So what should Botts do?
Trade Sam + for Marchand & Skinner + for Pasternak?
Wait... one of them is a LW, so we shouldn’t want them, right gang?

Well good luck with getting a team to trade us high end guys like that

Hell... last year’s MVP is available & half the ppl here don’t want him
But...
“do something Botts!”


*not all of this is directed solely at u
- jdfitz77

Let's see, let's unpack this here...
-Sabres having glaring, gaping holes at 2C, 2RW, 1RhD.
-Former Coach of 2 years, and I believe their current Coach have stated the roster is soft and needs more grit.
-Team has 6 LW on it in Olofsson, Skinner, Mojo, Vesy, Sheary, Girgenson.
-Team has a 3LW playing as 2C
-Team's hopeful, young 2C prospect looks out of place in the NHL
-Team's other 2C prospect is in Jr's, likely 3 years away from serving in that role
-Team's Middle 6 RW prospect looked woefully out of place in NHL for 100 games, is 6'6" 210 lbs and plays a soft perimeter game...perfect, just what the team needs
-Team has 7 RhD in Risto, Montour, Bogo, Joker, Miller, Nelson, Borgen; none of which can or project to a 1RhD...hoping that Joker may, may grow into it.
-Team has a 3 or 4LW playing 2RW
-Team had a 4C playing 2RW before becoming injured
-Team has a $6m player as its' 4RW, who has 4 concussions in 3 years, the last sustained when he was brushed by a player ...for the love of God he needs to retire for his own good.

But hey, let's send a roster player, a prospect and a pick for a SOFT 28 yr old rental and hope he signs an overpayment contract likely in the $10+/- range, so he can post 28g / 46a / 74pts.
Then, some can female dog when he is on pace for 28/46/74 .
No thank you.

Use the assets to go get a real 2C and 2RW...then watch Skinner's production go up because he has more opportunities while still shooting at his 9 year career average of 10.7%

In other words, spend limited assets wisely to secure bonafide help in areas of need, not strength. It is very, very easy to understand.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: In a recent mailbag segment, Lance Lysowski was asked about the chances of Sabres GM Jason Botterill pursuing Hall. “Zero. General Manager Jason Botterill isn’t in the market for rentals, especially one as expensive as Hall,” replied Lysowski.


https://www.spectorshocke...mor-mill-december-6-2019/

THE BUFFALO NEWS: In a recent mailbag segment, Lance Lysowski was asked about the chances of Sabres GM Jason Botterill pursuing Hall. “Zero. General Manager Jason Botterill isn’t in the market for rentals, especially one as expensive as Hall,” replied Lysowski.


https://www.spectorshocke...mor-mill-december-6-2019/
- homiedclown

That’s a relief.

it's easier to dress 7 d men then play 6 and 12 guys up front

Let's see, let's unpack this here...
-Sabres having glaring, gaping holes at 2C, 2RW, 1RhD.
-Former Coach of 2 years, and I believe their current Coach have stated the roster is soft and needs more grit.
-Team has 6 LW on it in Olofsson, Skinner, Mojo, Vesy, Sheary, Girgenson.
-Team has a 3LW playing as 2C
-Team's hopeful, young 2C prospect looks out of place in the NHL
-Team's other 2C prospect is in Jr's, likely 3 years away from serving in that role
-Team's Middle 6 RW prospect looked woefully out of place in NHL for 100 games, is 6'6" 210 lbs and plays a soft perimeter game...perfect, just what the team needs
-Team has 7 RhD in Risto, Montour, Bogo, Joker, Miller, Nelson, Borgen; none of which can or project to a 1RhD...hoping that Joker may, may grow into it.
-Team has a 3 or 4LW playing 2RW
-Team had a 4C playing 2RW before becoming injured
-Team has a $6m player as its' 4RW, who has 4 concussions in 3 years, the last sustained when he was brushed by a player ...for the love of God he needs to retire for his own good.

But hey, let's send a roster player, a prospect and a pick for a SOFT 28 yr old rental and hope he signs an overpayment contract likely in the $10+/- range, so he can post 28g / 46a / 74pts.
Then, some can female dog when he is on pace for 28/46/74 .
No thank you.

Use the assets to go get a real 2C and 2RW...then watch Skinner's production go up because he has more opportunities while still shooting at his 9 year career average of 10.7%

In other words, spend limited assets wisely to secure bonafide help in areas of need, not strength. It is very, very easy to understand.
- IonSabres

It's just so obvious what should happen

Ristolainen is a UFA in two years.

We need to pay Joker, Dahlin, Montour, Pilut before then.

The chances we give Ristolainen a giant extension should be around 0%.

He should be moved, maybe even with Mittelstadt or Asplund or another attractive piece to get a top 6 player.

It's on Botterill to make the obvious move here

The day when Reinhart/Skinner are the 4th and 5th best forward options we have will be the day this team has a forward corps worthy of cup contender status.

Mitts’ fall from top 3 prospect in the NHL to where he is now doesn’t help the cause.

Olofsson has been a pleasant surprise.

Cozens is doing what he can at this point to justify his draft positioning.

The bottom 6 of this roster for the most part is a joke. Multiple d-man we have are a joke. We don’t have a goalie that I have full confidence in, however Ullmark has been much better lately.

That doesn’t mean Sam and Skinner or even Jack (last night) can fully escape blame.

Sam has just a good a chance to be moved then he does to be resigned long term.

Jeff is a good player but I still believe we are looking for an out in the deal by year 4.

Why can’t we question why the “core” isn’t good enough along with the multiple players on expiring deals that realistically shouldn’t be here past this year ?
- Pegullaville

Ahhhhhh, finally, we get to the real issues.
Sam and Skinner are fine players; with Skins overpaid by about $1m, and Sam likely to cost in the $7m - $8m range given recent trend of paying producing RFA's (assuming he stays on pace for 65sh pts)

Problem with the team is:
A) having multiple players in roles over their sustainable capability in Mojo, Sobotka, Mitts, Sheary, Risto, McCabe
B) having young players in very key roles who are very inconsistent in Olofsson (playing, producing better lately) and Dahlin.
C) being a nearly universally soft team that is quite easily dominated when a game gets physical

Point is, team still needs to help its' good players by adding more good players. Adding a couple of players with truculence would help round out the roster as well.
Next 7 months are crutial for Botts.

Next 7 months are crutial for Botts.
- IonSabres

I don't think it's a lock he gets 7 months

I don't think it's a lock he gets 7 months
- homiedclown

There's no chance he doesn't make it to seasons end, especially if were in the mix.

Were still in the playoffs now

Let's see, let's unpack this here...
-Sabres having glaring, gaping holes at 2C, 2RW, 1RhD.
-Former Coach of 2 years, and I believe their current Coach have stated the roster is soft and needs more grit.
-Team has 6 LW on it in Olofsson, Skinner, Mojo, Vesy, Sheary, Girgenson.
-Team has a 3LW playing as 2C
-Team's hopeful, young 2C prospect looks out of place in the NHL
-Team's other 2C prospect is in Jr's, likely 3 years away from serving in that role
-Team's Middle 6 RW prospect looked woefully out of place in NHL for 100 games, is 6'6" 210 lbs and plays a soft perimeter game...perfect, just what the team needs
-Team has 7 RhD in Risto, Montour, Bogo, Joker, Miller, Nelson, Borgen; none of which can or project to a 1RhD...hoping that Joker may, may grow into it.
-Team has a 3 or 4LW playing 2RW
-Team had a 4C playing 2RW before becoming injured
-Team has a $6m player as its' 4RW, who has 4 concussions in 3 years, the last sustained when he was brushed by a player ...for the love of God he needs to retire for his own good.

But hey, let's send a roster player, a prospect and a pick for a SOFT 28 yr old rental and hope he signs an overpayment contract likely in the $10+/- range, so he can post 28g / 46a / 74pts.
Then, some can female dog when he is on pace for 28/46/74 .
No thank you.

Use the assets to go get a real 2C and 2RW...then watch Skinner's production go up because he has more opportunities while still shooting at his 9 year career average of 10.7%

In other words, spend limited assets wisely to secure bonafide help in areas of need, not strength. It is very, very easy to understand.
- IonSabres

Thank you!!!

Let's see, let's unpack this here...
-Sabres having glaring, gaping holes at 2C, 2RW, 1RhD.
-Former Coach of 2 years, and I believe their current Coach have stated the roster is soft and needs more grit.
-Team has 6 LW on it in Olofsson, Skinner, Mojo, Vesy, Sheary, Girgenson.
-Team has a 3LW playing as 2C
-Team's hopeful, young 2C prospect looks out of place in the NHL
-Team's other 2C prospect is in Jr's, likely 3 years away from serving in that role
-Team's Middle 6 RW prospect looked woefully out of place in NHL for 100 games, is 6'6" 210 lbs and plays a soft perimeter game...perfect, just what the team needs
-Team has 7 RhD in Risto, Montour, Bogo, Joker, Miller, Nelson, Borgen; none of which can or project to a 1RhD...hoping that Joker may, may grow into it.
-Team has a 3 or 4LW playing 2RW
-Team had a 4C playing 2RW before becoming injured
-Team has a $6m player as its' 4RW, who has 4 concussions in 3 years, the last sustained when he was brushed by a player ...for the love of God he needs to retire for his own good.

But hey, let's send a roster player, a prospect and a pick for a SOFT 28 yr old rental and hope he signs an overpayment contract likely in the $10+/- range, so he can post 28g / 46a / 74pts.
Then, some can female dog when he is on pace for 28/46/74 .
No thank you.

Use the assets to go get a real 2C and 2RW...then watch Skinner's production go up because he has more opportunities while still shooting at his 9 year career average of 10.7%

In other words, spend limited assets wisely to secure bonafide help in areas of need, not strength. It is very, very easy to understand.
- IonSabres

Good post

It's just so obvious what should happen

Ristolainen is a UFA in two years.

We need to pay Joker, Dahlin, Montour, Pilut before then.

The chances we give Ristolainen a giant extension should be around 0%.

He should be moved, maybe even with Mittelstadt or Asplund or another attractive piece to get a top 6 player.

It's on Botterill to make the obvious move here
- sbroads24

I second this

I don't think it's a lock he gets 7 months
- homiedclown

I think the trade deadline could be interesting for botts future. And if they stay in the playoff mix he probably gets another year. If it goes tits up like last year, he probably doesn’t

There's no chance he doesn't make it to seasons end, especially if were in the mix.

Were still in the playoffs now
- sbroads24

agreed he will make it until the end of the season


I don't have faith they are a lock to be a .500 team for the rest of the season though, if he doesn't make it until the draft he won't get 7 months


we could be looking at a roster in a few weeks where 8 mil of our cap is a healthy scratch if we only dress 6 d men

It's just so obvious what should happen

Ristolainen is a UFA in two years.

We need to pay Joker, Dahlin, Montour, Pilut before then.

The chances we give Ristolainen a giant extension should be around 0%.

He should be moved, maybe even with Mittelstadt or Asplund or another attractive piece to get a top 6 player.

It's on Botterill to make the obvious move here
- sbroads24

IMO, Botts needs to:
-Trade in a couple of packages for Forwards (2C and 2RW as primary targets)
* one of Risto/Montour
* Miller
* McCabe
* Mitts
Other Assets should include 2020 2nd and 4th, 2021 1st, and any Prospect except Cozens, Asplund, Borgen and Pekar

-Trade at the TDL for picks
* one of Sheary or Vesey
* one of Girgs or Larsson
* Sobotka (conditional 7th, lol)
* Bogo

I'd resign Scandella for 1 year to pair with Joker again...allow him to continue to develop with a good partner

I think the trade deadline could be interesting for botts future. And if they stay in the playoff mix he probably gets another year. If it goes tits up like last year, he probably doesn’t
- Gr8daygo

you don't need risto and montour

you don't need mccabe, scandella or bogo


you do need a second line center and a second line LW


I doubt pilut is that much worse then mccabe, and botts wants an upbeat team which pilut provides

borgen is probably a much better defensive d man then anyone we have on the big club

I'd resign Scandella for 1 year to pair with Joker again...allow him to continue to develop with a good partner
- IonSabres

dahlin-risto/mountour
pilut-joker
scandella-borgen

IMO, Botts needs to:
-Trade in a couple of packages for Forwards (2C and 2RW as primary targets)
* one of Risto/Montour
* Miller
* McCabe
* Mitts
Other Assets should include 2020 2nd and 4th, 2021 1st, and any Prospect except Cozens, Asplund, Borgen and Pekar

-Trade at the TDL for picks
* one of Sheary or Vesey
* one of Girgs or Larsson
* Sobotka (conditional 7th, lol)
* Bogo

I'd resign Scandella for 1 year to pair with Joker again...allow him to continue to develop with a good partner
- IonSabres

Is been over 2 months with NHL media saying that the Sabres want to make a trade

The issue might be ...... no one wants our trash or if they do. They don’t want to pay for it.

Ahhhhhh, finally, we get to the real issues.
Sam and Skinner are fine players; with Skins overpaid by about $1m, and Sam likely to cost in the $7m - $8m range given recent trend of paying producing RFA's (assuming he stays on pace for 65sh pts)

Problem with the team is:
A) having multiple players in roles over their sustainable capability in Mojo, Sobotka, Mitts, Sheary, Risto, McCabe
B) having young players in very key roles who are very inconsistent in Olofsson (playing, producing better lately) and Dahlin.
C) being a nearly universally soft team that is quite easily dominated when a game gets physical

Point is, team still needs to help its' good players by adding more good players. Adding a couple of players with truculence would help round out the roster as well.
Next 7 months are crutial for Botts.
- IonSabres

I never once said that Skinner and Rhino were problems. I never said this team didn’t have problems.

I question whether or not we can win a cup and if they are “core” pieces.

Maybe Sam is moved to address some of the issues you had in your post.

I never once said that Skinner and Rhino were problems. I never said this team didn’t have problems.

I question whether or not we can win a cup and if they are “core” pieces.

Maybe Sam is moved to address some of the issues you had in your post.
- Pegullaville

The problem with the theory that we'd be better off with 2/3 3-4 mil players as opposed to having Sam or Skinner at 9 mil, is more times than not, those guys tend to be the Vesey/Johansson/Sheary caliber players who go months on end of bad play or no production. They are passengers.

Sign the good players you have, and draft well, and you will have cheap talent to supplement your high priced guys.

If Dylan Cozens is a legit 2C next year you have 2 years of him being ridiculously cheap.

you don't need risto and montour

you don't need mccabe, scandella or bogo


you do need a second line center and a second line LW


I doubt pilut is that much worse then mccabe, and botts wants an upbeat team which pilut provides

borgen is probably a much better defensive d man then anyone we have on the big club
- homiedclown

I could not agree more! I know he has turned over a bit of the roster and he has a ways to go.

Hey maybe the injuries here or elsewhere slowed some movement. But he’s gotta do something. And hall and carter should not be it. Lol

I just find is so bizarre.

He was terrible (he’s allowed to have those games)

But he got a point!!! 11 games in a row. Must’ve been great all 11 because if you’re on the score sheet, that’s all that matters.
- sbroads24

Eichel seems to have trouble when his preferred pace of play, which alternates between fast and deliberate, is less than the opponents pace of play, which is what happened last night.

Overall, the team's 2 biggest issues are when the opponent plays st a high pace (doesn't happen, but it's obvious when it does, like last night) and when the opponent is good at cycling the puck.

They're better than they used to be at dealing with the above, but it's still their biggest issue collectively.

"I'D LIKE MY CORE PLAYER TO HAVE MORE THAN X GOALS IN THE SAMPLE SIZE THAT FITS MY NARRATIVE"

jesus christ
- jcragcrumple

That's this entire thread. The. Entire. Thread.

That's this entire thread. The. Entire. Thread.
- TheSabresTaco

Every thread ever

It's a shame Pilut and Borgen are not up here, can't think they would be any worse then 4 out of the 7 Dman we have playing right now

this d is still brutal

and botts brought in all these pieces


mccabe flat out sucks
miller as well


we would be better off shipping both out and bring scandella back for 1 more year
- homiedclown

I wouldn't say Miller sucks, but, tried to warn you guys. This is a genuine "They laughed when I said.."

He's average. Analytics twitter tried to pump his tires to the max, all because he dominated below average competition. He still does fine vs them, but against better competition and without a definitive partner to make him better, I guess, like Marco has, he's just... I don't know, the bottom half of this wad of poop defense.

Thankfully we have Montour, Dahlin and Joker to build with. Nice to see Scandella, overall, be better.