I would take offense to this but I have been right about Reinhart before he was even drafted and everyone here was lapping him up like he was some sort of star and still do. You are invested so good luck with that.
- GilPerreault11

Then go get a GM job before you dislocate both shoulders patting yourself on the back.

I think Hes a lock for the patriots
- gerbe75pts

I hope not

Would have liked to see what Botts could have done with the assets the prior GM was given. Botts has failed in ways, but when 1 arm is held behind your back because you are lacking a system that can't support what you want to do and the other arm being held by meddling owners. Both GM's failed or have failed so far for various reasons.
- Buff36

Botts’ additions are coming through the draft, unfortunately they take a few years to develop, and if Mittelstadt doesn’t pan out that’s a major boo boo.

He should however have added a short term stop gap.

I mean the guy hasn’t made a single move yet in his tenure that would suggest he’s trying to “win now”. Everything he’s done has been in his vision to build the best possible team that can consistently compete in the coming years for a long time.

I do thank Botts though for Dahlin, Cozens, and Joker. Hopefully can say the same for Mittelstadt at some point or maybe he’s used as a trade chip to address the roster now.
- Pegullaville

Ya, I hear this enough.
I disagree.
He has brought in enough deadwood,
crippled the Cap to the point it is possible he carries a penalty of $3m over, let's hope a 100 yr pandemic bails his ass out.
Brings in a busted down Frolik, and Simmonds for that matter when that money could have helped offset the overage.
Never prepared for 2020 by seeing what Sam could do at C, nor what Olofsson could do away from Jack...ya know in contract years.
The above is stunning given making the exact same mistake with Skinner the year before, and over paying by about $1.5m and about 3 years too long.
Never landed the 2C all the while having 137 D men, 3 of whom are redundant
I'll let him off the hook for ROR and Kane disastrous trades, yet if he had balls he should have persuaded his ignorant owners to relax a bit

I will say the Joker trade is great, and Kahun looks to be a major win as well. (He was owed one from Rutherford)

His perceived strength of Cap Mgmt is looking to be his Achillies Heal.

Anyone hoping he can right the ship is doing just that, hoping because they realize Kym and Teri are not going to jettison him.

Ya, I hear this enough.
I disagree.
He has brought in enough deadwood,
crippled the Cap to the point it is possible he carries a penalty of $3m over, let's hope a 100 yr pandemic bails his ass out.
Brings in a busted down Frolik, and Simmonds for that matter when that money could have helped offset the overage.
Never prepared for 2020 by seeing what Sam could do at C, nor what Olofsson could do away from Jack...ya know in contract years.
The above is stunning given making the exact same mistake with Skinner the year before, and over paying by about $1.5m and about 3 years too long.
Never landed the 2C all the while having 137 D men, 3 of whom are redundant
I'll let him off the hook for ROR and Kane disastrous trades, yet if he had balls he should have persuaded his ignorant owners to relax a bit

I will say the Joker trade is great, and Kahun looks to be a major win as well. (He was owed one from Rutherford)

His perceived strength of Cap Mgmt is looking to be his Achillies Heal.

Anyone hoping he can right the ship is doing just that, hoping because they realize Kym and Teri are not going to jettison him.
- IonSabres

There's enough deadweight coming off the books that the $3 million overage won't be that big of a deal. He has plenty of room to improve the team if he wants to/is able. It's not the perfect scenario, but if this team doesn't improve drastically next season, those overages won't be the reason.

There's enough deadweight coming off the books that the $3 million overage won't be that big of a deal. He has plenty of room to improve the team if he wants to/is able. It's not the perfect scenario, but if this team doesn't improve drastically next season, those overages won't be the reason.
- buffalofan19

I believe his ability to make trades, and not be afraid of making a major move or moves is what will determine the future of the team just as much as the draft picks panning out.

You take either one, as the team is in dire need, while neither are ideal, but the reality is you cannot wait for the perfect 2C candidate to come around. A clear move needs to be made.

Long term, you rely on Henrique being your 3C while Cozens or this year's pick supplants him as the 2C in the next 2-3 years.

During the time it takes for that to happen, you either sign someone like Brassard to a one year cheap deal for this season only, or you let Cozens/Johansson play 3C and Henrique can shelter Cozens until he is fully ready.
- kingcong39

Korab, you don't need to tell me about the need for a 2C and the logic to do so....I get it and have been harping on it for 18 months. I also understand the strategy of a stop gap, and how that plays with Cozens development.
I know you get it too. I do.

What I don't understand is the No, not X, let's do Y...when Y is clearly a worse situation..older, higher cost, less productive, longer contract. And that contract at 3C is another handcuff in the future Cap wise.
It is that simple.

Ya, I hear this enough.
I disagree.
He has brought in enough deadwood,
crippled the Cap to the point it is possible he carries a penalty of $3m over, let's hope a 100 yr pandemic bails his ass out.
Brings in a busted down Frolik, and Simmonds for that matter when that money could have helped offset the overage.
Never prepared for 2020 by seeing what Sam could do at C, nor what Olofsson could do away from Jack...ya know in contract years.
The above is stunning given making the exact same mistake with Skinner the year before, and over paying by about $1.5m and about 3 years too long.
Never landed the 2C all the while having 137 D men, 3 of whom are redundant
I'll let him off the hook for ROR and Kane disastrous trades, yet if he had balls he should have persuaded his ignorant owners to relax a bit

I will say the Joker trade is great, and Kahun looks to be a major win as well. (He was owed one from Rutherford)

His perceived strength of Cap Mgmt is looking to be his Achillies Heal.

Anyone hoping he can right the ship is doing just that, hoping because they realize Kym and Teri are not going to jettison him.
- IonSabres

Perhaps he did not want to sell low on Risto or Montour and the value just wasn’t there ?

I completely agree that one of the RHD should have been moved this past July.

He botched the Scandella deal, the Simmonds deal, and the Frolik deal.

I agree completely that his attempts for short term fixes were ultimately a load of crap, can include Vesey in there as well.

The way I see it, the guy has been walking up to the plate and consistently bunting to try to get on first base, I have not seen anything to suggest he is swinging for the fences. I expected this offseason to be that year with the way the contracts were structured and the short term moves were suggesting since he took the job.

This may be a blessing in disguise though cause we are most likely to make the hockey trades we’ve all been waiting for and we don’t have the money to spend on UFA’s so we can’t overpay anyone else in AAV and term.

If he was North American maybe the Sabres would have looked closer at him but Germany bias may have played a role. Germany isn't a world-beater. I read they didn't want to draft a Euro at all anyway.
- GilPerreault11

He was playing in the WHL in Canada
Dude, get a clue

Korab, you don't need to tell me about the need for a 2C and the logic to do so....I get it and have been harping on it for 18 months. I also understand the strategy of a stop gap, and how that plays with Cozens development.
I know you get it too. I do.

What I don't understand is the No, not X, let's do Y...when Y is clearly a worse situation..older, higher cost, less productive, longer contract. And that contract at 3C is another handcuff in the future Cap wise.
It is that simple.
- IonSabres

Nobody would have been unhappy if they were able to land Trocheck.

The only way the contract of Henrique is a handcuff in the future is if one of Cozens or this year's pick completely takes off to the point that the contract after their ELC is large. Good teams figure that out and worry about that ideal situation when it happens.

Schefiele on who he’d vote for the Hart.



“I’m not sure if this is a controversial opinion, but my vote goes to Jack Eichel.

Look, I play in the Western Conference. I know — I know — how good Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid are. They are incredible and just unplayable during some shifts. Leon is probably the smartest player in the game. Connor … well, everyone knows him. And guys like Nathan MacKinnon and David Pastrnak deserve some praise as well, absolutely.

But, like I said, the most valuable player to his team? Jack Eichel.

He’s 23 years old, he’s got 337 points in 354 games and, believe me, he gets the toughest assignments every night. Whenever we play Buffalo, he’s the first guy we look to try to nullify. He’s a monster in the offensive end and an absolute pain to play against when you’re trying to score. He can do it all. He’s one of the most complete forwards in the game. And he doesn’t take a shift off. I’ve been watching a lot of the Sabres this year whenever I get the time because of how dominant he is when he’s on the ice. Every time he steps out there he seems like he’s just got another gear over everyone else. To do that night in and night out? That’s impressive.

Love this play here from him.


It’s almost like Jack has the puck already and he’s actually just trying to beat the Blackhawks’ defender. Look at the way he feints his hips toward the boards, he wants the D-man to drop the puck to his trailing teammate. He’s a few seconds ahead of everyone on the ice. Then he beats future Hall of Famer Duncan Keith and draws the pokecheck out of the goalie before putting the puck in the net. There’s like 15 small things that happen in that play that most guys in the league can’t do.

There are guys who might look at the scoreboard in a game like that and not forecheck with that sort of focus, that sort of intensity.

But Jack doesn’t take a single shift off.

That’s why he’s my MVP.“
- Pegullaville

That’s cool... Nice post
Too bad there’s no chance the Jets would consider trading Schefiele to us

Botts’ additions are coming through the draft, unfortunately they take a few years to develop, and if Mittelstadt doesn’t pan out that’s a major boo boo.

He should however have added a short term stop gap.
- Pegullaville

Yes his additions are coming through the draft, and that is how it should be. Having players flowing through the system so players can take there spots when the time is right. Not having to make trades to fill area's that should be filled by your system. Failure of multiple GM's

There's enough deadweight coming off the books that the $3 million overage won't be that big of a deal. He has plenty of room to improve the team if he wants to/is able. It's not the perfect scenario, but if this team doesn't improve drastically next season, those overages won't be the reason.
- buffalofan19

It was unnecessary, completely so.
There was no justified reason to risk it by taking on $7m ( est, I didn't look it up) between Frolik and Simmonds, as well adding in carrying Bogo for as long as he did. It is his doing.
Not rationalizing Risto, Montour and Miller in view of Joker is another fvck up.

Those are leading indicators that warn of a high risk the guy cannot execute the big picture.

That Cap space goes quickly, very quickly. $3m is a solid player

Cinci released Dalton
That freaking sucks

Dalton on the Pats makes them the division favs again..... F*CK!!!

Cinci released Dalton
That freaking sucks

Dalton on the Pats makes them the division favs again..... F*CK!!!
- jdfitz77

I’m surprised you’re more worried about them signing Dalton to get them to mediocrity instead of bottoming out for Trevor Lawrence.

But achieving mediocrity and accepting it has been the flavour of the past couple of days on these threads.

Perhaps he did not want to sell low on Risto or Montour and the value just wasn’t there ?

I completely agree that one of the RHD should have been moved this past July.

He botched the Scandella deal, the Simmonds deal, and the Frolik deal.

I agree completely that his attempts for short term fixes were ultimately a load of crap, can include Vesey in there as well.

The way I see it, the guy has been walking up to the plate and consistently bunting to try to get on first base, I have not seen anything to suggest he is swinging for the fences. I expected this offseason to be that year with the way the contracts were structured and the short term moves were suggesting since he took the job.

This may be a blessing in disguise though cause we are most likely to make the hockey trades we’ve all been waiting for and we don’t have the money to spend on UFA’s so we can’t overpay anyone else in AAV and term.
- Pegullaville

I hear this as justification as well.
It's been 3 years, Risto's value continues to decline according to most pundits.
News flash to Botts...your value is too high and you are wasting valuable assets.
It is a results business.
In 3 seasons, the results have consistently sucked.
He should be gone, but that will further delay delivery of the yacht.

I’m surprised you’re more worried about them signing Dalton to get them to mediocrity instead of bottoming out for Trevor Lawrence.

But achieving mediocrity and accepting it has been the flavour of the past couple of days on these threads.
- Pegullaville

It’s gonna be really hard to put tank the Jags & Redskins with that defense in NE
But yeah,
if the Pats don’t sign him then it’s a sign they’re trying to tank for Lawrence

I hear this as justification as well.
It's been 3 years, Risto's value continues to decline according to most pundits.
News flash to Botts...your value is too high and you are wasting valuable assets.
It is a results business.
In 3 seasons, the results have consistently sucked.
He should be gone, but that will further delay delivery of the yacht.
- IonSabres

Yawn with the Botts hate dude

Cinci released Dalton
That freaking sucks

Dalton on the Pats makes them the division favs again..... F*CK!!!
- jdfitz77

Between Newton, Dalton, and Winston I thought the Pat's would secure 1.

Between Newton, Dalton, and Winston I thought the Pat's would secure 1.
- IonSabres

Always thought Dalton was the best fit
If they do sign him,
I think they’re AFC East favs again
Ugh

Bill's shouldn't be scared of Dalton lol

It's Their Division now

I hear this as justification as well.
It's been 3 years, Risto's value continues to decline according to most pundits.
News flash to Botts...your value is too high and you are wasting valuable assets.
It is a results business.
In 3 seasons, the results have consistently sucked.
He should be gone, but that will further delay delivery of the yacht.
- IonSabres

And in the mean time we have added Dahlin, Cozens, and are set up to add another really good prospect this year.

Swing for the fences this offseason.

Package Risto and our 2021 first rounder and get a guy who can play the 2C now while we wait for our kids to develop. Then if it all goes according to plan we are a contender from 2022-2030.

Always thought Dalton was the best fit
If they do sign him,
I think they’re AFC East favs again
Ugh
- jdfitz77

$50 says Josh Allen has better overall stats than Dalton this season.

imissed weeks due to njuries from either voids the bet

Cinci released Dalton
That freaking sucks

Dalton on the Pats makes them the division favs again..... F*CK!!!
- jdfitz77

thought you told me dalton sucks

thought you told me dalton sucks



- navinrjohnson

He was right the first time, then.