I read the post.

Because, when you trade someone, you have gotten rid of them. If you interpret that to mean I think you are saying he is a slug, then stop ass-u-ming.

I too like longer sample sizes, however His play has convinced the Coach to play him up, even on the top pairing...and he did ok....great upside potential there...NOT that he is a Top Pairing...but his play has shown much better than your internal rule of a 3-4. He can actually play the system, whoc( according to season lon* comments from the players themselves, very few are/have been.

Lastly, his 10 games as you say isn’t going to turn his contract into 8x7.5 expense.

So rather than add him to a trade to benefit another team, let’s keep one of the few bright spots and add.

Low cost controlled Dman, who lays the system, can play up if needed for a period of time...give me 3 more please...and Dahlin
- IonSabres

If casey nelson is the final piece to a deal and the only thing standing in botts' way of acquiring a future top 6 forward or d-man you think he'd say no?

Def could see it. That was my first thought after seeing some of his game at WJC. I could get behind the idea of building a team USA core (Eichel, Mittelstadt, Hughes....Mccabe, Ect.) but only if we are just outside top 5
- MCGUIZZY

It's hard to be upset with any of them. Any of the projected top 5 would have higher upside than basically anyone not named Eichel or maybe mittelstadt.

It's hard to be upset with any of them. Any of the projected top 5 would have higher upside than basically anyone not named Eichel or maybe mittelstadt.
- Sabresfan-365

Arguable on Tkachuk but yea

If casey nelson is the final piece to a deal and the only thing standing in botts' way of acquiring a future top 6 forward or d-man you think he'd say no?
- Sabresfan-365

Hardly. How many defensive d-men do you see in that top 6? Guhle getting top 4 minutes right away? Aren't you the one who's way against that?
- Sabresfan-365

Do we need defensive defensemen the way the NHL is played now?

Who does Pitt have who falls into that category?

And fine...
start Guhle on Pair 3
I put him up bc he’s got more talent

Regardless, from a “talent” perspective...
the 7 defensemen i listed would make up a good corp
Does it need adjusting?
Maybe

Fine... trade Risto for Manson or whatever “defensive” defenseman u like or that we can get

Arguable on Tkachuk but yea
- MCGUIZZY

Watching the way our forwards play he'd be a breath of fresh air, even if his ceiling isn't as high as say Svechnikov. He wouldn't be my pick either but not disappointed if they went that route.

Do we need defensive defensemen the way the NHL is played now?

Who does Pitt have who falls into that category?

And fine...
start Guhle on Pair 3
I put him up bc he’s got more talent

Regardless, from a “talent” perspective...
the 7 defensemen i listed would make up a good corp
Does it need adjusting?
Maybe

Fine... trade Risto for Manson or whatever “defensive” defenseman u like or that we can get
- jdfitz77

Except who would give up someone so sound defensively for Risto?

Defensive d-man doesn't mean what it used to mean. These days it's a guy who can limit chances/time spent in d-zone and quickly turn defense into offense.

Dumoulin did this pretty well for the Pens

The bigger issue is that it's a projected line up based on sub 20% odds.

Watching the way our forwards play he'd be a breath of fresh air, even if his ceiling isn't as high as say Svechnikov. He wouldn't be my pick either but not disappointed if they went that route.
- Sabresfan-365

Just dont want another Girgensons or a Lawson Crouse. I like the idea of energy/checking forwards that can move up and down the line up. But not anywhere near the top 5. Those are the type of guys id like to find in the 2nd or late first

Just dont want another Girgensons or a Lawson Crouse. I like the idea of energy/checking forwards that can move up and down the line up. But not anywhere near the top 5. Those are the type of guys id like to find in the 2nd or late first
- MCGUIZZY

Agreed, but in Crouse's case they saw what they wanted to see, not what the numbers showed.


At least in tkachuk's case the numbers are there. He's scoring at roughly the same rate as Mittelstadt.

If we win the lotto, the defense is fixed

Dahlin-Ristolainen
Guhle-Scandella
McCabe-Nelson
Antipin

And if we really wanna make it top notch,
go after Carlson this year
or OEL, McDonaugh or Karlsson next year
or whoever is available the year after
- jdfitz77

Not yet. I also have high hopes for Guhle, but he starts with the 3rd pairing.

But we're really, really close
- Sabresfan-365

Risto is a #2 not a #3.

Can't believe how the opinions of him have fallen.

Need that 1 D .
Risto 2
Guhle should be a 3/4
Scandella/McCabe 4/5
Antipin/Nelson/ 5/6.

So Pretty close. This draft should fix the one spot.
Plus development.

Anyone we get for Kane, Sam, ror or who ever else gets traded?

We don’t need 6 “bottom6” guys
We need a 4th line center who is good at faceoffs

Line 4, something like...
Wilson-(Beagle?)-Girgensons
could work pretty good imo

Line3, how about...
Bailey-Mittelstadt-Baptiste
-if those wingers don’t work, try:
E Rod, Smith, Fasching
-if they don@a’t work, try:
Asplund, Pu, Olofsson, Davidsson

Top6
Okposo-Eichel-(Svechnikov/Zadina)
Nylander-O’Reilly-Reinhart


O’Reilly is a GOOD player
He’s not the problem
And even if he was, Mittelstadt could eventually become a 2C
And Asplund or Davidsson or Pu could eventually become a 3C
And at that point, we could trade ROR for defense potentially

Kane is traded for defense, that helps
If Sam is moved for defense as well,
then we need ONE of the NINE guys i mentioned for the 3rd line to become a top6 guy


Yeah, i guess it sounds like a lot of “what ifs”
But really,
we get Dahlin & the defense is set

And we have so many forward prospects coming, that some of them are gonna work

Or we trade some of the forwards for defense
Top6 wingers can “easily be replaced” anyways... just ask Sbroads


You can either look at it like that
Or just continue to be negative

Neither viewpoint is gonna affect what the Sabres actually do...

But one of the ways u keep beating your head against the wall
And the other, you’ve got a smile on your face

Up to you
I choose to smile & be hopeful
- jdfitz77

Dude, these made me laugh, NOT at you, but at:
-The magnitude of assumptions,
-Every situation maximized
-Counting on win the lottery with a top 1, or top 3 pick.

So while you think I’m negative. I prefer to think of my self as a conservative realist (not that kind of conservative), pragmatic.

In return, I think you are seeing all rainbows, unicorns and juju bees, while wearing 12 pairs of rose colored glasses.

I guess, keep on keeping on.
Just don’t tell me we are closer than you make it seem...ho.y Christopher, lol.

Risto is a #2 not a #3.

Can't believe how the opinions of him have fallen.

Need that 1 D .
Risto 2
Guhle should be a 3/4
Scandella/McCabe 4/5
Antipin/Nelson/ 5/6.

So Pretty close. This draft should fix the one spot.
Plus development.

Anyone we get for Kane, Sam, ror or who ever else gets traded?
- Boss34

He doesn't put up nearly enough points in all situations to justify the defensive lapses and im not talking about the misplay from last game. He's always been labeled an offensive d-man but all his offense is generated on the power play.

So at best we're talking some Green/Phaneuf Hybrid. Thats not a guy you want on your top pair.

Can a trade be made already.

Do something Darcy
er
Make a Move Murray
er
Jostle the team Jason.(?)

We need a saying.
- ImThatGuy

Pegula’s Purge
Terry’s Tank
Kim’s Cancer Killer

If we win the lotto, the defense is fixed

Dahlin-Ristolainen
Guhle-Scandella
McCabe-Nelson
Antipin

And if we really wanna make it top notch,
go after Carlson this year
or OEL, McDonaugh or Karlsson next year
or whoever is available the year after
- jdfitz77

Everything's great if we win the lotto.
I think we all get that.
We're in buffalo not Edmonton though.
Hard to make any plans around winning anything.
Finish 2nd last pick 5th
That's the plan

If we win the lotto, the defense is fixed

Dahlin-Ristolainen
Guhle-Scandella
McCabe-Nelson
Antipin

And if we really wanna make it top notch,
go after Carlson this year
or OEL, McDonaugh or Karlsson next year
or whoever is available the year after
- jdfitz77

Not sure what has happened with Risto, but he ain’t a 2nd based on this year’s play, and it started last year.

Risto is a #2 not a #3.

Can't believe how the opinions of him have fallen.

Need that 1 D .
Risto 2
Guhle should be a 3/4
Scandella/McCabe 4/5
Antipin/Nelson/ 5/6.

So Pretty close. This draft should fix the one spot.
Plus development.

Anyone we get for Kane, Sam, ror or who ever else gets traded?
- Boss34

If you list Antipin + Nelson as a third pair, there's no reason to feel comfortable or confident. There's also a possibility that they both walk at the end of the season.

If we win the lotto, the defense is fixed

Dahlin-Ristolainen
Guhle-Scandella
McCabe-Nelson
Antipin

And if we really wanna make it top notch,
go after Carlson this year
or OEL, McDonaugh or Karlsson next year
or whoever is available the year after
- jdfitz77

Where's the oft-injured, disc spinning Bogo on your top 7 list for the Sabres? Nobody will trade for that albatross contract or player. IF we were to get Dahlin, I am guessing that Antipin is not part of the future. With the way he has been handled this year by the Sabres, I don't think he'll come back, even if we want him.

Dude, these made me laugh, NOT at you, but at:
-The magnitude of assumptions,
-Every situation maximized
-Counting on win the lottery with a top 1, or top 3 pick.

So while you think I’m negative. I prefer to think of my self as a conservative realist (not that kind of conservative), pragmatic.

In return, I think you are seeing all rainbows, unicorns and juju bees, while wearing 12 pairs of rose colored glasses.

I guess, keep on keeping on.
Just don’t tell me we are closer than you make it seem...ho.y Christopher, lol.
- IonSabres

😀😀😀😂🤣😁😃

True, and even though it's not Tacos, they are putting a Chick Fil-A right by the Chipotle.

Also, I am pretty sure they put crack in Salsarita's Tortilla chips.
- buffalofan19

Xochitl tortilla chips are (frank)ing amazing. A bit on the expensive side, but worth it.

Probably super late on this, but I happened to come across it...from a week 1/2 ago...

Brandon Sommermann‏ @PSN_BSommermann · Feb 11

Just got this in a text from a source, “Flyers and Buffalo talking major trade.” He continued “Flyers now willing to move big young prospects to bolster young talented core” #Flyers #FlyersTalk #LetsGoFlyers #Sabres

If casey nelson is the final piece to a deal and the only thing standing in botts' way of acquiring a future top 6 forward or d-man you think he'd say no?
- Sabresfan-365

Not sure, I’m not JBotts.

Me,
Not for a forward, nope.
For a confirmed #1 , 2 D-man, sure...but that includes nearly everyone else not name Jack or Casey.
In that scenario, I would try to refocus them on a winger who was #8 selection, and something else.

He doesn't put up nearly enough points in all situations to justify the defensive lapses and im not talking about the misplay from last game. He's always been labeled an offensive d-man but all his offense is generated on the power play.

So at best we're talking some Green/Phaneuf Hybrid. Thats not a guy you want on your top pair.
- Sabresfan-365

Risto is a 1/2 a point guy for his career with terrible players surrounding him. Basically on a franchise who have been trying to lose his whole career.

I'm old school, points are points. 5 x 5, 5 x3 doesn't matter.

Go to the nhl website and look at goal difference.
The best 15 or 16 teams are in the playoffs.

The worst are at the bottom

It does not distinguish between pp, sh or 5 x 5.

Where's the oft-injured, disc spinning Bogo on your top 7 list for the Sabres? Nobody will trade for that albatross contract or player. IF we were to get Dahlin, I am guessing that Antipin is not part of the future. With the way he has been handled this year by the Sabres, I don't think he'll come back, even if we want him.
- SabreWest

Beaulieu is also under contract for another year

If you list Antipin + Nelson as a third pair, there's no reason to feel comfortable or confident. There's also a possibility that they both walk at the end of the season.
- Lunaion

I would think 5/6 would be easy to fill if they move on.
Especially 6 d. 12 minute guy.

Jbotts has to sign someone to replace them.
We still have faulk or blowgo for #6

I can't believe I'm even pretending either of those guys are worth shot, but jbotts can find someone.

Antipin or Nelson could be signed as well.