I forgot, they resigned Marchessault already. 5 mill per.
- SABRES 89

Did they? Didn't see that. Tampa Bay giving him away. Christ. I can't imagine how Columbus fan feels

I agree with that, not sure what Neal brings to the table these days, but I suppose it would be a reasonable contract.

Not to sidetrack, but I think JB and Phil like having Pommer in the locker room. I think he stays another year.
- TheSabresTaco

I'm sure he will be here.

Did they? Didn't see that. Tampa Bay giving him away. Christ.
- TheSabresTaco

Florida.

Florida.
- SABRES 89

Thaaat's right. Tampa gave him away to FL. Two awesome GMs right there.

So Incognito is retiring now?

With all the young guys we have coming in,
I don’t see where they’d fit

A guy like Pouliot doesn’t make sense
Only makes sense bringing in a UFA is of its someone like JvR that’s gonna knock guys down the depth chart
- jdfitz77

I know how much you like the prospects and feel they are owed something. They aren't. He's going to give Phil some veterans to work with. There will be competition in camp, and they won't all make the team.

Darcy said CULTURE didn't he? he said SUFFERING and PATIENCE also, this song keeps playing.
- SABRES 89

I remember that latter two words. I guess it matters who the guy saying it is. I won't celebrate Botts for using my current favorite buzz word yet, but I just hope he follows through. And I pray he sees this poop.

I have a feeling he does, which may be a reason he didn't engage talks with Kane.

I don't believe in the speculation that Pegula's didn't want him. I guess no one knows for sure. But moving on from Kane seemed like a culture move to me. Get away from the me-first guys.

I know how much you like the prospects and feel they are owed something. They aren't. He's going to give Phil some veterans to work with. There will be competition in camp, and they won't all make the team.
- Lunaion

I'm glad we brought a couple guys up at the end of the season. Housley said they earned their looks. But all those young guys need a strong veteran leadership core. Pominville and Eichel and Sad Ryan don't cut it.

Beaulieu isn't RFA, he has another year.

I think Nelson is RFA. No one seems to know for sure.
- Lunaion

Inquiring minds want to know......

Look at the bigger picture. Its not just one player saying it.
- ImThatGuy

That's his point, the players are blaming each other instead of taking personal responsibility.

Chad Johnson was done in his first game of the year, that Devils game where he got shelled and looked like he didn't give a (frank) where he gave token effort to make a save.

blog is old.

Nylander continues down this path and has a strong summer, optimism for him will sky rocket. Mittelstadt needs a strong summer and camp to show he can not only produce, but be a game changer, or for you guys with a hard-on for this phrase, "move the needle"
- TheSabresTaco

I’m talking more for the future and not necessarily next year
Although we could get some real nice production from those guys (and others) next season

Obviously that’s tbd still

The Sabres culture is losing.
In 47 years, they have how many good seasons?
Several in 70’s and 80’s, a couple in the late 90’s, and two of o5 and 06 seasons.
So, roughly let’s say 11sh, 15 on the high side (without checking).

30 some odd years of sucking...that IS their culture.
- IonSabres

29 playoff appearances in 47 seasons.

6 conference finals(or equivalent) or better.

On a side note the NHL should just go back to this as their playoff format:

https://en.wikipedia.org/...1980_Stanley_Cup_playoffs

I agree with that, not sure what Neal brings to the table these days, but I suppose it would be a reasonable contract.

Not to sidetrack, but I think JB and Phil like having Pommer in the locker room. I think he stays another year.
- TheSabresTaco

Is he the “leader” this team needs?
20+ goals, gritty/physical (some would say scumbag)... i think he’s 29 though

I know how much you like the prospects and feel they are owed something. They aren't. He's going to give Phil some veterans to work with. There will be competition in camp, and they won't all make the team.
- Lunaion

It’s not that i think they’ll all work out
Just makes sense to see if guys like Bailey, Baptiste & Rodrigues can help
As they may be part of the future...
whereas a guy like Pouliot doesn’t bring much to the table
Only reason he was signed this year (imo) is bc Botts wanted all the kids to start in Rochester this year

29 playoff appearances in 47 seasons.

6 conference finals(or equivalent) or better.

On a side note the NHL should just go back to this as their playoff format:

https://en.wikipedia.org/...1980_Stanley_Cup_playoffs
- Wetbandit1

I hate the 1-16 idea
I would like to see it go back to 1-8 for each conference though

Would it be the same “group” though?

Guys expected to be on the roster next year, who didn’t start there this year...

Mittelstadt
Guhle
Nelson
Rodrigues
Bailey
Baptiste
Ullmark
1st round pick this year

Now I’m not saying Baptiste & Bailey are gonna score 25 goals,
but OVERALL...
We are adding a lot of
-talent
-SPEED
-fresh attitudes

Yeah, we still had some sh!tty games in the 2nd half
But we also beat Tampa, Toronto & Boston-
without Eichel & Kane
And we had a number of other impressive victories as well (Toronto again, the Caps, etc)

So while i get everyone’s frustration...
I’ve also seen signs that this team has a chance to make some major improvements

Does that mean i think a guy like O’Reilly should be “untouchable”
No, absolutely not
But he’s a good player
And imo, there’s ppl on this board who are WAY too harsh on him

Especially with this leadership BS

Why didn’t the Sabres name a Captain this year?
Imo, it seeems obvious that they want Jack to be that guy but didn’t think he was ready

So where’s the outcry for our golden boy to step up?
Seems like he’s getting a pass, while everybody dumps on O’Reilly

Of course the locker room isn’t great
We were 31st
And while ppl wanna say a bad locker room is a product of a lack of leadership...
I’d say the lack of winning is the actual cause of a bad locker room

And u can be the best leader in the world...
But that’s not gonna make our guys more talented passers or shooters
And yelling at them, i mean “holding them accountable” doesn’t make their skill level raise either

I’m not saying leadership doesn’t matter
I’m saying that it’s WAY overblown on here
I’m saying our biggest issue is lack of talent
I’m saying we have a lot of talent coming
And finally,
I’m saying we are moving in the right direction

I know another finish 31st makes it seem like we aren’t...
but adding EIGHT talented young players is gonna help

Now if there’s a good trade to be made in addition to adding all the young guys...
great
As long as it makes us better & isn’t a Kane-like return
- jdfitz77

I don’t post gifs nor pics...
But imagine a Trump face...now with the
“Wrong.”

No offense, but those statements make me believe you have never been part of a leadership group, or been impacted by one.
Scream, yelling ain’t leadership, so it is obvious my statement above is true because this is like the 6th time you correlate leadership to some harsh, oppressive style.
Getting in peoples faces when poop isn’t going right doesn’t need to be yelling or screaming...it could be a quiet conversation...many, many ways to lead.

It is clear no ONE, not savior Jack is ready to lead this team, you are right...and you answered your own question...this team is rudderless because there is no respected leadership group.
Just like Colorado last year...yet McKinnon stepped up and led in his way.
Jack seems to want to do the same...I say let’s watch him and see...he has improved his game dramatically...maybe maturation is next.

I could go on and on, how anyone thinks leadership and accountability is overplayed is, well...sorry clueless.

Edit...ooops on the Bolding in my reply previously, I turned off as it wasn’t meant to be yelling...I use caps for that

fitzy, do u use a computer, or type from your phone?