Olofsson-Eichel-Nyquist/Donskoi
Skinner-Mitts-Reinhart
Erod-Nelson-Thompson
Sheary-Sobotka-Okposo

Could be a realistic and affordable forward lineup.
- Pegullaville

if i had a penny for every time someone listed ERod, Olofsson, or Baptiste on the first line....

All JB needs to do is convince the Pegulas that the team is progressing. He can indicate increased point totals from last year to this. He can point to improvements from Jack, Sam and Dahlin. And yes, the acquisition of Montour. He’ll have a high draft pick to trot out after this year too.

We know Botts is patient, it’s hard to tell the Pegulas’ level of patience. I’d think his job is very safe for a few years at least.
- PrinceChill

Good post

MHP or Pegulaville -
If Sabres end up picking 8/9 ... who are your top 3 prospects in the draft?
No choosing Hughes, Kakko, Prov???? ... but a sound prospect in that 8 range.
- IonSabres

If you're looking at the 8 or 9 spot there are 2 dmen- Byram and Broberg that I like, particularly Broberg. Podklozin is the wild card here and he could fall in the draft. I would love Boldy but like pegulaville said he might not be there. There will be lots of options at 8/9 if that is where they are picking. If they pick 10 or 11 I go with Turcotte.

Olofsson-Eichel-Nyquist/Donskoi
Skinner-Mitts-Reinhart
Erod-Nelson-Thompson
Sheary-Sobotka-Okposo

Could be a realistic and affordable forward lineup.
- Pegullaville

I think both Nelson and Lee will re-sign with the Isles. I can see Botts making a play for Nyquist. A trade for a player with term left might be his first option.

I think both Nelson and Lee will re-sign with the Isles. I can see Botts making a play for Nyquist. A trade for a player with term left might be his first option.
- mhp

Someone proposed a Risto for RNH move. I can get behind that but I doubt it happens.

I think both Nelson and Lee will re-sign with the Isles. I can see Botts making a play for Nyquist. A trade for a player with term left might be his first option.
- mhp

Overpaying Nelson or Lee on 7 year deals would be a horrendous risk.

Someone proposed a Risto for RNH move. I can get behind that but I doubt it happens.
- Pegullaville

Hello!
Somebody? IonSabres has a few of those letters...S, B, R .. that is it!

Someone proposed a Risto for RNH move. I can get behind that but I doubt it happens.
- Pegullaville

I think Tampa Bay might re-visit a Risto trade at the draft. I don't think he'll be back.

Overpaying Nelson or Lee on 7 year deals would be a horrendous risk.
- Lunaion

Free agency is silly season for GM's.

I think Tampa Bay might re-visit a Risto trade at the draft. I don't think he'll be back.
- mhp

Same here . He hasn't progressed like we anticipated he would . He should have . Get players better than him in different positions should be the plan.

Free agency is silly season for GM's.
- mhp

This is one of the better years in quite some time though. Keep the term down and I think we can find good value. Role players could be had. Or we swing for Duchene or Karlsson. Time will tell.

It's not as bad as you make it sound. 1 years deals are much easier to trade, bury, or buyout. I don't see Sobotka back next year, one way or another.
- Lunaion

You’re right about the one year deals. But does Botts ship them out, one way or another? Or just wait them out?

if i had a penny for every time someone listed ERod, Olofsson, or Baptiste on the first line....
- Lunaion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkcieWccaAA

This is one of the better years in quite some time though. Keep the term down and I think we can find good value. Role players could be had. Or we swing for Duchene or Karlsson. Time will tell.
- Pegullaville

There does seem to be more bigtime UFAs than usual, but there will be a lot of competition for them.

Botts has seemed to have had (wisely, I might add) an aversion to big swings at UFAs. I’d stay away from Karlsson, he’s gonna want the max and he’s taken quite a bit of damage the last few years.

You’re right about the one year deals. But does Botts ship them out, one way or another? Or just wait them out?
- PrinceChill

Little of both probably. I'd imagine at least 2 are gone, and that's very conservative.

I think Tampa Bay might re-visit a Risto trade at the draft. I don't think he'll be back.
- mhp

Outside of dealing with a Chia-like GM, this is probably the wisest move. The Bolts have so much talent, they can afford to give a little extra, if he’s indeed the guy they really want.

There does seem to be more bigtime UFAs than usual, but there will be a lot of competition for them.

Botts has seemed to have had (wisely, I might add) an aversion to big swings at UFAs. I’d stay away from Karlsson, he’s gonna want the max and he’s taken quite a bit of damage the last few years.
- PrinceChill

I think he’s swinging for Duchene/Hayes, or making a trade for 2C. If we revisit our talks with Tampa I can see Risto going there for Miller/Johnson and Cernak/Foote.

This is one of the better years in quite some time though. Keep the term down and I think we can find good value. Role players could be had. Or we swing for Duchene or Karlsson. Time will tell.
- Pegullaville

I like your idea of Trouba. It's starting to get into my head, would be good move.

Same here . He hasn't progressed like we anticipated he would . He should have . Get players better than him in different positions should be the plan.
- cabin

Time to move on from him and maybe he needs a change of scenery. I would like to dumping a few other players as well.

Time to move on from him and maybe he needs a change of scenery. I would like to dumping a few other players as well.
- mhp

Would really hate to see him turn into a Chara type if his balls ever drop.

Kevin Johnson would be a really nice signing for the bills

I think he’s swinging for Duchene/Hayes, or making a trade for 2C. If we revisit our talks with Tampa I can see Risto going there for Miller/Johnson and Cernak/Foote.
- Pegullaville

I guess before this season, I didn’t think of Hayes too much. He’s certainly raised his game in a contract year.
I love the TB deal you’ve layed out. If JB does all of the above, that’d be big.

I guess before this season, I didn’t think of Hayes too much. He’s certainly raised him game in a contract year.
I love the TB deal you’ve layed out. If JB does all of the above, that’d be big.
- PrinceChill

This off season will be the tell tale of what this team should be . Evaluations OVER !!!

Would really hate to see him turn into a Chara type if his balls ever drop.
- cabin

Montour was a good pick up, I think Botts would like to trade for a forward with term left but has RFA rights.

This off season will be the tell tale of what this team should be . Evaluations OVER !!!
- cabin

Could not agree more.