Seriously?
U came at me with nonsense
A Darcy quote from 6 years ago is not applicable to our situation now
True or false?

U misread what i said
I didn’t say, or imply, there weren’t exceptions
I specifically phrased it the way i did bc there are exceptions
- jdfitz77

Isn't that the purpose of the conversation? We are in a different situation than when darcy was here. Now the GM has stated a modest goal of "competing for a playoff spot," and whether through disillusionment or conspiracy thought, many are not taking him at his word that, in fact, the very modest goal he stated should be attainable

There is a difference between tanking and trying to setup things for a future year. The bills made the playoffs after dumping Watkins and their starting corner and then later darius. The goal of that year was to set up for this year. Did they tank? Nope. But the primary goal of that season wasn't win now.

The sabres aren't tanking. I never said that. But in my opinion they aren't trying to win this year. Why?

A) they gm keeps talking about 'being in the playoff conversation". 10th is in the playoff conversation. Basically they just need to move up past two teams and this year qualifies. That's different than winning.

B) the roster moves have been relatively minor and all their players are being signed to end their contracts after this year, setting up 2020 as the real roster shakeup.

C) I refuse to believe a competent GM thinks he can win playoff games with this goaltending tandem.

If you think the goal is to compete for 8th, you agree with me. That isn't winning now. If you think the organization has a playoffs or bust mentality...well I disagree but at least you've set the bar high enough.

found it interesting that Bales was given the responsibility of deciding which goalie, 1a or 1b, would start the game for the 'canes last season...and now he's in buffalo
- Michael Pachla

Kind of matches the narrative that, as Krueger put it, he's already like an assistant without the job title. We were able to poach him because we offered that official upgrade. Bales made nice work of two underwhelming goalies. Let's see if he can pull off some more magic.

Washed- cant you play a different angle?

It's getting old.

Give fitz a break, no need to keep picking on him.
- Boss34

He started it...I am running out of ideas anyway it’s hard to roast a guy when he does it to himself better.

found it interesting that Bales was given the responsibility of deciding which goalie, 1a or 1b, would start the game for the 'canes last season...and now he's in buffalo
- Michael Pachla

I’d imagine they are hoping Ullmark can step up,
and become a bridge starter for the next year or 2 until 6k is ready

Really?

A franchise trying to market upcoming stars?

Same thing as having mceichel both play here in 2014.

Guess it's just a coincidence?

It's a big world out there titties.
Lots to observe


*even some things to imagine 🤔
- Boss34

It is not a marketing ploy to feed the Buffalo tank hypetrain. The event, no matter where it is held, is to market/showcase the world's best players. It's also widely available to watch on TV or the internet. Also, it's scheduled a couple years in advance.

For Pegula it is a calculated business and community initiative, a great way to bring in revenue for the city and Harborcenter. I think saying it is a Sabres specific "marketing ploy" is a stretch.

Isn't that the purpose of the conversation? We are in a different situation than when darcy was here. Now the GM has stated a modest goal of "competing for a playoff spot," and whether through disillusionment or conspiracy thought, many are not taking him at his word that, in fact, the very modest goal he stated should be attainable
- jcragcrumple

Right... so since we are in a different situation,
then comparing a Darcy quote & what’s Botts said doesn’t make much sense

And i just don’t see Botts’ quote as evidence one way or the other when almost every GM in the league is saying roughly the same thing right now

There is a difference between tanking and trying to setup things for a future year. The bills made the playoffs after dumping Watkins and their starting corner and then later darius. The goal of that year was to set up for this year. Did they tank? Nope. But the primary goal of that season wasn't win now.

The sabres aren't tanking. I never said that. But in my opinion they aren't trying to win this year. Why?

A) they gm keeps talking about 'being in the playoff conversation". 10th is in the playoff conversation. Basically they just need to move up past two teams and this year qualifies. That's different than winning.

B) the roster moves have been relatively minor and all their players are being signed to end their contracts after this year, setting up 2020 as the real roster shakeup.

C) I refuse to believe a competent GM thinks he can win playoff games with this goaltending tandem.

If you think the goal is to compete for 8th, you agree with me. That isn't winning now. If you think the organization has a playoffs or bust mentality...well I disagree but at least you've set the bar high enough.
- matty12345

I can agree with this 100%

found it interesting that Bales was given the responsibility of deciding which goalie, 1a or 1b, would start the game for the 'canes last season...and now he's in buffalo
- Michael Pachla

Bales is an interesting story this season. It will be oversimplified to Goalies Good = Bales Good, Goalies Bad = Bales Bad. I like the idea of him contributing more to the coaching staff.

This is some of the best coffee I've ever had. Supports vets, too. Try it.

Right... so since we are in a different situation,
then comparing a Darcy quote & what’s Botts said doesn’t make much sense

And i just don’t see Botts’ quote as evidence one way or the other when almost every GM in the league is saying roughly the same thing right now
- jdfitz77

My god.

Yes it does.

Both laid out realistic expectations for the fans based on the makeup of the team and their vision of what's to come

As for the second part, then why bring up playoffs at all? Why not say "we're excited to see the internal growth of our young players" and leave it at that?

And you asked me for an example of someone saying "we're not aiming for the playoffs"

There is a difference between tanking and trying to setup things for a future year. The bills made the playoffs after dumping Watkins and their starting corner and then later darius. The goal of that year was to set up for this year. Did they tank? Nope. But the primary goal of that season wasn't win now.

The sabres aren't tanking. I never said that. But in my opinion they aren't trying to win this year. Why?

A) they gm keeps talking about 'being in the playoff conversation". 10th is in the playoff conversation. Basically they just need to move up past two teams and this year qualifies. That's different than winning.

B) the roster moves have been relatively minor and all their players are being signed to end their contracts after this year, setting up 2020 as the real roster shakeup.

C) I refuse to believe a competent GM thinks he can win playoff games with this goaltending tandem.

If you think the goal is to compete for 8th, you agree with me. That isn't winning now. If you think the organization has a playoffs or bust mentality...well I disagree but at least you've set the bar high enough.
- matty12345

This isn't a bad post. Well thought out, too.

There is a difference between tanking and trying to setup things for a future year. The bills made the playoffs after dumping Watkins and their starting corner and then later darius. The goal of that year was to set up for this year. Did they tank? Nope. But the primary goal of that season wasn't win now.

The sabres aren't tanking. I never said that. But in my opinion they aren't trying to win this year. Why?

A) they gm keeps talking about 'being in the playoff conversation". 10th is in the playoff conversation. Basically they just need to move up past two teams and this year qualifies. That's different than winning.

B) the roster moves have been relatively minor and all their players are being signed to end their contracts after this year, setting up 2020 as the real roster shakeup.

C) I refuse to believe a competent GM thinks he can win playoff games with this goaltending tandem.

If you think the goal is to compete for 8th, you agree with me. That isn't winning now. If you think the organization has a playoffs or bust mentality...well I disagree but at least you've set the bar high enough.
- matty12345

This GM protected one of his goalies in an expansion draft, and signed the other to a 3 year deal. He believes, or believed, in them. The competency question will be answered, but I dont think JB is wrong here

Washed- cant you play a different angle?

It's getting old.

Give fitz a break, no need to keep picking on him.
- Boss34

Trolls gonna troll
I try to ignore him
Not like he ever says anything about hockey anyways

Kind of matches the narrative that, as Krueger put it, he's already like an assistant without the job title. We were able to poach him because we offered that official upgrade. Bales made nice work of two underwhelming goalies. Let's see if he can pull off some more magic.
- TheSabresTaco

from what I've red he's considered one of the best in the business...

and that's a good thing

He started it...I am running out of ideas anyway it’s hard to roast a guy when he does it to himself better.



- washedup20

I started it?
How exactly?

This is my first reply to a post of yours today
Meanwhile,
you’ve been repeatedly trolling me as usual

My god.

Yes it does.

Both laid out realistic expectations for the fans based on the makeup of the team and their vision of what's to come

As for the second part, then why bring up playoffs at all? Why not say "we're excited to see the internal growth of our young players" and leave it at that?

And you asked me for an example of someone saying "we're not aiming for the playoffs"
- jcragcrumple

Ummm... no, i didn’t
And if i did, an extreme example from 6 years ago is a poor way to go for you to try & prove your point

Ummm... no, i didn’t
And if i did, an extreme example from 6 years ago is a poor way to go for you to try & prove your point
- jdfitz77

Pretty much every GM says that EVERY season
What else is he gonna say???
- jdfitz77

I gave you an example of someone from this organization giving a different answer, and I gave you some sample text of a perfectly cromulent answer JB could have given:

"We're excited to see the internal growth from some of our young players"

Where he doesn't mention the playoffs.

I dont even understand why you're getting so worked up over JB saying they need to compete for a playoff spot. What about that statement is getting you so excited, and why do you believe it's not true?

This GM protected one of his goalies in an expansion draft, and signed the other to a 3 year deal. He believes, or believed, in them. The competency question will be answered, but I dont think JB is wrong here
- jcragcrumple

Meh, you have to be able to change your opinion as a GM. I was high on Ullmark too. But last year I changed my opinion. He showed extremely poor lateral mobility. How many times did we watch a wraparound goal go in? Almost every play that required him to stretch out and cover the far post was a hold your breath situation.

He also dips his shoulder badly when he comes out on the shooter which means he gets beat high short side way too much.

Lastly, there were just too many trickle through, team crushing, baaad goals.

Maybe Botts thinks a new goaltending coach can fix those issues, but again, hoping a new goalie coach can fix your goalie isn't really a win now mentality.

Exactly what he did.

3 drafts, 3 off-seasons, trades, FA signings, new coach

"We need to compete for a playoff spot"

My response to his comment is: "yes, that tracks"

My response is not: "I think this means subtle tank year, despite all evidence to the contrary"
- jcragcrumple

I don’t think it’s a tank year

I think they are trying to win

I also don’t think there needs to be a barometer on terms of points

If it looks like the plan is working, which means moderate improvement, at the very least, then we should keep building

Meh, you have to be able to change your opinion as a GM. I was high on Ullmark too. But last year I changed my opinion. He showed extremely poor lateral mobility. How many times did we watch a wraparound goal go in? Almost every play that required him to stretch out and cover the far post was a hold your breath situation.

He also dips his shoulder badly when he comes out on the shooter which means he gets beat high short side way too much.

Lastly, there were just too many trickle through, team crushing, baaad goals.

Maybe Botts thinks a new goaltending coach can fix those issues, but again, hoping a new goalie coach can fix your goalie isn't really a win now mentality.
- matty12345

That was really, really, really bad.

But I will say, as someone who played goalie (at a low level and pretty badly) you're taught to take the shooter and leave the pass to your defensemen. I dont think the goalies trusted the defensemen enough to do that, and they had a tendency to read too much of the ice because they didn't trust their defensemen to make the right read. They never focused enough on the shooter because both of them were worried about the pass coming out front. That's part of it imo. And I'm not saying they're great by any means, but I do think they'll be adequate

Sabres GM Jason Botterill has issued the following statement today regarding defenseman Matt Hunwick:

“After further medical evaluation this offseason, we unfortunately do not expect that Matt will be physically able to play this upcoming season due to a neck condition.”

Edit: Does this get us under the cap now? #ThePlan

Sabres GM Jason Botterill has issued the following statement today regarding defenseman Matt Hunwick:

“After further medical evaluation this offseason, we unfortunately do not expect that Matt will be physically able to play this upcoming season due to a neck condition.”
- Lilroot9

I gave you an example of someone from this organization giving a different answer, and I gave you some sample text of a perfectly cromulent answer JB could have given:

"We're excited to see the internal growth from some of our young players"

Where he doesn't mention the playoffs.

I dont even understand why you're getting so worked up over JB saying they need to compete for a playoff spot. What about that statement is getting you so excited, and why do you believe it's not true?
- jcragcrumple

I think you’ve totally missed my point

All I’m trying to say is that i wouldn’t read into Botts’ comment one way or the other bc that’s very common GM speak

Sabres GM Jason Botterill has issued the following statement today regarding defenseman Matt Hunwick:

“After further medical evaluation this offseason, we unfortunately do not expect that Matt will be physically able to play this upcoming season due to a neck condition.”

Edit: Does this get us under the cap now? #ThePlan
- Lilroot9

Irish called this one...👀👀👀👀👀👀👀