I'm also quoting this part with a different response than JCrag. Yes, the offense may not be as much as many expected, however a few things to consider:
Last year between Anaheim and Buffalo he had 35 points and was a -35 playing 22:27 a night.
This year he is only at 12 points in 35 games (equates to 28 in 82), but is a +5 and playing less at 18:20 a night.
It's possible that as JCrag brought up having more consistency on the back end could increase the point total. Forwards that can capitalize on their chances would help as well.
Depending on his contract demands (which I see in the $5-6m range) I would consider which player between him and Risto gets the better return. I like both, but prefer Risto's physicality. If Montour can provide the same level of play playing LD, then I would prefer to keep both and trade both Miller and McCabe. Dahlin/ Joker and Montour/ Risto would be a solid top 4 going forward.
- adambuffalo

Do you think Montour is better then Rasmus Andersson or Damon Severson just curious because both those guys are signed for under 5 million.

We need all the picks possible do not trade them
- gerbe75pts

Agree in theory but I disagree in reality. We had our shot at building this team through the draft. If this were 3-4 years ago I would agree 100%. Let’s draft the right players to groom and build around Eichel.
Fast forward 4 years to now.
We made some marginal to bad trades, struck out for the most part on our top picks, and have put our selves into a situation where if we try to build this team through the draft again, we might as well trade Eichel for draft picks because he is not sticking around for another rebuild.

I have spoken

I'm also quoting this part with a different response than JCrag. Yes, the offense may not be as much as many expected, however a few things to consider:
Last year between Anaheim and Buffalo he had 35 points and was a -35 playing 22:27 a night.
This year he is only at 12 points in 35 games (equates to 28 in 82), but is a +5 and playing less at 18:20 a night.
It's possible that as JCrag brought up having more consistency on the back end could increase the point total. Forwards that can capitalize on their chances would help as well.
Depending on his contract demands (which I see in the $5-6m range) I would consider which player between him and Risto gets the better return. I like both, but prefer Risto's physicality. If Montour can provide the same level of play playing LD, then I would prefer to keep both and trade both Miller and McCabe. Dahlin/ Joker and Montour/ Risto would be a solid top 4 going forward.
- adambuffalo

I know the acquisition cost is irrelevant now, but it seems foolish to pay premium RHD assets for a guy and then switch him to LD. Even if he can play it at 90% of the right side. They should make room for him on the right imo, if they want the best from him

I know the acquisition cost is irrelevant now, but it seems foolish to pay premium RHD assets for a guy and then switch him to LD. Even if he can play it at 90% of the right side. They should make room for him on the right imo, if they want the best from him
- jcragcrumple

Kruger doesn’t like labels bro, if you can skate you can play anywhere

Agree in theory but I disagree in reality. We had our shot at building this team through the draft. If this were 3-4 years ago I would agree 100%. Let’s draft the right players to groom and build around Eichel.
Fast forward 4 years to now.
We made some marginal to bad trades, struck out for the most part on our top picks, and have put our selves into a situation where if we try to build this team through the draft again, we might as well trade Eichel for draft picks because he is not sticking around for another rebuild.

I have spoken
- lulags

well said

I haven’t seen this discussed yet.



What the heck is going on? Shouldn’t the team president be all over this? How embarrassing.

Do you think Montour is better then Rasmus Andersson or Damon Severson just curious because both those guys are signed for under 5 million.
- Devilish4

Severson was signed 3 years earlier and has been -13, -8, -31, -8, -27 and -15 each of his NHL seasons. Not placing a lot on +/-, but can be looked at in negotiations.
Andersson's just signed his extension after a career year of 2g 17a 19pts last season. His scoring is on a better pace this season at 3g 10a after 50 games, but his -15 on an arguably better team than Buffalo doesn't look great.
Both of these guys were coming off their ELCs, where Montour is coming off his second contract. They both rec'd significant raises, 4-5x more than what they were making. A 50% raise would put Montour at just over $5m. After giving up a 1st and a prospect, I don't think it's a reach to ask for at least that much. On pace for 28 points and currently 3rd best +/- on the team.
Not saying that Montour is better than either player you mentioned, just looking into a few things that may arise when negotiations begin.
Risto is getting $5.4m. Is he as good or better than him, if yes he should expect to get more than him. If no, than why do so many people want to trade the better player?

well said
- homiedclown

3 or 4 years ago they traded away basically the whole system, that's why they are rebuilding it know. If the Pegula's and TM would have been patient and used the picks they had back then and kept some of the prospects traded away, this team would be much closer to a cup contender then a bottom feeder.

Michael Ghofrani: A Familiar Reality: Sabres Will Be Sellers Again
- Michael Ghofrani

Curious Michael, what do Joker’s numbers look like, and on a limited basis, Lazar’s? Read somewhere that Lazar passes the eyeball test but not so much the analytics test

I haven’t seen this discussed yet.



What the heck is going on? Shouldn’t the team president be all over this? How embarrassing.
- Beethoven

Good job Kim.

Good job Kim.
- mhp

Ok, Boomer

Kim didn’t have anything to do with placing that order & spelling the names wrong

Ok, Boomer

Kim didn’t have anything to do with placing that order & spelling the names wrong
- jdfitz77

Not necessarily throwing Kim under the bus, but in management you are responsible for those under you.

Someone screwed up and should be held accountable. If they were not held accountable, then we can hold management/ownership accountable.

Not necessarily throwing Kim under the bus, but in management you are responsible for those under you.

Someone screwed up and should be held accountable. If they were not held accountable, then we can hold management/ownership accountable.
- The Don

Yeah, and when someone saw a misspelled jersey, they should have fixed it (I think the equipment staff can do name plates in-house) or given them a blank

It's bush league poop. Everyone shares blame for that including ownership. And I'm not one to blame ownership in general

Roby is a goddamn treasure. Get the guy's name right

Agree in theory but I disagree in reality. We had our shot at building this team through the draft. If this were 3-4 years ago I would agree 100%. Let’s draft the right players to groom and build around Eichel.
Fast forward 4 years to now.
We made some marginal to bad trades, struck out for the most part on our top picks, and have put our selves into a situation where if we try to build this team through the draft again, we might as well trade Eichel for draft picks because he is not sticking around for another rebuild.

I have spoken
- lulags

Give me Puljujarvi and another top 5 pick. Tank on.

This is the way.

Curious Michael, what do Joker’s numbers look like, and on a limited basis, Lazar’s? Read somewhere that Lazar passes the eyeball test but not so much the analytics test
- turbo044

Among defensemen with 700 mins at 5v5, Joker is 8th in expected goals against while receiving a pretty even distribution of zone starts.

His offensive game is coming up a bit short, but some of that can be explained by running into a bit of ceiling on the right side.

Lazar is hard to read. In a limited time he's gotten some pretty erratic usage. When he's gotten the extreme offensive usage the numbers are good. when he's in a shut down role they're bad. Neither really make sense for him but this is all in some pretty limited playing time. I'd like to see him get an extended look on a line that isn't out there just to kill time once skinner and olofsson are back.

Give me Puljujarvi and another top 5 pick. Tank on.

This is the way.
- Sir Tindoom

Fwiw, Ruotsalainen and Puljujarvi are both 4 years removed from their draft year and so far Ruotsalainen has a better primary points/60 than Puljujarvi despite receiving more defensive usage at 5v5.

Puljujarvi's possession numbers are top 3-5 in the entire league though. I like Puljujarvi but he's very much buyer beware

I haven’t seen this discussed yet.



What the heck is going on? Shouldn’t the team president be all over this? How embarrassing.
- Beethoven

Lower you expectations, this is the Sabres we’re talking about. At least the numbers were right. Isn’t that enough?

I think Montour has been great this year.

I haven’t seen this discussed yet.



What the heck is going on? Shouldn’t the team president be all over this? How embarrassing.
- Beethoven

Maybe this is why Homie has been posting all the woodchuck gifs. I thought he was just excited for Groundhog’s day.

I think Montour has been great this year.
- BeadyEyedDouche

Considering they've asked him to play both sides and wing occasionally, I dont know that anyone should be disappointed with how well he's played relatively speaking

I haven’t seen this discussed yet.



What the heck is going on? Shouldn’t the team president be all over this? How embarrassing.
- Beethoven

"Starting today, there will be no financial mandates on the Buffalo Sabres' hockey department. .."

Terry Pegula 2-23-11

Maybe this is why Homie has been posting all the woodchuck gifs. I thought he was just excited for Groundhog’s day.
- Beethoven

Lower you expectations, this is the Sabres we’re talking about. At least the numbers were right. Isn’t that enough?
- PrinceChill

Good job Kim.
- mhp

Not necessarily throwing Kim under the bus, but in management you are responsible for those under you.

Someone screwed up and should be held accountable. If they were not held accountable, then we can hold management/ownership accountable.
- The Don

Obviously someone screwed up
But i highly doubt Kim places the order,
or saw the jerseys at all beforehand

Blaming her is just ridiculous
More grumbling from bitter old men on here