You seem to see a lot of doom and gloom for the organization...do you not see a difference with this leadership group?
- IonSabres

I was a skeptic when he was first hired, but I think the organization is on a great path at the moment.

He still has a lot of work to do, but it’s going better then I anticipated when he was first hired.

Only issue he faces, is the lack of patience from the fan base due to the fact he inherited a team already on a 9 year playoff drought to begin with.

The amateur drafting started to turn when Botts was hired, he did a lot do things wrong at the professional level, but his drafts are seeing impact at the professional level currently.

Adams has built on what Botts started at the amateur level, we are quite possibly the healthiest salary cap situation in the league with few long term eye sores.

For those that measure his success on this season alone will be disappointed, but I’m hard fought to find many franchises with a better intermediate outlook than the Sabres.

The lone question I have irregardless of where the team finishes this year, as it is pretty clearly another “see what we have season,” is can he make the trades and free agent signings to push the team into playoff and cup contention starting next offseason as our young core will be another year older and ready to take the next step.

Oh my!! Will that be the design for the 4th jersey
- Buff36

No, apparently the Pegula's are pre-occupied with Kim's illness.
Notice how nicely things have progressed. No, they didn't bring in UFA's; which was their plan not to do so, just as Adams communicated earlier.

Finally, they have a plan and are sticking to it...long-term stability vs knee jerk reactionary signings.

I was a skeptic when he was first hired, but I think the organization is on a great path at the moment.

He still has a lot of work to do, but it’s going better then I anticipated when he was first hired.

Only issue he faces, is the lack of patience from the fan base due to the fact he inherited a team already on a 9 year playoff drought to begin with.

The amateur drafting started to turn when Botts was hired, he did a lot do things wrong at the professional level, but his drafts are seeing impact at the professional level currently.

Adams has built on what Botts started at the amateur level, we are quite possibly the healthiest salary cap situation in the league with few long term eye sores.

For those that measure his success on this season alone will be disappointed, but I’m hard fought to find many franchises with a better intermediate outlook than the Sabres.

The lone question I have irregardless of where the team finishes this year, as it is pretty clearly another “see what we have season,” is can he make the trades and free agent signings to push the team into playoff and cup contention starting next offseason as our young core will be another year older and ready to take the next step.
- Pegullaville

Agreed, well said.

They wisely planned for this year to be that evaluation year before willy-nilly trading away assets.
How pissed would the nay-sayers be if Adam's had dealt Tage last offseason and he blew up similar to what he did.
The threat is from the MSGA fanbase pushing the Org to once again shortcut the plan.

I was a skeptic when he was first hired, but I think the organization is on a great path at the moment.

He still has a lot of work to do, but it’s going better then I anticipated when he was first hired.

Only issue he faces, is the lack of patience from the fan base due to the fact he inherited a team already on a 9 year playoff drought to begin with.

The amateur drafting started to turn when Botts was hired, he did a lot do things wrong at the professional level, but his drafts are seeing impact at the professional level currently.

Adams has built on what Botts started at the amateur level, we are quite possibly the healthiest salary cap situation in the league with few long term eye sores.

For those that measure his success on this season alone will be disappointed, but I’m hard fought to find many franchises with a better intermediate outlook than the Sabres.

The lone question I have irregardless of where the team finishes this year, as it is pretty clearly another “see what we have season,” is can he make the trades and free agent signings to push the team into playoff and cup contention starting next offseason as our young core will be another year older and ready to take the next step.
- Pegullaville

The big question is where are they getting the high end forward talent from?

Agreed, well said.

They wisely planned for this year to be that evaluation year before willy-nilly trading away assets.
How pissed would the nay-sayers be if Adam's had dealt Tage last offseason and he blew up similar to what he did.
The threat is from the MSGA fanbase pushing the Org to once again shortcut the plan.
- IonSabres

Was any other team in the entire league going to trade for Tage and play him at Center?

You seem to see a lot of doom and gloom for the organization...do you not see a difference with this leadership group?
- IonSabres

Made it clear that I wasn't predicting it.

No, apparently the Pegula's are pre-occupied with Kim's illness.
Notice how nicely things have progressed. No, they didn't bring in UFA's; which was their plan not to do so, just as Adams communicated earlier.

Finally, they have a plan and are sticking to it...long-term stability vs knee jerk reactionary signings.
- IonSabres

Never ever said anything against the plan, think you could probably go back to when I joined about building the system. The only thing I have said is decisions have to be made instead of walking players into FA and that I believe they missed a opportunity this year to get some good hockey players for pretty cheap trade chips. And we aren't talking about 28 or older players. Very rarely does it happen and you have the Chips to do it. I hope things keep moving in the right direction, but still work to be done and Adams still has things to work on.

Made it clear that I wasn't predicting it.
- Lunaion

Could you make it clear, what type of season the Sabres are going to have in your opinion.

Seems like your expecting the worst.

Are you excited about the season ?

The big question is where are they getting the high end forward talent from?
- kingcong39

Well Savoie dropping to 9 certainly helped. Whether he sticks in the middle or moves to the wing remains to be seen, but he definitely is the prospect with top line upside.

I also think that there will have to be a trade made with some of our redundant pieces + prospects or futures at some point.

Mittelstadt and Olofsson to me are redundant as soon as next year, and Olofsson’s two year commitment suggest that he probably will be traded prior to his contract expiring.

https://theathletic.com/3...percentage-tage-thompson/

Could you make it clear, what type of season the Sabres are going to have in your opinion.

Seems like your expecting the worst.

Are you excited about the season ?
- Boss34

Excited, but know it's a young team. Think injuries are really going to bite them at some point.

The big question is where are they getting the high end forward talent from?
- kingcong39

Well Savoie dropping to 9 certainly helped. Whether he sticks in the middle or moves to the wing remains to be seen, but he definitely is the prospect with top line upside.

I also think that there will have to be a trade made with some of our redundant pieces + prospects or futures at some point.

Mittelstadt and Olofsson to me are redundant as soon as next year, and Olofsson’s two year commitment suggest that he probably will be traded prior to his contract expiring.
- Pegullaville

What are you looking for in return for the redundant players?

The big question is where are they getting the high end forward talent from?
- kingcong39

That is the key missing piece. Savie does have the high end talent but he doesn’t check all those boxes

If the Sabres turn into the hurricanes somehow. A team with “good” to very good players.

If you are smart. You can add the elite players later

They added Brett burns and pacheretty as their elite talent. Now it could work or it could blow up in there face. Paches is already hurt.

I guess my point is. If you are smart with your cap. You can trade for the elite player.

Another thing for Adams and Co that if they do make a deal that can still retain on contracts

What are you looking for in return for the redundant players?
- washedup20

Depends on the context of the trade.

Olofsson would probably be for futures. If Fiala gets a first I would think Olofsson pulls a second. Maybe a desperate team will give you a first if they retain 50% but I find it unlikely.

In Mittelstadt’s case, is he a piece in a bigger deal ? Or is he a player that’s traded for a prospect/future as well ?

What the return looks like would depend on a multitude of factors.

Was any other team in the entire league going to trade for Tage and play him at Center?
- kingcong39

Doesn't matter.
Point stands.

Well Savoie dropping to 9 certainly helped. Whether he sticks in the middle or moves to the wing remains to be seen, but he definitely is the prospect with top line upside.

I also think that there will have to be a trade made with some of our redundant pieces + prospects or futures at some point.

Mittelstadt and Olofsson to me are redundant as soon as next year, and Olofsson’s two year commitment suggest that he probably will be traded prior to his contract expiring.
- Pegullaville

Another excellent post, centered in reality.

That is the key missing piece. Savie does have the high end talent but he doesn’t check all those boxes

If the Sabres turn into the hurricanes somehow. A team with “good” to very good players.

If you are smart. You can add the elite players later

They added Brett burns and pacheretty as their elite talent. Now it could work or it could blow up in there face. Paches is already hurt.

I guess my point is. If you are smart with your cap. You can trade for the elite player.
- Sabretooth9

The only box he doesn't check is 6'2" 220lbs.

I was a skeptic when he was first hired, but I think the organization is on a great path at the moment.

He still has a lot of work to do, but it’s going better then I anticipated when he was first hired.

Only issue he faces, is the lack of patience from the fan base due to the fact he inherited a team already on a 9 year playoff drought to begin with.

The amateur drafting started to turn when Botts was hired, he did a lot do things wrong at the professional level, but his drafts are seeing impact at the professional level currently.

Adams has built on what Botts started at the amateur level, we are quite possibly the healthiest salary cap situation in the league with few long term eye sores.

For those that measure his success on this season alone will be disappointed, but I’m hard fought to find many franchises with a better intermediate outlook than the Sabres.

The lone question I have irregardless of where the team finishes this year, as it is pretty clearly another “see what we have season,” is can he make the trades and free agent signings to push the team into playoff and cup contention starting next offseason as our young core will be another year older and ready to take the next step.
- Pegullaville

Botterill’s drafts were disasters imo

The 17 draft with Mitts, UPL and Davidson all high picks have been big busts up to date. He hit a bottom pair guy in the 4th rd in Bryson but all in all that draft is a D- grade

2018 he hit on Dahlin and Samuelson. Solid first two picks but Dahlin was an easy one. Rest of draft absolutely nothing. B-

2019 Cozens looks good but passed up Zegras who looks like a star. Johnson was a big miss up to this point (most likely won’t sign) same with Portillo. Another D

To think he had good drafts is laughable.

Botterill’s drafts were disasters imo

The 17 draft with Mitts, UPL and Davidson all high picks have been big busts up to date. He hit a bottom pair guy in the 4th rd in Bryson but all in all that draft is a D- grade

2018 he hit on Dahlin and Samuelson. Solid first two picks but Dahlin was an easy one. Rest of draft absolutely nothing. B-

2019 Cozens looks good but passed up Zegras who looks like a star. Johnson was a big miss up to this point (most likely won’t sign) same with Portillo. Another D

To think he had good drafts is laughable.
- Fattony1187

Give me Cozens over Zegras all day.

what could Cozens have done with Milano on his wing and the TOI usage and PP opportunity Zegras had ?

Not to mention the value Cozens will bring defensively

The only box he doesn't check is 6'2" 220lbs.
- IonSabres

Hell. Even if he was 6 ft. Or 5’11.

He would’ve probly stayed a top 3 pick


Cale Makar grew a couple inches in college.

Maybe Savoie can too lol

Botterill’s drafts were disasters imo

The 17 draft with Mitts, UPL and Davidson all high picks have been big busts up to date. He hit a bottom pair guy in the 4th rd in Bryson but all in all that draft is a D- grade

2018 he hit on Dahlin and Samuelson. Solid first two picks but Dahlin was an easy one. Rest of draft absolutely nothing. B-

2019 Cozens looks good but passed up Zegras who looks like a star. Johnson was a big miss up to this point (most likely won’t sign) same with Portillo. Another D

To think he had good drafts is laughable.
- Fattony1187

You can’t blame botts for Portillo and Johnson not coming over from college. Come on. You are saying that to fit your narrative


Botts first draft. He had like a month or less to prepare. He didn’t know the scouts. Front off and he came over probly only knowing jack Eichels name. Maybe Sam and Risto.

Drafts take years to prepare for

Excited, but know it's a young team. Think injuries are really going to bite them at some point.
- Lunaion

Goaltending is the only concerning area for me.

Defense is gonna be young and make some mistakes, but score some points.

Forwards are gonna roll out 4 solid lines of actual hockey players. Donnie is gonna whisper in cozens ear about playing solid 2c.

What's your points prediction?

does botts get any credit for getting tage for ror?


everyone wanted thomas