Heading to Wherle dome in an hour. Went on Saturday and my back is shotttt lol
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

That can happen. I go just a few times in the winter just to stay in good form but I don't over do it.

Easier to assume he can go away with a draft pick, they can sign the ideal UFA to a team friendly deal and he won't age.
- Lunaion

Easier said than done imo. It just won't be easy to trade him.

You guys think Skinner stays or tests free agency?

You guys think Skinner stays or tests free agency?
- Matthews_Auston

I think he goes at least to the legal tampering phase.

I feel that could be impacted by what Point does as well, if he signs for a home-town discount in the $7.5 range, then maybe Botts can use that to bring down the "comparable" of Stone...and they settle closer to $8.25 - $8.75M. it hurts Points argument of $9.0M. It Point gets over $8.75, then Skinner goes to FA.

You guys think Skinner stays or tests free agency?
- Matthews_Auston

Goner.

If it's 9.5M, not sure I'm even mad.

Goner.

If it's 9.5M, not sure I'm even mad.
- RhinoFan

I'm always mad.

so gus and larry are gone...we get that...Okposo does all those things, just not at a $6m/yr. level
- Michael Pachla

You got a thing for Okposo eh? He does none of those things

But when a player breaks Kane’s,kessel records that Matthews couldn’t beat that puts him in the discussion

And a player that just needs 4 goals to breaks OVS record that was set in 2002 and think about how many players have come up after him
- gerbe75pts

He is also playing on essentially an all-star team playing with an elite #1 C in Hughes against competition that likely won’t make the NHL apart from a few players.

From last blog.

I'm going to demonstrate how Trouba is a better defenseman than Ristolainen

This link shows, over a 3 year period, each man's ability to contribute to shots, possession for zone exits/entires, and entry defense ability.
https://public.tableau.co...5M94N7?:display_count=yes

The below graph shows EV shows offensive goals for, offensive expected goals, offensive corsi for, defensive expected goals and defensive corsi for. This is a clear indicator, backed up by the eye test, that Risto is clearly bad in his own end. He also does not contribute much in 5v5 scoring. His bread and butter has always been the power play. With more O-zone starts, it would be expected that his offensive analytics would rise.


Here's Risto's and Trouba's ability to control the blue line.
https://public.tableau.co...FGKH4W?:display_count=yes
- TheSabresTaco

Ristolainen is just no bueno

If we're ever going to turn the corner as a franchise, Botts is going to need to take advantage of good teams that had disappointing finishes and/or have difficult cap situations via trade. Calgary, WPG, Nashville, immediately come to mind this year, among others. Good players can be had (ROR, Neiderreiter, Strome, Pacioretty, Stone, Skinner, the list goes on and on.) The issue is, do we have enough ammo? Our lack of quality prospect depth really straps us. Sending so many valuable picks & prospects away to acquire pieces like ROR, Kane, Lehner, just to rid of those players again for little-to-no return has simply KILLED the Sabres. Add to that our lackluster draft hauls year in, year out, and you get an awful roster, mired in an 8 year playoff drought with no end in sight.

Take care folks.

I'm always mad.
- Mentalorgasm5

It's a warranted position.

I'm just comfortably numb at this point.

2 hip surgeries within a 15 month span for Bogo? He's done.

2 hip surgeries within a 15 month span for Bogo? He's done.
- mhp

So are Okposo and Sobotka, but that won't stop us from paying them $15m this year.

Good times

So are Okposo and Sobotka, but that won't stop us from paying them $15m this year.

Good times
- jcragcrumple

And don't forget Hodgson.

He is also playing on essentially an all-star team playing with an elite #1 C in Hughes against competition that likely won’t make the NHL apart from a few players.
- Pegullaville

That team is stacked with what 5 top 15 projected picks.
Gotta wonder how much to deflate their lofty production by playing on a stacked team while someone like Dach is a one man band

That team is stacked with what 5 top 15 projected picks.
Gotta wonder how much to deflate their lofty production by playing on a stacked team while someone like Dach is a one man band
- IonSabres

I’d pass for at least our first three picks. This team is already for too oriented to skill without grit. We need players who have both (not Deslauriers, though)

I’d pass for at least our first three picks. This team is already for too oriented to skill without grit. We need players who have both (not Deslauriers, though)
- Der Kaiser

Not sure if that us a shot at me, but if not, Preach on brother.

I'm not saying they aren't worthy of high picks, but I do place value on truculence, others say hard to play against. A guy like Boldy is perfect to me

55 will be traded this June!

Montour makes him expendable (plus the young D core in the system). Get that top 6 forward this team desperately needs.

Plus it’s either Duchene or Skinner! I would rather Duchene! Carolina looks pretty good this year without 53, something not right in Skinner land?
- Irish 14

Ummmmm.....
Doesn’t Colorado look good without Duchene?

Zach Bogosian, hip surgery. Out 5-6 months. Welp I just have to laugh at this point

https://twitter.com/Sabre...tatus/1120701524647215105
- OlliJochenin

So if we trade Risto,
our Right Side depth to start the season:
Montour
Nelson
Dougherty
Borgen

Maybe Dahlin plays on the right until Bogo gets back?
Or maybe we keep Risto?

Not sure if that us a shot at me, but if not, Preach on brother.

I'm not saying they aren't worthy of high picks, but I do place value on truculence, others say hard to play against. A guy like Boldy is perfect to me
- IonSabres

What part of that appears to be a shot at you? Other than the fact that yours was the last comment on his scoring, my opinion had nothing to do with you.

I am looking at the big picture

2, 3 and 4 years from now


is this team better with okposo with the big club or nylander/olofsson/thompson and 5 mil cap space
- homiedclown

So then what’s the rush to use this late 1st to get rid of Okposo NOW?

What part of that appears to be a shot at you? Other than the fact that yours was the last comment on his scoring, my opinion had nothing to do with you.
- Der Kaiser

I see.

I’d pass for at least our first three picks. This team is already for too oriented to skill without grit. We need players who have both (not Deslauriers, though)
- Der Kaiser

You would like Turcotte and Boldy then at 7. Those are the two guys who I’d select with that pick

Maybe the new guy can: Be

Younger
Skate faster
Kill penalties
Not worry about concussions
Fight
Score more then 14 goals
Not be content losing
Have Playoff experience
Not need to be protected for the Seattle expansion
Harder to play against
- Boss34

Neither will Okposo

I wonder how many times Bogo's injuries have foiled plans by the Sabres to try to unload him.
He is puting on a clinic on how to eliminate trades etc during the off- season.