Where are you getting that Montour doesn't want to be here?
- kingcong39

He just wants north of $5 per if I remember the post correctly.

Have you heard differently 39.
- Buff36

I have heard absolutely nothing on Montour wanting out.

Now, I would look to trade him and Ristolainen for impact forwards because they're the two most valuable defense assets the Sabres have.

I have heard absolutely nothing on Montour wanting out.

Now, I would look to trade him and Ristolainen for impact forwards because they're the two most valuable defense assets the Sabres have.
- kingcong39

One of them should be moved for help.

Why does Skinner get treated like this? 10 minutes a night; Alleged spreading the scoring? Why is he not back on Eichel's wing?
Why is his talent being used this way? Does anyone know if he is still hurt? Did he sleep with Kreuger's kin? What did he do? And to say he is not talented would be incorrect, in my mind.
- TC4145

Even with Olofsson missing the last 14 games him, Eichel and Reinhart are still on pace to score more goals than Skinner, Eichel and Reinhart scored last year. It's the correct move to put Skinner on the 2nd line, it's just getting the right players to compliment him there. With Johansson and Sobotka the 2nd line was outscoring the 1st line EV.
With Skinner on the top line we're not winning more games. Sure he may have better numbers, but it's likely that Jack, Sam and Olo have worse numbers.
He wanted to get paid like a superstar and needs to start producing like one.

Nobody is happy when the team flat out sucks. I put zero concern into it aside from the obvious duo that asked to be traded.
- kingcong39

Oh I agree, it makes it no fun.

One of them should be moved for help.
- Buff36

I would move them both as they're both solid players with well known issues that aren't improving. Let another team attempt to improve them.

Pegullaville never knows when it suits him but he knows for certain when it suits him.

Actual question and I am not looking for supposition:

Why does Skinner get treated like this? 10 minutes a night; Alleged spreading the scoring? Why is he not back on Eichel's wing?

He is signed. If he was not signed - MUTINY. When he gets signed - MUTINY. He is here and he is getting paid. What makes his situation better? I think the solution to it is putting him back on Jack's wing. Loved the production last year for all three and even though we only had one line, they produced.

Why is his talent being used this way? Does anyone know if he is still hurt? Did he sleep with Kreuger's kin? What did he do? And to say he is not talented would be incorrect, in my mind.
- TC4145

It's a great question, especially while Olo is out. I understand the desire to have Olo there to break into the NHL and achieve success, I didn't mind it.
There is no 2nd line, the 9 game sting was a mirage much the same as the 10 gamer last season...so the strategy if Skinner driving the 2nd line has been misplayed big time.
Krueger should have used Jeff's return ahead of Olo as the time to get Skinner going again, get confidence, then retry the reconnection with Mojo.
But, hey...
Byfield! Byfield!! Byfield!!!

I just read Kyrou could be available and that St Louis is looking for middle 6 help. They have cap space and the only FA they really have to worry about is Pietrangelo. Wonder if they would be interested in Sheary, Vesey, Johansson or Frolik?
I know a lot of people here wanted Kyrou in the ROR trade, maybe we could grab him this time around.
They are very deep with center prospects and are set for a while with the big club, perhaps we could add a dman and they could add a C prospect as part of a bigger deal.
- adambuffalo

If ROR wasn’t enough to pry Kyrou out of the Blues, I don’t see us having much to offer them.

I would move them both as they're both solid players with well known issues that aren't improving. Let another team attempt to improve them.
- kingcong39

I think Risto and Montour maybe better Draft Day trades than TDL with many teams limited by Cap, and those teams interested in either of them are fighting for PO, so they wouldn't want to unload a Top 6 to destabilize their offense.

Now, maybe moving something like Miller to Edmanton for J Pulijarvi might be available.

I still maintain the best move is to move 1 of Risto /Montour this offseason, then move the other the following offseason as Joker should be ready to assume 2nd Pairing duties by then.

I think Risto and Montour maybe better Draft Day trades than TDL with many teams limited by Cap, and those teams interested in either of them are fighting for PO, so they wouldn't want to unload a Top 6 to destabilize their offense.

Now, maybe moving something like Miller to Edmanton for J Pulijarvi might be available.

I still maintain the best move is to move 1 of Rust /Montiur this offseason, then move the other the following offseason as Joker should be ready to assume 2nd Pairing duties by then.
- IonSabres

I wouldn't even wait. I'd move both this offseason, and that's even if I can't sign Pietrangelo as an FA.

More likely offseason moves again, but perhaps trading Mojo for Josh Anderson would be another move I'd love to see. They have the space, Mojo might appeal to them given Anderson's crappy/injury filled season and upcoming RFA status...last negotiations were difficult I guess.

It's a great question, especially while Olo is out. I understand the desire to have Olo there to break into the NHL and achieve success, I didn't mind it.
There is no 2nd line, the 9 game sting was a mirage much the same as the 10 gamer last season...so the strategy if Skinner driving the 2nd line has been misplayed big time.
Krueger should have used Jeff's return ahead of Olo as the time to get Skinner going again, get confidence, then retry the reconnection with Mojo.
But, hey...
Byfield! Byfield!! Byfield!!!
- IonSabres

Over LaFreniere?

I don't see them moving both, one or the other depending on who could get the most. And I could see Miller being moved.

I wouldn't even wait. I'd move both this offseason, and that's even if I can't sign Pietrangelo as an FA.
- kingcong39

And what’s your defense look like next year without Risto AND Montour?

I'm also back on the D Strome train. Not sure of the cost, but looks like Dach has begun his ascent , so do they really need Strome?

Go get
Puljujarvi
Strome
Anderson

Olo Eichel Puljujarvi(Reinhart)
Skinner Strome Anderson
FA signing Asplund Cozens
Girgs Lazar Okposo

As Cozens finds his NHL game, move him up, Anderson goes down.

And what’s your defense look like next year without Risto AND Montour?
- jdfitz77

Oooofff. Means McCabe stays...

Dahlin. Joker
Pilut. Miller.
McCabe. Borgen

Not good enough... unless you are bringing in a top 4 d man... again...

And what’s your defense look like next year without Risto AND Montour?
- jdfitz77

Depends on who you get and use to replace them. They already have two capable RHD in Jokiharju and Miller.

Over LaFreniere?
- jdfitz77

Not counting on the Lottery Balls granting us the 1st, hoping for another 2nd as were better at getting that lol.

Besides C is the way to go for this team.

If ROR wasn’t enough to pry Kyrou out of the Blues, I don’t see us having much to offer them.
- PrinceChill

Its too bad the old SSTT is on the shelf. You gotta figure Sabres would be able to pry away Kyrou and get ROR back for him.

Depends on who you get and use to replace them. They already have two capable RHD in Jokiharju and Miller.
- kingcong39

I would think we are aiming for a better than “capable” defense unit

And u already said you’d still trade both even without getting Pietrangelo, so...

Who are YOU getting to replace them?

yup...just like they did with Montour last season...

a guy like adam Henrique is a bit pricey at $5.8M, and at 30 he ain't getting any younger, but for this year he can be put between skinner and Johansson and he'll still have term left to take on a mid-six center role while the youngins develop
- Michael Pachla

I like it Reinhart, Risto, and Asplund for Henrique, Rakell, and Kase.

I would think we are aiming for a better than “capable” defense unit

And u already said you’d still trade both even without getting Pietrangelo, so...

Who are YOU getting to replace them?
- jdfitz77

I'd run with Dahlin, Jokiharju, Pilut, Miller, Gilmour, and Borgen as 6 and look to add one more in FA.

Not counting on the Lottery Balls granting us the 1st, hoping for another 2nd as were better at getting that lol.

Besides C is the way to go for this team.
- IonSabres

Is it?
I wonder what looks better for Line2
(Assuming line1 stays the same)

Skinner-Byfield-Cozens/Mitts
OR
Skinner-Cozens/Mitts-Lafreniere

I guess it just depends on whether or not u still have faith in Cozens or Mitts

If ROR wasn’t enough to pry Kyrou out of the Blues, I don’t see us having much to offer them.
- PrinceChill

Perhaps, but with JBo turning 37 before next season they could be looking for his replacement instead of resigning him. Also, they could have interest in a guy like Johansson who they saw in the finals last year.
It's not like Kyrou has lit it up yet. In 31 NHL games this year and last year he has 3g and 4a.
Heck, I'd even ask for Allen in exchange for Hutton. Hutton led the league in GAA and SV% his last year in St Louis and is a lot more affordable for a backup rather than paying Allen another year to play 20-25 games ($1.6m cheaper).

Oooofff. Means McCabe stays...

Dahlin. Joker
Pilut. Miller.
McCabe. Borgen

Not good enough... unless you are bringing in a top 4 d man... again...
- Gr8daygo

I don’t like the look of that at all