Botts restocked a farm system that was sorely hurting thanks to TM. Unfortunately made some bad trades to try and fill areas on the team that should have been taken by prospects but we didn't have any worth while to take those spots.
- Buff36

Not giving Hagel a contract and the Marcus Davidson picks were two blunders on top of what you mentioned.

He wasn’t the worst GM in Sabres history but I mean he left us two top 6 centers, a top defence pair and secondary guys like Joker, Mitts, Johnson (hopefully he signs), UPL/Portillo (jury is still out on them).

I still love Cozens. My kind of player. Was more a shot at Botts since he was the most incompetent Gm I ever saw since mike milbery
- Fattony1187

Botts was not even close to as bad as GMTM
Not…. Even…. Close….

Giants already shopping K.Toney. Only one year in league. They must think he’s going to be a problem already.
- Fattony1187

Does he have off the field or locker room issues?
Seems like quite the talent *when healthy

This is largely JB's team. His guys and now his picks coming up. KA's treaded water and sold off/lost the old core. Still crazy to think that they haven't signed a guy for longer than 3 years since Skinner.
- Lunaion

I essentially said that when Botts was fired

How the next few years go- one way or the other-
is in large part due to the moves Botts made

This blog: Is normal

Fitz: https://www.youtube.com/w...CdQ8FOQ&ab_channel=LewisM

What a beautiful night. Nothing like going out into the Country and ripping off a couple thousand rnds. Getting the blood flowing. Man my son is really becoming a good shot.

Fiala with 5 assists already tonight.

3-2
Rochester loss in overtime

Some good reading content on WGR.

1. Hamilton awesome article on Dahlin and Samuelson and how they can interchange RD/LD during a shift. Granato said direction they’re heading is to get everyone comfortable with playing any area on the ice. I’m impressed with the way that guy thinks and talks. Jon Cooper.

2. Florio talking up Sal’s interview with Mike North about Christmas Day triple header for first time ever.

3. I like Zach Jones mock draft. I’d have a hard time passing on Devin Lloyd, but banking the Pats take him and he is another beast of theirs I hate. Other than that, I think they have to take a corner maybe a safety. That’s where and when they got White. I wanna say I like McDuffie the most because he comes from the DB Factory, he’s shorter though. I want a Antonio Cromartie style Corner. I think that’s Elam. He’s got good NFL pedigree. Booth looks like what I’m describing too, but I don’t trust Clemson players. No way they go line with all the linemen they’ve been bringing in. Both sides really. WR is what Jones went with and cited Bills in trouble if Diggs or Davis goes down. Then they’ll just do more 2 TE sets, which they’re looking into anyway. If Dane Jackson goes down, then what? Diggs will be playing both sides of the ball. It has to be a corner and whoever they think is best. I say Elam and be done with it.

Fiala with 5 assists already tonight.
- sammysam13

Kaprizov over 100 pts. He is the 7th player over 100 pts. this season. Last time that happened was 2006-2007 season. 1995-1996 with 11 players over 100 points was the last time there were more than 7. Panarin and Marner can do it, JT Miller might not get there with 93 points currently but it could happen. That would be 10. Would be cool to see but this is for sure the best year for scoring in over 15 years.

I hope this trend continues.

Kaprizov over 100 pts. He is the 7th player over 100 pts. this season. Last time that happened was 2006-2007 season. 1995-1996 with 11 players over 100 points was the last time there were more than 7. Panarin and Marner can do it, JT Miller might not get there with 93 points currently but it could happen. That would be 10. Would be cool to see but this is for sure the best year for scoring in over 15 years.

I hope this trend continues.
- BeadyEyedDouche

I hear Kuemper's name thrown around a lot for potential goalies next year but why would Colorado part ways with him? They have 11 players hitting free agency at the end of this year and only 1 of them is RFA. They will have the money to re-sign him if they want to.

So what about asking Winnipeg for Connor Hellebuyck? 2 years left at a 6.1 cap hit and still only 28 years old. Winnipeg might want to re-shape their roster next year, they have 5 RFA's to retain and only 2 UFA's coming off the books. Their defense needs a serious upgrade and they're still a really young team...

I would offer Joker and Mitts and see if they bite.

Then I would bring in Holtby, PK Subban, Dustin Brown and Calle Jarnkrok on the cheap for a couple years each in free agency and let Hayden, Hinostroza, Eakin and Miller walk.

Yes, Colorado could extend Kuemper, but they've got a big question on their cap as after next season, as MacKinnon will be a UFA.

That's at least $10M per for a long time on their cap.

You also have questions on Kadri, Burakvosky, and Nichushkin this offseason.

he looks more like Erik Rasmussen then a second line center
- homiedclown

It is almost looks like he is a slightly more talented girgensons.

It is almost looks like he is a slightly more talented girgensons.
- Mentalorgasm5

Bannable post.

As if anyone could be more talented than the Z Train.

Game 80: NY Islanders at home

Despite their record, the Islanders remain a good hockey team that is hard to play against, hard hitting, defensively sound, and backstopped by one of the best goalies in hockey. Because of issues with their new arena, they began the year on a 13 game road trip that they've not been able to dig themselves out of all season. I certainly expect to see the Islanders back to form next year.

Thankfully, the Islanders have a home game tomorrow @ 1pm. I suspect we will get 33 year old Semyon Varlamov, and the home fans on the Island will get to see Sorokin. Varley got dusted up by the NY Rangers Thursday night to the tune of 6 goals, but has a respectable .910 % this season. Either way, he's no Sorokin; few are.

Brock Nelson is the man to stop right now. He has a career high 36 goals this season, leads the Islanders with 6 points in the last 5 games, and scored two in the Islanders' loss to the Rangers Thursday night. In said loss, the Islanders were without J G Pageau and Anthony Beauvilliea. No doubt they're both too tired/hurt/Covid to play a matinee today. 😉

Nice special teams matchup today. The Sabres have a red hot power play while the Isle boast the 4th best PK in the NHL. Sitting at 13th in the NHL (21.9%) is respectable, but since March 18th the Sabres' PP has scored at 31.8% good for 3rd in the NHL. Thompson, Okposo, and One Trick Vic are all threats to light the lamp on the PP at any time.

Different strokes for different folks. The NY Islanders have thrown 1,936 hits and blocked 1,177 shots this year. The Buffalo Sabres have thrown 1,211 hits and blocked 880 shots this year. Don't be surprised if the Islanders decide to start pummeling the Sabers rather than chase them. The only similar team the Buffalo Sabres have faced recently was the Los Angeles Kings, and they weren't able to work through that trap.

Kids day crowd, home game, Varley.

Sabres win 5 - 2
Tage, Power, Vic, Okposo, Tage

Buffalo Sabres and over 5.5 total goals +390. This payout will drop or the over will rise once Varley is announced.

https://buffalonews.com/s...ec-b9b0-3b51a868d182.html
Good Read

https://buffalonews.com/sports/sabres/rasmus-dahlin-mattias-samuelsson-a-formidable-top-defense-pair-for-sabres/article_940248a2-c237-11ec-b9b0-3b51a868d182.html
Good Read
- Buff36

It's an intriguing duo to be sure. The addition of Sammy and Power is insane when you think about it. Who the hell adds two top pair defensemen to end the season? No wonder we look light years better. We added two guys who play 40 separate minutes a night and allow Dahlin to maximize his offense.

It's an intriguing duo to be sure. The addition of Sammy and Power is insane when you think about it. Who the hell adds two top pair defensemen to end the season? No wonder we look light years better. We added two guys who play 40 separate minutes a night and allow Dahlin to maximize his offense.
- lacaprup

Yep, it sure helps when your top 4 can play 40-45min a game.

It's an intriguing duo to be sure. The addition of Sammy and Power is insane when you think about it. Who the hell adds two top pair defensemen to end the season? No wonder we look light years better. We added two guys who play 40 separate minutes a night and allow Dahlin to maximize his offense.
- lacaprup

Hey you weren't the one that put the period in the wrong place and ended up hitting that Sabres bet for 10 grand were you.

Yep, it sure helps when your top 4 can play 40-45min a game.
- Buff36

For sure. The identity of the team is the defense core. For this reason, I would not be surprised at all to see Dahlin with C next year. He's going to have 70 points next season.

Hey you weren't the one that put the period in the wrong place and ended up hitting that Sabres bet for 10 grand were you.
- Buff36

Hahaha. I friggen wish. I saw that on Channel 2.

I won my Sabres bet but lost the other parts of my parley when the Pens beat Boston.

For sure. The identity of the team is the defense core. For this reason, I would not be surprised at all to see Dahlin with C next year. He's going to have 70 points next season.
- lacaprup

I think Kyle gets it for next year. He has had a huge hand in turning that locker room around. But I do agree on Dahlin being Captain soon. And could see him doing that, the only thing with Dahlin I would like to see him shoot more.

It's an intriguing duo to be sure. The addition of Sammy and Power is insane when you think about it. Who the hell adds two top pair defensemen to end the season? No wonder we look light years better. We added two guys who play 40 separate minutes a night and allow Dahlin to maximize his offense.
- lacaprup

This Johnson kid has to be a complete friggin idiot not to see the wide-open door infront of him as the 3LD ... and if he can play a steady-Eddie at RD, then the 2RD spot opens for him as well playing next to a (super?)star-in-the-making for the next 10 years to earn some solid bank along the way.

What the hell is he and Portillo thinking exactly...doors wide open and they turn and walk away from it. Dell I kinda get.

Not a good look on Adams' FO to go 25% on signing the college kids. He'd have alot of splaining to do if I was the Pres.

This Johnson kid has to be a complete friggin idiot not to see the wide-open door infront of him as the 3LD ... and if he can play a steady-Eddie at RD, then the 2RD spot opens for him as well playing next to a (super?)star-in-the-making for the next 10 years to earn some solid bank along the way.

What the hell is he and Portillo thinking exactly...doors wide open and they turn and walk away from it. Dell I kinda get.

Not a good look on Adams' FO to go 25% on signing the college kids. He'd have alot of splaining to do if I was the Pres.
- IonSabres

Johnson is a head scratcher