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.
- SABRES 89

So every other team's 2nd rounders and beyond in the past two years are already making an impact in the league? I think not.

To rip Botterill's drafting is very premature at this point.

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.
- SABRES 89

It doesn't happen often so i can see the skepticism. Its been hit and miss.

The schneider trade looked really good and then....not so good

The Stepan trade is kinda meh for both sides at this point unless lias andersson turns into something

Id say the biggest victor of this sort of trade was Carolina. Jordan Staal quietly became a very good C for them over time.

Yea, keep the faith, see you next year in the top 6 again.
- SABRES 89

You could be right. Botts is a patient and cautious guy, he may not be in a big hurry.

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.
- SABRES 89

I agree that accumulated mistakes, all-out tank mentality, and abysmal results have damaged the Sabres' brand to players around the league. I'm guessing that Skinner walks away and that his fellow players nod in agreement and understanding.

You could be right. Botts is a patient and cautious guy, he may not be in a big hurry.
- PrinceChill

This is all on him now, not the coach or the owner but him.

I agree that accumulated mistakes, all-out tank mentality, and abysmal results have damaged the Sabres' brand to players around the league. I'm guessing that Skinner walks away and that his fellow players nod in agreement and understanding.
- PrinceChill

Skinner walks and we have even bigger problems.

So every other team's 2nd rounders and beyond in the past two years are already making an impact in the league? I think not.

To rip Botterill's drafting is very premature at this point.
- Powerslave

It is? yea ok. Botterill won't make it 2 more years here.

Skinner walks and we have even bigger problems.
- SABRES 89

Completely agree.

Completely agree.
- PrinceChill

His agent is going to be an issue.

His agent is going to be an issue.
- SABRES 89

They always are. They get paid a percentage of the player's salary, not a percentage of a player's happiness. If he's offered a dollar more to go to a different city, you better believe that's where he'll push "Jeffy" to go.

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.
- SABRES 89

I think they would. I don't think we would because he won't sign here.

If you can get a Panarin-level player that will be in Buffalo long term, I think everyone here will agree with that trade.

This is all on him now, not the coach or the owner but him.
- SABRES 89

It should've always been on him.

Who's the 7th rated kid in this draft and can he play for us next season ?

Make a bold move and take the Russian ?
- kritter65

Not likely

Tank got Housley fired, 7th overall pick is better then losing round 1 and picking 15th. I still stand by my stance. I apologize for not cheering for mediocrity.
- Pegullaville

In theory
But like I’ve pointed out..
EVERY SINGLE YEAR there guys picked in the teens that end up better than Top10 picks

Plus...
making the playoffs (or even just missing) gives us the look of a team that’s on the rise, instead of a team struggling to figure it out

Idk if Skinner is signed right now if we are a playoff team...?
But losing as much as we did 2nd half sure as sh!t couldn’t have helped

I don't think there is any way you can trade your 1sts for a player now. With the expansion draft coming, teams really need to start planning on who they will protect. Eichel, Skinner (if he re-signs), Reinhart, Mitts, Nylander, Okposo (has to be protected if he's still here) and the guy you traded for would give you 7 forwards. Now add guys that could develop into guys you want to keep (Olofsson, Asplund, Thompson, etc.) and you are already in a tough position.

Another point in not trading the pick is that it is important to have guys ready to make the jump to the NHL who are on ELCs when you get to the point where you are tight against the cap and can't afford re-sign a UFA.

I have no problem picking at 7 and if you use the 2nd pick to get someone to help now that's fine. I would include someone who otherwise would need to be protected if it could get us a really good return. For example, would Columbus (who only has a 3rd round pick this draft and no 1st or 2nd next year) trade Pierre-luc Dubois for our second 1st a prospect like CJ Smith, Sheary, a 4th and a 6th round pick(or a 2nd or 3rd next year)? You can even add Hutton if you want.

Tank got Housley fired, 7th overall pick is better then losing round 1 and picking 15th. I still stand by my stance. I apologize for not cheering for mediocrity.
- Pegullaville

It's not about not cheering for mediocrity. It's about cheering for losses. And I will never do that. I was barely ok with it in Jack's year, and I still never once rooted from them to lose, because I knew we'd as least get him, but there's no reason to root for losses anymore. Chicago went from 12 to 3, New York went from 6 to 2, and New Jersey went from 3 to1. Carolina moved from 11 to 2 last year. Philly moved from 13 to 2, Dallas went from 8 to 3 and Jersey went from 5 to 1. Toronto won, but the Jets went from 6 to 2, and Columbus moved up a spot.

It's a total crapshoot. You can win a top 3 spot from anywhere now. There's no reason to sell off guys if you're in the middle of the pack. 8 seeds can make a deep run. AND not to mention there are a ton of players taken in the late teens/early 20s.

A look how each team has faired in the lottery the last 4 years (couldn't find one going back further). Kind of feel bad for Vancouver. NJ on the other hand jumped 4 spots and 2 spots to win it.

I don't think there is any way you can trade your 1sts for a player now. With the expansion draft coming, teams really need to start planning on who they will protect. Eichel, Skinner (if he re-signs), Reinhart, Mitts, Nylander, Okposo (has to be protected if he's still here) and the guy you traded for would give you 7 forwards. Now add guys that could develop into guys you want to keep (Olofsson, Asplund, Thompson, etc.) and you are already in a tough position.

Another point in not trading the pick is that it is important to have guys ready to make the jump to the NHL who are on ELCs when you get to the point where you are tight against the cap and can't afford re-sign a UFA.

I have no problem picking at 7 and if you use the 2nd pick to get someone to help now that's fine. I would include someone who otherwise would need to be protected if it could get us a really good return. For example, would Columbus (who only has a 3rd round pick this draft and no 1st or 2nd next year) trade Pierre-luc Dubois for our second 1st a prospect like CJ Smith, Sheary, a 4th and a 6th round pick(or a 2nd or 3rd next year)? You can even add Hutton if you want.
- adambuffalo

No he’s the new face of the franchise.

Things just aren’t as bad as they seem at all.

This is a flawed roster that got poor coaching and awful goaltending

That’s finding a good coach and goalie away from playoff contention.

Add natural growth from Olofsson, Mitts, Dahlin, Pilut, Thompson, Smith, and add a top 6 player via trade, we’re in a good spot.
- sbroads24

How many kids do u want up here next year?
What’s your lineup look like?

Keep the pick. Unless someone is throwing a B.Point your way (they won’t), you keep the pick. We’re all frustrated about being bad so long, but the only way out is to draft well. Concentrate on signing Skinner and taking a run at Duchene. That is immediate help. There is no reason the 7th pick won’t be ready in 20-21. If Bots does his job then that player will be stepping into a better situation than Mitts.

Good news! We only fell 2 spots and not 3 like the Canucks and others. We will get a very, very good player at #7.

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.
- SABRES 89

Just to use two recent examples. In 2012, Carolina sent the 8th pick and Brandon Sutter for Jordan Staal. Nice #2 C.

In 2013, the Canucks traded Cory Schneider to the Devils for the 9th pick. Turned into Bo Horvat, a fantastic #2 C.

You want a benchmark? There it is.

Good news! We only fell 2 spots and not 3 like the Canucks and others. We will get a very, very good player at #7.
- SabreWest

You're preaching to a bunch of corpses that slit their wrists last night.

How many kids do u want up here next year?
What’s your lineup look like?
- jdfitz77

I thought you were like the ringleader of bringing up AHL players to fill in.

It's not about not cheering for mediocrity. It's about cheering for losses. And I will never do that. I was barely ok with it in Jack's year, and I still never once rooted from them to lose, because I knew we'd as least get him, but there's no reason to root for losses anymore. Chicago went from 12 to 3, New York went from 6 to 2, and New Jersey went from 3 to1. Carolina moved from 11 to 2 last year. Philly moved from 13 to 2, Dallas went from 8 to 3 and Jersey went from 5 to 1. Toronto won, but the Jets went from 6 to 2, and Columbus moved up a spot.

It's a total crapshoot. You can win a top 3 spot from anywhere now. There's no reason to sell off guys if you're in the middle of the pack. 8 seeds can make a deep run. AND not to mention there are a ton of players taken in the late teens/early 20s.
- Wetbandit1

really?? nawww......

This whole season's a waste because everyone knows that there's never been an impactful player after #6. It's a fact.