Michael Pachla: Botterill putting a big stamp on Sabres roster and where they are cap-wise Buffalo has enough room to sign their remaining RFA's and still be under the cap, but there is a logjam of players looking for NHL spots.

Michael Pachla: Botterill putting a big stamp on Sabres roster and where they are cap-wise
Buffalo has enough room to sign their remaining RFA's and still be under the cap, but there is a logjam of players looking for NHL spots.
- Michael Pachla

It is all very exciting.

It is all very exciting.
- The Don

as your avatar might indicate

I hope he makes a trade. The forwards are still incredibly boring beyond the first line.

Sabres fans (who are accustomed to situations like this lately) are left to wonder whether it's daylight or an on-coming train and as impatient as we are to find out where this is all headed, it still might be another year or two until Botterill's mark becomes pronounced.

A couple more forwards could get us out of the way of the train

I hope he makes a trade. The forwards are still incredibly boring beyond the first line.



A couple more forwards could get us out of the way of the train
- jcragcrumple

it was kind of shocking to see all the pending ufa's (including a couple of your faves--gus and lockport) and to look beyond this year at so few long-term deals

I hope he makes a trade. The forwards are still incredibly boring beyond the first line.



A couple more forwards could get us out of the way of the train
- jcragcrumple

According to EK we are offering sheeting Marner. So the help is coming. ( sarcasm)

Michael Pachla: Botterill putting a big stamp on Sabres roster and where they are cap-wise
Buffalo has enough room to sign their remaining RFA's and still be under the cap, but there is a logjam of players looking for NHL spots.
- Michael Pachla

True, if big

According to EK we are offering sheeting Marner. So the help is coming. ( sarcasm)
- Sabretooth9

Don’t forget signing Gardiner as well.

What about this Risto for Mantha talk?

What about this Risto for Mantha talk?
- Powerslave

Mantha for Risto straight up is not worth Risto. Easy pass

Also Mantha hasn’t lived up to his draft hype.

Mantha would be the wings version of nylander.

What about this Risto for Mantha talk?
- Powerslave

I will puke

Mantha for Risto straight up is not worth Risto. Easy pass

Also Mantha hasn’t lived up to his draft hype.

Mantha would be the wings version of nylander.
- Sabretooth9

Mantha was on pace for 28 goals this year and he’s also 24 years old

How is that not worth a 2nd pairing D man?

I don’t like Mantha at all

I firmly believe that the number of NHL defensemen we still have is going to bring us a 2nd line forward.
I just don't think that GMJB is done or content yet.

Mantha was on pace for 28 goals this year and he’s also 24 years old

How is that not worth a 2nd pairing D man?
- sbroads24

His overall progression and development hasn’t been great.

Assuming we can't purge more Salary (Hunwick/Sobotka/Scandella/Bogo) Sheary and Vesey are serviceable for this year

The 5.1 million resigns Rodrigues/McCabe/Ullmark

Scandella is playing for a contract and may respond well to Kruger.

Trade Risto to the Wings for Mantha and take the 4 million in cap space gained and flip it to Vegas for Cody Eakin (exactly what Vegas needs to get under cap) for a song

Eakin's 1 year serves a perfect stop gap for Mitts to develop. Adds another potential 20G for the lineup and some much needed leadership and a vet presence.

Skinner-Eichel-Mantha
Johansson-Eakin-Reinhart
Vesey-Mitts-Oloffson
Sheary-Rodrigues-Okposo

Thoughts?

Assuming we can't purge more Salary (Hunwick/Sobotka/Scandella/Bogo) Sheary and Vesey are serviceable for this year

The 5.1 million resigns Rodrigues/McCabe/Ullmark

Scandella is playing for a contract and may respond well to Kruger.

Trade Risto to the Wings for Mantha and take the 4 million in cap space gained and flip it to Vegas for Cody Eakin (exactly what Vegas needs to get under cap) for a song

Eakin's 1 year serves a perfect stop gap for Mitts to develop. Adds another potential 20G for the lineup and some much needed leadership and a vet presence.

Skinner-Eichel-Mantha
Johansson-Eakin-Reinhart
Vesey-Mitts-Oloffson
Sheary-Rodrigues-Okposo

Thoughts?
- MTLSabres

We have way too many left handed shot wingers as is.

We shouldn’t force players to play center when they shouldn’t.

We also should force players to play wing on their off hand side. Only elite players can pull that off. Mantha isn’t elite or close to that.

Mantha for Risto straight up is not worth Risto. Easy pass

Also Mantha hasn’t lived up to his draft hype.

Mantha would be the wings version of nylander.
- Sabretooth9

Wings version of Nylander?

Not even close to the same.

He's a 25 goal, 50 point guy. And he was drafted #20.

His overall progression and development hasn’t been great.
- Sabretooth9

He went from 17 goals his rookie year to 24 goals/48 points (in 80 games) to 24 goals/48 points in 67 games.

Slow progression and development? He’ll fit in perfectly.

He went from 17 goals his rookie year to 24 goals/48 points (in 80 games) to 24 goals/48 points in 67 games.
- Powerslave

But Do you think he’s having an increase in production because they have very little talent just like we did when Ennis was “good”

Ehlers is a easy yes for me people that complain about his playoffs are ridiculous
He’s basically a faster Pominville when he entered the league

He went from 17 goals his rookie year to 24 goals/48 points (in 80 games) to 24 goals/48 points in 67 games.
- Powerslave

Skinner/Eichel/Mantha
Olofsson/Mittelstadt/Reinhart
Vesey/Rodrigues/Johansson
Girgensons/Larsson/Okposo
Sheary
CJ Smith

Sobotka to Iceland


That’s an NHL lineup

We have way too many left handed shot wingers as is.

We shouldn’t force players to play center when they shouldn’t.

We also should force players to play wing on their off hand side. Only elite players can pull that off. Mantha isn’t elite or close to that.
- Sabretooth9

Mantha doesnt need to be elite, its a complimentary Winger for Eichel/SKinner who has finish/cost control and upside and he is playing natural position RW

Eakin gives us a Natural C for a year with close to 950 Face-Offs last year and 20 goals on a friendly expiring contract and a Vet between Mitts and Eichel.

Olofsson is only player not playing natural Wing and he looked plenty effective in AHL/Swedish Elite League and his cup of coffee on Sabres on Right Side.

You know what’s great about the Jokiharju and Miller trades? And to an extent Montour, is that we no longer need the ridiculous justification of “who will replace his minutes?” for keeping Ristolainen

Not bad MTL.
I had a similar post yesterday but it included Riley Smith and Cody Eakin.
I view Mantha as similar to Smith.
Either works well to me, I agree with Eakin as a decent stop gap for a year, assuming a low acquisition cost.