We can't assemble our best 1st line because the wheels fall off everywhere else if we do that. There's not enough talent
- jcragcrumple

And taking a forward at pick 30 changes that?

I’m in agreement we desperately need another forward right now. And if he sits on his hands all year and doesn’t get one that’s a problem. A big problem.

Id say we have 3 top end forwards. With one close to top end in Mojo. Which is probably about average to above.
- sbroads24

top end isnt really the problem, its the step right below that.

i don't think any NHL dmen are going to get you anythign good unless you are talking about Risto or Montour. They aren't gogin to trade dahlin or joker and the rest don't have the value to get you a top 9 player
- SabresFaninIndiana

So then trade 19 or 55 + something to get one.

And taking a forward at pick 30 changes that?

I’m in agreement we desperately need another forward right now. And if he sits on his hands all year and doesn’t get one that’s a problem. A big problem.
- sbroads24

my hope with all the D is that he is collecting them for their higher trade value for when he does make a trade to get a winger.. hopefully, maybe

top end isnt really the problem, its the step right below that.
- SabresFaninIndiana

I agree with that. I was disputing the fact that at every level our forwards are weak.

At the top it’s pretty good

So then trade 19 or 55 + something to get one.
- sbroads24

i think that is what needs to happen. a D prospect is probably getting you a low value NHL player or a prospect. neither one helps us right now.

I'm a big JB defender. Got me in a lot of trouble when everyone was having their preseason melt down.

I do think it's fair to wish he made one less move on D and one more at F. If he were being honest, I think he'd admit that knowing he could acquire Joker would change his previous moves. Doesn't bother me because he's clearly focused further down the road, but this imbalance does need to be corrected.
- Lunaion

That's a great post

I guess if we lost the lottery draft and went forward instead of d (,svech. Tkachuk) we would be even keel?

If the nylander deal wasnt made, we would be fine.

Again, it's been less than 100 games since we achieved rock bottom last place.

Berglund quit, had he played d? We traded ror for 3 nhl forwards.

I like what jbotts is doing.
D takes more time to develop
Our time to win it all isnt this year

And taking a forward at pick 30 changes that?

I’m in agreement we desperately need another forward right now. And if he sits on his hands all year and doesn’t get one that’s a problem. A big problem.
- sbroads24

It's a moot point now. It needs to be addressed at the NHL level now for it to have an impact within the next few years. The 2020 draft does nothing for the immediate future unless they bomb out for lafreniere which isn't happening

Id say we have 3 top end forwards. With one close to top end in Mojo. Which is probably about average to above.
- sbroads24

We have one top end forward, most teams in our division have 2-3. That’s the problem. Sam and Skinner are good players, would be top 6 on most teams but “top end” they are not.

my hope with all the D is that he is collecting them for their higher trade value for when he does make a trade to get a winger.. hopefully, maybe
- SabresFaninIndiana

Good post

That's my guess as well.

God forbid jbotts picks the best player overall when it comes to his turn to draft.

Every trade deadline team is looking to add defensive depth. Pretty clear scandy and bogo are gone soon.

Stuck with okposo and bogo for 13 million a year, add in slowmoulson for 5 million more.

I'd say he was handcuffed by the cap in regards to adding more talent at wing

top end isnt really the problem, its the step right below that.
- SabresFaninIndiana

Yes, and no. In a perfect world we add another “top end” forward that puts skinner and Reinhart in their respective pegs in the pecking order.

Realistically though unless we miss the playoffs and win one of the top two picks we won’t be getting that “top end” forward but if we acquire enough “good” players we should be just fine.

We have one top end forward, most teams in our division have 2-3. That’s the problem. Sam and Skinner are good players, would be top 6 on most teams but “top end” they are not.
- Swedish_Jesus

40 goals is pretty top end type player ( skinner).

Sam is not top end.

Florida - barkov
Montreal-?
Ottawa- ?
Detroit- larkin?

Bruins
Leafs
Tampa

Yes

That's a great post

I guess if we lost the lottery draft and went forward instead of d (,svech. Tkachuk) we would be even keel?

If the nylander deal wasnt made, we would be fine.

Again, it's been less than 100 games since we achieved rock bottom last place.

Berglund quit, had he played d? We traded ror for 3 nhl forwards.

I like what jbotts is doing.
D takes more time to develop
Our time to win it all isnt this year
- Boss34

On the bright side, next year we can be the first team to roll 8 D and 10 forwards for every game

40 goals is pretty top end type player ( skinner).

Sam is not top end.

Florida - barkov
Montreal-?
Ottawa- ?
Detroit- larkin?

Bruins
Leafs
Tampa

Yes
- Boss34

Skinner scored 40 once. He’s a top end goal scorer but if we are talking full arsenal I wouldn’t put him in the top end category.

But that’s my opinion and everyone else is fair (and will) disagree with that and it’s ok.

On the bright side, next year we can be the first team to roll 8 D and 10 forwards for every game
- jcragcrumple

just go full 3 D and 2 F per line

We have one top end forward, most teams in our division have 2-3. That’s the problem. Sam and Skinner are good players, would be top 6 on most teams but “top end” they are not.
- Swedish_Jesus

I’m not going down this rabbit hole but I can’t help you if you think a guy who’s scored at a .5 GPG pace isn’t high end

Skinner scored 40 once. He’s a top end goal scorer but if we are talking full arsenal I wouldn’t put him in the top end category.

But that’s my opinion and everyone else is fair (and will) disagree with that and it’s ok.
- Swedish_Jesus

He’s averaged 30 goals per 82 games and 40 per 82 as a Sabre.

To go along with other categories he’s been elite in.

just go full 3 D and 2 F per line
- SabresFaninIndiana

I think I figured it out. The 3rd line will have two wingers, two d men, and Dahlin will play a hybrid center/defense position that will be known as the Karlsson technique

Anyone else excited to watch Dahlin and the rest of the Swedes play these games? You gotta think they are all going balls out in front of the homeland crowd.

He’s averaged 30 goals per 82 games and 40 per 82 as a Sabre.

To go along with other categories he’s been elite in.
- sbroads24

Sure and he averages 55 points a season, is not dependable defensively, his possession numbers are fine but aren’t elite.

Skinner scored 40 once. He’s a top end goal scorer but if we are talking full arsenal I wouldn’t put him in the top end category.

But that’s my opinion and everyone else is fair (and will) disagree with that and it’s ok.
- Swedish_Jesus

That's fair.
How about those other 4 divison teams with 2 or 3 top end guys? Clearly they have to better than skinner and his 40 goals.


Ottawa - um
Montreal-um
Detroit - maybe Larkin
Florida- barkov.

Maybe you could help? I'm kinda stumped.

None of those teams will have a high end defensman like dahlin either

Sure and he averages 55 points a season, is not dependable defensively, his possession numbers are fine but aren’t elite.
- Swedish_Jesus

From 2016-17- 2018-19 Skinner ranks 59th in total points.

Not 5 on 5, just total points.

So *just* on point total alone he’s a teams second best forward.

He’s 14th in total goals over that time period.

He’s top 5 in 5 on 5 goals in that time period

I’ll take another one of him please

Anyone else excited to watch Dahlin and the rest of the Swedes play these games? You gotta think they are all going balls out in front of the homeland crowd.
- Chris16

im just glad the offseason is over and we get to watch hockey again

That's fair.
How about those other 4 divison teams with 2 or 3 top end guys? Clearly they have to better than skinner and his 40 goals.


Ottawa - um
Montreal-um
Detroit - maybe Larkin
Florida- barkov.

Maybe you could help? I'm kinda stumped.

None of those teams will have a high end defensman like dahlin either
- Boss34

If you asked me like 6 years ago that MTL has Drouin and Domi id ask how many cups they had

FLa id add Huberdau and maybe hoffman and trocek

I woudl argue that Chabot is or will be a high end d man imo Brannestrom as well

Anyone else excited to watch Dahlin and the rest of the Swedes play these games? You gotta think they are all going balls out in front of the homeland crowd.
- Chris16

Why wait to be in front of your homeland crowd to go balls out ?
They should be giving 110% every shift every night, playing balls out to win no matter where they are playing.