LeBron is a great player and will finish his career with stats. He’ll still be #2.
- dadeadhead

A very, very close #2. Nothing more, nothing less.

When was the last time the Sabres were able to land a 30-goal scorer? And when was the last time Buffalo had a 40- goal scorer? And in waiting as long as they did for both of those scenarios, why would you let that kind of player sign somewhere else for what would amount to a million or less per season?
- Michael Pachla

Jeff Skinner averages 29 goals per season and 23 assists for a grand total of 52 points.

That’s using the sample size of an entire career.

But hey, Cheecho scored 40 once too I guess right.

Not in my opinion. His job on that pairing will be to be a defensive babysitter. If he can play in his own zone, he should be fine. If he fails, then you just move Joker there, which is where he will be eventually anyway
- jcragcrumple

Idk...
putting him with Dahlin right away is the kind of pressure that likely makes things harder for him

His style could be quite complementary, i agree
But i think rushing him into that role is hasty

Risto has to be on the block. He doesn't want to be in Buffalo. You move him and move on from there keeping what talent you have to surround Dahlin with.
- Michael Pachla

Ummmmmm....
Doesn’t trading Risto open up the same type of hole u didn’t wanna open up with moving Montour??

I'd play Dahlin with Borgen. Borgen will be 24 in December. He's not a kid. Dahlin will be on his 3rd year. If you can sign someone like Del Zotto or Gudas cheap to be in the rotation, that's fine

Dahlin-Borgen
McCabe-Joker
Pilut-Miller
Del Zotto - this is merely an example of a cheap UFA. I'm not suggesting him specifically before someone screams that he sucks

There's a good balance of puck movers and physical defensemen.

Risto and Montour will not be missed much and can bring in the fabled 2C
- jcragcrumple

What leads you to believe Borgen's ready for top-pairing duties? And what leads you to believe either of Risto or Montour will bring back a No. 2 center?

Idk...
putting him with Dahlin right away is the kind of pressure that likely makes things harder for him

His style could be quite complementary, i agree
But i think rushing him into that role is hasty
- jdfitz77

There will be a learning curve and bumps in the road, but at his age and experience, either he can do it or he can't

A very, very close #2. Nothing more, nothing less.
- Michael Pachla

Mamba #2 all day for me.

There will be a learning curve and bumps in the road, but at his age and experience, either he can do it or he can't
- jcragcrumple

What experience?
He has none in the NHL

Big leap from AHL to NHL
No reason to throw him in the deep end

Jeff Skinner averages 29 goals per season and 23 assists for a grand total of 52 points.

That’s using the sample size of an entire career.

But hey, Cheecho scored 40 once too I guess right.
- Pegullaville

Skinner has a poor partial season and you're equating him with Cheechoo to make your point?

a 40 point player who floats all game long should not be the desired second line winger in a blue collar town

esp if they want it to be a cup winning team
- navinrjohnson

Does a 60 point "floater" on the 1st line win you a cup in a blue collar town? 🙉

Jeff Skinner averages 29 goals per season and 23 assists for a grand total of 52 points.

That’s using the sample size of an entire career.

But hey, Cheecho scored 40 once too I guess right.
- Pegullaville

I’m done, my point was made.
- Pegullaville

U were saying...?

What leads you to believe Borgen's ready for top-pairing duties? And what leads you to believe either of Risto or Montour will bring back a No. 2 center?
- Michael Pachla

Those 2 are the best assets along with Reinhart and this year's first to acquire a center.

Between Borgen and Joker, one of them will fit with Dahlin. Besides, neither of Risto or Montour can play top pair either. Worst case scenario we're in the same place

Mamba #2 all day for me.
- Hatboro_Swords

Mamba over lebron?

Lebron's still an open book. He may play 5 more years

On court only?

Those 2 are the best assets along with Reinhart and this year's first to acquire a center.

Between Borgen and Joker, one of them will fit with Dahlin. Besides, neither of Risto or Montour can play top pair either. Worst case scenario we're in the same place
- jcragcrumple

I remember thinking that Tyler Myers would be OK without Hank Tallinder.

I remember thinking that Tyler Myers would be OK without Hank Tallinder.
- Michael Pachla

Are Montour or Risto propping Dahlin up? I don't think so, personally. Neither are his long-term partner imo

In any case, I think Joker or Borgen have more similarities in terms of Tallinder's calmness than either Risto or Montour.

Bring in a cheap vet to be a safety net in a worst case. The point is, I dont think we need either of those two guys

Are Montour or Risto propping Dahlin up? I don't think so, personally. Neither are his long-term partner imo

In any case, I think Joker or Borgen have more similarities in terms of Tallinder's calmness than either Risto or Montour.

Bring in a cheap vet to be a safety net in a worst case. The point is, I dont think we need either of those two guys
- jcragcrumple

Colin Miller can play 20 minutes a night on a really good vegas team

but can't play 17 minutes a night on this sh!t show team

Are Montour or Risto propping Dahlin up? I don't think so, personally. Neither are his long-term partner imo

In any case, I think Joker or Borgen have more similarities in terms of Tallinder's calmness than either Risto or Montour.

Bring in a cheap vet to be a safety net in a worst case. The point is, I dont think we need either of those two guys
- jcragcrumple

I have no problem bringing in a vet to ride shotgun with dahlin for a year or two until while a player like joker gets up to speed and a rookie like Borgen gets his feet wet...but I still think you keep one of Risto or Montour around and since Risto wants out, keep Montour

I have no problem bringing in a vet to ride shotgun with dahlin for a year or two until while a player like joker gets up to speed and a rookie like Borgen gets his feet wet...but I still think you keep one of Risto or Montour around and since Risto wants out, keep Montour
- Michael Pachla

That's almost certainly what will happen, in any case. No way Botterill trades Montour

Colin Miller can play 20 minutes a night on a really good vegas team

but can't play 17 minutes a night on this sh!t show team
- navinrjohnson

McNabb... ugh
Thanks for your service GMTM
F*cking drunk a$$

I have no problem bringing in a vet to ride shotgun with dahlin for a year or two until while a player like joker gets up to speed and a rookie like Borgen gets his feet wet...but I still think you keep one of Risto or Montour around and since Risto wants out, keep Montour
- Michael Pachla

Has this been articulated recently?
Or u still taking this from last summer?

That's almost certainly what will happen, in any case. No way Botterill trades Montour
- jcragcrumple

Wasn't there rumor of Montour being on the block at the deadline?

Heard it was Risto or Montour. Take your pick, but we didn't want picks...so no dice.

That's almost certainly what will happen, in any case. No way Botterill trades Montour
- jcragcrumple

the question is, what will his next contract look like...I gave Montour a 4yr./$17M deal in my armchair gm thing, which might be a tad high cap-wise

Has this been articulated recently?
Or u still taking this from last summer?
- jdfitz77

my speculation...

there's nothing that leads me to believe that the season in it's totality (thus far) has changed anything

my speculation...

there's nothing that leads me to believe that the season in it's totality (thus far) has changed anything
- Michael Pachla

Who knows?
Could’ve just been frustrated

And doesn’t trading Risto open the same hole u didn’t want to by moving Montour???

Who knows?
Could’ve just been frustrated

And doesn’t trading Risto open the same hole u didn’t want to by moving Montour???
- jdfitz77

yeah...but if the guy doesn't want to be here, what else can you do?...I think he went into the season with an open mind and with the way things fell apart, I think it was closing again...he had a real good season and if you're gonna trade him, now's the time