10 games in, so we can start to see the trends
a few takes


1. Jack is turning into the hype, took over the game and put the team and city on his shoulders and delivered

2. Olofsson is going to make a case for the calder

3. casey and johansson are both on pace for 56 points

4. the addition of miller and joker really allows this to be more of an upbeat north/south team

5. hutton was not as good as his ungodly numbers before last night, ullmark is not as bad as his numbers, they will make a very good 1-2 punch in net

6. f the leafs
- homiedclown

You can really start to see the light going on with Mitts. I think what is really telling is that he was out there in OT - I was worried that Ralph was going to be too conservative but he let it hang out a bit more last night and was rewarded. Hopefully Mitts can be the 2nd line center and Cuz can be sheltered on the 3rd line next year.

People consistently bring him up. The team could go 80-1-1 this year but it wouldn’t change the fact I think he’s going to fall on his face by year 5 of that deal.

I hope we win the cup by then and it won’t matter.
- Swedish_Jesus

someone will find a way to female dog about they way they picked up the cup or who it was handed to after Eichel....

You're young, which means you're lacking in perspective, whether you realize it or not, so I'd like to ask a question: do you think you might be so consumed with being right with your opinions that you're missing out on the fun of the team playing well and winning?
- kingcong39

I was happier then a pig in poop last night. Had all my buddies over watching the game and having beers. Sabres on one TV and Leafs on the other. Had a bit of the World Series on as well. Was a grand old time.

I’m sorry that I worry about a long term contract. Am I the only one that watched Ehrhoff, Hodgson, Leino, Okposo not live up to expectations ?

If that isn’t enough for you look at Parise, Suter, Keith, Seabrook, Vlasic, Benn, David Backes, Loui Eriksson, James Neal. Milan Lucic. How long do we wait before we lump in Zuccarello, Doughty, E. Karlsson ?

I’m sure there are more contracts but that is what I can think of in the 30 seconds it took me to write this post.

Skinner is a good player, but the contract scares me. It is not however taking away from my excitement of this year.

You can really start to see the light going on with Mitts. I think what is really telling is that he was out there in OT - I was worried that Ralph was going to be too conservative but he let it hang out a bit more last night and was rewarded. Hopefully Mitts can be the 2nd line center and Cuz can be sheltered on the 3rd line next year.
- Slump Buster

Few people ive heard mention things like
the light bulb turned on this year
playing with line mates he clicks with
skates with a purpose

I was happier then a pig in poop last night. Had all my buddies over watching the game and having beers. Sabres on one TV and Leafs on the other. Had a bit of the World Series on as well. Was a grand old time.

I’m sorry that I worry about a long term contract. Am I the only one that watched Ehrhoff, Hodgson, Leino, Okposo not live up to expectations ?

If that isn’t enough for you look at Parise, Suter, Keith, Seabrook, Vlasic, Benn, David Backes, Loui Eriksson, James Neal. Milan Lucic. How long do we wait before we lump in Zuccarello, Doughty, E. Karlsson ?

I’m sure there are more contracts but that is what I can think of in the 30 seconds it took me to write this post.

Skinner is a good player, but the contract scares me. It is not however taking away from my excitement of this year.
- Swedish_Jesus

There are people who are much smarter than me and spell things correctly, but if your winning the contract isnt so bad when its a top 6 player, When its a dude like Okposo is when the pain comes.

But think of this he wont score 40 goals as his power play production will drop a ton with goalof. ....... But whats the value to you for say 20-25 5v5 goals?

IMO and as I said im not the smartest guy in the room (even if im working from home that day) but to me 20 5v5 goals from Skinner is more valuable than 30 PP goals from goalof

(Still no stats but I may have spelled everything correctly, grammar may be off though)

skinner dropped to the second line


after 10 games in on pace for 48 goals

and people are complaining


what the hell has this world come to
- homiedclown

I just finished back reading and now wish I hadn't. I'm not sure what the hell happened but damn, did we lose last night and I missed it somewhere? By the posts you'd think we had.

People consistently bring him up. The team could go 80-1-1 this year but it wouldn’t change the fact I think he’s going to fall on his face by year 5 of that deal.

I hope we win the cup by then and it won’t matter.
- Swedish_Jesus

if you are so great at predicting the future how about those lottery numbers... or who is going to win the NBA title, or the name of the horse that wins the Kentucky derby.

I was happier then a pig in poop last night. Had all my buddies over watching the game and having beers. Sabres on one TV and Leafs on the other. Had a bit of the World Series on as well. Was a grand old time.

I’m sorry that I worry about a long term contract. Am I the only one that watched Ehrhoff, Hodgson, Leino, Okposo not live up to expectations ?

If that isn’t enough for you look at Parise, Suter, Keith, Seabrook, Vlasic, Benn, David Backes, Loui Eriksson, James Neal. Milan Lucic. How long do we wait before we lump in Zuccarello, Doughty, E. Karlsson ?

I’m sure there are more contracts but that is what I can think of in the 30 seconds it took me to write this post.

Skinner is a good player, but the contract scares me. It is not however taking away from my excitement of this year.
- Swedish_Jesus

You're far too young to worry. Hold off on that until you get older. Take it from an older guy.

if you are so great at predicting the future how about those lottery numbers... or who is going to win the NBA title, or the name of the horse that wins the Kentucky derby.
- gordong

He didn't say he knows, he said he thinks. It's his opinion and he's entitled to it.

Skinner is interesting to me in that he's not really a typical player. His skating is so much different and he's pretty good at avoiding major physical contact. In a lot of ways, he's kind of an enigma, so it's hard to predict what will happen when you compare him to other players because there are just many different factors about him.

At some point you have to realize that the GMs are going to have to give out contracts that you have a feeling just aren't going to be great at the end of them. It's just the nature of the league these days. You could probably find at least 1 contract on each team throughout the league that's already an issue or concerning in some ways.

I was happier then a pig in poop last night. Had all my buddies over watching the game and having beers. Sabres on one TV and Leafs on the other. Had a bit of the World Series on as well. Was a grand old time.

I’m sorry that I worry about a long term contract. Am I the only one that watched Ehrhoff, Hodgson, Leino, Okposo not live up to expectations ?

If that isn’t enough for you look at Parise, Suter, Keith, Seabrook, Vlasic, Benn, David Backes, Loui Eriksson, James Neal. Milan Lucic. How long do we wait before we lump in Zuccarello, Doughty, E. Karlsson ?

I’m sure there are more contracts but that is what I can think of in the 30 seconds it took me to write this post.

Skinner is a good player, but the contract scares me. It is not however taking away from my excitement of this year.
- Swedish_Jesus

seriously who the hell cares, in 7 years that's going to be a cheap contract. and unless you are footing the bill why the hell do you care. the whole salary thing is stupid... we haven't had enough good players for the salary's to matter in years, hopefully that is changing, but all kinds of team field expensive players if they can, why can't we.

seriously who the hell cares, in 7 years that's going to be a cheap contract. and unless you are footing the bill why the hell do you care. the hole salary thing is stupid... we haven't had enough good players for the salary's to matter in years, hopefully that is changing, but all kinds of team field expensive players if they can why cant we.
- gordong

7.... i bet 2.... but then a lockout brings it back down to earth?

I’ve said all I’ve needed to say on this subject several times. I like the player, I don’t like the term. I really hope I’m wrong and he’s worth every penny and produces deep into the contract, I just don’t see it.
- Swedish_Jesus

7 pages later...

I was happier then a pig in poop last night. Had all my buddies over watching the game and having beers. Sabres on one TV and Leafs on the other. Had a bit of the World Series on as well. Was a grand old time.

I’m sorry that I worry about a long term contract. Am I the only one that watched Ehrhoff, Hodgson, Leino, Okposo not live up to expectations ?

If that isn’t enough for you look at Parise, Suter, Keith, Seabrook, Vlasic, Benn, David Backes, Loui Eriksson, James Neal. Milan Lucic. How long do we wait before we lump in Zuccarello, Doughty, E. Karlsson ?

I’m sure there are more contracts but that is what I can think of in the 30 seconds it took me to write this post.

Skinner is a good player, but the contract scares me. It is not however taking away from my excitement of this year.
- Swedish_Jesus

7 months later...
- jcragcrumple

Fixed it for you

We won last night

We won last night


- TheSabresTaco

Barely

And that loser point that SJ got is going to come back to haunt us in the SCF when we only get 3 home games

We won last night


- TheSabresTaco

This is actually irrelevant. It's no longer did you win, but how you won. Our NHL team didn't beat another NHL team in regulation, AND our backup goalie has played too much AND our offseason signing that's too long is have a good 1st season, but still too long AND our franchise center only plays like it for half a game (while getting 4 points) AND Reinhart still stinks AND Risto is hot garbage AND Dahlin isn't the savior after a season + ten games AND DPR is dragging down L2 BUT Mojo is just an ok signing AND McCabe is a bad hockey player BUT possibly good captain AND Nylander scored more on Chi in 7 games then he scored in 4 years here, SO we done (frank)ed up.

The two of you have greatly enhanced my morning, and I thank you for it.

SD, your effort deserves a gold star sticker.

Mittelstadt has 7 points in 10 games and a plus 6.

Also had a huge backcheck in overtime last night.

I think the light is starting to go on

Mittelstadt has 7 points in 10 games and a plus 6.

Also had a huge backcheck in overtime last night.

I think the light is starting to go on
- Sabretooth9

yeah but we have only beat teams who are'nt in the playoff hunt.....
(am i doing this right?)

Mittelstadt has 7 points in 10 games and a plus 6.

Also had a huge backcheck in overtime last night.

I think the light is starting to go on
- Sabretooth9

All lights are holograms you reptilian flat earthing poop sipper.

yeah but we have only beat teams who are'nt in the playoff hunt.....
(am i doing this right?)
- hubie

This part is always right, when a negative connotation follows.

I was happier then a pig in poop last night. Had all my buddies over watching the game and having beers. Sabres on one TV and Leafs on the other. Had a bit of the World Series on as well. Was a grand old time.

I’m sorry that I worry about a long term contract. Am I the only one that watched Ehrhoff, Hodgson, Leino, Okposo not live up to expectations ?

If that isn’t enough for you look at Parise, Suter, Keith, Seabrook, Vlasic, Benn, David Backes, Loui Eriksson, James Neal. Milan Lucic. How long do we wait before we lump in Zuccarello, Doughty, E. Karlsson ?

I’m sure there are more contracts but that is what I can think of in the 30 seconds it took me to write this post.

Skinner is a good player, but the contract scares me. It is not however taking away from my excitement of this year.
- Swedish_Jesus

You're really comparing Skinner, who averages almost 30 goals a year, to Ehrhoff, Hodgson and Leino?

Stop. Just stop.

You're reaching.

The chance that Botterill would actually trade Montour now is almost nonexistent
- jcragcrumple

Keeping Montour over Risto is the better option.
They are the same player in their own zone, which is to say they're not real good there.
They both have the same game in the Ozone, Mountour might be a bit better.
Montour has good Hockey IQ, Risto might have negative score on a scale of 1-5
Montour is far superior in the Transition game.

Why the Sabres would create a further imbalance on the right side by trading a LhD, would be a head scratcher unless is was for Scandella who they likely won't resign anyway...so get value for him. That is the only LhD I would see going. McCabe should be relegated to 3rd pairing if the pairings were optimized.

Risto looking a bit better under Krueger...does Montour take a step up as well? Would be dumb not to see. If so, it is a no brainer that Risto goes.

So trade Scandella to capture value vs walking as a ufa.
Trade Risto as Montour is better.
Package another player with each to get maximum value.

You're really comparing Skinner, who averages almost 30 goals a year, to Ehrhoff, Hodgson and Leino?

Stop. Just stop.

You're reaching.
- Powerslave

There are guys you should be comfortable giving long term deals to and guys you shouldn't.

Guys like Skinner, elite even strength goal scoring, 6 seasons in a row he's played between 71-82 games, elite forechecker, superb pest, elite skater (not speed), not a bruising forward, and a whole lot of evidence that he can score between 30-40 goals a year is a great reason to sign a guy.

There's compounding evidence that power forwards, guys that don't have elite tools, guys with average foot speed in their 20s, guys that can't stay healthy, physical power forwards.. they don't last into their 30's.

Take a look at the 2016 free agency class and you'll notice that every big contract can apply to the description above.

Yeah, maybe the tail end of the contract doesn't look great, but that's how you keep elite talent. The player should give you a majority of good years, then the team needs to take the hit, maybe, last year or two. Skinner, Karlsson, Panarin.. those guys earned those contracts, even though it's possible they may be leeches by year 6, 7, 8. It's simply the cost of doing business.

There's nothing that shows that Botterill's gamble with Skinner was a short term risk.

mark my words, Evander Kane's contract will look worse than Skinner's, sooner.