Sure
Wouldn’t have made sense to go after rentals
And traded like Montour are hard to do in season
Idk that he didn’t strengthen us on purpose though?
I just think the Montour trade wasn’t available in December or January
If it (or any other trade like it) was available earlier,
i think he’d still have pulled the trigger
- jdfitz77

There were many experts and radio personalities that were shocked Botts swung that on trade deadline day and during the season. Trades in December or January are very few and far between.

Also a good point. Do we come back with a Hutton/Ullmark tandem again next year ?
- Pegullaville

Let’s say we don’t want to
Would would the options even be?

I don’t think there’s much out there right now as far as free agents or guys that might be available through trade

There were many experts and radio personalities that were shocked Botts swung that on trade deadline day and during the season. Trades in December or January are very few and far between.
- Pegullaville

That’s my point
I don’t think he let us drop to a Top10 pick on purpose
I don’t think the type of trade he wanted to make was available back when it would’ve made more of a difference

Hall might cost even more than that though
And you also have to factor in what we’d give up to get Hall
It would be a lot

Skinner we got on the cheap and it doesn’t look like we’ll miss any of those assets

Also...
Skinner on an 8year deal would end when he’s 35
Those extra 2 years are a big deal imo

Hall is obviously better,
but it’s not really as simple as paying for Hall or Skinner
- jdfitz77

I understand that completely. I’m more then happy signing depth in FA and using our picks. Hall is an option I’d consider if the price is right. I think Hall is better then any FA option available. We can always tank again next year, but like you mentioned, that’s another wasted year of Eichel. I’m all for the tank this year cause I knew we had no shot in heck this season. Botts can make the moves in the offseason though that at least gets us into the dance without being a complete pushover.

That’s my point
I don’t think he let us drop to a Top10 pick on purpose
I don’t think the type of trade he wanted to make was available back when it would’ve made more of a difference
- jdfitz77

That could easily be the truth. We’ll never know.

Let’s say we don’t want to
Would would the options even be?

I don’t think there’s much out there right now as far as free agents or guys that might be available through trade
- jdfitz77

Lehner

Jkjk

So...how much do you guys think we should re-sign Skinner for?

Lehner

Jkjk
- Pegullaville

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

I think his intent was to compete, push for the playoffs. However mid season I think he purposely didn’t make any adds that would take away from us sinking to the bottom 10. Montour was a perfect add for long term without taking away from losing short term.
- Pegullaville

I agree with this post.

I'd say the plan really never changed. Playoffs great, top 10 pick great.

Probably adjusted on the fly

That could easily be the truth. We’ll never know.
- Pegullaville

I guess not
Just seems the more likely scenario

Let’s say the Montour deal was available back in January
U really think Botts would’ve waited,
and risk they’d trade him elsewhere?
That just doesn’t make much sense to me

If a good deal was available,
I just don’t think there’s any way he’d pass on it just so we can be drafting a few spots higher this year

I guess not
Just seems the more likely scenario

Let’s say the Montour deal was available back in January
U really think Botts would’ve waited,
and risk they’d trade him elsewhere?
That just doesn’t make much sense to me

If a good deal was available,
I just don’t think there’s any way he’d pass on it just so we can be drafting a few spots higher this year
- jdfitz77

But that was our debate back in January. Who was offering 24-25 year old players up ? I’ll give you credit cause I didn’t think a trade like that could be made during the season and then the Montour deal happened so kudos to you.

It is my fault, not Eichel's

But that was our debate back in January. Who was offering 24-25 year old players up ? I’ll give you credit cause I didn’t think a trade like that could be made during the season and then the Montour deal happened so kudos to you.
- Pegullaville

That’s what I’m saying
They likely weren’t
You aren’t wrong that those deals are tough to make during the season-
especially early in the season

So i don’t think it’s a case that Botts let the team suffer on purpose
I just think the type of deal Botts wanted wasn’t available earlier on

That’s what I’m saying
They likely weren’t
You aren’t wrong that those deals are tough to make during the season-
especially early in the season

So i don’t think it’s a case that Botts let the team suffer on purpose
I just think the type of deal Botts wanted was available
- jdfitz77

Botts is patient and has a plan. I really like Montour, I like Mitts chances of being a stud, UPL/Laaksonen/Pekar/Samuelson are looking like NHL players (as of now). Skinner was a steal regardless if he’s resigned. The only thing up for debate is the ROR deal and I don’t think it’s fair to judge until we see what Thompson ends up turning into and that comes of the first rounder. We have a lot of young talent and a lot of cap space. There are many teams that are in a worse situation then we are even with how bad we’ve been the last 30 games.

Botts is patient and has a plan. I really like Montour, I like Mitts chances of being a stud, UPL/Laaksonen/Pekar/Samuelson are looking like NHL players (as of now). Skinner was a steal regardless if he’s resigned. The only thing up for debate is the ROR deal and I don’t think it’s fair to judge until we see what Thompson ends up turning into and that comes of the first rounder. We have a lot of young talent and a lot of cap space. There are many teams that are in a worse situation then we are even with how bad we’ve been the last 30 games.
- Pegullaville

The ROR trade could still work out
It’s just been horrible so far
There’s no arguing that

I’ve never been a fan of Thompson
If i end up being wrong, that would be great!
And we’ll see what the picks become
They might turn out great, they might not

It’s just tough watching him kill it in StL,
while we’ve had to deal with disappointment...
AGAIN

Botts is patient and has a plan. I really like Montour, I like Mitts chances of being a stud, UPL/Laaksonen/Pekar/Samuelson are looking like NHL players (as of now). Skinner was a steal regardless if he’s resigned. The only thing up for debate is the ROR deal and I don’t think it’s fair to judge until we see what Thompson ends up turning into and that comes of the first rounder. We have a lot of young talent and a lot of cap space. There are many teams that are in a worse situation then we are even with how bad we’ve been the last 30 games.
- Pegullaville

And as far as the overall “plan” goes...
what happens with Skinner is probably gonna dictate whether we continue to get better now
Or if we need to take a step back and build more for the future

If it’s the latter,
that’s gonna be really hard for a lot of fans to take

I think we are all really sick of losing

The ROR trade could still work out
It’s just been horrible so far
There’s no arguing that

I’ve never been a fan of Thompson
If i end up being wrong, that would be great!
And we’ll see what the picks become
They might turn out great, they might not

It’s just tough watching him kill it in StL,
while we’ve had to deal with disappointment...
AGAIN
- jdfitz77

My favourite team other then the Sabres is whoever is playing the Blues the rest of the year.

And as far as the overall “plan” goes...
what happens with Skinner is probably gonna dictate whether we continue to get better now
Or if we need to take a step back and build more for the future

If it’s the latter,
that’s gonna be really hard for a lot of fans to take

I think we are all really sick of losing
- jdfitz77

I think Skinner gets done ultimately. I just hope he plays worth that money when we our cup window is open and he’s in his early 30’s.

The ROR trade could still work out
It’s just been horrible so far
There’s no arguing that

I’ve never been a fan of Thompson
If i end up being wrong, that would be great!
And we’ll see what the picks become
They might turn out great, they might not

It’s just tough watching him kill it in StL,
while we’ve had to deal with disappointment...
AGAIN
- jdfitz77

It's a bit frustrating for sure, but he's still young. I wouldn't give up on any player developing fully until they are around 24/25

People can talk about O’Reilly all they want but the fact of the matter is the Sabres have gotten the leagues worst goaltending since we were in 1st and the streak ended in November.

We’d be in the playoffs or playoff race with good goaltending
- sbroads24

DONT MIND IF I DO

It is my fault, not Eichel's
- twiztedmike

I think Skinner gets done ultimately. I just hope he plays worth that money when we our cup window is open and he’s in his early 30’s.
- Pegullaville

- Coaching change
- Good goaltending
- Ristolainen getting a good top 6 forward back
- Mittelstadt/Dahlin make jumps
- Nylander turns out to be a serviceable top 9 player
- sign a decent UFA

This team can contend if a few of these happen.

- cabin

cabbie!

cabbie!
- twiztedmike

How ya been buddy. Been real busy lately with that thing called life . over rated

See ya Wednesday night

My favourite team other then the Sabres is whoever is playing the Blues the rest of the year.
- Pegullaville

Lol, makes sense
I think we will end up keeping their pick

If we do end up with the SJ pick,
I think we should take a look at Spencer Knight
6k is looking good
But its not a bad idea to add another really good goalie prospect