I was hoping for Thomas or Kyrou and getting Tage instead was a big downer. This was a joke of a trade.
- mhp

The big parts of that trade for us haven't even been drafted yet OR it helped us secure Montour who, to me, has been a great addition. And no one can ever tell me how we could have realistically gotten RoR and Skinner both here long term. So we were getting one or the other, not both as is always brought up.

When RoR is at 50pts for 7.5M in a couple seasons once Thomas is playing top line minutes and our 1st rounder is about to make the jump, perceptions will change. Berglund dying helped a lot. But it happened.

RoR, Pu, a 2nd and a 4th for Skinner, Tage, 2 Cap Dumps (1 that is gone already) a 1st and a 2nd...plus we have 4M to play with now, an extra 3 next year less than Ryan's contract....yeah I would make that trade again right now if I could. Swap the 1st for Montour. Either way.

I wonder if Tage is sent down much earlier if Berglund doesn't bail. Or Mitts.
- Powerslave

It is certainly possible. Although didn't Botts say something about they wanted Tage to develop in Buffalo. That in itself is kinda strange. I don't hate Tage. He could turn into a decent top 9 forward over time. I just think Botts got hosed by Armie on the trade.

Neither would have made this team any better this year. Still time will tell which will turn into the best NHLer. Of course Thomas and Kyrou have the advantage playing on a good team, but Tage shouldn't be written off yet. A lot of big bodied players take longer to develop.
- adambuffalo

Fair point.

It is certainly possible. Although didn't Botts say something about they wanted Tage to develop in Buffalo. That in itself is kinda strange. I don't hate Tage. He could turn into a decent top 9 forward over time. I just think Botts got hosed by Armie on the trade.
- mhp

Possibly.

But that additional first allowed him to go get Montour.

I want to see what he does this summer and if it's blah or makes another sh!t trade, then I'll join you.
- mhp

Didnt Botts pass on drafting Hagel?

Fair point.
- mhp

Everything will be ok on May 31th there hopplehead.

We shouldn't have traded ROR, or if we did, not receive St Louis' 3 worst players. Also, if you say you only received 1 legit offer, then don't trade him. I no longer trust Botts' judgement when it comes to trades. Eff that guy.
- kritter65

I have serious doubt about him as well Especially when one of YOUR pieces (Tage) has this for a stat line.
7 goals and 5 assists for 12 points in 65 games this season.


I expect more from a 4th line player to be honest...

Didnt Botts pass on drafting Hagel?
- PrinceChill

he released him from the sabres when he didn't sign him... he has 41 goals 61 assists for 102points in the WHL this year, Im sure the Blackhawks will love him...

he released him for the sabres when he didn't sign him... he has 41 goals this year, Im sure the Blackhawks will love him...
- gordong

I'm not worried about losing an overager dominating teens in the OHL with 100 points in 66 games. Sam Reinhart did that when he was 17.

he released him for the sabres when he didn't sign him... he has 41 goals 61 assists for 102points in the WHL this year, Im sure the Blackhawks will love him...
- gordong

Thank you for the correction.

I have serious doubt about him as well Especially when one of YOUR pieces (Tage) has this for a stat line.
7 goals and 5 assists for 12 points in 65 games this season.


I expect more from a 4th line player to be honest...
- gordong

Dude's a total putz. Scared of his shadow. Pegula said Botts supports Housley so Pegula can fall on the sword when Housley is fired. What a wussy. The ROR trade is a cause for termination. Get them both out of here. They suck.

he released him from the sabres when he didn't sign him... he has 41 goals 61 assists for 102points in the WHL this year, Im sure the Blackhawks will love him...
- gordong

He plays in the CHL. It really shouldn't be a surprise.

Everything will be ok on May 31th there hopplehead.
- dadeadhead

Indeed.

Didnt Botts pass on drafting Hagel?
- PrinceChill

He passed on signing him Then he went back in to the draft

The #Bills have signed RB Senorise Perry to a one-year deal.... good special teams pickup...

Didnt Botts pass on drafting Hagel?
- PrinceChill

Murray drafted him and Botts passed and Chicago signed him. Last I looked he had 41 goals and 61 assists. And he plays physical, something we need.

He passed on signing him Then he went back in to the draft
- gerbe75pts

He never went back. The Hawks signed him.

Dude's a total putz. Scared of his shadow. Pegula said Botts supports Housley so Pegula can fall on the sword when Housley is fired. What a wussy. The ROR trade is a cause for termination. Get them both out of here. They suck.
- Hatboro_Swords

Really? You know him personally? You're an expert on all things Botts? He has an MBA, but yeah, he's a total putz.

He passed on signing him Then he went back in to the draft
- gerbe75pts

The Sabres drafted the 6-foot-1, 174-pound left winger in the sixth round of the 2016 NHL draft, but lost his draft rights in June after not signing him. Blackhawks signed him to a 3 year contract

edit late...

The big parts of that trade for us haven't even been drafted yet. And no one can ever tell me how we could have realistically gotten RoR and Skinner both here long term. So we were getting one or the other, not both as is always brought up.

When RoR is at 50pts for 7.5M in a couple seasons once Thomas is playing top line minutes and our 1st rounder is about to make the jump, perceptions will change. Berglund dying helped a lot. But it happened.

RoR, Pu, a 2nd and a 4th for Skinner, Tage, 2 Cap Dumps (1 that is gone already) a 1st and a 2nd...plus we have 4M to play with now, an extra 3 next year less than Ryan's contract....yeah I would make that trade again right now if I could.
- RhinoFan

I don't know how you could justify the ROR trade at this point. It doesn't look good and the 1st could go to Anaheim. The other pieces are garbage. Tage could develop but who knows. I just don't like it.

The Skinner trade looks good but if we overpay him on a long term contract, does that make the trade not as shiny? How would that trade look if we pay Skinner 9 a year? Will that effectively hurt our cap so we can't go after other players in free agency or make other moves?

The Montour trade looks good for us in the short term but the Ducks getting a 1st and Guhle helps them in the long term. I do like what Botts did here though.

The Sheary trade was ok but would have rather not have it included Hunwick. Not awful by any means.

I'm just trying to look at these moves with some reason and objectivity.

Should Botts have signed Brandon Hagel who is tearing up the WHL? Why didn't he make a move during the 10 game winning streak? Could he have been more active at the trade deadline? He missed on signing some college free agents, notably Hirose and Duszak.

But his biggest and most glaring mistake he has made was hiring Housley.

I give Botts a C+ thus far. Questionable trades, good drafts, poor HC choice.

I hope he does well in the summer. And I want him to do well and succeed.

He never went back. The Hawks signed him.
- mhp

I thought he went back in the draft and went undrafted

Damn

Murray drafted him and Botts passed and Chicago signed him. Last I looked he had 41 goals and 61 assists. And he plays physical, something we need.
- mhp

He’s like Carl Haglin that’s why I was surprised he didn’t sign him

😐😒

The #Bills have signed RB Senorise Perry to a one-year deal.... good special teams pickup...
- gordong

It’s sad that the bills have a brighter future
It’s like they switch places every year

It’s sad that the bills have a brighter future
It’s like they switch places every year
- gerbe75pts

He’s like Carl Haglin that’s why I was surprised he didn’t sign him

😐😒
- gerbe75pts

I would have loved to see him and Pekar on the same line in a few years. That would be fun.