"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

Do you not see what's happening here? Botterill didn't get a real 2C, and Ott cant take faceoffs, so the coach is forced to compensate by putting the 50% faceoff specialist on his wing

Botterill has all summer to move Scandella, Risto, Girgs and Larsson. Dump them for low picks, hold some cap, money is no object.

None of those guys were moved. The cap “mess” is now starting to fall on him.

There is no more, Well Tim Murray fvcked us. He no longer gets that. This is year 3. It’s his team now.
- ImThatGuy

Sender and receiver. We don't want them, why would anyone else?

Does anyone believe that Jason Botterill wakes up every morning and thinks, I want the Sabres to suck?

My guess is there were/are several restrictions such as money, dance partner, return, etc. that led management to do what they could do.

Do you not see what's happening here? Botterill didn't get a real 2C, and Ott cant take faceoffs, so the coach is forced to compensate by putting the 50% faceoff specialist on his wing
- jcragcrumple

But Skinner takes FO’s all the time, and wasn’t bad at it

I’m praying this is a RK troll job.

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

They obviously have a plan. They sent down Joker and VO and we all know they will be back up for tomorrow night.

LTIR Okposo maybe. Who knows. Maybe EDM would give a 7th rounder.

Do you not see what's happening here? Botterill didn't get a real 2C, and Ott cant take faceoffs, so the coach is forced to compensate by putting the 50% faceoff specialist on his wing
- jcragcrumple

Someone call Konopka to get him on this team so he can take a face off, lose it and dart to the bench for a change.

But Skinner takes FO’s all the time, and wasn’t bad at it

I’m praying this is a RK troll job.
- OneKaneOneCup

There's no way that line lasts.

Sender and receiver. We don't want them, why would anyone else?

Does anyone believe that Jason Botterill wakes up every morning and thinks, I want the Sabres to suck?

My guess is there were/are several restrictions such as money, dance partner, return, etc. that led management to do what they could do.
- TC4145

Is it possible the GM was possibly asking too much for those bad players and other teams said no thanks.

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

Ok never mind. Adding each group- forwards (49.4), defense (18.675), goaltending (4) and removed Dea, Lazar and Pilut and added Joker and VO they are at around $72M.

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

You all say Risto sucks but you bang on JB for not moving him. What are the Sabres getting for him if he sucks so bad we don't want him?

A 2nd and a 3rd? A fourth liner and a 2nd?

Certainly not a 2C if he sucks.

You all say Risto sucks but you bang on JB for not moving him. What are the Sabres getting for him if he sucks so bad we don't want him?

A 2nd and a 3rd? A fourth liner and a 2nd?

Certainly not a 2C if he sucks.
- TC4145

Getting ANYTHING is better than playing him on the top pair.

You all say Risto sucks but you bang on JB for not moving him. What are the Sabres getting for him if he sucks so bad we don't want him?

A 2nd and a 3rd? A fourth liner and a 2nd?

Certainly not a 2C if he sucks.
- TC4145

I said it in June, I said it in August, and I'm still here saying it in October.... RISTOLAINEN IS NOT GETTING TRADED WHILE WE HAVE 4 D on the IR!!!!!

If at all, he will get moved at the deadline for winger help once those 4 are back.

Getting ANYTHING is better than playing him on the top pair.
- OneKaneOneCup

No, it is not.

Once we're out of the playoff picture the Risto rumors will fire up again. I will be surprised if he isn't moved at the deadline.

No, it is not.
- TC4145

Insanity.

Let’s just keep trying the same thing, over, and over and over and over.

I said it in June, I said it in August, and I'm still here saying it in October.... RISTOLAINEN IS NOT GETTING TRADED WHILE WE HAVE 4 D on the IR!!!!!

If at all, he will get moved at the deadline for winger help once those 4 are back.
- JVince11

Exactly Vince.

Risto to WPG was a no brained all year.

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

This board would have MURDERED him for this.

"Risto sucks, but trade him for a 2C or 2A/1B RW or take a long f'in hike of a short pier PUTZ"

Haven't you seen this.

I said it in June, I said it in August, and I'm still here saying it in October.... RISTOLAINEN IS NOT GETTING TRADED WHILE WE HAVE 4 D on the IR!!!!!

If at all, he will get moved at the deadline for winger help once those 4 are back.
- JVince11

I wouldn't count on Bogo being healthy ever. Hunwick is obviously done-zo. So there's really only 2 d we're waiting on. I think the holdup is a soft market for Risto, not our own situation

I wouldn't count on Bogo being healthy ever. Hunwick is obviously done-zo. So there's really only 2 d we're waiting on. I think the holdup is a soft market for Risto, not our own situation
- jcragcrumple

Montour, McCabe, and Pilut are all still banged up right now though?

Montour, McCabe, and Pilut are all still banged up right now though?
- JVince11

Are they career threatening injuries?

Montour, McCabe, and Pilut are all still banged up right now though?
- JVince11

He's going to play. He has some minor ailment.

Montour and Pilut are still out for at least a couple weeks though, yeah. I think if there was an offer Botterill liked, he would have taken it regardless of that situation though

He's going to play. He has some minor ailment.

Montour and Pilut are still out for at least a couple weeks though, yeah. I think if there was an offer Botterill liked, he would have taken it regardless of that situation though
- jcragcrumple

I would agree. This board would erupt at Botts if he sold Risto for anything less than a 30 goal scorer saying he is the worst GM in the world BUT in the same breath say that Risto is absolute garbage and the worst defensemen in the league.

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.
- ImThatGuy

The point is, he has one bad year and all the sudden we want to execute him.

I bet you've had bad years.

He was an effective player, pest, before he got here. Maybe he gets that back. Ralph certainly is going to try, it looks like

Do you not see what's happening here? Botterill didn't get a real 2C, and Ott cant take faceoffs, so the coach is forced to compensate by putting the 50% faceoff specialist on his wing
- jcragcrumple

I see exactly what's going on here and I agree with you. He expects CM to step up over the course of the season, and RW has yet to be addressed. I am with you on this point. Krueger is using what he has available to him, to what I believe he believes is right.

I would agree. This board would erupt at Botts if he sold Risto for anything less than a 30 goal scorer saying he is the worst GM in the world BUT in the same breath say that Risto is absolute garbage and the worst defensemen in the league.
- JVince11

Here’s the truth -

-Ristolainen sucks
- the Sabres are better without him than with him playing 25 min.

Can’t wait for it to not work for year 7 now

He's going to play. He has some minor ailment.

Montour and Pilut are still out for at least a couple weeks though, yeah. I think if there was an offer Botterill liked, he would have taken it regardless of that situation though
- jcragcrumple

I would hope so.

You can't be short-sighted. If there is a deal to make your team better long term, while a player is injured, you still make the deal.