I think everyone knows JB's thinking long term. They need to develop more talent. They can't trade their way into contention.
- Lunaion

Seems like quite a few on here are demanding moves be made ASAP to help this team now

Ukko Pekka Luukkonen allows 3 goals in Cinci Cyclones debut last night

https://local12.com/sport...rop-4-1-decision-to-beast
- kritter65

Bust, probably

I think everyone knows JB's thinking long term. They need to develop more talent. They can't trade their way into contention.
- Lunaion

I agree, but it seems that way with some people on here.

Seems like quite a few on here are demanding moves be made ASAP to help this team now
- jdfitz77

The time to make a hockey trade was in the offseason. If he can pull one off now, all the power to him. Most likely we are playing with what we got for at least another month or two.

What we shouldn’t be waiting for is to call up Tage.

Cozens will be here full time next year even if it means he’s starting off as a RW.

I also think we will eventually move a d-man for a forward as well it makes too much sense.
- Swedish_Jesus

Agreed
But i am wondering if there just isn’t much value in whatever defensemen Botts is ok moving?
He’s had to have had discussions with teams

So either there just isn’t a trade to be made right now
Or he was waiting for Montour to get back healthy

The time to make a hockey trade was in the offseason. If he can pull one off now, all the power to him. Most likely we are playing with what we got for at least another month or two.

What we shouldn’t be waiting for is to call up Tage.
- Swedish_Jesus

That seems reasonable to me
I didn’t see the game last night, but i heard the lines got switched up a little
Did he move Sobotka or Olofsson down?

Agreed
But i am wondering if there just isn’t much value in whatever defensemen Botts is ok moving?
He’s had to have had discussions with teams

So either there just isn’t a trade to be made right now
Or he was waiting for Montour to get back healthy
- jdfitz77

Teams don't have the cap space right now either. He could have a player in mind but 1 player is making more then the other and teams can't take on the cap hit

That seems reasonable to me
I didn’t see the game last night, but i heard the lines got switched up a little
Did he move Sobotka or Olofsson down?
- jdfitz77

I didn’t watch last night either I was out with the lady. Usually when I don’t watch we win but I guess that luck ran out.

Teams don't have the cap space right now either. He could have a player in mind but 1 player is making more then the other and teams can't take on the cap hit
- Buff36

Cap space with us is a thing too once Bogo comes back

There’s a lot that goes into making a trade
That’s why we don’t see them as much as the Xbox GMs would like

Botts is gonna have some Cap Space after this season though
Hopefully he can take advantage of a team who’s in Cap trouble to add another “core” piece or 2

Seems like quite a few on here are demanding moves be made ASAP to help this team now
- jdfitz77

NOT ME.
I have stated many, many times I don't expect a trade until late Nov/early December...more likely around the Xmas break.
They DO Need to upgrade the roster, preferably 1st at 2RW/2C.
They have the assets to put together a very nice package, most likely a combination of Players, Prospects, Picks and possibly hold Cap if the right player is involved.

I didn’t watch last night either I was out with the lady. Usually when I don’t watch we win but I guess that luck ran out.
- Swedish_Jesus

Trotz is a freaking magician the way he turned around the Isles so quickly
Imagine if they’d have been able to keep Tavares?

NYI + Tavares > Toronto with Tavares

Seems like quite a few on here are demanding moves be made ASAP to help this team now
- jdfitz77

If by quite a few you mean 2, sure.

NOT ME.
I have stated many, many times I don't expect a trade until late Nov/early December...more likely around the Xmas break.
They DO Need to upgrade the roster, preferably 1st at 2RW/2C.
They have the assets to put together a very nice package, most likely a combination of Players, Prospects, Picks and possibly hold Cap if the right player is involved.
- IonSabres

Yeah... you’ve stated this MANY times,
like I’m only talking to YOU

You have see all the others calling for trades & moves to be made NOW though,
Haven’t you?

I’m not twisting anything
My points just aren’t directed solely at you dude

If by quite a few you mean 2, sure.
- IonSabres

Also, it’s on the GM to make a move. Whether he’s trying or not.

He can’t “hold out for a great offer” while we punt away another season because he doesn’t want to lose a trade

They need a top 9 forward, it’s his job to get one.

If by quite a few you mean 2, sure.
- IonSabres

Closer to double digits dude

Also, it’s on the GM to make a move. Whether he’s trying or not.

He can’t “hold out for a great offer” while we punt away another season because he doesn’t want to lose a trade

They need a top 9 forward, it’s his job to get one.
- sbroads24

the sad thing is, they didn't even give cozens a look

cozens and tage could be what we are missing this season

Cap space with us is a thing too once Bogo comes back

There’s a lot that goes into making a trade
That’s why we don’t see them as much as the Xbox GMs would like

Botts is gonna have some Cap Space after this season though
Hopefully he can take advantage of a team who’s in Cap trouble to add another “core” piece or 2
- jdfitz77

That's the thing, we are a few players away, and even if he made a huge move, who are you going after and more then likely it is taking more than just a surplus D-man.

the sad thing is, they didn't even give cozens a look

cozens and tage could be what we are missing this season
- homiedclown

Cozens thought he needs to add more weight/muscle
Couldn’t really work out much in the off-season bc his hand was in a cast- almost exclusively cardio
These are things he told me

Maybe Botts thoughts were to save the 9 games for the end of the season, giving him some time to hit the weight room

I think Cozens is gonna be legit
If Tage can be too, we are gonna be in nice shape moving forward

Also, it’s on the GM to make a move. Whether he’s trying or not.

He can’t “hold out for a great offer” while we punt away another season because he doesn’t want to lose a trade

They need a top 9 forward, it’s his job to get one.
- sbroads24

I think you know he doesn't have the urgency that you'd like.

Next year, and beyond...

_____-Eichel-Sam
Skinner-Cozens-MoJo
Olofsson-Mitts-Tage? Asplund?
Girgs-Larsson-Okposo

Move MoJo up to LW1 & find a RW2?
Keep Sheary at a reasonable price & play him at LW1?

Go big for a UFA like Taylor Hall?
Revisit someone like Ehlers, Rakell, Zucker, Athanasiou, etc?
*try to make one of these moves to help us out this season AND moving forward
As the season moves on, and these teams continue to struggle/not meet expectations,
then maybe Botts can strike the deal he wants

Let those other GMs get desperate
Some of the same ppl on here that criticized GMTM are seemingly now wanting to see Botts do whatever it takes (paraphrasing) to get a move made

I’m fine with Botts being patient for now
But yeah, a rough November could definitely put the pressure on him to “get something done”

Cozens thought he needs to add more weight/muscle
Couldn’t really work out much in the off-season bc his hand was in a cast- almost exclusively cardio
These are things he told me

Maybe Botts thoughts were to save the 9 games for the end of the season, giving him some time to hit the weight room

I think Cozens is gonna be legit
If Tage can be too, we are gonna be in nice shape moving forward
- jdfitz77

This makes me smile, considering the fact you debated with me for 3 months about the merits of bottoming out last year.

Am I still a bad fan for rooting for our team to lose to secure a possible 2C sidekick to Eichel for the next 10 years ?

Would we have gotten Cozens in the 12-15 range ? Me thinks not.

This makes me smile, considering the fact you debated with me for 3 months about the merits of bottoming out last year.

Am I still a bad fan for rooting for our team to lose to secure a possible 2C sidekick to Eichel for the next 10 years ?

Would we have gotten Cozens in the 12-15 range ? Me thinks not.
- Swedish_Jesus

Could we have gotten another player in the 18ish range that can turn out to be good as well?

Are u cheering for us to lose again this year bc we still don’t have enough high end talent to compete with the Caps, Tampa, Boston, etc?

Trotz is a freaking magician the way he turned around the Isles so quickly
Imagine if they’d have been able to keep Tavares?

NYI + Tavares > Toronto with Tavares
- jdfitz77

Very good coach with excellent defensive system. No fun to watch most of the time.

Cozens thought he needs to add more weight/muscle
Couldn’t really work out much in the off-season bc his hand was in a cast- almost exclusively cardio
These are things he told me

Maybe Botts thoughts were to save the 9 games for the end of the season, giving him some time to hit the weight room

I think Cozens is gonna be legit
If Tage can be too, we are gonna be in nice shape moving forward
- jdfitz77

they can't bring cozens up until his season has ended

real good chance we only have 3 or 4 games left when that happens

Could we have gotten another player in the 18ish range that can turn out to be good as well?

Are u cheering for us to lose again this year bc we still don’t have enough high end talent to compete with the Caps, Tampa, Boston, etc?
- jdfitz77

This team is further along talent wise this year then they were last year. Botts has the ammunition to make a trade that adds another top 6 forward to this team that could put us in the conversation for the playoffs.

The moves to add Joker, Miller, Mojo, Vesey we’re not available last year in season, never mind the additional steps this team needs to continue to set ourselves up for success this year.