she was a freak, there was no chance of seeing the tv
- homiedclown

Sounds like a good time was had by all.

The outcome of the game may have been secondary.

In Canada, we just do it doggy style so we both can watch the game.
- Da_Cashman

Sounds like a good time was had by all.

The outcome of the game may have been secondary.
- thatsapickle

I didn't walk right for a week

How do you say in one breath that 'we demand to compete for the playoffs' and 'we need sobotka'

I just don't buy it.
- TheSabresTaco

If Botterill is keeping Risto, why did he trade for 3 RHD, especially when he still has Will Borgen coming somewhat soon?

If Botterill is keeping Risto, why did he trade for 3 RHD, especially when he still has Will Borgen coming somewhat soon?
- jcragcrumple

Bogosian is hurt.

Jokiharju will have to compete.

Risto trains hard in the offseason.

Those are my guesses.

Bogosian is hurt.

Jokiharju will have to compete.

Risto trains hard in the offseason.

Those are my guesses.
- thatsapickle

Sure, I understand that Bogo doesn't fit into the decision making process at all. 1 year left, and he's not part of the future, but acquiring Miller, Montour and Jokiharju is more than a short-term play.

Sure, I understand that Bogo doesn't fit into the decision making process at all. 1 year left, and he's not part of the future, but acquiring Miller, Montour and Jokiharju is more than a short-term play.
- jcragcrumple

I'm guessing that Botterill has a plan to create competition.

You're right, though, there aren't enough spots for Bogo, Montour, Miller, and Risto. Let alone having Jokiharju fight for a spot.

I don't really know what else there is.

Either he's not getting the return he wants for Risto, hasn't made a deal to move out dead weight, or is sitting on his hands until camp.

I see a lot of hope for a buyout. To me, the only way you buy anyone out is because you've made an acquisition and you need the money NOW! Otherwise, why extend any sort of cap hit longer than it needs to be.

If we move Risto for a forward, and we need the money, then you buy someone out, otherwise let it be.

Is Scandella still getting moved? If there is truth to that rumor, I feel like we'd have seen it by now unless there is something else going on.

I find it a little disconcerting that the only guy who was on the roster last year, but not now, is Pommer. Realizing of course, that he brought in two middle 6 type forwards, but did Botts really love last year’s team that much?

I'm guessing that Botterill has a plan to create competition.

You're right, though, there aren't enough spots for Bogo, Montour, Miller, and Risto. Let alone having Jokiharju fight for a spot.

I don't really know what else there is.

Either he's not getting the return he wants for Risto, hasn't made a deal to move out dead weight, or is sitting on his hands until camp.
- thatsapickle

You cant just go BPA with roster building though. It may well be that RD and LW just happened to be what was available via trade/FA at a price he liked, but it doesn't make sense to build a roster that way

I find it a little disconcerting that the only guy who was on the roster last year, but not now, is Pommer. Realizing of course, that he brought in two middle 6 type forwards, but did Botts really love last year’s team that much?
- PrinceChill

He's the only one off the roster. Slowbotka, Tage, Girgs, Scandella and Bogo are all good candidates to not play, which is really the important part.

I see a lot of hope for a buyout. To me, the only way you buy anyone out is because you've made an acquisition and you need the money NOW! Otherwise, why extend any sort of cap hit longer than it needs to be.

If we move Risto for a forward, and we need the money, then you buy someone out, otherwise let it be.

Is Scandella still getting moved? If there is truth to that rumor, I feel like we'd have seen it by now unless there is something else going on.
- Cup Crazy '07

You reasoning is solid IMO, however this 2nd and last Buyout Period for the upcoming season is only open for like 48 or 72 hrs. So, if they trade Risto Friday for example, the Buyout Window is closed and not available.
So, If a BO occurs, it may be a sign that something bigger is in the works.
Probably.
Maybe.
Of not.

You cant just go BPA with roster building though. It may well be that RD and LW just happened to be what was available via trade/FA at a price he liked, but it doesn't make sense to build a roster that way
- jcragcrumple

You would think that he has to have some sort of idea of players playing in other positions/out of position, or that Krueger wants to have some time evaluating the players before a move is made.

I'm not sure why there is a hold up, or what could cause it other than the returns aren't where Botts are shooting for at this time.

You reasoning is solid IMO, however this 2nd and last Buyout Period for the upcoming season is only open for like 48 or 72 hrs. So, if they trade Risto Friday for example, the Buyout Window is closed and not available.
So, If a BO occurs, it may be a sign that something bigger is in the works.
Probably.
Maybe.
Of not.
- IonSabres

If you're right, can I have the lottery numbers?

I am not trying to be, or come across as, a jerk.

If Botterill will buy out a player after explicitly downplaying the idea, then you would have to assume that there is an interesting move coming behind it.

If you can manage to ditch 2F's and 1D, you can bring up Olofsson and sign Pominville.

But in order to do this, one of, at the very least, Sobotka or Hunwick's contracts must be completely removed.

You reasoning is solid IMO, however this 2nd and last Buyout Period for the upcoming season is only open for like 48 or 72 hrs. So, if they trade Risto Friday for example, the Buyout Window is closed and not available.
So, If a BO occurs, it may be a sign that something bigger is in the works.
Probably.
Maybe.
Of not.
- IonSabres

If you can manage to ditch 2F's and 1D, you can bring up Olofsson and sign Pominville.

But in order to do this, one of, at the very least, Sobotka or Hunwick's contracts must be completely removed.
- TheSabresTaco

probably sobotka and scandella

need a little flexible room

You reasoning is solid IMO, however this 2nd and last Buyout Period for the upcoming season is only open for like 48 or 72 hrs. So, if they trade Risto Friday for example, the Buyout Window is closed and not available.
So, If a BO occurs, it may be a sign that something bigger is in the works.
Probably.
Maybe.
Of not.
- IonSabres

Valid point!

My response would be, DO SOMETHING BOTTS!

You would think that he has to have some sort of idea of players playing in other positions/out of position, or that Krueger wants to have some time evaluating the players before a move is made.

I'm not sure why there is a hold up, or what could cause it other than the returns aren't where Botts are shooting for at this time.
- thatsapickle

The cost for Miller and Montour was a 1st, 2nd, Guhle and 5th, so why pay that price just to move one of those guys to their off side?

Likewise, I cant remember Risto ever playing the left side. Bogo can play the left a little worse than he can play the right, which is to say not well.

Joker doesn't need to be in the lineup, necessarily, but I think he should be.

None of it adds up to me. There's a bad imbalance, and the only solution is to trade Montour or Risto imo. If they had faith in Risto for 3 more years, why are they trading for 3 RHD? Either they intend to trade a RD, or the acquisitions were just BPA, which is a good way to build an "island of misfit toys" team

probably sobotka and scandella

need a little flexible room
- homiedclown

Yeah we need to remove like 4M before the start of the season, at the very least.

He's the only one off the roster. Slowbotka, Tage, Girgs, Scandella and Bogo are all good candidates to not play, which is really the important part.
- RhinoFan

Hopefully Botka finds a home overseas.

Tage is a Botts guy and he played almost all of last year. Hard to picture him in Rochester with so much belief in him from the GM.

Girgs was just signed and is apparently a top defensive ace.

It just feels like we’re stuck with Scanner for one more year, but hopefully I’m wrong. Although some folks here will point to how good he was his first year on the Sabres.

Bogo, well is Bogo. Injured, expensive, and mostly irrelevant.
I just wonder if JB feels the failings of last season had a lot more to do with coaching than roster. Although at the presser when he formally fired Phil, he looked like he was about to cry. I think he really liked Housley. Maybe that order came from ownership.

The cost for Miller and Montour was a 1st, 2nd, Guhle and 5th, so why pay that price just to move one of those guys to their off side?

Likewise, I cant remember Risto ever playing the left side. Bogo can play the left a little worse than he can play the right, which is to say not well.

Joker doesn't need to be in the lineup, necessarily, but I think he should be.

None of it adds up to me. There's a bad imbalance, and the only solution is to trade Montour or Risto imo. If they had faith in Risto for 3 more years, why are they trading for 3 RHD? Either they intend to trade a RD, or the acquisitions were just BPA, which is a good way to build an "island of misfit toys" team
- jcragcrumple

Or if those BPA players are better than what we currently have, it resembles an expensive version of Beane's roster churning. You're raising the tide by bringing in better players for, let's be honest, pretty cheap.

The cost for Miller and Montour was a 1st, 2nd, Guhle and 5th, so why pay that price just to move one of those guys to their off side?

Likewise, I cant remember Risto ever playing the left side. Bogo can play the left a little worse than he can play the right, which is to say not well.

Joker doesn't need to be in the lineup, necessarily, but I think he should be.

None of it adds up to me. There's a bad imbalance, and the only solution is to trade Montour or Risto imo. If they had faith in Risto for 3 more years, why are they trading for 3 RHD? Either they intend to trade a RD, or the acquisitions were just BPA, which is a good way to build an "island of misfit toys" team
- jcragcrumple

I can't imagine a way that this all works, but I also have blind optimism that it will.

Either Krueger is still trying to figure out players, or Botterill can't get the return he wants. Maybe the UFAs and RFAs are holding up any moves from happening.

Speculating, at this point, is a fruitless endeavor. I will just hope against hope that by camp we have some answers. If Botterill is cornering the market on average-slightly above average LW and RHD, then he is either a genius or a fool.

Hopefully this isn’t “the team” it’s half done imo let’s finish it

I didn't walk right for a week
- homiedclown

You should try "pitching" and not "catching" next time...