I still wanna see Okposo on Jack’s RW to try & bump up his stats

Then hopefully we won’t have to pay to get someone to take him
Or at least not pay as much
- jdfitz77

I was soo on board but then he goes and makes a pass like he did and now I want to keep him....... give me two weeks and ill want him gone again lol

Someone has to take a first period dzone draw against Stamkos. You don't want Jack doing that with any regularity, and you certainly don't want Skinner out there. At some point, we need a 2nd or 3rd line that's up to the challenge. For now, overusing a 4th line is fine.
- Lunaion

Larsson is having a nice season on the dot - 55% which is the best of his career.

So roughly 45% of the time, he loses the draw and is forced to defend. That line is also too slow to take the puck away from the other team. From a team building perspective, that line is at best a stalemate. That's just not how I would build a team going forward. I've accepted that as a reality this year, but to assemble the same cast next year.... Woof

Nah, it’s just the hypocrisy in your posts can be astounding.

You drone on about how you can’t count on mid-late firsts to pan out, yet are handing NHL spots to second rounders, who have done jack in the AHL.

Of course everyone wants to “see them”. That’s not what you meant when you were talking about keeping O’Reilly and just plugging in Asplund and Nylander.

I’m all for getting cheap guys to replace the older vets.
- sbroads24

Yeah, it was

And if Asplund & Nylander didn’t work, then there’s Smith & Bailey, or Olofsson & O’Regan

And we’d have another 7+ mil to bring in a guy who can “move the needle” as u like to say like Stone

Or would u really rather have Berglund for the next 3+ years

Still waiting for your lineup...
Shouldn’t be all that tough

Larsson is having a nice season on the dot - 55% which is the best of his career.

So roughly 45% of the time, he loses the draw and is forced to defend. That line is also too slow to take the puck away from the other team. From a team building perspective, that line is at best a stalemate. That's just not how I would build a team going forward. I've accepted that as a reality this year, but to assemble the same cast next year.... Woof
- jcragcrumple

That's just not reality though. They have close to 85% dzone starts and a positive corsi. They flip the ice more than they get hemmed in. I don't want the 4th line to be the only option, but they are doing a great job.

I was soo on board but then he goes and makes a pass like he did and now I want to keep him....... give me two weeks and ill want him gone again lol
- hubie

Okposo isn’t a bad player
Neither are the StL guys

But none of them get us where we wanna be either
I don’t see these guys on a Cup contender’s roster, so bye bye

Should’ve never brought in the StL guys
At least put some speed in the lineup instead

Sobatka we might be able to move after this year, but it looks like we are stuck with Berglund for at least a couple more

Yeah, it was

And if Asplund & Nylander didn’t work, then there’s Smith & Bailey, or Olofsson & O’Regan

And we’d have another 7+ mil to bring in a guy who can “move the needle” as u like to say like Stone

Or would u really rather have Berglund for the next 3+ years

Still waiting for your lineup...
Shouldn’t be all that tough
- jdfitz77

This isn’t the 2015 Sabres bud. We’re actually trying to win games.

You don’t start the season with guys who have had 0 success at the pro level and hope for the best.

Like it or not Berglund is a good NHL’er still. Sobotka can play a good role.

You just hate the O’Reilly trade. I get it. Trust me I get it.

You’re acting like Berglund is an AHL’er and it’s just plain wrong.

We don’t have Derek Grant or Kyle Criscolo in the lineup where anyone would be a better option

Can you explain this better for us dumb folks?

A 1-2 Million dollar player is either on an ELC or is a very cheap vet. We're arguing that Risto, Okpos and Bogo can be replaced by cagey vets and get the same results? How do we make that proclamation?

I'm genuinely interested. I wouldn't think any of those players would be negative or close to even when compared to a replacement player who would be either 4th line or 3rd pairing. What am I missing?
- RhinoFan

analytics, i'd assume

That's just not reality though. They have close to 85% dzone starts and a positive corsi. They flip the ice more than they get hemmed in. I don't want the 4th line to be the only option, but they are doing a great job.
- Lunaion

The question is, in my mind, if you keep those guys, where does the change come from? Because unless Botterill is able to pull off an Okposo trade, keeping those guys means assembling the same crew next year

In that situation, it's always going to be your best 2 faceoff guys and a PKer. I wouldn't make roster decisions based on the last :30 seconds of the game
- jcragcrumple

It’s not just the last :30 of a game that are important def zone situations

I like the 3 scoring line setup
Don’t think u can effectively play against the big boys without at least 1 solid line u can depend on defensively

Okposo isn’t a bad player
Neither are the StL guys

But none of them get us where we wanna be either
I don’t see these guys on a Cup contender’s roster, so bye bye

Should’ve never brought in the StL guys
At least put some speed in the lineup instead

Sobatka we might be able to move after this year, but it looks like we are stuck with Berglund for at least a couple more
- jdfitz77

I agree with you here, but have to remember I think these moves were done with the belief that we would not be a contender for a couple seasons. At that time the STL guys would be gone. Have to think without taking them that trade could have been real ugly.

This isn’t the 2015 Sabres bud. We’re actually trying to win games.

You don’t start the season with guys who have had 0 success at the pro level and hope for the best.

Like it or not Berglund is a good NHL’er still. Sobotka can play a good role.

You just hate the O’Reilly trade. I get it. Trust me I get it.

You’re acting like Berglund is an AHL’er and it’s just plain wrong.

We don’t have Derek Grant or Kyle Criscolo in the lineup where anyone would be a better option
- sbroads24

Make a lineup for next year
Stop avoiding it

Maybe then you’ll see my point

The question is, in my mind, if you keep those guys, where does the change come from? Because unless Botterill is able to pull off an Okposo trade, keeping those guys means assembling the same crew next year
- jcragcrumple

Need some trades, no question there. I'm not saying keep the 4th line in tact, just that someone has to replace them defensively. I'm expecting Asplund to be part of that solution, likely Berglund too.

Need some trades, no question there. I'm not saying keep the 4th line in tact, just that someone has to replace them defensively. I'm expecting Asplund to be part of that solution, likely Berglund too.
- Lunaion

You would hope they are. I think they will be.

But you don’t just get rid of vets playing key roles and plug in unknowns when you are attempting to win games.

It doesn’t ever happen that way.

The way it happens is they will get their chance via injury this year or next and you have an idea if they can play in the NHL before you pencil them into a lineup

I agree with you here, but have to remember I think these moves were done with the belief that we would not be a contender for a couple seasons. At that time the STL guys would be gone. Have to think without taking them that trade could have been real ugly.
- hubie

I’m not even trying to talk about the trade

I’m just saying these guys simply are not a fit for what we want here

Do they provide secondary scoring?
Nope
Not with any consistency

Are they fast?
Nope
Even though I’ve been told so
So they can’t play the style game we want

Have either taken over the defensive center role that was vacated?
Nope
Strike 3 out of 3

Are either of them any better/different than someone like Pouliot that we could’ve just signed if need be?

Bottom line is that GOING FORWARD...
we shouldn’t want these guys here
Bye freaking bye

I’m not even trying to talk about the trade

I’m just saying these guys simply are not a fit for what we want here

Do they provide secondary scoring?
Nope
Not with any consistency

Are they fast?
Nope
Even though I’ve been told so
So they can’t play the style game we want

Have either taken over the defensive center role that was vacated?
Nope
Strike 3 out of 3

Are either of them any better/different than someone like Pouliot that we could’ve just signed if need be?

Bottom line is that GOING FORWARD...
we shouldn’t want these guys here
Bye freaking bye
- jdfitz77

I dont think anyone is disagreeing with you here, but the way contracts are they are here for the foreseeable future. Unless, you want to over give to rid yourself of them.

For t the first time in a long time i have confidence in our GM .

You would hope they are. I think they will be.

But you don’t just get rid of vets playing key roles and plug in unknowns when you are attempting to win games.

It doesn’t ever happen that way.

The way it happens is they will get their chance via injury this year or next and you have an idea if they can play in the NHL before you pencil them into a lineup
- sbroads24

Ok...
but then your idea of signing Pouliot makes a hell of a lot more sense than trading for Berglund who was locked in for 4 more years

Make a lineup...

I’m not even trying to talk about the trade

I’m just saying these guys simply are not a fit for what we want here

Do they provide secondary scoring?
Nope
Not with any consistency

Are they fast?
Nope
Even though I’ve been told so
So they can’t play the style game we want

Have either taken over the defensive center role that was vacated?
Nope
Strike 3 out of 3

Are either of them any better/different than someone like Pouliot that we could’ve just signed if need be?

Bottom line is that GOING FORWARD...
we shouldn’t want these guys here
Bye freaking bye
- jdfitz77

I'm pretty confused that you want Larsson and Girgs, but hate Sobotka and Berglund.

I dont think anyone is disagreeing with you here, but the way contracts are they are here for the foreseeable future. Unless, you want to over give to rid yourself of them.

For t the first time in a long time i have confidence in our GM .
- hubie

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?

I'm pretty confused that you want Larsson and Girgs, but hate Sobotka and Berglund.
- jcragcrumple

Why can’t ppl COMPREHEND?

I never said “i want” Larsson & Girgs
NEVER

I’ve said “i don’t hate them on the 4th line”
I’ve said “they aren’t as terrible as they’re made out to be”
I’ve said “they could be decent players in the right role”
I’ve said “they’ve played well this year”


Line4 going forward...
Larsson & Girgs at a combined 3mil
or Sobatka & Berglund at over 7mil

This is not a tough choice for me

I don’t like Sobatka or Berglund in the top9
And they’re too expensive as 4th liners
Maybe we can keep one on the 4th line?
But I’d rather have that $$$ put towards the top9

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

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.

Why can’t ppl COMPREHEND?

I never said “i want” Larsson & Girgs
NEVER

I’ve said “i don’t hate them on the 4th line”
I’ve said “they aren’t as terrible as they’re made out to be”
I’ve said “they could be decent players in the right role”
I’ve said “they’ve played well this year”


Line4 going forward...
Larsson & Girgs at a combined 3mil
or Sobatka & Berglund at over 7mil

This is not a tough choice for me

I don’t like Sobatka or Berglund in the top9
And they’re too expensive as 4th liners
Maybe we can keep one on the 4th line?
But I’d rather have that $$$ put towards the top9
- jdfitz77

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!”

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

JB's done a great job. You're just talking to the wrong guy about it.

analytics, i'd assume
- Michael Pachla

you know what they say about ASSuming

JB's done a great job. You're just talking to the wrong guy about it.
- Lunaion

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

Why can’t ppl COMPREHEND?

I never said “i want” Larsson & Girgs
NEVER

I’ve said “i don’t hate them on the 4th line”
I’ve said “they aren’t as terrible as they’re made out to be”
I’ve said “they could be decent players in the right role”
I’ve said “they’ve played well this year”


Line4 going forward...
Larsson & Girgs at a combined 3mil
or Sobatka & Berglund at over 7mil

This is not a tough choice for me

I don’t like Sobatka or Berglund in the top9
And they’re too expensive as 4th liners
Maybe we can keep one on the 4th line?
But I’d rather have that $$$ put towards the top9
- jdfitz77

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