That’s some serious wood chucking right there
- TheHank

The bar is low

The wingers are so.bad I can't see trading Reinhart

I can't see a four for 1 trade to get a center

It's Casey or cozens


Or a new GM this fall

I know it’s mostly satire and an over exaggeration of a view point but just because some on here can see the merits of restocking the pipelines doesn’t mean we are on board with it being like this forever.

I’ve said numerous times I hope we pick top 8 this year, and that Botts has no more excuses next year, just like most of the other posters that observed the rebuild of the rebuild.

The irony of the whole thing is when myself and others show shreds of optimism on these boards saying that we are getting haunted by goaltending and can make a few moves that make us a playoff team next year that gets lambasted too.

Damned if we do, damned if we don’t.

I really don’t know if Botts is the one to lead us out of the abyss, however if his draft classes pan out, Buffalo will have benefitted greatly from his tenure here even if he isn’t here to see it through.
- Pegullaville

I guess I don't have any emotional investment in who gets the credit when and if the Sabres claw their way into the 8th highest spot in the Eastern Conference. One could point out that the two best forwards on the team were not chosen by JB, but who gives a crap about that? It means nothing. I want to see wins, not just say, "look at me, I'm right. I told you so."

In the beginning of the season, during a relatively short win streak, some fans were happy to watch victories. But they were "lambasted" for their joy because the underlying numbers did not back up long term success. The doubters were right, it was a mirage. And the optimists were righteously shamed and mocked.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't I guess.

I am on vacation in punta Gorda

All I hear is woodchucks throwing wood in the canal I am on
- homiedclown

Enjoy vacation! Enjoy them woodchucks! Hopefully you are back for the TDL fireworks!

The bar is low

The wingers are so.bad I can't see trading Reinhart

I can't see a four for 1 trade to get a center

It's Casey or cozens


Or a new GM this fall
- homiedclown

Botterill in August 2020:

"We're excited about what casey can bring to the team this year. It's a situation where he learned a lot in Rochester and took his offseason training very seriously"

The bar is low

The wingers are so.bad I can't see trading Reinhart

I can't see a four for 1 trade to get a center

It's Casey or cozens


Or a new GM this fall
- homiedclown

I agree for the most part. My problem with Sam is I just can’t see him holding up to playoff hockey. I’m afraid of having an expensive player that’s going to get run over and around in the playoffs. It’s a conundrum for sure. Judging on botts history of contracts given I can see Sam asking for even $9M per and botts giving it to him.

Slow but steady linear improvements sounds like a lot like waiting another 2 seasons before making the playoffs.
- kingcong39

Bank on it.
Botts doesn't have the juice to squeeze a 2C from someone.
He will be forced to play another player up above their competency.
He will play it safe and bring back Vesey, Girgs, and Larry.
Hutton and Ullmark are back as they're signed already.
Asplund is up as 3C, he signs a 3RW in FA. To go with Vesey at 3LW.

Good news is Bogo walks for nothing, Miller requests a trade , Pilut goes back to Europe...boom no more overload at D.

Stellar.
Renew your season tickets early, going to be another great season.

The bar is low

The wingers are so.bad I can't see trading Reinhart

I can't see a four for 1 trade to get a center

It's Casey or cozens


Or a new GM this fall
- homiedclown

Bennett?!?

Botterill in August 2020:

"We're excited about what casey can bring to the team this year. It's a situation where he learned a lot in Rochester and took his offseason training very seriously"
- jcragcrumple

I hope he's right. Can't give up on the kid, could still be very good someday.

Botterill in August 2020:

"We're excited about what casey can bring to the team this year. It's a situation where he learned a lot in Rochester and took his offseason training very seriously"
- jcragcrumple

That would be great especially if he comes out and lights it up.

That would be great especially if he comes out and lights it up.
- Buff36

Groundhog day

This would have been the perfect offseason to make a ROR type trade
- Buff36

Trade sam to st Louis for a 6'6 softie, a late first and a couple cap dumps?

I'm leaning in a different direction

Bank on it.
Botts doesn't have the juice to squeeze a 2C from someone.
He will be forced to play another player up above their competency.
He will play it safe and bring back Vesey, Girgs, and Larry.
Hutton and Ullmark are back as they're signed already.
Asplund is up as 3C, he signs a 3RW in FA. To go with Vesey at 3LW.

Good news is Bogo walks for nothing, Miller requests a trade , Pilut goes back to Europe...boom no more overload at D.

Stellar.
Renew your season tickets early, going to be another great season.
- IonSabres

That's the only place I disagree with you. I think he'll trade for a 3C to play 2C, and Mitts and Cozens battle it out for the 3C position

I agree for the most part. My problem with Sam is I just can’t see him holding up to playoff hockey. I’m afraid of having an expensive player that’s going to get run over and around in the playoffs. It’s a conundrum for sure. Judging on botts history of contracts given I can see Sam asking for even $9M per and botts giving it to him.
- TheHank

This is 100% what will happen in the playoffs...but it simply isn't limited to Sam.
The entire team is soft with zero backbone, teams know it and will play very tough against them.
Jack, Dahlin, Sam, Montour, Pilut, Vesey, Olo, Mojo, Joker ... the whole team.

Botterill in August 2020:

"We're excited about what casey can bring to the team this year. It's a situation where he learned a lot in Rochester and took his offseason training very seriously"
- jcragcrumple

What’s wrong with him saying/thinking that?

That's the only place I disagree with you. I think he'll trade for a 3C to play 2C, and Mitts and Cozens battle it out for the 3C position
- jcragcrumple

I see Cozens on RW
Mitts down in Rochester, where he should spend most of the season again.

I see Cozens on RW
Mitts down in Rochester, where he should spend most of the season again.
- IonSabres

Sounds about right

What’s wrong with him saying/thinking that?
- jdfitz77

I'll guess:
He should've been saying that in August 2019 instead. Wasted a year for nothing.

This is 100% what will happen in the playoffs...but it simply isn't limited to Sam.
The entire team is soft with zero backbone, teams know it and will play very tough against them.
Jack, Dahlin, Sam, Montour, Pilut, Vesey, Olo, Mojo, Joker ... the whole team.
- IonSabres

Jack soft ?
Olo soft?

Since when. Bigger the tv , softer the sabre?

I agree for the most part. My problem with Sam is I just can’t see him holding up to playoff hockey. I’m afraid of having an expensive player that’s going to get run over and around in the playoffs. It’s a conundrum for sure. Judging on botts history of contracts given I can see Sam asking for even $9M per and botts giving it to him.
- TheHank

Was Gretzky any “tougher” than Sam?
Idk that you need to be Cam Neely in order to be successful in the playoffs

Bank on it.
Botts doesn't have the juice to squeeze a 2C from someone.
He will be forced to play another player up above their competency.
He will play it safe and bring back Vesey, Girgs, and Larry.
Hutton and Ullmark are back as they're signed already.
Asplund is up as 3C, he signs a 3RW in FA. To go with Vesey at 3LW.

Good news is Bogo walks for nothing, Miller requests a trade , Pilut goes back to Europe...boom no more overload at D.

Stellar.
Renew your season tickets early, going to be another great season.
- IonSabres

Do u have season tix?

Trade sam to st Louis for a 6'6 softie, a late first and a couple cap dumps?

I'm leaning in a different direction
- Boss34

Yeah ok what ever you say

What’s wrong with him saying/thinking that?
- jdfitz77

It means what they'll do is count on either him and/or Cozens to hold down one or both of the middle-6 center positions again. What could go wrong?

I see the crystal balls are coming out again

I see the crystal balls are coming out again
- Buff36

What do you view as the mostly like outcome of a Botterill-led offseason as it pertains to the center position?

I gave you mine. They trade for a 3C to play 2C and let Mitts and Cozens battle for the other spot

This would have been the perfect offseason to make a ROR type trade
- Buff36

I have been told on here that no one trades #2 centers