All sorts of rumor-speculation that Botts and Don Meehan, Jeff Skinner's agent (as well as Reinhart, Dahlin and recent fan-hard on-player Colin Miller) will be meeting this week, as Don and Newport Sports will be in town for the combine. Some type of news should (speculated) be coming out by end of week as to the status of negotiations. Botts remains extremely positive, which is much more than what was shown about Evander Kane. Not much of a sample size, because Kane was the only high profile UFA Botts has had to deal with.

"A contract is never done until you get it signed, but our discussions with Jeff have been extremely positive. I think it’s been a relationship that has worked out very well for the Buffalo Sabres, and I think it’s a relationship that has worked out very well for Jeff."
- TheSabresTaco

Yeah, JB is always very optimistic, as well as patient and cautious. His quote is mostly accurate. He's right on about contracts only being completed after they are signed. He's right about Jeff's ("Jeffy's"?) side of the relationship working out well. Here or elsewhere, he's about to get a lot of money and term.

But if he walks away for nothing, it's going to be difficult to feel that this worked out well for the Sabres.

That Kessel guy does.
- SABRES 89

Gotta give Phil this: He stays healthy and he puts up points.

For a 40 goal, 90 point center? You're not going to get that at 7
- jcragcrumple

Looks up Point, Braden.
Sees: "2014 3rd round D, 79th selection in draft."
Considers Tampa's recent history of Scouts
.
.
.
Hmph.

Easy way out....no to Olofsson and Nylander too? ERod at 4C?

Can't see that. CJ's a depth guy if they don't make several moves.
- Lunaion

Olofsson - top 6 LW
Nylander - traded this summer. 98% guaranteed IMO
Erod - find a home for him on the 3rd or 4th line. TBD the position.

Looks up Point, Braden.
Sees: "2014 3rd round D, 79th selection in draft."
Considers Tampa's recent history of Scouts
.
.
.
Hmph.
- IonSabres

I can't believe he went so low in the draft. Even without doing a deep dive scouting wise his numbers were terrific in his draft year.

And speaking of draft


The trio of WHL forwards in the projected top 10 are thoroughly uninspiring. Granted it's just surface level stuff but Id prefer the sabres swing for the fences here.

So many LW's

Skinner, Sheary, ERod, Olofsson, Nylander, Wilson, Girgensons, Smith

Nothing against CJ, but how does he make this team without losing a few?
- Lunaion

Slow in catching up...

Olofsson - 1/2LW
Skinner -1/2LW
Sheary - 3LW for 1 year
ERod - 4C
Nylander - added to trade package as a minor sweetener
Wilson/Girgs - 13th F
Wilson/Girgs - left to walk away
Smith - 3LW in 2020-21

And speaking of draft


The trio of WHL forwards in the projected top 10 are thoroughly uninspiring. Granted it's just surface level stuff but Id prefer the sabres swing for the fences here.
- Sabresfan-365

I agree with you. To me, Cozens, Dach, and Krebs are behind Caufield, Boldy, and Zegras.

And speaking of draft


The trio of WHL forwards in the projected top 10 are thoroughly uninspiring. Granted it's just surface level stuff but Id prefer the sabres swing for the fences here.
- Sabresfan-365

This trio, who do you speaketh of?

That Kessel guy does.
- SABRES 89

He also turned down the deal to Minny because they aren't close to contending. Neither are we.

https://sports.yahoo.com/...theyre-bad-221804761.html

I agree with you. To me, Cozens, Dach, and Krebs are behind Caufield, Boldy, and Zegras.
- PrinceChill

Cordell had an article on all 3 and mentioned that Krebs was a possession driver, which is useful. Him I would look further into because Kootenay was tank sabres bad.

This trio, who do you speaketh of?
- IonSabres

Cozens/Dach/Krebs

I agree with you. To me, Cozens, Dach, and Krebs are behind Caufield, Boldy, and Zegras.
- PrinceChill

I'm having a hard time prioritizing between them all.

Initially like Boldy, and still do quite a bit.
Then turned onto Cozens, but Dach is right there as well.
Caufield is unique and risky...no denying that shot...will he find his way to greatness at his size? Plenty of folks believe his lack of size will not derail him and there is evidence that being short in the modern NHL isn't anywhere as near an issue...I just don't know
I'm not frothing for Zegras for some odd reason...maybe just like others better.

Suffice to say they should get a stud at 7.

Something we're all forgetting:

Botterill doesn't draft CHL guys (hides).

Olofsson - top 6 LW
Nylander - traded this summer. 98% guaranteed IMO
Erod - find a home for him on the 3rd or 4th line. TBD the position.
- SabreWest

Fair enough, Skinner gone too then?

I'm having a hard time prioritizing between them all.

Initially like Boldy, and still do quite a bit.
Then turned onto Cozens, but Dach is right there as well.
Caufield is unique and risky...no denying that shot...will he find his way to greatness at his size? Plenty of folks believe his lack of size will not derail him and there is evidence that being short in the modern NHL isn't anywhere as near an issue...I just don't know
I'm not frothing for Zegras for some odd reason...maybe just like others better.

Suffice to say they should get a stud at 7.
- IonSabres

It's certainly difficult ranking these guys. We have limited info and insight and understanding. I just wanted to have fun figuring out a few favorites. Even if the Sabres go with someone not on my favorite list, I'll still talk myself into the pick before game one. Cuz I'm a fool.

I'm having a hard time prioritizing between them all.

Initially like Boldy, and still do quite a bit.
Then turned onto Cozens, but Dach is right there as well.
Caufield is unique and risky...no denying that shot...will he find his way to greatness at his size? Plenty of folks believe his lack of size will not derail him and there is evidence that being short in the modern NHL isn't anywhere as near an issue...I just don't know
I'm not frothing for Zegras for some odd reason...maybe just like others better.

Suffice to say they should get a stud at 7.
- IonSabres

Something I hadn't noticed till now. Zegras is committed to BU....for 2020. Any word on where he's planning to play next year?

Something we're all forgetting:

Botterill doesn't draft CHL guys (hides).
- buffalofan19

No need to hide. He doesn't.

Something I hadn't noticed till now. Zegras is committed to BU....for 2020. Any word on where he's planning to play next year?
- Sabresfan-365

Maybe just an error. Elite prospects has him going to BU next season.

https://www.eliteprospect...ayer/424453/trevor-zegras

I can't believe he went so low in the draft. Even without doing a deep dive scouting wise his numbers were terrific in his draft year.
- Sabresfan-365

Wasn’t his skating a question mark at the time? I think he’s become much better

Something we're all forgetting:

Botterill doesn't draft CHL guys (hides).
- buffalofan19

so after kakko who is the best Scandinavian?

so after kakko who is the best Scandinavian?
- SabresFaninIndiana

One of the Swedish defensemen I would think. Broberg or Söderström.

One of the Swedish defensemen I would think. Broberg or Söderström.
- PrinceChill

we could use a few more of those.. is that laaaaksonen guy coming to America next year?

Cordell had an article on all 3 and mentioned that Krebs was a possession driver, which is useful. Him I would look further into because Kootenay was tank sabres bad.
- Sabresfan-365

He had himself a nice U18.

"Krebs showed what he can do on a capable team, as he tied Alex Newhook for Canada’s leader at the 2019 U18’s in points, registering 10 in 7 games. His game had a whole new life to it when surrounded by similarly skilled players who could build off of his efforts."

we could use a few more of those.. is that laaaaksonen guy coming to America next year?
- SabresFaninIndiana

That's a good question. Elite Prospects has him going back to the Finnish Liiga, but who knows? It'd be interesting if he got a camp invite so we could see him play up close.