http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0011022017.html
- homiedclown

counted four who were in the sabres organization--gogulla, ehrhoff, turnbull, sulzer

Not mad at all, declining to sign these two kids. It was obvious since 2014 that Possler had no interest in being here, since he always rejected the opportunity to join the prospect camps.

At first, I was hoping Estephan would sign, but after learning that his skating had not improved, I feel like you could find a free agent that has better skating and an equal amount of offensive potential. Estephan screams Varone to me, plenty of offensive talent but lacks the strength and speed to cut it in the NHL. Maybe some day he'll be a good AHL guy, but why does that kind of guy need to be signed? They're all over the place. Find someone you like more that can do more.
- TheSabresTaco

great points...if he's not drafted, other options include an AHL contract or an ATO

Of the RFA group below, I wouldn't waste any ink on signing the two I bolded. I hope/assume some of the others are used as part of a package to get us another good d-man or two.

F, Marcus Foligno
F, Johan Larsson
F, Zemgus Girgensons
F, Evan Rodrigues
LW, Jean Dupuy
C, Justin Kea
D, Brady Austin
G, Robin Lehner
G, Linus Ullmark

In spite of Pach's column, I still say they should have signed Estephan and Possler. At least we drafted them and they show some potential. If/when we put a couple of other teams' rejects/plugs into Rochester and Estephan/Possler light it up elsewhere, there's going to be a few PO'd Sabres fans.
- SabreWest

Idk what you consider a "solid prospect" but no team signs ALL their picks

In the past, it's been reported that Possler doesn't wanna leave Sweden
Also, since his good start the season after he was drafted, he's been pretty underwhelming & looks to have not progressed much

Estephan can't skate well at all... he's had a couple good seasons, but lots of guys do well in Juniors & never sniff the NHL.

There's a limit to the number of guys u can have under contract
So u really have to choose wisely
Don't wanna be stuck with a guy for his 3years ELC if u don't think he has a chance to pan out

It's really not a big deal at all

Estephan was a less skilled Cody Hodgson. No biggie

they can use Kasdorf in cincy
- Michael Pachla

Perfect example of why you don't sign a guy just bc u drafted him
I got ripped when I said this guy isn't any good

Initially, I had hope for Possler... but he hasn't progressed
And supposedly wants to stay in Sweden

I'd probably have signed Estephan
But skating is becoming more & more important in today's NHL
and it's pretty unlikely he'd ever cut it in that regard
I'm ok letting him walk

Wish both of them the best...
but it's doubtful we ever end up missing them

great points...if he's not drafted, other options include an AHL contract or an ATO
- Michael Pachla

I feel like a team is going to take a flier on him in the late rounds, but if the Sabres can see him helping the Amerks, sure, sign him to a one year AHL deal.

Another possible angle here: Botterill is setting a precedent on good skating. Regardless of your place in the organization.

what puzzles me with this kid

jb wants rochester to be good as well

even if he never sniffs the nhl, you need a few mancari's to make rochester good
- homiedclown

We can just sign guys like Schneider to AHL contracts
No need to waste one of the 50 on a guy u don't think will pan out

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0011022017.html
- homiedclown

A few familiar names on that team...

We can just sign guys like Schneider to AHL contracts
No need to waste one of the 50 on a guy u don't think will pan out
- jdfitz77

I agree with your point, but I don't think a guy like Cole Schneider would sign an AHL contract. He's going to be a big money AHL, and they always come with 2 way contracts.

Perfect example of why you don't sign a guy just bc u drafted him
I got ripped when I said this guy isn't any good

Initially, I had hope for Possler... but he hasn't progressed
And supposedly wants to stay in Sweden

I'd probably have signed Estephan
But skating is becoming more & more important in today's NHL
and it's pretty unlikely he'd ever cut it in that regard
I'm ok letting him walk

Wish both of them the best...
but it's doubtful we ever end up missing them
- jdfitz77

Kasdorf was a myers/kane throw-in by wpg...and, agreed, doubt they're missed

We can just sign guys like Schneider to AHL contracts
No need to waste one of the 50 on a guy u don't think will pan out
- jdfitz77

Cole Schneider you could actually use as a decent 4th line call up if injuries occurred. Agree totally about Estephan in hindsight (was mad initially), but Schneider has proven he can play at a high level in the AHL and at least be not "out of place" in the NHL as an injury call up.

I feel like a team is going to take a flier on him in the late rounds, but if the Sabres can see him helping the Amerks, sure, sign him to a one year AHL deal.

Another possible angle here: Botterill is setting a precedent on good skating. Regardless of your place in the organization.
- TheSabresTaco

yup...that's what he was involved with in pit

Kasdorf was a myers/kane throw-in by wpg...and, agreed, doubt they're missed
- Michael Pachla

Yep...
I was just using him to point out how not all draft picks are worth signing

I feel like a team is going to take a flier on him in the late rounds, but if the Sabres can see him helping the Amerks, sure, sign him to a one year AHL deal.

Another possible angle here: Botterill is setting a precedent on good skating. Regardless of your place in the organization.
- TheSabresTaco

So are you suggesting that Franson won't be re-signed?


If JB is all about skating, then he has some heavy lifting ahead of him - re: Moulson, Larsson, etc. Even Rhino isn't the swiftest skater.

Cole Schneider you could actually use as a decent 4th line call up if injuries occurred. Agree totally about Estephan in hindsight (was mad initially), but Schneider has proven he can play at a high level in the AHL and at least be not "out of place" in the NHL as an injury call up.
- RhinoFan

Doubt he'll get called up

Bailey or Baptiste are probably in Rochester, maybe both
Plus Nylander, Rodrigues & Fasching would get called up ahead of him

But anyways...
my point is that there's guys out there like Schneider that can be signed to AHL deals who won't count against our 50 contract limit

Better to sign guys like that,
then to sign draft picks u don't think will work out

I heard this 2 years ago


Possler will be our latest version of Gogulla
- homiedclown

didnt gogula come over for one season or somethign though. or was it he came over for preseason and when he didn't make the nhl he went back and just said F it after that?

I have seen enough of him

would rather grab an undrafted kid or a player leaving college
- homiedclown

thats pretty much what kasdorf was.. except he was part of our orginization for some reason. he sucks but they aren't going to terminate his contract they will bury him to the ECHL to play it out

So are you suggesting that Franson won't be re-signed?


If JB is all about skating, then he has some heavy lifting ahead of him - re: Moulson, Larsson, etc. Even Rhino isn't the swiftest skater.
- SabreWest

Not everyone has to skate like the wind
But if the level of skating is detrimental to the point where the prospect likely won't make the NHL... then why bother wasting a contract on him?

So are you suggesting that Franson won't be re-signed?


If JB is all about skating, then he has some heavy lifting ahead of him - re: Moulson, Larsson, etc. Even Rhino isn't the swiftest skater.
- SabreWest

does this mean we aren't in on the Alzner sweeps?

Reinhart for Ekholm....Nashville needs a future #2 behind Johansson; we need a partner for Risto.

Picks may be included to sweeten the pot one way or another

Reinhart for Ekholm....Nashville needs a future #2 behind Johansson; we need a partner for Risto.

Picks may be included to sweeten the pot one way or another
- feetontheair22

Yes. But they wont do it.

Ekholm has a sweet contract.

Yes. But they wont do it.

Ekholm has a sweet contract.
- sbroads24

Are they going to protect 4 D?

Ellis
Josi
PK
Ek

Guess they go 8FD / 1G : 0/1

Forsberg
Neal
Smith
Jarnkrok or Wilson

Besides PK, all of their defenseman have great deals, IMO.

Doubt he'll get called up

Bailey or Baptiste are probably in Rochester, maybe both
Plus Nylander, Rodrigues & Fasching would get called up ahead of him

But anyways...
my point is that there's guys out there like Schneider that can be signed to AHL deals who won't count against our 50 contract limit

Better to sign guys like that,
then to sign draft picks u don't think will work out
- jdfitz77

I think it would depend if Bailey/Baptiste are up with the big club already or not. Gio may go. D-Lo should go. E-Rod is a center. If Gio/D-Lo are gone then Bailey/Baptiste are probably the replacements, then the only AHL call ups we would have left with any real talent are Nylander/Fasching. Judging by how many injuries we had last year this could leave us in a precarious position.

I understand wanting to protect your contracts though. It's a tweener for me, I can see why you lean that way though.

New blog, nerds.
- jochfr

Thanks for saving me

Are they going to protect 4 D?

Ellis
Josi
PK
Ek

Guess they go 8FD / 1G : 0/1

Forsberg
Neal
Smith
Jarnkrok or Wilson

Besides PK, all of their defenseman have great deals, IMO.
- jochfr

Nashville will definitely go 4-4-1
You've got the forwards wrong though

Forsberg, Johansen, Arvedsson...
and then either Neal or Jarnkrok

I'm thinking they might trade Neal & protect Jarnkrok
Jarnkrok is young, under contract at a great price, and their 2nd best center
Fisher in like 37 or 38
Neal has 1 year left on his deal...
so going forward they'd probably want the young center instead of the winger who's gonna need a big new contract

That's just my guess though