In all seriousness, the win column is what's most important.

While it doesn't take much to convince me that Asplund and Lazar are better than Okposo and Sobotka, neither of those first two guys jumped out at me, and none of those four have the ability to affect the win column one way or the other, especially in a bottom six role.
- buffalofan19

I disagree. Okposo and Sobotka definitely have the ability to affect the win column... Just not in the way we'd like it to.

Sobotka was in the top 6 because he wasnt playing Saturday...

How did one practice turn into Sobotka is a full time top 6?
- Shadman306

I'm guessing Sheary takes that spot when he gets back, hopefully.

Jesus, I really rustled some jimmies with that comment. Enjoy the day

I've seen teams do this before. We did it with Moulson, the Leafs have done it in the past too. Okposo is a liability on the ice. Put him the press box if you want but he brings next to nothing out there. I wish the NHL had similar cap rules than the NFL. Sure, you get penalized for cutting a guy with a big cap hit but generally, you're able to work around it with other figures and sliding of money.
- bluengold12

Moulson wasn't loaned until midseason. Teams don't accept loaned players until their season starts because they also have roster decisions to make as well.

I've seen teams do this before. We did it with Moulson, the Leafs have done it in the past too. Okposo is a liability on the ice. Put him the press box if you want but he brings next to nothing out there. I wish the NHL had similar cap rules than the NFL. Sure, you get penalized for cutting a guy with a big cap hit but generally, you're able to work around it with other figures and sliding of money.
- bluengold12

what's the sense of having a cap, especially like the one in the NBA, where circumvention is legally build right in?...

the whole idea of a cap is to have all teams on a level playing field using the same cap-ceiling

I'm guessing Sheary takes that spot when he gets back, hopefully.

Jesus, I really rustled some jimmies with that comment. Enjoy the day
- jcragcrumple

All jimmies are rustled. I'm here to say, take a (frank)ing drink and let's see what the team can do. Christ. There's waaaaay too much butthurt.

In all seriousness, the win column is what's most important.

While it doesn't take much to convince me that Asplund and Lazar are better than Okposo and Sobotka, neither of those first two guys jumped out at me, and none of those four have the ability to affect the win column one way or the other, especially in a bottom six role.
- buffalofan19

yeah...what he said!

I like Thompson but it's too bad Botts didn't push harder or have the trade savvy to get a more talented, NHL ready prospect for a Cup leading player. Oh well, water under the Peace Bridge.

what's the sense of having a cap, especially like the one in the NBA, where circumvention is legally build right in?...

the whole idea of a cap is to have all teams on a level playing field using the same cap-ceiling
- Michael Pachla

I honestly think roster moves would be more interesting in a soft-cap system like the NBA. The problem is that we will all complain when the Torontos and the New York Rangers of the world use its full flexibility.

They would also have to get rid of guaranteed contracts realistically to make that work.

I disagree. Okposo and Sobotka definitely have the ability to affect the win column... Just not in the way we'd like it to.
- bluengold12

Let's say we can take current day Asplund and Lazar and move them back in time one year. Does this team finish any better in the standings, with Housley's ineptness, and the defense being the tire fire that it was? I really don't believe so.

what's the sense of having a cap, especially like the one in the NBA, where circumvention is legally build right in?...

the whole idea of a cap is to have all teams on a level playing field using the same cap-ceiling
- Michael Pachla

You shouldn't have to be stuck with a bad contract if you don't want to. Make the team pay for it a little like the NFL but don't make it so stubborn gms hold on to crappy players because their owner holds them at gun point to save a few million.

I'm a -bit- surprised Thompson didn't make it. Looks like they went with 13 forwards. I mean, I know we bulked up with wing talent, but last year's Tage was good enough and this year's isn't? Seems a little odd. But.. whatever.

I think the Sabres will be good.

I like Thompson but it's too bad Botts didn't push harder or have the trade savvy to get a more talented, NHL ready prospect for a Cup leading player. Oh well, water under the Peace Bridge.
- GilPerreault11

Only thing I'm concerned about is his positive development. And so far, as of today, his development has been slow, but positive.

Looking at the Sabres roster....nothing that a beer can't fix

I'm a -bit- surprised Thompson didn't make it. Looks like they went with 13 forwards. I mean, I know we bulked up with wing talent, but last year's Tage was good enough and this year's isn't? Seems a little odd. But.. whatever.
- TheSabresTaco

Ted Nol- errr.. I mean Ralph Kruger loves him some Girgensons and Sobotka! Sorry Tagey! Need more grit out of ya!

Ted Nol- errr.. I mean Ralph Kruger loves him some Girgensons and Sobotka! Sorry Tagey! Need more grit out of ya!
- bluengold12

Of all the vibes I get from Kruger, Ted Nolan is not one of them.

I think the Sabres will be good.
- PrinceChill

did you get dropped on your head as a child?

Looking at the Sabres roster....nothing that a beer can't fix
- doppelthat

Now this is a much better outlook on the situation.

Ted Nol- errr.. I mean Ralph Kruger loves him some Girgensons and Sobotka! Sorry Tagey! Need more grit out of ya!
- bluengold12

they really do need more grit out of him...and more awareness of his surroundings too...plus he needs to figure out when to use the toe-drag which he uses way too often...

and he'll need to work on consistency and working to find open ice for himself...not to mention some defensive awareness as shown by his minus-12 rating in STL and minus-22 in BUF

You shouldn't have to be stuck with a bad contract if you don't want to. Make the team pay for it a little like the NFL but don't make it so stubborn gms hold on to crappy players because their owner holds them at gun point to save a few million.
- bluengold12

How about a system where you forfeit draft picks to "buyout" a player? Player still gets his cash guaranteed, but the cap hit goes away, and the team pays a penalty through draft murrancy

Compensation is determined by AAV and total contract + term

How about a system where you forfeit draft picks to "buyout" a player? Player still gets his cash guaranteed, but the cap hit goes away, and the team pays a penalty through draft murrancy

Compensation is determined by AAV and total contract + term
- jcragcrumple

So you're willing to piss away 1st round picks (Okposo, I'm sure would fall into your category) because your predecessor (frank)ed up on a signing?

That's ludicrous.

they really do need more grit out of him...and more awareness of his surroundings too...plus he needs to figure out when to use the toe-drag which he uses way too often...

and he'll need to work on consistency and working to find open ice for himself...not to mention some defensive awareness as shown by his minus-12 rating in STL and minus-22 in BUF
- Michael Pachla

I'm the first to admit Thompson was horrible here last year. But he looked good in the preseason and he brings a hell of a lot more than Okposo. Sobotka Girgensons and Larsson all bring the same thing. Need only 1.

How about a system where you forfeit draft picks to "buyout" a player? Player still gets his cash guaranteed, but the cap hit goes away, and the team pays a penalty through draft murrancy

Compensation is determined by AAV and total contract + term
- jcragcrumple

I don't hate this as long as the most you can give up is a 2nd round pick. Lord knows we can't draft 2nd rounders anyway...

So let me see if I got this right. The Sabres have the same putrid goaltending and Okposo and Sobotka will be in the top 9 and Girgs and Larry bring up the rear on the 4th line. Don't sound to me like much has changed. And it's too bad because I was 100% in on the idea that there was going to be an open competition and really liked what Tage and Asplund did. Fool me once.

Botts, you got some 'splanin to do.

Well at least Rochester will be good enough to watch. Looks like I'll make the trip down the thruway again like last year to watch more of them than the so called parent club.