He's above the WHL but not drastically.

He's about where Barzal was at this point in his development. Probably not gonna learn much more at the WHL level, but not eligible for the AHL.
- BINGO!

He almost played himself onto this roster. A couple years ago, I think he makes it. The depth, or whatever you want to call it.. has.. um.. improved I guess.

If he builds on last year's camp, I have little doubt he makes this team. At the very least, he'll get his 9 games.

100%
which bulldog wins also which tiger
What type of ship does the Commodore have?
What type of weapon does the volunteer have

lol
- hubie

Saban, Ogeron, Lane Kiffin, Gus Malzahn, and now Leach all in the same conference. Someone is going to get rich off the move rights.

If Bogo made 1-2 mill a year he would be gone by now, nobody wants him and there are 3-4 teams that need a D man.

If Bogo made 1-2 mill a year he would be gone by now, nobody wants him and there are 3-4 teams that need a D man.
- SABRES 89

Well yeah.

ifs buts candies nuts and all that.

Been saying all along, no way Sabres don't make a concession to get rid of him.

Saban, Ogeron, Lane Kiffin, Gus Malzahn, and now Leach all in the same conference. Someone is going to get rich off the move rights.
- buffalofan19

the 5th best offense in the country will be the 5th best offense in the conference

Going to love the SEC network going forward(sad that Kentucky will get curb stomped now)

Well yeah.

ifs buts candies nuts and all that.

Been saying all along, no way Sabres don't make a concession to get rid of him.
- TheSabresTaco

Wrong, they won't.

Pittsburgh has a lot of salary coming off the books and the additional $2.75m wouldn't hurt them. Jack has been playing pretty well this year and has a PDO over 100. He's also a +7 after finishing the last two seasons as a minus player. Currently playing over 19 minutes a night starting in the Dzone 55% of the time, he could provide a physical presence to compliment Montour or Joker.

I've been on the Bonino trade idea for a little while now. I think he could definitely slot in as 2C for this year and next season. His ice time is nearly identical as Skinner's this season, his faceoffs are at 55% and last season he finished 13th in Selke voting, ahead of guys like Toews, Tavares, Marner and Marchand.
- adambuffalo

I wasn’t aware JJ has been playing better
But it’s all the more reason they wouldn’t consider swapping him for Okposo
I just don’t see how that makes any sense for them at all

Wrong, they won't.
- SABRES 89

You really think we won't take anything but a useful prospect or a pick back in return? I sincerely doubt it. But if you're right, I am fully prepared to admit as such.

I was t aware JJ has been playing better
But it’s all the more reason they wouldn’t consider swapping him for Okposo
I just don’t see how that makes any sense for them at all
- jdfitz77

I guess all that's missing is the ability to score points.

*At an acceptable 2C level.
- TheSabresTaco

I guess it would depend on what you consider an acceptable amount of scoring. Currently he would be tied for 2nd on the team for even strength goals and tied for 5th in even strength assists. Last year he had 6 less even strength goals than our 2,3 and 4 Cs combined.
Not saying he's going to be the best 2C in the league, but would be the best one we've had in years. For the potential cost to get him and his salary I don't see a lot of better options. Rather get him than a Pageau, who is likely going to cost more to acquire, is a UFA who will likely cost $2m more than Bonino makes to resign, and has never outperformed Bonino except in a contract year this season (and not really by much even strength).

You really think we won't take anything but a useful prospect or a pick back in return? I sincerely doubt it. But if you're right, I am fully prepared to admit as such.
- TheSabresTaco

They won't eat money or take crap contacts for him is what i'm saying. Botterill isn't looking to make Bogo happy, he's looking to better this team and if Bogo has to sit and wait, so be it.

They won't eat money or take crap contacts for him is what i'm saying. Botterill isn't looking to make Bogo happy, he's looking to better this team and if Bogo has to sit and wait, so be it.
- SABRES 89

I will be absolutely overjoyed if you are correct. I want to be dead wrong.

- TheSabresTaco

Ryan Wilson, is that you?

Jack Johnson isn't a bad player but , we have him already in McCabe. Don't need another.

I guess it would depend on what you consider an acceptable amount of scoring. Currently he would be tied for 2nd on the team for even strength goals and tied for 5th in even strength assists. Last year he had 6 less even strength goals than our 2,3 and 4 Cs combined.
Not saying he's going to be the best 2C in the league, but would be the best one we've had in years. For the potential cost to get him and his salary I don't see a lot of better options. Rather get him than a Pageau, who is likely going to cost more to acquire, is a UFA who will likely cost $2m more than Bonino makes to resign, and has never outperformed Bonino except in a contract year this season (and not really by much even strength).
- adambuffalo

He'd be the best 2C since God. Which is not saying anything.

They won't eat money or take crap contacts for him is what i'm saying. Botterill isn't looking to make Bogo happy, he's looking to better this team and if Bogo has to sit and wait, so be it.
- SABRES 89

That's just being stubborn, not looking to make the team better

I will be absolutely overjoyed if you are correct. I want to be dead wrong.
- TheSabresTaco

He makes to much money and is hurt way to much, the money wouldn't be as much of an issue if he wasn't hurt all the time.

That's just being stubborn, not looking to make the team better
- jcragcrumple

Opinions vary

That's just being stubborn, not looking to make the team better
- jcragcrumple

Taking on one poop contract to get rid of another, which already comes off the books after this year is not making your team better.

I will be absolutely overjoyed if you are correct. I want to be dead wrong.
- TheSabresTaco

He may end up having to eat some money if push comes to shove but as of now, he doesn't care what Bogo thinks or says. Botterill's best interest in the Sabres not Zack Bogosian. Maybe he will need to add a low end pick to move him just to not eat money but, he does not like any dead money.

Opinions vary
- SABRES 89

Well you're not acting in the best interest of the team - or looking to make the team better in your words - if you're unwilling to eat money or take money back to get something good. That just sounds like payback for the trade request

Well you're not acting in the best interest of the team - or looking to make the team better in your words - if you're unwilling to eat money or take money back to get something good. That just sounds like payback for the trade request
- jcragcrumple

You're not getting "something good" for Zach Bogosian, even if you retain 100% of his salary, not unless you deal with a GM that's actively looking to sabotage his own team to spite his owner.

Well you're not acting in the best interest of the team - or looking to make the team better in your words - if you're unwilling to eat money or take money back to get something good. That just sounds like payback for the trade request
- jcragcrumple

Yes he is, he has no reason to eat money, Bogo is off the books after this year.

You're not getting "something good" for Zach Bogosion, even if you retain 100% of his salary, not unless you deal with a GM that's actively looking to sabotage his own team to spite his owner.
- buffalofan19

To be fair, I consider "something good" as Bogo and half his salary gone

He's an aging center with a year and a half left on his deal at 4.1M. The Sabres would first need to figure out how to unload Bogo for nothing. Then, they'd have to figure out how to not use good assets to get Bonino, because it's not like he'd make the team that much better. He's a complimentary center that, frankly, is absolutely a 3C, no question about it. Then, you have to figure, do you want his salary taking up a 3C next year, with Larsson providing exactly what Bonino does with a third of the cap and half the points, along with Asplund and maybe Lazar doing just fine, and may be looked at next year for center depth.

nashville paid him what they paid him because they wanted a premier defensive center in UFA. Do the Sabres need that guy next year, or do they pay Larsson and give a much better player, more suited to actually play 2C Bonino's salary?

I contend this team is better off acquiring a 2C that costs more maybe for a year or two while Cozens and Mittelstadt develop. And keep Larsson. Regardless of whether that's done in February or the summer.