That's the way with the Sabres, who in the hell is going to sign here after what they have seen over the years. Draft, picks and prospects, wash, rinse, repeat.
- SABRES 89

I get the frustration. But it's the only way to do it. A huge key is making competent trades, developing your drafted talent and plucking the weeds out of the garden before they grow too vast.

Carolina finally made the playoffs. With a new coach, a few great trades and a lot of home grown talent that was never 1st or 2nd overall, outside of the rookie Svechnikov.

You can't trade well if you don't draft well. And at least be able to take full advantage of cap teams.

This team is finally drafting well. Even Murray was pretty average when it comes to NHL developed talent. It's the biggest key to success. Drafting well helps you trade well. If they develop well, you need a good GM and good coach to teach and manage that talent. This in turn attracts FA.

Tampa drafted so well that they have too many 8-10M players. They even traded for great talent because they don't even need their 1st round picks.

Sounds like it. I haven't commented yet on McLellan, or AV for that matter the last few days because I just don't know if either coach is the right fit. I like the SC experience of both guys and I've read good and bad about McLellan. I just don't know.

I think Botts will overpay for Skinner, just a feeling.
- mhp

It's Skinner's one shot at a big contract. He'll overpay. If his production stays similar for the next 5-6 years, it's worth it.

In my job, I've noticed the best way to learn is to watch the mistakes of others. I deal with a lot of plans and submissions and need to correct them. I feel Botts has learned about what he does and doesn't want in a coach by watching Housley for two years. He knows how these players operate and knows the kind of traits required to kick their asses into gear. So whomever he finds, we have to trust that next coach has the required traits and abilities necessary to win with our core lineup.

So next item on the agenda is securing a coachX and then hopefully not overpaying Skinner. I’m assuming McLellan is visiting us this week when his son is playing in the Frozen Four.
- Pegullaville

You overpay for Skinner or you don't get him, case closed. It's going to cost 9 to get him thanks to the Mark Stone contract, why do you think I keep posting how his agent is going to be an issue. It wasn't like this early on, if you lose him, where you going to get goals from? no place on this roster or in the AHL.

I get the frustration. But it's the only way to do it. A huge key is making competent trades, developing your drafted talent and plucking the weeds out of the garden before they grow too vast.

Carolina finally made the playoffs. With a new coach, a few great trades and a lot of home grown talent that was never 1st or 2nd overall, outside of the rookie Svechnikov.

You can't trade well if you don't draft well. And at least be able to take full advantage of cap teams.

This team is finally drafting well. Even Murray was pretty average when it comes to NHL developed talent. It's the biggest key to success. Drafting well helps you trade well. If they develop well, you need a good GM and good coach to teach and manage that talent. This in turn attracts FA.

Tampa drafted so well that they have too many 8-10M players. They even traded for great talent because they don't even need their 1st round picks.
- TheSabresTaco

Tampa has 5 players making 5 mill a year or just a tadd more and 4 players making bigger money, players take discounts when you win.

But there's always next year for the Sabres right...................

You overpay for Skinner or you don't get him, case closed. It's going to cost 9 to get him thanks to the Mark Stone contract, why do you think I keep posting how his agent is going to be an issue. It wasn't like this early on, if you lose him, where you going to get goals from? no place on this roster or in the AHL.
- SABRES 89

Alex Nylander.

Alex Nylander.


- TheSabresTaco

Another nothing player

It's Skinner's one shot at a big contract. He'll overpay. If his production stays similar for the next 5-6 years, it's worth it.

In my job, I've noticed the best way to learn is to watch the mistakes of others. I deal with a lot of plans and submissions and need to correct them. I feel Botts has learned about what he does and doesn't want in a coach by watching Housley for two years. He knows how these players operate and knows the kind of traits required to kick their asses into gear. So whomever he finds, we have to trust that next coach has the required traits and abilities necessary to win with our core lineup.
- TheSabresTaco

McLellan could work here but the more I think about, AV would not be a good fit. Gorton wanted him to play the kids last year and he cut Buchenvich's ice time and stuck playing the vets more and more. There is no denying AV's playoff record though.

McLellan's teams in San Jose were loaded and I don't know what the issue was in Edmonton but he got them to the 2nd rd a few years ago. My gut tells me McLellan is Botts top guy at this point.

Tampa has 5 players making 5 mill a year or just a tadd more and 4 players making bigger money, players take discounts when you win.

But there's always next year for the Sabres right...................
- SABRES 89

I don't think any of us have that attitude. It's factual that Botterill needs to make some real changes without further damaging this lineup. His value trades like Skinner and Sheary are great, but that doesn't go far enough. Find one or two real UFAs, one or two trades, recoup some picks with Scandella and or Bogo, you're off to a fine start.

I don't think any of us have that attitude. It's factual that Botterill needs to make some real changes without further damaging this lineup. His value trades like Skinner and Sheary are great, but that doesn't go far enough. Find one or two real UFAs, one or two trades, recoup some picks with Scandella and or Bogo, you're off to a fine start.
- TheSabresTaco

Are you serious ? what or who is going to give Botterill anything for Bogo or Scandella?

McLellan could work here but the more I think about, AV would not be a good fit. Gorton wanted him to play the kids last year and he cut Buchenvich's ice time and stuck playing the vets more and more. There is no denying AV's playoff record though.

McLellan's teams in San Jose were loaded and I don't know what the issue was in Edmonton but he got them to the 2nd rd a few years ago. My gut tells me McLellan is Botts top guy at this point.
- mhp

I would despise AV. He's a veteran's coach as you mentioned. The guy coming here needs to know - and needs to play - young guys, because that's the core composition here.

And FFS, you can't be stuck playing Sobotka because you don't have (frank)ing faceoffs. Trading for or signing a middle 6 C is beyond easy.

Are you serious ? what or who is going to give Botterill anything for Bogo or Scandella?
- SABRES 89

Wait and see. They're not worthless. As much as we think they are, they're not. Like I said. Mid round picks or equal value.

Tampa has 5 players making 5 mill a year or just a tadd more and 4 players making bigger money, players take discounts when you win.

But there's always next year for the Sabres right...................
- SABRES 89

Its also what you get when your state has a huge tax advantage.

Its also what you get when your state has a huge tax advantage.
- Pegullaville

I don't buy that at all, it's winning what makes players take discounts. They do it so they can sign and keep players.

I wonder if buying out Sobotka is a real option this year. There must be better bottom 6 Cs available.

Wait and see. They're not worthless. As much as we think they are, they're not. Like I said. Mid round picks or equal value.
- TheSabresTaco

I just don’t want some other team’s salary dump for these guys. There’s no point in that. Hunwick did nothing here.

Wait and see. They're not worthless. As much as we think they are, they're not. Like I said. Mid round picks or equal value.
- TheSabresTaco

I think it will depend upon who the new HC is and what he feels about guys like Scandella and Bogo. I think Bogo is here for all of next season but Scandella could be moved. The bottom 6 needs fixing and you can waive Sobotka, and don't make qualifying offers to Girgs and Larry.

I don't buy that at all, it's winning what makes players take discounts. They do it so they can sign and keep players.
- SABRES 89

I hope the Sabres take advantage of the cap strain that TB is in. They have a load of middle 6 guys there that would do wonders for this team.

I wonder if buying out Sobotka is a real option this year. There must be better bottom 6 Cs available.
- TheSabresTaco

JB has appeared to be very unwilling to buy anyone out. And Sobotka was his boy, not a Murray guy.

I just don’t want some other team’s salary dump for these guys. There’s no point in that. Hunwick did nothing here.
- PrinceChill

Hunwick was the Sheary baggage, all for a 4th. That's mega value, considering the success rate of 4th round picks. I agree, I don't want the baggage either w/o a more valuable, young player in return. Of course you're not getting that, which is why those guys are 'picks' candidates. However, if one of them lands you a reasonably young Sobotka upgrade, I say you take it.

I wonder if buying out Sobotka is a real option this year. There must be better bottom 6 Cs available.
- TheSabresTaco

A buyout would mean Sobotka's cap hit for 19/20 will be $1.5 and $1M the following year. It might be worth it considering the cap is going up.

JB has appeared to be very unwilling to buy anyone out. And Sobotka was his boy, not a Murray guy.
- PrinceChill

He wasn't a target, he was useful baggage, at the time.

I think it will depend upon who the new HC is and what he feels about guys like Scandella and Bogo. I think Bogo is here for all of next season but Scandella could be moved. The bottom 6 needs fixing and you can waive Sobotka, and don't make qualifying offers to Girgs and Larry.
- mhp

Lockport Larry was a positive impact for this team, despite his lack of offense. If you let him go, you need to find a better version of him for heavy dzone time, PK, and the ability to chip in 30 points.

Lockport Larry was a positive impact for this team, despite his lack of offense. If you let him go, you need to find a better version of him for heavy dzone time, PK, and the ability to chip in 30 points.
- TheSabresTaco

Cozens.

Lockport Larry was a positive impact for this team, despite his lack of offense. If you let him go, you need to find a better version of him for heavy dzone time, PK, and the ability to chip in 30 points.
- TheSabresTaco

Asplund could fill that role.

A buyout would mean Sobotka's cap hit for 19/20 will be $1.5 and $1M the following year. It might be worth it considering the cap is going up.
- mhp

Financially it's nothing the Sabres can't handle. But for some ungodly reason, they play him. Well, Phil played him. Unfortunately due to roster construction, he was forced to play Sobs and TT. We didn't have any NHL ready centers in Rochester. TT is a total mystery that JB partially explained several times. But I suspect Asplund will need to start in Roch, which means this team needs the benefit of removing Sobs and signing a short term bot 6 C.