I don't know where this conclusion comes from. Contracts can take months. If he started after the All Star break, as reported, they've been actively working on a contract for..2 weeks.

Eichel took 3 months.
Matthews took 7 months.
Marner isn't signed yet.
Reinhart took 3 months.
Nylander took 5 months.
Theodore took 3 months.

If there's not an urgency, both parties are going to take all the time they need to find a middle ground. UFAs clearly have the upper hand, but if the intentions are there that he wants to be a part of the long term solution (there has been absolutely zero indication he does not) then they have 5 months to figure this out. Now, we all hope it's done much sooner than that.
- TheSabresTaco

Agree to disagree. I think our chances go from decent to poop in about 2 weeks time.

Could a deal be signed after? Sure. Sounds more like Vesey's, "maybe he'll sign after he visits elsewhere" kind of hope to me.

Still think there's a good chance he signs. It isn't all doom and gloom. I do think we're coming down to the wire though. That's all.

😂

Could you imagine? 🤦‍♂️
- Powerslave

I'd send in a few
of our most prized members
to represent us
and bring hardhats

That's why I'm worried, nothing has happened, even the speculators are quiet. We don't know what's going on. Our hands are already tied, so no sense worrying about it, but I would be sad to see him go, especially for free.
- RhinoFan

Again, how do you know nothing has happened? Because no one keeps RhinoFan in the loop?

Agree to disagree. I think our chances go from decent to poop in about 2 weeks time.

Could a deal be signed after? Sure. Sounds more like Vesey's, "maybe he'll sign after he visits elsewhere" kind of hope to me.

Still think there's a good chance he signs. It isn't all doom and gloom. I do think we're coming down to the wire though. That's all.
- RhinoFan

I guess we're looking out two different windows. I think we can both agree Reinhart deserves to be demoted to the ECHL.

Flacco traded to the Broncos... TWF are they thinking
- 22sabresQ

We’ll be back in the playoffs next year don’t you worry.

just my opinion, but I would not sign any player over the age of 25 to an 8 year deal.. It rarely works out well for the team after 3 years.
- hehateme

Unfortunately that is most likely the cost of doing business with 26 year old 30 goal scorers

Unfortunately that is most likely the cost of doing business with 26 year old 30 goal scorers
- jcragcrumple

I think a non physical scorer w decent wheels at 26 goes beyond a 3 year window of success. Especially once the talent level on this team increases. Just my opinion.

Elite style players are a bit different. And Skinner plays a low contact, elite shooting game. I can certainly understand the concern though.
- TheSabresTaco

...Yes he can score and is having a Career year but let's face it, his body of work is what, slightly above average in the goal scoring department, and he is a defensive liability...

With that said I really hope the Sabres sign him, i would love to see a 5 year deal at 8.5 large.

Eichel is only the 2nd sabres player in the last 20 years to record 60+ points in the team’s first 53 games. Briere was the only other player to do that.

I think a non physical scorer w decent wheels at 26 goes beyond a 3 year window of success. Especially once the talent level on this team increases. Just my opinion.
- Powerslave

You see it time and time again, most players hit their prime between 26-30, after that the decline starts... Unless you are elite, and I certainly don't put Skinner in the Elite category.

You see it time and time again, most players hit their prime between 26-30, after that the decline starts... Unless you are elite, and I certainly don't put Skinner in the Elite category.
- hehateme

The thing that goes first with most players? Foot speed. Skinner's skating ability will take him deeper into his 30s than most imho

The thing that goes first with most players? Foot speed. Skinner's skating ability will take him deeper into his 30s than most imho
- jcragcrumple

I hope your right.....

We’ll be back in the playoffs next year don’t you worry.
- Pegullaville

Everyone seems to disagree.

“Bovada has moved the Broncos from 100 to 1 to win the Super Bowl, to 125 to 1 following the announcement of the Flacco trade.”

Again, how do you know nothing has happened? Because no one keeps RhinoFan in the loop?
- Powerslave

Nothing has been announced. What makes you know something has happened?

Not trying to offend you. Just stating my read on the absence of an extension and the proximity to the deadline.

I guess we're looking out two different windows. I think we can both agree Reinhart deserves to be demoted to the ECHL.
- TheSabresTaco

100%

We have found compromise. Reinhart for Cyclones 3RW. His skating may only be slightly below average at that level.

Nothing has been announced. What makes you know something has happened?

Not trying to offend you. Just stating my read on the absence of an extension and the proximity to the deadline.
- RhinoFan

Not trying to offend you either, I'm just stating that just because no one from either party has said anything, doesn't mean things aren't moving along. Making a contract isn't like making a grocery list.

Unless one of you guys posting on here is Skinner, Skinner's agent or Botterill, I think the speculation that he isn't signing here is just that - speculation. I would bet my dog Jake's favorite bone on Skinner re-signing with the Sabres. I have faith in Botts.

Unless one of you guys posting on here is Skinner, Skinner's agent or Botterill, I think the speculation that he isn't signing here is just that - speculation. I would bet my dog Jake's favorite bone on Skinner re-signing with the Sabres. I have faith in Botts.
- SabreWest

..Hey

Unless one of you guys posting on here is Skinner, Skinner's agent or Botterill, I think the speculation that he isn't signing here is just that - speculation. I would bet my dog Jake's favorite bone on Skinner re-signing with the Sabres. I have faith in Botts.
- SabreWest

I've been saying for years that I am most definitely not Peter Chiarelli

On an unrelated note, my schedule has freed up some recently, and I have some Dahlin trade proposals that I think you'll find pretty intriguing

Not trying to offend you either, I'm just stating that just because no one from either party has said anything, doesn't mean things aren't moving along. Making a contract isn't like making a grocery list.
- Powerslave

Agreed. That's why I'm waiting until the 27th. It is understandable, given the looming lockout and other factors, that lingo may be a sticking point. Hopefully that's it. I'd like him back.

Agreed. That's why I'm waiting until the 27th. It is understandable, given the looming lockout and other factors, that lingo may be a sticking point. Hopefully that's it. I'd like him back.
- RhinoFan

And I'd hope if he doesn't want to come back that he'd wave his nmc/ntc or whatever it is to allow us to recoup some assets.

And I'd hope if he doesn't want to come back that he'd wave his nmc/ntc or whatever it is to allow us to recoup some assets.
- Powerslave

True. He waived to come here. There are options.

Just can't strike out on this one. This may be the most important transaction Botts will have during his tenure here. A good contract could set us up nicely. Having him walk or paying him something astronomical could set us way back.

May just be my nerves getting to me because we've been burned before. Wait and see. At least we're playing some better hockey again.

Everyone seems to disagree.
- ImThatGuy

Yea nobody thought we’d win Super Bowl 50 with the same formula either. P.Manning and Elway are 2/3 QB’s to win a Super Bowl without a single TD pass. Run the ball and play good defense. Belicheck used the exact scheme Fangio ran against the Rams earlier this year to beat them in the Super Bowl.

True. He waived to come here. There are options.

Just can't strike out on this one. This may be the most important transaction Botts will have during his tenure here. A good contract could set us up nicely. Having him walk or paying him something astronomical could set us way back.

May just be my nerves getting to me because we've been burned before. Wait and see. At least we're playing some better hockey again.
- RhinoFan

If the Sabres can't resign him and he walks for nothing, it would be as big of a disaster as was signing Leino.

If the Sabres can't resign him and he walks for nothing, it would be as big of a disaster as was signing Leino.
- doppelthat

Bigger IMO. And I don’t think there is a chance it happens