Practice lines were:

Sheary-Eichel-Reinhart
Skinner-Mittelstadt-Okposo
Elie-Sobatka-Thompson
Girgensons-Rodrigues-Pominville

Defense the same
- jdfitz77

Thx

Talent-wise you are probably right. Having so many young Swedes on this team though, and having a guy they've all probably looked up to as kids doesn't hurt for now (shrug). ~4M in 3 years might (probably) look gross, but like I said before there are gross contracts on most teams. It's about keeping them to a minimum.
- SDSabre

Next year,
Sobatka & Berglund are SLOW 4th liners for us

Anyone that finds that attractive is crazy

Thx
- jcragcrumple

No worries

StL has seen this coming
They moved him to the wing bc he wasn’t playing well at Center
Now, we are asking him to take on the tough defensive assignments at the position he hadn’t even been playing

He doesn’t suck
But he’s slow
Has little to no playmaking skill
And we are stuck with him for 4 years

It’s fine if he scores 15-20goals for us
But i doubt that happens

So whether or not i wanna call it a Cap Dump...
these are the types of players/contracts we all want gone
And while there may have been arguments for moving ROR (which i obviously disagree with)
There really aren’t any good arguments for bringing in Sobatka & Berglund

Tell me u wouldn’t replace them with Asplund & Nylander RIGHT NOW
I’ll bet ya almost everyone here would
- jdfitz77

I mean, this is kind of rich coming from the guy who claims we can fit everyone under the sun under the cap.

It’s a bad contract bc he has an NTC,
and it lasts for 3 more years after this

- jdfitz77

It is a MNTC. 20 team NTC this year and a 15 team the remainder of his contract. Doesn't seem to be a big deal. Guys with NTC are dealt all the time.

Im probably guilty of poor logic or communication here but to me, BUF paying the bonus means that they won't take on a bad deal, thats positive value. But, as you mentioned, the deal doesn't work unless Berglund is moved as well. Now, they could move him to a different team to create that space, but the return likely involves a contract they dont want coming back. My personal opinion is that the Blues didnt want to move both Thompson and their first. I think they did it because it was the easiest way to a)add talent, b)get rid of both contracts c)not take on a deal they didn't want

I do agree with your conclusion because I believe once the bonus is paid out and Berglund goes in a separate deal both sides stand firm. Im also of the opinion that the isles wouldn't have gotten involved. After taking the hit with Tavares leaving, moving assets for ROR would have just set them back long term.
- Sabresfan-365

Aww makes more sense when fully laid out. Yeah, I just don't see either side blinking and ROR still a Sabre if that's how it played out. Pegula isn't hurting for cash though, so it would have probably fallen to him if he were to pay the bonus and then trade him after the fact. Another team may have jumped in (only reason I said NYI is because there was discussion about one of their picks until Wahlstrum and Dobson fell.) I don't think STL had this thought that they were the only team bidding. As for whether Berglund is a dump or not, personally I say no now, with the reservation that it could be in 2/3 years (which doesn't make him a dump, semantics but whatever)

If it goes that badly (I don't think it will) - buying him out next year is $2m for 2 years, and $1m for 3 years after that. If they wait another year, it goes down.
- jcragcrumple

That’s a fair point

But when u consider what we got back for ROR, it just sucks

Berglund & Sobatka are both guys we could do without
And i didn’t like that Thompson was the young player we got
We really couldn’t get someone better from them when we were taking Sobatka AND Berglund off their hands?
Then we shouldn’t have made the deal

7:45 89 throws yet another Direct TV remote after another bad goal.

That’s a fair point

But when u consider what we got back for ROR, it just sucks

Berglund & Sobatka are both guys we could do without
And i didn’t like that Thompson was the young player we got
We really couldn’t get someone better from them when we were taking Sobatka AND Berglund off their hands?
Then we shouldn’t have made the deal
- jdfitz77

Bills promoted WR Cam Phillips from the practice squad.

An UDFA out of Virginia Tech, Phillips caught just two balls for 12 yards during the preseason. In terms of snap opportunities, the Bills are not a bad offense to get promoted to. In terms of production odds, they are at the bottom.



Yep, that should fix the problem.

Next year,
Sobatka & Berglund are SLOW 4th liners for us

Anyone that finds that attractive is crazy
- jdfitz77

I don't think anyone is saying that they are the long term solutions. I just think there's a little bit of hyperbole going on here. Are either blazers? No. Are either insanely slow? I don't think so from what I've watched. Could they be in one year? maybe. Am I worried about 2 bottom line guys that combined to make 7.5M in a year where we won't sniff a playoff run, especially when one is gone the following year? Not at all.

Aww makes more sense when fully laid out. Yeah, I just don't see either side blinking and ROR still a Sabre if that's how it played out. Pegula isn't hurting for cash though, so it would have probably fallen to him if he were to pay the bonus and then trade him after the fact. Another team may have jumped in (only reason I said NYI is because there was discussion about one of their picks until Wahlstrum and Dobson fell.) I don't think STL had this thought that they were the only team bidding. As for whether Berglund is a dump or not, personally I say no now, with the reservation that it could be in 2/3 years (which doesn't make him a dump, semantics but whatever)
- SDSabre

The whalstrom fall helped seal it at least in my mind. We'll never really know who else was fully in it so my theory falls a little short there. I just based it off what we had heard, which is not much.

I agree he's probably not a cap dump now, but it's a deal id hope they'd consider moving a year or so from now. Having a 32/33 year old Berglund at 3.85 mil while you're trying to win doesn't sound ideal.

The whalstrom fall helped seal it at least in my mind. We'll never really know who else was fully in it so my theory falls a little short there. I just based it off what we had heard, which is not much.

I agree he's probably not a cap dump now, but it's a deal id hope they'd consider moving a year or so from now. Having a 32/33 year old Berglund at 3.85 mil while you're trying to win doesn't sound ideal.
- Sabresfan-365

I wouldn’t get the panties in a knot until we see where St.Louis finishes this year. We might be picking twice in the top 15 in another very good draft this year. And yes Sobotka and Berglund are meh but Sobotka is gone after next year and Berglund can play LW in the bottom 6 and not be completely terrible. St.Louis is stuck with that 7.5M cap hit for the next 5 years.

I don't think anyone is saying that they are the long term solutions. I just think there's a little bit of hyperbole going on here. Are either blazers? No. Are either insanely slow? I don't think so from what I've watched. Could they be in one year? maybe. Am I worried about 2 bottom line guys that combined to make 7.5M in a year where we won't sniff a playoff run, especially when one is gone the following year? Not at all.
- SDSabre

Nah dude, a guy who literally just came off of a 17 goal in 57 game season is undoubtedly going right on our 4th line next year

I mean, this is kind of rich coming from the guy who claims we can fit everyone under the sun under the cap.
- sbroads24

So that means we should want bad contracts?

If he was playing well defensively,
and could at least get 15goals...
then i guess ok
But it sure doesn’t look like he’s trending in that direction

And it sucks bc we are potentially stuck with a SLOW player who’s not good in the role we need him to fill for the next FOUR YEARS

U wanna lose another bet, let me know
There’s zero chance he gets to that 20goals per 82games average with us

I didn’t like when we acquired him,
and i really don’t like it now
If I’m wrong about him, I’ll take the heat

It is a MNTC. 20 team NTC this year and a 15 team the remainder of his contract. Doesn't seem to be a big deal. Guys with NTC are dealt all the time.
- adambuffalo

Well if NYI or MTL or whoever wants him...
then I’d move him ASAP
Bc if he struggles like this all year,
then we’re gonna be stuck for 3 more with him

- sbroads24

Laugh all you want

You’re on board saying Berglund is fast,
and talking about him as a 20goal guy

Well... he’s slow af
And not gonna get 20goals with us
No chance at all

So that means we should want bad contracts?

If he was playing well defensively,
and could at least get 15goals...
then i guess ok
But it sure doesn’t look like he’s trending in that direction

And it sucks bc we are potentially stuck with a SLOW player who’s not good in the role we need him to fill for the next FOUR YEARS

U wanna lose another bet, let me know
There’s zero chance he gets to that 20goals per 82games average with us

I didn’t like when we acquired him,
and i really don’t like it now
If I’m wrong about him, I’ll take the heat
- jdfitz77

He is a 3.85 cap hit. He scored 17 goals last year in 57 games. Can play C/LW.

He isn't even a top 5 bad contract on this team right now

Bills promoted WR Cam Phillips from the practice squad.

An UDFA out of Virginia Tech, Phillips caught just two balls for 12 yards during the preseason. In terms of snap opportunities, the Bills are not a bad offense to get promoted to. In terms of production odds, they are at the bottom.


Yep, that should fix the problem.
- SABRES 89

I don’t think there are any options available mid-season that are going to “fix the problem”

It’s gonna be tough to watch this offense the rest of the year
Especially if they trade McCoy

That’s a fair point

But when u consider what we got back for ROR, it just sucks

Berglund & Sobatka are both guys we could do without
And i didn’t like that Thompson was the young player we got
We really couldn’t get someone better from them when we were taking Sobatka AND Berglund off their hands?
Then we shouldn’t have made the deal
- jdfitz77

I just want to point out that ROR has 0 goals, 2 even-strength points, and 2 primary points (goal or first assist) in 6 games played. Is this pace going to continue? Idk, probably not, I'm guessing you'd say. But then why can't Berglund start playing a little better up to his standard as well. My point is it's a little premature to write anybody (except Larsson, that guy SUUUCCKS) off just quite yet with the turnover and what I'd imagine is a semi-new team concept.

I just want to point out that ROR has 0 goals, 2 even-strength points, and 2 primary points (goal or first assist) in 6 games played. Is this pace going to continue? Idk, probably not, I'm guessing you'd say. But then why can't Berglund start playing a little better up to his standard as well. My point is it's a little premature to write anybody (except Larsson, that guy SUUUCCKS) off just quite yet with the turnover and what I'd imagine is a semi-new team concept.
- SDSabre

And he leads the league in depressing quotes

And he leads the league in depressing quotes
- sbroads24

Is rocking like a 64 FO%. Showing up in the standings I hear.

He is a 3.85 cap hit. He scored 17 goals last year in 57 games. Can play C/LW.

He isn't even a top 5 bad contract on this team right now
- sbroads24

1) it’s still a bad contract bc of the length,
and it’s not gonna look better as the years go by
2) u keep talking about what he did in StL,
like he’s gonna repeat it here...
not happening though dude

It’s not about the Cap Hit
It’s about having a player who isn’t gonna help us all that much

I’d rather have Nylander in the lineup

1) it’s still a bad contract bc of the length,
and it’s not gonna look better as the years go by
2) u keep talking about what he did in StL,
like he’s gonna repeat it here...
not happening though dude

It’s not about the Cap Hit
It’s about having a player who isn’t gonna help us all that much

I’d rather have Nylander in the lineup
- jdfitz77

Like I said before, on a pure talent level sure. How do you feel about ROR's contract and how it'll look in 3 years? He's not gonna suddenly gain wheels in the next couple of years and wasn't the fastest guy to begin with.

Berglund sucks.

For whatever reason in game 1 period vs. The Bruins, he couldn't hustle to save a few seconds, with the Sabres in an offensive zone faceoff.

That pretty much did it for me.

Game 1 period 1 he showed quit.

Not what the Sabres need