the Athletic has the following mock, just released

hughes (Devils)
kakko (Rangers)
Podkolzin (Blackhawks)
Cozens Avalanche)
byram (kings)
Turcotte (Red wings)
Dach (sabres)

JB will need to do a lot of work. Very few available roster spots, duds under contract, irrationally impatient fanbase. He may feel the need to try and do something in the offseason that appears to make the team better.

Or he could sit on his hands and wait for contracts to expire after next year, then do things.
- PrinceChill

Don't think that really true. He has very few commitments beyond this season. One year deals are a lot easier to get away from. First big decision is who gets QO's. That will tell us a lot about what he's thinking.

Jesus Christ.

The majority on here rips Murray for "rushing the rebuild" and now we want to trade the #7 pick?

Pick. A. God. Damn. Lane.

Bipolar Buzz.

Jesus Christ.

The majority on here rips Murray for "rushing the rebuild" and now we want to trade the #7 pick?

Pick. A. God. Damn. Lane.

Bipolar Buzz.
- Powerslave

They HAVE to keep 7 and I really hope they keep the later 1st as well. It'd be nice to move that later 1st up, but that would be more difficult without a 2nd.

Jesus Christ.

The majority on here rips Murray for "rushing the rebuild" and now we want to trade the #7 pick?

Pick. A. God. Damn. Lane.

Bipolar Buzz.
- Powerslave

I find it funnier when people want to deal the later 1st to move Okposo out, so we can use that money to sign the next Okposo.

Jesus Christ.

The majority on here rips Murray for "rushing the rebuild" and now we want to trade the #7 pick?

Pick. A. God. Damn. Lane.

Bipolar Buzz.
- Powerslave

Nope, trade both picks. how much longer should we wait.

Nope, trade both picks. how much longer should we wait.
- SABRES 89

Wait for what, that magical run to 8th place?

I want to be TB, Boston, Pittsburgh. Teams that are THERE every year.

What is 7 going to get you in a trade, a declining Anze Kopitar? Eff that.

Build it right.

I find it funnier when people want to deal the later 1st to move Okposo out, so we can use that money to sign the next Okposo.
- Lunaion

It's incredible.

We trade a 1st for a goalie and there are people ready to burn the arena to the ground, but it's OK to trade a first to GET RID OF a player?

There is very little common sense in here when sh!t like the lottery doesn't go our way. The knee-jerk reactions are sad and frankly quite scary.

Nope, trade both picks. how much longer should we wait.
- SABRES 89

Nah.

Wait for what, that magical run to 8th place?

I want to be TB, Boston, Pittsburgh. Teams that are THERE every year.

What is 7 going to get you, a declining Anze Kopitar? Eff that.

Build it right.
- Powerslave

you would be surprised what it will get you, it's been 48 years how much longer you want to wait. That's all we talk about is waiting and year after year that's all we do. We will never be any of those teams if players don't want to come here no matter what picks or young players we have. You need to show other players this is a place to play and as of now we can't show nothing except how to draft in the top 5 and how to watch players walk away.

Nah.
- PrinceChill

Typical

Typical
- SABRES 89

I have more faith in Botts' ability to draft, than his ability to get the most out of a trade.

Sabres are on the 15 year rebuild and then it's, wash, rinse, repeat.

Wait for what, that magical run to 8th place?

I want to be TB, Boston, Pittsburgh. Teams that are THERE every year.

What is 7 going to get you in a trade, a declining Anze Kopitar? Eff that.

Build it right.
- Powerslave

It doesn't have to. It's not either or. We don't have to trade 7th overall for a declining player. We could trade it for someone that is on the rise? If you can't find that player then using the pick to build is absolutely the right choice. Not exploring the opportunity is foolhardy

I have more faith in Botts' ability to draft, than his ability to get the most out of a trade.
- PrinceChill

What's he done in 2 years? and don't say Dahlin.

you would be surprised what it will get you, it's been 48 years how much longer you want to wait. That's all we talk about is waiting and year after year that's all we do. We will never be any of those teams if players don't want to come here no matter what picks or young players we have. You need to show other players this is a place to play and as of now we can't show nothing except how to draft in the top 5 and how to watch players walk away.
- SABRES 89

Tell me why any team is going to trade you a young, top line forward, for example, for a player that is probably at least 2 years away.

Give me a name that you think makes sense.

You think Ottawa isn't kicking themselves tonight? I bet they are.

I find it funnier when people want to deal the later 1st to move Okposo out, so we can use that money to sign the next Okposo.
- Lunaion

I would do it to create flexibility for trades in general. They'll need to spend to the cap to be contenders and while not every contract can give you full value, contenders generally don't carry players who take up that much space and give 0 value.

It doesn't have to. It's not either or. We don't have to trade 7th overall for a declining player. We could trade it for someone that is on the rise? If you can't find that player then using the pick to build is absolutely the right choice. Not exploring the opportunity is foolhardy
- Sabresfan-365

If you move the 7th, it won't be for a washed up veteran player, I don't know why people can't see that.

What's he done in 2 years? and don't say Dahlin.
- SABRES 89

None of those players Botts, or for that matter any other gm in the league, has drafted beyond round 1 are ready to step in.

99% of them, 2nd round and beyond, are not two years or less away, as you are saying.

What's he done in 2 years? and don't say Dahlin.
- SABRES 89

I chose the word "faith" very purposefully.

Random but I cannot believe the Panthers haven't sniffed contention all while paying Barkov a measily 5.9 mil.


I thought for sure his cap hit was 7 or something. That's absurd.

Tell me why any team is going to trade you a young, top line forward, for example, for a player that is probably at least 2 years away.

Give me a name that you think makes sense.

You think Ottawa isn't kicking themselves tonight? I bet they are.
- Powerslave

Ottawa isn't because they are very happy with K Chuck. For example, you don't think the Jackets won't move Panarin so they don't lose him for the 7th ? Just an example.

I chose the word "faith" very purposefully.
- PrinceChill

Yea, keep the faith, see you next year in the top 6 again.

None of those players Botts, or for that matter any other gm in the league, has drafted beyond round 1 are ready to step in.

99% of them, 2nd round and beyond, are not two years or less away, as you are saying.
- Powerslave

2-3 years away, that should put us close to 10 year rebuild just shy of another decade and we wonder why player think this is Siberia.

It's why im not all that fussed about the results. Kakko should go first, but he won't because hockey culture is incredibly risk averse


After that you could make the case for and against from 2-8 really. I can be talked into any of them. Cozens is sort of meh but maybe the safest pick
- Sabresfan-365

So u think Kappo is 1,
and Hughes could be slotted as low as 8th???

That’s bonkers dude