https://theathletic.com/1...-spot-on-the-second-line/

Read this, but please don't drive to the Peace Bridge.

It’s not even that that truly bothers me. He was the worst forward in the entire league last year numbers wise.
- ImThatGuy

And he set a career high in points the year before.

But line em up, give em a smoke and execute him for a bad year.

And were projected to be bottom 10 by almost every model.

You know what would’ve put us in the middle of the pack?

Removing 17,21,6,55.

Adding someone like Ehlers or Kase puts us around 90 points with the trash taken out.

This is just unacceptable to go into this year like this
- OneKaneOneCup

I feel like WPG and ANA are begging to get rid of their high quality, young players.

Maybe we get a little movement when Montour comes back, and Joker shows he belongs full time. Curious to see what happens when Bozo the broken clown comes back.

"Sobotka’s advanced stats have been poor the past couple seasons. His five goals and 13 points in 2018-19 were his lowest totals since he posted 10 points in 2009-10. Although he was solid in faceoffs last season, that’s not an express reason for ice time in general. So the frustration from fans at seeing him on the second line next to 40-goal scorer Skinner and big free agent signing Johansson is understood.

Krueger has shown through camp that finding a complementary player for his forward duos is something he’s been trying to get figured out. Putting Eichel with Reinhart or Skinner with Johansson is easy. Finding a third to work with them and possibly do something that the other two don’t is more difficult.

“It was a look today, again, and we won’t be announcing who we’re playing until game day, but there’s no question that with Marcus back into the center position, with Vladimir there, it gives him some comfort. Also on faceoffs he’s got support and the way they can interchange within that unit also frees Jeff up to do the things that he’s good at,” Krueger said. “So both Vladimir and Marcus are outstanding in puck control and puck movement and we see that combination as a possible line.”

I feel like WPG and ANA are begging to get rid of their high quality, young players.

Maybe we get a little movement when Montour comes back, and Joker shows he belongs full time. Curious to see what happens when Bozo the broken clown comes back.
- TheSabresTaco

Rasmus Ristolainen is a negative impact D man.

Botts has now held onto him for three years now. He’s starting on the top pair

It’s on him now.

And he set a career high in points the year before.

But line em up, give em a smoke and execute him for a bad year.
- Powerslave

Career high of 31 points. Lol

That sounds like s perfect fit for the second line.

Over his career he averages 25 points a year. And is a negative impact player. Those are 4th line numbers.

"Sobotka’s advanced stats have been poor the past couple seasons. His five goals and 13 points in 2018-19 were his lowest totals since he posted 10 points in 2009-10. Although he was solid in faceoffs last season, that’s not an express reason for ice time in general. So the frustration from fans at seeing him on the second line next to 40-goal scorer Skinner and big free agent signing Johansson is understood.

Krueger has shown through camp that finding a complementary player for his forward duos is something he’s been trying to get figured out. Putting Eichel with Reinhart or Skinner with Johansson is easy. Finding a third to work with them and possibly do something that the other two don’t is more difficult.

“It was a look today, again, and we won’t be announcing who we’re playing until game day, but there’s no question that with Marcus back into the center position, with Vladimir there, it gives him some comfort. Also on faceoffs he’s got support and the way they can interchange within that unit also frees Jeff up to do the things that he’s good at,” Krueger said. “So both Vladimir and Marcus are outstanding in puck control and puck movement and we see that combination as a possible line.”
- TheSabresTaco

Coaches are always going to do things like this.

You know what would prevent Sobotka from being on L2?

Not having him on the roster

Rasmus Ristolainen is a negative impact D man.

Botts has now held onto him for three years now. He’s starting on the top pair

It’s on him now.
- OneKaneOneCup

Risto to WPG was a no brained all year.

Roslovic, Perrault, and a 2nd rd pick for Risto seems to obvious.

Rasmus Ristolainen is a negative impact D man.

Botts has now held onto him for three years now. He’s starting on the top pair

It’s on him now.
- OneKaneOneCup

All we can do is hope Ralph has him playing within his means, and Dahlin can lift his effectiveness this year. New systems can very well help individual players. I have confidence that Ralph is smart enough to change things that simply aren't working. Also of note, Brandon Montour is still out. It absolutely has a bearing on Risto's ice time.

With that, figure out a way to bolster our top 6.

Risto to WPG was a no brained all year.

Roslovic, Perrault, and a 2nd rd pick for Risto seems to obvious.
- ImThatGuy

I’m not going to blame him for not making a specific deal because we have no idea of the dialogue between GM’s.

Not moving him at all is the wrong move.

Getting a 2nd rounder and prospect as opposed to him being on the top pair makes this team immediately better.

Give it two weeks- “What’s wrong with Dahlin?”

Uh his partner is garbage

Coaches are always going to do things like this.

You know what would prevent Sobotka from being on L2?

Not having him on the roster
- OneKaneOneCup

I don't know what to say. Everyone in the league is tied today. Some choose to be negative, some don't. I'm going in with an open mind, and I'll join the mob if Krueger keeps defying statistics if player X is destroying his line and getting obliterated by competition.

Coaches are always going to do things like this.

You know what would prevent Sobotka from being on L2?

Not having him on the roster
- OneKaneOneCup

But waiving him would cause shockwaves around the league, and cause players to not want to sign here.

Player - Why did you waive Vlad Sobodka?

Botts - Oh he was the worst player in the entire league by underlying numbers. He cost us every time he was on the ice and provided very little on either offense or defense.

Player - Nope sorry, can’t treat a guy like that. I will not sign here in honor of Sobodka.

Risto to WPG was a no brained all year.

Roslovic, Perrault, and a 2nd rd pick for Risto seems to obvious.
- ImThatGuy

NHL /=/ Xbox.

Your logic works. But we don't know Richard about what GMs say and think to one another.

I don't know what to say. Everyone in the league is tied today. Some choose to be negative, some don't. I'm going in with an open mind, and I'll join the mob if Krueger keeps defying statistics if player X is destroying his line and getting obliterated by competition.
- TheSabresTaco

I’m positive about the long term direction

I was also positive about it 5 (frank)ing years ago.

This team is kinda gross now

I don't know what to say. Everyone in the league is tied today. Some choose to be negative, some don't. I'm going in with an open mind, and I'll join the mob if Krueger keeps defying statistics if player X is destroying his line and getting obliterated by competition.
- TheSabresTaco

I will say this. The cap ceiling is way too low for this league right now and how salaries are moving.

Every team is somehow up against the cap.

No, No.

Pilut will get put back because he's close to playing and they want him skating in Rochester. If they put him on IR here, he has to stay here. Not what they want atm.

Ralph announced that the guys on the ice yesterday is who's playing in Pittsburgh. Lazar was not with them. Lazar will undoubtedly start in Rochester.
- TheSabresTaco

I'm a little confused about this though. Cap Friendly has us at $83.7, 2.2 over the cap. If we send back Pilut, Lazar, Dea that saves roughly 2.3. But if they intend on bringing back Joker (925) and VO (767) that puts them back over the cap, no? Don't they have to make another move?

It's alright... It's okay... It's actually hockey season.

Just give it some time guys....

We all know there will be growing pains under a new coach. There could a night where we don't show up.... however... I am PUMPED for this lineup. We get healthy and get our depth back. I think we are going to be a playoff fringe team. And before you give me the "not with Sobotka on the 2nd line" crap... just relax. You're white. Be happy. I think it is solely for some defensive balance because Skinner is almost 98% all offense.


GOALLOFSON is dropping 30 cookies in the jar this year.

I challenge the people here to keep an open mind.
- TheSabresTaco

I challenge people to be honest about the roster holes Botterill could have, but didn't, fill

I'm a little confused about this though. Cap Friendly has us at $83.7, 2.2 over the cap. If we send back Pilut, Lazar, Dea that saves roughly 2.3. But if they intend on bringing back Joker (925) and VO (767) that puts them back over the cap, no? Don't they have to make another move?
- mhp

Do you have Hunwick on LTIR in this scenario?

Do you have Hunwick on LTIR in this scenario?
- JVince11

Cap Friendly has Hunwick on LTIR. Maybe I'm missing something. And when Montour comes back in a few weeks they need to make more room.

I challenge people to be honest about the roster holes Botterill could have, but didn't, fill
- jcragcrumple

Girgs, Larsson, Risto, Okposo, Sobodka have been through multiple coaches, and have sucked for each one.

I like Larsson on the 4th line, too. I don’t need him, Girgs, Okposo and Sobodka all on the team.

Krueger will be the guy though, just you watch. He will make them all good.

Cap Friendly has Hunwick on LTIR. Maybe I'm missing something. And when Montour comes back in a few weeks they need to make more room.
- mhp

I'm guessing Zemgus or Larry get waived perhaps. We have other bottom 6 forwards on cheaper deals.

I'm guessing Zemgus or Larry get waived perhaps. We have other bottom 6 forwards on cheaper deals.
- JVince11

You can only bury 900k though. A big contract has to be moved out, there is no way around it.

Sabres 4, Penguins 3 on Thursday.

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

Bump.

Bump.
- buffalofan19

If that happens I will buy you a 12 pack or bottle of your choice.