DVR'd the game...as usual. Just finished watching and had 3 observations :

A pretty decent game to watch.

I'll gladly take the loser point against that team. To me, that's a win.

A mean Risto is a good Risto.

DVR'd the game...as usual. Just finished watching and had 3 observations :

A pretty decent game to watch.

I'll gladly take the loser point against that team. To me, that's a win.

A mean Risto is a good Risto.
- kritter65

Risto brought his A-hole game tonight. He does seem to bring it against Tampa, Toronto and Washington. He needs to bring it against Florida, Carolina and Columbus too. Overall, they played a solid game against the best team in the NHL. Why they can't bring it against Jersey and Florida, who knows why?

Risto brought his A-hole game tonight. He does seem to bring it against Tampa, Toronto and Washington. He needs to bring it against Florida, Carolina and Columbus too. Overall, they played a solid game against the best team in the NHL. Why they can't bring it against Jersey and Florida, who knows why?
- SabreWest

Inconsistent effort from young but talented players signifies one thing, first and foremost: poor leadership.

#nogum

Risto brought his A-hole game tonight. He does seem to bring it against Tampa, Toronto and Washington. He needs to bring it against Florida, Carolina and Columbus too. Overall, they played a solid game against the best team in the NHL. Why they can't bring it against Jersey and Florida, who knows why?
- SabreWest

I'm telling you, Risto hates Russians. His biggest "rivals" are Kucherov and Ovechkin. They're always at each other's throats in every game.

Inconsistent effort from young but talented players signifies one thing, first and foremost: poor leadership.

#nogum
- Der Kaiser

Way to kill the thread, a-hole.

How many posts did the lightning hit tonight? Holy crap.

The scoresheet doesn't show how one-sided this game truly was.

Way to kill the thread, a-hole.
- Wetbandit1

Suck it Bandit

Risto brought his A-hole game tonight. He does seem to bring it against Tampa, Toronto and Washington. He needs to bring it against Florida, Carolina and Columbus too. Overall, they played a solid game against the best team in the NHL. Why they can't bring it against Jersey and Florida, who knows why?
- SabreWest

He was an absolute beast last night and all over Kucherov. It's too bad these teams won't meet in the first round of the playoffs. Not saying we'd win by any means, but it would be a great series. We've developed a bit of a rivalry with Tampa - last night felt like a playoff game.

It's a shame, really. Risto could be the guy that other teams' star players hate to play against. He just doesn't play like last night very often. Too bad, because that Risto is awesome to watch.

Progress in AHL and ECHL is not what GMJB was hired for. That is long term investment. Need immediate improvement in NHL team. So, GMJB is not concerned about improving the team this year (probably because the other teams have enough 4th liners). No assets that other teams want, and will back a coach that cannot figure out how to improve this roster. ANOTHER SEASON DOWN THE DRAIN. Looking at 3 more losses this weekend. GO TAMPA BAY -
- Leaping Liz

Botterrill had made no secret that he believes the best way to build a contender year-in and year-out is to have a strong organization, which means good AHL and ECHL teams. He's said this from day one. His vision is to have a team capable of contending every year, not just creating a team with a two or three-year window to win a Cup and then rebuild again. Botterill's idea is that if the team is a true contender every year, then they will break through in one of those years and win it all.

Despite the recent slide, the team has improved from last year. I wish we could flip the season around and the current slide came in October and November, and the 10-game winning streak was this month. I think many fans would feel very differently about the team if things had played out in that order. It's a very young team, so I'm not really surprised with where they are right now in the standings.

As for trades, I say make one provided it's for a player 26 or younger who still has term on their contract and Botterill believes will help the team beyond this year. Those types of hockey trades have become much more difficult to make during the season. Trading prospects and picks for a rental right now just seems extremely shortsighted.

I get the anger and disappointment though. It's frustrating knowing that the team can play better. However, young teams are usually inconsistent and that's exactly what this team is.

What game were you watching?
- SabreWest

The NHL.com boxscore lists Sobotka as the 2nd Sabre in the shootout. I fell asleep in the 3rd period last night and when I checked the box score this morning I also wondered why the hell pod racer was the 2nd shooter. Just watched the highlights and realized it was actually Mitts.

Botterrill had made no secret that he believes the best way to build a contender year-in and year-out is to have a strong organization, which means good AHL and ECHL teams. He's said this from day one. His vision is to have a team capable of contending every year, not just creating a team with a two or three-year window to win a Cup and then rebuild again. Botterill's idea is that if the team is a true contender every year, then they will break through in one of those years and win it all.

Despite the recent slide, the team has improved from last year. I wish we could flip the season around and the current slide came in October and November, and the 10-game winning streak was this month. I think many fans would feel very differently about the team if things had played out in that order. It's a very young team, so I'm not really surprised with where they are right now in the standings.

As for trades, I say make one provided it's for a player 26 or younger who still has term on their contract and Botterill believes will help the team beyond this year. Those types of hockey trades have become much more difficult to make during the season. Trading prospects and picks for a rental right now just seems extremely shortsighted.

I get the anger and disappointment though. It's frustrating knowing that the team can play better. However, young teams are usually inconsistent and that's exactly what this team is.
- 100goalseason

Literally all of this. Totally agree.

Botterrill had made no secret that he believes the best way to build a contender year-in and year-out is to have a strong organization, which means good AHL and ECHL teams. He's said this from day one. His vision is to have a team capable of contending every year, not just creating a team with a two or three-year window to win a Cup and then rebuild again. Botterill's idea is that if the team is a true contender every year, then they will break through in one of those years and win it all.

Despite the recent slide, the team has improved from last year. I wish we could flip the season around and the current slide came in October and November, and the 10-game winning streak was this month. I think many fans would feel very differently about the team if things had played out in that order. It's a very young team, so I'm not really surprised with where they are right now in the standings.

As for trades, I say make one provided it's for a player 26 or younger who still has term on their contract and Botterill believes will help the team beyond this year. Those types of hockey trades have become much more difficult to make during the season. Trading prospects and picks for a rental right now just seems extremely shortsighted.

I get the anger and disappointment though. It's frustrating knowing that the team can play better. However, young teams are usually inconsistent and that's exactly what this team is.
- 100goalseason

Cincinnati Cyclones has the most points in the echl, 38-9-3 record
Rochester 1st in their division


success has yet to trickle to the NHL level, but when you look at the sabres organization as a whole, it is much better then before

one more crap year then botts has almost a clean slate with the big club

The NHL.com boxscore lists Sobotka as the 2nd Sabre in the shootout. I fell asleep in the 3rd period last night and when I checked the box score this morning I also wondered why the hell pod racer was the 2nd shooter. Just watched the highlights and realized it was actually Mitts.
- Chris16

the pod racer



#philneedstoplayhimwithfirstroundgusandlockportlarry

Way to kill the thread, a-hole.
- Wetbandit1

Gotta agree... Even I thought it was a great effort against a far superior team...

Cincinnati Cyclones has the most points in the echl, 38-9-3 record
Rochester 1st in their division


success has yet to trickle to the NHL level, but when you look at the sabres organization as a whole, it is much better then before

one more crap year then botts has almost a clean slate with the big club
- homiedclown

This MUST be the last CRAP year.............

Cincinnati Cyclones has the most points in the echl, 38-9-3 record
Rochester 1st in their division

success has yet to trickle to the NHL level, but when you look at the sabres organization as a whole, it is much better then before

one more crap year then botts has almost a clean slate with the big club
- homiedclown

It's incredible to see what he's done to improve their cap situation, and if Okposo retires, it will be completely remade after next season, which would be bordering on miraculous.

This MUST be the last CRAP year.............
- rapperray

you are still going to have crap on the roster if they can't be moved

sobotika, scandella, bogo, sheary, hunwick, etc


but they all come off the books after next year
everyone except #downgoesokposo

you are still going to have crap on the roster if they can't be moved

sobotika, scandella, bogo, sheary, hunwick, etc


but they all come off the books after next year
everyone except #downgoesokposo
- homiedclown

Salary coming off the books is one thing, Botts being able to bring guys in is the real problem.

Since free agency started players don't want to come to Buffalo. If They do come here its because Pegs threw money at them and I think that era is over.

Literally all of this. Totally agree.
- kingcong39

Except if the streak happened now, you could say that the team is continuing to progress. That’s not what we’ve seen. There is no easily measurable sign of progress since December in Buffalo.

And for the last six weeks, we haven’t seen “inconsistent”. They’ve been consistent... and bad.

Except if the streak happened now, you could say that the team is continuing to progress. That’s not what we’ve seen. There is no easily measurable sign of progress since December in Buffalo.

And for the last six weeks, we haven’t seen “inconsistent”. They’ve been consistent... and bad.
- Der Kaiser

If "ifs" and "buts" were candy and nuts, we'd all have a merry Christmas.


Reality is the streak is not now.

Botterrill had made no secret that he believes the best way to build a contender year-in and year-out is to have a strong organization, which means good AHL and ECHL teams. He's said this from day one. His vision is to have a team capable of contending every year, not just creating a team with a two or three-year window to win a Cup and then rebuild again. Botterill's idea is that if the team is a true contender every year, then they will break through in one of those years and win it all.

Despite the recent slide, the team has improved from last year. I wish we could flip the season around and the current slide came in October and November, and the 10-game winning streak was this month. I think many fans would feel very differently about the team if things had played out in that order. It's a very young team, so I'm not really surprised with where they are right now in the standings.

As for trades, I say make one provided it's for a player 26 or younger who still has term on their contract and Botterill believes will help the team beyond this year. Those types of hockey trades have become much more difficult to make during the season. Trading prospects and picks for a rental right now just seems extremely shortsighted.

I get the anger and disappointment though. It's frustrating knowing that the team can play better. However, young teams are usually inconsistent and that's exactly what this team is.
- 100goalseason

You just summarized the last 2 months of this blog in one post ! Kudos !

The Lightning are on pace to have one of the best seasons in NHL history. There are currently 8 players right now making $1M or less on their roster. So I ask once again, why are we in a rush to trade picks to “win now” when we can win for “now on” ? Not to mention the last time I checked I’d like to say 80% of that team is in grown drafted and developed talent ?

If they want to trade the SJS pick, completely understandable as long as that player fits the timeline and can be here long term. I think they should be using at least 2 first rounders this year if not all 3.

stinklander back in rochester lineup tonight

stinklander back in rochester lineup tonight
- homiedclown

http://www.letsgoamerks.c...hird-season-for-nylander/