For salary would have to go the other way to afford those two

I was saying:

Stone for Okposo (0 retained) A 1st and Nylander/Guhle

However if Okposo's contract was front loaded it would look better for Melnyk
- Stripes77

Good news. It was front loaded.

His last four years of cash are 6/6/4/4

Tage is the one guy who is arguably has a greater likelihood of success than his replacement from Rochester.

How does playing Slobotka and Scandella help them win? To quote the article:

In 52 games, the 31-year-old Sobotka has contributed 10 points. His last goal came on November 8 which marks a 36-game drought. It’s not as though he’s helping defensively either. His relative Corsi of -7.11 is the worst mark on the team (excluding the recently demoted Remi Elie).

Who is the organization protecting by continually deploying one of the most irrelevant, ineffective players that the Sabres have iced in the last five years? For a player like Smith, the patience argument is completely nonsensical given his age and the fact that he’s played nearly 100 games a the AHL level so, what gives?

It’s nearly impossible to argue that players like Smith, Danny O’Regan, or even Victor Olofsson could somehow make the Sabres’ depth scoring issues worse.

The same reasoning holds for Scandella, but it doesn't require AHL guys to get called up, just Beualieu of Pilut who have shown at least as much ability when they're given a chance. How much worse could they be? And isn't it possible they're better?
- Der Kaiser

I don't think highly of the article. It's over the top with 'inexplicable this' and 'impossible that' for defensible decisions that have been made.

I'm not a big Sobotka or Scandella fan, but the idea that a team this young needs some veteran experience is reasonable, even if you don't agree with it.

How does playing Scandella help them win?

The same reasoning holds for Scandella, but it doesn't require AHL guys to get called up, just Beualieu of Pilut who have shown at least as much ability when they're given a chance. How much worse could they be? And isn't it possible they're better?
- Der Kaiser

Somebody else can probably read that better than I can but I think it says that Scandella pulls down both Beaulieu and Pilut

Did anyone see the Evander Kane goal?

I don't think highly of the article. It's over the top with 'inexplicable this' and 'impossible that' for defensible decisions that have been made.

I'm not a big Sobotka or Scandella fan, but the idea that a team this young needs some veteran experience is reasonable, even if you don't agree with it.
- Lunaion

All due respect, I don't think highly of your explanation. A team this young needs PRODUCTIVE veteran experience. Veteran experience for the sake of veteran experience is folly.

And in light of the data, there appears to be no other basis to explain the decision making.

Did anyone see the Evander Kane goal?
- sbroads24

THe Malikin decapitation effort is better watching

All due respect, I don't think highly of your explanation. A team this young needs PRODUCTIVE veteran experience. Veteran experience for the sake of veteran experience is folly.

And in light of the data, there appears to be no other basis to explain the decision making.
- Der Kaiser

They made the decision. There's obviously a basis for it. Like it or not.

So phail is making all the line up calls - that's a fact?????
- Boss34

Botterill gives Housley the roster, Housley decides who plays night in, night out. They talk, I'm sure, but the GM has to defer to the coach, or else why not fire him if you don't trust him to make the right lineup decisions? I haven't heard any whispers of Botterill being a micromanager. That doesn't mean he isn't though.

THe Malikin decapitation effort is better watching
- Der Kaiser

Saw that too. The Kane goal is hilarious

Did anyone see the Evander Kane goal?
- sbroads24

Goal gives him 48 points in 57 games. Skinner has 50 in 55. Basically what I’m saying is that if Skinner wants more then $8M then say adios amigos.

Did anyone see the Evander Kane goal?
- sbroads24

Yup, pretty crazy goal. Mass confusion by VAN

They made the decision. There's obviously a basis for it. Like it or not.
- Lunaion

Certainly there has been a decision made. And it’s one you have characterized as “defensible” and “reasonable” and driven by their “trying to win.”

I’m genuinely curious to hear your explanation, because it may change my mind about it. But in light of the data, I believe it must be more than “veteran presence” to make it defensible and reasonable.

Kane goal number 2 on the night.

THe Malikin decapitation effort is better watching
- Der Kaiser

Goddamn, that's gotta be at least a game. You can't just swing your stick like that, rabbit punch or not.

Goal gives him 48 points in 57 games. Skinner has 50 in 55. Basically what I’m saying is that if Skinner wants more then $8M then say adios amigos.
- Pegullaville

Make that 49 points in 57 games for E.Kane. One back of Skinner. Skinner’s price tag is getting lower by the second.

Yup, pretty crazy goal. Mass confusion by VAN
- lulags

I'm not sure how much confusion there was, if Hutton doesn't tip it, DiPietro probably makes the save. That's why putting the puck on net is never a bad play.

Make that 49 points in 57 games for E.Kane. One back of Skinner. Skinner’s price tag is getting lower by the second.
- Pegullaville

The Sharks also have 45 more goals than the Sabres do, so that helps. That's a max of 135 more points to go around. Let's take the middle ground and say 2.25 points per goal and you're looking at an extra 101 points.

The Sharks also have 45 more goals than the Sabres do, so that helps. That's a max of 135 more points to go around. Let's take the middle ground and say 2.25 points per goal and you're looking at an extra 101 points.
- Wetbandit1

It’s also unusual (for him) for Kane to have such a balance between goals and assists.

Skinner is just biscuit in the basket, overwhelmingly

Certainly there has been a decision made. And it’s one you have characterized as “defensible” and “reasonable” and driven by their “trying to win.”

I’m genuinely curious to hear your explanation, because it may change my mind about it. But in light of the data, I believe it must be more than “veteran presence” to make it defensible and reasonable.
- Der Kaiser

I'm guessing as much as the next guy, but I don't see why you're dismissing the vet angle. It seems like the obvious one to me. I find it both reasonable and defensible. If they sat Sobotka tomorrow night, my feelings wouldn't be hurt it the slightest. Outside of sitting Pommer once (for a player friendly reason) it's simply not a move in their character.

It’s also unusual (for him) for Kane to have such a balance between goals and assists.

Skinner is just biscuit in the basket, overwhelmingly
- Der Kaiser

Could be Kane is becoming more unselfish, he was just 2 assists from a career high last year, and is on pace to shatter it this year.

I'm guessing as much as the next guy, but I don't see why you're dismissing the vet angle. It seems like the obvious one to me. I find it both reasonable and defensible. If they sat Sobotka tomorrow night, my feelings wouldn't be hurt it the slightest. Outside of sitting Pommer once (for a player friendly reason) it's simply not a move in their character.
- Lunaion

I’m dismissing the vet angle if they’re trying to win because those two vets, Scandella and Slobotka, are playing terrible and the younger players would make contributions that might help the team win.

Could be Kane is becoming more unselfish, he was just 2 assists from a career high last year, and is on pace to shatter it this year.
- Wetbandit1

He’s also staying healthy.

Did anyone see the Evander Kane goal?
- sbroads24

This again dude we traded Myers let it go

I’m dismissing the vet angle if they’re trying to win because those two vets, Scandella and Slobotka, are playing terrible and the younger players would make contributions that might help the team win.
- Der Kaiser

might make contributions that might help them win

I think we'd both agree that JB has been risk averse during his seasons so far. His bold moves coming during the off-season. Sitting a respected vet is a bold move.

Lindy would have glued Skinner to the bench at times this year. He had no problem doing that. It's just not what Phil/JB do.

Goddamn, that's gotta be at least a game. You can't just swing your stick like that, rabbit punch or not.
- Wetbandit1

It was more of a cross-check to his lower-spine, a slash across both wrists and then a donkey punch for dessert. If they played with no helmets and had razor-blades on their sticks, this is a terrible and vicious reaction.

As it stands, they wear helmets and visors, it was a heat of the moment reaction and in a sport where guys constantly slash you and cross-check you because you have more skill than them, I'm surprised this kind of thing doesn't happen more often.

He didn't make contact. IMO, what was done to him was much worse. You ever take a cross-check to the lower spine? It happens ALL THE TIME in this league and doesn't even get called half the time but it's one of the most dangerous and painful things you can do to your opponent. Not to mention getting both your wrists slashed right afterward?

Let's all go home because there's nothing here to dwell on. Malkin missed him with his stick. No harm, no foul. There was no intent on Malkin's end, just a reaction.