I think there's some validity to it, just taken a bit too far. He's intentionally building around C + D. With high 1st round centers, it's a pretty solid strat.
- Lunaion

Sure, but again, he took over a D corps that had Justin Falk as the #4/5 D man

We’re now 8 deep with potential top 4 D, excluding the two pending UFA’s.

He also has the best goalie prospect in hockey.

And it’s not like we don’t have a franchise center and 2 top line wings.

We need more immediate help

We shall see. I can’t pretend to know what’s gonna happen
- sbroads24

Nobody can. But nothing makes a person so happy as to say, “I told you so.”

Sure, but again, he took over a D corps that had Justin Falk as the #4/5 D man

We’re now 8 deep with potential top 4 D, excluding the two pending UFA’s.

He also has the best goalie prospect in hockey.

And it’s not like we don’t have a franchise center and 2 top line wings.

We need more immediate help
- sbroads24

Does he really rank that high?

Does he really rank that high?
- Lunaion

Before the year started he was the #1 prospect by a few outlets

Goalie prospect- obviously

Does he really rank that high?
- Lunaion

Yes

Before the year started he was the #1 prospect by a few outlets

Goalie prospect- obviously
- sbroads24

OK, didn't really look. Just expected everyone to have Spencer Knight there.

Man sauce has told me that Kovalchuk and we will pay the PRICE

Possibly a 5th going back

Man sauce has told me that Kovalchuk and we will pay the PRICE
- BeadyEyedDouche

Lol. Are they retaining 95%?

Lol. Are they retaining 95%?
- sbroads24

I don’t agree with the contract however he is a top 6 forward we got for nothing.
- Swedish_Jesus

Are you going to brag about how we “got Skinner for nothing” four years from now? When the Sabres will allegedly be competing for Lord Stanley?

Actually talking about the Sabres killed the thread.

That’s depressing

Are you going to brag about how we “got Skinner for nothing” four years from now? When the Sabres will allegedly be competing for Lord Stanley?
- PrinceChill

Everyone knows my thoughts on the contract. Do we really need to go over this weekly ?

I sure hope that Skinner is producing at that point or else I’m going to get an infinite ban and be totally insufferable with all my “I told you so’s”.

I’m praying I’m wrong because if I am we will be “scary good”.

According to Jeremy White and the guy Chad from
DBTB, he’s getting one by months end.

We will see.

I don’t agree with everything Botts has done. I also don’t believe he actually thinks this is a forward group he can win championships with
- sbroads24

Any speculation on who and for whom?

Any speculation on who and for whom?
- SabreWest

No, but IMO, it’s someone on LA.

White tweeted his Sabres source “fully expects” it to be done by months end.

Maybe the Kovalchuk situation has to be resolved first for cap reasons.

Otherwise why would this deal be held up?

Everyone knows my thoughts on the contract. Do we really need to go over this weekly ?

I sure hope that Skinner is producing at that point or else I’m going to get an infinite ban and be totally insufferable with all my “I told you so’s”.

I’m praying I’m wrong because if I am we will be “scary good”.
- Swedish_Jesus

Do we need to go over Sam vs Leon weekly?

No, but IMO, it’s someone on LA.

White tweeted his Sabres source “fully expects” it to be done by months end.

Maybe the Kovalchuk situation has to be resolved first for cap reasons.

Otherwise why would this deal be held up?
- sbroads24

Kopitar would be nice.....

Do we need to go over Sam vs Leon weekly?
- PrinceChill

I took an extended break from that actually. It just started coming up again recently.

No, but IMO, it’s someone on LA.

White tweeted his Sabres source “fully expects” it to be done by months end.

Maybe the Kovalchuk situation has to be resolved first for cap reasons.

Otherwise why would this deal be held up?
- sbroads24

The time frame makes all the sense in the world for Puljujarvi.

Does he really rank that high?
- Lunaion

He won the OHL MVP. Past winners: Kyrou, DeBrincat, Marner, McDavid, Trochek, Ryan Ellis, Seguin, some malignant hyperthermic mother(frank)er, Tavares...

Man sauce has told me that Kovalchuk and we will pay the PRICE
- BeadyEyedDouche

No one needs to know what you do in your spare time.

I took an extended break from that actually. It just started coming up again recently.
- Swedish_Jesus

If your old dealer starts popping up, just tell him you ain’t into that poop no more.

Everyone knows my thoughts on the contract. Do we really need to go over this weekly ?

I sure hope that Skinner is producing at that point or else I’m going to get an infinite ban and be totally insufferable with all my “I told you so’s”.

I’m praying I’m wrong because if I am we will be “scary good”.
- Swedish_Jesus

Shoulder surgery is a female dog. Just a friendly warning about patting yourself on the back too much.

I'm guessing at times, coaches play players to showcase them for a trade?

If I'm krueger, so far so good with scandella?

Joker hits the bench anyways.

Also: I think we "rotate" at least 1 defenseman on IR until a holiday trade happens
- Boss34

U can’t just put someone on IR unless they’re actually hurt though

We're going to have to deal with the fact that there's no forward prospect depth due to the trades for Beaulieu, Scandella/pominville, Sheary, Vesey, Skinner, Montour, Miller, Joker.

Everyone seems blind to the fact that the cupboards are bare of forward talent because of Botterill. If it works, he wins. If not...
- jcragcrumple

Meh, having had a bit more time to ponder your point I have come to a different conclusion.

What is never mentioned is the fact that previous draft selections in the Forward ranks that were in the pipeline they...well...they all absolutely poop the bed.
Nylander, Baptiste, Bailey, Fasching, Catenacci. All flamed out.

So when Botts came in, the dearth of D prospects in the pipeline was THE critical need, especially since the stock of Dmen on the NHL roster was putrid.

The thing about Botts is he laid out a strategy and has executed against it.
He stated early on that he would take a season to evaluate what he had in Buffalo and Rocnester.
He stated that it is critical to build from the bottom up, rebuilding the AHL team first to create an environment where young players could develop properly.
He stated he will not rush young players, he has done that except for Mitts (which is still puzzeling)

Finally, he is now in the position to rebuild the NHL roster.