So anyone think we can get 1 of Carolina's 1st in the draft for Risto. Rumor has it they are willing to deal 1 for a Dman 1with term
- Buff36

I value Risto more than a 14-18 pick.

If they threw in a good prospect I would consider it.

I would guess that half or less of players taken in that range play more than 100 games in the league.

I am not giving away our best defenseman for a 50/50 shot at a guy that might help in three years. I want something solid for him, especially because he’s our most valuable chip we are willing to move.

Can you blame him ? The Sabres better do something or fans will not renew the tickets if he goes
- gerbe75pts

Boss would like a word. He'll buy up 10 of their seats just on FOMO alone.

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?
- jcragcrumple

Or he could bring in a “2C” and still think that about Mitts

Would u rather have him overpay for a “2C”
Or bring in an upper end 3C (Bonino for example)
to “hold down the fort” till Mitts &/or Cozens are ready to take on that role?

If you’d rather option 1,
what are u willing to give up?
And list a few players u think might be reasonable for us to get that you like

I see the crystal balls are coming out again
- Buff36

I like my crystal ball...

Olo. Jack. Sam
Skinner. Bennett. Disgruntled Fin
Mojo. Larry. Anderson.
Pick one. Lazar. Okoposo🙄

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
- jcragcrumple

It sounds like you’d be upset if that happened,
why?

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.
- PrinceChill

The same underlying numbers that show we are one of the better defensive teams in hockey that are getting doomed by goaltending.

The GM needs to add offensive talent no doubt about it. The Sabres could have battled for a playoff spot though on the backs of our top line with Hutton and Ullmark not letting in 20-25 more goals than expected.

I like to live in a world that thinks that Ullmark will continue to improve and we can find a capable goalie to split the starts with him. I also like to live in a world where Cozens will realistically be a 35 point 3C or a top 6 winger next year and we make a move to get the 2C that allows Skinner and Mojo to produce as they should.

Eichel, Reinhart, Dahlin, Joker will all continue to find the next gear. As bad as it feels, we aren’t far away.

Sure and a few months ago Ray Shero had apparently quite the offseason and how did that go ?
- Pegullaville

So it didn't work once, or a couple times, so (frank) it? Pick top 8 for 7 years, including at least 3 top 2 picks? If they miss next year too that will be a record.

I value Risto more than a 14-18 pick.

If they threw in a good prospect I would consider it.

I would guess that half or less of players taken in that range play more than 100 games in the league.

I am not giving away our best defenseman for a 50/50 shot at a guy that might help in three years. I want something solid for him, especially because he’s our most valuable chip we are willing to move.
- Beethoven

If the best return for Risto is for futures, I make that trade 10/10. I wouldn’t take a lesser deal just so you get a player who can contribute now.

What is stopping the team from then parlaying that pick in the 14-18 range for a better forward than you would have received for Risto in the first place ?

Teams have different needs and will pay different prices for those needs.

Or he could bring in a “2C” and still think that about Mitts

Would u rather have him overpay for a “2C”
Or bring in an upper end 3C (Bonino for example)
to “hold down the fort” till Mitts &/or Cozens are ready to take on that role?

If you’d rather option 1,
what are u willing to give up?
And list a few players u think might be reasonable for us to get that you like
- jdfitz77

Bonino is basically the top-tier of what I expect. Bjugstad, Bonino, or a free agent like Galchenyuk

I don't expect him to swing a deal for a guy like Cirelli, Trochek, Strome or Domi

I value Risto more than a 14-18 pick.

If they threw in a good prospect I would consider it.

I would guess that half or less of players taken in that range play more than 100 games in the league.

I am not giving away our best defenseman for a 50/50 shot at a guy that might help in three years. I want something solid for him, especially because he’s our most valuable chip we are willing to move.
- Beethoven

I am not thinking about using that pick for the draft, using it in a package to get something else. Even if it's in the offseason. I would be very surprised if Risto and Montour are both here next year. One of them is gonna be traded.

The same underlying numbers that show we are one of the better defensive teams in hockey that are getting doomed by goaltending.

The GM needs to add offensive talent no doubt about it. The Sabres could have battled for a playoff spot though on the backs of our top line with Hutton and Ullmark not letting in 20-25 more goals than expected.

I like to live in a world that thinks that Ullmark will continue to improve and we can find a capable goalie to split the starts with him. I also like to live in a world where Cozens will realistically be a 35 point 3C or a top 6 winger next year and we make a move to get the 2C that allows Skinner and Mojo to produce as they should.

Eichel, Reinhart, Dahlin, Joker will all continue to find the next gear. As bad as it feels, we aren’t far away.
- Pegullaville

Nice post
All sounds pretty reasonable to me

Was listening to Toronto radio last week & they were talking quite a bit about the Sabres
One thing they brought up was Ullmark,
and that they think he’s gonna be a good goalie
They seemed to think pretty highly of him

So it didn't work once, or a couple times, so (frank) it? Pick top 8 for 7 years, including at least 3 top 2 picks? If they miss next year too that will be a record.
- Wetbandit1

He also left out the part where their two #1 overall picks have disappointed and led to his firing. But just keep trusting that picks will get us there

I like my crystal ball...

Olo. Jack. Sam
Skinner. Bennett. Disgruntled Fin
Mojo. Larry. Anderson.
Pick one. Lazar. Okoposo🙄
- Gr8daygo

Still not a playoff team.

Smash that crystal ball.

And what is the obsession with the disgruntled Fin?

Bonino is basically the top-tier of what I expect. Bjugstad, Bonino, or a free agent like Galchenyuk

I don't expect him to swing a deal for a guy like Cirelli, Trochek, Strome or Domi
- jcragcrumple

Yeah,
We’ve see u say what u expect over & over sir

What about the rest?

Is that ok with you?
Or would u overpay for a 2C?
If so...
what are u giving up?
And list a few examples of guys you like that u think might be available

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
- jcragcrumple

Well I am hoping he comes up with a way to get Strome or Domi, I am hoping he some how pulls 1 of Carolina's 2 1st and can use that to help in a package to get one of those players.

Yeah,
We’ve see u say what u expect over & over sir

What about the rest?

Is that ok with you?
Or would u overpay for a 2C?
If so...
what are u giving up?
And list a few examples of guys you like that u think might be available
- jdfitz77

Why does it matter what I would do? I'm not in charge of the team. Am I ok with it? Well, does it matter?

If you want an idea:

If tampa wants cap savings: Mittelstadt, Erod and 2021 1st for Cirelli. Gives tampa cap savings because that dude is getting paid

Still not a playoff team.

Smash that crystal ball.

And what is the obsession with the disgruntled Fin?
- Powerslave

It could be a squeaky play off team. Boom or bust on the disgruntled Finn, kids got the size, talent and fits the age to be a cornerstone. MAYBE less expensive to acquire... maybe...

I like my crystal ball...

Olo. Jack. Sam
Skinner. Bennett. Disgruntled Fin
Mojo. Larry. Anderson.
Pick one. Lazar. Okoposo🙄
- Gr8daygo

Bennett is playing LW, I don't think he has played C for awhile. But I would take him, would bring some grit.

It could be a squeaky play off team. Boom or bust on the disgruntled Finn, kids got the size, talent and fits the age to be a cornerstone. MAYBE less expensive to acquire... maybe...
- Gr8daygo

"Boomer Bust" riding RW with a 25-30 point guy centering your 2nd line doesn't sound like a squeaky playoff team to me.

And said center is doing NOTHING for Skinner's game.

Bennett is playing LW, I don't think he has played C for awhile. But I would take him, would bring some grit.
- Buff36

Not for your second line, though.

Well I am hoping he comes up with a way to get Strome or Domi, I am hoping he some how pulls 1 of Carolina's 2 1st and can use that to help in a package to get one of those players.
- Buff36

If he got Domi, I would never complain about Botterill again, and that's a promise. I doubt he shoots that high though

He also left out the part where their two #1 overall picks have disappointed and led to his firing. But just keep trusting that picks will get us there
- jcragcrumple

Drafting works for every other team in the NHL.

If you don’t draft well, you don’t have success it’s really that simple.

Mitts needs to work or be parlayed like Nyoander was.

We need Cozens to work out and by all accounts he’s developing as expected.

We have an opportunity to add another really talented player this year.

Botts needs to make a few short term moves that improves the team in the “now” but overall longevity is always due to strong drafting.

Why does it matter what I would do? I'm not in charge of the team. Am I ok with it? Well, does it matter?

If you want an idea:

If tampa wants cap savings: Mittelstadt, Erod and 2021 1st for Cirelli. Gives tampa cap savings because that dude is getting paid
- jcragcrumple

It doesn’t
But if you’re gonna complain about what u think Botts will do in the future,
isn’t it reasonable to discuss what you’d like to see happen??

Your Tampa idea is interesting
I think Mitts AND the 1st is too much
E Rod doesn’t have any value imo,
so i don’t think he matters one way or the other

"Boomer Bust" riding RW with a 25-30 point guy centering your 2nd line doesn't sound like a squeaky playoff team to me.

And said center is doing NOTHING for Skinner's game.
- Powerslave

Didn't even think he played Center anymore, hasn't he been playing LW for the last couple years. But I would take him for the grit. Wouldn't be a bad 3LW

It doesn’t
But if you’re gonna complain about what u think Botts will do in the future,
isn’t it reasonable to discuss what you’d like to see happen??

Your Tampa idea is interesting
I think Mitts AND the 1st is too much
E Rod doesn’t have any value imo,
so i don’t think he matters one way or the other
- jdfitz77

If they called at the draft and offered that, I'd accept immediately. I'm done with maybes and picks. I'll take the 60 point center