skinner and ranger rumors are out there

had not heard any other team then the sabres until the other day
- homiedclown

Everything I've heard still has him resigning likely, that still the case?

Wouldn’t this be tampering?
Since he is still under contract.
- ImThatGuy

coming from ranger media

Girardi and Chara would say otherwise fwiw.

If he'd been in the minors for another year, I'd agree. You do need to make big strides quickly if you're a late bloomer like that. It isn't unheard of though. Plenty of guys have broken in at 23-24 and seen success.

I think he's a defensive minded, bottom pairing guy, so isn't like people are hoping he's our savior.
- RhinoFan

Giordano would be a good example too, I'm not asking Borgen to be our savior, that's what Dahlin is for, but I don't think it's ridiculous that Borgen might be able to play with him

Giordano would be a good example too, I'm not asking Borgen to be our savior, that's what Dahlin is for, but I don't think it's ridiculous that Borgen might be able to play with him
- mattmoulson

Agreed with Gio.

I could see it. Borgen stays home allowing Dahlin to free wheel more.

I didn't mind him with Montour, but I think both want to jump in the play so badly that it's best to just divide and conquer.

Good point.

coming from ranger media
- homiedclown

Drury, that mother (frank)er.

coming from ranger media
- homiedclown

Coming from Skinner camp ... just making it look like there is another team that would massively over pay him .... I'd let him walk if his demands are too high ... I don't value him like some of you do ... the Sabres org would be fools to pay him over 8 a year

Coming from Skinner camp ... just making it look like there is another team that would massively over pay him .... I'd let him walk if his demands are too high ... I don't value him like some of you do ... the Sabres org would be fools to pay him over 8 a year
- pwasil7

The Sabres would be fools to let the only guy besides Eichel and Vanek over the last 10 years to make a borderline elite offensive impact on his team walk for nothing

The Sabres would be fools to let the only guy besides Eichel and Vanek over the last 10 years to make a borderline elite offensive impact on his team walk for nothing
- sbroads24

Question: Would you pay him 9.25-9.5 if that was the price?

The Sabres would be fools to let the only guy besides Eichel and Vanek over the last 10 years to make a borderline elite offensive impact on his team walk for nothing
- sbroads24

It's ok to overpay a good players by a million or 2 a year. It's not ok to pay Bogosian 5.4, Scandella 4, Sobotka 3, Okposo 6

Question: Would you pay him 9.25-9.5 if that was the price?
- RhinoFan

If he walks it’s an absolute disgrace and Botterill should be fired.

That’s all I’ll say.

He should have been moved if they weren’t 1000% confident a deal would be done

I just don't see why people keep wanting to trade a young, cost effective d-man who still has a lot of upside for RNH. What is the point? Trading a 40-45 point defenseman for a forward that just hit 60 points for the first time in his 8 years in the league? Does not make any sense. Look at Spector's last couple rumor blogs and you see fans of other teams drooling over the idea of acquiring Risto and fans here want to trade him for a 60 point center.
I would rather try to sign Kevin Hayes for the $6m RNH is making (which is what he was looking for from the Rangers) without giving up any assets. 26 y/o, 6'5", 215 lb center who in 6 seasons has never been a minus player. Also, being from Boston and playing at BC could have a positive effect on Jack.
If not Hayes, maybe someone else like Brock Nelson. Another big bodied center who's from Minnesota. Or Duschene, who probably will be looking for a lot more than the other two.
Either way, trading away Risto should be the last option that the team considers.

If he walks it’s an absolute disgrace and Botterill should be fired.

That’s all I’ll say.

He should have been moved if they weren’t 1000% confident a deal would be done
- sbroads24

Completely fair. Thanks for the response.

Also, for all the JBott critics, he was selected along with Ron Francis and Ron Hextall to manage Team Canada for this year's IIHF championship. Granted a monkey could manage Team Canada, but it does show how the hockey world views JBotts' value.

I just don't see why people keep wanting to trade a young, cost effective d-man who still has a lot of upside for RNH. What is the point? Trading a 40-45 point defenseman for a forward that just hit 60 points for the first time in his 8 years in the league? Does not make any sense. Look at Spector's last couple rumor blogs and you see fans of other teams drooling over the idea of acquiring Risto and fans here want to trade him for a 60 point center.
I would rather try to sign Kevin Hayes for the $6m RNH is making (which is what he was looking for from the Rangers) without giving up any assets. 26 y/o, 6'5", 215 lb center who in 6 seasons has never been a minus player. Also, being from Boston and playing at BC could have a positive effect on Jack.
If not Hayes, maybe someone else like Brock Nelson. Another big bodied center who's from Minnesota. Or Duschene, who probably will be looking for a lot more than the other two.
Either way, trading away Risto should be the last option that the team considers.
- adambuffalo

Fwiw I was very high on Risto. Argued a few years ago he should be mentioned in the same breath as guys like Trouba or other rising stars.

He just hasn't risen. He's the same player if not a bit worse than he was 3 years ago. Never took that step. He hits and can contribute on the PP. With all the skilled defenders we have coming, one of his two strengths is replaceable. This essentially makes him replaceable as well. If the only thing we're getting from his 5.4M is more hits, we're better served spending that money elsewhere. A 2C makes sense for us, we need one desperately.

I think most posters are just saying that they would accept a decent return for him. No one is saying cut him or that he's the worst defender on the team even. The point is he holds value and if we can sneak a top6 forward out of another team for him and replace Risto with Pilut, I'm not sure you lose a whole heck of a lot, if anything other than a few hits.

skinner and ranger rumors are out there

had not heard any other team then the sabres until the other day
- homiedclown

Cool drury all over again

I just don't see why people keep wanting to trade a young, cost effective d-man who still has a lot of upside for RNH. What is the point? Trading a 40-45 point defenseman for a forward that just hit 60 points for the first time in his 8 years in the league? Does not make any sense. Look at Spector's last couple rumor blogs and you see fans of other teams drooling over the idea of acquiring Risto and fans here want to trade him for a 60 point center.
I would rather try to sign Kevin Hayes for the $6m RNH is making (which is what he was looking for from the Rangers) without giving up any assets. 26 y/o, 6'5", 215 lb center who in 6 seasons has never been a minus player. Also, being from Boston and playing at BC could have a positive effect on Jack.
If not Hayes, maybe someone else like Brock Nelson. Another big bodied center who's from Minnesota. Or Duschene, who probably will be looking for a lot more than the other two.
Either way, trading away Risto should be the last option that the team considers.
- adambuffalo

A defensemen who has a negative defensive impact and who’s being phased out offensively, at 5.4 mil is the furthest thing from “cost effective” there is.

Literally since Dahlin has taken over PP1 time and a majority of Eichel’s 5 on 5 ice time, Risto has turned into a complete non-factor offensively. 3 points in his last 21 games
If they don’t trade him it’s a head scratcher

Depends on what’s considered minor.

Dahlin, Mitts, Nylander, Tage, Pilut will all improve internally

One trade of Risto for a top 6 forward and a decent FA signing like Donskoi/Hayes and this team competes.

We shouldn’t under rate the fact that we have the leagues best D man developing here
- sbroads24

Agree with the above but need to add to your list:

1) Fire coach
2) Dispose of 6 - 8 bums from this roster (maybe more)
3) Promote good young guys like Olo, Nylander and Smith

If he walks it’s an absolute disgrace and Botterill should be fired.

That’s all I’ll say.

He should have been moved if they weren’t 1000% confident a deal would be done
- sbroads24

Broads. Twice in a row I agree with you. If they let Skinner walk, Botts & Housley both deserve to be fired. As you pointed out, Vanek was our last pure sniper we've had. They don't grow on trees.

this team is playing at a 54-56 point per full season pace since the ten game winning streak


even lower pace once we got montour
- homiedclown

It’s embarrassing, or at least it should be. We’ll hear from Botts after the season is over. But I suspect after saying “I’m disappointed”, he’ll go on and on about all the wonderful things he’s seen this season. He’s a very positive and very patient guy.

Also, for all the JBott critics, he was selected along with Ron Francis and Ron Hextall to manage Team Canada for this year's IIHF championship. Granted a monkey could manage Team Canada, but it does show how the hockey world views JBotts' value.
- adambuffalo

Aren't Francis and Hextall both unemployed?

If Sabres manage to stay in the 5 / 6 spot, I would seriously consider trading up with the 3rd team to get that pick and select Cozens.
Package our 5 / 6 and one of Tage/Smith/someone not named Asplud, Olofsson, Borgen, Samuelsson, Nylander.

Package Nylander and our 2nd 1st (Blues / Sharks) to get back into top 10



- IonSabres

I doubt Nylander has that much trade value

the moves I would make to compete short term and long term


trade the later first and futures for trouba
trade futures for kesssel

trade risto for rnh

sign skinner

nylander-eichel-kessel
skinner-rnh-reinhart
olofsson-casey-2019 lottery pick
smith-asplund-o regan

okposo presser


dahlin-trouba
pilut-montour
samuelsson-bogo

It’s embarrassing, or at least it should be. We’ll hear from Botts after the season is over. But I suspect after saying “I’m disappointed”, he’ll go on and on about all the wonderful things he’s seen this season. He’s a very positive and very patient guy.
- PrinceChill

the product on the ice is worse 24 months later then the last month with tim murray

A defensemen who has a negative defensive impact and who’s being phased out offensively, at 5.4 mil is the furthest thing from “cost effective” there is.

Literally since Dahlin has taken over PP1 time and a majority of Eichel’s 5 on 5 ice time, Risto has turned into a complete non-factor offensively. 3 points in his last 21 games
If they don’t trade him it’s a head scratcher
- sbroads24

3 in his last 21 or 8 in his last 25 depends where you set your goalposts. Also, when did Dahlin start getting the majority of ice time with Eichel? He's a -9 in the last 10 games with 58% Ozone starts. We don't have any forwards that know how to play defense. But, let's trade for a small center who is a career minus player and just hit 60 points for the first time in his 8 years in the NHL. So glad that no one here has any say on what the team does.

I just don't see why people keep wanting to trade a young, cost effective d-man who still has a lot of upside for RNH. What is the point? Trading a 40-45 point defenseman for a forward that just hit 60 points for the first time in his 8 years in the league? Does not make any sense. Look at Spector's last couple rumor blogs and you see fans of other teams drooling over the idea of acquiring Risto and fans here want to trade him for a 60 point center.
I would rather try to sign Kevin Hayes for the $6m RNH is making (which is what he was looking for from the Rangers) without giving up any assets. 26 y/o, 6'5", 215 lb center who in 6 seasons has never been a minus player. Also, being from Boston and playing at BC could have a positive effect on Jack.
If not Hayes, maybe someone else like Brock Nelson. Another big bodied center who's from Minnesota. Or Duschene, who probably will be looking for a lot more than the other two.
Either way, trading away Risto should be the last option that the team considers.
- adambuffalo

People can want what they want. Doesn't mean management listens to them.