https://buffalonews.com/sports/sabres/inside-the-nhl-college-players-studying-their-situations-not-just-giving-sabres-cold-shoulder/article_a64af052-cd47-11ec-9136-974d797a4408.html

"Adams said last week he was told Johnson was leaning on a return to Minnesota for his senior year. Frankly, there may not be a fit in Buffalo for him. First off, he hasn't played in college like a first-round pick. Botterill & Co. probably picked him too high but that label sticks. A first-round draft choice probably should be able to make either first- or second-team All-Big Ten playing on a good team but Johnson did not in his junior year, tallying three goals and 16 assists in 39 games"

Maybe we should all step back from the ledge with this kid...
- The_Inkwell

Kid has been very good at Minnesota, can flip from Left to Right. He has top4 potential

Kid has been very good at Minnesota, can flip from Left to Right. He has top4 potential
- Buff36

If these kids can't see the good things coming down with this organization, then (frank) em. They don't want to be a part of it, then trade their rights for whatever you can get.

If these kids can't see the good things coming down with this organization, then (frank) em. They don't want to be a part of it, then trade their rights for whatever you can get.
- Powerslave

I agree trade them as soon as the playoffs end

If these kids can't see the good things coming down with this organization, then (frank) em. They don't want to be a part of it, then trade their rights for whatever you can get.
- Powerslave

I guess if he walks, the sabres get a late 2nd compensatory pick. Probably the best deal they could get.

If these kids can't see the good things coming down with this organization, then (frank) em. They don't want to be a part of it, then trade their rights for whatever you can get.
- Powerslave

I agree, he has a spot staring him right in the face, and if he keeps growing he has the potential to take Jokers spot, he was pretty good in the 8 or so games I got to watch. Send him West, he can go hold hands with Daddy in LA, see if they swap Grans for him.

I guess if he walks, the sabres get a late 2nd. Probably the best deal they could get.
- PrinceChill

Perfect. I'll take it.

He's got what seems like a clear path towards an NHL job here. Not sure what the issue is, but I guess that doesn't matter.

Adams should be fired anyway if he can't get them to sign, no matter what the reason is. 😉

I agree, he has a spot staring him right in the face, and if he keeps growing he has the potential to take Jokers spot, he was pretty good in the 8 or so games I got to watch. Send him West, he can go hold hands with Daddy in LA, see if they swap Grans for him.
- Buff36

Is that the rumor? That he wants to play out West?

Perfect. I'll take it.

He's got what seems like a clear path towards an NHL job here. Not sure what the issue is, but I guess that doesn't matter.

Adams should be fired anyway if he can't get them to sign, no matter what the reason is. 😉
- Powerslave

Even better for KA, he won't have to do anything. Let him walk and collect the pick.

Since his dad works for the Kings, and the fact that they have relatively few LHD prospects, speculation is he wants to go there.

I agree trade them as soon as the playoffs end
- BeadyEyedDouche

JESUS CHRIST!!!! WHY DO YOU NEVER WANT TO TALK HOCKEY!??!!

Is that the rumor? That he wants to play out West?
- Powerslave

About a month ago some stuff was said about going home, he's a California Boy born in Irvine

Even better for KA, he won't have to do anything. Let him walk and collect the pick.

Since his dad works for the Kings, and the fact that they have relatively few LHD prospects, speculation is he wants to go there.
- PrinceChill

If he won't sign here, then that's all KA can do. Could be a lot worse. There could be no compensatory pick.

Even better for KA, he won't have to do anything. Let him walk and collect the pick.

Since his dad works for the Kings, and the fact that they have relatively few LHD prospects, speculation is he wants to go there.
- PrinceChill

And they have plenty of RD prospects with Clarke, Faber and Grans

If these kids can't see the good things coming down with this organization, then (frank) em. They don't want to be a part of it, then trade their rights for whatever you can get.
- Powerslave

Being a hot head myself, that is my immediate reaction too.
However, we need to trust that KA and his Front Office staff will be able to properly evaluate the risk potential and deal with it accordingly.
I dont expect him to be 100% correct, but he simply can't lose 2 of the 3 either.
Now, figure out who is ctually going to walk and see if he can recover some asset in a trade for him/them.

Levy reportedly has always been a different cowboy of sorts...so maybe the UFA threat isn't as big with him.
The other two, I'm not so sure of

About a month ago some stuff was said about going home, he's a California Boy born in Irvine
- Buff36

Glad we have 3 of the top young D men in the game, then. It hurts, but not as much as it could.

Being a hot head myself, that is my immediate reaction too.
However, we need to trust that KA and his Front Office staff will be able to properly evaluate the risk potential and deal with it accordingly.
I dont expect him to be 100% correct, but he simply can't lose 2 of the 3 either.
Now, figure out who is ctually going to walk and see if he can recover some asset in a trade for him/them.

Levy reportedly has always been a different cowboy of sorts...so maybe the UFA threat isn't as big with him.
The other two, I'm not so sure of
- IonSabres

I'm not worried in the least with Levi. He's going to sign here.

The late second for Johnson works.

The only one they'll have to figure out is Portillo. Maybe you can get a mid round pick for him?

Glad we have 3 of the top young D men in the game, then. It hurts, but not as much as it could.
- Powerslave

Yes, but you are right. I liked Samuelsson for awhile, but didn't expect this. His skating has improved so much it has taken his game to another level.

JESUS CHRIST!!!! WHY DO YOU NEVER WANT TO TALK HOCKEY!??!!
- Wetbandit1

On here at 8:21 pm? Sad. Sad man. You know you can make friends right?

Florida just can’t score on the PP to save their lives

Florida just can’t score on the PP to save their lives
- sbroads24

And Reinhart just did the "pass it to the guy on the wall who will be swarmed 1 second after I pass it to him"

Glad we have 3 of the top young D men in the game, then. It hurts, but not as much as it could.
- Powerslave

Agreed. I did not like the pick at the time, partly because we had a lot of D prospects, and fewer forwards. But I worked at talking myself into him, and now I'm annoyed all over again.. But yes, could be worse.

The Portillo situation is more damaging potentially, having almost nothing at the position organizationally.

And Reinhart just did the "pass it to the guy on the wall who will be swarmed 1 second after I pass it to him"
- Wetbandit1

Yeah he’s been mediocre At best this series

I’m sure someone will make it a referendum on his career soon

Agreed. I did not like the pick at the time, partly because we had a lot of D prospects, and fewer forwards. But I worked at talking myself into him, and now I'm annoyed all over again.. But yes, could be worse.

The Portillo situation is more damaging potentially, having almost nothing at the position organizationally.
- PrinceChill

More interested in his business career right now

Yes, but you are right. I liked Samuelsson for awhile, but didn't expect this. His skating has improved so much it has taken his game to another level.
- Buff36

He has an offensive game to be tapped into, as well, I think. He could be a 30 point guy who's going to be great defensively. (frank)ing PUMPED to watch these three for a long time here.

He has an offensive game to be tapped into, as well, I think. He could be a 30 point guy who's going to be great defensively. (frank)ing PUMPED to watch these three for a long time here.
- Powerslave

Me too, really hope Jiricek falls to us at 9 ( Doubt it) or atleast Luneau is there at Florida's pick. Finish that top 4 off.

More interested in his business career right now
- Buff36

If he's going to analyze his hockey career from a purely business perspective, I'm not sure how that shakes out for the Sabres. Could go either way. Sabres could offer him a year shaved off his ELC, or he could walk away to go to any team he wants but puts himself a year behind.