Is it really an oh-poop reaction mode after they just placed winger #4 on IR? Or is trading for a PK specialist when your PK is ranked 28th in the league a stupid move.
You have people all over the comment section here saying we can't draft or develop players, but you're upset we traded a 4th? People's overreactions over something as small as this is just ridiculous.
- adambuffalo

Misery loves company

Several Bills have come out and said they don't script the first drive
- Stripes77

Not sure what happens then, but several games followed that "script"

You guys can all say how it doesnt matter, but plain and simple the teams who do well develop their players. But go ahead and keep thinking that the Sabres history is ok.

As ive said trade every pick and every prospect you have if it lands you top quality players so you can develop guys to fill in as needed. Not rush them to the NHL and be your focal point.

70's were quite a bit of fun with this team.
That was a team built to win that unfortunately failed in the end, no doubt.
Along the way though, great times.
I assume you missed it, too bad you would have been a fan for sure.
- IonSabres

I'm 48.

I caught the tail end of the 70's, with the great 1979 team. My dad and two uncles worked for the Sabres as statisticians. I've been around the game my whole life. I've seen a lot of good hockey, a lot of bad hockey and far too much mediocre hockey.

I'm not ready to throw in the towel, however. They'll be good again.

9. Acquiring players after their best before date. These players would be great for us if they were acquired when they were still functioning capably. We get them years after grooming at the prospect of getting “name-brand” players. Name brand refers to people who are actually good at hockey, not just “good enough for buffalo”. Robyn Rehgehr, goatmez, niedermeyer, grant fuhr, etc.

Sounds like we should just forfeit our team to another city.
- Powerslave

No, but if people want to know why we suck the donkey nuts, this is what I tell them after a few beers. Open yer eyes!

Is it really an oh-poop reaction mode after they just placed winger #4 on IR? Or is trading for a PK specialist when your PK is ranked 28th in the league a stupid move.
You have people all over the comment section here saying we can't draft or develop players, but you're upset we traded a 4th? People's overreactions over something as small as this is just ridiculous.
- adambuffalo

You can try and sell me on the merits of trading a 4th for Frolik, but it in no way makes sense, none.

Didn't you just write a lengthy post about the plan being to compete starting next season? If you believe that, how can you defend using futures to acquire a 32 yo, 4th line player making $4.6 (more than the outgoing player mind you) on a Cap strapped team.

Besides, I'm not the one complaining about development, so those arguements don't pertain to me.
Botts should get as many futures as possible from the pending UFA's, even some RFA's as currency to be used in packages during the offseason to move up in the draft, and for trades as sweetners

I'd like these two questions answered:

Based on the past 3 years, why does he deserve a 4th?

Do you believe he'll do a better job filling forward holes than he has in the past? If so, why?
- jcragcrumple

Besides signing Skinner, he has not overcommitted on any players. He's signed or traded for guys short term who should be producing better than they are, but are falling short of expectations. Filling out a roster short term with guys who should keep you competitive while giving your brand new coach a chance to analyze the team and players isn't necessarily a bad thing. This was never about winning the Cup this year and with the cap space available this summer we should see a big jump next season.

I'm 48.

I caught the tail end of the 70's, with the great 1979 team. My dad and two uncles worked for the Sabres as statisticians. I've been around the game my whole life. I've seen a lot of good hockey, a lot of bad hockey and far too much mediocre hockey.

I'm not ready to throw in the towel, however. They'll be good again.
- Powerslave

Everyone will be back.

95% of team success is due to drafting and we haven’t drafted well ever.

Let’s have some faith that they don’t botch Cozens’ development and let’s hope they hit on this years pick (which in this stacked class shouldn’t be too hard).

Let’s have some faith that Mitts and Thompson develop into at worst top 9 forwards or rehabilitate their value so that they can be used as attractive trade pieces.

With Eichel, Dahlin, Cozens, Skinner, Montour, Risto, Reinhart, and hitting on our top 10 pick this year that’s a good core.

Now the GM has to do the other 5% of his job and not hand out crazy UFA contracts or lose any other trades. Say what you want about Mojo but it’s better then 6 years of Zuccarello and 5 years of Nyquist.

Just make the one damn hockey trade you have to make and use your cap space wisely on 2nd tier free agents that are not useless and they will be fine.

Everyone will be back.

95% of team success is due to drafting and we haven’t drafted well ever.

Let’s have some faith that they don’t botch Cozens’ development and let’s hope they hit on this years pick (which in this stacked class shouldn’t be too hard).

Let’s have some faith that Mitts and Thompson develop into at worst top 9 forwards or rehabilitate their value so that they can be used as attractive trade pieces.

With Eichel, Dahlin, Cozens, Skinner, Montour, Risto, Reinhart, and hitting on our top 10 pick this year that’s a good core.

Now the GM has to do the other 5% of his job and not hand out crazy UFA contracts or lose any other trades. Say what you want about Mojo but it’s better then 6 years of Zuccarello and 5 years of Nyquist.

Just make the one damn hockey trade you have to make and use your cap space wisely on 2nd tier free agents that are not useless and they will be fine.
- Pegullaville

I'm with ya.

Wondering if Montour is used as bait, though.

Besides signing Skinner, he has not overcommitted on any players. He's signed or traded for guys short term who should be producing better than they are, but are falling short of expectations. Filling out a roster short term with guys who should keep you competitive while giving your brand new coach a chance to analyze the team and players isn't necessarily a bad thing. This was never about winning the Cup this year and with the cap space available this summer we should see a big jump next season.
- adambuffalo

Why spend the assets if you're not trying to win? Why fire the coach last year if you're not trying to win? To me, people are ret conning the season and saying "we were never supposed to be good anyway."

Botterill said the opposite. He said they had to be in the conversation for the playoffs. He thought this team would be better. As for your cap space point:

$33m -

Re-sign:

Olofsson
Montour
Reinhart

Replace or re-sign

Girgs
Larry
Erod
Bogo
Sobotka
Frolik
Sheary
Vesey


That money is gonna go real quick

I'm 48.

I caught the tail end of the 70's, with the great 1979 team. My dad and two uncles worked for the Sabres as statisticians. I've been around the game my whole life. I've seen a lot of good hockey, a lot of bad hockey and far too much mediocre hockey.

I'm not ready to throw in the towel, however. They'll be good again.
- Powerslave

Who's throwing in the towel? As you said, different fans with different opinions, it certainly applies to this board.
I see the vast majority of posters who are passionate about the Sabres with a strong desire to see them playing good hockey. Some wear rose colored glasses, others see lost opportunities and are vocal...but all want the samething.

Who's throwing in the towel? As you said, different fans with different opinions, it certainly applies to this board.
I see the vast majority of posters who are passionate about the Sabres with a strong desire to see them playing good hockey. Some wear rose colored glasses, others see lost opportunities and are vocal...but all want the samething.
- IonSabres

Plenty on here have thrown in the towel.

Nothing they can do, going forward, can be trusted, according to some. The mind boggling thing is that some base this on past practice, as if the same regime has run this team for 50 years

Plenty on here have thrown in the towel.

Nothing they can do, going forward, can be trusted, according to some. The mind boggling thing is that some base this on past practice, as if the same regime has run this team for 50 years
- Powerslave

IM not throwing in the towel, but they really need to do something about how they play on the road.

IM not throwing in the towel, but they really need to do something about how they play on the road.
- hubie

They've been awful.

They've been awful.
- Powerslave

6-13-4

You can try and sell me on the merits of trading a 4th for Frolik, but it in no way makes sense, none.

Didn't you just write a lengthy post about the plan being to compete starting next season? If you believe that, how can you defend using futures to acquire a 32 yo, 4th line player making $4.6 (more than the outgoing player mind you) on a Cap strapped team.

- IonSabres

Last season he had 16g 18a all even strength expect for two goals which were short handed. He kills penalties which we need help with. 4 wingers on IR. A 4th round pick, which we got for a UFA defenseman, is not going to make or break the future of the team.
If we traded Scandella for Frolik straight up would you be this upset?

Plenty on here have thrown in the towel.

Nothing they can do, going forward, can be trusted, according to some. The mind boggling thing is that some base this on past practice, as if the same regime has run this team for 50 years
- Powerslave

Conversely, the primary defense for Botterill is "other people were here longer or sucked worse"

6-13-4


- hubie

Or as Mike Harrington likes to point out, 6-17.

(and he's not entirely wrong)

Or as Mike Harrington likes to point out, 6-17.

(and he's not entirely wrong)
- Powerslave

i get it but the 4 could mean a lot down the road.

i get it but the 4 could mean a lot down the road.
- hubie

True.

I personally hate the "loser point".

Play a 3 on 3 until someone wins.

Why spend the assets if you're not trying to win? Why fire the coach last year if you're not trying to win? To me, people are ret conning the season and saying "we were never supposed to be good anyway."

Botterill said the opposite. He said they had to be in the conversation for the playoffs. He thought this team would be better. As for your cap space point:

$33m -

Re-sign:

Olofsson
Montour
Reinhart

Replace or re-sign

Girgs
Larry
Erod
Bogo
Sobotka
Frolik
Sheary
Vesey


That money is gonna go real quick
- jcragcrumple

Why complain about Botterill 50 times a day for months about trading a defenseman for a forward, then botts basically trades scandella for frolic.

And you wish they kept the pick now?

You just like to complain.
Or maybe you dont like to complain, but it's your personality and you can't help it?

This isnt a Stanley cup caliber team.
It's a long term process
You cant see this?

True.

I personally hate the "loser point".

Play a 3 on 3 until someone wins.
- Powerslave

The World Juniors went to that format for the medal rounds this year. Unfortunately, we never got to see what that ended up looking like.

Why complain about Botterill 50 times a day for months about trading a defenseman for a forward, then botts basically trades scandella for frolic.

And you wish they kept the pick now?

You just like to complain.
Or maybe you dont like to complain, but it's your personality and you can't help it?

This isnt a Stanley cup caliber team.
It's a long term process
You cant see this?
- Boss34

At the same time, though, you have to have signs that the process is working. They have Jack Eichel finally living up to his billing as a Hart Trophy caliber player. After that, there isn't much. There are a few individual players having good years (i.e. Olofsson), but nothing that moves the needle.

His criticisms of Botterill are over the top, but it's getting harder and harder to defend the job he is doing by the day.

Plenty on here have thrown in the towel.

Nothing they can do, going forward, can be trusted, according to some. The mind boggling thing is that some base this on past practice, as if the same regime has run this team for 50 years
- Powerslave

I agree about past regimes not having an impact on the here and now.

I do question Botterill going forward though based on the last 2 years.
I don't know if I truly trust him to handle the build part. He has made some pretty, pretty good trades for 2nd & 3rd pairing Dmen, and brought in Skinner when Carolina wanted him gone.
He hasn't shown an ability to trade for productive middle 6 forwards which is the biggest need this offseason.