I put it for you as simple as possible.

Don't like the product? Don't buy it. Period.

Not happy with what they did? Don't watch. Stop caring. You DO have control over that.

Spend your time on something that makes you happy instead of making you miserable. That is a decision you get to make. Nobody is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to watch the games. Or spend time on a message board discussing such things.
- HonkFortheGoose

Clever comeback.

Sorry, but this was my team before Botteril was an energy forward for the swords, and it was my team when he retired. It was my team when he was made GM, and it will be my team when he is fired, whether that's 2020 or 2030 or somewhere in between.

If you want me to quit watching the sport of hockey because I'm not delusionally happy with the crap job he is doing, tough for you. Fans have more than two choices buddy. I don't have to smile like an indoctrinated monkey, or quit going. I can still follow the team and be displeased. In fact, that's the choice most of the fanbase has chosen. Go to a game sometime. Lot's of fans there. Lots of happy fans? Nope.

I put it for you as simple as possible.

Don't like the product? Don't buy it. Period.

Not happy with what they did? Don't watch. Stop caring. You DO have control over that.

Spend your time on something that makes you happy instead of making you miserable. That is a decision you get to make. Nobody is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to watch the games. Or spend time on a message board discussing such things.
- HonkFortheGoose

I (frank)ing hate this. This is not how fandom works. You don’t get to just turn it the (frank) off. It’s not a switch.

You can be a fan and not like the current situation, and voice your concerns. Those things can be intertwined.

It’s like saying oh don’t like something your husband or wife did, eh just don’t bother with them anymore. Turn your love off for them and do something else.

Boy, can't believe I'm saying this, but Pominville at 2RW would feel a lot better right now.

Too bad Botts spent all his money on ERod who is a healthy scratch, Ellie who didn't make the team, and the twins.
- matty12345

You only get good Pominville for about 12 games on Jack's wing. Make them count.

I (frank)ing hate this. This is not how fandom works. You don’t get to just turn it the (frank) off. It’s not a switch.

You can be a fan and not like the current situation, and voice your concerns. Those things can be intertwined.

It’s like saying oh don’t like something your husband or wife did, eh just don’t bother with them anymore. Turn your love off for them and do something else.
- ImThatGuy

I defend the long term vision of this team and think we are without a doubt on the verge of being very good for a long period of time.

But holy hell how could you not complain with this roster right now?

We aren’t re-signing a good vet in Pominville to keep Sobotka? It’s brainless

Clever comeback.

Sorry, but this was my team before Botteril was an energy forward for the swords, and it was my team when he retired. It was my team when he was made GM, and it will be my team when he is fired, whether that's 2020 or 2030 or somewhere in between.

If you want me to quit watching the sport of hockey because I'm not delusionally happy with the crap job he is doing, tough for you. Fans have more than two choices buddy. I don't have to smile like an indoctrinated monkey, or quit going. I can still follow the team and be displeased. In fact, that's the choice most of the fanbase has chosen. Go to a game sometime. Lot's of fans there. Lots of happy fans? Nope.
- matty12345

i could give a poop what you do. Just pointing out that you have control over whether or not you watch. Nobody's saying you need to give up on them for the rest of your life. But if it's not bringing you joy, then maybe it's time to step back and do something else for a while that does. Re-evaluate later on.

and I would say the same thing to everyone else that's "unhappy" with what they're seeing.

I'm about as big of a fan as you'll find. I've reduced the amount I've watched/paid attention/come on here because it hasn't been the most pleasant experience. I have other things that make me happy in the meantime and I check back in periodically. There's nothing wrong with "taking a break" so to say.

Olafsson was just handed a spot on the first line. Sure, he earned a roster spot, but he is no first liner. This was a classic example of something Botteril had decided long before training camp. He said in interviews months ago that he thought Olofsson was ready for a top six role. A real team would be playing Olofsson on the third line and making him earn top line minutes. But you know, this organization gets stuck counting past three when naming their top six, so they just gave spots to a rookie, a third line wing out of position, and Sobotka, because why the hell not. Someone has to play there.

That's not even the same story as a veteran with a contract being pushed out because someone cheaper is better.

Also, Gilmour is here because of three injuries. He gone soon. Now if he keeps his spot over a healthy Bogosian, you have a point, but considering Scandella is here...I am not holding my breath.
- matty12345

You mean like how Pittsburgh won the Cup with kids in the top6 while playing Kessel on line3???

Olofsson is on the top line bc they think he can fit in & be productive
Thus, allowing us to bump down Skinner- hopefully- so that we can count on the 2nd line to score more consistently than last year (or at all for that matter)


But sure...
be p!ssed that Botts is following the model of his former organization that won multiple Cups in that fashion
That’s on you though dude
Bc it makes sense

I (frank)ing hate this. This is not how fandom works. You don’t get to just turn it the (frank) off. It’s not a switch.

You can be a fan and not like the current situation, and voice your concerns. Those things can be intertwined.

It’s like saying oh don’t like something your husband or wife did, eh just don’t bother with them anymore. Turn your love off for them and do something else.
- ImThatGuy

You're taking it to the full extreme. Way to go.

Clearly you live your life fully in black and white. No grey areas for you.

This is the dumbest thing I ever read.

If the team is a terrible product, we are supposed to be supportive of that? Why? Because Buffalo? Because they're are boys and gosh darn if we aren't proud of em no matter what?

The on ice product was unacceptable last year. The fact that nothing was done during the season with a coarch who was so clearly lost was not acceptable. The fact that the entire roster has returned is not acceptable.

No see. FIRST the team fixes the BS product that they ice every year, and only maybe then do the fans come back to support them. And that's going to take a while.

This post is the equivalent of telling a homeless person to make their stomach stop growling.
- matty12345

fix your poopty attitude. You can do that for free.

Dumbest thing you've ever read. My ass.

I defend the long term vision of this team and think we are without a doubt on the verge of being very good for a long period of time.

But holy hell how could you not complain with this roster right now?

We aren’t re-signing a good vet in Pominville to keep Sobotka? It’s brainless
- OneKaneOneCup

The idea appears to be to get these contracts off the books next year with zero ramifications. I guess you could have signed Pominville for 1 year (assuming he would accept the veteran minimum), and waive Sobotka in Rochester, but you still aren't that much better of a team, if at all, and you're at the same place you are next year.

I also still think he will be loaned elsewhere at some point this season.

Tage would not have been able to win Okposo's job, despite scoring a goal with the same players Okposo is projected to play with. They were in direct competition for the same job, and Tage outplayed him.

Under no circumstances could Tage have unseated Okposo. It's crystal clear. There was no competition
- jcragcrumple

No, Tage was sent down bc he isn’t ready
You keep trying to link it to Okposo,
but there is none

Here’s what your argument SHOULD BE...
YOU think Okposo is ready to be “Moulsoned”
Botts/the Sabres don’t
You strongly disagree with them

*it has zero to do with Tage though
Just let that go & stick with “Okposo sucks”

The idea appears to be to get these contracts off the books next year with zero ramifications. I guess you could have signed Pominville for 1 year (assuming he would accept the veteran minimum), and waive Sobotka in Rochester, but you still aren't that much better of a team, if at all, and you're at the same place you are next year.

I also still think he will be loaned elsewhere at some point this season.
- buffalofan19

They have a hardon for guys who can play C. And today, we're short on NHL C talent.

Sorry, not sorry. Just the facts.

I defend the long term vision of this team and think we are without a doubt on the verge of being very good for a long period of time.

But holy hell how could you not complain with this roster right now?

We aren’t re-signing a good vet in Pominville to keep Sobotka? It’s brainless
- OneKaneOneCup

Serious question:

If Pominville is playing in the bottom6,
is he actually “good” in that role?

Bc it seems like over the last couple years,
the ONLY time he did ANYTHING was when he was playing with Jack

No, Tage was sent down bc he isn’t ready
You keep trying to link it to Okposo,
but there is none

Here’s what your argument SHOULD BE...
YOU think Okposo is ready to be “Moulsoned”
Botts/the Sabres don’t
You strongly disagree with them

*it has zero to do with Tage though
Just let that go & stick with “Okposo sucks”
- jdfitz77

That's absurd

Tage played on that line and scored a goal.

Okposo is on that line and did nothing, including the shootout

Tage outplayed Okposo, but they were never going to waive Okposo for Thompson, no matter what. That's all fact

Serious question:

If Pominville is playing in the bottom6,
is he actually “good” in that role?

Bc it seems like over the last couple years,
the ONLY time he did ANYTHING was when he was playing with Jack
- jdfitz77

Serious unbolded answer: No.

Serious unbolded answer: No.
- buffalofan19

How is it that some people think we'd be better with Pominville but complain that we didn't do anything different? Signing him is just bringing back yet another guy from the last few years that didn't help us in the long run. So what's the point??

I have to be missing something.

(also, not saying you're one of them. just using your post to ask the questions essentially).

No, Tage was sent down bc he isn’t ready
You keep trying to link it to Okposo,
but there is none

Here’s what your argument SHOULD BE...
YOU think Okposo is ready to be “Moulsoned”
Botts/the Sabres don’t
You strongly disagree with them

*it has zero to do with Tage though
Just let that go & stick with “Okposo sucks”
- jdfitz77

Sorry man, Okposo is taking Tage's spot. Tage looked better. It's bull and everyone is sick of the preferential treatment given to washed up vets.

That's absurd

Tage played on that line and scored a goal.

Okposo is on that line and did nothing, including the shootout

Tage outplayed Okposo, but they were never going to waive Okposo for Thompson, no matter what. That's all fact
- jcragcrumple

It’s this simple

Tage wasn’t ready, he needs more development
That had NOTHING to do with how Okposo, or ANYONE else played

Idk why u can’t see that?

but unlike the pens, we experiment with gm's and head coaches
- homiedclown

Pens have still had 3 coaches since the time Ruff was fired. It's not 5, but's it's not 1 either.

And the Pens are on their 2nd GM(technically 3rd, Botterill was Interim for a few weeks), while the Sabres are on their 3rd.

Sorry man, Okposo is taking Tage's spot. Tage looked better. It's bull and everyone is sick of the preferential treatment given to washed up vets.
- RhinoFan

In an extremely small sample size of split squad preseason games

Sorry man,
but that just doesn’t hold as much weight as u guys want it too

There’s other factors involved
For example, Tage needs more development

U think he’s ready? Ok
The Sabres don’t
Not much else to say. It’s pretty simple

That's absurd

Tage played on that line and scored a goal.

Okposo is on that line and did nothing, including the shootout

Tage outplayed Okposo, but they were never going to waive Okposo for Thompson, no matter what. That's all fact
- jcragcrumple

Tage also got in better shape and put serious work in over the offseason. The kid did everything right.

Also, if you take away Okposo's PP time last year, the argument can be made that TT was better overall last year anyway. So better last year, dedicated himself over the offseason, was better in training camp, still lost the spot.

It’s this simple

Tage wasn’t ready, he needs more development
That had NOTHING to do with how Okposo, or ANYONE else played

Idk why u can’t see that?
- jdfitz77

We really are just talking at each other.

They never would have let Tage beat Okposo for the same job. Never. That's the issue. They competed for the same spot. Tage played better

If they want him to work on his game, then bring in a vet to challenge Okposo who they would have let win

Tage also got in better shape and put serious work in over the offseason. The kid did everything right.

Also, if you take away Okposo's PP time last year, the argument can be made that TT was better overall last year anyway. So better last year, dedicated himself over the offseason, was better in training camp, still lost the spot.
- matty12345

We were saying the same thing about Mikael Grigorenko after his third year (I think) in the league. He bulked up, put up a ton of work, still got sent down. Where is he now? Not in this league.

Tage looked "good" this preseason. He didn't look "great", and that's on him.

Sabres 4, Penguins 3 on Thursday.

Sobotka (2), Okposo (1), Scandella (1).

Let’s say we had re-signed Pommer

Does anyone think that Olofsson doesn’t make the team?

I’m pretty sure he still would have
Why?
Bc he clearly showed he was ready

Again... it’s that simple with the kids
They made a mistake last year with Tage
They don’t wanna do it again,
and they think he’s better off starting in Rochester

AGAIN...
it has nothing to do with how Okposo played

Sabres 4, Penguins 3 on Thursday.

Sobokta (2), Okposo (1), Scandella (1).
- buffalofan19

saucey