That was me.

This is me.
- CaptainRivet

I knew it was captain something, couldn't remember the Rivet part. But I got the Great Gazoo part. Give me some credit. I can't remember what I ate for lunch today.

Ottawa looked good in the playoffs, but barely squeaked by in the regular season... they're no sure thing imo

Everything went right for the Leafs... I listen to Fan590 radio outta Toronto, and there's been multiple times they've said the places could've easily been switched if it was us that stayed healthy & them who had all the injuries

I know Montreal won the division, but their defense seems average, and their offense seems average (maybe below even)... can Price continue to carry them? I think they're in the group who either just make it or just miss next year

Gotta think Tampa bounces back. They should win the division.

Florida has a lot of questions to be answered before I'll put them back in the playoffs... especially who their starting goalie is next year, & if it's Luongo, how much longer can he be effective. He's 38

I think Boston drops out too, but if their young defensemen step up big for them they could make a run.

Detroit is in a world of hurt... they should start a tank/rebuild asap

It all depends on how we upgrade the defense imo
Buffalo gets 1 more solid top4 guy & we contend
Two top4 guys & I think we are in for sure
2 defensemen & a legit winger for Jack (Nash, Jenner, etc) and we could potentially battle for the division


We aren't as far away as it seems
Ottawa took the Pens to game7 OT for a chance to go to the Cup
Were they much better than us when the playoffs started?
I don't think so
- jdfitz77

We should lower expectations anyways. new management, philosophy, coaching strategy and new players (and young players) coming in

Botterill is going to get busy reshaping this team.

New coach, new players, new style of play and new attitude.

I think the team will be more fun to watch next year, but I don't see the Sabres in the playoffs right away.

Tampa Bay and Florida are more likely than we are to join the playoff race, and I don't see 3 of the 4 teams that made it this year falling out next year.

IN - Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Tampa Bay, Florida

OUT - Boston, Detroit, Buffalo

Hopefully Botterill will have all the pieces in place for a serious run by 2018-2019.
- Losman

I think one of Ottawa, Montreal misses the playoffs next year. Possibly both. Both of them are contingent upon 100% healthy and on their game goaltenders and I can see Anderson finally regressing and Price being injured on and off.

Boston, Detroit, Buffalo out, though. Agree. I can see 5 Metropolitan teams making it next year over 5 Atlantic.

I knew it was captain something, couldn't remember the Rivet part. But I got the Great Gazoo part. Give me some credit. I can't remember what I ate for lunch today.
- Wetbandit1

Huge if true. e3 possibly an e4 by this time tomorrow.

More after the break...

Mismash(LW) and Oettinger(G) standout


- Sabresfan-365

I wouldn't go goalie in first round.

I like Toloven. He seems fairly solid player, if we trade down that is.

IF the sabres are in a win now mode, which I'm not sure they are, I could see an offer of our 1st and MIN 2nd to LV for to take Moulse in the expansion draft while sending us back a top dman than MIN or ANA can't protect. This team really isn't that far away from contending. Adding A Brodin type dman, along with Antipin an Guhle arguably infuses us with two top 4 dmen and a 5-6 dman. Use the Moulsen money for a PK forward, and we're talking contention.
- turbo044

We aren't far off. Only reason we weren't in the playoffs this past season was because of Dan Bylsma and his horrible system.

Guhle IMHO should start in the AHL unless he is just unreal in camp. Botterill is a guy that wants to develop his prospects right.

We should lower expectations anyways. new management, philosophy, coaching strategy and new players (and young players) coming in
- Sabresfan-365

Did Bale end up playing today?

We aren't far off. Only reason we weren't in the playoffs this past season was because of Dan Bylsma and his horrible system.

Guhle IMHO should start in the AHL unless he is just unreal in camp. Botterill is a guy that wants to develop his prospects right.
- Jammerz04

LOL .... yeah right.

We aren't far off. Only reason we weren't in the playoffs this past season was because of Dan Bylsma and his horrible system.

Guhle IMHO should start in the AHL unless he is just unreal in camp. Botterill is a guy that wants to develop his prospects right.
- Jammerz04

Injuries hurt us too...
but I agree for the most part

Very important offseason though
Hopefully we can get 2 more defensemen so there's no pressure to have Guhle up here to start
He's probably capable, but playing the big minutes in Rochester will be a good thing for his development

Another type of "talks" that could be going on...

McPhee: "hey Botts, I know u guys need defensemen, who do u like?"
Botterill: "well, depending who's exposed, the Ducks & Wild have a few"
McPhee: "Minny is willing to give me a 2nd & prospect to not take Brodin...
What will you give me for him if we do take him?"
- jdfitz77

Could be but at the same time. You would think Minnesota will want to trade Brodin to another team and at least get some decent value for him and lose a lesser player in the expansion draft if Vegas won't agree to not taking him. I don't see many players like him end up being exposed bare. If teams can trade to avoid losing a nice player for free it makes sense to. Gonna be another busy month for hockey after the Cup

Did Bale end up playing today?
- Wetbandit1

yeah subbed on 77th min. Madrid has numbed the pain that Murray inflicted over the last few years. This was peak Ronaldo

yeah subbed on 77th min. Madrid has numbed the pain that Murray inflicted over the last few years. This was peak Ronaldo
- Sabresfan-365

That's gotta be cool for him.

I thought I saw that Ronaldo had 2 when I looked at like the 70th minute, but I've had a migraine all day, so I'm not sure if I'm remembering correctly. He get another?

Kings interested in trading for Evander Kane per Elliott Friedman.
- mattsox

As people said "not much I want from them", well there is not much I want either, maybe their first this year and something, but that's the point. LA says"we want Kane" but has next to nothing to trade.

How about us saying, we want Drouin, Landeskog, Duchene, Fowler, Ovechkin, or whomever. We don't have much to offer for those guys, yet we want them.

Basically saying Kane has little value, which I wish was different. (Still think someone could send a D man for Kane and something else when their bank is against the wall)

As people said "not much I want from them", well there is not much I want either, maybe their first this year and something, but that's the point. LA says"we want Kane" but has next to nothing to trade.

How about us saying, we want Drouin, Landeskog, Duchene, Fowler, Ovechkin, or whomever. We don't have much to offer for those guys, yet we want them.

Basically saying Kane has little value, which I wish was different. (Still think someone could send a D man for Kane and something else when their bank is against the wall)
- Lilroot9

Kane + #8 for Toffolli. Let's get this party started.

Injuries hurt us too...
but I agree for the most part


- jdfitz77

team was healthy after their break, within striking distance and they folded (losing to yotes, colorado, etc)

they need IMO 1 or 2 more difference makers on the back end, and a legit top 6 winger (2 if they move kane)


can this team take a spot from boston with upgrades, yes
can this team take a spot from the sens with upgrades, yes

problem is tampa, florida, islanders, canes and even the flyers could make big strides this year as well

Kane + #8 for Toffolli. Let's get this party started.
- Hatboro_Swords

toffoli in 2016-17
16 goals, 18 helpers


sam reinhart
17 goals, 30 helpers

skunk did play 18 more games

Kane + #8 for Toffolli. Let's get this party started.
- Hatboro_Swords

No way. Sorry.

No way. Sorry.
- Lilroot9

As long as it isn't Muzzin.

I want moulson gone but not if it means Minny's 54 pick. We need to keep and develop all 1st and 2nds. Also, Minny has leveraged their future for a ton of mediocre rentals. Terrible GM decisions there

That was me.

This is me.
- CaptainRivet

Legend

That's gotta be cool for him.

I thought I saw that Ronaldo had 2 when I looked at like the 70th minute, but I've had a migraine all day, so I'm not sure if I'm remembering correctly. He get another?
- Wetbandit1

No you were right 2 for Ronaldo. His performance in the big games was just something else

toffoli in 2016-17
16 goals, 18 helpers


sam reinhart
17 goals, 30 helpers

skunk did play 18 more games
- homiedclown

Kane for Martinez?

random sunday thought


move foligno, bring in paajarvi.

Another poopty day in Florida nothing but rain at least it's not that disgusting cold rain

random sunday thought


move foligno, bring in paajarvi.
- Sabresfan-365

Why Foligno has actually outproduced Paajarvi, how does this help us?