If you played for a crap show your whole time in the NHL and there didn't look like a light at the end of the tunnel until they ditched Housley (in his eyes it appeared) would you toss the idea of a trade?
- GilPerreault11

Do you think that cliche media answer you just posted takes away from the fact that he still would probably welcome a trade ?

Classy interview, very nice. Botterill passing on trading him was a good thing.
- SABRES 89

...if being a good hockey team isn't your priority, then yes, it is a good thing.

...if being a good hockey team isn't your priority, then yes, it is a good thing.
- buffalofan19

Well I don't think it falls on Risto.


Our Head Coach said he's proud of this team and effort.

He also didn’t deny this past offseason that he wanted out of Buffalo and no longer wanted to represent the organization, the city, and the fan base.
- Pegullaville

Sure, but he's also not going to say "(frank) it" and pout about it. He's a professional. What team is going to want a guy who refuses to play, or quits on the team? He may still want out, but he's going to do his job. Tons of guys want out but still do their jobs.

After watching that game tonight I can’t figure out this continuous call for a goalie and a 2c. Seriously to me you have a goalie that obviously must want to be in Buffalo and looks pretty sharp. Maybe a 2c is the answer but I just can’t see it. This team is consistently inconsistent. Some nights a playoff team for sure then some nights you need a shrink to figure it out. It’s definitely not the coach either as this team playing his system for 60 minutes every game would be a lot closer to the playoffs now. Bring in a few free agents this summer who really want to be in Buffalo and playoffs will be there.
- Camel

Tonight was one of the worst games of the year. The Jets were all over them. The Larsson, Girgensons, and Okposo line was the only one that could get anything going and looked like they gave a poop.

The goalie sucks, he was ok tonight, not great, not terrible, better than his average game.

And they desperately need a 2C, anyone to take any tiny bit of the pressure off Eichel; he also seems hurt which isn't helping matters.

They're a playoff team with those pieces. Are they contenders? No, but good enough to make the playoffs, and you go from there.

http://www.tankathon.com/nhl

http://www.tankathon.com/nhl
- IceColdBeer

5 simulations;
1st
9th
2nd
1st
3rd
I'm sold.
send it.

http://www.tankathon.com/nhl
- IceColdBeer

The way they're playing, we could end up in the bottom 3, 4 in the league. That should improve the odds of winning the lottery a little bit !

(Holy crap, I had no idea how awful Detroit was. I haven't looked at the standings in years. Maybe when (if ?) we ever become good again, i'll peak at the standings more regularly).

The way they're playing, we could end up in the bottom 3, 4 in the league. That should improve the odds of winning the lottery a little bit !

(Holy crap, I had no idea how awful Detroit was. I haven't looked at the standings in years. Maybe when (if ?) we ever become good again, i'll peak at the standings more regularly).
- kritter65

Hey, we're on pace for 3 more wins than last year. At that rate of improvement, we'll make the playoffs in 2023

The way they're playing, we could end up in the bottom 3, 4 in the league. That should improve the odds of winning the lottery a little bit !

(Holy crap, I had no idea how awful Detroit was. I haven't looked at the standings in years. Maybe when (if ?) we ever become good again, i'll peak at the standings more regularly).
- kritter65

For those that may not know:

- The Red Wings are 15-48-5
- They have 12 (!) regulation wins
- They have a goal differential of -121 (!!!!!)

That isn't just bad, that is amazingly horrible, almost beyond comprehension.

Hey, we're on pace for 3 more wins than last year. At that rate of improvement, we'll make the playoffs in 2023
- jcragcrumple

It all depends on the success of our drafts. We put ourselves in a good spot this year to add another top end forward. Hopefully Cozens and Mitts can become impact players on their ELC and we can turn it around here quickly.

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl-s-...ght-of-playoffs-1.1452122

Interesting timing.

Here is the player most of you sh*t on. Too bad more just collect a paycheck.

Maybe along with his skills, this is a reason Steve Yzerman wants him?

@ByMHarrington
·
2m
Ristolainen with a solid comment in the room about keeping this thing together in March: "Every time you put the jersey on, you represent the organization and the city and the fans, so you at least have to play for them." #Sabres
- GilPerreault11

Hollow words

Well I don't think it falls on Risto.


Our Head Coach said he's proud of this team and effort.
- SABRES 89

Great, we have a guy coddling adults. Krueger sucks.

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/kevin-fiala

Fiala is the kind of player Botterill should be targeting.

Young, had a solid season than struggled the following season, still has RFA rights.

https://www.capfriendly.com/players/kevin-fiala

Fiala is the kind of player Botterill should be targeting.

Young, had a solid season than struggled the following season, still has RFA rights.
- kingcong39

Highly doubt the Wild want to move on from him. He is young and fits their timeline. I could see them moving Staal, Zuccarello, Parise

BYFIELD BYFIELD BYFIELD Lundell Lundell Lundell
And then sign
Granlund and Greiss or Markstrom
Trade for
Anderson
Strome
And fix your DPairings
Playoff Hockey

If Botterill screws up this offseason with all the cap space we have , he may set this franchise back another 5 years or more.
- SABRES 89

Wow.
You are just coming to this conclusion now?
Well, better late than never.

Fire Botts now before it is too late.

Wow.
You are just coming to this conclusion now?
Well, better late than never.

Fire Botts now before it is too late.
- IonSabres

I don’t see pegs pulling the trigger. Botts will counter with man games lost and he has a plan. Which probably includes too much Frolik.

Wow.
You are just coming to this conclusion now?
Well, better late than never.

Fire Botts now before it is too late.
- IonSabres

Jesus Christ it's a wonder why people have attitudes on this site.

how in the holy frank can you be one of the best teams 5 on 5 and one of the last place teams on both PP & PK? it is mind blowing to me how bad we suck.

I am so distraught with this team. I will keep watching but man they have really sucked all the life out of me this year in particular. for the record I did NOT think they would be a playoff team but I thought they would be in the conversation at least.

We are worse then last year.

Our GM has done nothing to address the most glaring issues we have and the coach should read a book on coaching..

I am just tired of it

I am so distraught with this team. I will keep watching but man they have really sucked all the life out of me this year in particular. for the record I did NOT think they would be a playoff team but I thought they would be in the conversation at least.

We are worse then last year.

Our GM has done nothing to address the most glaring issues we have and the coach should read a book on coaching..

I am just tired of it
- hehateme

The big question is how do they attack free agency/the offseason. I'm starting to think Botterill sold the Pegula's on the Beane model of getting out of cap jail.

I don't think Botts is the right guy to do it, but I'm guessing he gets the chance to see it through for his last year of his deal.

how in the holy frank can you be one of the best teams 5 on 5 and one of the last place teams on both PP & PK? it is mind blowing to me how bad we suck.
- hehateme

McCabe on pk1? He always seems to be good at losing his man...

McCabe on pk1? He always seems to be good at losing his man...
- Gr8daygo

He has classic looks on his face everytime he does, regardless if it's PK or not.