melrose lasted 16 games

if it ain't working, what waste another 2 years of eichel?
- homiedclown

Melrose had a mullet and a long one at that. I would have fired him too.

I see two options with Mitts.

1- wing in the top 6.
2- center in Rochester

That’s it! He’s being griganko’d. He’s given no vet leadership at the position. He is being forced into a position he isn’t ready for and has been since last year.

I know Nylander is a bit of a stiff, but is there some truth in the “not developing player properly” quote.

Tage should have been in Rochester from December on last year.

It was clear last year Mitts was over his head and they are still forcing the issue!

Wing in the top 6 or center in Rochester. That’s it...
- Gr8daygo

I would have him center say Oloffson and Mojo (when back) or Sheary, and play them as a second line. Eichel Skinner and Sam on the first. First line plays 20 minutes a night and the second like 17-18. To hell with the rest of them.

I would have him center say Oloffson and Mojo (when back) or Sheary, and play them as a second line. Eichel Skinner and Sam on the first. First line plays 20 minutes a night and the second like 17-18. To hell with the rest of them.
- matty12345

Read my very solid post that quotes Einstein.

melrose lasted 16 games

if it ain't working, what waste another 2 years of eichel?
- homiedclown

I dont think it's fair to Krueger. Get him a couple more forwards before a fair evaluation can be made

Mojo is a wing... shouldn’t be playing at center. Good in a pinch. Not a long term plan.
- Gr8daygo

I suppose i agree
But what’s “long term”?

And who says that’s Botts plan?
One would assume that MoJo is a placeholder for when Mitts is ready for 2C
And if Mitts is a bust, Cozens is coming right behind him

Looks to me like Botts has a plan
Just isn’t working as quickly as we’d like

I suppose i agree
But what’s “long term”?

And who says that’s Botts plan?
One would assume that MoJo is a placeholder for when Mitts is ready for 2C
And if Mitts is a bust, Cozens is coming right behind him

Looks to me like Botts has a plan
Just isn’t working as quickly as we’d like
- jdfitz77

Nah, abandon ship because were *checks standing* a few points out of the playoffs, 24 games into a season where everyone was expecting 85-90 points.

It's ludicrous

Pominville certainly was sh!tty. At times, he was downright invisible.

The only time he wasn't was when he was playing with Eichel.
- Powerslave

Different than vesey being outright sh!try withbor without eichel.

Regardless, pommer was the 4th leading goal scorer.

He gives lame erod 2 big beans ?

If Botts gets the blame for the wheels falling off this year and last, why doesn’t he get the blame for taking a year to “asses what we have” ?

If the the guy came in firing on all cylinders and make a bunch of moves we could of picked in the latter half of the top 10 and then we don’t have Dahlin.

In less than three years he has added Dahlin, Mitts, Cozens, UPL, Skinner, Montour, Joker. While getting of Ennis’ brutal contract which was then bought out by the Wild. Botts inherited Okposo and that is the only contract we have that is a complete anchor past April of this year.

So what he brought back the Lockport twins, Asplund was/is not ready to handle the defensive minutes those guys play.

It’s fair to criticize the Beaulieu, Sheary, and Vesey adds but those were an attempt to add NHL depth while waiting for the prospects to continue to grow. Those were obvious bandaid moves.

This offseason is what he needs to make count. If we aren’t a playoff team next year I’ll fully support the axing.
- Pegullaville

Solid post sir

When's the last time Brian Burke has been involved with a team that was any good? A decade ago?
- buffalofan19

1st thing burke would do is bring back brad may.

Both have been linked for years.

What if Mittelstadt is to Botterill what Nylander was to Murray?

Where does that leave Botterill
- jcragcrumple

It's Mitts 2nd yr, let's hope he turns out, but players develop at different levels especially when there only 20yrs old.

Different than vesey being outright sh!try withbor without eichel.

Regardless, pommer was the 4th leading goal scorer.

He gives lame erod 2 big beans ?
- Boss34

My point was we already knew what we had w Pominville.

You can't fault Botts for trying something different, such as Vesey.

This team right now has a bunch of place holders on it right now, the players that should have been taking spots the last couple of years were either traded away or Murray missed on drafting, (Baptiste, Bailey)and a few others you can throw in there.

My point was we already knew what we had w Pominville.

You can't fault Botts for trying something different, such as Vesey.
- Powerslave

He added another soft dude who didn't want to be here.

I'd say there is some fault trading for a guy that is looking for his next team already?

Pommer at least loves playing in buffalo, soft or not

He added another soft dude who didn't want to be here.

I'd say there is some fault trading for a guy that is looking for his next team already?

Pommer at least loves playing in buffalo, soft or not
- Boss34

He said he didn't want to be here? Or are we assuming that based on 4 years ago?

Teams are going to be lining up for a guy with 1 goal.

I think Mr. Vesey better take a different approach to the rest of the season. 😉

It's Mitts 2nd yr, let's hope he turns out, but players develop at different levels especially when there only 20yrs old.
- Buff36

Around here, we only wait for sam to develop.

Just him, he needed more time, bad draft, bad coaching.

Nobody else gets to grow into an nhl player. 100 games and that's it. 20 years old so what?

Maybe try him with eichel or sam ?

He said he didn't want to be here? Or are we assuming that based on 4 years ago?

Teams are going to be lining up for a guy with 1 goal.

I think Mr. Vesey better take a different approach to the rest of the season. 😉
- Powerslave

Hopefully the goal sparked him

I'm not sure if veseys mind changed on playing for the Sabres? If his play reflects his image of buffalo.....

This team right now has a bunch of place holders on it right now, the players that should have been taking spots the last couple of years were either traded away or Murray missed on drafting, (Baptiste, Bailey)and a few others you can throw in there.
- Buff36

Once again I agree and this offseason that will change. If it doesn’t and we don’t make the playoffs next year, then I’m all for firing Botts.

I don't know why everyone is so surprised about playing Defencemen at forward. Like seriously. 3ER told this board months ago (with emphasis) that Zero Forward Strat was a thing with our brown bag huffing, fraidy cat, beedy eyed, dip poop putz of a GM. Holy S, I didn't think I could possibly top my prognostication of Bills making the playoffs. Like they always used to say, 3ER isn't always right, but aint ever been wrong.

Still undefeated on this board.
Still the G.O.A.T.
2 time Eksy Winner.
2 more than any other poster on this thread.
Hope you're taking notes Fitz

Once again I agree and this offseason that will change. If it doesn’t and we don’t make the playoffs next year, then I’m all for firing Botts.
- Pegullaville

Well, that's just about a given. With the Pegula's quick hands he could be gone after this season. The only thing that saves him, which is big, is his apparent strong drafting up until this point Mitts being a big question mark currently.

I don't know why everyone is so surprised about playing Defencemen at forward. Like seriously. 3ER told this board months ago (with emphasis) that Zero Forward Strat was a thing with our brown bag huffing, fraidy cat, beedy eyed, dip poop putz of a GM. Holy S, I didn't think I could possibly top my prognostication of Bills making the playoffs. Like they always used to say, 3ER isn't always right, but aint ever been wrong.

Still undefeated on this board.
Still the G.O.A.T.
2 time Eksy Winner.
2 more than any other poster on this thread.
Hope you're taking notes Fitz
- Hatboro_Swords

#goodstuff

Btw:

I came in 3rd in 2012 eksy- didn't win the vacation though.
Congrats

bottom of a deep dark hole
- homiedclown

First rule? Stop digging.

The crazy part about mittlestadt is his development.

He had a good freshman year in college and completely dominated the world juniors. Things seemed to be going great. Played his 6 games in the nhl after and got 5 points.

After that ..... he hit a brick wall and haven’t gotten any better. Like what the heck happened

First rule? Stop digging.
- Der Kaiser

The crazy part about mittlestadt is his development.

He had a good freshman year in college and completely dominated the world juniors. Things seemed to be going great. Played his 6 games in the nhl after and got 5 points.

After that ..... he hit a brick wall and haven’t gotten any better. Like what the heck happened
- Sabretooth9

Playing second line center against much better competition with 3rd-4th line wingers will do that to ya...

The crazy part about mittlestadt is his development.

He had a good freshman year in college and completely dominated the world juniors. Things seemed to be going great. Played his 6 games in the nhl after and got 5 points.

After that ..... he hit a brick wall and haven’t gotten any better. Like what the heck happened
- Sabretooth9

Nothing. Young players go through ups and downs.

Play him with Eichel or on PP1 or with consistent, good line mates and he has a few more points and is on pace for 35-40.

He's in no mans land for the most part