Let’s say we trade Risto
Then Seattle chooses Pilut or McCabe
Our defense definitely takes a hit there

We do have guys coming,
but we don’t know how any of them are gonna be as NHLers yet

Certainly something for Botts to consider
- jdfitz77

I'm sure his eye is on the expansion draft, but that's two years from now, no? Trades happen, signings happen, trades to keep Seattle's grubby hands off of certain players happen.

Our roster is hopefully drastically different then. And hopefully, some of these young guys fill those holes, and hopefully some of them are young enough that we don't have to worry about protecting them.

Is McCabe any better now then 3 years ago.
- homiedclown

Is Risto?

You don’t live in Miami and have a whole fan base gargaling on Marino’s sack though. Didn’t Kelly win more games anyways ? More Super Bowl appearances ? Maybe I’m wrong.
- Pegullaville

I had eichel as Kelly

Is Risto?
- sbroads24

Nope

Is McCabe any better now then 3 years ago.
- homiedclown

He’s a good 4/5 defenseman imo

There’s not 1 player on our team who hasn’t struggled with inconsistent play
That includes the almighty Jack & Dahlin
*and now the John Cougar Mellencamp song is running through my head, but with “Dahlin” subbed in for “Diane” 😂😂😂

I'm sure his eye is on the expansion draft, but that's two years from now, no? Trades happen, signings happen, trades to keep Seattle's grubby hands off of certain players happen.

Our roster is hopefully drastically different then. And hopefully, some of these young guys fill those holes, and hopefully some of them are young enough that we don't have to worry about protecting them.
- Powerslave

Tough to have a crystal ball
But I’d think he’s (hopefully) projecting out this lineup going forward and at least keeping it in mind that we are (likely) gonna lose someone we don’t want to

Tough to have a crystal ball
But I’d think he’s (hopefully) projecting out this lineup going forward and at least keeping it in mind that we are (likely) gonna lose someone we don’t want to
- jdfitz77

I can't think of 5 guys that need to be protected up front

Tough to have a crystal ball
But I’d think he’s (hopefully) projecting out this lineup going forward and at least keeping it in mind that we are (likely) gonna lose someone we don’t want to
- jdfitz77

As are most teams, though.

It would certainly help if a few of these kids grab roster spots in the next year or two.

Let’s say we trade Risto
Then Seattle chooses Pilut or McCabe
Our defense definitely takes a hit there

We do have guys coming,
but we don’t know how any of them are gonna be as NHLers yet

Certainly something for Botts to consider
- jdfitz77

Last draft jbotts went heavy defenseman.

All expansion protected.

McCabe is the type of guy an expansion team would want in my opinion

Maybe we make a ullmark deal to leave us alone

I can't think of 5 guys that need to be protected up front
- homiedclown

Jack, Sam, Mitts... for sure
Skinner, assuming he signs
Top6 forward we bring in (hopefully)

That makes it tough for us to protect 4&4
If we do that,
we leave at least 1 forward available we wanna keep

If we protect 7F & 3D,
then we leave at least 1 defenseman unprotected we don’t wanna lose

Last draft jbotts went heavy defenseman.

All expansion protected.

McCabe is the type of guy an expansion team would want in my opinion

Maybe we make a ullmark deal to leave us alone
- Boss34

A possibility for sure
Hopefully it won’t cost too much

Was it a 3rd to keep Ullmark?
I could certainly live with that

I had eichel as Kelly
- homiedclown

I'm a huge Bill's fan obviously

But Kelly wasnt eichel

Kelly had better players at every single position then the defense did.

Eichel finally has a finisher

Eichel is gonna be Marino with help around him.




I do appreciate the analogy.


Eichel- Andrew luck
Matthews- mahomes

I'm a huge Bill's fan obviously

But Kelly wasnt eichel

Kelly had better players at every single position then the defense did.

Eichel finally has a finisher

Eichel is gonna be Marino with help around him.




I do appreciate the analogy.


Eichel- Andrew luck
Matthews- mahomes
- Boss34

I’ll say,

McDavid = Mahommes... crazy raw skill
Matthews= Cam... getting them TDs/goals

Eichel... hopefully Rodgers
In between the skill sets of the other 2 guys
Can he grow to be as successful?

I’ll say,

McDavid = Mahommes... crazy raw skill
Matthews= Cam... getting them TDs/goals

Eichel... hopefully Rodgers
In between the skill sets of the other 2 guys
Can he grow to be as successful?
- jdfitz77

McDavid-Crosby
Matthews- Ovi
Eichel-Malkin

Malkin has always been underrated. Always took the backseat to the Crosby vs Ovi discussions. Imo Pittsburgh had the two best players in the league for several years running. Eichel gets a lot of heat for the “team” sucking. But head to head he has out performed McDavid and Matthews whether that has led to team wins or not. Surround Eichel with a better team and watch him carry us to the promise land.

McDavid-Crosby
Matthews- Ovi
Eichel-Malkin

Malkin has always been underrated. Always took the backseat to the Crosby vs Ovi discussions. Imo Pittsburgh had the two best players in the league for several years running. Eichel gets a lot of heat for the “team” sucking. But head to head he has out performed McDavid and Matthews whether that has led to team wins or not. Surround Eichel with a better team and watch him carry us to the promise land.
- Pegullaville

Eichel is our guy, and he’s really good
Still needs to improve in some key areas,
but he can certainly grow to be “Malkin”

Looking ahead...
i think the Sabres would/should protect:

Forwards (7)
Eichel, Reinhart, Mittelstadt, Skinner,
Top6 forward yet to be added,
Whatever 2 kids- sorry, i meant grown ass men- are playing the best

Defensemen (3)
Dahlin,
2 of Ristolainen/Montour/Pilut

Goalie (1)
Ullmark

Hopefully pay something like a 3rd to have Seattle not choose 1 of our top4 defensemen
and instead choose 1 of the kids we are ok with losing
Or maybe they take 1 of our 4th line defensive guys like Larsson or Girgs?

*i doubt we can get them to take Okposo
And at that point,
I think we can buy him out pretty reasonably anyways

I'm a huge Bill's fan obviously

But Kelly wasnt eichel

Kelly had better players at every single position then the defense did.

Eichel finally has a finisher

Eichel is gonna be Marino with help around him.




I do appreciate the analogy.


Eichel- Andrew luck
Matthews- mahomes
- Boss34

Idk, I’m thinking Eichel is looking more like Ken O’Brien

I’ll say it again...
Barry Trotz is a freaking wizard

The Isles should be picking in the Top10 this season

Even if they get bounced in the 1st round,
he still did one hell of a job

I wonder though...
are they for real going forward?
Or do they regress like Jersey, Colorado, etc?

Idk, I’m thinking Eichel is looking more like Ken O’Brien
- Hatboro_Swords

GMTM probably would’ve drafted O’Brien
Or maybe traded a 1st for Steve Grogan or Steve DeBerg? 😂😂😂

GMTM probably would’ve drafted O’Brien
Or maybe traded a 1st for Steve Grogan or Steve DeBerg? 😂😂😂
- jdfitz77

When in Rome...

McDavid-Crosby
Matthews- Ovi
Eichel-Malkin

Malkin has always been underrated. Always took the backseat to the Crosby vs Ovi discussions. Imo Pittsburgh had the two best players in the league for several years running. Eichel gets a lot of heat for the “team” sucking. But head to head he has out performed McDavid and Matthews whether that has led to team wins or not. Surround Eichel with a better team and watch him carry us to the promise land.
- Pegullaville

Sobotka = joe flacco

Sobotka = joe flacco
- Boss34

Sobotka=Billy Joe Hobert

Top-10 pick here we... Are.

Amazing...

https://twitter.com/Brady.../1101310283975282688?s=19

Sobotka = joe flacco
- Boss34

Sobotka= Nathen Peterman