been outperformed by a lot of ELC and cheap vet players.

In other words, they're doing just as badly in those roles as a rookie or cheap vet would be doing, the only difference is a poop ton of money.
- Sabresfan-365

Ok.

Have to say I don't buy it. To say that Risto or someone else isn't living up to expectations, or is not worth their cap hit, is fine. Okposo for example, probably doesn't make 6M worth of value up, but at a half point per game average...he beats the socks off a replacement player.

I think you take those guys out and replace them with scrubs, we're a losing team again. That's effectively what we had a lot of last year in guys like Josefson, Nolan, Pouliot and Antipin. We've upgraded and are better because of it, it's not all Skinner and Dahlin's additions.

Agree to disagree, just figured I'd ask before I put my foot in my mouth on rebuttal. Thanks 365!

22 and 28 are RFAs. I'd let em walk/trade their rights if possible. Or at the deadline, move 28 and a pick for a scoring winger.
- jcragcrumple

They both have Arb rights, so it's very possible. I certainly wouldn't want to walk into an arb hearing with the former All-Star.

Dear Lord...

AGAIN... this is not about “the trade”

It’s about bringing in players that don’t fit where we are trying to go
I’d feel the same way if we’d signed Berglund as a free agent to a 4 year deal

Now...
IF (and it’s a big “if”) that 1st does actually turn into something that helps us...
then great!
Especially since Berglund & Sobatka aren’t doing much (so far)
However,
We probably won’t know for years if that pick works out or not
And it’s just as likely that it’ll turn out to be a player like Girgs or Pysyk as opposed to it being a “vital part of this team”
- jdfitz77

again, your also missing my point....... This trade wasnt meant for the 2018 roster it was meant for the 2020 roster.

But did it make the team better? Obviously yes they are playing better.
You say they arent doing much.... well there is a lot that goes on that isnt on the score sheet.

I thought we were talking about roster decisions moving forward, not relitigating the merits of a previous trade
- jcragcrumple

Going forward...
i would NOT want Larsson & Girgs on line4
AND
Sobatka & Berglund on the roster as well

Sobatka we could probably move bc he’s only got 1 year after this
So maybe we are stuck with Berglund,
and line 4 next year might be
Berglund-Larsson-Pommer
or whatever

Point is...
i don’t want all 4 of them here

NO ONE SHOULD

Cap Space to sign ppl doesn’t mean we should WASTE IT
The amount of purposely misconstruing what i day is pathetic

MAKE A LINEUP
- jdfitz77

I think we all can agree, you may just need to go to bed and try again tomorrow.

Going forward...
i would NOT want Larsson & Girgs on line4
AND
Sobatka & Berglund on the roster as well

Sobatka we could probably move bc he’s only got 1 year after this
So maybe we are stuck with Berglund,
and line 4 next year might be
Berglund-Larsson-Pommer
or whatever

Point is...
i don’t want all 4 of them here

NO ONE SHOULD
- jdfitz77

OK 22 and 28 gone theres 2 spots for you

Ok.

Have to say I don't buy it. To say that Risto or someone else isn't living up to expectations, or is not worth their cap hit, is fine. Okposo for example, probably doesn't make 6M worth of value up, but at a half point per game average...he beats the socks off a replacement player.

I think you take those guys out and replace them with scrubs, we're a losing team again. That's effectively what we had a lot of last year in guys like Josefson, Nolan, Pouliot and Antipin. We've upgraded and are better because of it, it's not all Skinner and Dahlin's additions.

Agree to disagree, just figured I'd ask before I put my foot in my mouth on rebuttal. Thanks 365!
- RhinoFan

Not gunna lie, I respect the hell out of that

again, your also missing my point....... This trade wasnt meant for the 2018 roster it was meant for the 2020 roster.

But did it make the team better? Obviously yes they are playing better.
You say they arent doing much.... well there is a lot that goes on that isnt on the score sheet.
- hubie

How many times last year did Botts say he wanted us to be faster up front?

He got hosed in that trade
Plain & simple

But again...
I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE TRADE per se

I’m saying we need to move on from these guys and get SPEED into the lineup bc they don’t fit what we want to do NOW

And if that happens to be with young players who have upside...
then so be it

But i also talk about trying to bring in guys like Stone, Athanasiou, etc etc

The StL guys aren’t horrible or anything
But i also don’t think we’d miss them much

OK 22 and 28 gone theres 2 spots for you
- hubie

Fine...
but that’s an expensive 4th line with Sobatka & Berglund on it

Far from ideal

How many times last year did Botts say he wanted us to be faster up front?

He got hosed in that trade
Plain & simple

But again...
I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE TRADE per se

I’m saying we need to move on from these guys and get SPEED into the lineup bc they don’t fit what we want to do NOW

And if that happens to be with young players who have upside...
then so be it

But i also talk about trying to bring in guys like Stone, Athanasiou, etc etc

The StL guys aren’t horrible or anything
But i also don’t think we’d miss them much
- jdfitz77

Ok with 22 & 28 gone insert whoever you want to add speed.
Thats two roster spots there

possibly add Pommer

theres 3 spots

now we dont have to worry about the last 2 rostered forwards once of which comes off the books then all that is left is berglung which isnt a bad last forward.

I do and i don’t

Bringing in more slow guys when you say u wanna get faster just doesn’t make sense

Could we not have just signed a couple guys for 1 year?
Now we are somewhat stuck with these guys
Hopefully they’re movable, but idk?
- jdfitz77

I'm confused.
Changes were made to the roster, the Sabres have climbed from 31st to what 19th?
Have the new players replaced the production from some notable players from last year and improved the locker room along the way?
-Skinner replaced the goals lost with EKaner9
-Sheary replaced Pouloit (whatever the F he provided)
-Berglund & Sobotka have replaced the goals by ROR
-The D is largely the same, with exception of add Dahlin...which is huge for sure

Can it be, that dumping problem attitude players such as EK9, ROR, Pouloit while experiencing a resurgence in commitment and play from Larssons, Girgenson, a healthy Bogo have contributed to the improved play overall?
I think so.

Who gives a crap about 1 guy replacing ROR and it taking 2 to do so.
Addition by subtraction.

Fine...
but that’s an expensive 4th line with Sobatka & Berglund on it

Far from ideal
- jdfitz77

I dont know what to tell you. 1 comes off next year then you just have berglund left. Cup winners have vets on their team. Cant have them all be under 30

I would also like to add, right now this team is in the playoffs and have a great shot at being a playoff team come the end of the season. I dont care who is on the roster hwo old they are and how much they make. All I care about is that they are winning and in the playoffs.

How many times last year did Botts say he wanted us to be faster up front?

He got hosed in that trade
Plain & simple

But again...
I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE TRADE per se

I’m saying we need to move on from these guys and get SPEED into the lineup bc they don’t fit what we want to do NOW

And if that happens to be with young players who have upside...
then so be it

But i also talk about trying to bring in guys like Stone, Athanasiou, etc etc

The StL guys aren’t horrible or anything
But i also don’t think we’d miss them much
- jdfitz77

How many times last year did Botts say he wanted us to be faster up front?

He got hosed in that trade
Plain & simple

But again...
I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE TRADE per se

I’m saying we need to move on from these guys and get SPEED into the lineup bc they don’t fit what we want to do NOW

And if that happens to be with young players who have upside...
then so be it

But i also talk about trying to bring in guys like Stone, Athanasiou, etc etc

The StL guys aren’t horrible or anything
But i also don’t think we’d miss them much
- jdfitz77

So I assume Reinhart and Ristolainen are next on the list to go for speed, right?

Or is it just guys you don’t like that replaced the one and only?

I miss game nights...

Not gunna lie, I respect the hell out of that
- Sabresfan-365

You have a great understanding of the game and adv stats. I respect that.

Hope you are well brother.

I would also like to add, right now this team is in the playoffs and have a great shot at being a playoff team come the end of the season. I dont care who is on the roster hwo old they are and how much they make. All I care about is that they are winning and in the playoffs.
- hubie

It's all that matters right now...

I mean who saw us being here right now?

Not I.

Been reading all day and all I can say is JFC... Rome was not built in a day.