Absolutely not. The Leafs aren't moving their 20 yr old franchise center unless they think they're getting a franchise center back, plus interest for a risk they don't need to take.

That conversation begins and ends with Eichel, but most likely there's no conversation at all.
- jcragcrumple

Why? Why even think about it? I know you're an ignorant Toronto fan, but do you really think, I mean really really really think the Sabres would trade Eichel? The answer is not even close, unless the player in return was Mcdavid. That's it and only it.
This is why other fan bases can't stand Maple Leaf fans. Because you come up with ignorant, ridiculous theories, based on your delusional sense of "self-worth" in regards to your Leafs! Just stop it!

I hope they sign skunk to a bridge deal...not sure if i'd give up on him yet
- Michael Pachla

X2. There's absolutely no reason to give up on him. He and his management have no leverage. He can either be a cheap surprise or clear waivers and go to Rochester if he totally sucks. He aint making bank this deal, thats for sure.

Everyone in the bottom six not named Rodrigues, and really him too, should be cast into Mount Doom in Mordor.

22, 26, 28, Nolan, 20, 10, Pouliot (I'd like home back), 29
- jcragcrumple

I’m ready for some of the young guys to take some roster spots here

I think Mittelstadt will probably be here
(I wouldn’t be shocked if Botts starts him in Rochester though)

Can Nylander finish strong & get a good look?
Are we drafting a forward who’s ready right away?

Rodrigues, Bailey, Baptiste, Smith & Fasching...
who does Botts see as staying with us,
and who does he move?
They’re all pretty much “ready” imo

That’s 8 potentiality new forwards

And then there’s Asplund & Olofsson who are coming over from Sweden...
do they have a shot at making the roster?

And Cliff Pu is turning pro too


Botts has some interesting decisions to make
I’m thinking (at least) a couple of these guys get traded

Why? Why even think about it? I know you're an ignorant Toronto fan, but do you really think, I mean really really really think the Sabres would trade Eichel? The answer is not even close, unless the player in return was Mcdavid. That's it and only it.
This is why other fan bases can't stand Maple Leaf fans. Because you come up with ignorant, ridiculous theories, based on your delusional sense of "self-worth" in regards to your Leafs! Just stop it!
- Dukey3030

Dude, I'm a sabres fan. Been on this board for a couple years. The Leafs have zero incentive to trade their franchise center

Everyone in the bottom six not named Rodrigues, and really him too, should be cast into Mount Doom in Mordor.

22, 26, 28, Nolan, 20, 10, Pouliot (I'd like home back), 29
- jcragcrumple

there's no reason to turn over the entire bottom-six...every team is gonna need some pluggers...except for 26 and 29, they're all pretty cheap and what are you going to replace them with?

It’s all about the value for me.

I have 0 doubts Sam will score 20g-40p going forward in his career.

If you’re making a lateral move in a trade, do it because you need speed.

Or do it because you can get someone unproven with a higher ceiling
- sbroads24

Fair point

Hot lips Hoolihan was a green light.
- Der Kaiser

As was the custom at the time.

Why? Why even think about it? I know you're an ignorant Toronto fan, but do you really think, I mean really really really think the Sabres would trade Eichel? The answer is not even close, unless the player in return was Mcdavid. That's it and only it.
This is why other fan bases can't stand Maple Leaf fans. Because you come up with ignorant, ridiculous theories, based on your delusional sense of "self-worth" in regards to your Leafs! Just stop it!
- Dukey3030

1) He’s a Sabres fan

2) he’s saying the Leafs aren’t gonna trade Matthews (just like we wouldn’t trade Eichel)


Step off the ledge

there's no reason to turn over the entire bottom-six...every team is gonna need some pluggers...except for 26 and 29, they're all pretty cheap and what are you going to replace them with?
- Michael Pachla

I wouldn’t hate a line that looks like
Bailey-Rodrigues-Baptiste

Or something like that?

I’d like to see some kids get a shot over players like Griffith, Criscuolo, Nolan, Josefson, etc etc

there's no reason to turn over the entire bottom-six...every team is gonna need some pluggers...except for 26 and 29, they're all pretty cheap and what are you going to replace them with?
- Michael Pachla

I think Bailey, Baptiste, erod, pouliot (if we can get him back) even Fasching who I'm not a huge fan of, would be a big improvement. The bottom six with the exception of Pouliot cannot score without Eichel, and they've gotten too comfortable. Plus, all those guys I mentioned earlier just aren't good. Let's swap them out for fresh blood. It would actually be hard to do worse

I think Bailey, Baptiste, erod, pouliot (if we can get him back) even Fasching who I'm not a huge fan of, would be a big improvement. The bottom six with the exception of Pouliot cannot score without Eichel, and they've gotten too comfortable. Plus, all those guys I mentioned earlier just aren't good. Let's swap them out for fresh blood. It would actually be hard to do worse
- jcragcrumple

A good 3rd line center is needed.

(Might Be ROR depending on how good CM is)

YES

Probably gonna take a 7 x 7 deal
He’s out scoring Erik Karlsson so far this year (38pts to 31)
Only Burns (41pts) & Kilingberg (48pts) are ahead of him

And unlike Shattenkirk,
Carlson can actually play in his own end

Even if we won the lotto, I’d still go after him
Imagine this defense:

Dahlin-Carlson
Scandella-Ristolainen
Guhle-McCabe
Antipin

Trade Bogosian & Beaulieu
- jdfitz77

I usually agree and like your responses, but you kinda sound like a Maple Leaf fan here...

1) He’s a Sabres fan

2) he’s saying the Leafs aren’t gonna trade Matthews (just like we wouldn’t trade Eichel)


Step off the ledge
- jdfitz77

It's extremely annoying. One day I hope to actually get an answer as to why they (most of them, not all) are so delusional.

And step off the ledge? Lol. Okay buddy. I'll make sure I don't kill myself... Thanks for the advice!

I usually agree and like your responses, but you kinda sound like a Maple Leaf fan here...
- Dukey3030

U really have something against Leafs fans

I admit,
it’s a “pie in the sky” idea

In all seriousness though...

Is winning the lotto & getting Dahlin, plus Mittelstadt coming, enough to entice any of the big free agents to wanna come here?

Probably not,
but I’m trying to stay hopeful here

A good 3rd line center is needed.

(Might Be ROR depending on how good CM is)
- sbroads24

Homie thinks Mittelstadt will play wing
If that’s so...
Asplund, Rodrigues, or possibly bring someone in would seem to be our options for 3C
Or give Reinhart another shot with some better wingers

I wouldn’t hate a line that looks like
Bailey-Rodrigues-Baptiste

Or something like that?

I’d like to see some kids get a shot over players like Griffith, Criscuolo, Nolan, Josefson, etc etc
- jdfitz77

i'd like to see at least one of bailey or baptiste be a fixture in the top six...as for the rest, I know it's contrarian, but I like Nolan and wilson

It's extremely annoying. One day I hope to actually get an answer as to why they (most of them, not all) are so delusional.

And step off the ledge? Lol. Okay buddy. I'll make sure I don't kill myself... Thanks for the advice!
- Dukey3030

Holy jumpin man, I'm a sabres fan. I'm saying no team is going to acquire a franchise center. No one is getting their mitts on Eichel or Matthews. The best caliber center you can trade for is Duchene or Johansen.

I think Bailey, Baptiste, erod, pouliot (if we can get him back) even Fasching who I'm not a huge fan of, would be a big improvement. The bottom six with the exception of Pouliot cannot score without Eichel, and they've gotten too comfortable. Plus, all those guys I mentioned earlier just aren't good. Let's swap them out for fresh blood. It would actually be hard to do worse
- jcragcrumple

bailey, baptiste and Fasching haven't developed enough to stick in the NHL to this point in their careers and erod is stuck right now...if they do, than, yes, by all means bring them in

It's extremely annoying. One day I hope to actually get an answer as to why they (most of them, not all) are so delusional.

And step off the ledge? Lol. Okay buddy. I'll make sure I don't kill myself... Thanks for the advice!
- Dukey3030

Dude...
u did snap there

So much so that u thought a Sabres fan was a Leafs fan

bailey, baptiste and Fasching haven't developed enough to stick in the NHL to this point in their careers and erod is stuck right now...if they do, than, yes, by all means bring them in
- Michael Pachla

We’ve seen them be effective here at times

I wonder if Botts was just hell bent on keeping all the kids in Rochester this year no matter what?

i'd like to see at least one of bailey or baptiste be a fixture in the top six...as for the rest, I know it's contrarian, but I like Nolan and wilson
- Michael Pachla

I’m “fine” with Nolan & Wilson
But i guess I’m just trying to look forward & i see that bringing up the Rochester kids could have a bigger impact in the future

We know what we have in Wilson & Nolan
imo, decent 4th liners

The kids have a chance to be more,
so I’d like to find out
Tough to do if they don’t get a chance though

If they fail,
we’ll always be able to sign another “Nolan” type player

bailey, baptiste and Fasching haven't developed enough to stick in the NHL to this point in their careers and erod is stuck right now...if they do, than, yes, by all means bring them in
- Michael Pachla

I'm fine with threading them in piecemeal too. I personally think Baptiste is as ready as he'll ever be, but he needs top 6 or at least top 9.

My bigger point is that everyone in that bottom six has been so disappointing. We'd be at least as well off by swapping our bottom 6 for any random team's bottom 6. Girgs is decent with Eichel, but that's not a long term situation, and he disappears into falling pirouettes when hes off that line. Nolan is a throwback to a day when it was acceptable to carry a forward who finishes with 6 points on the year. Larsson lost his pest identity. Pominville was a scorer 5 years ago. Moulson (nuff said), Wilson has been OK, totally fine with him as the extra forward. Josefson was OK but hurt and replaceable.

The Sabres would do well to ship any and all these guys out and bring in any fresh UFA bottom six talent.

We’ve seen them be effective here at times

I wonder if Botts was just hell bent on keeping all the kids in Rochester this year no matter what?
- jdfitz77

it sure looks that way...kids need development in a proper, winning system to build confidence

I'm fine with threading them in piecemeal too. I personally think Baptiste is as ready as he'll ever be, but he needs top 6 or at least top 9.

My bigger point is that everyone in that bottom six has been so disappointing. We'd be at least as well off by swapping our bottom 6 for any random team's bottom 6. Girgs is decent with Eichel, but that's not a long term situation, and he disappears into falling pirouettes when hes off that line. Nolan is a throwback to a day when it was acceptable to carry a forward who finishes with 6 points on the year. Larsson lost his pest identity. Pominville was a scorer 5 years ago. Moulson (nuff said), Wilson has been OK, totally fine with him as the extra forward. Josefson was OK but hurt and replaceable.

The Sabres would do well to ship any and all these guys out and bring in any fresh UFA bottom six talent.
- jcragcrumple

baptiste will be a good player to watch as far as what this season in Rochester has (or hasn't) done for him.

bailey, baptiste and Fasching haven't developed enough to stick in the NHL to this point in their careers and erod is stuck right now...if they do, than, yes, by all means bring them in
- Michael Pachla

Better start looking into why they haven't yet because Botterill is noticing it. Fasching is a nothing player but Bailey should be way ahead by now and he's not, it's not good.