Will do, Boss
- jcragcrumple

He is the boss

Will do, Boss
- jcragcrumple

preferred form is "OK I will."

He is the boss
- jochfr

Good post

Nice play taco, I appreciate the amount of time you sat on that one.
👏👏👏
- Boss34

it's honestly one of the best responses I've ever seen directed towards a post of mine.

agreed...

however, both seemed to be overcompensating for the train wreck that was in front of them
- Michael Pachla

They brought Mike Bales in as an assistant coach. If the goaltending improves this year, this might quietly be the biggest move they made in the summer.

agreed...

however, both seemed to be overcompensating for the train wreck that was in front of them
- Michael Pachla

Hutton actually said something like that in a BN article. I think about Mike Bales. You could see goals coming last year when the team started chasing the puck in their own zone.

agreed...

however, both seemed to be overcompensating for the train wreck that was in front of them
- Michael Pachla

At one point Hutton said he was used to having shots or chances come from specific places on the ice. He knew when and where he could cheat. We had no structure, so he had to square up to everything. I feel for both of them given what the defense did to help...not much.

At one point Hutton said he was used to having shots or chances come from specific places on the ice. He knew when and where he could cheat. We had no structure, so he had to square up to everything. I feel for both of them given what the defense did to help...not much.
- RhinoFan

was the defense because of the roster, because of housely or a combination of both..

i have a feeling we should be vastly improved in both roster and structure this fall with the additions of Miller and more time of Montour along with Krueger.. at least the structure can't get worse.. (i hope)

They brought Mike Bales in as an assistant coach. If the goaltending improves this year, this might quietly be the biggest move they made in the summer.
- buffalofan19

is mike that good of a coach.. I wish Irbe would come back to the USA for buffalo.. he seemed to get the most out of every goalie we had

is mike that good of a coach.. I wish Irbe would come back to the USA for buffalo.. he seemed to get the most out of every goalie we had
- SabresFaninIndiana

I don't know, but they had to give him the title of assistant coach to get him out of Carolina, so they supposedly really wanted him.

I guess I just want to know what Botts was supposed to do?

He doesn’t have the luxury of Panarin or Tavares wanting to come play here for no assets.

He got close to that in Skinner.

If you want to blame Botts for the O’Reilly fiasco, despite all the evidence pointing at Pegula and O’Reilly himself, then I guess your mind is just made up.

If someone can make a reasonable argument that doesn’t include “We shouldn’t have signed Girgensons again” I’ll listen.

I don't know, but they had to give him the title of assistant coach to get him out of Carolina, so they supposedly really wanted him.
- buffalofan19

McBeaner said they met him once, seemed very nice.
Kim ordered Kreuger to hire him under whatever title he wanted.

I guess I just want to know what Botts was supposed to do?

He doesn’t have the luxury of Panarin or Tavares wanting to come play here for no assets.

He got close to that in Skinner.

If you want to blame Botts for the O’Reilly fiasco, despite all the evidence pointing at Pegula and O’Reilly himself, then I guess your mind is just made up.

If someone can make a reasonable argument that doesn’t include “We shouldn’t have signed Girgensons again” I’ll listen.
- sbroads24

Ok, somebody will.

I guess I just want to know what Botts was supposed to do?

He doesn’t have the luxury of Panarin or Tavares wanting to come play here for no assets.

He got close to that in Skinner.

If you want to blame Botts for the O’Reilly fiasco, despite all the evidence pointing at Pegula and O’Reilly himself, then I guess your mind is just made up.

If someone can make a reasonable argument that doesn’t include “We shouldn’t have signed Girgensons again” I’ll listen.
- sbroads24

Can you please list the evidence for those of us who only follow the soap opera in a tangential way?

was the defense because of the roster, because of housely or a combination of both..

i have a feeling we should be vastly improved in both roster and structure this fall with the additions of Miller and more time of Montour along with Krueger.. at least the structure can't get worse.. (i hope)
- SabresFaninIndiana

I don't know what to expect from Krueger and I think was a bit of both...we at least improved the roster in the short and long term there.

I expect upswings for both of them.

I guess I just want to know what Botts was supposed to do?

He doesn’t have the luxury of Panarin or Tavares wanting to come play here for no assets.

He got close to that in Skinner.

If you want to blame Botts for the O’Reilly fiasco, despite all the evidence pointing at Pegula and O’Reilly himself, then I guess your mind is just made up.

If someone can make a reasonable argument that doesn’t include “We shouldn’t have signed Girgensons again” I’ll listen.
- sbroads24

Botts deserves some criticism. The RoR trade was a big deal for this franchise and while I don't know if that was the max return he was offered, it wasn't worth it most likely. I am higher on Tage than most too.

My only critique of Botts is that I think he should have tried to make a move after that 10 game losing streak. We were still in the hunt and could have used a boost. Maybe it would have turned something around. This is speculative and I like what he's done overall. Just think he can also be poked a bit, it hasn't been all sunshine and daisies.

Ok, somebody will.
- IonSabres

Groundhog day

I was referencing his time in Pittsburgh where he was in charge of the cap and did an undeniably great job for them.

And he has done well with the cap here so far.

I seriously think we’re forgetting the mess he inherited.

He took over a bottom 10 cap team with 3 core players to speak of, one which wanted out

He has 2 legit criticisms that are 100% on him IMO

1. Housley
2. Not trading Ristolainen
- sbroads24

It's easy to be undeniably great at managing the cap when you have the best player and the 4th or 5th best player in the league on your team at a reduced cost and have been contenders for years. People want to go there. It's like the Patriots, it's real easy for them to actually lowball guys and they gladly take a massive cut, because they can win there. In 2017 Tom Brady had a $14M cap hit. That was less than Cordy Glenn, and 19th among QB's; tied with the amazing Mike Glennon. That's borderline circumvention.

Botts deserves some criticism. The RoR trade was a big deal for this franchise and while I don't know if that was the max return he was offered, it wasn't worth it most likely. I am higher on Tage than most too.

My only critique of Botts is that I think he should have tried to make a move after that 10 game losing streak. We were still in the hunt and could have used a boost. Maybe it would have turned something around. This is speculative and I like what he's done overall. Just think he can also be poked a bit, it hasn't been all sunshine and daisies.
- RhinoFan

Every GM does at some point I fail to see what he’s done that’s remotely close to a fireable offense.

The depth from the 2014-16 drafts never came.

I guess I just want to know what Botts was supposed to do?

He doesn’t have the luxury of Panarin or Tavares wanting to come play here for no assets.

He got close to that in Skinner.

If you want to blame Botts for the O’Reilly fiasco, despite all the evidence pointing at Pegula and O’Reilly himself, then I guess your mind is just made up.

If someone can make a reasonable argument that doesn’t include “We shouldn’t have signed Girgensons again” I’ll listen.
- sbroads24

Realistically I just expect a team that gets around 90 points if Eichel is healthy. After 3 drafts, 3 off seasons and 2 of the leagues young, premier talents, I think this year should be the one when he assembles a capable NHL roster

The ROR thing? Honestly, I don't really want to get into, because maybe he's not to blame, and that's not even why I'm questioning him necessarily. I would say we know there were offers from at least the coyotes and the habs, so we don't know if he took the best deal.

Maybe the moves he made this year are good, I sure as hell hope they are. I know you think I want Botterill fired, but I do not. I want the Sabres to succeed.

He did fire the coach, which tells me he blames Housley at least partially. If the new coach only gets 3-4 more wins (that would be 82-84 points), then that tells me that roster he built is flawed.

Get 90 points. Show that you deserve a 4th year, not that you need a 4th year

Every GM does at some point I fail to see what he’s done that’s remotely close to a fireable offense.

The depth from the 2014-16 drafts never came.
- sbroads24

didnt' we even buy out one or two of those draft picks that were buried in the AHL or ECHL? GMTM had some very bad drafts..... outside of the first round he got Guhle and VO.. is that it?

No, the qualifying offer is a set amount based on the players previous salary.
- Wetbandit1

nothing good comes from going to arbitration, when your home team bashes you and tries to make you worthless


imagine if we all had to deal with this demeaning at our jobs once a year

Realistically I just expect a team that gets around 90 points if Eichel is healthy. After 3 drafts, 3 off seasons and 2 of the leagues young, premier talents, I think this year should be the one when he assembles a capable NHL roster

The ROR thing? Honestly, I don't really want to get into, because maybe he's not to blame, and that's not even why I'm questioning him necessarily. I would say we know there were offers from at least the coyotes and the habs, so we don't know if he took the best deal.

Maybe the moves he made this year are good, I sure as hell hope they are. I know you think I want Botterill fired, but I do not. I want the Sabres to succeed.

He did fire the coach, which tells me he blames Housley at least partially. If the new coach only gets 3-4 more wins (that would be 82-84 points), then that tells me that roster he built is flawed.

Get 90 points. Show that you deserve a 4th year, not that you need a 4th year
- jcragcrumple

Botts has made some big changes and ton of trades. He is trying his best to overhaul the roster.

Last summer at the time moving sheary and hundwick for a 3rd is a no brainer.

Montour trade
Miller trade
Joke trade
Scandella / Pomminville at the time was a good trade.

All of his trades have been fine.

And fans need to get over orielly. Who the frank cares.

How many Murray players are actually still with the Sabres? I bet that number is really low. [url]

nothing good comes from going to arbitration, when your home team bashes you and tries to make you worthless


imagine if we all had to deal with this demeaning at our jobs once a year
- homiedclown

I have quarterly business reviews a few times a year .... so yes I get it

Realistically I just expect a team that gets around 90 points if Eichel is healthy. After 3 drafts, 3 off seasons and 2 of the leagues young, premier talents, I think this year should be the one when he assembles a capable NHL roster

The ROR thing? Honestly, I don't really want to get into, because maybe he's not to blame, and that's not even why I'm questioning him necessarily. I would say we know there were offers from at least the coyotes and the habs, so we don't know if he took the best deal.

Maybe the moves he made this year are good, I sure as hell hope they are. I know you think I want Botterill fired, but I do not. I want the Sabres to succeed.

He did fire the coach, which tells me he blames Housley at least partially. If the new coach only gets 3-4 more wins (that would be 82-84 points), then that tells me that roster he built is flawed.

Get 90 points. Show that you deserve a 4th year, not that you need a 4th year
- jcragcrumple

There’s video of Chayka and Botts talking at the draft and the thought is we would’ve got Domi but AZ couldn’t pay the bonus. Shortly after Domi goes for Galchenyuk.

Pegula refused to pay his bonus. It’s just obvious.

As far as the arbitrary 90 point barometer, there’s just too many variables for me to go there.

Carolina has been a solid team for the past few years. They finally get some saves and a shooting % boost and they’re a ECF team.

As long as this team is steadily improving in the shot column, in expected goals, preventing scoring chances and poop like that then it’s good news and we should keep adding.

It’s just my opinion the “get to 90 points or get out” threshold is just looking for a justification for him to be fired.