Okposo needs another shot

Still a potential 20+ goal scorer with better complimentary players and better coaching.

We're paying him, he needs another chance
- Boss34

conversely, how does one justify playing Sobotka in any role? At least Larry was good in a purely defensive role. He wasn't good at literally anything.

Okposo needs another shot

Still a potential 20+ goal scorer with better complimentary players and better coaching.

We're paying him, he needs another chance
- Boss34

He'll get his shot.
He needs to pot 20 though

I wouldn't count on Nylander for anything other than getting hurt and disappearing.

Contrary to the MVP of the development camp award, Tage looked like Tage when I went to camp.
- jcragcrumple

Very accurate post.

Tage and nylander are similar to bailey and baptiste

We are hoping they are good, but aren't

Okposo needs another shot

Still a potential 20+ goal scorer with better complimentary players and better coaching.

We're paying him, he needs another chance
- Boss34

3 out of 11 seasons he's hit 20 goals. 3 concussions ago

Okposo needs another shot

Still a potential 20+ goal scorer with better complimentary players and better coaching.

We're paying him, he needs another chance
- Boss34

Forget the money. Okposo is still an excellent burst of offense from the bottom 6. He's easily one of the twelve best forwards on the team. He will be useful in filling out the third and fourth lines.

conversely, how does one justify playing Sobotka in any role? At least Larry was good in a purely defensive role. He wasn't good at literally anything.
- TheSabresTaco

Honestly,
Botts still has much work to do.
2C, 1 or 2 RW and RhD for 1st Pairing.
He did a masterful job of solidifying the LW and the 3rd Line.
2nd line has big holes remaining.
Can he make it work with what they have? Only if he likes having players continue to play a line up from their optimal spot...same with 1st Pairing RhD.
I don't expect him to fill them all, a solid 2RW would be great.
A 2C is hopefully such a short-term need it makes it difficult to justify spending $$$'s on now.

Who do you sit when you have Risto, Bogo, Montour and Miller on the right side. How do you decrease Risto's minutes if Bogo misses time. How do you justify giving any one of those guys top pairing minutes.
- TheSabresTaco

You're worried about Risto and Bogo being in the lineup at the same time this year?

conversely, how does one justify playing Sobotka in any role? At least Larry was good in a purely defensive role. He wasn't good at literally anything.
- TheSabresTaco

Okposo scored more then larrson and sobotka combined.

Goals, assists and points.

Maybe you response to ed to the wrong post?

You're worried about Risto and Bogo being in the lineup at the same time this year?
- Slump Buster

No. I'm concerned that we are not only overcrowded on the right side, but we are overcrowded with 2nd and 3 pairing dmen. And, the team will find another excuse to play Risto 25 minutes a night and wonder why he continues to get absolutely torched. That's what I'm concerned about.

Also, not sure if you making a little tongue in cheek there, but Risto doesn't really tend to miss much time, and even Bogo plays SOME games.

You're worried about Risto and Bogo being in the lineup at the same time this year?
- Slump Buster

I wouldn't mind seeing Bogo back next year on a 3 x $2.25m contract for 3rd pairing dutues.
He was a force during the Sabres win streak and showed his mean streak...gave his teammates confidence early on. Then it disappeared the last 2/3rds of the season.
That Bogo was good.
I mean how many hip surgeries can one have?

No. I'm concerned that we are not only overcrowded on the right side, but we are overcrowded with 2nd and 3 pairing dmen. And, the team will find another excuse to play Risto 25 minutes a night and wonder why he continues to get absolutely torched. That's what I'm concerned about.
- TheSabresTaco

July 8

July 8
- Slump Buster

July 8. I'm there. Like I've just outlined there needs to be trades with players leaving for once.

Honestly,
Botts still has much work to do.
2C, 1 or 2 RW and RhD for 1st Pairing.
He did a masterful job of solidifying the LW and the 3rd Line.
2nd line has big holes remaining.
Can he make it work with what they have? Only if he likes having players continue to play a line up from their optimal spot...same with 1st Pairing RhD.
I don't expect him to fill them all, a solid 2RW would be great.
A 2C is hopefully such a short-term need it makes it difficult to justify spending $$$'s on now.
- IonSabres

What about the Rangers? They added Panarin and Trouba also wants his now. Maybe there's a another deal to be made there?

3 out of 11 seasons he's hit 20 goals. 3 concussions ago
- jcragcrumple

YEAR GP G A
2011-12 79 24 21
2012-13 48 4 20
2013-14 71 27 42
2014-15 60 18 33
2015-16 79 22 42
2016-17 65 19 26
2017-18 76 15 29
2018-19 78 14 15

To be fair,
- 14-15 year he would have scored 20 if he played ~80 games
- 16-17 year he would have scored 20 if he played ~80 games
- 17-18 he did not train (or move much) during the summer, so his fitness was horrible come season time.
- 18-19 he could have played better, everyone could have. But 14 goals is not "nothing" although we should expect much more from an $6m / year player.

So that would be 5 of 8 seasons he scored 20+ goals.

I wouldn't mind seeing Bogo back next year on a 3 x $2.25m contract for 3rd pairing dutues.
He was a force during the Sabres win streak and showed his mean streak...gave his teammates confidence early on. Then it disappeared the last 2/3rds of the season.
That Bogo was good.
I mean how many hip surgeries can one have?
- IonSabres

Problem is you can't count on him for poop. Give 3 years to Jake Muzzin. Or of the ilk.

No. I'm concerned that we are not only overcrowded on the right side, but we are overcrowded with 2nd and 3 pairing dmen. And, the team will find another excuse to play Risto 25 minutes a night and wonder why he continues to get absolutely torched. That's what I'm concerned about.

Also, not sure if you making a little tongue in cheek there, but Risto doesn't really tend to miss much time, and even Bogo plays SOME games.
- TheSabresTaco

Freddy...errrr Ralphie-boy is going to fix Risto. But you are right, who plays 1st Pairing RhD?
He/she is not on the roster yet.

Forget the money. Okposo is still an excellent burst of offense from the bottom 6. He's easily one of the twelve best forwards on the team. He will be useful in filling out the third and fourth lines.
- matty12345

KO had 7 of his 14 goals on the PP this past year. If Johansson takes his spot, which seems likely as Mojo's zone entry ability is among his greatest strengths, KO could very well have 7-10 goals this year

July 8. I'm there. Like I've just outlined there needs to be trades with players leaving for once.
- TheSabresTaco

Several of the scrubs won't be here as we can walk away from them or dump them for low picks. I don't mind that Botts is keeping his options open.

What about the Rangers? They added Panarin and Trouba also wants his now. Maybe there's a another deal to be made there?
- Ratsreign

Rags are up and coming. I'll be tuning into their games for sure.

Okposo needs another shot

Still a potential 20+ goal scorer with better complimentary players and better coaching.

We're paying him, he needs another chance
- Boss34

he's had 3 chances

gotten worse each year

he's had 3 chances

gotten worse each year
- homiedclown

I'm guessing 8 goals 25 points this year, with a buyout next june

No. I'm concerned that we are not only overcrowded on the right side, but we are overcrowded with 2nd and 3 pairing dmen. And, the team will find another excuse to play Risto 25 minutes a night and wonder why he continues to get absolutely torched. That's what I'm concerned about.

Also, not sure if you making a little tongue in cheek there, but Risto doesn't really tend to miss much time, and even Bogo plays SOME games.
- TheSabresTaco

I think with the additions of both Miller and Montour, Risto will no longer see that much time.

I could see Dahlin playing majority of his time with Miller, but then Risto still getting some game time with him since we do not have a number 2 on the team.

Dahlin 26 mins a game, 20 with Miller, 6 with Risto.

I'm guessing 8 goals 25 points this year, with a buyout next june
- jcragcrumple

It wouldn't surprise me if we offer Seattle a #1 to take him. I don't think a buyout next year is much better than it was this year. They don't want the long-term hit.

If there are no more changes:

Skinner-Eichel- Olafsson > Olafsson had really goood advanced metrics in a six game tryout, and 4 points in 6 games. This is a spot he can pot 25 goals in, and the spot is absolutely wasted on Reinhart, who needs to make a second unit score. The other options here are Johansson and Sheary, but both would be really better off elsewhere.

Johansson- Reinhart-Vesey > I would rather see Vesey on the third line, but he is the best 3rd liner who can upgrade to the 2nd. Johansson or Sam centres, don't care who, both can do it.

Sheary - Middlestadt - Okposo >Pretty good third line IM0

Ruotsalainen/Nylander/CJ Smith/Oglevie/Asplund/Lazar/Tage Thompson + Rodrigues >It is do or die time for CJ Smith, Lazar, Nylander, and Tage. I want to see two forwards make the fourth line that aren't named Girgensons. Personally, I'm routing for Ruotsalainen and Nylander here. The rest go to the Amercs

I would keep one of Larsson/Girgensons for a 13th forward. Sobodka and the other one are gone.

I'm guessing 8 goals 25 points this year, with a buyout next june
- jcragcrumple

NOOOOO. If that is the case, suck it up for 2 years, then give a 2nd to Seattle to take him. It is not worth to buy out 3 years of term.

Also I could see him moved next year after July 1st to a team that is cash low and needs to get to the floor. After his signing bonus on 7/1 he will be owed 3 million, then 4 million, closed off with 4 million.

11 million cash for a 18 million in cap.