- washedup20

Two years of play while mentoring and shielding Mittelstadt should count toward some long-term value, even if he walked in UFA.

Maybe Botterill acquired Vesey to play here long term, or to flip at the deadline. But if Vesey walks for nothing, I won't think the trade sucked as long as it made the team better this year. Likewise for RNH. Without knowing Botterill's intention for Vesey, I don't think we can say it's a move Botterill wouldn't make
- jcragcrumple

But there’s a BIG difference between giving up a 3rd for Vesey and Risto for RNH

If Risto is moved,
it should be for someone that we plan on having here for a while
Even with the guys we have coming,
Botts still has a lot of work to do to become a contender

Risto should be used to acquire a piece(s) that will help us become legit Cup Contenders for the long term
Not just someone who will be here for a year or 2

I can't believe they signed a kid who will NEVER be able to add any muscle to that frame.

You know, cuz it's hard.

(frank)ing PUTZ.
- Powerslave

I just wish we didn't draft Tyler Dubinsky. Incapable of aging or gaining weight, incapable of gaining any skill worth mentioning, let alone the fact that he has no skill what so ever.

The kid is just a disabled giraffe.

With respect to RNH at the end of 2 years, I believe you deal with it then. If he won't resign for reasonable, deal him at the TDL, if he is reasonable sign him. Let who plays where payout in 2 years, if RNH is the best 2C, so be it. Cozens and/or Mitts can play wing or they can be dealt as well.
- IonSabres

Well said. I dont know where people come to the conclusion that we would just let him walk at the end of 2 years. There's all kinds of scenarios where he could be turned in to an asset at the 2021 trade deadline, which Botts would most likely assess in conjunction with Mitts and Cozens development.
Seems like the perfect short term solution to allow the younger centers to properly develop.

Giants S Kamrin Moore is suspended pending investigation, Charged with third degree assault for punching a woman, knocking her unconscious and stepping on her neck.

4 games

But there’s a BIG difference between giving up a 3rd for Vesey and Risto for RNH

If Risto is moved,
it should be for someone that we plan on having here for a while
Even with the guys we have coming,
Botts still has a lot of work to do to become a contender

Risto should be used to acquire a piece(s) that will help us become legit Cup Contenders for the long term
Not just someone who will be here for a year or 2
- jdfitz77

I think there's a risk of becoming paralyzed with indecision here. Are we cup contenders with RNH? No, but we are a much better team, and slotting him at that position makes everything line up better. It puts us one step closer to contention. Failing to make the move doesn't make us better. This team is better with RNH than with Risto.

If there's a better move than RNH, go for it, but don't let perfection be the enemy of good.

It would be a good move, not a perfect move. I'm fine with that.

Would you move either mitts or cozens to acquire a real long term 2c?

Might need to move Sam or risto plus especially for malkin.

I like the idea
- Boss34

Malkin's about to turn 33, and it certainly doesn't look like he's moving this year. Just doesn't feel like a fit at all. JB's not going to hit the accelerate button and pay big for someone on the wrong side of 30.

Giants S Kamrin Moore is suspended pending investigation, Charged with third degree assault for punching a woman, knocking her unconscious and stepping on her neck.

4 games
- TheSabresTaco

3 if there's video...because of appeal.

Malkin's about to turn 33, and it certainly doesn't look like he's moving this year. Just doesn't feel like a fit at all. JB's not going to hit the accelerate button and pay big for someone on the wrong side of 30.
- Lunaion

It's definitely not his style. But besides that, yeah, the Sabres aren't competing with Malkin, but I think they're quite close. The assets we'd need to use would be damaging for the future, and I'm not sure the Sabres are in the business of giving up that much at this point.

I can't believe they signed a kid who will NEVER be able to add any muscle to that frame.

You know, cuz it's hard.

(frank)ing PUTZ.
- Powerslave

GMing is hard. but that PUTZ makes it look so much harder. Draft the Giraffe that can't add weight, because you know, stuff. But Kale Caufield would have been the best because who needs weight or size to play the show. AMIRITE?

Malkin's about to turn 33, and it certainly doesn't look like he's moving this year. Just doesn't feel like a fit at all. JB's not going to hit the accelerate button and pay big for someone on the wrong side of 30.
- Lunaion

Pretty spot on lunaion

The season ticket holder in me wants to speed this up, but that's not botts style.

Does seem like were due for a trade with the penguins though

Pretty spot on lunaion

The season ticket holder in me wants to speed this up, but that's not botts style.

Does seem like were due for a trade with the penguins though
- Boss34

I hope they don't trade with them in foreseeable future. If they want to move on from someone, it doesn't feel like it's in our best interest.

I am fine with #2 for sure

It's number 1 that I think could be an issue long term
- Stripes77

True
That’s why I’d lean towards Ehlers instead
Having him signed for 6yrs at 6mil should end up being a steal

1) Risto for Ehlers
2) 2nd & prospect (Tage? Cj?) for Gusev
3) sign Gardiner (5x5, i ssume price has dropped)
4) sign Smith-Pelley for “snarl”
5) ship out dead weight for whatever
*sobatka, Scandella, Hunwick
6) trade Bogo if possible for extra Cap room
*if not, move Sheary

I know that gives us a million LWs,
but we use preseason to see who is comfortable on the right- they’ve all spent some time there anyways

Skinner-Eichel-Johansson
Ehlers-Mitts-Reinhart
Gusev-E Rod-Vesey
Girgs-Larsson-Okposo
SmithPelley

Dahlin-Miller
Gardiner-Jokiharju
McCabe-Montour
Nelson

*Bogo & Pilut start on IR
*Olofsson & Asplund start in Rochester

That’s a playoff roster, with pretty decent depth of defensemen and forwards not even on opening night roster

Our RfA signings will put us at the cap. Trades must be made if we want to add a 2c

I think there's a risk of becoming paralyzed with indecision here. Are we cup contenders with RNH? No, but we are a much better team, and slotting him at that position makes everything line up better. It puts us one step closer to contention. Failing to make the move doesn't make us better. This team is better with RNH than with Risto.

If there's a better move than RNH, go for it, but don't let perfection be the enemy of good.

It would be a good move, not a perfect move. I'm fine with that.
- jcragcrumple

But there’s also no rush to move Risto
It’s not like teams will stop having a need for RH defensemen

Botts doesn’t need to make the best possible trade NOW
He can wait for the right one

I have faith in Mitts & Cozens
So for me, it would be a young scoring winger that I’d like back

Our RfA signings will put us at the cap. Trades must be made if we want to add a 2c
- lulags

More fun to ignore that and keep spending like we have 15m of space.

They still haven't addressed the lack of "snarl" on this team.
- Powerslave

Yeah... who the frank are we going to get a grit and snarl from ?

But there’s also no rush to move Risto
It’s not like teams will stop having a need for RH defensemen

Botts doesn’t need to make the best possible trade NOW
He can wait for the right one

I have faith in Mitts & Cozens
So for me, it would be a young scoring winger that I’d like back
- jdfitz77

Sure, that makes sense. Like i said, I don't have a favorite out of Ehlers, RNH or Mantha. I'm just saying, there are holes we can poke in any one of them.

I'm sure someone will talk about Ehlers' playoff stats, or how we need a RW instead of a LW. RNH I guess is the contract issue. Not sure what people will grumble about as it pertains to Mantha, but I'm sure it's something.

There will always be reasons why something isn't the perfect move, but I'll take any one of the 3, as i think will improve the team. Who knows, maybe none of them are available, but I would gladly support any one of the moves

Hey discord bros,
Can I get an invite? Believe I got banned somehow...

True
That’s why I’d lean towards Ehlers instead
Having him signed for 6yrs at 6mil should end up being a steal

1) Risto for Ehlers
2) 2nd & prospect (Tage? Cj?) for Gusev
3) sign Gardiner (5x5, i ssume price has dropped)
4) sign Smith-Pelley for “snarl”
5) ship out dead weight for whatever
*sobatka, Scandella, Hunwick
6) trade Bogo if possible for extra Cap room
*if not, move Sheary

I know that gives us a million LWs,
but we use preseason to see who is comfortable on the right- they’ve all spent some time there anyways

Skinner-Eichel-Johansson
Ehlers-Mitts-Reinhart
Gusev-E Rod-Vesey
Girgs-Larsson-Okposo
SmithPelley

Dahlin-Miller
Gardiner-Jokiharju
McCabe-Montour
Nelson

*Bogo & Pilut start on IR
*Olofsson & Asplund start in Rochester

That’s a playoff roster, with pretty decent depth of defensemen and forwards not even on opening night roster
- jdfitz77

Mitts as 2c makes me really nervous. I would feel much better if Johansson was on the wing with him. I would do something like this:

Skinner-Eichel-Reinhart
Ehlers-Mitts-Johansson
Vesey-E Rod-Gusev
Girgs-Larsson-Okposo

I would also like to demo a line-up with RNH instead of Ehlers. To me, this one looks a bit better.

Skinner-Eichel-Johansson
Vesey-RNH-Reinhart
Olo-Mitts-Gusev
Girgs/Larsson-E Rod-Okposo

Grit and snarl

Sure, that makes sense. Like i said, I don't have a favorite out of Ehlers, RNH or Mantha. I'm just saying, there are holes we can poke in any one of them.

I'm sure someone will talk about Ehlers' playoff stats, or how we need a RW instead of a LW. RNH I guess is the contract issue. Not sure what people will grumble about as it pertains to Mantha, but I'm sure it's something.

There will always be reasons why something isn't the perfect move, but I'll take any one of the 3, as i think will improve the team. Who knows, maybe none of them are available, but I would gladly support any one of the moves
- jcragcrumple

True enough
Pretty doubtful that the perfect player would be available

I just don’t wanna see another ROR return
That would piss me off

Hey discord bros,
Can I get an invite? Believe I got banned somehow...
- JCSabs06

"he's here, he just needs to go to discordapp.com and log in to his account and this server should show up for him. He shows on the list here on the Offline group"

-stash

Grit and snarl


- 22sabresQ

This pic always makes me feel better about myself. Even my old phat A$$ can still do 3-5 pull-ups..

I didn’t realize your hate for Risto went back that far 😂😂😂
- jdfitz77

Yeah, wanted the big Russian at the time. Glad we avoided that disaster