Michael Pachla: Building the 2019-20 Buffalo Sabres roster--RHD, Brandon Montour

Michael Pachla: Building the 2019-20 Buffalo Sabres roster--RHD, Brandon Montour
- Michael Pachla

Trade him for Pysyk and a 2nd.

Trade him for Pysyk and a 2nd.
- jochfr

oooohhhh...tempting

You ever wonder if Housley's system may have actually worked with this D lineup?

Trade him for Pysyk and a 2nd.
- jochfr

I disagree with this author

I disagree with this author
- Der Kaiser

The defense rests.

You ever wonder if Housley's system may have actually worked with this D lineup?
- lulags

as an assistant, yes...otherwise, no...I just don't think he knew what to do as a head coach

as an assistant, yes...otherwise, no...I just don't think he knew what to do as a head coach
- Michael Pachla

I agree. Demotion to Defensive coach with Kreuger running things could have been potential magic this year but that is a pipe dream

If Buffalo GM Jason Botterill were able to pull off the trade for Anaheim Ducks defenseman Brandon Montour a month or two earlier than a day before the February 25, 2019 trade deadline, perhaps things may have gone a bit differently for the Sabres last season.

If Botterill knew that Jokiharju was available, does he still trade for both of Montour and Miller?

If Botterill knew that Jokiharju was available, does he still trade for Montour and Miller?

Yes, as it never hurts to have 1) Internal competition, and 2) NHL quality RH defenseman

Yes, as it never hurts to have 1) Internal competition, and 2) NHL quality RH defenseman
- SDSabre

What if you have 6?

If Botterill knew that Jokiharju was available, does he still trade for both of Montour and Miller?
- jcragcrumple

I think so. I believe he expected to move Risto and maybe another D man by now. The hesitation on the UFA market stalled talks im sure

What leads anyone to believe housley was a good coach?

What leads anyone to think housley would have made a good defensive coach under krueger?

He lost the team and we sucked defensively

I agree. Demotion to Defensive coach with Kreuger running things could have been potential magic this year but that is a pipe dream
- lulags

ain't no turning back

I think so. I believe he expected to move Risto and maybe another D man by now. The hesitation on the UFA market stalled talks im sure
- lulags

I think he undermined some of his bargaining position by acquiring half the league's supply of RHD and putting out a craigslist ad for Risto that says: "serious offers only. No tire kickers. I know what I have"

If Botterill knew that Jokiharju was available, does he still trade for both of Montour and Miller?
- jcragcrumple

sure, why not, Montour is just entering his prime and is still an rfa...he has two pending ufa's of significance that are unlikely to be re-signed and his best prospect right now is will Borgen, who's still at least a year, maybe two, away

You ever wonder if Housley's system may have actually worked with this D lineup?
- lulags

Them playing man to man in the D zone was insane

If that is his system then not a chance in hell it would have worked

But how can he as a head coach with a defensive mind which got him this job sit there and let them continue to run that is beyond me

What leads anyone to believe housley was a good coach?

What leads anyone to think housley would have made a good defensive coach under krueger?

He lost the team and we sucked defensively
- Boss34

THIS

What leads anyone to believe housley was a good coach?

What leads anyone to think housley would have made a good defensive coach under krueger?

He lost the team and we sucked defensively
- Boss34

HE was not a successful HEAD coach in Buffalo. He was was a proven successful assistant coach with the ability to run a D driven system with skilled players and a cohesive team and a solid culture established.
We did not have any of the above. Did Housley fail because he is a terrible coach or is Buffalo toxic? Will Krueger fall prey to the same? Hard to say. I believe the true test will be 2020-21 once we have freed ourselves of all or most of our GMTM players, Eichel has a solid year under his belt to mature

sure, why not, Montour is just entering his prime and is still an rfa...he has two pending ufa's of significance that are unlikely to be re-signed and his best prospect right now is will Borgen, who's still at least a year, maybe two, away
- Michael Pachla

I think montour is a 2nd pair guy, so is Miller and so is Risto. Joker is the only one with top pair potential imo. He makes at least 1 of those guys, and possibly 2 redundant. I dont think there was enough foresight on these trades. In retrospect, a 1st and Guhle for a RW would have been the correct play imo

Them playing man to man in the D zone was insane

If that is his system then not a chance in hell it would have worked

But how can he as a head coach with a defensive mind which got him this job sit there and let them continue to run that is beyond me
- Stripes77

not sure Housley ever had a "defensive mind"

***

I think montour is a 2nd pair guy, so is Miller and so is Risto. Joker is the only one with top pair potential imo. He makes at least 1 of those guys, and possibly 2 redundant. I dont think there was enough foresight on these trades. In retrospect, a 1st and Guhle for a RW would have been the correct play imo
- jcragcrumple

miller's signed for the next three years, as is risto...Montour and joker are rfa's at ages 25 and 20, respectively...if they don't move on from risto that means a top-four d-man will drop down to the third-pair and joker can have a full season in the AHL to further his development...

I really have no problem with that

miller's signed for the next three years, as is risto...Montour and joker are rfa's at ages 25 and 20, respectively...if they don't move on from risto that means a top-four d-man will drop down to the third-pair and joker can have a full season in the AHL to further his development...

I really have no problem with that
- Michael Pachla

I understand what you're saying, but I dont agree with Botterill's asymmetrical, BPA roster building that oversupplies some positions and leaves others lacking.

Although if it works, I reserve the right to change my mind and I will not admit I'm wrong