The thing about Toff this year. Is that he took a different approach in my opinion. He went out and took his shifts over. He lead the charge. Something I had never seen him do before. He was out to prove something. His last contract was a prove it contract by LA. And he went out and did just that. His skating isnt fast by any means. But its a bit underrated. Hes gonna be a nice signing for somebody.

Trades need to happen 1st to acquire the right strategic pieces, then color between the lines with a few choice UFA signings.
- IonSabres

how many good trades has botts made?


http://www.nhltradetracke...by_GM/Jason_Botterill/290


I count 4

montour, skinner, joker and kahun

and I am not sure on montour

Hehe, ur prob right... It makes too much sense for an incompetent organization like Buffalo to spend the #2 pick overall on a center, and then actually at him at center, when they are starving for a top 6 center...

Common sense isn't so common in Buffalo apparently.
- SuperCat

You continue to make the leap of faith as fact that Sam would be a competent Center.
Too bad our incompetent GM and the last 2 Coaches didn't try it again to properly ascertain the option.

The thing about Toff this year. Is that he took a different approach in my opinion. He went out and took his shifts over. He lead the charge. Something I had never seen him do before. He was out to prove something. His last contract was a prove it contract by LA. And he went out and did just that. His skating isnt fast by any means. But its a bit underrated. Hes gonna be a nice signing for somebody.
- poisondhearts37

I have no problem with signing him to the right deal, he would bring a little veteran presence.

how many good trades has botts made?


http://www.nhltradetracke...by_GM/Jason_Botterill/290


I count 4

montour, skinner, joker and kahun

and I am not sure on montour
- homiedclown

So if you got the Montour equivalent as a 2c, say a Bonino (3c playing up for a season). A HEALTHY Bjustead (thatll never happen). And you call it 5 decent/ok trades....

Does Botts have one more! Just one, serviceable, 2c before he goes drunken sailer on the bottom 6....

Also with all the goalie talk... do you take a run at Murray or Jary with the Pens? I believe both RFAs and it sounds like one of them is gone and it’s leaning Murray.

If Murray.... what’s the cost to acquire and sign?

Murray
Ullmark could solidify the crease....

Don't know if that would be the best combo to put together, that skating would put people to sleep.
- Buff36

Idk, is Reinhart the fastest guy? And he played with Jack.... we've even seen Zemgus on Jack's wing.

I think pretty much anyone is going to have Sucess there. A 20-25g guy like Toffoli should be able to net 30g next to Eichel. The chemistry would essentially be, Jack carries the puck (and the ay), Olafsson had the rocket shot to dish too, and Toffoli crashing the net.

how many good trades has botts made?


http://www.nhltradetracke...by_GM/Jason_Botterill/290


I count 4

montour, skinner, joker and kahun

and I am not sure on montour
- homiedclown

It's concerning no doubt.
Yet Kym will help right the ship I'm sure.

If they are truly going into cost-cutting / cost control mode for this season and maybe beyond; the proper move would have been to fire Botts now before contract negotiations and FA hit and he absolutely destroys the roster for years to come with bloated deals and bad gambles
Skinner
Mojo
ERod

Idk, is Reinhart the fastest guy? And he played with Jack.... we've even seen Zemgus on Jack's wing.

I think pretty much anyone is going to have Sucess there. A 20-25g guy like Toffoli should be able to net 30g next to Eichel. The chemistry would essentially be, Jack carries the puck (and the ay), Olafsson had the rocket shot to dish too, and Toffoli crashing the net.
- SuperCat

Well ya if you put him with Jack, I took it as you were putting him with Rhino as his C

You continue to make the leap of faith as fact that Sam would be a competent Center.
Too bad our incompetent GM and the last 2 Coaches didn't try it again to properly ascertain the option.
- IonSabres

How is that a leap? Sam was drafted at center, u do realise that right?

Reinhart dominated juniors at center. And the the world junior tournament,, vs the bast players in the World at his age.. again plying Center for team Canada, between Max Domi and A. Duclair.

The only reason Sam was moved to wing is because the Sabres had Eichel and ORiley at center (two #1 centers) and needed to somehow squeeze Sam into their top 6 because of his talent and petigree. The "leap" would be that Sam can't play center after playing there and dominating his entire life.

It's concerning no doubt.
Yet Kym will help right the ship I'm sure.

If they are truly going into cost-cutting / cost control mode for this season and maybe beyond; the proper move would have been to fire Botts now before contract negotiations and FA hit and he absolutely destroys the roster for years to come with bloated deals and bad gambles
Skinner
Mojo
ERod
- IonSabres

Well don't see that making Jack very happy.

Hehe, ur prob right... It makes too much sense for an incompetent organization like Buffalo to spend the #2 pick overall on a center, and then actually at him at center, when they are starving for a top 6 center...

Common sense isn't so common in Buffalo apparently.
- SuperCat

Imagine thinking that draft position defines where you must play in the NHL.

Laaksonen signed

How is that a leap? Sam was drafted at center, u do realise that right?

Reinhart dominated juniors at center. And the the world junior tournament,, vs the bast players in the World at his age.. again plying Center for team Canada, between Max Domi and A. Duclair.

The only reason Sam was moved to wing is because the Sabres had Eichel and ORiley at center (two #1 centers) and needed to somehow squeeze Sam into their top 6 because of his talent and petigree. The "leap" would be that Sam can't play center after paying there and dominating his entire life.
- SuperCat

Well it would have been the thing to do last year, and see if he could have gotten Skinner going.

Laaksonen signed
- Powerslave

Gonna have a young D corps in Rochester when and if they start.

How is that a leap? Sam was drafted at center, u do realise that right?

Reinhart dominated juniors at center. And the the world junior tournament,, vs the bast players in the World at his age.. again plying Center for team Canada, between Max Domi and A. Duclair.

The only reason Sam was moved to wing is because the Sabres had Eichel and ORiley at center (two #1 centers) and needed to somehow squeeze Sam into their top 6 because of his talent and petigree. The "leap" would be that Sam can't play center after playing there and dominating his entire life.
- SuperCat

False premise. If he had the ability, he'd play it. He's been subpar at best at every attempt.

Gonna have a young D corps in Rochester when and if they start.
- Buff36

Should be fun to see how it all plays out.

Gonna have a young D corps in Rochester when and if they start.
- Buff36

I agree

Well it would have been the thing to do last year, and see if he could have gotten Skinner going.
- Buff36

They should have left Larry there. From analytical stand point it was a very good fit. Skinner-Larry-Sheary was our most impactful “2nd line” so to speak.

Should be fun to see how it all plays out.
- Pegullaville

fun and sabres should not be in the same sentence

IMO

How is that a leap? Sam was drafted at center, u do realise that right?

Reinhart dominated juniors at center. And the the world junior tournament,, vs the bast players in the World at his age.. again plying Center for team Canada, between Max Domi and A. Duclair.

The only reason Sam was moved to wing is because the Sabres had Eichel and ORiley at center (two #1 centers) and needed to somehow squeeze Sam into their top 6 because of his talent and petigree. The "leap" would be that Sam can't play center after playing there and dominating his entire life.
- SuperCat

Yep, been watching the Sabres since 1971, used to have seasons during the 70's. Probably watch 90% of their games on TV, up close.
I'm somewhat familiar with the team, lol!

Well, 3 Coaches and 2 GM's have locked him in at Wing permanently...I'd say that has more credibility than some guy on the internet.
What I will say is that Coaches and GM's are not infallible, hence why I would have liked it revisited over the last 2 years..to have a proper evaluation.

You on the other hand are taking his experience as a Junior player and absolutely projecting him as a defacto NHL center.
I'm not there.
But go on.

I agree
- Pegullaville

Wouldn't be surprised if there is a couple more prospects signed this off-season. Should start seeing more and more of them.

opinions>facts
- TheSabresTaco

Contract year he has scored over 25g one time in 8 years and has never hit 60 points lol .. let's do another Kyle okposo .. do you guys never learn

They should have left Larry there. From analytical stand point it was a very good fit. Skinner-Larry-Sheary was our most impactful “2nd line” so to speak.
- Pegullaville

A few bad decisions made last year, this one and some of the D pairings

A few bad decisions made last year, this one and some of the D pairings
- Buff36

I am more concern they had a goalie with bad vision

and kept him on the f@cking roster


IMO this is something you only expect from one of the worst run organizations

Hehe, ur prob right... It makes too much sense for an incompetent organization like Buffalo to spend the #2 pick overall on a center, and then actually at him at center, when they are starving for a top 6 center...

Common sense isn't so common in Buffalo apparently.
- SuperCat

So let's put all our eggs in the basket with sam and if it doesn't work out for the 100000 time ... jack leaves