He said they were talking to 3 teams about Risto trade. You lose your internet connection out there?

Stop following me around. Stay off my wave and save yourself some embarrassment.
- Hatboro_Swords

"Prove what 3 teams Risto will be traded to" Your words. And I just had a little play off of it, can't handle it, don't post in a message board guy. Internet connection is just fine, and trust me, never followed you around, unless you are referring to the word putz, which I actually find quite amusing. Anyway, flag my post if you feel "hurt" or "attacked"

How about just be a good team.

Would NyQuist not make this team better both short and long term.

Is that not the goal of the GM?

I feel like most of you would settle for being bad every year just to get top prospects and keep being excited about them.
- ImThatGuy

Marginally.

I'd rather pass and make another trade that has a bigger impact. That said, if Botterill doesn't do that this summer, then I'm crossing to your side.

I personally would have liked the nyquist signing.

I see people saying "do you think Nyquist win the cup?"

And the answer is simple, NO! Eichel and Dahlin will win the cup, but you need players such as Nyquist for lines 2 and 3. That is how you win a cup.
- Mentalorgasm5

Sure
But we can still build a Cup team without him too
He’d have been a decent get at that price
Our insiders said we were talking to him
Nyquist chose not to come here
It’s ok

So which is it? Are we close or not?

You want 33-35 year old Nyquist when Dahlin needs to be paid and we’re actually contending?

Or do you just wanna be excited in July ?
- sbroads24

I’ve noticed us agreeing quite a bit lately

How about just be a good team.

Would NyQuist not make this team better both short and long term.

Is that not the goal of the GM?

I feel like most of you would settle for being bad every year just to get top prospects and keep being excited about them.
- ImThatGuy

No. That’s why we probably didn’t outbid them

Tampa sure doesn’t think he’s “broken”
But u know more than them, so ok

It’s not like I’m saying don’t move him
Just better be for a legit return
And be prepared to miss him more than u think u will
- jdfitz77

Holy poop, Tampa traded for him...I missed that completely, lol.
Seriously, they appear to have moved on...for whatever reason...not a fit?
Where did I say I know more than them? Implied, ok ... but take your own meds, lol.

As far as Risto specifically, he is now redundant to both Montour and Miller.
He ain't a 1st pairing, we have seen that.
2nd? It has been suggested to get his minutes down to 18 and coddle him with high O-zone starts...doesn't sound like a 2nd either.
3rd, sure...at $5.4m though?
I don't like his game, but more importantly Botts has replaced him...now he is trying to find his next employer.

Maybe not in Buffalo, but the ROR trade went over like a warm fart in church with the rest of the hockey world. FYI
- Hatboro_Swords

And boy is that being blown way out of proportion.

Given that Cryin Ryan was forcing his way out, taking an L on that one isn't surprising at all. Now that we got Miller and Johnson, I'm actually much more satisified with the return.

And boy is that being blown way out of proportion.

Given that Cryin Ryan was forcing his way out, taking an L on that one isn't surprising at all. Now that we got Miller and Johnson, I'm actually much more satisified with the return.
- RhinoFan

Talked with an asst. coach for the Stampede, and they were all under the impression that he was going anywhere from 24-32 for what it's worth. My little tidbit of insider knowledge, which isn't much I know.

Holy poop, Tampa traded for him...I missed that completely, lol.
Seriously, they appear to have moved on...for whatever reason...not a fit?
Where did I say I know more than them? Implied, ok ... but take your own meds, lol.

As far as Risto specifically, he is now redundant to both Montour and Miller.
He ain't a 1st pairing, we have seen that.
2nd? It has been suggested to get his minutes down to 18 and coddle him with high O-zone starts...doesn't sound like a 2nd either.
3rd, sure...at $5.4m though?
I don't like his game, but more importantly Botts has replaced him...now he is trying to find his next employer.
- IonSabres

So then you’re getting what u want, right?
Why so fired up then???

Hence the gamble part. Idk that it "decreased" RHD are always in a premium. My point is, if he was never blown away by an offer, why do it? His job is to make the team better. Only trade to do that. Don't just trade to trade.
- SDSabre

Of course not. But having 5 guys on the right, none of which is a 1st pairing IMO begs for someone to go. And he is their most attractive asset, I would think. It is a gamble to watch his value deteriorate.

This is THE issue in my mind.
Jason, TO DATE has largely set on his ass while more teams have figured out how to move challenging contracts, acquire talent and add to their roster. More teams have run by the Sabres.
90 poi ts? Good friggin luck!
Yes, it is only July 2nd, however in the rear view mirror I now see the 3 prime events that teams have used to reshape the future of their roster:
-TDL
-Draft
-FA opening day

Trades will be made between now and October, sure. But the volume and quality of assets moved are overwhelmingly done over those 3 events above.
For this upcoming season, one of the few ways to impact the roster significantly is by trading Risto...however, the more time that passes, fewer teams will have need to do so by having found other options...Tampa, Vancouver, Winnipeg as examples who have already moved on.

Next we will hear that it was a tough market to move a friggin young, cost-controlled RhD with term left, who has solid offensive production, with a reputation for toughness, and is entering his prime years.
- IonSabres

This is the descriptor we use when we’re trying to get other teams to ale him. What if they’re all as smart as we are, and know he sucks and is bad at hockey?

Talked with an asst. coach for the Stampede, and they were all under the impression that he was going anywhere from 24-32 for what it's worth. My little tidbit of insider knowledge, which isn't much I know.
- SDSabre

Interesting. Had seen the 25-35 range for him, either way, not a reach and in a deep draft I'm hoping he can be something.

Either way, a nice D prospect to our system. He seems to be more solid defensively per reports than many we have in the system. Didn't like it at first given who slid, but like the player a lot.

How’s that James Neal signing working out for the Flames?

Was signed 1 year ago

I’m glad JB is trying to avoid the massive mistakes made in July 1.

But hey, Canuck fans are super excited!

Of course not. But having 5 guys on the right, none of which is a 1st pairing IMO begs for someone to go. And he is their most attractive asset, I would think. It is a gamble to watch his value deteriorate.
- IonSabres

Maybe. Could go either way. Only one way to find out.

Of course not. But having 5 guys on the right, none of which is a 1st pairing IMO begs for someone to go. And he is their most attractive asset, I would think. It is a gamble to watch his value deteriorate.
- IonSabres

Good point at the end here.

If we don't trade, and Risto struggles again, he may be valueless. Right now he should still fetch something shiny. Perhaps it's as simple as that. We have better in the organization and he is our best opportunity to enhance our forward ranks.

How’s that James Neal signing working out for the Flames?

Was signed 1 year ago

I’m glad JB is trying to avoid the massive mistakes made in July 1.

But hey, Canuck fans are super excited!
- sbroads24

I missed you.

Interesting. Had seen the 25-35 range for him, either way, not a reach and in a deep draft I'm hoping he can be something.

Either way, a nice D prospect to our system. He seems to be more solid defensively per reports than many we have in the system. Didn't like it at first given who slid, but like the player a lot.
- RhinoFan

His skating is top notch, NHL ready per that coach. Plays smart positioning(Has to due to lack of size), excellent stick work in the corners to battle for loose pucks, can drive play. All signs of a modern d-man. I think he'll be a good one.

I’m done with the Excuses supposedly the problem was that Phil Housley was holding them back

So what’s going to be the excuse this year.
- gerbe75pts

Man, take a fkng Xanax..

Good point at the end here.

If we don't trade, and Risto struggles again, he may be valueless. Right now he should still fetch something shiny. Perhaps it's as simple as that. We have better in the organization and he is our best opportunity to enhance our forward ranks.
- RhinoFan

I've heard that two summers in a row know. He's either too toxic to trade now, or still has a ton of value and shouldn't be traded for spare parts.

That’s kind of why I have such issues.

The Sabres have sucked so bad, players are avoiding this team Like the plague.

Botts said they were aggressive, but those players chose teams other than Buffalo.

I fear this team is going to be stuck in a rut for a bit until some of the young players progress, which could be 2-3 years.
- ImThatGuy

Which is why, imo, his methodical approach and judicious use of resources isn't a bad thing

Could be as early as this year IMO. More likely 2 more years. I like Miller as his partner too.
- lulags

Miller has proved he can absolutely dominate soft competition. Moving him up to the 2nd pair is an unknown right now, and may be (or may not be) his max potential.

It's like Endgame. The time travel element created alternate realities. We're in one of those now. Just an FYI.
- buffalofan19

I like this reality. We have Jeff Skinner and a player from the fabled CHL

Good post

This team is still all about eichel.

Vesey should get along with eichel.
- Boss34

He wants to be the man on the ice, he also needs to be the man off the ice as well. He’s doing a great in the community by the looks of things and maybe I’m way off base here but it sure looks like he needs to start getting some of the other guys engaged a lot more about getting to the next level.

So then you’re getting what u want, right?
Why so fired up then???
- jdfitz77

Not fired up, disappointed, very much so.
I didn't expect much in FA so that is completely fine.
I suspect the "return" for Risto won't be there and therefore what we have is largely what we will have.
And that isn't good enough.
My earlier post on the previous blog talked about as they stand now, right now..they might get 85 points and 90% of that is projected from Krueger having an impact.

I wanted Miller, didn't want Vesey but he is better than Sheary...they improved marginally.
It ain't good enough yet...hopefully he has some big magic to come...I'm just not seeing it.

Haven't picked one out yet
- jcragcrumple

Might as well make it one that has a good view or is aesthetically pleasing