Botterhill seems like a great hire, if he comes on board. Only question is, does he ditch the Pens now to join the Sabres or wait until the end of the Pens season? If it's the latter, that could create some real issues because he won't have time to learn everything he needs to know about the Sabres prior to heading into the expansion draft, 2017 draft and free agency.

as long as they eventually take that step forward i dont mind taking a step back, im actually for it given how things have unfolded.

Trust CapperJim/J-Bizzle/Bottman
- Sabresfan-365

I can't see the Sabres taking a step back next year, assuming Eichel is healthy all year.

I can't see the Sabres taking a step back next year, assuming Eichel is healthy all year.
- Aetherial

That's awfully nice of you. I hope so, but I see another year without playoffs but a more competitive team that's finishes around 9th place.

Thats flawed though. This team was built in an **attempt** to win now. That failed. Its time to fix those errors and reconstruct. Im not saying tear it down or four years plus. That would be if no core was in place.

New management should mean different expectations. For me I want them to strip as much dead weight as they can and change the philosophy and style this team plays by. Its not playoffs or bust for me, its more about seeing this team actually head in the right direction.

As far as a specific goal, I want to see this team be somewhere in at least the middle of the league in 5v5 play. Should make for more goal scoring and exciting hockey as well, Id be happy with that.
- Sabresfan-365

Thats a pretty low standard and not something I want the new GM to set his goal to. Like I said before, we have players entering their prime. If the goal isnt to have this team in the playoffs or at least in the mix next season then I dont want him in this organization.

Thats a pretty low standard and not something I want the new GM to set his goal to. Like I said before, we have players entering their prime. If the goal isnt to have this team in the playoffs or at least in the mix next season then I dont want him in this organization.
- MCGUIZZY

we're something close to dead last. A jump to somewhere like 14 would be huge and would probably take 2 defensemen coming in to do. Im not sure how thats a low standard.

I can see them being somewhere in the mix im just not playoffs or bust for next year. New coach, new players, new system etc.

That's awfully nice of you. I hope so, but I see another year without playoffs but a more competitive team that's finishes around 9th place.
- BeadyEyedDouche

yea step back was a poor choice of words on my part just not the sudden jump to playoff hockey everyones expecting.

we're 25th in GF% and 29th in CF%.

If Boterill can take that to somewhere between 13-17 in one off-season he deserves consideration for GM of the year.

we're 25th in GF% and 29th in CF%.

If Boterill can take that to somewhere between 13-17 in one off-season he deserves consideration for GM of the year.
- Sabresfan-365

Remove Gorges, add Antipin/Guhle/LHD and it could get sorted out rather quickly

we're something close to dead last. A jump to somewhere like 14 would be huge and would probably take 2 defensemen coming in to do. Im not sure how thats a low standard.

I can see them being somewhere in the mix im just not playoffs or bust for next year. New coach, new players, new system etc.
- Sabresfan-365

I think thats a bare minimum requirement. You said middle of the pack in 5x5 play. Yes, Thats a low standard to set sorry

Remove Gorges, add Antipin/Guhle/LHD and it could get sorted out rather quickly
- jcragcrumple

tempering my expectations on those two because it will be their first season in the nhl but yea it will definitely help.

Think you'd have to find a way out of that bogosian contract and get a good righty in his place as well to get this team into that range 5v5. If he can do that in his first summer with this team thats impressive work.

I think thats a bare minimum requirement. You said middle of the pack in 5x5 play. Yes, Thats a low standard to set sorry
- MCGUIZZY

Its not the end game, its for his first step. Its a massive jump for one off-season I dont understand how thats a low bar to set.

This team was really, really bad. Its not going to become really, really good in one summer.


This is just setting yourself up to hate botterill. Hes not going to come in and get teams to take all of our bad contracts and replace them with two top four guys in July.

Remove Gorges, add Antipin/Guhle/LHD and it could get sorted out rather quickly
- jcragcrumple

i dont think we are that far away from the playoffs honestly. Last year alot went wrong and we underachieved. Byslma is gone. We will have a superstar center entering his 3rd year, #1 PP last season, Kane, oreilly, okposo. If we can add a defenseman via trade and free agency and add Guhle, Antipin, we should be much better. I dont see why that cant be done.

Honestly I would prefer an established GM. Im not saying many are available. But theres something a little scary about a first time GM being put in charge of this franchise in the state its in. We cant afford anymore growing pains at this point..
- MCGUIZZY

Rick Dudley says hello

Remove Gorges, add Antipin/Guhle/LHD and it could get sorted out rather quickly
- jcragcrumple

your LD's are McCabe, Antipin and Guhle

IMO if you remove Bogo and get a legit RD for second pair, it is more than serviceable

Rick Dudley says hello
- homiedclown

stinks

Rick Dudley says hello
- homiedclown

The only issue I have with him is he seems to wear out his welcome rather quickly...in fact the last 5 years has been his longest tenured position with an organization

I want this next GM to be a good hire and be around for the next 6-8 years if not longer (building a perennial contender)

Oh poop. My bad. I'm honestly done arguing the point anyway. I think foligno is gonna get a raise, no one thinks its a good idea

/end
- jcragcrumple

Like we established yesterday, I'm just being a Richard

Its not the end game, its for his first step. Its a massive jump for one off-season I dont understand how thats a low bar to set.

This team was really, really bad. Its not going to become really, really good in one summer.


This is just setting yourself up to hate botterill. Hes not going to come in and get teams to take all of our bad contracts and replace them with two top four guys in July.
- Sabresfan-365

Its not the end game, its for his first step. Its a massive jump for one off-season I dont understand how thats a low bar to set.

This team was really, really bad. Its not going to become really, really good in one summer.


This is just setting yourself up to hate botterill. Hes not going to come in and get teams to take all of our bad contracts and replace them with two top four guys in July.
- Sabresfan-365

He doesn't need to. A smart trade and free agency signing in addition to Antipin and Guhle will solve alot. We have talent in the top 6 that produced the #1 PP in the league and a superstar center that will hopefully be healthy. We had a bad coach, Bad injuries and a dreadful defensive unit. I dont think its impossible to fix alot of that going into next year.

He doesn't need to. A smart trade and free agency signing in addition to Antipin and Guhle will solve alot. We have talent in the top 6 that produced the #1 PP in the league and a superstar center that will hopefully be healthy. We had a bad coach, Bad injuries and a dreadful defensive unit. I dont think its impossible to fix alot of that going into next year.
- MCGUIZZY

Trade 28 for a veteran PK guy

He doesn't need to. A smart trade and free agency signing in addition to Antipin and Guhle will solve alot. We have talent in the top 6 that produced the #1 PP in the league and a superstar center that will hopefully be healthy. We had a bad coach, Bad injuries and a dreadful defensive unit. I dont think its impossible to fix alot of that going into next year.
- MCGUIZZY

youre betting alot on two guys who will be rookies next year. Im not saying they wont make an impact, definitely better than the guys that are there now but it wouldn't shock me if there were some growing pains.

Trade 28 for a veteran PK guy
- jcragcrumple

Im anticipation a bounce back year from Girgensons next season. Could see one of him or Larsson gone tho

Trade 28 for a veteran PK guy
- jcragcrumple

Given he was the first player that showed decline under Bylsma I'd like to see what he can do. He's still Sabres property so it shouldn't be expensive.

I'm ready to see what some of these underperformers can do without Disco Dan.

your LD's are McCabe, Antipin and Guhle

IMO if you remove Bogo and get a legit RD for second pair, it is more than serviceable
- homiedclown

so do you trade Gorges then? 7th D? I don't think he would be very happy not playing very much.

Trade 28 for a veteran PK guy
- jcragcrumple

gus was suppose to be that pk guy

I am ok giving him one last chance if they fix the d