Location: Arriving Somewhere But Not Here Joined: 02.10.2011
Jul 31 @ 1:02 PM ET
Sure, if you mean the only answer that counts.
I think 90% of the posters have their own answer on what will cause them to give Botts a thumbs up or thumbs down. That is the "answer" I'm trying to understand. - IonSabres
Like (I think) Homie said, meaningful games WELL into the new year.
I wanna see Jack flirt w 100 points. I want a couple Rochester guys REALLY pushing for roster spots. 100% effort on most nights - I want these guys REALLY playing hard for Ralph.
If Eichel is healthy, the bar should be set at +/- 90 points imo. That's like 10th in the conference. It is such a low bar, really. If Eichel is healthy and they finish below 85 points, I think there should be a conversation about Botterill's job. Anything below 80 points should be an easy decision imo. - jcragcrumple
Not critiquing anything in here, but I think people severely underestimate Eichel's strength and conditioning routine.
A few years back I watched his daily routine/training video from the New England Hockey Journal; when Vesey says Eichel "is a specimen of an athlete," he isn't kidding. I'm a gym rat myself, but Eichel is an absolute horse. I'd pass tf out and vomit on myself doing his routine.
Obviously, you need top-end talent to win a Cup. However, to have those two Hall of Famers, signed to Hall of Fame contracts, and to still figure out a way to fit Phil Kessel under the cap and still fill out the roster with enough to win 2 Cups is very good work on his part. - buffalofan19
Location: I said that months ago, keep up!, FL Joined: 03.10.2013
Jul 31 @ 1:15 PM ET
Not critiquing anything in here, but I think people severely underestimate Eichel's strength and conditioning routine.
A few years back I watched his daily routine/training video from the New England Hockey Journal; when Vesey says Eichel "is a specimen of an athlete," he isn't kidding. I'm a gym rat myself, but Eichel is an absolute horse. I'd pass tf out and vomit on myself doing his routine.
Not critiquing anything in here, but I think people severely underestimate Eichel's strength and conditioning routine.
A few years back I watched his daily routine/training video from the New England Hockey Journal; when Vesey says Eichel "is a specimen of an athlete," he isn't kidding. I'm a gym rat myself, but Eichel is an absolute horse. I'd pass tf out and vomit on myself doing his routine.
Hockey is a funny game. I doubt Sam is anywhere near Jack's fitness level, but has barely missed a game. Jack's had a few freakish injuries. If either of them, or a goalie, misses significant time, it would be hard to handle.
Location: I said that months ago, keep up!, FL Joined: 03.10.2013
Jul 31 @ 1:32 PM ET
Like (I think) Homie said, meaningful games WELL into the new year.
I wanna see Jack flirt w 100 points. I want a couple Rochester guys REALLY pushing for roster spots. 100% effort on most nights - I want these guys REALLY playing hard for Ralph. - Powerslave
I too want to see meaningful games played into Feb / March.
As the roster is presently constructed, that could still be difficult.
The over/under is 83 pts while a projection based off a methodology by Dom Luszczyszyn of The Athletic pegs the Sabres at about 79 points. Maybe Ralphie-boy adds 5 - 10 pts more...so 85 - 89 pts.
I would expect a slower start given the number of new players, finding chemistry with linemates and executing another new system...they are all speed bumps. Factor in the improvement of teams in the East like NJD, Flyers, Panthers, etc.
I would say mid 80's point, and a finish around 21st is my realistic expectations for the team, again as presently rostered.
I too want to see meaningful games played into Feb / March.
As the roster is presently constructed, that could still be difficult.
The over/under is 83 pts while a projection based off a methodology by Dom Luszczyszyn of The Athletic pegs the Sabres at about 79 points. Maybe Ralphie-boy adds 5 - 10 pts more...so 85 - 89 pts.
I would expect a slower start given the number of new players, finding chemistry with linemates and executing another new system...they are all speed bumps. Factor in the improvement of teams in the East like NJD, Flyers, Panthers, etc.
I would say mid 80's point, and a finish around 21st is my realistic expectations for the team, again as presently rostered. - IonSabres
Your crystal ball and mine are reading it the same way. Somewhere in the 85 - 90 point range but missing the playoffs. And no, Botterill will not be fired if this is how it shakes it out this year. The last thing this organization needs is another GM/Head Coach search next spring.
Location: Arriving Somewhere But Not Here Joined: 02.10.2011
Jul 31 @ 1:37 PM ET
I too want to see meaningful games played into Feb / March.
As the roster is presently constructed, that could still be difficult.
The over/under is 83 pts while a projection based off a methodology by Dom Luszczyszyn of The Athletic pegs the Sabres at about 79 points. Maybe Ralphie-boy adds 5 - 10 pts more...so 85 - 89 pts.
I would expect a slower start given the number of new players, finding chemistry with linemates and executing another new system...they are all speed bumps. Factor in the improvement of teams in the East like NJD, Flyers, Panthers, etc.
I would say mid 80's point, and a finish around 21st is my realistic expectations for the team, again as presently rostered. - IonSabres
That's realistic, like you said, as presently rostered.
Even if they had a 2C, though, I still think you see scribes giving them zero respect, and rightly so. They're going to have to prove it to the rest of the hockey world and until then, they're probably picked to finish bottom 10. And maybe that works to our advantage.
That being said, DO something, Botts! We need a center!
Location: Wonderful things can happen when you sow seeds of distrust in a garden full of (bum)holes Joined: 07.01.2007
Jul 31 @ 1:46 PM ET
That's realistic, like you said, as presently rostered.
Even if they had a 2C, though, I still think you see scribes giving them zero respect, and rightly so. They're going to have to prove it to the rest of the hockey world and until then, they're probably picked to finish bottom 10. And maybe that works to our advantage.
That being said, DO something, Botts! We need a center! - Powerslave
I am really hoping the guy with the Hockey News subscription is right about the Ristolainen for Nugent-Hopkins trade that's "going to happen".
Location: I said that months ago, keep up!, FL Joined: 03.10.2013
Jul 31 @ 1:46 PM ET
Your crystal ball and mine are reading it the same way. Somewhere in the 85 - 90 point range but missing the playoffs. And no, Botterill will not be fired if this is how it shakes it out this year. The last thing this organization needs is another GM/Head Coach search next spring. - SabreWest
Well, I mean if he can't get them to more than 84 pts, off with everyone's head!
Blow it up, trade the core, fire the entire front and back office personnel, shoot Sabertooth behind the garage, change the color scheme to pink and lavender, change the name to Buffalo wussy-losers, move the team home ice to Brighton Arena.
85-90...meh, all is good.
90+, Botts becomes President of Hockey Ops with a bronze statue out in the plaza with replicas of starving Erod, Ellie, Ulmark and McCabe figures grasping at his feet
cucked
Synonymous with "cuckolded." One whose wife has had sexual relations with another man (in modern use, often with the husband's approval) has been cucked.
When his wife took her lover in front of him, he knew he had been cucked.
Also used in the political spectrum, ie: Trump is a cuckold.
Location: I don't want to say Greztky was a dude when I was watching. Mentalorgasm5 , NY Joined: 07.16.2006
Jul 31 @ 1:51 PM ET
cucked
Synonymous with "cuckolded." One whose wife has had sexual relations with another man (in modern use, often with the husband's approval) has been cucked.
When his wife took her lover in front of him, he knew he had been cucked. - BareMetal
