Jbotts changed 9 or 10 players from last years roster this off season

Skinner
Hutton
Ullmark
Sheary
Sobotka
Tagecakes
Dahlin
Pilut
*McCabe and bogo from ir
Hudwick
Mitts

This offseason- expect more changes
- Boss34

I agree. Lots of folks yelling for Botts to make a change right now, and I get that, but just because he hasn't done anything mid-season doesn't mean he hasn't done anything at all. Changes will come with time.

I can definitely see them underestimating us. McCabe seemed pretty fired up. We have a long history of coming back charging after a blow out. We shall see.
- RhinoFan

I agree, Sabres come out pissed to start the game.
Eichel is a fierce competitor.
I'm sure he noticed the standings

Probably get a few bad bounces and calls though...

Paying an older player top dollar for having a career year is following the Murray blueprint of signing players like Kyle O.
Kyle O. never was a great player he was a good player who had an outstanding center to help him pad his stats... Skinner has always been a good player and has been fortunate to have played with an outstanding center this year....

The absolute highest contract I'd give him is 7.5 for 7 years
- pwasil7

I think this is the contract he will end up getting, from us or someone else.

Perhaps unpopular given the struggles but i'd give E-Rod another shot on line 3 next year.

His D-zone usage has gone up dramatically since last year. He's basically being used like Larsson which is questionable since the guys mostly know for offensive play.

I think once the third line looks like an actual scoring line rather than some make shift Sami Pahlsson tribute line, he'll start to produce again.

Something like Smith-Mittelstadt-Erod could work, assuming they get someone to take over 2nd line duties.
- Sabresfan-365

Hella

I mean hello

They have ten roster spots to fill next year and about 23M to do it. If they can’t move out some salary they’re (frank)ed. If Nylander got 7M per what’s marner going to demand? I can’t see him and Matthews combined for less than 20M, maybe as much as 22.5M. That’s at best 3M for the other 8 roster spots. I would love it if nobody did any business with them this year.
- TheHank

Tampa had to give up on a few guys, same with Chicago, for less than their market value. If teams perceive you're stuck, they will adjust their offers accordingly. I don't think you are wrong at all. I just would bet they'll find a taker for Nylander or Marleau or someone so they can keep the big guys.

The most probable thing is that the Leafs keep their best players, but their depth starts to take a tumble. Guys like Kapanen or Dermott could be casualties even. Who knows, all depends who they decide to keep, but you're right, they simply can't pay everyone anymore.

I agree, Sabres come out pissed to start the game.
Eichel is a fierce competitor.
I'm sure he noticed the standings

Probably get a few bad bounces and calls though...
- Boss34

I announced to Lucifer, "not today" this morning. He agreed to sit this one out.

What the hell would anyone want Kadri for
- SABRES 89

A true #2c
30 plus goal scorer (former)
Reasonable contract
Term left
Right age bracket
Tough guy to play against


What's not to like?
Hes kinda a jerkoff......... off the ice

I announced to Lucifer, "not today" this morning. He agreed to sit this one out.
- RhinoFan

😃 lol

Hopefully calgary heads into this game thinking their all that and a bag of chips.
- Boss34

The years I spent cooking breakfasts at the Diner Deluxe in CalGARy were some of the best times of my life

Tampa had to give up on a few guys, same with Chicago, for less than their market value. If teams perceive you're stuck, they will adjust their offers accordingly. I don't think you are wrong at all. I just would bet they'll find a taker for Nylander or Marleau or someone so they can keep the big guys.

The most probable thing is that the Leafs keep their best players, but their depth starts to take a tumble. Guys like Kapanen or Dermott could be casualties even. Who knows, all depends who they decide to keep, but you're right, they simply can't pay everyone anymore.
- RhinoFan

I bet they’ll find a taker too I just hope not.
Tampa is pretty (frank)ed as well going into next year. They have less than ten million in space to fill 7 roster spots including Brayden point. Then they’ll have to sign vasy the year after. They’re prime to pluck a good young player from.

Paying an older player top dollar for having a career year is following the Murray blueprint of signing players like Kyle O.
Kyle O. never was a great player he was a good player who had an outstanding center to help him pad his stats... Skinner has always been a good player and has been fortunate to have played with an outstanding center this year....

The absolute highest contract I'd give him is 7.5 for 7 years
- pwasil7

Thing is Skinner is and always was an elite goal scorer.

He was in a bad situation in CAR.

He’s going to get 8+ and I have 0 issue with it

Thing is Skinner is and always was an elite goal scorer.

He was in a bad situation in CAR.

He’s going to get 8+ and I have 0 issue with it
- sbroads24

If so, trade him and offer sheet Brayden point. The net cost would be an extra first or two. Sign me up.

I'd pay 8.75M

What's your top $, assuming max length of the term?
- Angler

I'll go as high as 8 but only 6 years.... longer term means less money towards the end of the contract.....

I'll go as high as 8 but only 6 years.... longer term means less money towards the end of the contract.....
- gordong

I’d rather do 9Mx5 than 8x8. Term is what scares me

Thing is Skinner is and always was an elite goal scorer.

He was in a bad situation in CAR.

He’s going to get 8+ and I have 0 issue with it
- sbroads24

Eichel 10
Skinner 8 plus
Okmoulson 6
Sam 6
Bogo 5 (next year)

Dahlin 10-11

That's where it gets sticky.
Good thing jbotts is a cap specialist


Man it would suck if skinner isnt in the starting line up next year.

I’d rather do 9Mx5 than 8x8. Term is what scares me
- TheHank

exactly what I just said... Or if they are hell bent on 8 years pay the last 2 years at 2 mil pay the rest up front.

exactly what I just said... Or if they are hell bent on 8 years pay the last 2 years at 2 mil pay the rest up front.
- gordong

I like this thinking, but it still hits the salary cap evenly?

Maybe not?

Eichel 10
Skinner 8 plus
Okmoulson 6
Sam 6
Bogo 5 (next year)

Dahlin 10-11

That's where it gets sticky.
Good thing jbotts is a cap specialist


Man it would suck if skinner isnt in the starting line up next year.
- Boss34

dahlin is 2 more years till he gets that money, front load the poop out of skinner so you can afford both later. problem solved

I like this thinking, but it still hits the salary cap evenly?

Maybe not?
- Boss34

only if they give huge signing bonus, just make the first two years huge base salary and it goes down from there. Im sure there are some rules to follow but that is why Botts is the Guru... (We hope)

I can name you 30 other franchises that will take ristolainen over one of their top 6.
- Sabre_Tooth

More like...4

Thing is Skinner is and always was an elite goal scorer.

He was in a bad situation in CAR.

He’s going to get 8+ and I have 0 issue with it
- sbroads24

Lol @ "elite"

I agree, Sabres come out pissed to start the game.
Eichel is a fierce competitor.
I'm sure he noticed the standings

Probably get a few bad bounces and calls though...
- Boss34

Yes..hes been really fierce the last 7 pointless games...

More like...4
- RippedFuel

What you are saying is that outside of Dahlin none of our other defenseman would be an upgrade over any single top 6 guy in the entire league outside of 4 teams. Holy poop.

What you are saying is that outside of Dahlin none of our other defenseman would be an upgrade over the other 180 top 6 guys in the entire league. Holy poop.
- TheHank

Correct.

only if they give huge signing bonus, just make the first two years huge base salary and it goes down from there. Im sure there are some rules to follow but that is why Botts is the Guru... (We hope)
- gordong

The salary cap only cares about total dollars / total years. Doesn’t matter when or how you pay them, just the total. Front loading a contract gives the player incentive by getting more $$ early but it doesn’t change the cap hit.