I was told Botts is bad because he prefers that route after the second round

Literally 70% of all the players drafted after round 2 are NCAA or Europeans...
- Stripes77

Not that poopwagon Darcy

So now that all of our GREAT SUCCESS CHL guys are shown, let's see the non CHL kids outside the first round who may actually have NHL success (regular minutes), 12-17

Marcus Davidsson
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Oskari Laaksonen
Jacob Bryson
Rasmus Asplund
Casey Fitzgerald
William Borgen
Victor Olofsson
J.T. Compher
Calvin Petersen
Jake McCabe
Linus Ullmark

Might be a bit early on the 17's, but they're certainly trending well.
- TheSabresTaco

I have boarded the Laaksonen hype train.

So our failure draft picks Is making him avoid the CHL

Yep that makes sense smh
- gerbe75pts

He literally took a CHL player in the 1st round this year

God you're clueless sometimes

Analogy time: Your a fantasy football team owner. You make a "trade in principle" with someone. Do you check with the other 7 teams in your league EVERYTIME to see if you can get a better deal. I mean, after all, it's literally your job to make your team the best it can. Doubt you do, I know I don't. If you like the compensation that you are receiving, you pull the trigger. I'm guessing the other GM wouldn't like to hear "hey, sounds like we have a deal. Hold on for a couple hours/days while I call and negotiate with the other 29 clubs" It just doesn't happen bud.
- SDSabre

Why wouldn't you?

A) This isn't fantasy sports
B) Yes, I do check with several owners before pulling off large trades
C) See A
- TheSabresTaco

A) That's why it's an analogy, not a direct comparable
B) I don't consider Erik (frank)ing Haula a large trade. Judging by the return, GM's don't either.
C) See A

I'd rather wait 4-5 years to see these guys in a Sabres uniform than have complete washouts year after year just to see them either not sign, not show up in Rochester, or never leave Rochester. Or even better, be bought out of an ELC.

A) That's why it's an analogy, not a direct comparable
B) I don't consider Erik (frank)ing Haula a large trade. Judging by the return, GM's don't either.
C) See A
- SDSabre

Analogies are best served up when comparable. Otherwise it's just a poopty analogy.

Why wouldn't you?
- jcragcrumple

Literally explained in the next sentence. If you are happy with the return you're getting, you probably don't look elsewhere.

A) That's why it's an analogy, not a direct comparable
B) I don't consider Erik (frank)ing Haula a large trade. Judging by the return, GM's don't either.
C) See A
- SDSabre

If I am making a trade in fantasy before I pull the trigger I at least circle back to some of the other GMs I had conversations with about said player I am trading

At least ones that offered me a deal that was close to something I was comfortable with

Literally explained in the next sentence. If you are happy with the return you're getting, you probably don't look elsewhere.
- SDSabre

I think Botts probably knew Haula was available. I think GMs have a pretty good sense of who is available on other teams. I doubt McPhee (it's, McPhee, right?) kept it super secret that Haula was available until Carolina offered Pu part deux and a pick

So our failure draft picks Is making him avoid the CHL

Yep that makes sense smh
- gerbe75pts

If "avoiding the CHL" includes sending numerous scouts there every season is avoiding it, then yeah, he's avoiding it.

If you see a guy that will take 4 years to develop, same talent level, it's business 101 to not have to pay that kid for 4 years instead of 2 years. If you're going to draft a CHL kid instead of the non CHL kid, you better be certain he's on a quicker timeline to the pros.

I mean, I guess you can just draft Cliff Pu and trade him for Jeff Skinner in a few years and watch Pu play in the ECHL with Brycen Martin. There's always that.

If I am making a trade in fantasy before I pull the trigger I at least circle back to some of the other GMs I had conversations with about said player I am trading

At least ones that offered me a deal that was close to something I was comfortable with
- Stripes77

I don't disagree with this, and I'm not saying that circling back isn't an option (forget the fantasy sports I guess, even though I think it's a close analogy, especially with the trades aspect) That said, I'm not that high on Haula, watched him plenty in Minn. Best case scenario here is he comes to the Sabres and puts up 45/50 (respectable and I wouldn't hate it) then we have to pay him 7ish per to keep a 45/50 point 30 year old player or let him walk for nothing. I understand we could have gotten him for about nothing so nothing hurt. I guess I'm just wanting to aim a little higher, realistic or not.

I think Botts probably knew Haula was available. I think GMs have a pretty good sense of who is available on other teams. I doubt McPhee (it's, McPhee, right?) kept it super secret that Haula was available until Carolina offered Pu part deux and a pick
- jcragcrumple

Possibly, and if we got him I'd have been ok with it. Especially at that price. But as my previous post described, I'm not high on him enough to justify the next contract (UFA in 20) to a player that just started producing at age 27/28 and will be 30 through the remainder of next said contract. I just want to aim a bit higher then Haula is all, with the understanding that a couple guys like him are absolutely needed and won't be upset grabbing a couple like him.

Is Barrie a piece that would/could be holding up a potential Risto trade?

I'm guessing Myers will also be a piece that needs to fall.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
- homiedclown

Is that the sound of Botterill taking a nap?

He was a cheap middle 6 option, so if we get to next year with the same roster, I won't be surprised or feel as though folks are unjustified in complaining. Just seems obvious to me that changes will be made and July1st should start the ball rolling. There's something to be said about knowing who you would be signing before hitting the trade market hard.

PK was too expensive for me. If NSH was retaining 3M, I would have loved to see that, but not at the full 9.
- RhinoFan

PK Subban would have been great here I have no doubts. He is still a good d-man and after this year there is 40 something available in cap space and you have Risto and Dahlin signed as your only D-men past this upcoming year.

This team needs to explore and do whatever it takes to be relevant.

I think people are forgetting this is the “Golden season, 50 years” with how Mich they are pumping that, there is a ton of pressure for this team to be not only good, but competing for playoffs good.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
- homiedclown

You must still be under anesthesia from all the "roster surgery".

I don't disagree with this, and I'm not saying that circling back isn't an option (forget the fantasy sports I guess, even though I think it's a close analogy, especially with the trades aspect) That said, I'm not that high on Haula, watched him plenty in Minn. Best case scenario here is he comes to the Sabres and puts up 45/50 (respectable and I wouldn't hate it) then we have to pay him 7ish per to keep a 45/50 point 30 year old player or let him walk for nothing. I understand we could have gotten him for about nothing so nothing hurt. I guess I'm just wanting to aim a little higher, realistic or not.
- SDSabre

The issue with aiming higher is it cost more, which several others have said, the Sabres do not have the capital to do.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
- homiedclown

Tpegs told Botts he has to stay in his room and he better not come out until he makes a move

PK Subban would have been great here I have no doubts. He is still a good d-man and after this year there is 40 something available in cap space and you have Risto and Dahlin signed as your only D-men past this upcoming year.

This team needs to explore and do whatever it takes to be relevant.

I think people are forgetting this is the “Golden season, 50 years” with how Mich they are pumping that, there is a ton of pressure for this team to be not only good, but competing for playoffs good.
- ImThatGuy

It would seem that the pressure is on the fans to buy up all the sweaters trotted out for the anniversary.

Can this be true? I just overheard people say that teams are only offering mid round picks for Risto? I don't know where they heard it, I just overheard them saying it. No wonder he hasn't been moved. Seems teams are looking to take advantage of us the way St. Louis did with the O'Reilly trade. How can we be 8 years removed from the playoffs and possess arguably the worst depth in the entire league?

The issue with aiming higher is it cost more, which several others have said, the Sabres do not have the capital to do.
- ImThatGuy

Maybe, maybe not. Donskoi for around 4M if we can get him would be around the same production. I don't think Haula will be the best player traded off of Vegas either. There are many avenues to success (or failure) and I just don't think Haula is the guy that will push it one way or the other. You are free to disagree.

Is that the sound of Botterill taking a nap?
- buffalofan19

things are tight lipped in his office


nothing leaking out today

Can this be true? I just overheard people say that teams are only offering mid round picks for Risto? I don't know where they heard it, I just overheard them saying it. No wonder he hasn't been moved. Seems teams are looking to take advantage of us the way St. Louis did with the O'Reilly trade. How can we be 8 years removed from the playoffs and possess arguably the worst depth in the entire league?
- hawk33

He has not been moved because he is not very good at Hockey or at least his stats says so.

I flip flop back and fourth with what I want to do with him. i think here in Bflo we over value his play and we are asking a very high return.