There's the Pominvile thing I knew would pop up.

In any event, it's a new coaching staff and clearly they didn't like what they saw.
- HonkFortheGoose

Sure, and it’s the same mistake coaches make over and over and over.

Taking the experienced, bad player over the unknown

CJ Smith very well could be nothing. Vlad Sobotka is a known nothing

The only defense I can come up with, and it's admittedly a weak one, is that Botterill really has a design as to who he wants on his AHL team, more than most, from the sounds of it. It's why Moulson was loaned, and not merely waived and sent to Rochester. Also, when you loan a player, he has to clear waivers as well.
- buffalofan19

Supposedly it was a favor because his sister is married to Jonathan quick so playing in so cal was good for him. Playing minor league hockey for $5m a year in southern California is pretty nice in general

Sure, and it’s the same mistake coaches make over and over and over.

Taking the experienced, bad player over the unknown

CJ Smith very well could be nothing. Vlad Sobotka is a known nothing
- OneKaneOneCup

Amen.
Preach on.

Supposedly it was a favor because his sister is married to Jonathan quick so playing in so cal was good for him. Playing minor league hockey for $5m a year in southern California is pretty nice in general
- jcragcrumple

I'm still not ruling out a player loan of either Okposo or Sobotka. They may believe Kruger can get more out of them, but I do think if it becomes clear they can't, there will be a similar move.

San Jose should pick up Ho-sang. That locker room has the leadership to make him the player he should be.

I'm still not ruling out a player loan of either Okposo or Sobotka. They may believe Kruger can get more out of them, but I do think if it becomes clear they can't, there will be a similar move.
- buffalofan19

It’s funny how some guys like Risto or Cm could benefit from the coaching change because Housley didn’t know how to coach, which I agree, but it’s odd how that can only apply to certain players.
Sobotka had a brutal season last year, but there’s no possibility that he could improve under a new coach, Same with Scandella who I thought was decent his first year hear.

It’s funny how some guys like Risto or Cm could benefit from the coaching change because Housley didn’t know how to coach, which I agree, but it’s odd how that can only apply to certain players.
Sobotka had a brutal season last year, but there’s no possibility that he could improve under a new coach, Same with Scandella who I thought was decent his first year hear.
- Sabres1523

It's why I'm not too upset about the way the roster is...yet. The "clean slate" approach is a natural one to take. However, it will become very clear very quickly as to whether or not it's working. If Okposo and Sobotka are still liabilities by November 1st, and they don't cut bait, then I will be upset.

It’s funny how some guys like Risto or Cm could benefit from the coaching change because Housley didn’t know how to coach, which I agree, but it’s odd how that can only apply to certain players.
Sobotka had a brutal season last year, but there’s no possibility that he could improve under a new coach, Same with Scandella who I thought was decent his first year hear.
- Sabres1523

The lack of a firesale of moves points towards two things.

The real work will get done next year when half of the roster is UFA.

Housely was much more an issue than even we thought. Seems like management is going to see what Kruger can do to the roster before selling everyone for nothing.

Almost every move Botts has made has been to set up the incredible flexibility coming next season.

It’s funny how some guys like Risto or Cm could benefit from the coaching change because Housley didn’t know how to coach, which I agree, but it’s odd how that can only apply to certain players.
Sobotka had a brutal season last year, but there’s no possibility that he could improve under a new coach, Same with Scandella who I thought was decent his first year hear.
- Sabres1523

It shouldn’t really apply to any players. Coaching rarely turns around players who already have hundreds of games of experience under their belt

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

So you're saying he is really, really close, lol.
Right move to send him down, tell him 10 more pounds of muscle...and f'g use it.
See ya in late February

Just sayin if you truly believe Okposo deserves to be on this team then I guess you don't understand regression in statistics. I don't care what Thompson did last year. We know what we're getting in Okposo and it will only be a decline from last year. At least Thompson still has potential
- bluengold12

I fully understand Okposo' s regression. I've also reconciled myself to the fact that he will be on the team this year. Botts isn't waiving him to have $5M in dead cap space. Nor is he trading him because nobody wants Okposo and even if someone were willing to take on that contract, Botts isn't going to pay top dollar in assets to move him. At least not this year.

It shouldn’t really apply to any players. Coaching rarely turns around players who already have hundreds of games of experience under their belt
- OneKaneOneCup

Gerard Gallant took a bunch of castoffs to the SC Finals...Craig Berube changed a veteran Blues team and made ROR into a Selke/Conn Smythe winner.

Just sayin

I fully understand Okposo' s regression. I've also reconciled myself to the fact that he will be on the team this year. Botts isn't waiving him to have $5M in dead cap space. Nor is he trading him because nobody wants Okposo and even if someone were willing to take on that contract, Botts isn't going to pay top dollar in assets to move him. At least not this year.
- Michael Pachla

Okposo is the boat anchor that is representative of the mess Botts inherited from the previous regime.

Given the circumstances, I'm much happier with the slow and steady plan as opposed to the Tim Murray decimate the teams assets in an attempt to win now plan.

Murray's strategy was much much more fun, but I think Botts strategy is the right one.

What he does with his cap flexibility next year will be his make or break decisions.

I dont believe this is a real thing

We did it to Moulson and Skinner signed an enormous extension here

We could do it again
- jcragcrumple

You sent Vald Sobodka down on waivers.
That is totally unacceptable.
I will not sign there.

It just doesn’t really fit.

Just sayin if you truly believe Okposo deserves to be on this team then I guess you don't understand regression in statistics. I don't care what Thompson did last year. We know what we're getting in Okposo and it will only be a decline from last year. At least Thompson still has potential
- bluengold12

So Age and Scoring have a 1:1 correlation?
Interesting.

Sure, and it’s the same mistake coaches make over and over and over.

Taking the experienced, bad player over the unknown

CJ Smith very well could be nothing. Vlad Sobotka is a known nothing
- OneKaneOneCup

Until the NHL gets the old heads out of the game there is still the “you have to ride the bus in the minors to earn a spot in the big leagues mentality”

Rivet and Peters talk about it all the time and it’s nauseating listening to it.

Okposo is the boat anchor that is representative of the mess Botts inherited from the previous regime.

Given the circumstances, I'm much happier with the slow and steady plan as opposed to the Tim Murray decimate the teams assets in an attempt to win now plan.

Murray's strategy was much much more fun, but I think Botts strategy is the right one.

What he does with his cap flexibility next year will be his make or break decisions.
- Shadman306

👍

So Age and Scoring have a 1:1 correlation?
Interesting.
- IonSabres

No but it’s inexcusable to turn a blind eye to all the regression charts that exist that show regression when players hit 29. And then steepens every year after.

Okposo is the boat anchor that is representative of the mess Botts inherited from the previous regime.

Given the circumstances, I'm much happier with the slow and steady plan as opposed to the Tim Murray decimate the teams assets in an attempt to win now plan.

Murray's strategy was much much more fun, but I think Botts strategy is the right one.

What he does with his cap flexibility next year will be his make or break decisions.
- Shadman306

Botts and Murray have nearly an identical record as a gm.

We have no idea if this is the right plan or not.

I remember in 2016, I believe, our top 6 was:

Kane-Eichel-Reinhart
Pouliot-ROR-Okposo

I remember thinking you probably aren't a playoff team if Pouliot is in the top-6

Now Sobotka is in the top-6
- jcragcrumple

There’s something to be said for going with balanced lines...
But Sobotka in the top6?????

I think we can all agree that sucks

Tough to imagine Kruger keeps it that way for long though
Unless Sobotka really shocks us
He seemed upset being in a bottom6 role ever since he came back from Russia,
and even made comments about it here last season

Maybe he met with Kruger & convinced him to give him a shot in the top6??
Kruger seems like the kind of guy that might say,
“Alright, let’s see what you’ve got”
*maybe I’m reaching here, but it’s all I’ve got

Again though, i doubt it lasts long

Just 365 short days from now, this team will be ready AND willing to try and compete for a playoff spot.

Goldobin on waivers.

Few folks here had a (frank)ing hardon for that guy
- TheSabresTaco

Maybe if we didn’t already have 6 guys of 4th line quality...

Gerard Gallant took a bunch of castoffs to the SC Finals...Craig Berube changed a veteran Blues team and made ROR into a Selke/Conn Smythe winner.

Just sayin
- Michael Pachla

Nah. They were pretty good players that other GM’s handed to them.

They were gifted a 4 line team with a good goalie.

And I think Gallant is excellent coach.

Just 365 short days from now, this team will be ready AND willing to try and compete for a playoff spot.
- PrinceChill

The rest of the trash will be gone. This is a good post.

Steve Young just on espn right now talking about how standing on the sideline & observing can HELP Mitch Trubisky

But hey, what would a Hall of Fame QB know?
Just saying