How many cups have those teams won?

Look I get what you're saying but Toronto is Toronto and has that "aura" about it

Vegas and Tampa play in a no state income tax states, warm weather "fun" cities

Buffalo can't compare to them
- Stripes77

The city cannot. But if this team becomes very very good. Players will come for a chance to win the cup.

Or just let him go. We need a 2C for 1-2 years. We have approximately 312 defensive prospects coming. Turn a surplus defenseman into a center for the desired length of time, and then let him go. Players leave in FA all the time. It's not that big of a deal. By that time, it might actually be advantageous that he and his salary are leaving. Right now we need him
- jcragcrumple

That's bad asset management. Better off going with diminishing returns, like Kane trade. As long as your team improves in the interim, the deal is successful.

Hence why you're probably looking for a short term option, with the perception that CM/Cozens come in and fight for 2C within the next 3 years.
- TheSabresTaco

Or acquire Malkin or BPA and have CM or Cozens try to beat him out. Let their play dictate future plans.

I hate lazy architects.

Or acquire Malkin or BPA and have CM or Cozens try to beat him out. Let their play dictate future plans.
- washedup20

That conversation oughta go well.

"Malkin?"
"No"
"Kbye"

I hate lazy architects.
- jochfr

syn·o·nym
/ˈsinəˌnim/
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noun
a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language, for example shut is a synonym of close.
a person or thing so closely associated with a particular quality or idea that the mention of their name calls it to mind.

syn·o·nym
/ˈsinəˌnim/
Learn to pronounce
noun
a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language, for example shut is a synonym of close.
a person or thing so closely associated with a particular quality or idea that the mention of their name calls it to mind.
- TheSabresTaco

That's bad asset management. Better off going with diminishing returns, like Kane trade. As long as your team improves in the interim, the deal is successful.
- TheSabresTaco

Yeah, i guess i just don't mind the idea of losing RNH for nothing. We need a center for that length of time, as most of us agree. If the argument is that the 2 years of RNH is too short, then we could have given Hayes 7x7 (horrible idea). RNH makes this team so much better for the next 2 years compared to Risto.

I'm not saying it's the only option by any means, but i thought this is what everyone thought we needed: A guy to step in for a year or two. I'm not worried about missing out on another late first by not flipping him.

Yeah, i guess i just don't mind the idea of losing RNH for nothing. We need a center for that length of time, as most of us agree. If the argument is that the 2 years of RNH is too short, then we could have given Hayes 7x7 (horrible idea). RNH makes this team so much better for the next 2 years compared to Risto.

I'm not saying it's the only option by any means, but i thought this is what everyone thought we needed: A guy to step in for a year or two. I'm not worried about missing out on another late first by not flipping him.
- jcragcrumple

Losing any player that is above replacement level for nothing is what I would consider a 'miss'. However, Botterill is extremely mindful of collecting value for the assets he doesn't want long term, and seems to execute trades where the player either has several years on a contract, has a short contract with high long term value, or rinky dink 1 or 2 year guys that are here to fill in. We'll see how Vesey and the rest of the one year boys perform this year.

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

That conversation oughta go well.

"Malkin?"
"No"
"Kbye"
- TheSabresTaco

Just like the Laine call...

I’m just saying Botts should try to get the best player available to fill 2C and if Mitts or Cozens beats him out in 2 years...great.

Losing any player that is above replacement level for nothing is what I would consider a 'miss'. However, Botterill is extremely mindful of collecting value for the assets he doesn't want long term, and seems to execute trades where the player either has several years on a contract, has a short contract with high long term value, or rinky dink 1 or 2 year guys that are here to fill in. We'll see how Vesey and the rest of the one year boys perform this year.
- TheSabresTaco

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

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

Just like the Laine call...

I’m just saying Botts should try to get the best player available to fill 2C and if Mitts or Cozens beats him out in 2 years...great.
- washedup20

he can't waste all his time making calls that we know aren't going to happen too..

Sabres signed Cozens to his ELC

Sabres signed Cozens to his ELC
- Stripes77

And there's our 2C.

he can't waste all his time making calls that we know aren't going to happen too..
- SabresFaninIndiana

Trying to get bpa is a waste? You don’t like Malkin as an example, ok I understand that. I’m trying to point out the notion that Mitts or Cozens as a lock to become a qualified 2C in 2-3 years isn’t a guarantee.

Botts has a valuable young defenseman, instead of using his best tradable asset to find a stopgap, use it to find a long term solution. In 2-3 years Mitts or Cozens beats out that player, thats a good problem to have.

That's a good view and I generally agree with

However I don't see a point in trading Risto for a center then

Any core center would take a spot from Mitts or Cozens in the top 6

But a guy like RNH could move to the wing but his contract only has 2 years left

I like RNH the player a lot, I don't love his contract (lack of term) though
- Stripes77

If we acquire RNH, who i also like as a player,
the we need to be willing to:
1) sign him to his next deal, 8mil per?
2) have a plan to move him or one of the kids to the wing

I'm curious... how many "core" players are on a team? Who do you think is core for a team like Boston, Toronto, or Tampa? How many core players do we currently have?
- ajb2493

I guess as many as you can pay
Maybe that’s why Ehlers would be a better idea than RNH, since he’s signed for 6 more years

I'd prefer RNH over Ehlers in a trade involving Risto, largely due to playing C versus yet another LW option. For me, Risto should be used to acquire either a 2C or a 1-2 RW to move the team forward over the next 2 years. I still like going after R Smith and C Eakins from VGK as well.

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.

Sabres signed Cozens to his ELC
- Stripes77

Bust..y

If we acquire RNH, who i also like as a player,
the we need to be willing to:
1) sign him to his next deal, 8mil per?
2) have a plan to move him or one of the kids to the wing
- jdfitz77

I am fine with #2 for sure

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

Trying to get bpa is a waste? You don’t like Malkin as an example, ok I understand that. I’m trying to point out the notion that Mitts or Cozens as a lock to become a qualified 2C in 2-3 years isn’t a guarantee.

Botts has a valuable young defenseman, instead of using his best tradable asset to find a stopgap, use it to find a long term solution. In 2-3 years Mitts or Cozens beats out that player, thats a good problem to have.
- washedup20

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

Bust..y
- SDSabre

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.

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