I don't see how. ROR is the biggest reason the Blues won the freakin cup! Hall has been awesome but not enough to get his team to the cup. Also we got a bunch of spare trash for one great player
- bluengold12

Capt Hindsight agrees. They were also one unlucky bounce from sending pick 17 to use and ROR blowing that entire series as well as the couple months before. Trades shouldn't be valued on what the other team does, but what your team does IMO. If both teams get better (The Sabres as of right now have not) that's the goal of any trade. Yes sometimes a team makes out far better than the other team. In general trades shouldn't be judged right away (In this case, the Blues won, good on them, congrats and the like) but in the future. Exhibit A: Gaustad and a 4th traded for a 1st. Seemed like a slam dunk win for the Sabres. Except looking back (Capt Hindsight) the Preds got a great backup and potential starters in Saros with the fourth and Gaustad played well for them.

Capt Hindsight agrees. They were also one unlucky bounce from sending pick 17 to use and ROR blowing that entire series as well as the couple months before. Trades shouldn't be valued on what the other team does, but what your team does IMO. If both teams get better (The Sabres as of right now have not) that's the goal of any trade. Yes sometimes a team makes out far better than the other team. In general trades shouldn't be judged right away (In this case, the Blues won, good on them, congrats and the like) but in the future. Exhibit A: Gaustad and a 4th traded for a 1st. Seemed like a slam dunk win for the Sabres. Except looking back (Capt Hindsight) the Preds got a great backup and potential starters in Saros with the fourth and Gaustad played well for them.
- SDSabre

The Sabres also drafted Zemgus wunderkind Girensons with that 1st...

As our famous bumbling owner once said "The ultimate goal is to win the stanley cup" they accomplished that. They won the trade. We've got the longest active playoff drought and nothing yet to show for the trade. Thus far we've lost poorly. Maybe Thompson or Johnson will be good or maybe they'll be Grigorenko and McCabe

Capt Hindsight agrees. They were also one unlucky bounce from sending pick 17 to use and ROR blowing that entire series as well as the couple months before. Trades shouldn't be valued on what the other team does, but what your team does IMO. If both teams get better (The Sabres as of right now have not) that's the goal of any trade. Yes sometimes a team makes out far better than the other team. In general trades shouldn't be judged right away (In this case, the Blues won, good on them, congrats and the like) but in the future. Exhibit A: Gaustad and a 4th traded for a 1st. Seemed like a slam dunk win for the Sabres. Except looking back (Capt Hindsight) the Preds got a great backup and potential starters in Saros with the fourth and Gaustad played well for them.
- SDSabre

I would gladly take a Nelson for someone-I've-never-heard-of trade just to steer away from ror

Selke and playoff MVP trump regular season MVP. You think the Patriots would rather be 16-0 but lose the super bowl? Or barely sneak into the playoffs but then win the superbowl....
- bluengold12

You do realize that if the trade was never made ROR would not be a Selke or playoff MVP winner.

I would gladly take a Nelson for someone-I've-never-heard-of trade just to steer away from ror
- jcragcrumple

Agreed.

He went to a perfect situation. It happed and it’s done and over.

Time to move on.

You do realize that if the trade was never made ROR would not be a Selke or playoff MVP winner.
- adambuffalo

I think with the additions of Skinner and Dahlin and the subtractions of Sobotka and Thompson we could've contended for a playoff spot last year. Maybe that would mean we're stuck with Housley for another year? Who knows..

Agreed.

He went to a perfect situation. It happed and it’s done and over.

Time to move on.
- dadeadhead

some never will....

I would gladly take a Nelson for someone-I've-never-heard-of trade just to steer away from ror
- jcragcrumple

I think with the additions of Skinner and Dahlin and the subtractions of Sobotka and Thompson we could've contended for a playoff spot last year. Maybe that would mean we're stuck with Housley for another year? Who knows..
- bluengold12

The dude asked for a trade... the Sabres didn't want the cluster of negativity in the media and a holdout to loom the locker room. SO instead of being jerks to ROR about his contract requirements or whatever.... they dealt him. Sh1t happens. Other teams knew they had to deal him and to deal him before the bonus kicked.

In January... that STL pick was #1OA... okay #1OA in all of hockey. Then they started Bennington who went what 27-4 down the stretch for them??

Imagine your tune right now if they had stuck with Allen and we had gotten #1OA for ROR.

Can't anyone just be happy for a former player?? Botts did what he had to do and looked like a genius for it up until January.

I would gladly take a Nelson for someone-I've-never-heard-of trade just to steer away from ror
- jcragcrumple

so we are goign to trade our pending UFA/RFA and part time GM for nothing?

- TheSabresTaco

The Sabres also drafted Zemgus wunderkind Girensons with that 1st...

As our famous bumbling owner once said "The ultimate goal is to win the stanley cup" they accomplished that. They won the trade. We've got the longest active playoff drought and nothing yet to show for the trade. Thus far we've lost poorly. Maybe Thompson or Johnson will be good or maybe they'll be Grigorenko and McCabe
- bluengold12

Thank you for making my point.

I think with the additions of Skinner and Dahlin and the subtractions of Sobotka and Thompson we could've contended for a playoff spot last year. Maybe that would mean we're stuck with Housley for another year? Who knows..
- bluengold12

No more than 6 points better.

People are acting like ROR makes the team 20 points better.

Mannnnn....

I'm looking at a bunch of World Juniors Casey highlights and even his highlights at Minnesota.... dude is just F'n SILLLLLY talented going in circles around them guys.

He was just out of his element in the NHL this season. And for being in the NHL it was either that Housley system or he just needed to be on the wing for a year.

if he can even do 85% of what he was able to do in these clips in the NHL in the next year or 2..... our top 6 is gonna be F'n amazing.


I've been down on Casey all year but man... now I'm excited for the dude to get some confidence in his game.

Mannnnn....

I'm looking at a bunch of World Juniors Casey highlights and even his highlights at Minnesota.... dude is just F'n SILLLLLY talented going in circles around them guys.

He was just out of his element in the NHL this season. And for being in the NHL it was either that Housley system or he just needed to be on the wing for a year.

if he can even do 85% of what he was able to do in these clips in the NHL in the next year or 2..... our top 6 is gonna be F'n amazing.


I've been down on Casey all year but man... now I'm excited for the dude to get some confidence in his game.
- MillerTime3011

It's been said that Housley really emphasized the defensive side of the puck with him, not that really stifles or excuses his early season. But he did come on a little later in the year, both defensively and offensively. I saw him live as a Gopher against the Buckeyes (a much more talented overall team) and he was the best player on the ice BY FAR. I have high expectations and I think he'll meet them personally.

Mannnnn....

I'm looking at a bunch of World Juniors Casey highlights and even his highlights at Minnesota.... dude is just F'n SILLLLLY talented going in circles around them guys.

He was just out of his element in the NHL this season. And for being in the NHL it was either that Housley system or he just needed to be on the wing for a year.

if he can even do 85% of what he was able to do in these clips in the NHL in the next year or 2..... our top 6 is gonna be F'n amazing.


I've been down on Casey all year but man... now I'm excited for the dude to get some confidence in his game.
- MillerTime3011

Mitts or any players coming in from out or college always struggle their first years. Besides Eichel or maybe Keller. College players transitioning have issues

A ROR day

The dude asked for a trade... the Sabres didn't want the cluster of negativity in the media and a holdout to loom the locker room. SO instead of being jerks to ROR about his contract requirements or whatever.... they dealt him. Sh1t happens. Other teams knew they had to deal him and to deal him before the bonus kicked.

In January... that STL pick was #1OA... okay #1OA in all of hockey. Then they started Bennington who went what 27-4 down the stretch for them??

Imagine your tune right now if they had stuck with Allen and we had gotten #1OA for ROR.

Can't anyone just be happy for a former player?? Botts did what he had to do and looked like a genius for it up until January.
- MillerTime3011

He never asked for a trade. This is a myth. Botts didn't do what he had to do. He either got mad that ROR said he lost passion for the game and traded for spite or he was stupid and thought the return was good or Pegula demanded a trade because of those reasons. The locker room talk is BS Eichel was at game 7 rooting on ROR

He never asked for a trade. This is a myth. Botts didn't do what he had to do. He either got mad that ROR said he lost passion for the game and traded for spite or he was stupid and thought the return was good or Pegula demanded a trade because of those reasons. The locker room talk is BS Eichel was at game 7 rooting on ROR
- bluengold12

I'm glad only you knew what was said between a player and the coach/GM

It's been said that Housley really emphasized the defensive side of the puck with him, not that really stifles or excuses his early season. But he did come on a little later in the year, both defensively and offensively. I saw him live as a Gopher against the Buckeyes (a much more talented overall team) and he was the best player on the ice BY FAR. I have high expectations and I think he'll meet them personally.
- SDSabre

Maybe give him linemates besides streaky Sheary and bum Girensons and he'd score more

Maybe give him linemates besides streaky Sheary and bum Girensons and he'd score more
- bluengold12

Agree with this one.

I'm glad only you knew what was said between a player and the coach/GM
- SDSabre

LOL so the guy claiming ROR asked for a trade is right because it fits your narrative? Pretty positive ROR is on record saying he was happy here

Many would agree with you. And the Conn Smythe was by no means a runaway either. Parayko and Binnington both have a claim to it, similar to Kessel that one year.

Whatever. It's immaterial to us now anyway
- jcragcrumple

The Conn Smythe is voted on by the media, who is always going to pick the guy with the best story. That was O'Reilly by a mile.

I would argue that Boston trading Spooner, Beleskey, Lindgren a 1st and a 7th to the Rangers for Rick Nash was a worse trade. Nash did play 11 games for Boston though, so maybe it was worth it.

The dude asked for a trade... the Sabres didn't want the cluster of negativity in the media and a holdout to loom the locker room. SO instead of being jerks to ROR about his contract requirements or whatever.... they dealt him. Sh1t happens. Other teams knew they had to deal him and to deal him before the bonus kicked.

In January... that STL pick was #1OA... okay #1OA in all of hockey. Then they started Bennington who went what 27-4 down the stretch for them??

Imagine your tune right now if they had stuck with Allen and we had gotten #1OA for ROR.

Can't anyone just be happy for a former player?? Botts did what he had to do and looked like a genius for it up until January.
- MillerTime3011

While I would prefer to move beyond the ROR issue, I think we need to get this issue very clear. In Botterill's interview after the trade, he admitted that the club began discussing the move of ROR to STL at the deadline and the pieces of the agreement didn't come together until after the season was over.

He DID NOT orchestrate his way out of the team, the team decided to move on from him. I'm not sure why, and - in June 2019 - I don't really care anymore why they decided to move on. But I do care about deflating myths.