I thought we already hit rock bottom


then the puck dropped last night


and it became painfully obvious why kruger was out of the nhl for over 6 seasons
- homiedclown

In all fairness last night was fantastic until the bolts tied it and then went ahead. I went into puck drop not expecting much, then was pleasantly surprised before my soul was crushed. But today is a new day and a new year. Go Sabres.

If we get a top 3 pick this year that is more beneficial to us then getting mopped up by Boston in 5 or 6 games.
- Pegullaville

Although I agree in theory - but only if they play their hearts out and fall short. That said, I’d love to see them make the playoffs. Maybe these guys just need a taste of important hockey to change the culture.

All I ever asked for this year was that games in feb/mar still mattered. Hanging on hope.

In all fairness last night was fantastic until the bolts tied it and then went ahead. I went into puck drop not expecting much, then was pleasantly surprised before my soul was crushed. But today is a new day and a new year. Go Sabres.
- Chris16

when the bolts got to 2

you could sense it was probably going to be a loss unless ullmark transformed into hasek

Although I agree in theory - but only if they play their hearts out and fall short. That said, I’d love to see them make the playoffs. Maybe these guys just need a taste of important hockey to change the culture.

All I ever asked for this year was that games in feb/mar still mattered. Hanging on hope.
- Chris16

24-11-6


that's how they need to play the next 41 games



not gonna happen

If we get a top 3 pick this year that is more beneficial to us then getting mopped up by Boston in 5 or 6 games.
- Pegullaville

Deja vu

when the bolts got to 2

you could sense it was probably going to be a loss unless ullmark transformed into hasek
- homiedclown

I hear you but my point was that it was not all bad from puck drop. They played pretty well for a while against an elite team. That said, no moral victories, if you can’t play a solid 60 you deserve to lose. But this team is not as far from being decent as their record shows.

24-11-6


that's how they need to play the next 41 games



not gonna happen
- homiedclown

Let me break it down into terms you understand. Did anyone think Nemo was going to escape that fish tank and reunite with his father? It was a long shot but Nemo and the other rare tropical fish executed an escape against the odds.

There’s always a chance.

What's the Sabres prospect pool ranking?

https://www.google.com/am...-18-buffalo-sabres/%3famp

Oh yeah, 18th

Another stellar accomplishment for JB
- jcragcrumple

Do you now how long it,can take to rebuild when there is nothing. Tim Murray takes over Buffalo had the 2nd ranked prospect pool, Tim Murray gets let go, and Botts takes over the 26th ranked prospect pool

Let me break it down into terms you understand. Did anyone think Nemo was going to escape that fish tank and reunite with his father? It was a long shot but Nemo and the other rare tropical fish executed an escape against the odds.

There’s always a chance.
- Chris16

A+ for effort and originality.

However if we are relegated to analogies to fictional stories to find hope for the franchise, we are lost.

Do you now how long it,can take to rebuild when there is nothing. Tim Murray takes over Buffalo had the 2nd ranked prospect pool, Tim Murray gets let go, and Botts takes over the 26th ranked prospect pool
- Buff36

26th to 18th? Like most things about his tenure, that's underwhelming and sub-mediocre

I hear you but my point was that it was not all bad from puck drop. They played pretty well for a while against an elite team. That said, no moral victories, if you can’t play a solid 60 you deserve to lose. But this team is not as far from being decent as their record shows.
- Chris16

Completely agree.

Top team 62 wins last year.

Sucks we lost when ahead 3 goals at home

26th to 18th? Like most things about his tenure, that's underwhelming and sub-mediocre
- jcragcrumple

Let's agree on one thing here jcrags:

One of the worst moves jbotts has made, is signing a guy to 2 million $. That same guy has 0 goals.

Same guy is undermining his teammates like a snake in the grass. Just like bogo right? Not being supportive, demanding a trade. What a joke.


That is your favorite player.

And you criticize jbotts 😀







Constantly

This has been a very entertaining game. I hope some new or casual fans watched.

Do you now how long it,can take to rebuild when there is nothing. Tim Murray takes over Buffalo had the 2nd ranked prospect pool, Tim Murray gets let go, and Botts takes over the 26th ranked prospect pool
- Buff36

We all acknowledge that Botts didn’t have the best circumstances to start. That doesn’t mean we can not evaluate the job he has done. His coaching hires, his inability to address flaws on the roster, his prospect management, his decisions on players to keep, are all very questionable.

He should have moved some defensemen for center help in the off-season. You can’t hold onto so many d when you don’t have answers at center. Stuff like that ruins the morale in the locker room.

Now we have defensemen who are mad about playing time. We have d in Rochester mad they aren’t playing in the NHL when they have proven themselves capable. You have star forwards mad that the GM isn’t giving them the help they need. You have wingers mad they have no capable centers to play with. Vesey and Sheary are in contract years and their productions sucks because they don’t have capable centers to play with.

This isn’t a video game. These are real people being affected by the shortcomings of the GM. They stand to lose money because of it. There are no resets, no start overs. As a GM in this league you need to be on point. You need to look ahead. You need to be able to properly evaluate your roster.

You simply can not come into a season with 10 NHL defensemen and ignore the fact you don’t have capable centers.

When things go this way and players aren’t happy and want to get out, other players notice and don’t want to come here. When you mismanage your prospects, other players notice and hope they aren’t drafted here. When you string together losing season after losing season, the players you have don’t want to be here.

When you get the reputation of being a dysfunctional franchise, it’s harder to attract free agents, it’s harder to keep your own players, it’s harder to get quality coaches.

We get it! Botts didn’t have an easy job ahead of him. But that doesn’t excuse his mistakes. And at this point, mistakes like the ones he has made make an already bad situation even worse.

No one said it would be easy, but that’s why he makes millions of dollars, because it’s hard. And despite the hand he was dealt to start, he has misplayed it.

I don’t trust a guy with his track record for the future. I don’t trust the owner to hire the right guy either.

I am only here for the rest of the season to tear apart every defense of Botts that I see. I don’t care about his starting hand. I don’t care about injuries. I don’t care about players missing the net on PPs. I don’t care about player’s lack of effort.

Players who don’t feel they are given the tools they need to succeed are unhappy. Players who don’t think they are being treated fairly are unhappy. Unhappy players don’t play hard. This isn’t rocket science.

I have NO MORE PATIENCE for excuses. Show me results. Show me improvement. If you can’t, then GTF out.

Let me break it down into terms you understand. Did anyone think Nemo was going to escape that fish tank and reunite with his father? It was a long shot but Nemo and the other rare tropical fish executed an escape against the odds.

There’s always a chance.
- Chris16

hated that movie

every rich family wanted a salt tank after that

I prefer the llyond christmas to mary swanson analogy

We all acknowledge that Botts didn’t have the best circumstances to start. That doesn’t mean we can not evaluate the job he has done. His coaching hires, his inability to address flaws on the roster, his prospect management, his decisions on players to keep, are all very questionable.

He should have moved some defensemen for center help in the off-season. You can’t hold onto so many d when you don’t have answers at center. Stuff like that ruins the morale in the locker room.

Now we have defensemen who are mad about playing time. We have d in Rochester mad they aren’t playing in the NHL when they have proven themselves capable. You have star forwards mad that the GM isn’t giving them the help they need. You have wingers mad they have no capable centers to play with. Vesey and Sheary are in contract years and their productions sucks because they don’t have capable centers to play with.

This isn’t a video game. These are real people being affected by the shortcomings of the GM. They stand to lose money because of it. There are no resets, no start overs. As a GM in this league you need to be on point. You need to look ahead. You need to be able to properly evaluate your roster.

You simply can not come into a season with 10 NHL defensemen and ignore the fact you don’t have capable centers.

When things go this way and players aren’t happy and want to get out, other players notice and don’t want to come here. When you mismanage your prospects, other players notice and hope they aren’t drafted here. When you string together losing season after losing season, the players you have don’t want to be here.

When you get the reputation of being a dysfunctional franchise, it’s harder to attract free agents, it’s harder to keep your own players, it’s harder to get quality coaches.

We get it! Botts didn’t have an easy job ahead of him. But that doesn’t excuse his mistakes. And at this point, mistakes like the ones he has made make an already bad situation even worse.

No one said it would be easy, but that’s why he makes millions of dollars, because it’s hard. And despite the hand he was dealt to start, he has misplayed it.

I don’t trust a guy with his track record for the future. I don’t trust the owner to hire the right guy either.

I am only here for the rest of the season to tear apart every defense of Botts that I see. I don’t care about his starting hand. I don’t care about injuries. I don’t care about players missing the net on PPs. I don’t care about player’s lack of effort.

Players who don’t feel they are given the tools they need to succeed are unhappy. Players who don’t think they are being treated fairly are unhappy. Unhappy players don’t play hard. This isn’t rocket science.

I have NO MORE PATIENCE for excuses. Show me results. Show me improvement. If you can’t, then GTF out.
- Beethoven

post of the year

In all fairness last night was fantastic until the bolts tied it and then went ahead. I went into puck drop not expecting much, then was pleasantly surprised before my soul was crushed. But today is a new day and a new year. Go Sabres.
- Chris16

Post more

hated that movie

every rich family wanted a salt tank after that

I prefer the llyond christmas to mary swanson analogy
- homiedclown

Come on! I tried.

Let's agree on one thing here jcrags:

One of the worst moves jbotts has made, is signing a guy to 2 million $. That same guy has 0 goals.

Same guy is undermining his teammates like a snake in the grass. Just like bogo right? Not being supportive, demanding a trade. What a joke.


That is your favorite player.

And you criticize jbotts 😀







Constantly
- Boss34

Is E Rod really demanding a trade??
That’s hysterical

We all acknowledge that Botts didn’t have the best circumstances to start. That doesn’t mean we can not evaluate the job he has done. His coaching hires, his inability to address flaws on the roster, his prospect management, his decisions on players to keep, are all very questionable.

He should have moved some defensemen for center help in the off-season. You can’t hold onto so many d when you don’t have answers at center. Stuff like that ruins the morale in the locker room.

Now we have defensemen who are mad about playing time. We have d in Rochester mad they aren’t playing in the NHL when they have proven themselves capable. You have star forwards mad that the GM isn’t giving them the help they need. You have wingers mad they have no capable centers to play with. Vesey and Sheary are in contract years and their productions sucks because they don’t have capable centers to play with.

This isn’t a video game. These are real people being affected by the shortcomings of the GM. They stand to lose money because of it. There are no resets, no start overs. As a GM in this league you need to be on point. You need to look ahead. You need to be able to properly evaluate your roster.

You simply can not come into a season with 10 NHL defensemen and ignore the fact you don’t have capable centers.

When things go this way and players aren’t happy and want to get out, other players notice and don’t want to come here. When you mismanage your prospects, other players notice and hope they aren’t drafted here. When you string together losing season after losing season, the players you have don’t want to be here.

When you get the reputation of being a dysfunctional franchise, it’s harder to attract free agents, it’s harder to keep your own players, it’s harder to get quality coaches.

We get it! Botts didn’t have an easy job ahead of him. But that doesn’t excuse his mistakes. And at this point, mistakes like the ones he has made make an already bad situation even worse.

No one said it would be easy, but that’s why he makes millions of dollars, because it’s hard. And despite the hand he was dealt to start, he has misplayed it.

I don’t trust a guy with his track record for the future. I don’t trust the owner to hire the right guy either.

I am only here for the rest of the season to tear apart every defense of Botts that I see. I don’t care about his starting hand. I don’t care about injuries. I don’t care about players missing the net on PPs. I don’t care about player’s lack of effort.

Players who don’t feel they are given the tools they need to succeed are unhappy. Players who don’t think they are being treated fairly are unhappy. Unhappy players don’t play hard. This isn’t rocket science.

I have NO MORE PATIENCE for excuses. Show me results. Show me improvement. If you can’t, then GTF out.
- Beethoven

been saying it for two years now, Botts has no Freaking clue what he is doing... we've wasted the entire time he has been here... AGAIN with a horrible hire as GM. My only hope is they fire his worthless ass the second the season is over... this is getting really old waiting around for this team.... There is NOT enough talent.. period... And the gm has done nothing to help fix the problem.

This winter classic was one of the best energy wise. Glad I tuned in. Think the two new teams and new venue helped keep my interest.

been saying it for two years now, Botts has no Freaking clue what he is doing... we've wasted the entire time he has been here... AGAIN with a horrible hire as GM. My only hope is they fire his worthless ass the second the season is over... this is getting really old waiting around for this team.... There is NOT enough talent.. period... And the gm has done nothing to help fix the problem.
- gordong

There clearly isn't enough talent in the organization. Since it takes 3 years to see most prospects, the issue goes back a bit. Outside of Risto, Jack, and Sam, it's a sad list. Most of these guys aren't here or have flamed out. 6 2nd rounders in 2013 + 2014 (another 2 for Hudson Fasching). We have almost nothing to show for it. Cool that Asplund is starting to help, but we needed at least 2 more.

2013
1- Zadarov
2- Compher, Hurley, Bailey
3- Baptiste

2014
2- Lemieux, Cornell, Karabacek
3- Johansson, Martin

2015
2- Guhle

2016
1- Nylander
2- Asplund
3- Pu, Fitzgerald

There clearly isn't enough talent in the organization. Since it takes 3 years to see most prospects, the issue goes back a bit. Outside of Risto, Jack, and Sam, it's a sad list. Most of these guys aren't here or have flamed out. 6 2nd rounders in 2013 + 2014 (another 2 for Hudson Fasching). We have almost nothing to show for it. Cool that Asplund is starting to help, but we needed at least 2 more.

2013
1- Zadarov
2- Compher, Hurley, Bailey
3- Baptiste

2014
2- Lemieux, Cornell, Karabacek
3- Johansson, Martin

2015
2- Guhle

2016
1- Nylander
2- Asplund
3- Pu, Fitzgerald
- Lunaion

I’ve been saying it and it will remain true

Until the team starts hitting home runs (like Olofsson) in the draft, we won’t be a true contender.

The team we played last night has like 8 dudes drafted after the first round making an impact

There clearly isn't enough talent in the organization. Since it takes 3 years to see most prospects, the issue goes back a bit. Outside of Risto, Jack, and Sam, it's a sad list. Most of these guys aren't here or have flamed out. 6 2nd rounders in 2013 + 2014 (another 2 for Hudson Fasching). We have almost nothing to show for it. Cool that Asplund is starting to help, but we needed at least 2 more.

2013
1- Zadarov
2- Compher, Hurley, Bailey
3- Baptiste

2014
2- Lemieux, Cornell, Karabacek
3- Johansson, Martin

2015
2- Guhle

2016
1- Nylander
2- Asplund
3- Pu, Fitzgerald
- Lunaion

While I agree as far as Murray drafting duds and not leaving Botts anything, it is still on Botterill to fix it.

He knew that when he took over. It isn't going to be an easy fix but you at least have to do SOMETHING at this point

2013
1- Zadarov traded
2- Compher, Hurley, Bailey traded,bust,bust
3- Baptiste

2014
2- Lemieux, Cornell, Karabacek traded,bust, bust
3- Johansson, Martin wild card, bust

2015
2- Guhle wild card

2016
1- Nylander traded, should have been a must hit
2- Asplund wild card
3- Pu, Fitzgerald bust, maybe
- Lunaion

pretty bad when you consider we don't have much for compher and lemieux


if joker is a top pair, the nylander pick is easier to swallow but if he is another #4 d man, still not value