I don't know how you can toss out the Skinner trade. Take them all on their own merits. If he was forced to take the best offer by 8 p.m. 7/1 then you can't blame him for that trade.
- Slump Buster

You mean TP might not hold a trade, that he played a big part in, against him?

I think he completely changed courses with the Bills and Sabres. Sean/Brandon + JB aren't splashy/quick turn around guys. They all sell culture, system, and development.

I could be wrong, but unless they do something embarrassing this year, I think he's back. I don't think you buy into his plan, then turn around and fire him before his non-first rounders even start playing pro hockey.
- Lunaion

He isn’t getting fired unless something disastrous happens.

Like it or not the Sabres are behind 3 of the leagues best teams in their own division. All of which became great before JB was hired.

We kinda have to wait out Boston, who’s declining or the short window Toronto seems to be backing themselves into. Even Tampa is aging.

The Sabres two best players are 19 and 22.

Why isn’t the trade for Skinner on the same level? Which he won as severely as he lost the ROR trade.

He’s also fleeced about every other trade so far
- sbroads24

It has to show in the win column.

It has to show in the win column.
- buffalofan19

It has though in a way

Regardless of the free fall we improved by double digit points

The Blues actually improved less in the standings as they were already a 94 point team the year before

I think he completely changed courses with the Bills and Sabres. Sean/Brandon + JB aren't splashy/quick turn around guys. They all sell culture, system, and development.

I could be wrong, but unless they do something embarrassing this year, I think he's back. I don't think you buy into his plan, then turn around and fire him before his non-first rounders even start playing pro hockey.
- Lunaion

The Bills also made the playoffs

I don't think any GM should be afforded more than 3 years if they suck in each one of them

You mean TP might not hold a trade, that he played a big part in, against him?
- Lunaion

If TP ordered him to take the best offer he had then it is what it is. It is pretty telling that the talks had stalled and then Botts called up the Blues and said lets make a deal now.

ROR and a 5th for Tage, Johnson, Miller, Sobotka. Let’s just hope Tage and Johnson turn out because if they do that is actually not a bad return at all. The big question being “if” the prospects hit their potential.
- Swedish_Jesus

Also to take into consideration is that with the 3 first rounders, he had the leverage to get Montour. I think if he just had ours and one of the blues/sharks, he may not have made that trade. But I think the roster is far from set, don't see how you can have 6 NHL quality RH D-men on one team (warning, levels of said d-men aren't taken into consideration. Just that they're all mostly NHL caliber) (Miller, Montour, Risto, Joker, Bogo, GM/Coach/player Nelson)

ROR and a 5th for Tage, Johnson, Miller, Sobotka. Let’s just hope Tage and Johnson turn out because if they do that is actually not a bad return at all. The big question being “if” the prospects hit their potential.
- Swedish_Jesus

Do people really feel like the STL vs SJ pick condition effects the outcome of a trade? These deals are so intermingled with assets and cap space that I can't help but look at them more broadly.

Why isn’t the trade for Skinner on the same level? Which he won as severely as he lost the ROR trade.

He’s also fleeced about every other trade so far
- sbroads24

Sheary
Pominville
Scandella
Beaulieu
Kane for Montour is probably good

What I'm left with is one great trade, one terrible trade and a lot of mediocre ones

Same with signings

Pouliot
Hutton
Josefsson

Meh

Let's see how this year's moves work out

The Bills also made the playoffs

I don't think any GM should be afforded more than 3 years if they suck in each one of them
- jcragcrumple

I think he needs to have a plan for after this year. That was supposedly Murray's downfall. Not having a good idea on what to do after we kept failing. If we finish out of the playoffs this year, and still finish in the bottom 10 of the entire league, he could be safe if he shows he has a plan to address the teams shortcomings. He needs to get the 2C situation settled IMO. If he acquires one, fine. If Mitts becomes one, great. But if we struggle again this year, and we don't have a 2C, and no real plans to get one, I think he could be shown the door. Hoping that Mitts/Cozens fulfill their potential isn't a good enough plan.

Sheary
Pominville
Scandella
Beaulieu
Kane for Montour is probably good

What I'm left with is one great trade, one terrible trade and a lot of mediocre ones

Same with signings

Pouliot
Hutton
Josefsson

Meh

Let's see how this year's moves work out
- jcragcrumple

I think the point with a lot of these trades were low risk, high reward type moves. Scandella at the time was considered a slam dunk, sheary was easily thought the be worth a 3rd (prolly still is). Hindsight is always 20/20

Sheary
Pominville
Scandella
Beaulieu
Kane for Montour is probably good

What I'm left with is one great trade, one terrible trade and a lot of mediocre ones

Same with signings

Pouliot
Hutton
Josefsson

Meh

Let's see how this year's moves work out
- jcragcrumple

mojo

I think the point with a lot of these trades were low risk, high reward type moves. Scandella at the time was considered a slam dunk, sheary was easily thought the be worth a 3rd (prolly still is). Hindsight is always 20/20
- SDSabre

Yeah, and that's what Botterill does: he goes bargain hunting. But it's only a bargain if what you're acquiring inexpensively has value. Not much of that list has value

mojo
- SabresFaninIndiana

Yeah, I left out Vesey, Miller, Jokiharju and Mojo because we have no idea yet

Yeah, and that's what Botterill does: he goes bargain hunting. But it's only a bargain if what you're acquiring inexpensively has value. Not much of that list has value
- jcragcrumple

You did leave off Miller and the joker. Is that because they haven't suited up yet? Those are the same buy low kinda guys. Didn't give up anything substantial. I noticed you had said we'll see how this year pans out, so just making sure. I also think if you look at most GMs, they aren't making the big trades very often, looking at you Murray and Chia pet

Yeah, and that's what Botterill does: he goes bargain hunting. But it's only a bargain if what you're acquiring inexpensively has value. Not much of that list has value
- jcragcrumple

I'm focused on the guys who are here after this season. The number of contracts and $ that fall off is staggering. All these low risk moves, with no long term commitment mean little to me.

The next guy wouldn't have to tear it down, he'd just be adding and moving stuff around. But that's premature anyway. We'll see how this crop of moves goes this year. Jokiharju, Mojo, Miller and Vesey might be really good moves and maybe we're good this year

I'm just saying, other than patience, the only objectively good move that has provided results - so far - is Skinner and sucking so hard that we got Dahlin. If we suck this year, no way Botterill should get a 4th year. Time to be good.
- jcragcrumple

Define "suck" in the context of you expectations for the upcoming season

Yeah, and that's what Botterill does: he goes bargain hunting. But it's only a bargain if what you're acquiring inexpensively has value. Not much of that list has value
- jcragcrumple

He's gone bargain hunting for guys that probably only are going to be here a year or two (Sheary, Vesey, etc). I think the trades that are really going to define him are Montour, Joker and (insert 2C acquired for Risto)

Sheary
Pominville
Scandella
Beaulieu
Kane for Montour is probably good

What I'm left with is one great trade, one terrible trade and a lot of mediocre ones

Same with signings

Pouliot
Hutton
Josefsson

Meh

Let's see how this year's moves work out
- jcragcrumple

I’ll be honest I take 0 of what he did his first year into much consideration because he had to literally rebuild the rebuild and it took quite some time

Define "suck" in the context of you expectations for the upcoming season
- IonSabres

5-7 points out of a playoff spot by Thanksgiving, top-10 finish for sure. I think he should be canned if they're not in the playoffs, to be honest. But certainly if they're more than 3 wins out.

What in Pegula's track record of firing coaches and GMs makes you believe that?

He's in unchartered territory as a 3rd year GM. I'm surprised people are so readily making excuses for him
- jcragcrumple

I kinda feel like jbotts and pegula sat down and discussed expectations when taking the job.

They agreed on chasing dahlin/tkachuk ect

Then they made zero attempts to improve last season after the 10 game win streak. Draft early again

The team was a complete mess with bad contracts and little talent.

Then pegula speaks up recently and says "it's time to start winning"

Seems like they are on the same page about losing the past few seasons

Thus , he hasnt failed at anything yet.

I kinda feel like jbotts and pegula sat down and discussed expectations when taking the job.

They agreed on chasing dahlin/tkachuk ect

Then they made zero attempts to improve last season after the 10 game win streak. Draft early again

The team was a complete mess with bad contracts and little talent.

Then pegula speaks up recently and says "it's time to start winning"

Seems like they are on the same page about losing the past few seasons

Thus , he hasnt failed at anything yet.
- Boss34

I totally understand the last 2 years, but my patience doesn't extend to this year. I'm sure that's different for different people. It's time for him to give the fans a good team, or he needs to be gone imo

I kinda feel like jbotts and pegula sat down and discussed expectations when taking the job.

They agreed on chasing dahlin/tkachuk ect

Then they made zero attempts to improve last season after the 10 game win streak. Draft early again

The team was a complete mess with bad contracts and little talent.

Then pegula speaks up recently and says "it's time to start winning"

Seems like they are on the same page about losing the past few seasons

Thus , he hasnt failed at anything yet.
- Boss34

nope

April 19, 2018

Buffalo, NY (WGR 550) - Terry Pegula has written a letter to all season ticket holders that they are not raising season ticket prices for next season.

I was able to obtain the letter from a season ticket holder who asked not to be named and this is what it says,



I’m not happy and I am sure you aren’t either.

I’m sending this letter so that I can personally tell you that we will not be raising Season Ticket prices this year. You’ve been loyal to us in one of the most difficult times in franchise history and you deserve better.

When we decided to go through our rebuild, the expectation was that we would be competing for a playoff spot by now. That simply hasn’t happened. I bear my share of responsibility. Mistakes have been made along the way, but I’m not here to rehash those or make excuses. I’m here to tell you I watch the games too and the standard of the Buffalo Sabres must change.

I’ve challenged everyone in the organization to be better. Every single person, including me, needs to improve on everything we do.

As disappointed as I am in the season, the part of me that’s a fan like you is still excited for the future. We have players in our system at all levels of the organization – NHL, AHL, juniors, European leagues and the NCAA – and I’m confident they will make us consistently competitive.

This may not mean much. Until we win, it is just words. I just want you to know that I’m in it with you.



Terrence M. Pegula

April 19, 2018

Buffalo, NY (WGR 550) - Terry Pegula has written a letter to all season ticket holders that they are not raising season ticket prices for next season.

I was able to obtain the letter from a season ticket holder who asked not to be named and this is what it says,



I’m not happy and I am sure you aren’t either.

I’m sending this letter so that I can personally tell you that we will not be raising Season Ticket prices this year. You’ve been loyal to us in one of the most difficult times in franchise history and you deserve better.

When we decided to go through our rebuild, the expectation was that we would be competing for a playoff spot by now. That simply hasn’t happened. I bear my share of responsibility. Mistakes have been made along the way, but I’m not here to rehash those or make excuses. I’m here to tell you I watch the games too and the standard of the Buffalo Sabres must change.

I’ve challenged everyone in the organization to be better. Every single person, including me, needs to improve on everything we do.

As disappointed as I am in the season, the part of me that’s a fan like you is still excited for the future. We have players in our system at all levels of the organization – NHL, AHL, juniors, European leagues and the NCAA – and I’m confident they will make us consistently competitive.

This may not mean much. Until we win, it is just words. I just want you to know that I’m in it with you.



Terrence M. Pegula
- TheSabresTaco

Ok. Good letter. We shall see ...