He’s been really solid in a depth role for them.

I looked at the Capitals stats last night -

Johansson is doing well, Sheary has absurd numbers and fits on their top line

Montour is crushing it in Florida

Maybe Botterill’s biggest fault was hiring god awful coaches
- sbroads24

I think part of his mistake was getting complimentary players and thinking that they can be more than what they are. Johansson is a stud if you put him on the third line. Sheary can be worthwhile if the sun, moon and stars come together (e.g. someone else is driving the play). Montour was completely misused - I've love to have him on this team.

Montour at RW defines JB. The moves were fine, but when you put the pieces together, they just didn't fit.
- Lunaion

I think JB era will be defined by the Pegula’s personally

They were burned by Murray and I think they interfered with everything Botterill did

I don’t think Botterill was the man to make it all come together in the end but his drafting and the ROR trade is the reason we’re in a great spot today.

They've slowly been getting worse by the year and are worn down?
- lacaprup

Nah I don't think that's true. They've been above average to strong for a long time, last year being their best in the past 5 years. This year they're just horse poop. Ageing is always a factor I suppose, but gander at the Caps and Pens. I dunno. They suck.

That's likely it. I'm not faulting him for Housley. He was well sought after, and what he did with the World Junior team in 2013 was phenomenal. Sometimes promising guys don't pan out for whatever reason.

Ralph Krueger was unacceptable. He was out of hockey for a while, and was a mediocre soccer executive. The fanbase, myself included, tried to talk itself into it being a creative, out-of-the-box type of hire, but the warning signs were absolutely there. And he deserves to be fired for that alone.

However, his drafting, Friedman's Mittelstadt story aside, and his cap management was very good.
- buffalofan19

generous considering the hindsight.

I wish this team had Hall still on it for 6m

I wish this team had Hall still on it for 6m
- c2rds

Team scores the most goals in the league and you still need a 1D scorer?

Nah I don't think that's true. They've been above average to strong for a long time, last year being their best in the past 5 years. This year they're just horse poop. Ageing is always a factor I suppose, but gander at the Caps and Pens. I dunno. They suck.
- TheSabresTaco

The Caps and Pens have literally two of the 5 or 6 greatest players of all time running the show. Sid and OV just don't age apparently, which is great for hockey. They're both having great seasons with little sign of slowing. OV doesn't wreck his own body demolishing people anymore, he just tosses them now with his arms. Other than that, the guy still does his thing like he's 30.

I wish this team had Hall still on it for 6m
- c2rds

Nah, that douche wanted nothing to do with Buffalo. I think a real reason this team is so likeable is we don't have a single DB on the team. Even Mitts and Vic... I want them both to succeed not just because of the jersey but because they're really likable.

I think JB era will be defined by the Pegula’s personally

They were burned by Murray and I think they interfered with everything Botterill did

I don’t think Botterill was the man to make it all come together in the end but his drafting and the ROR trade is the reason we’re in a great spot today.
- sbroads24

JB is a chapter in the Pegula book. Certainly feels like they hindered in every chapter.

Team scores the most goals in the league and you still need a 1D scorer?
- TheSabresTaco

I’d still take Horvat though…..

If this team goes 1-5-2 during that 8 game stretch they are all but in the playoffs right now.
How frustrating.

It seems low but 6 points out is a really tall task even with games in hand.

The guy can score goals and the white powder. Let Edmonton claim him, E.Kane can have a ski buddy.
- Wanchuk

Knew there was a leave for treatment. If it’s a coke habit, then it’s a pass. I just assumed alcohol

I think JB era will be defined by the Pegula’s personally

They were burned by Murray and I think they interfered with everything Botterill did

I don’t think Botterill was the man to make it all come together in the end but his drafting and the ROR trade is the reason we’re in a great spot today.
- sbroads24

go tell that to yourself in 2019

Knew there was a leave for treatment. If it’s a coke habit, then it’s a pass. I just assumed alcohol
- lulags

Nobody knows for sure, he very well could be, but everyone loves to assume every player is a giant coke head. It’s weird.

I’d still take Horvat though…..
- ImThatGuy

This team still needs another center, at about the level of Cozens, possibly even better. Thompson could be a Hart caeds to be addressed.ndidate at this point. Cozens is trending right where he is supposed to, but he drop-off between those two and the rest is way too wide of a gap.

I think it’s time for Quinn to spend some
More time in Rochester. The NHL schedule is taking its toll. He’s getting massively outplayed by JJ at this point. He will be a good NHL scorer, just needs a bit more time.
Who slides into the 2W spot in this scenario?

Hino? Krebs?

go tell that to yourself in 2019
- SabresFaninIndiana

We all knew in 2019 that Tage was going to be a top 5 player in the league obviously.

Botts acquired Thompson because St Louis wouldn’t give him Thomas.

It worked out, but let’s not pretend that Botterill had this magic ball.

I think it’s time for Quinn to spend some
More time in Rochester. The NHL schedule is taking its toll. He’s getting massively outplayed by JJ at this point. He will be a good NHL scorer, just needs a bit more time.
Who slides into the 2W spot in this scenario?

Hino? Krebs?
- lulags

If they had a better option at the forward position, I agree, but they really don't. It's better to just let him struggle through it. He's struggling a bit, but he's not looking like he's in over his head either.

If they had a better option at the forward position, I agree, but they really don't. It's better to just let him struggle through it. He's struggling a bit, but he's not looking like he's in over his head either.
- buffalofan19

They could have Vrana for free…..

But because of collusion nobody claims him.

Nobody knows for sure, he very well could be, but everyone loves to assume every player is a giant coke head. It’s weird.
- ImThatGuy

Just going off what I heard from his Capitals days, him and Kuznetsov would hit the slopes a bit. Might not be true but I heard it from a few people. Either way, a 26 year old with talent already going on his third team, that's a pass from me.

If they had a better option at the forward position, I agree, but they really don't. It's better to just let him struggle through it. He's struggling a bit, but he's not looking like he's in over his head either.
- buffalofan19

I agree he is not lost, just looks like a conditioning issue. He’s never played over 50 games in a season, correct? How many did he end on last year? Travel schedule and 3, 4 games a week is grueling for the Jr or AHL to NHL guys I’m sure. He will need to put some work in this summer

They could have Vrana for free…..

But because of collusion nobody claims him.
- ImThatGuy

It looks bad, but also, is there an unknown reason he's being demoted? Will he even report?

If he reports and says some poop like I want to work my way back to Detroit, it's undoubtedly collusion.

I think JB era will be defined by the Pegula’s personally

They were burned by Murray and I think they interfered with everything Botterill did

I don’t think Botterill was the man to make it all come together in the end but his drafting and the ROR trade is the reason we’re in a great spot today.
- sbroads24

Good post

I think KA has 100% of pegula's trust.

They could have Vrana for free…..

But because of collusion nobody claims him.
- ImThatGuy

He does have a 5.25m cap hit to, and 1 more year left. Big hit if it doesn't work

He does have a 5.25m cap hit to, and 1 more year left. Big hit if it doesn't work
- Buff36

Anyone who claims him needs to understand where he is in his recovery process. A claim will signify positive progression.

Vrana is a good player and can be an exceptionally useful, free forward.