HOT, been back to work now for about 3 weeks but they sent me and my crew to get a COVID 19 test today because another one of our properties that Caesars ENT. owns, one of the workers got COVID 19 and now they are sending everyone for a test regardless.
- SABRES 89

Better to be safe than sorry i suppose
Stay safe sir

I heard a while ago through someone (totally 3rd hand info) that he will go public by mid season next year if the Sabres aren’t competing
- sbroads24

That I don't know but I can't see them just jumping up that much by mid season next year. There is a little longer to go unless they have a miracle.

if dahlin steps into his role as the team's no. 1 d-man, and if they can find a good fit as his d-partner, risto's minutes will drop...which is something that every coach has wanted to do
- Michael Pachla

I certainly hope so. And if that’s the case, fine. But the contract issue still looms and I think we agree on that aspect.

Unless Montour wants 5+ mil which I absolutely don’t think he should get, I think the smart bet is Risto gone and Montour getting a 3-4 year 4 mil deal

Better to be safe than sorry i suppose
Stay safe sir
- jdfitz77

I got paid to stand in the long ass 2 hour line to get this test, even with an appointment it was 2 hour wait.

That I don't know but I can't see them just jumping up that much by mid season next year. There is a little longer to go unless they have a miracle.
- SABRES 89

I honestly cannot believe they are going to waste the best player we’ve had since Hasek and not even make the playoffs

Eichel had a hand in Botterill, Krueger is a calming force.
- SABRES 89

Well that’s good then... for now

I think it’s no secret that the Sabres need to win hockey games ASAP

Most of us assume Jack is gonna ask out if we miss the playoffs again next year
If that happens...
we’ve probably gotta blow it all up

Then it’ll be another 3-5years before we are MAYBE a good team
This (seemingly) never ending cycle sucks balls

I honestly cannot believe they are going to waste the best player we’ve had since Hasek and not even make the playoffs
- sbroads24

Only in Buffalo, you shouldn't be shocked.

I certainly hope so. And if that’s the case, fine. But the contract issue still looms and I think we agree on that aspect.

Unless Montour wants 5+ mil which I absolutely don’t think he should get, I think the smart bet is Risto gone and Montour getting a 3-4 year 4 mil deal
- sbroads24

Isn’t that what Homie said he’s asking for though?

I got paid to stand in the long ass 2 hour line to get this test, even with an appointment it was 2 hour wait.
- SABRES 89

If they’re sending that many ppl at a time,
no doubt

I certainly hope so. And if that’s the case, fine. But the contract issue still looms and I think we agree on that aspect.

Unless Montour wants 5+ mil which I absolutely don’t think he should get, I think the smart bet is Risto gone and Montour getting a 3-4 year 4 mil deal
- sbroads24

covid and the effects on the overall salary cap for the next few seasons should keep things more realistic when it comes to both $$$ and term

Isn’t that what Homie said he’s asking for though?
- jdfitz77

They like Risto more then Monty but .............

Isn’t that what Homie said he’s asking for though?
- jdfitz77

Doesn’t mean he will get it though. He’s a RFA. He can go to arb and will probably get 4-4.5 on a 1 year deal.

I liked Montour a ton when we got him, but IMO he’s a utility type of player and not a core top 3 d man.

His instincts at both ends are poor

If they’re sending that many ppl at a time,
no doubt
- jdfitz77

It was crazy today, you had the test yet ?

if dahlin steps into his role as the team's no. 1 d-man, and if they can find a good fit as his d-partner, risto's minutes will drop...which is something that every coach has wanted to do
- Michael Pachla

I hope so too but he is 20 years old and I'm not sure his D game will be there yet. They will need a collective D and to lower Risto's minutes and share more against the 1st line talent.

covid and the effects on the overall salary cap for the next few seasons should keep things more realistic when it comes to both $$$ and term
- Michael Pachla

It’ll be interesting to see

I think what keeps players on teams that aren’t so great, is long term deals where they’re well paid
Idk if that’s gonna be an issue here...
But if guys like Montour just decided to demand the deal they want, or go to arbitration & essentially force their way out...
It wouldn’t surprise me one bit

I don’t think anyone is gonna wanna play here if we don’t start winning asap

It was crazy today, you had the test yet ?
- SABRES 89

I’m 100-% positive I had COVID in January.

I randomly lost my sense of taste and smell for 4 days and completely freaked out about it because I wasn’t stuffed up and didn’t have a cold

I hope so too but he is 20 years old and I'm not sure his D game will be there yet. They will need a collective D and to lower Risto's minutes and share more against the 1st line talent.
- GilPerreault11

totally agree...somebody posted the minutes of vegas' d and that's what the sabres should be doing...and they might just have enough talent to do so

I’m 100-% positive I had COVID in January.

I randomly lost my sense of taste and smell for 4 days and completely freaked out about it because I wasn’t stuffed up and didn’t have a cold
- sbroads24

I don't have any symptoms but it was mandatory I go today, they did the swab in my throat. I wasn't going to go for the tube up the nose.

It’ll be interesting to see

I think what keeps players on teams that aren’t so great, is long term deals where they’re well paid
Idk if that’s gonna be an issue here...
But if guys like Montour just decided to demand the deal they want, or go to arbitration & essentially force their way out...
It wouldn’t surprise me one bit

I don’t think anyone is gonna wanna play here if we don’t start winning asap
- jdfitz77

i read where skunk can go to arb the next two years and come out the other end an unrestricted free agent...i think montour's in the same boat...

perhaps they can go 3-4 yrs of guaranteed money and when they hit free agency, they'll still be in the middle of their prime

I don't have any symptoms but it was mandatory I go today, they did the swab in my throat. I wasn't going to go for the tube up the nose.
- SABRES 89

Yeah the up the nose hurt, had to have it before my shoulder surgery on the 9th, definitely no fun.

totally agree...somebody posted the minutes of vegas' d and that's what the sabres should be doing...and they might just have enough talent to do so
- Michael Pachla

You know what else will help is the D play by the forwards the top four D plays with too. Besides strong D players on the 4th line they need to find complete players for lines 1-3 too, maybe to put at least one in the top 6. Acquire a complete 2nd line center who can score 50+ pts, kill penalties and plays a 200 ft game. That won't be easy.

Kevin Adams has an ‘aww shucks’ I cant believe this is happening to me look on his face every time I see anything about him. He seems star struck with himself. Can we get a GM who feels like he belongs in his job for Christ’s sake?

Doesn’t mean he will get it though. He’s a RFA. He can go to arb and will probably get 4-4.5 on a 1 year deal.

I liked Montour a ton when we got him, but IMO he’s a utility type of player and not a core top 3 d man.

His instincts at both ends are poor
- sbroads24

Is 4-4.5 really that different?
If we don’t really like they guy...
we should trade him for that reason, & not the 1mil or less difference in what he should get

I’m with ya on Montour
I never understood why ppl though he was so good?
I don’t hate him
But he’s a guy I’m fine with trading

Maybe the Sabres need to act like a real nhl franchise
- IndianaSabresFan

When we gutted the Sabres in 2015 to make sure we had mceichel, there should be some expectations of losing.

Maybe 3 years worth

We're at 5 years now. He owes us a few more years.

Maybe I'm speaking as a paying customer vs. A casual fan?

You know what else will help is the D play by the forwards the top four D plays with too. Besides strong D players on the 4th line they need to find complete players for lines 1-3 too, maybe to put at least one in the top 6. Acquire a complete 2nd line center who can score 50+ pts, kill penalties and plays a 200 ft game. That won't be easy.
- GilPerreault11

how many sabres' coaches have talked about the "five-men-as-a-unit" mentality?