Sadly I agree .. when you Ignore the CHL for 2 years When they have the highest percentage of nhl players in the league

And you go 2 years straight with no number 2 center

Peace
- gerbe75pts[/img]

Personally I think each league has its pros and cons. Being from Ontario I honestly think the chl is pretty overrated. I find that a lot of these drafted players stats are propped up by playing against skaters/goalies that are 16 year old kids. Watching the world juniors in the past decade other countries have caught up to us which means that we need to make a change to how we develop our players. Personally I would take all the teams in the league and divide them into two tiers (16-18 & 18+) so that they are playing more challenging competition.

The only thing keeping that percentage so high is that there are more teams in that league than any other and Canadian parent groom their kids from the time they can walk to play hockey.

But can’t he see Botts’ plan and how good it is? Isn’t he excited about the 2020 first round draft pick?
- PrinceChill

Eichel needs a patience transplant

Eichel needs a patience transplant
- jcragcrumple

From Homie - early in the previous blog :

"ek says we are losing 19 out of the last 20"

Maybe Ek is on to something ...

Jokihajru
FEB 29 0 0 0 -1 0 0 0 2 22 17:50
VGK FEB 28 0 0 0 -1 0 0 0 2 24 19:25
COL FEB 26 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 1 21 15:00
WPG FEB 23 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 24 21:39
PIT FEB 22 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 23 18:50

Ristolainen

ARI FEB 29 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 22 21:21
VGK FEB 28 0 0 0 -2 0 0 0 5 24 23:36
COL FEB 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 25 24:13
WPG FEB 23 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 28 23:29
PIT FEB 22 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 2 26 23:13

When did the Joker start taking the heavy minutes from Risto as stated in your article? Risto is still starting, the #1 Pk and PP so I was curious and looked at the numbers and they don't show it either. Wishful thinking?

Jokihajru
FEB 29 0 0 0 -1 0 0 0 2 22 17:50
VGK FEB 28 0 0 0 -1 0 0 0 2 24 19:25
COL FEB 26 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 1 21 15:00
WPG FEB 23 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 24 21:39
PIT FEB 22 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 23 18:50

Ristolainen

ARI FEB 29 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 22 21:21
VGK FEB 28 0 0 0 -2 0 0 0 5 24 23:36
COL FEB 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 25 24:13
WPG FEB 23 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 28 23:29
PIT FEB 22 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 2 26 23:13

When did the Joker start taking the heavy minutes from Risto as stated in your article? Risto is still starting, the #1 Pk and PP so I was curious and looked at the numbers and they don't show it either. Wishful thinking?
- GilPerreault11

Jokiharju is receiving the largely defensive zone usage at 5v5 that ristolainen used to (well he and mccabe anyways). Last night they actually both received heavy o-zone and montour got the shut down role for some reason.

The gap on their 5v5 toi is much closer now too. Risto/Joker aren't swapping net front presence on the PP any time soon, I would think.

Jokiharju is receiving the largely defensive zone usage at 5v5 that ristolainen used to (well he and mccabe anyways).

The gap on their 5v5 toi is much closer now too. Risto/Joker aren't swapping net front presence on the PP any time soon, I would think.
- Michael Ghofrani

Defensive zone starts are less than 50% usually so not sure if this is something you can hang your hat on' The best talent also play more and top D play against them and that is why their minutes are increased as well. Heavy minutes as well as PK, the heaviest.

Defensive zone starts are less than 50% usually so not sure if this is something you can hang your hat on' The best talent also play more and top D play against them and that is why their points are increased as well. Heavy points as well as PK, the heaviest.
- GilPerreault11

i actually make the distinction at off zone face off % (or lack there of)

Risto is at around 52, Jokiharju is down to about 45 with mccabe, which is where he and risto were back when they were a thing.

Risto and Jokiharju's 5v5 time is basically the same last 15, +/- 30 seconds. I dont know what you mean by the rest.

i actually make the distinction at off zone face off % (or lack there of)

Risto is at around 52, Jokiharju is down to about 45 with mccabe, which is where he and risto were back when they were a thing.

Risto and Jokiharju's 5v5 time is basically the same last 15, +/- 30 seconds. I dont know what you mean by the rest.
- Michael Ghofrani

I never thought Risto should play all the heavy minutes, did you? He isn't a number 1 D and it is good that Joker might be able to come in and do some of the work but Risto usually starts, usually is the first PK and plays a lot of the top talent so if the Joker can do some of that better for the Sabres and maybe better for other D's numbers but they haven't been lighting it up lately in their own end and a lot of that is forward support problems.

This franchise should stop hiring inexperienced people to manage and coach. Sooner or later Eichel will wake up and realize his career is going down the dumper with this club.
They paid Skinner way too much. They’re going to need to pay Dahlin soon. The league is all about drafting and developing. Sabres come up short

But can’t he see Botts’ plan and how good it is? Isn’t he excited about the 2020 first round draft pick?
- PrinceChill

If anyone asked about the draft to Jack he flip out I think

From Homie - early in the previous blog :

"ek says we are losing 19 out of the last 20"

Maybe Ek is on to something ...
- kritter65

the worst part, he had us getting 3 points this weekend with that prediction

and we got none

the worst part, he had us getting 3 points this weekend with that prediction

and we got none
- homiedclown

Another year wasted

Another year wasted
- gerbe75pts

owner?
gm?
coaching?
players?
curse?

the d is good enough IMO

An offer Botterill liked better, not a better offer. And it didnt include Mittelstadt. It was a half assed attempt without Mitts being available
- jcragcrumple

How do you know this? This is nothing more than speculation.

How do you know this? This is nothing more than speculation.
- toddkac

Honestly who cares who he tried for he didn't get the job done

He can have fun being unemployed

owner?
gm?
coaching?
players?
curse?

the d is good enough IMO
- homiedclown

Goaltending
Drafting
Curse

Cozens with a short handed assist on the GWG in a 3-2 Lethbridge win

Honestly who cares who he tried for he didn't get the job done

He can have fun being unemployed
- gerbe75pts

Give me the top 8 pick first

Honestly who cares who he tried for he didn't get the job done

He can have fun being unemployed
- gerbe75pts

He’s now been GM more games then Murray and has had less success.

Botts won’t be fired. They’ll give him 2020/2021. Simple reason is a new GM would want a new coach and they’re not firing Ralph after one season. Ralph deserves the chance to see what he can do with a real roster. The garbage he was handed- no 2c, worst goalie combo in the league, bogo on team doomed him to failure

worst goalie combo in the league,
- turbo044

ullmark has been fine


http://www.espn.com/nhl/s...st/year/2020/seasontype/2

Botts won’t be fired. They’ll give him 2020/2021. Simple reason is a new GM would want a new coach and they’re not firing Ralph after one season. Ralph deserves the chance to see what he can do with a real roster. The garbage he was handed- no 2c, worst goalie combo in the league, bogo on team doomed him to failure
- turbo044

Not to mention they have to have some stability. What coach or GM of quality will want to come to Buffalo when they are waiting for when they will will be fired.

Botts won’t be fired. They’ll give him 2020/2021. Simple reason is a new GM would want a new coach and they’re not firing Ralph after one season. Ralph deserves the chance to see what he can do with a real roster. The garbage he was handed- no 2c, worst goalie combo in the league, bogo on team doomed him to failure
- turbo044

I agree with most of this post.
What if we really bomb out again?
Bottom 5

What if botts isnt providing krueger with his "type" of players.

A new gm could have past experience with krueger?

owner?
gm?
coaching?
players?
curse?

the d is good enough IMO
- homiedclown

Not enough talent in the Forward 12
Not enough experience in the D 6
Not enough maturity and courage as a team.
On ice leadership is too focused in Jackand Jack alone.