Thats what I thought at the time. Now we are on the same page.

Kane was hot as a pistol the first 40 games. What was Botts doing?

Oh to be a sabres fan.


If Botts fires Housley this year there will be hope afterall.
- sabresfan69

I can’t see Housley surviving

It starts with firing Housley.

I think that is a start.

Skinner is deciding where the next 7-8 years of his career will be, not these few months IMO.

Obviously proximity to home, $, and Eichel seem important to him.

We have all of it
- sbroads24

I do think it’s likely he resigns here. But at 8.5 (or more?) for 8, we’ll probably be regretting the back half of that contract.

I can’t see Housley surviving
- sbroads24

I think Housley gets next year too.

It is just the sense that I get from Housley and Botts.

Sucks but I hope otherwise.

I do think it’s likely he resigns here. But at 8.5 (or more?) for 8, we’ll probably be regretting the back half of that contract.
- PrinceChill

That’s probably around what, 80% of the players signed to big deals at his age?

ROR game winner in OT, Goal number 23 for him

botts looking like a bigger ass by the game

I do think it’s likely he resigns here. But at 8.5 (or more?) for 8, we’ll probably be regretting the back half of that contract.
- PrinceChill

I agree. That back half of the contract also coincidentally is probably during the prime years of Eichel and Dahlin as well. It could be like Okposo all over again.

That’s probably around what, 80% of the players signed to big deals at his age?
- sbroads24

He is 26 so I don't really care about the back end. We could see a different cap system by then and should get a good 5-6 years out of him.

Just make sure we are a better team with him than the assets we can get for him.

I agree. That back half of the contract also coincidentally is probably during the prime years of Eichel and Dahlin as well. It could be like Okposo all over again.
- Pegullaville

Difference is Skinner is much better than Okposo ever was

ROR game winner in OT, Goal number 23 for him

botts looking like a bigger ass by the game
- gordong

Skinner has 36.

Difference is Skinner is much better than Okposo ever was
- sbroads24

True that.

He is 26 so I don't really care about the back end. We could see a different cap system by then and should get a good 5-6 years out of him.

Just make sure we are a better team with him than the assets we can get for him.
- sabresfan69

I mean, let’s be honest, are we going to be complaining in one year if the assets we get for him aren’t contributing immediately?

Botts was backed into a corner with ROR and Kane.

ROR game winner in OT, Goal number 23 for him

botts looking like a bigger ass by the game
- gordong

I don't care about ROR, he is not a sabre. I care about the assets we got for him.

Not much.

I mean, let’s be honest, are we going to be complaining in one year if the assets we get for him aren’t contributing immediately?

Botts was backed into a corner with ROR and Kane.
- sbroads24

Botts made bad trades. There is no excuse.

If this team misses the playoffs next year Botts is done, maybe he gets another year but Houlsey for sure is toast.


You can make all the excuses you want, he wants but you keep your job based on winning and losing. Botts and Housley will be 0-2

He is 26 so I don't really care about the back end. We could see a different cap system by then and should get a good 5-6 years out of him.

Just make sure we are a better team with him than the assets we can get for him.
- sabresfan69

Good points.

Skinner has 36.
- Powerslave

I don't care about ROR, he is not a sabre. I care about the assets we got for him.

Not much.
- sabresfan69

Mitts, Sobotka, Burglund. all have 14

I mean, let’s be honest, are we going to be complaining in one year if the assets we get for him aren’t contributing immediately?

Botts was backed into a corner with ROR and Kane.
- sbroads24

Kane was a goner. There were definitely problems in the locker room with ROR. Whether he demanded the trade or Botts/Pegula thought he needed to go I have no idea. There was a rift though between the vets and younger players. Could the return have been better ? Maybe so. However I still think it’s way too early to tell.

Botts made bad trades. There is no excuse.

If this team misses the playoffs next year Botts is done, maybe he gets another year but Houlsey for sure is toast.


You can make all the excuses you want, he wants but you keep your job based on winning and losing.
- sabresfan69

Agreed, he will be gone soon if we don’t drastically improve.

I think we will.

He moved out some contracts and we have assets.

Sign Skinner. Sign a good UFA or two (hopefully)

Hopefully make a similar trade as the Skinner one and we will be in a better position

The problem is we need to see what he actually has done come to fruition.

His drafts aren’t even two years old yet.

Laaksonen looks good. So do a few others

This organization has been a revolving dumpster fire since Regier and Ruff have been fired.

Interesting enough so has the Bills

Makes you go hmmmm......

This organization has been a revolving dumpster fire since Regier and Ruff have been fired.

Interesting enough so has the Bills

Makes you go hmmmm......
- sabresfan69

The Pegula’s are a work in progress.

I just find it so pointless to talk about them because they will never be fired

Mitts, Sobotka, Burglund. all have 14
- gordong

You're down on Mitts? Really? The kid is a rookie and what, 20?

And you keep conveniently ignoring the 1st round pick we received.

MAYBE HE TRADES SAID 1ST ROUNDER FOR SOME PROVEN NHL TALENT!

The Pegula’s are a work in progress.

I just find it so pointless to talk about them because they will never be fired
- sbroads24

I wonder if we hired a hockey guy for head of Hockey Operations....Maybe that would help. Lindy Ruff?

Agreed, he will be gone soon if we don’t drastically improve.

I think we will.

He moved out some contracts and we have assets.

Sign Skinner. Sign a good UFA or two (hopefully)

Hopefully make a similar trade as the Skinner one and we will be in a better position

The problem is we need to see what he actually has done come to fruition.

His drafts aren’t even two years old yet.

Laaksonen looks good. So do a few others
- sbroads24

You’re right, it’s early. But I think drafting is what JB seems to be pretty good at. That’s why I’m happy with him drafting three in the 1st this year.

I mean, let’s be honest, are we going to be complaining in one year if the assets we get for him aren’t contributing immediately?

Botts was backed into a corner with ROR and Kane.
- sbroads24

We both know a giant factor in the O'Reilly trade was cap space.

Fans can try and ignore that, but if you look at the Sabres cap after next season, it's blatantly obvious that was probably the determining factor in the ROR trade.

We both know a giant factor in the O'Reilly trade was cap space.

Fans can try and ignore that, but if you look at the Sabres cap after next season, it's blatantly obvious that was probably the determining factor in the ROR trade.
- kingcong39

Doesn't mean you give the guy away.