I still cant believe how much different the national vs. local perception of Jason Botterill is. I remember over the summer listening to Sirius and they were giving out GM grades. He got a D- and they basically said "what the hell is he doing? Where is the scoring, where is the second line center, who is the goalie?"

Meanwhile, locally, he has basically just hidden in the shadow of Tim Murray's tenure and he has enjoyed 3 years of built-in excuses and poopty results.

Reading people advocate for another year of this guy is pure insanity
- jcragcrumple

Good post

I'm personally sick of starting over every 3 years with new management. Jbotts is a respectable man with a long term vision.

Wouldnt he trade futures for now if he was on the hot seat?

I'm being patient, but I understand how the losing has taken its toll on fans.

I'm happy to watch eichel at the games. Dahlin developing, ullmark looking like an nhl goalie.

I get you though

Well, I do agree with nobody wants our garbage, this is true.
There are players, picks and prospects however.
Or I guess there only eay out is to wait for 3 or 4 more drafts to fill out the 2C, 2RW, 3RW, G, 1st Pair RhD.
- IonSabres

Why give up young prospects, were still a year away?

The players other teams want, Are players we like as fans.

I'm not moving borgen, pilut or pekar. Nope to 6k or Samuelson the US captain.

Maybe bogo and sheary for malkin and Crosby?

You guys can female dog and complain, but jbotts is playing the long game. Building the right way. Developing thru Rochester.

Exactly what he said he would do. He hasn't misled you. You're being impatient. Which is fair, considering your television size. 🤔🤝🤭😀

The Sabres have a schedule coming up at the end of the month/February where Skinner should be back that includes

Detroit X3
Anaheim at home
Rangers at home
Columbus at home
Vancouver at home

Sorry, but stay afloat with some points this month and then go beat Detroit a bunch of times and were right there

Yeah I glossed over that one, you got me.
- BeadyEyedDouche

I was wondering if u missed it,
or was just f*cking with me? 😂😂😂

Sabres credited with 28 high danger chances last two games. Have 1 goal. That’s incredibly unlucky

We have an owner who wants to be part of the process. He doesn’t particularly know hockey any better than an average fan. He wants to make his wife happy by making her President of Operations when she has no experience. He wants the GMs to cater to his whims on personnel issues. And let’s be honest, the guy isn’t that sharp.

His hires for GM have been horrible, first hiring a narcissistic psychopath and following it up with a guy with a history of head trauma.

Everything science has learned about repeated concussions and head trauma show that CTE is much more common that previously thought. That it takes years to decades for the effects and symptoms to show. And that the symptoms include:

Difficulty thinking (cognitive impairment)

Depression or apathy

Short-term memory loss

Difficulty planning and carrying out tasks (executive function)

This isn’t exactly a risk worth taking on the person you hire to run your organization a decade after he was forced to retire from the sport due to multiple concussions. However it would explain what we see and label as “sitting on his hands” from the GM.

Pegula is a nice guy. But he isn’t qualified to run a hockey franchise. He bought this team as his little pet project and wants to be a part of the decision making process.

Other hockey teams have lifetime hockey people with experience, know how and networking in place making the decisions. We have a dimwit owner, his wife as president and a brain damaged GM who got the job because he was an assistant in Pittsburgh while they were good.

It’s a joke! Pat LaFontaine saw it and jumped ship after a few months when he realized neophytes would have equal or more say than he did.

Pegula said he would spare no expense in making this franchise a champion. The result is first time GMs, retread coaches, a morale problem with good players wanting out, players retiring and opting to play in Europe instead of here, ex goalies saying they were treated like garbage by the organization and fancy locker rooms.

We have the longest drought in playoff appearances. Pegula has owned the team for almost 9 years. While fans are blaming individual players and prospects for being busts, the real problem is at the top. Until that changes, we shouldn’t expect different results.

I am not advocating for Pegula to sell the team. I am asking that he not make himself and his family a part of its management and decision making. Hire the best and most experienced GM available because this isn’t a place where new GMs can cut their teeth. Especially when they are trying to appease an owner who wants to play GM too.

17-15-7
After starting 9-2-2
Making it 8-13-5 since then

And people clinging to we are still in it.
Technically, sure.
Realistically, hell no.
Eastern - tied for 12th
League - tied for 23rd
On pace for 83 pts.

We are still in IT
IT = Quinton Byfield race
- IonSabres

Kick back and relax and watch him along with Lucas Raymond, Alexander Holtz, and Tim Stützle and hope we get one of them.

He will miss about 10 games, the all-star break is in the middle of his recovery period of 3-4 weeks. Back by the end of Jan - start of Feb
- BeadyEyedDouche

Well fuuuuuuuck....

I think we should still play Sam at 2C for the rest of the year
If he works out, we can ease Mitts & Cozens in on the wings or at 3C

If he doesn’t, we put him back at wing,
no big deal

We might as well find out though

I still cant believe how much different the national vs. local perception of Jason Botterill is. I remember over the summer listening to Sirius and they were giving out GM grades. He got a D- and they basically said "what the hell is he doing? Where is the scoring, where is the second line center, who is the goalie?"

Meanwhile, locally, he has basically just hidden in the shadow of Tim Murray's tenure and he has enjoyed 3 years of built-in excuses and poopty results.

Reading people advocate for another year of this guy is pure insanity
- jcragcrumple

NBC sports network June '19:
"The Sabres have had a really strong offseason on paper, so that is a positive heading into the season, but that is going to have to eventually translate into success on the ice."

Bleacher report June '19:
"The Sabres have selected Jack Eichel, Rasmus Dahlin and Cozens in recent years, and the talent level on this team is gradually rising. Cozens has brilliant skating speed and two-way ability, but he doesn't always make the right play with the puck. Grade A-"

RotoWorld:
"The Sabres have made a lot of changes since finishing last in the NHL in 2018, acquiring Skinner, Sheary, Dahlin, and Miller and letting go of O’Reilly, Lehner, Nylander, and Beaulieu since. Buffalo has done a nice job putting pieces together to make it back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2011 but they likely need more time as the East is too competitive.
Grade: A"

ESPN Feb '19
"Buffalo Sabres B+
The Sabres absolutely needed to upgrade their blue line, and in Montour they get a 24-year-old right-handed-shot defenseman with offensive upside. The Sabres have him at $3,387,500 in average annual value for this season and next, before he becomes an RFA with arbitration rights. In a new environment this could be a coup for GM Jason Botterill."


You're taking Jim "Boomer" Gordon's word to represent the entire NHL world's opinion of JBotts? He also gave Edmonton an F- after they managed to trade Lucic and his horrible contract. Just so you know, there are a lot more people out there that know about hockey than just the Toronto media guys on Sirius.

2 points from playoffs.

Your panicky over reacting is the insanity.

If he sits on his hands all season and does nothing there’s a conversation to be had.
- sbroads24

We're 6 points out of the wild card and there are 2 teams ahead of us for the last division spot with games in hand. Larsson is the 2C. It's over

Good fitz 👍
- Boss34

I guess we’d have to wait till Skinner gets back for though
I didn’t realize he was gonna be out so long

NBC sports network June '19:
"The Sabres have had a really strong offseason on paper, so that is a positive heading into the season, but that is going to have to eventually translate into success on the ice."

Bleacher report June '19:
"The Sabres have selected Jack Eichel, Rasmus Dahlin and Cozens in recent years, and the talent level on this team is gradually rising. Cozens has brilliant skating speed and two-way ability, but he doesn't always make the right play with the puck. Grade A-"

RotoWorld:
"The Sabres have made a lot of changes since finishing last in the NHL in 2018, acquiring Skinner, Sheary, Dahlin, and Miller and letting go of O’Reilly, Lehner, Nylander, and Beaulieu since. Buffalo has done a nice job putting pieces together to make it back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2011 but they likely need more time as the East is too competitive.
Grade: A"

ESPN Feb '19
"Buffalo Sabres B+
The Sabres absolutely needed to upgrade their blue line, and in Montour they get a 24-year-old right-handed-shot defenseman with offensive upside. The Sabres have him at $3,387,500 in average annual value for this season and next, before he becomes an RFA with arbitration rights. In a new environment this could be a coup for GM Jason Botterill."


You're taking Jim "Boomer" Gordon's word to represent the entire NHL world's opinion of JBotts? He also gave Edmonton an F- after they managed to trade Lucic and his horrible contract. Just so you know, there are a lot more people out there that know about hockey than just the Toronto media guys on Sirius.
- adambuffalo

But, but, but CTE!

NBC sports network June '19:
"The Sabres have had a really strong offseason on paper, so that is a positive heading into the season, but that is going to have to eventually translate into success on the ice."

Bleacher report June '19:
"The Sabres have selected Jack Eichel, Rasmus Dahlin and Cozens in recent years, and the talent level on this team is gradually rising. Cozens has brilliant skating speed and two-way ability, but he doesn't always make the right play with the puck. Grade A-"

RotoWorld:
"The Sabres have made a lot of changes since finishing last in the NHL in 2018, acquiring Skinner, Sheary, Dahlin, and Miller and letting go of O’Reilly, Lehner, Nylander, and Beaulieu since. Buffalo has done a nice job putting pieces together to make it back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2011 but they likely need more time as the East is too competitive.
Grade: A"

ESPN Feb '19
"Buffalo Sabres B+
The Sabres absolutely needed to upgrade their blue line, and in Montour they get a 24-year-old right-handed-shot defenseman with offensive upside. The Sabres have him at $3,387,500 in average annual value for this season and next, before he becomes an RFA with arbitration rights. In a new environment this could be a coup for GM Jason Botterill."


You're taking Jim "Boomer" Gordon's word to represent the entire NHL world's opinion of JBotts? He also gave Edmonton an F- after they managed to trade Lucic and his horrible contract. Just so you know, there are a lot more people out there that know about hockey than just the Toronto media guys on Sirius.
- adambuffalo

I mean, he was absolutely right, soooo

2 points from playoffs.

Your panicky over reacting is the insanity.

If he sits on his hands all season and does nothing there’s a conversation to be had.
- sbroads24

Do ppl really think Botts isn’t trying to do anything???

It’s been reported by pretty much everyone in the know that he’s been trying to make multiple trades for months now

But no one wants our crap
And he’s not gonna make a sh!tty trade out of desperation
I have no issue with that

We're 6 points out of the wild card and there are 2 teams ahead of us for the last division spot with games in hand. Larsson is the 2C. It's over
- jcragcrumple

The Flyers just got pummeled by the Sharks, one of the leagues worst teams.

The Hurricanes have given up like 16 goals against the last 3 games.

The Bolts were getting out shot 17-0 at one point last night.

The conference is wide open with a ton of teams having issues

The Sabres have a very easy schedule coming up

I mean, he was absolutely right, soooo
- jcragcrumple

If you're short-sighted, yes.

NBC sports network June '19:
"The Sabres have had a really strong offseason on paper, so that is a positive heading into the season, but that is going to have to eventually translate into success on the ice."

Bleacher report June '19:
"The Sabres have selected Jack Eichel, Rasmus Dahlin and Cozens in recent years, and the talent level on this team is gradually rising. Cozens has brilliant skating speed and two-way ability, but he doesn't always make the right play with the puck. Grade A-"

RotoWorld:
"The Sabres have made a lot of changes since finishing last in the NHL in 2018, acquiring Skinner, Sheary, Dahlin, and Miller and letting go of O’Reilly, Lehner, Nylander, and Beaulieu since. Buffalo has done a nice job putting pieces together to make it back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2011 but they likely need more time as the East is too competitive.
Grade: A"

ESPN Feb '19
"Buffalo Sabres B+
The Sabres absolutely needed to upgrade their blue line, and in Montour they get a 24-year-old right-handed-shot defenseman with offensive upside. The Sabres have him at $3,387,500 in average annual value for this season and next, before he becomes an RFA with arbitration rights. In a new environment this could be a coup for GM Jason Botterill."


You're taking Jim "Boomer" Gordon's word to represent the entire NHL world's opinion of JBotts? He also gave Edmonton an F- after they managed to trade Lucic and his horrible contract. Just so you know, there are a lot more people out there that know about hockey than just the Toronto media guys on Sirius.
- adambuffalo

Seems like a lot of Hockey people see what is going on a little bit more then are own fans. But so much losing can do that.

The Sabres have a schedule coming up at the end of the month/February where Skinner should be back that includes

Detroit X3
Anaheim at home
Rangers at home
Columbus at home
Vancouver at home

Sorry, but stay afloat with some points this month and then go beat Detroit a bunch of times and were right there
- sbroads24

Good post, love the positivity!

The Flyers just got pummeled by the Sharks, one of the leagues worst teams.

The Hurricanes have given up like 16 goals against the last 3 games.

The Bolts were getting out shot 17-0 at one point last night.

The conference is wide open with a ton of teams having issues

The Sabres have a very easy schedule coming up
- sbroads24

Do you really think this team is making the playoffs?

Do you really think this team is making the playoffs?
- jcragcrumple

Who knows, still alot of hockey left

I mean, he was absolutely right, soooo
- jcragcrumple

He also gave St Louis a C- grade after the summer of the ROR trade and gave Buffalo a C, sooooo

Do you really think this team is making the playoffs?
- jcragcrumple

Probably not. I think we come close though, and maybe some luck or hot goaltending gets us in.

The Sabres have a gaping hole on the second line. It needs to be addressed.

I also think you can find gaping holes on about 20 NHL teams

Probably not. I think we come close though, and maybe some luck or hot goaltending gets us in.

The Sabres have a gaping hole on the second line. It needs to be addressed.

I also think you can find gaping holes on about 20 NHL teams
- sbroads24

Good post Boards

Probably not. I think we come close though, and maybe some luck or hot goaltending gets us in.

The Sabres have a gaping hole on the second line. It needs to be addressed.

I also think you can find gaping holes on about 20 NHL teams
- sbroads24

I think this is a very reasonable post
Skinner being out really hurts though

Probably not. I think we come close though, and maybe some luck or hot goaltending gets us in.

The Sabres have a gaping hole on the second line. It needs to be addressed.

I also think you can find gaping holes on about 20 NHL teams
- sbroads24

Everyone knew this team was going to get somewhere between 80-90 points this year, or at least most of us did.