I still would like to know who plays defense on this team. Another guy who starts 60% of the time in the O-Zone.
- Wetbandit1

What if I told you.... There will be no D-Zone starts at all!!! After all, the best defense is a good offense! Right?

Dahlin and Joki as a future D pairing for the next 10+ years?

What's Joki's MO? offensive D-man, or more of a stay at home type?
- ajb2493

Very good trade for the Sabres. Watched him play quite a few games last year. Came in after his draft+1 season as a rookie (same draft as Heiskanen and Makar) and was very reliable. Sabres back-end is shaping up nicely.

For only giving up Nylander, this is a trade I'm sure every other team in the league wishes they would have made.

I still would like to know who plays defense on this team. Another guy who starts 60% of the time in the O-Zone.
- Wetbandit1

It's a brave new world.

Botterill is literally assembling an all puck-mover d corps. It's outlet passes and puck moving. There's no traditional defense. We'll see how it plays out

I still would like to know who plays defense on this team. Another guy who starts 60% of the time in the O-Zone.
- Wetbandit1

He was on the top pair with Duncan Keith before Q was fired, and played very well (per Hawks fans)

Then he was demoted for some reason when the new guy came in.

Jokiharju will be a 1st pair defenseman for you for a very long time.

HOF HC Joel Q played him 1st pair to start last season. Then idiot rookie Swedish Tier 2 coach Colliton sends him to World Juniors (where he teamed with Kappo Kakko to win Gold), then to Rockford.

Joki was among the Hawks 4 best defensemen last year. A HUGE win for the Sabres. Congrats!
- scottak

I literally don't understand the reasoning for the Hawks.

Legit Basically gave up a future number one or number two defenseman that will be steady As hell and plays Like the rumored Kaberle that we always used to be after
- gerbe75pts

I like the sounds of that.

He was on the top pair with Duncan Keith before Q was fired, and played very well (per Hawks fans)

Then he was demoted for some reason when the new guy came in.
- ImThatGuy

I think the new coach said something about how 19-year-olds belonged in the minors where they can take their girlfriends on dates or something like that.

Oh, wait. Wrong guy.

This kid is a 20 YO dman that the Hawks didn't give an opportunity to after firing Q. This is like a fantasy trade where you actually feel bad about ripping the other guy off.

I really don't understand this deal from the Hawks. Joker is a top 4 dman easily in this league and so young. No idea why we would trade him for Nylander. As a Hawks fan I say Buff easily wins this deal.
Maybe Bowmen thought it was for his brother in Toronto?
- Boisy12

Joker....I like that.

This kid is a 20 YO dman that the Hawks didn't give an opportunity to after firing Q. This is like a fantasy trade where you actually feel bad about ripping the other guy off.
- TheSabresTaco

I guess Nylander somehow had value

Well... I absolutely love the trade and am so happy to FINALLY see Bustlander go. But has anyone checked on Stan Bowman? What on earth was the man thinking? Did he get ahold of Tim Murray's secret water bottle?

He was on the top pair with Duncan Keith before Q was fired, and played very well (per Hawks fans)

Then he was demoted for some reason when the new guy came in.
- ImThatGuy

Joker had 5 points and was a +5 in his first three games of the season.

He had 7 points and was a -12 in the other 35.

So we should all pump the breaks a little bit here. He got off to a good start to the year, and it helped that Q had a lot of trust in him by giving him by putting him on the top pair with Keith, but his game didn’t click with Colliton, he saw less minutes, was sent to the AHL, and was frustrated.

He’s a good, talented young kid. His play this offseason should instill confidence heading into next season.

Unfortunately for the Hawks, with Keith and Seabrook already on the roster, the new guys in Maatta and de Haan added, and Colliton favorite Gus, as well as Murphy (who was the most steady d-man the Hawks have), on top of having Boqvist, Mitchell, and Beaudin already in the pipeline, it made Joki more expendable.

On paper I think it’s a win for Buffalo for sure. But at the same time, Nylander was the 8th overall pick for a reason, and was only drafted one year ahead of Joker so it’s not like there’s a huge discrepancy in what they have accomplished.

Plus, it looks like Nylander played well in his brief stint with the Sabres last season. Hopefully this trade works out for both sides.

This kid is a 20 YO dman that the Hawks didn't give an opportunity to after firing Q. This is like a fantasy trade where you actually feel bad about ripping the other guy off.
- TheSabresTaco

It’s not like he was bad either. He was playing with Keith.

New coach, new vision I guess.

Man do the Hawks need to get rid of Bowman.

He was on the top pair with Duncan Keith before Q was fired, and played very well (per Hawks fans)

Then he was demoted for some reason when the new guy came in.
- ImThatGuy

18:59 ATOI is not top pair minutes, and he started 60% of the time in the O-Zone. I like the move. I just want to know who, other than Risto, on the roster plays more than 46% of the time in the D-Zone?

The Sabres have just committed an act of legalized theft here....bravo

If coach q loved him does this possibly set up trade with florida. Joker + for top 6?

I hate this trade.

Sincerely,

Toronto Maple Leafs fans everywhere.

Congrats.

Joker had 5 points and was a +5 in his first three games of the season.

He had 7 points and was a -12 in the other 35.

So we should all pump the breaks a little bit here. He got off to a good start to the year, and it helped that Q had a lot of trust in him by giving him by putting him on the top pair with Keith, but his game didn’t click with Colliton, he saw less minutes, was sent to the AHL, and was frustrated.

He’s a good, talented young kid. His play this offseason should instill confidence heading into next season.

Unfortunately for the Hawks, with Keith and Seabrook already on the roster, the new guys in Maatta and de Haan added, and Colliton favorite Gus, as well as Murphy (who was the most steady d-man the Hawks have), on top of having Boqvist, Mitchell, and Beaudin already in the pipeline, it made Joki more expendable.

On paper I think it’s a win for Buffalo for sure. But at the same time, Nylander was the 8th overall pick for a reason, and was only drafted one year ahead of Joker so it’s not like there’s a huge discrepancy in what they have accomplished.

Plus, it looks like Nylander played well in his brief stint with the Sabres last season. Hopefully this trade works out for both sides.
- TommyHawk

Trying to be as objective as possible here. I don't understand the reasoning behind giving away a 20 y/o rookie dman (with years to grow) for an inconsistent, supremely skilled perimeter winger. Nylander's potential is higher, and his floor is much, much lower. I've always pulled for the kid and I hope he works out for Chicago. But right now, this looks like an absolute steal for Buffalo.

It's a brave new world.

Botterill is literally assembling an all puck-mover d corps. It's outlet passes and puck moving. There's no traditional defense. We'll see how it plays out
- jcragcrumple

Leafs-Sabres games are going to be track meets.

Can't wait for the 24-22 games.

I hate this trade.

Sincerely,

Toronto Maple Leafs fans everywhere.

Congrats.
- Atomic Wedgie

Yeah, you know you dun gud when the Leafers hate it.

I hate this trade.

Sincerely,

Toronto Maple Leafs fans everywhere.

Congrats.
- Atomic Wedgie

This warms the cockles

It’s not like he was bad either. He was playing with Keith.

New coach, new vision I guess.

Man do the Hawks need to get rid of Bowman.
- ImThatGuy

They have some nice pieces which make him expendable in a sense. Granted Keith and Seabrook are on their way out, they can't/won't get rid of them. If I'm Bowmen, I still ask for more. Unless he was frustrated (Joker) and asked for a trade.

I hate this trade.

Sincerely,

Toronto Maple Leafs fans everywhere.

Congrats.
- Atomic Wedgie

POTD

18:59 ATOI is not top pair minutes, and he started 60% of the time in the O-Zone. I like the move. I just want to know who, other than Risto, on the roster plays more than 46% of the time in the D-Zone?
- Wetbandit1

Go read the Hawks board dude. I’m just reporting what they are saying.

Leafs-Sabres games are going to be track meets.

Can't wait for the 24-22 games.
- Atomic Wedgie

Woah! That's, like, higher scoring than Buffalo-Toronto lacrosse games.