8 years is "long term" enough.
I'll say it once again.
Funny how other franchises retool on the fly every year eh?

And we are on year 8.
And yet, you are content with another few years of non playoff hockey?

You live a procrastinators life.
It's cool.
That's you.

To put this into a better perspective.
My one grandson is 9 and he loves hockey.
Loves it!
Loves the Sabres.

I have yet to be able to bring that grandson to a Sabres playoff game yet.

I'm no procrastinator.
I live for today.
- Over50

Tim Murray living for today set this franchise back 5 years. Darcy Regier and Lindy Ruff were fired10-12 years too late although having broke owners didn’t help. To blame Botts for being patient is false though. I understand your frustration, however, the past is in the past. Criticize past regimes draft choices and trades all you want, I won’t discredit that. I can also say I have only suffered 1/3 the time you have being a fan of this franchise. But this team is still a ways away and that’s not Botts fault with the hand he was played. His patience however got us Dahlin who very well could be the lidstrom of this generation.

0 chance Skinner walks for nothing. They are going to sign him.

He wants to be here.

You cannot lose the only other legitimately good forward besides 9/23 right now

Brillant for missing the playoffs not trading him for assets(can probably get a 1st+) at the deadline and then letting Skinner a 30-40 goal scorer walk.

Sounds brilliant to me.
- sabresfan69

Last time I checked Eichel is signed for 7 more years. Skinner is a good player, elite finisher. Without Eichel he’s just a guy that was traded for Poo and mid round picks.

This place is horrible and so are the Sabres

Either we drafted and traded for the worst work-ethic players or we are going on year 5 of bad coaching... After reading Eichel's pre-game ritual...

This is 100% bad coaching. Phil handles this team like a High School hockey coach, go figure. He is not what this team needed after Dan Bylsma. Par for the course.

0 chance Skinner walks for nothing. They are going to sign him.

He wants to be here.

You cannot lose the only other legitimately good forward besides 9/23 right now
- sbroads24

23? From you? Am I reading this right, or did you mean 22?

23? From you? Am I reading this right, or did you mean 22?
- PrinceChill

In this role Reinhart is legit.

He’s yet to prove that on his “own”

Thompson didn’t get on the scoreboard but an impressive game in terms of possession

13 shot attempts for- 1 against

92% shot differential

He should be playing with some talent

And he played the 3rd least amount 5 on 5 to Girgs/Elie

Fire Housley (maybe)

In this role Reinhart is legit.

He’s yet to prove that on his “own”
- sbroads24

I like Rino. And although it was a small sample size, he played well when Jack was out this year.

Tim Murray living for today set this franchise back 5 years. Darcy Regier and Lindy Ruff were fired10-12 years too late although having broke owners didn’t help. To blame Botts for being patient is false though. I understand your frustration, however, the past is in the past. Criticize past regimes draft choices and trades all you want, I won’t discredit that. I can also say I have only suffered 1/3 the time you have being a fan of this franchise. But this team is still a ways away and that’s not Botts fault with the hand he was played. His patience however got us Dahlin who very well could be the lidstrom of this generation.!
- Pegullaville

Getting Dahlin has nothing to do with Botteril's competence.

The Skinner trade is the only thing of worth that he has done so far. And that was magic but everything else he has done is questionable until further notice. 30 other teams could have sucked and drafted Dahlin.

Trading away Kane and ROR and having nothing to replace them, not to mention the return on both of those players, not exactly in our favor right now.

Sure, build the team through the draft. But he dismantled it in key places and took a side-step, followed by a step back. Trade Kane, an UFA who you don't want to pay 7x7 for, then trade for Skinner, who you will have to pay 8x8 or more for, for essentially 10 more goals per season, if you're lucky. Then trade a regular 60-point, second line center and replace him with an NCAA product who is a rookie.

But please, just feed me the excuses "Kim hated Kane" and "ROR wanted out"... "We had no choice"...

So what, dismantle a team's assets because the previous GM mishandled those assets, and then push the team back another 3 years and wait for "all those 1st round picks" to become star players and "Jack will still only be 25 and just entering his prime", meanwhile we become Edmonton of the East and take our only solace in the fact that Edmonton is doing the same thing and McDavid would be just as wasted here as he is there.

I have to say, I’m quite dumbfounded by the Botterill criticism

He inherited a mess.

I remember when people gave Murray credit for getting Eichel, yet JB doesn’t get credit for getting Dahlin?

In two years this team will legit be a contender.

It just blows right now

Getting Dahlin has nothing to do with Botteril's competence.

The Skinner trade is the only thing of worth that he has done so far. And that was magic but everything else he has done is questionable until further notice. 30 other teams could have sucked and drafted Dahlin.

Trading away Kane and ROR and having nothing to replace them, not to mention the return on both of those players, not exactly in our favor right now.

Sure, build the team through the draft. But he dismantled it in key places and took a side-step, followed by a step back. Trade Kane, an UFA who you don't want to pay 7x7 for, then trade for Skinner, who you will have to pay 8x8 or more for, for essentially 10 more goals per season, if you're lucky. Then trade a regular 60-point, second line center and replace him with an NCAA product who is a rookie.

But please, just feed me the excuses "Kim hated Kane" and "ROR wanted out"... "We had no choice"...

So what, dismantle a team's assets because the previous GM mishandled those assets, and then push the team back another 3 years and wait for "all those 1st round picks" to become star players and "Jack will still only be 25 and just entering his prime", meanwhile we become Edmonton of the East and take our only solace in the fact that Edmonton is doing the same thing and McDavid would be just as wasted here as he is there.
- BeadyEyedDouche

This team needs another young legit star.

Not ROR or Kane heading into their late 20’s.

Imagine if Laaksonen turns out, or UPL.

It’s way, way too early to judge anything JB has done as a whole.

It’s like giving the POTUS credit or criticism on the economy in his first year.

How is Botts trending down? Are YOU doing his mid-year evaluation on behalf of TPegs?

They are 3 points out of a playoff spot, after finishing dead last.

Looks like progress to me.

And just because Botterill doesn't share his plan with you, he must not be doing his job, then?

Ffs
- Powerslave

Obviously, stupid.

0 chance Skinner walks for nothing. They are going to sign him.

He wants to be here.

You cannot lose the only other legitimately good forward besides 9/23 right now
- sbroads24

Are you ok?

Edit: Late, cock.

I have to say, I’m quite dumbfounded by the Botterill criticism

He inherited a mess.

I remember when people gave Murray credit for getting Eichel, yet JB doesn’t get credit for getting Dahlin?

In two years this team will legit be a contender.

It just blows right now
- sbroads24

It's not quite the same, they were a mediocre 9-11 in the East team when Murray got here, Darcy started it by trading Roy, Vanek, Pominville, (he essentially had the Miller deal done, Murray just consummated it) and Murray tore it down to the studs shamelessly. They sucked when Botterill got here, all he really had to do was sit on his hands, and for the most part that's what he did. He gets credit, but not the same that Murray gets for finishing last. Could Botterill have done that? Maybe. I don't know that he'd be so bold about it.

It's not quite the same, they were a mediocre 9-11 in the East team when Murray got here, Darcy started it by trading Roy, Vanek, Pominville, (he essentially had the Miller deal done, Murray just consummated it) and Murray tore it down to the studs shamelessly. They sucked when Botterill got here, all he really had to do was sit on his hands, and for the most part that's what he did. He gets credit, but not the same that Murray gets for finishing last. Could Botterill have done that? Maybe. I don't know that he'd be so bold about it.
- Wetbandit1

Jbotts deserves more credit for last years tank.

He has people fooled that they weren't tanking last year.

Poker face tanking

Jbotts deserves more credit for last years tank.

He has people fooled that they weren't tanking last year.

Poker face tanking
- Boss34

So what’s this year’s tank called?
And are there any previews as to what nexts year’s tank edition will be referred to as?

This team needs another young legit star.

Not ROR or Kane heading into their late 20’s.

Imagine if Laaksonen turns out, or UPL.

It’s way, way too early to judge anything JB has done as a whole.

It’s like giving the POTUS credit or criticism on the economy in his first year.
- sbroads24

No one needed Kane heading into his late 20's and that deal will pan out if only for the 1st, but the ROR deal could have waited. Look at what happened in Dallas this year and there's already one sign he jumped the gun. Sure, that situation kind of mellowed out, but flipping ROR+ for Seguin would have been the exact move this team needed, when it needed it.

Instead we won 10 straight, fell back down to Earth hard, are slowly sinking in the standings, and realistically should be at or around this point but more consistent, more exciting and 1 or 2 pieces away from a playoff run and at the very least, not looking so lost.

Instead, it truly looks like this organization still has no direction, no idea; A plan is great, but sucking every year until we have a bunch of 1st round picks who are supposed to turn out to be good and somehow not be any kind of money issue at any point is not a good one.

I'm not screaming for his head, but I also don't think he has done much to really impress me, either. The Housely hire isn't looking too hot, either.

His best move obviously was trading for Skinner. How he handles that at the TDL or with an extension should push him in a good or bad direction just enough to start to really question him or have faith in him.

A good TDL unloading contracts would also be a good look: Sobotka, Bogo, Scandella, Okposo, Pommers

So what’s this year’s tank called?
And are there any previews as to what nexts year’s tank edition will be referred to as?
- PrinceChill

I wouldn't say were tanking this season. (Nor did I)

Can you say that management has done everything possible to win this season. Especially after the 10 game win streak?

I'm sure botts has a few guys circled in the draft.
Common sense. Its business, unfortunately again

Tim Murray living for today set this franchise back 5 years. Darcy Regier and Lindy Ruff were fired10-12 years too late although having broke owners didn’t help. To blame Botts for being patient is false though. I understand your frustration, however, the past is in the past. Criticize past regimes draft choices and trades all you want, I won’t discredit that. I can also say I have only suffered 1/3 the time you have being a fan of this franchise. But this team is still a ways away and that’s not Botts fault with the hand he was played. His patience however got us Dahlin who very well could be the lidstrom of this generation.
- Pegullaville

And yet, you still deflect.
How can other franchises retool on the fly and we can't?
In 8 years we haven't been able to?
You don't think other teams have had bigger messes than ours?

It's fine.
You certainly won't change my mind and I am not trying to change yours.

The "voice of reason" lives within both sides of a debate like this.

I remember when people gave Murray credit for getting Eichel
- sbroads24

I was Murrays biggest critic right from the get go.
I saw right through his fake exterior.

Mind you,
I didn't need to be right about him.
I just knew that I was.

JB, has been equally unimpressive in my opinion.
He's not the phony that I pegged Murray immediately for but, rather he just likes to sit on his hands and watch the world go by.

Nothing gets accomplished when you just sit there watching the world go by.

Sabres are three wins from picking tenth....6 points The drive(dive bomb is more accurate) to the basement continues!


Phil Housley post game presser “it’s lack of respect for your own net, we keep practicing these things, we will practice it again tomorrow”

Hey Phil, do you know what Einstein said about insanity????? No??? Pick up a coaching for dummies book please.

I was Murrays biggest critic right from the get go.
I saw right through his fake exterior.

Mind you,
I didn't need to be right about him.
I just knew that I was.

JB, has been equally unimpressive in my opinion.
He's not the phony that I pegged Murray immediately for but, rather he just likes to sit on his hands and watch the world go by.

Nothing gets accomplished when you just sit there watching the world go by.
- Over50

No the excuse will be who can he trade with, nobody is trading, nobody wants our poop... blaaa blaaa blaaa. It appears he might be good at drafting guys, but we won’t know for sure for years..... building though the draft is great, except the Sabres have been doing it for 8 straight years.... I personally don’t give a rats ass if it’s botts fault or not.... there are moves to be made in the here and now. Sit guys committing the same dumb ass mistakes, cut guys that continue making mistakes, bring up some kids from Rochester, fire the (frank)ing PP coach and hire someone to run it. Sitting on your ass doing nothing while this team goes down in flames is not the right move. Instead we recycle the same guys expecting different results, that’s piss poor coaching, and piss poor management it not fair to the fans, the players, or to Phil Housley.

Jbotts deserves more credit for last years tank.

He has people fooled that they weren't tanking last year.

Poker face tanking
- Boss34

If not trying your utmost to win is tanking then, yes, Botterill deserves all the credit in the world. But there's a crucial distinction and a huge difference in not trying to win and trying to lose. Murray tried to lose, Botterill just didn't try to win.

If not trying your utmost to win is tanking then, yes, Botterill deserves all the credit in the world. But there's a crucial distinction and a huge difference in not trying to win and trying to lose. Murray tried to lose, Botterill just didn't try to win.
- Wetbandit1

Moot

No the excuse will be who can he trade with, nobody is trading, nobody wants our poop... blaaa blaaa blaaa. It appears he might be good at drafting guys, but we won’t know for sure for years..... building though the draft is great, except the Sabres have been doing it for 8 straight years.... I personally don’t give a rats ass if it’s botts fault or not.... there are moves to be made in the here and now. Sit guys committing the same dumb ass mistakes, cut guys that continue making mistakes, bring up some kids from Rochester, fire the (frank)ing PP coach and hire someone to run it. Sitting on your ass doing nothing while this team goes down in flames is not the right move. Instead we recycle the same guys expecting different results, that’s piss poor coaching, and piss poor management it not fair to the fans, the players, or to Phil Housley.
- gordong

It’s not fair to those poor nachos

It’s a situation where individual scenarios create multiple situations which require individual attention