Debatable

Like I’ve said...
Botts has tried to use low cost acquisitions in order to boost the depth of this team
Miller, Vesey, Sheary
Obviously, those guys have worked out to varying degrees

I’m totally fine with him not sacrificing the long term goals for immediate results now

And what options did he have to bring in guys that would make a significant difference?

The only legitimate thing i heard ppl say is that he should’ve traded Risto for a forward
Well, it seems pretty clear to me that he just hasn’t been getting good enough offers for him
- jdfitz77

He let Pominville walk and attempted to replace that production by spending a 3rd on Vesey. He added a winger to play center. He kept the same crap instead of churning the roster

Haula and/or Dzingel would have helped, but that cash is tied up in the guy in the press box and Vesey.

You talk about the long term, but the only real help that is coming is Cozens, UPL and Borgen. After that it's going to be barren for a while. Botterill is not a good GM

The worst thing that happened to this team was the fast start. It gave fans hope that they might be somehow better than they are. Same is true for Vancouver, Avs, Oilers and Coyotes.

This team has a gem in Eichel, prolific scorer in Skinner and a future Norris in Dahlin but otherwise nothing to get excited about, AT THIS TIME. Yes they have other pieces that will help them improve and clearly they are a better team than they have been the last few years, it's not hard when the only place to go is up, but just because they have a competent goalie and some depth on defense doesn't mean you can leapfrog 8 teams overnight and secure a playoff spot.

He let Pominville walk and attempted to replace that production by spending a 3rd on Vesey. He added a winger to play center. He kept the same crap instead of churning the roster

Haula and/or Dzingel would have helped, but that cash is tied up in the guy in the press box and Vesey.

You talk about the long term, but the only real help that is coming is Cozens, UPL and Borgen. After that it's going to be barren for a while. Botterill is not a good GM
- jcragcrumple

Ryan Johnson, Mattias Samuelson, Jacob Bryson, Oskari Laaksonen, Matej Pekar, Linus Weissbach and at this rate whoever we are picking top 15 in the 2020 draft would like to have a word.

Dahlin and Mittelstadt will continue to improve also.

Ryan Johnson, Mattias Samuelson, Jacob Bryson, Oskari Laaksonen, Matej Pekar, Linus Weissbach and at this rate whoever we are picking top 15 in the 2020 draft would like to have a word.

Dahlin and Mittelstadt will continue to improve also.
- Pegullaville

This cannot seriously be used in an argument to support what a good job Botterill has done

This cannot seriously be used in an argument to support what a good job Botterill has done
- jcragcrumple

Botterill needs to make the Risto for 2C trade but even Pierre LeBrun on the radio said today that trade waters are quiet. All of the teams are lumped together and after what the Blues did last year its encouraging GM’s to show more patience with their rosters

15th pick in the draft is the worst case imo. If you barely miss the playoffs you are much better tanking and getting a piece of the pie

15th pick in the draft is the worst case imo. If you barely miss the playoffs you are much better tanking and getting a piece of the pie
- lulags

I said that last year and got bombarded so be careful. I would like the team show some life though so that way UFA’s see a team on the rise even if we miss the playoffs.

I said that last year and got bombarded so be careful. I would like the team show some life though so that way UFA’s see a team on the rise even if we miss the playoffs.
- Pegullaville

True, we have to improve but to make a late run and end up with 90 pts 2 or 3 spots out of wild card accomplished what exactly. Confidence boost? At this stage, with an essential rebuild via UFA flight this summer anyway, if we’re not In the hunt post Xmas, tank

True, we have to improve but to make a late run and end up with 90 pts 2 or 3 spots out of wild card accomplished what exactly. Confidence boost? At this stage, with an essential rebuild via UFA flight this summer anyway, if we’re not In the hunt post Xmas, tank
- lulags

This draft class is pretty stacked. Wherever we end up we’ll get a good player. Can’t say that about most years, although it would be nice to end up with one of Lafreniere, Byfield, Lundell, Raymond, Holtz, or Perfetti.

He let Pominville walk and attempted to replace that production by spending a 3rd on Vesey. He added a winger to play center. He kept the same crap instead of churning the roster

Haula and/or Dzingel would have helped, but that cash is tied up in the guy in the press box and Vesey.

You talk about the long term, but the only real help that is coming is Cozens, UPL and Borgen. After that it's going to be barren for a while. Botterill is not a good GM
- jcragcrumple

And Samuelsson, and Ryan Johnson, and Asplund, and Tage (right?!), and Davidsson, and Pekar, and Weissbach, and Laaksonen, and Cronholm...
No, not all of them will work out
But some will

And what about the young players here already?
Dahlin & Mitts will certainly get MUCH better
Is it impossible that Olofsson becomes more than just a PP specialist?
Hell... even Jack & Sam are still improving

And Botts is building the right way
Drafting & developing young talent

And in an attempt to win now as well,
he’s used some mid round assets to acquire some guys who are providing depth to varying degrees of success

No one hits on 100% of their moves though,
no one

And Samuelsson, and Ryan Johnson, and Asplund, and Tage (right?!), and Davidsson, and Pekar, and Weissbach, and Laaksonen, and Cronholm...
No, not all of them will work out
But some will

And what about the young players here already?
Dahlin & Mitts will certainly get MUCH better
Is it impossible that Olofsson becomes more than just a PP specialist?
Hell... even Jack & Sam are still improving

And Botts is building the right way
Drafting & developing young talent

And in an attempt to win now as well,
he’s used some mid round assets to acquire some guys who are providing depth to varying degrees of success

No one hits on 100% of their moves though,
no one
- jdfitz77

When did we start agreeing on things.

Somehow, most people here think we can trade the junk on our team for better players. Or trade picks and prospects we dont have because Murray traded them all away for two guys that ended up being traded under questionable circumstances.

Botterill needs to make the Risto for 2C trade but even Pierre LeBrun on the radio said today that trade waters are quiet. All of the teams are lumped together and after what the Blues did last year its encouraging GM’s to show more patience with their rosters
- Pegullaville

I will say your continued dedication to the tank is impressive. I strongly disagree with your view point but your consistency and patience is commendable

When did we start agreeing on things.
- Pegullaville

I’ve always been a big Elway fan

Somehow, most people here think we can trade the junk on our team for better players. Or trade picks and prospects we dont have because Murray traded them all away for two guys that ended up being traded under questionable circumstances.
- seedy

I also love the assumption that we could’ve brought in _____UFA, like they know he’d have signed here

Botterill needs to make the Risto for 2C trade but even Pierre LeBrun on the radio said today that trade waters are quiet. All of the teams are lumped together and after what the Blues did last year its encouraging GM’s to show more patience with their rosters
- Pegullaville

But if i can make a trade on my Xbox,
then why can’t Botts just “make something happen” now?

15th pick in the draft is the worst case imo. If you barely miss the playoffs you are much better tanking and getting a piece of the pie
- lulags

Even with barely missing the playoffs, there'd be the benefit of the team "learning to win" and starting to erase the "losing culture". The benefit of playing meaningful games the last month of the season, with higher stakes would help them be more ready when they do make it. Baby steps, and all that. And then when you finish 9/10 in the East, the Hockey Gods reward you with a lottery pick....

But if i can make a trade on my Xbox,
then why can’t Botts just “make something happen” in the past 3 years?
- jdfitz77

Ftfy

He let Pominville walk and attempted to replace that production by spending a 3rd on Vesey. He added a winger to play center. He kept the same crap instead of churning the roster

Haula and/or Dzingel would have helped, but that cash is tied up in the guy in the press box and Vesey.

You talk about the long term, but the only real help that is coming is Cozens, UPL and Borgen. After that it's going to be barren for a while. Botterill is not a good GM
- jcragcrumple

We need to be totally fair though.

He’s tried to add UFA’s.

Zuccarello
JVR
Donskoi
Gardiner
Boyle

They all turned us down.

He can’t force guys to sign here.

It is a factor that he has to find players willing to play here long term. It’s not easy.

We were the 2nd worst destination to play for voted on by the players

We need to be totally fair though.

He’s tried to add UFA’s.

Zuccarello
JVR
Donskoi
Gardiner
Boyle

They all turned us down.

He can’t force guys to sign here.

It is a factor that he has to find players willing to play here long term. It’s not easy.

We were the 2nd worst destination to play for voted on by the players
- sbroads24

Ok but Haula couldn't have vetoed a trade. Instead we got Vesey

Ftfy
- jcragcrumple

Dude I hate that we suck, and agree he needs to make a move ASAP, but he’s done plenty. It just hasn’t worked out or came together at all.

He has hired 2 coaches
Got two new goalies
Acquired Miller,Jokiharju,Dahlin (I know lottery) Montour, Pilut, Scandella on D

Traded O’Reilly
Traded Kane
Got Pominville

His major issue is the issue that’s been looming before, during and after the Ryan O’Reilly trade...lines 2-3 do not score enough

I will say your continued dedication to the tank is impressive. I strongly disagree with your view point but your consistency and patience is commendable
- jcragcrumple

Penguins and Blackhawks have a combined 6 cups in the last 10 years. I don’t see too many people laughing at the Oilers and Avs right now despite the laughs over the past couple of years. Arizona is quietly building a strong team. Toronto despite their struggles this year have been rebuilding since 2010 and have built a formidable machine until their GM decided to overpay a few guys and ignore the defence. The Jets missed the playoffs 6 out of 7 years at the beginning of Chevy’s tenure but built a Western Conference contender.

It’s not like I don’t see where you are coming from. This team has needed a 2C since ROR left but not too many teams are trading them away. Cozens could be that guy, or he can be a top 6 RW and we need either or.

Botts has made moves for guys like Beaulieu, Sheary, and Vesey that ultimately didn’t work but I’d rather our GM make moves like that then deplete an already deficient prospect pool and overpay for someone who might not be the answer.

He has made good moves and bad moves, but not a single move that handicaps us long term (depending on how you feel about the duration of Skinner’s contract).

Ok but Haula couldn't have vetoed a trade. Instead we got Vesey
- jcragcrumple

Both 1 year rentals.

Did you know Haula is out indefinitely with knee issues he also had in Vegas?

He might be done for months

Ftfy
- jcragcrumple

There’s been a bunch of moves
Many of which you’ve liked

mitts and sheary are useless
- MLew65

this can’t be right botts is great at drafting... so we’ve been told.