Yes to UPL in Rochester and yes to Skinner in Buffalo.

Absolutely ! Give 6K the start

But what I’m interested in is what u think that horrible last 2/3 of the season did to the perception of the Sabres

After that streak,
I feel like players around the league were probably think that we were finally for real

But after the way we ended the season,
i think any UFA is back to wondering what’s wrong here & when will we actually start winning with this young talent we have

And that’s probably enough to make most wanna sign elsewhere


***and that could go for potential coaches too
- jdfitz77

Skinner saw our last place finish last year and waived his NMC to come here. In an ESPN players poll before the season started many players and executives saw Buffalo as a potential playoff team this season (and although that didn't happen) that says a lot about our perception. One unmamed player in that poll also thought we'd be the best team in the league in 5 years.

I think players and executives see the young talent that we have and the assets that we have at our disposal. Adding adding another high-end prospect with the 7th overall pick is not going to hurt our fortunes. Dahlin is only going to get better. I don't think we have seen the best of Jack or Sam.

What worries me about our club next year more then anything is our goaltending. With great goaltending even this past years version of the Sabres would have had somewhere between 85-90 points. Get a coaching staff in place that can implement defensive structure and add a few vets that can play and we are off to the races.

I want Skinner resigned, I just think the guy is going to get 8 years and $9-9.5M and I think that he’s going to be overpaid and the last 3 years will be a player we’re are overpaying much like the Leafs are overpaying for a guy like Marleau.
- Pegullaville

Doesn't matter you pay him

Doesn't matter you pay him
- SABRES 89

^ truth

Doesn't matter you pay him
- SABRES 89

The people who say “doesn’t matter you pay him” should not be allowed to complain about the term and dollars on Okposo’s deal.

The people who say “doesn’t matter you pay him” should not be allowed to complain about the term and dollars on Okposo’s deal.
- Pegullaville

To be fair, Skinner and Okposo are VERY different players.

The people who say “doesn’t matter you pay him” should not be allowed to complain about the term and dollars on Okposo’s deal.
- Pegullaville

Yeah, I remember when Okposo scored 40 goals

frank this Im taking a nap

The people who say “doesn’t matter you pay him” should not be allowed to complain about the term and dollars on Okposo’s deal.
- Pegullaville

not the same, not even close.

I was referring to the 7th overall pick this season in comparison to making short term moves that would possibly detract from our long term vision.
- Pegullaville

If Skinner walks, it makes that trade a very bad short term move.

If Skinner walks, it makes that trade a very bad short term move.
- PrinceChill

He's a long term solution that needs to be paid, how bad does it look if he walks and the bad ROR trade. It shouldn't even be up for discussion he needs to get paid.

Yeah, I remember when Okposo scored 40 goals
- jcragcrumple

I forgot assists, total points, and two way game don’t matter. Okposo had 69 points in 71 games, 51 points in 60 games, and 64 points in 79 games his last three years in Long Island. All better statistical seasons then the year then Skinner had this year.

Okposo also had 45 points in 65 games his first year here and that was almost identical to the 63 points in 82 games that Skinner had this year.

I forgot assists, total points, and two way game don’t matter. Okposo had 69 points in 71 games, 51 points in 60 games, and 64 points in 79 games his last three years in Long Island. All better statistical seasons then the year then Skinner had this year.

Okposo also had 45 points in 65 games his first year here and that was almost identical to the 63 points in 82 games that Skinner had this year.
- Pegullaville

Yea playing with Tavares, stop already. He got paid the market value from the Sabres at the time, times have changed. you can spin it any way you want, he's gonna get paid.

If the Jets lose in round 1, maybe Botterill should speak with Maurice if the Jets let him go.

The people who say “doesn’t matter you pay him” should not be allowed to complain about the term and dollars on Okposo’s deal.
- Pegullaville

This is a good take, and I agree.

That said, Sabres need Skinner far more than Skinner needs Buffalo.
40 goal scorers do not grow on trees, contrary to popular belief.
He scores a ton at even strength, and pots more game-winning/tying goals than only but 1 or 2 in the league. THAT is called a money player.
The Sabres need 3 - 4 MORE money players, not let them walk.

Yea playing with Tavares, stop already. He got paid the market value from the Sabres at the time, times have changed. you can spin it any way you want, he's gonna get paid.
- SABRES 89

Okposo actually played with Frans Nielsen more then Tavares his last two years on the Island.

Skinner also played with a guy named Jack Eichel this year so regardless we are comparing apples to apples in terms of good players who are vastly overrated due to playing with elite players.

Skinner saw our last place finish last year and waived his NMC to come here. In an ESPN players poll before the season started many players and executives saw Buffalo as a potential playoff team this season (and although that didn't happen) that says a lot about our perception. One unmamed player in that poll also thought we'd be the best team in the league in 5 years.

I think players and executives see the young talent that we have and the assets that we have at our disposal. Adding adding another high-end prospect with the 7th overall pick is not going to hurt our fortunes. Dahlin is only going to get better. I don't think we have seen the best of Jack or Sam.

What worries me about our club next year more then anything is our goaltending. With great goaltending even this past years version of the Sabres would have had somewhere between 85-90 points. Get a coaching staff in place that can implement defensive structure and add a few vets that can play and we are off to the races.
- Pegullaville

I’m wondering how that last half of the season or so affected perceptions
I’m sure it’s had an affect for some,
if not most

I don’t think those polls will be as favorable to us this offseason

Okposo actually played with Frans Nielsen more then Tavares his last two years on the Island.

Skinner also played with a guy named Jack Eichel this year so regardless we are comparing apples to apples in terms of good players who are vastly overrated due to playing with elite players.
- Pegullaville

and Okposo got paid for what it was called for at that time, Skinner needs to get paid and will get paid, Botterill doesn't hold all the cards now like he did a few months ago. Skinner's agent is going to cause issues and it didn't help what Stone got paid. I don't care what anyone says, Skinner's agent see's it and know's it. Botterill has his hands full.

Okposo actually played with Frans Nielsen more then Tavares his last two years on the Island.

Skinner also played with a guy named Jack Eichel this year so regardless we are comparing apples to apples in terms of good players who are vastly overrated due to playing with elite players.
- Pegullaville

Many things in the Okposo comparable.
Concerns are mostly slowing down at age 30, it happens unfortunately. It may be 31, even 32.
At 27 and kicking off an 8 year deal, likely the last 2 -3 are going g to be brutal.

What should also be considered as rather unique to Okposo is the horrible concussion and the medical trauma he suffered after...that doesn't happen to everyone and should not be used in a comparable to Skinner in this case.
I believe it altered quite a bit, including mental and physical aspects that has further contributed to his quick decline...maybe 1 - 2 years earlier.

Hence why I’ve been public enemy number 1 since the end of December.
- Pegullaville

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I

That's all that I ever notice with you.

People that are always pumping their own tires?

Well....

I’d rather perpetually rebuild and when we finally make the playoffs be mainstays year in and year out.
- Pegullaville

I see.

Tampa has had a multi year run of not getting it done with a big time roster, and this year was the most disappointing of those.

Sabres fans would be beyond disappointed and there would be no well, we'll get 'em next year attitude. It would just be a different type of suffering.
- kingcong39

Wonder if there is any internal discussion about a coaching change. I'd think they have to at least discuss it, especially with the season they had and the collapse in the first round. Cooper seemed to just get outcoached.

I forgot assists, total points, and two way game don’t matter. Okposo had 69 points in 71 games, 51 points in 60 games, and 64 points in 79 games his last three years in Long Island. All better statistical seasons then the year then Skinner had this year.

Okposo also had 45 points in 65 games his first year here and that was almost identical to the 63 points in 82 games that Skinner had this year.
- Pegullaville

Grade-A mental gymnastics right there

The people who say “doesn’t matter you pay him” should not be allowed to complain about the term and dollars on Okposo’s deal.
- Pegullaville

Except Okposo was never one of the top wingers in the game in any point in his career.