this place is going to explode if Skinner walks... and I'll be the first in line.

- gordong

I will not be surprised one bit if he don't sign. The only thing I would be upset about us not trading him at the deadline for something.... I think if we do sign him it is after July 1... Like i said he would be dumb not to see what others are offering....

I will not be surprised one bit if he don't sign. The only thing I would be upset about us not trading him at the deadline for something.... I think if we do sign him it is after July 1... Like i said he would be dumb not to see what others are offering....
- hehateme

Unless he really likes it here, loves playing w Jack, loves the passionate fanbase, close to home, etc.

Just waiting for a term or dollar he feels he can "live with".

When you're about to make $9 million, what's $9.5 really? There are other things at play here than just money.

So, tank next year too. I don’t see any series of moves where we could confidently say we have a legit shot of at least making the conference finals.
- PrinceChill

We are at least three years away... that’s only if they hit on some draft choices too.

If you're skinner, why not wait until July 1st?

Jbotts cant force his hand
- Boss34

I would wait if I was skinner too. But that doesn’t change the fact that botts will have done exactly what he said he didn’t want to do, trade assets for rentals. I’ve been very clear how I feel about botts, he made two good moves to this point, and one could very well blow up in his face....

Unless he really likes it here, loves playing w Jack, loves the passionate fanbase, close to home, etc.

Just waiting for a term or dollar he feels he can "live with".

When you're about to make $9 million, what's $9.5 really? There are other things at play here than just money.
- Powerslave

All true I would think being close to home is worth something... if he just about the money he won’t be in buffalo next year...imho

I would wait if I was skinner too. But that doesn’t change the fact that botts will have done exactly what he said he didn’t want to do, trade assets for rentals. I’ve been very clear how I feel about botts, he made two good moves to this point, and one could very well blow up in his face....
- gordong

It's a 2nd, 3rd and an ECHLer. Either way, it was a hell of a ride. I won't fault Botts for it, just like I don't fault Murray for Vesey. You take your shot, and move on

Jeff Skinner isn't signing.

It's out of my system now. I feared I would explode under the wait of all this truth if I had to hold it in any longer.

He will not sign. It is over. Et tu, Jeff? Et tu!
- RhinoFan

Breathe. It means nothing right now. If he's not signed by then end of the playoffs, then it might be time to worry. The NHL loves drama, you should know this by now.

Stone hasn't signed either and he was supposed to sign on Friday. Everyone said 3/1. Well, it's 3/4, so let's freakout!

he has gotten worse over the years

first few years, not afraid to make the pass
not afraid to join the rush
never noticed him in his own end, which is a good thing


now lazy passes picked off
doesn't join the rush
out of position in his own end
freezes a lot in his own end


feel free to tell me I am wrong but I thought when he signed the bridge deal, it was going to be so much value as I projected him as a second pair

now he is just another body, like scandella, nelson, hunwick and the former sabre beaulieu
- homiedclown

I think the bigger question lies with our coach. When someone earns a head coaching job in any major sport it is because they have excelled at some part of the game. In Hockey, those are usually offensive or defensive coaches. Housley was sold a the "D Man Whisperer". The guy that was going to thrill the fans with the up tempo D man...I, for one was not expecting any miracles. However, a head coach who got his gig because of his supposed astonishing coaching of the Nashville D has left me with my mouth hanging open in disbelief at how inept his defense looks on most nights.

If we need an example of what a coach should bring, look at the Islanders. A team that most every person who follows hockey would have thought would sink into the abyss after losing their captain, their head coach and GM all in one off season. Instead, the Islanders hired a coach with an NHL winning pedigree, and a GM that I guarantee would not have given away Ryan O'Rielly for two pieces of dog S*&t a prospect that was not highly thought of in St. Louis and what will more than likely be a bottom first round pick.

So, what does this mean? The Islanders prove to all the value of great coaching in this league, period. You swap the coaches on the Sabres and Islanders and we would not be staring at an 8th straight disappointment and having to listen to a head coach who is clearly way out of his league...

Mean while, back in Buffalo, we watch as our coach stammers and stutters and tells us how his team played well in a 5 - 2 loss....

I think the bigger question lies with our coach. When someone earns a head coaching job in any major sport it is because they have excelled at some part of the game. In Hockey, those are usually offensive or defensive coaches. Housley was sold a the "D Man Whisperer". The guy that was going to thrill the fans with the up tempo D man...I, for one was not expecting any miracles. However, a head coach who got his gig because of his supposed astonishing coaching of the Nashville D has left me with my mouth hanging open in disbelief at how inept his defense looks on most nights.

If we need an example of what a coach should bring, look at the Islanders. A team that most every person who follows hockey would have thought would sink into the abyss after losing their captain, their head coach and GM all in one off season. Instead, the Islanders hired a coach with an NHL winning pedigree, and a GM that I guarantee would not have given away Ryan O'Rielly for two pieces of dog S*&t a prospect that was not highly thought of in St. Louis and what will more than likely be a bottom first round pick.

So, what does this mean? The Islanders prove to all the value of great coaching in this league, period. You swap the coaches on the Sabres and Islanders and we would not be staring at an 8th straight disappointment and having to listen to a head coach who is clearly way out of his league...

Mean while, back in Buffalo, we watch as our coach stammers and stutters and tells us how his team played well in a 5 - 2 loss....
- ninecarpileup

The Carolina hurricanes winning celebration was so cringe with the boxing

I was at the aud when gil scored his 500th goal.
Great memory

I agree, gil and phil played a few seasons together.

I guess I'm hopeful. But you're right , to early to claim that
- Boss34

Luck guy..I wish I was at that game.

Marner > Jack

Marner > Jack
- BernardShakey

Wait til Marner's dad is saying that in the negotiation room this summer

Wait til Marner's dad is saying that in the negotiation room this summer
- jcragcrumple

- homiedclown

S'alotta loonies and toonies

Over under on pucks Linus fails to cover or fails to catch cleanly = 8.

Watch with me.

Suck it Alexander.

Over under on pucks Linus fails to cover or fails to catch cleanly = 8.

Watch with me.

Suck it Alexander.
- Der Kaiser

Over under on pucks Linus fails to cover or fails to catch cleanly = 8.

Watch with me.

Suck it Alexander.
- Der Kaiser

Under

12 pack of Sahlens vs a 12 pack of your Wardynskis

Under

12 pack of Sahlens vs a 12 pack of your Wardynskis
- jcragcrumple

Here in the ROC we eat Zweigels

Here in the ROC we eat Zweigels
- Der Kaiser

Dammit. Blew it

Do we cheer to win or cheer for draft position?

Do we cheer to win or cheer for draft position?
- sabresfan69

If you're cheering for draft position, there's no point in watching. Just check the score

If you're cheering for draft position, there's no point in watching. Just check the score
- jcragcrumple

Some people like to watch hockey.

Do we cheer to win or cheer for draft position?
- sabresfan69

draft

Under

12 pack of Sahlens vs a 12 pack of your Wardynskis
- jcragcrumple

Shellys were better than both