I haven't checked in a few days but David Pagnotta at the Fourth period suggests Botterill could be out after the season concludes.

Chel Squared @ChelSquared Feb 28

New: Dave Pagnotta @TheFourthPeriod believes the Buffalo Sabres could have a new GM in charge this summer.

"We could definitely see a change in the GM position with the Buffalo Sabres"

" My understanding was from the ownership how Botterill was going to navigate through the trade deadline before making an ultimate decision on his future"

"I suspect we are going to hear a little bit of news after the season wraps up over what the managerial direction the Buffalo Sabres are going to go into next season"

" Do you think Botterill will be replaced? There is a good chance of that and that topic is being discussed by the higher ups"

Check out @TheFourthPeriod. The podcast is there.
- mhp

Good

We have 6k .. but a gem would be Sorokin
Super star soon...or draft Askarov ( I think he Will be the best goalie In the NHL when he comes in I would say the Connor mcdavid of Goaile
- gerbe75pts

Looks like we should be picking in the range that we should give him some serious consideration

Wouldn’t be a bad thing to have a 1-2 tandem of
Askarov & 6k

Looks like we should be picking in the range that we should give him some serious consideration

Wouldn’t be a bad thing to have a 1-2 tandem of
Askarov & 6k
- jdfitz77

Portillo and 6k are the future

Portillo and 6k are the future
- Buff36

agreed
throw a dart later in the draft on goalie and get impact players early

agreed
throw a dart later in the draft on goalie and get impact players early
- homiedclown

Good post

Portillo and 6k are the future
- Buff36

A little early to predict that much on Portillo. I'd like to see him in the AHL or ECHL first, see how he fares. Having said that, he has done well with Dubuque this year. He does need more development time. He could turn into another Connor Knapp or Nathan Lieuwen.

Portillo and 6k are the future
- Buff36

That could end up being a nice 1-2 punch for us,
But Askarov has a higher ceiling than either

In my view, 6K should spend 2 years minimum in Rochester. Follow a similar path that Ullmark did. It can't hurt.

In my view, 6K should spend 2 years minimum in Rochester. Follow a similar path that Ullmark did. It can't hurt.
- mhp

Agree, need to find a good 2 or 3 year stop gap

Agree, need to find a good 2 or 3 year stop gap
- Buff36

Yes we do.

How is your shoulder? I see the doc tomorrow for mine and my final PT session is Tuesday.

In my view, 6K should spend 2 years minimum in Rochester. Follow a similar path that Ullmark did. It can't hurt.
- mhp

Goalies peak at a later age than forwards or defensemen. A goalie's "prime" years are between 27-35 usually.

Forwards it's 20-30 and defensemen it's about 24-33.

I'm never against a goaltender spending more time in the minors. They aren't like skaters - I truly believe it's the only position in hockey that you should shelter a little and rushing them actually could hurt their development.

That said, again, if he's ready, he's ready.

In my view, 6K should spend 2 years minimum in Rochester. Follow a similar path that Ullmark did. It can't hurt.
- mhp

He probably will, in large part because you don't really want him in Buffalo as a backup. He's on a different path than Ullmark, in that sense.

Yes we do.

How is your shoulder? I see the doc tomorrow for mine and my final PT session is Tuesday.
- mhp

Getting there, go for a MRI on Thursday. Hope everything goes good at the doctor's. Are you where you want to be with using your arm.

Getting there, go for a MRI on Thursday. Hope everything goes good at the doctor's. Are you where you want to be with using your arm.
- Buff36

Yes. I can pretty much do most things with my arm and have good range of motion. PT has been taking measurements and I'm just about where I need to be. They will discharge me from PT this week and I will continue with the at home program. I've been swinging a few golf clubs at home with no pain so that's a big plus.

I hope you're MRI looks good.

Yes. I can pretty much do most things with my arm and have good range of motion. PT has been taking measurements and I'm just about where I need to be. They will discharge me from PT this week and I will continue with the at home program. I've been swinging a few golf clubs at home with no pain so that's a big plus.

I hope you're MRI looks good.
- mhp

Thanks appreciate it. That's not bad swinging a club already.

Thanks appreciate it. That's not bad swinging a club already.
- Buff36

I didn't think I could do that till at least May so I'm ahead of schedule.

That is a very good plan, try to find the best player of all time at a position, and trade nothing for them.
- Mentalorgasm5

Right ?

Goalies peak at a later age than forwards or defensemen. A goalie's "prime" years are between 27-35 usually.

Forwards it's 20-30 and defensemen it's about 24-33.

I'm never against a goaltender spending more time in the minors. They aren't like skaters - I truly believe it's the only position in hockey that you should shelter a little and rushing them actually could hurt their development.

That said, again, if he's ready, he's ready.
- BeadyEyedDouche

Good post

Cozens with a short handed assist on the GWG. Lethbridge won 3-2

Lot's of issues with this team, but if I were Botts, I'd put some effort into trying to trade for some teams hidden gem (think Chicago's Dominik Hasek in '92). That kind of trade is extremely rare and I'm probably nuts for even bringing it up, but damn, wouldn't it be nice to make that sort of swindle/trade again ?

We need an all-star quality netminder. Make it happen, Botts.
- kritter65

Lender is the answer. Great goalie and nice guy. Never thinks of himself.