This blog has officially been thrown in the trash like a used rag.

I see the goal posts have been moved...yet again.

First, the very valid complaint that nothing was being done to fix the roster was met with, "wait for the hockey trades, Botts is nowhere near done with this roster." Then the hockey trades didn't happen. Instead Risto isn't traded, sobotka isn't waived, the twins are resigned, but WAIT! There is no harm in letting them come to camp! They can be moved after camp if the kids aren't ready.

Then of course, the jobs just get handed to the same old losers who got three coaches fired. Now the narrative is, well how much did Asplund and Cozens and Ruotsoleinen and Lazar REALLY do?

If you aren't being a ridiculous sabres homer, you can clearly see how much better Cozens is than Mittelstadt, who is still lost at the NHL level. You can easily see Lazar playing a much more talented game than the twins. Asplund is honestly probably one of the best 9 forwards in the organization, let alone 12.

Not to mention, Pekar and CJ Smith didn't even get a chance. So what am I left with?

My first line of Sam Jack and Skinner, good enough to keep me in games but not an elite first line and not good enough to carry this team, already proven last year.

My second line? Fatboy can't center it, clear this year just like last year. If only I had a third line Swede who could jump up to the 2nd line until he is ready. Hello, Berglund. errr, I mean Johansson, The good news is he will have some quality third liners for 2nd linemates, like Sheary and Pominville, errr Vesey.

Can't wait to see that stellar third line of ERod Okposo and whatever pieces are left over. Maybe fatboy can score 15 from the wing. Maybe it's Tage and I get to what THAT show again. Maybe his wrist shot has gotten even slower.

I do return a monster 4th line of defensive stalwarts like Larsson, Girgs, and Sobotka. The big move of the off season might be Lazar at 13th forward. Exciting stuff.

Frank this team.
- matty12345

CJ Smith got passed over by 30 teams, so clearly the GM and Coach here weren't the only ones unimpressed.

Cozens will benefit from another year in Jr, even if it's just to keep him away from the trainwreck that this team may end up again this year.

None of the players you'd rather see here over the ones still currently here are going to make that big of an impact on the roster overall that it takes the needed steps forward. We're still going to be trying to jam a round peg into a square hole at 2C, and until they figure that spot out, that line will struggle to produce the way it needs to for this roster to really take the next step and be able to compete the way we'd all like it to.

I see the goal posts have been moved...yet again.

First, the very valid complaint that nothing was being done to fix the roster was met with, "wait for the hockey trades, Botts is nowhere near done with this roster." Then the hockey trades didn't happen. Instead Risto isn't traded, sobotka isn't waived, the twins are resigned, but WAIT! There is no harm in letting them come to camp! They can be moved after camp if the kids aren't ready.

Then of course, the jobs just get handed to the same old losers who got three coaches fired. Now the narrative is, well how much did Asplund and Cozens and Ruotsoleinen and Lazar REALLY do?

If you aren't being a ridiculous sabres homer, you can clearly see how much better Cozens is than Mittelstadt, who is still lost at the NHL level. You can easily see Lazar playing a much more talented game than the twins. Asplund is honestly probably one of the best 9 forwards in the organization, let alone 12.

Not to mention, Pekar and CJ Smith didn't even get a chance. So what am I left with?

My first line of Sam Jack and Skinner, good enough to keep me in games but not an elite first line and not good enough to carry this team, already proven last year.

My second line? Fatboy can't center it, clear this year just like last year. If only I had a third line Swede who could jump up to the 2nd line until he is ready. Hello, Berglund. errr, I mean Johansson, The good news is he will have some quality third liners for 2nd linemates, like Sheary and Pominville, errr Vesey.

Can't wait to see that stellar third line of ERod Okposo and whatever pieces are left over. Maybe fatboy can score 15 from the wing. Maybe it's Tage and I get to what THAT show again. Maybe his wrist shot has gotten even slower.

I do return a monster 4th line of defensive stalwarts like Larsson, Girgs, and Sobotka. The big move of the off season might be Lazar at 13th forward. Exciting stuff.

Frank this team.
- matty12345

You are not wrong, except for the last part.
We will all watch, cause that is what we do as fans.
It will be a poop show in here early this season as the team tries to find chemistry and learn/execute the system and performs much the same as last year...just a smidge better ..
84 points and a top 7 pick!
Yee (frank)ing haa

Anybody know what happened to Kris Baker?
Guy is nowhere.
His website is dated to like 18 months ago last time I looked in Aug. Virtually nothing on The Athletic.

Again, it's evident the organization was content with last season. No job was actually on the line in training camp. Still, to this date, only Pominville and and Housley have been held responsible for the worst team in the NHL over the last 50 games.

And we are one game from opening night. If that isn't the most incredible thing about this whole off season I don't know what is.
- matty12345

12345

I think this is really indicative of how horrible phail lousley was as a coach. He sucked.

That and next year with the new jerseys and cap freedom, they are looking to the future.

I still think this is the best roster in 12 years.

22,28, sobotka aren't going to make or break this season.

It's the tank guys that need to grow.
Sam
Jack
Casey
Dahlin

Anybody know what happened to Kris Baker?
Guy is nowhere.
His website is dated to like 18 months ago last time I looked in Aug. Virtually nothing on The Athletic.
- IonSabres

Couldn't say, but he tweets a lot and I believe he has a regular job. As long as he publishes a draft preview somewhere, I'm happy.

Tell me why would you want them to Rush him ? Did we not learn from Grigorenko, Casey ,Tage ?

Let’s let them develop
- gerbe75pts

Casey was in college and had a great year / world juniors. You need to sign those guys (like normal) to their ELCs after.

Tage is / was too good for the AHL

And Grigorenko I thought we sent him down?

Hey I am just trying to make sure he’s not a bust If they would have kept him he probably turn into Brandon Dubinsky
- gerbe75pts

You do realize that you have ZERO bearing on what the Sabres do, right?

Nvm. You probably don't.

Casey was in college and had a great year / world juniors. You need to sign those guys (like normal) to their ELCs after.

Tage is / was too good for the AHL

And Grigorenko I thought we sent him down?
- Sabretooth9

Grigs was too good for the Q and not ready for the NHL. He went between the two a few times. When he was finally eligible to go to the AHL he did well there, but when brought up to the Sabres he again struggled.

Anyone see the Irishmen trailer? Holy smokes it’s loaded with great. Could be Marty’s best yet

I like Lazar. He does have offense capabilities contrary to popular belief. I’m with ya on Sobotka. Please make his untrying ass go away
- lulags

Is it his career high of 6 goals that leads you to like his “offense”

I’m telling you Lazar is Larsson.

They are no different. Lazar is just “Not status quo”

Lazar career ppg - .2
Larsson career ppg - .23

Add - this came of kind off Richardish which was not my intention.

Is it his career high of 6 goals that leads you to like his “offense”

I’m telling you Lazar is Larsson.

They are no different. Lazar is just “Not status quo”

Lazar career ppg - .2
Larsson career ppg - .23

Add - this came of kind off Richardish which was not my intention.
- ImThatGuy

He’s shown glimpses of why he was a 16th overall pick. I think given the opportunity, he could be a 10-15 goal guy in a bottom
6 role

He’s shown glimpses of why he was a 16th overall pick. I think given the opportunity, he could be a 10-15 goal guy in a bottom
6 role
- lulags

He'll be 25 years old in 6 months and is on his 3rd NHL team. He has 15 CAREER NHL GOALS in 246 games.

He has terrible shooting stats.

Grigs was too good for the Q and not ready for the NHL. He went between the two a few times. When he was finally eligible to go to the AHL he did well there, but when brought up to the Sabres he again struggled.
- adambuffalo

Exactly ..... this is where the NHL and CHL have a major issue. The CHL wants the prospect to help sell tickets and the NHL team wants them in the AHL. It’s tough.

Mitts coming out of college told botts no Rochester or he won’t sign. Ever notice that?? College kids that sign never go down.

Exactly ..... this is where the NHL and CHL have a major issue. The CHL wants the prospect to help sell tickets and the NHL team wants them in the AHL. It’s tough.

Mitts coming out of college told botts no Rochester or he won’t sign. Ever notice that?? College kids that sign never go down.
- Sabretooth9

yeah worked out great for him

yeah worked out great for him
- BINGO!

What would you like the Sabres to do?

Mitts prospect stock was at an all time high after his freshman year. We had to sign him. Plus college wise, Minny was going through a coaching change.

Grigorenko was stuck in the wrong league. The Sabres even tried to give him a conditioning assignment in Rochester for a few games.

yeah worked out great for him
- BINGO!

So we are writing a player off after a rookie season and a preseason of his sophomore year ?

So we are writing a player off after a rookie season and a preseason of his sophomore year ?
- Swedish_Jesus

Ummmm....yea