Yeah, but Detroit has Veleno coming, plus they probably will have a shot at Byfield and they have Holmstrom who will be a good 3C, they are loaded at Center
- Buff36

Interesting- good follow up 36

Gally doesn’t whine at all. He’s actual quite coachable and very hard working, coming early and staying late for practice. He does however gravitate towards centre ice when entering the zone making it easy to cover him and the centreman at the same time. That habit is why he isn’t playing with malkin or Crosby (also injuries too) gally is stuck on checking line duty with almost no pp time until recently. Pitt should be trying him at 3c before writing him off and moving McCann/Kahun up to top line wings.

Also pitt doesn’t need a right d barring an injury. Letang plus the emergence of Marino makes Schultz expendable. They need a solid left D, maybe scandella. I think they will stand pat though considering the injuries they’ve endured and how well they have played through them. They aren’t playing poorly by any means.


Also couts is basically untouchable in philly unless you’re talking dahlin.
- 10inchTerror

Ok fine. Scandella for gally. Fine with that too....

That’s a question for Dave Tippett. I would separate Draisatil and McDavid myself to spread out the talent. Perhaps that’s why the Oilers have been struggling as of late due to the fact they have all of their eggs in one basket ?
- Pegullaville

Yeah, except their last 7 losses have seen the opposing team score: 5, 4, 5, 3, 6, 6, 4

I'd say their defense getting caved in is their biggest problem.

I'm just pointing out that you can't just have nobodies for wingers and expect results. VO isn't a nobody, he had one of the best shots in his draft class the year he was drafted, just was small. I bet with the way the NHL is moving, he'd have been at least a 3rd rounder now that having 6'4" knuckle draggers aren't a thing anymore. It's been statistically proven that Drai plays better with McD(who wouldn't) so much so that they're fine riding with RNH as their number 2.

How is that the name you came up with? He has a full NMC

Athanasiou, Bjugstad, Druoin, Galchenyuk, Kempe, Zucker, Kreider are all to some extent rumored to be available

Who knows what is available behind the scenes? Make a great offer for Larkin, Trochek, Couturier. There are probably very good names available, and we have the ammo to make it happen.
- jcragcrumple

I wouldn’t move a first rounder for any of those guys.

Isn't there a narrative still being pushed by someone on this board playing down the importance of special teams? Yeah, about that.

From Twitter:

At 5v5 they, the Sabres, have an overall 53% goal share. 7th in the league.

On special teams? A 41% goal share. It’s killing them


Also, having Skinner off the 1st line:
2018-2019 non 1st line: 39% GF%
2019-2020 non 1st line: 47% GF%

Also, look at the Sabres record, it's better. The coach might have a clue about keeping him off the 1st line up until now. The ice 200 ft long, when Skinner sucks in his D game and when you match up against the big boys often when you play the top line the coach might think that would hurt the team.
- GilPerreault11

Good post.

I wouldn’t move a first rounder for any of those guys.
- Pegullaville

You wouldn't move the 2020 first for Larkin, Trochek or Couturier?

You wouldn't move the 2020 first for Larkin, Trochek or Couturier?
- jcragcrumple

If Detroit trades Larkin I’ll eat poop.

I’d trade a first rounder for McDavid, Point, Barkov, Mackinnon too

For... the elusive 6th? Prospects? Another d man?

COUTURIER Is close in money? Bogo, mitts ++ ?!? Lol I kid. I kid. No way they move him...
- Gr8daygo

Good thing the Sabres are already in philly. Just toss his bag to the home teams locker room

If Detroit trades Larkin I’ll eat poop.

I’d trade a first rounder for McDavid, Point, Barkov, Mackinnon too
- Pegullaville

Didn't really answer my question, but the point is wasting a 115 point season from Eichel is a crime, and the 1st should very much be in play to identify and acquire the 2nd line center to get us to the playoffs

Good thing the Sabres are already in philly. Just toss his bag to the home teams locker room
- Sabretooth9

I wonder if that’s ever happened. Traded on or the day before a game to the team you’ve been traded too... sorry, go get changed over there, lol...

I wonder if that’s ever happened. Traded on or the day before a game to the team you’ve been traded too... sorry, go get changed over there, lol...
- Gr8daygo

Yes it has. I can’t remember who though.

And yeah that would be kind of funny and awkward for a second or 2 lol

Interesting- good follow up 36
- Boss34

Thanks 34, it's a dream for that to happen, but he would be a perfect fit.

I would still check in on Strome, he's a Rfa at the end of the season, and Chicago might not be able to afford him, they got a few other guys that are up to at the end of the year

Didn't really answer my question, but the point is wasting a 115 point season from Eichel is a crime, and the 1st should very much be in play to identify and acquire the 2nd line center to get us to the playoffs
- jcragcrumple

Yet the 2nd line Center we need is probably not available. So like we are stuck between a rock and a hard place here.

Yet the 2nd line Center we need is probably not available. So like we are stuck between a rock and a hard place here.
- Pegullaville

That's it Pegs, unless we get lucky or grossly overpay we are not getting that young 2C

Yet the 2nd line Center we need is probably not available. So like we are stuck between a rock and a hard place here.
- Pegullaville

Ralph said they expect mitts as an nhl center full time and then you have cozens

Botts might wait it out for a year or so. Like why waste assets to get a 2C when I might have one really.

I’m not saying I agree with this ...... but botts could be thinking this

Ralph said they expect mitts as an nhl center full time and then you have cozens

Botts might wait it out for a year or so. Like why waste assets to get a 2C when I might have one really.

I’m not saying I agree with this ...... but botts could be thinking this
- Sabretooth9

I would say there's a good chance on that

Yet the 2nd line Center we need is probably not available. So like we are stuck between a rock and a hard place here.
- Pegullaville

No way to know, but my hunch is that Botterill won't pull off a meaningful deal for because he overvalues his blueline depth

I would say there's a good chance on that
- Buff36

It’s a big flaw / glaring need that is holding back his hockey team from being good though.

Johannsons faceoff % is horrible and the 2nd and 3rd lines haven’t scored I feel like in forever.

It’s just very weird to me he won’t address it


Hey botts. If you get a Ryan Johansson from the preds for example. He has term left. You can always trade him away once mitts and cozens show they are ready.

No way to know, but my hunch is that Botterill won't pull off a meaningful deal for because he overvalues his blueline depth
- jcragcrumple

Would take more then just are blue line depth, but still don't think he pulls the trigger on anything, unless something falls in his lap

It’s a big flaw / glaring need that is holding back his hockey team from being good though.

Johannsons faceoff % is horrible and the 2nd and 3rd lines haven’t scored I feel like in forever.

It’s just very weird to me he won’t address it


Hey botts. If you get a Ryan Johansson from the preds for example. He has term left. You can always trade him away once mitts and cozens show they are ready.
- Sabretooth9

I agree, think he backed himself in the corner, and know other GM'S are bending him over, knowing he waited to long.

Catching the Amerks game in BGM tonight. Good to see Mitts staying extra during warmups. Passing to team mates, practice shots. Good to see he’s not moping. Doesn’t mean much at this point but hope this works for him.

It’s a big flaw / glaring need that is holding back his hockey team from being good though.

Johannsons faceoff % is horrible and the 2nd and 3rd lines haven’t scored I feel like in forever.

It’s just very weird to me he won’t address it


Hey botts. If you get a Ryan Johansson from the preds for example. He has term left. You can always trade him away once mitts and cozens show they are ready.
- Sabretooth9

Why would the Preds trade Johansson though ?

I’m sure there are many packages I’d take for Reinhart right now including young players and a first but what does that accomplish for the Sabres right now ?

Would take more then just are blue line depth, but still don't think he pulls the trigger on anything, unless something falls in his lap
- Buff36

I think maybe he trades a 2nd and a sort of useless blueliner for another 3rd liner. But I also won't be surprised if he does nothing other than ship Bogo with half retained for a 6th

Why would the Preds trade Johansson though ?

I’m sure there are many packages I’d take for Reinhart right now including young players and a first but what does that accomplish for the Sabres right now ?
- Pegullaville

Im not saying they would. My point is.... if botts traded for a 2C and mitts and cozens turn the corner and look ready. He can always trade the 2C he traded for.