So why did we just spend 9 months acquiring too many RHD when we need more LHD? It's not that the players acquired and retained are bad players, it's that it makes little sense in the grand scheme of assembling a coherent roster. Montour, Miller, Risto, Joker, hopefully Borgen. The Sabres dont need all of them.

Either Risto is on his way out, or these guys have been acquired haphazardly with little regard for how to make the bigger picture come together. JB spent a 1st to play a guy out of position on purpose? No, I dont believe that's true. And if it is, not a great plan.
- jcragcrumple

I'll put it simply. If you have a chance to upgrade your roster, you do it. You figure out the logistics of who plays where at some point, but there's no reason to not upgrade your team if you have the chance.

So why did we just spend 9 months acquiring too many RHD when we need more LHD? It's not that the players acquired and retained are bad players, it's that it makes little sense in the grand scheme of assembling a coherent roster. Montour, Miller, Risto, Joker, hopefully Borgen. The Sabres dont need all of them.

Either Risto is on his way out, or these guys have been acquired haphazardly with little regard for how to make the bigger picture come together. JB spent a 1st to play a guy out of position on purpose? No, I dont believe that's true. And if it is, not a great plan.
- jcragcrumple

I just explained why we acquired the players we got.

Was the plan really to spend a 1st to acquire a RHD to play him on the left side? Makes no sense. I think Botterill thought Risto would be gone by now. Very sure Risto really thought he would be gone by now
- jcragcrumple

There was no way at all to know we’d be able to acquire Miller & Joker AFTER the Montour trade

Play the best 6, period

I'll put it simply. If you have a chance to upgrade your roster, you do it. You figure out the logistics of who plays where at some point, but there's no reason to not upgrade your team if you have the chance.
- HonkFortheGoose

For sure. And I can assure you, Crag, that these players were not brought in... Haphazardly. This was a short and long term effort to upgrade this ass defense. Again, you have no idea what was available to the Sabres. What LD was out there to acquire and the associated price.

I think we beat 2 VERY BAD teams,
and it’s not like we won the games 40-10

Things are gonna look different when we start playing good teams

First half of the season should be fun at least
Then we’ll see if we’ve grown enough to start beating the good teams we play in the 2nd half

Sure is fun so far though
- jdfitz77

I'm just glad they won both games in different fashion. If it was two wins where they coasted, I would be more nervous. They know they can come back in games, even though it was the lowly Jets. They also know they can exploit weak defenses.

The underlying theme is having the defense stand on their heads for the entire game to give the offense a chance.

I'll put it simply. If you have a chance to upgrade your roster, you do it. You figure out the logistics of who plays where at some point, but there's no reason to not upgrade your team if you have the chance.
- HonkFortheGoose

Ok, but if I'm going bathing suit shopping for a vacation to Jamaica, I'm not buying a down parka just because it's available and on sale. There's no use for it

Ok, but if I'm going bathing suit shopping for a vacation to Jamaica, I'm not buying a down parka just because it's available and on sale. There's no use for it
- jcragcrumple

I do.
It's a smart buy.
Especially if my old parka sucks

For sure. And I can assure you, Crag, that these players were not brought in... Haphazardly. This was a short and long term effort to upgrade this ass defense. Again, you have no idea what was available to the Sabres. What LD was out there to acquire and the associated price.
- TheSabresTaco

And what is his point even?
That we should trade Risto?
I’m sure he’s not “untouchable”
But I’m more than ok if Botts wants to set a certain value on him & not move Risto if teams don’t meet it
We have the upper hand
Top4 RH defensemen will ALWAYS be “in demand”

I just explained why we acquired the players we got.
- TheSabresTaco

I'll respectfully disagree. I just dont think the D group makes sense without a trade. Whether that's in a day, week, month or year

I do.
It's a smart buy.
Especially if my old parka sucks
- jochfr

I'm trying to work in a cool runnings joke, but it's not coming together

I'm just glad they won both games in different fashion. If it was two wins where they coasted, I would be more nervous. They know they can come back in games, even though it was the lowly Jets. They also know they can exploit weak defenses.

The underlying theme is having the defense stand on their heads for the entire game to give the offense a chance.
- thatsapickle

Very suspect offenses we played against though
I’m not trying to be a downer,
just think we aren’t good enough yet to be thought of as a double digit wins team

It is entirely possible we could grow to that point throughout the season though

The relatively easy schedule to start the season should help our confidence & help us get out to a really nice start

I’m not complaining or anything
Just being a little cautious with my optimism

Ok, but if I'm going bathing suit shopping for a vacation to Jamaica, I'm not buying a down parka just because it's available and on sale. There's no use for it
- jcragcrumple

There's no use in passing on an opportunity to make your team better.

There has to have been a thought process behind what they are doing with an excess of LW and RHD.

The waiting is the hardest part.

I'll respectfully disagree. I just dont think the D group makes sense without a trade. Whether that's in a day, week, month or year
- jcragcrumple

I'll be there for you.

And what is his point even?
That we should trade Risto?
I’m sure he’s not “untouchable”
But I’m more than ok if Botts wants to set a certain value on him & not move Risto if teams don’t meet it
We have the upper hand
Top4 RH defensemen will ALWAYS be “in demand”
- jdfitz77

Injuries can and will happen. As long as the Sabres aren't on the wrong side of them, it's a good place to be.

Maybe they want Bogo back before they move Risto.

The value they are getting is obviously not what they want, so trying to figure out the rationale behind the decision is about as bountiful as it is trying to win the lottery without buying a ticket.

I'll be there for you.
- thatsapickle

Ok, but if I'm going bathing suit shopping for a vacation to Jamaica, I'm not buying a down parka just because it's available and on sale. There's no use for it
- jcragcrumple

You’re reaching pretty hard

If a RH defenseman can play on the left side,
it’s ok

If a LW can play RW,
it’s ok to have extra at that position too

This isn’t Xbox
Can’t just acquire all the players u want at the prices u want
And especially... in the timeframe YOU want


You’ve been such a downer all summer long,
when things are finally looking up
Try & enjoy it sir
We are FINALLY moving in the right direction

Very suspect offenses we played against though
I’m not trying to be a downer,
just think we aren’t good enough yet to be thought of as a double digit wins team

It is entirely possible we could grow to that point throughout the season though

The relatively easy schedule to start the season should help our confidence & help us get out to a really nice start

I’m not complaining or anything
Just being a little cautious with my optimism
- jdfitz77

I'm right there with you.

I still feel a very Billsy loss coming to the Bengals. They really need to keep the approach of one game at a time, and improve game over game.

- Der Kaiser

I didn't want to make it, but it was just sitting there on a tee.

False, Risto sucks.

Now trade him for legit 2C or 1/2 RW.

Did I do this right?
- SDSabre

Correct. Risto sucks BUT you demand elite compensation in a trade. You have checked both boxes. Nice work.

I'll be there for you.
- thatsapickle

🙌 🙌 🙌 🙌

Daniel Jones named the Giants starter in week 3

Did the Bills end Eli's career?

I'm right there with you.

I still feel a very Billsy loss coming to the Bengals. They really need to keep the approach of one game at a time, and improve game over game.
- thatsapickle

I’d be more worried if it were in Cinci,
but i think it’s gonna be close-
not the blowout i hear a lot of ppl saying

At TEN could be a tougher game than we’d think

Even though the wins were against 2 fairly crappy teams,
It’s a nice start that we can build on

I’d love to see the Sabres get off to a nice start too!

You’re reaching pretty hard

If a RH defenseman can play on the left side,
it’s ok

If a LW can play RW,
it’s ok to have extra at that position too

This isn’t Xbox
Can’t just acquire all the players u want at the prices u want
And especially... in the timeframe YOU want


You’ve been such a downer all summer long,
when things are finally looking up
Try & enjoy it sir
We are FINALLY moving in the right direction
- jdfitz77

Sorry fitz.

The moves make complete sense and fit together perfectly. The GM is beyond questioning.

For the record, I am excited for the season and they might even be good. I think some things could have been done differently. I dont think that makes me a downer

Daniel Jones named the Giants starter in week 3

Did the Bills end Eli's career?
- Stripes77

Father Time and a terrible job by their GM over the last few years is what really ended his career

But we may have been the last game he starts
I doubt he’ll sign somewhere to be a backup
And i don’t see anyone letting him be their starter anymore

HOF career for him though

Ok, but if I'm going bathing suit shopping for a vacation to Jamaica, I'm not buying a down parka just because it's available and on sale. There's no use for it
- jcragcrumple

That's a completely ridiculous comparison.

Also, you live in Buffalo. If you happen to come across a great deal on a winter coat, probably not a bad idea to jump on it. But I'm a woman, so maybe I just see that type of thing differently.