If we had that 2C and a goalie,
then we could play a more offensive style

Yes... that’s on Botts

Like i asked earlier though...
if Mitts &/or Cozens works out,
aren’t we in pretty good shape all of the sudden?

Still need 6k to work out too
Or get a good goalie to pair with Ullmark

But Botts can go from goat to hero really quick if some of the youth develops like they’re projected to

And yeah, that’s an if
But i think it’s likely, and I’m gonna remain hopeful
- jdfitz77

I'd prefer to have an actual plan that doesn't rely on "Ifs" as the Plan A solution set.

Go get a bonafide 2C and 2RW before the start of 2020-2021 season ... preferably with 2-4 yrs of term left.
Play Cozens on 3rd line, either C or RW with Johansson and another vet.
Mitts and Tage (if still here after acquiring 2C 2RW) develop together in Roch through next TDL...can earn their callups.

Now to the Ifs
- Cozens deserves 2C, then trade acquired 2C, they're gold like RhD's (lol)
- Mitts (if still here) deserves early callup, great...trade who he replaced (3LW, 3C)
- Tage (if still here) deserves early callup, great ...trade who he replaced

How about something like this?

Trade for Bonino- he’d cost considerably less
Sign Hoffman (or Dadonov, etc)

Olofsson-Jack-Sam
Skinner-Bonino-Hoffman
Mitts-Cozens-MoJo
Girgs-Larsson-Okposo/Lazar

Whoever is ready to be 2C first between Mitts & Cozens moves up

That looks like a legit top9 to me
With a good defensive 4th line

And then just upgrade Hutton to a decent goalie to pair with Ullmark
- jdfitz77

I guess, I just don't like Bonino, he's never been a very good set-up man. But maybe that would change playing with Skinner.

I have zero confidence in Mitts.

I really wish they wouldn't rush Cozens, and if he does make the team, they better shelter him correctly with an actual 2C.

Oh, hell, they'll (frank) it up.
- Powerslave

Maybe, just maybe, Cozens comes in and lights it up next year and earns that 2C role and the hockey gods shine their light on Buffalo for once.

Just like how Pettersson came out of nowhere and won the Calder.

I couldn’t agree more
Where we differ is that i have serious doubts that Johansen is that guy
And i have faith that Cozens will reach his projected ceiling, or close to it

Now if we wanna talk about bringing in another “2C” besides Johansen...
I’m much more into the idea

Otherwise,
I think a “good” placeholder till Cozens is ready for 2C is the way I’d go
And i also still have hope for Mitts
- jdfitz77

Yeah that's fair. I truly believe that adding a playmaking 2c to this team would make worlds of difference. One who's in the 26-30 age and having a down year who's value may be lower because of it. Also relieves pressure from the young kids, Casey and cozens wouldnt need to be rushed into rolls they're not ready for.

Itll be interesting to see what (if anything) Botterill does. This team has some really good pieces and potential

Mitts was/is entitled. Probably felt like he was Botts’ boy and didn’t need to backcheck, work hard, or take his conditioning seriously.
I hope he comes into next season a little more mature.
People here were pretty optimistic about him. I dont think anyone was predicting he’d start the season on the Sabres and end it with the Amerks.

Here’s to hoping Cozens has a polar opposite attitude and work ethic. He’s looking great in juniors, I hope an opportunity with the big club doesn’t end up being a setback.
- PrinceChill

I met Cozens a few times this summer when he was up here rehabbing his hand/wrist injury
He seemed quite frustrated that the injury allowed him to only do cardio, and he couldn’t work out to add weight & muscle

Based on my convos with him, I’m not worried about that at all

And with Mitts,
hopefully this demotion is the kick in the butt he needs to get after it this summer- working out AND improving his skating
Bc he still has tons of talent & could be a heck of a player still

I'd prefer to have an actual plan that doesn't rely on "Ifs" as the Plan A solution set.

Go get a bonafide 2C and 2RW before the start of 2020-2021 season ... preferably with 2-4 yrs of term left.
Play Cozens on 3rd line, either C or RW with Johansson and another vet.
Mitts and Tage (if still here after acquiring 2C 2RW) develop together in Roch through next TDL...can earn their callups.

Now to the Ifs
- Cozens deserves 2C, then trade acquired 2C, they're gold like RhD's (lol)
- Mitts (if still here) deserves early callup, great...trade who he replaced (3LW, 3C)
- Tage (if still here) deserves early callup, great ...trade who he replaced
- IonSabres

All of that makes perfect sense
I just don’t know if we can reasonably acquire a legit 2C

And i do think it’ll do more damage than good if he gets desperate and acquires the wrong guy
For example:
If he’d acquired Kessel or PK Subban last summer

Not making a trade is better than making the wrong one

I guess, I just don't like Bonino, he's never been a very good set-up man. But maybe that would change playing with Skinner.
- Buff36

Ok... pick another “placeholder” then
I just use him as an example bc he’s playing better than Johansen & ppl want him

I met Cozens a few times this summer when he was up here rehabbing his hand/wrist injury
He seemed quite frustrated that the injury allowed him to only do cardio, and he couldn’t work out to add weight & muscle

Based on my convos with him, I’m not worried about that at all

And with Mitts,
hopefully this demotion is the kick in the butt he needs to get after it this summer- working out AND improving his skating
Bc he still has tons of talent & could be a heck of a player still
- jdfitz77

Good to hear about Dylan.
As for Mitts, I was surprised at his lack of speed. To call it average would be generous. That may not change, and could relegate him to the wing. Oh well.

All of that makes perfect sense
I just don’t know if we can reasonably acquire a legit 2C

And i do think it’ll do more damage than good if he gets desperate and acquires the wrong guy
For example:
If he’d acquired Kessel or PK Subban last summer

Not making a trade is better than making the wrong one
- jdfitz77

Was the Skinner trade a right or wrong trade?

I couldn’t agree more
Where we differ is that i have serious doubts that Johansen is that guy
And i have faith that Cozens will reach his projected ceiling, or close to it

Now if we wanna talk about bringing in another “2C” besides Johansen...
I’m much more into the idea

Otherwise,
I think a “good” placeholder till Cozens is ready for 2C is the way I’d go
And i also still have hope for Mitts


OR
If we are gonna risk it on a guy we think can be a legit 2C but is having a down season...
Trocheck makes much more sense to me
4.75mil for 2 more years after this
Good 2way player
Decent playmaker, and has shown good goal scoring ability in the past

For me, that’s a much better gamble
Bc if he doesn’t work out, it doesn’t kill us like $8mil for 5 more years does
- jdfitz77

I'd be cool with trocheck as well, hed be much better than what's there. But if you told me this team got johansen I'd be pretty pumped. I didnt know his attitude supposedly isnt good this year but RORwas mentally checked out by the end here and we all know what happened. Attitude can change but talent is talent.

I met Cozens a few times this summer when he was up here rehabbing his hand/wrist injury
He seemed quite frustrated that the injury allowed him to only do cardio, and he couldn’t work out to add weight & muscle

Based on my convos with him, I’m not worried about that at all

And with Mitts,
hopefully this demotion is the kick in the butt he needs to get after it this summer- working out AND improving his skating
Bc he still has tons of talent & could be a heck of a player still
- jdfitz77

I read that he was focused on cardio and lower body workouts to the point it helped him get another gear in his skating.
This offseason, he adds upper body strength

Ok... pick another “placeholder” then
I just use him as an example bc he’s playing better than Johansen & ppl want him
- jdfitz77

Trocheck
Strome

Was the Skinner trade a right or wrong trade?
- PrinceChill

He’s already here, and not going anywhere...
So does it matter?

*but yes, it clearly was to answer your question
Was the $9mil per a good idea?
Time will tell

I'd be cool with trocheck as well, hed be much better than what's there. But if you told me this team got johansen I'd be pretty pumped. I didnt know his attitude supposedly isnt good this year but RORwas mentally checked out by the end here and we all know what happened. Attitude can change but talent is talent.
- Brochilldude

Sure
But Nashville is in a playoff race
No reason for the lack of effort & consistency he’s shown this season

I read that he was focused on cardio and lower body workouts to the point it helped him get another gear in his skating.
This offseason, he adds upper body strength
- IonSabres

He literally couldn’t do anything with his upper beady all summer
Got the cast off like a week before the prospects tourney & then camp started the next week

Trocheck
Strome
- Buff36

Sure, as long as the price is reasonable

He’s already here, and not going anywhere...
So does it matter?

*but yes, it clearly was to answer your question
Was the $9mil per a good idea?
Time will tell
- jdfitz77

People here rehash past acquisitions all the time. You know that. Just because it currently doesn’t look good for him, and by extension JB, shouldnt disqualify it from discussion.

Bernie wants all your money so he can give everyone else free stuff!

Warren is Native American!

klobucher eats with a comb and makes her staff clean it...

Trump should shave his head and grow a goatee! It’d. Be. Epic...
- Gr8daygo

Do we need to do this

Trocheck
Strome
- Buff36

Troch!!

Troch!!
- TheSabresTaco

Any info there Taco

Rhino, Risto and 2020 1st for
JG, Janikowski 2021 2nd

I struggle to believe that he is better at defense than those two.
- TheSabresTaco

Have them play against Matthews, McDavid, Crosby, etc every night, most shifts and they will be undressed and exposed right now. I hope the Sabres do trade Risto and this happens. I will sit back and laugh

Was the Skinner trade a right or wrong trade?
- PrinceChill

The Skinner trade was a dump by Carolina. They barely got more than St. Louis got for Scandella and Scandella is a rental. They got Pu and 6th, a 2nd and a 3rd or 4th, for Scandella they got a 2nd and 4th. It was a take him, we don't want him, he's all yours!!

Rhino, Risto and 2020 1st for
JG, Janikowski 2021 2nd
- Buff36

I don’t want to give up our 1st. If it was lottery protected. Yes

I don’t want to give up our 1st. If it was lottery protected. Yes
- Sabretooth9

This was actually brought up by a poster on the Calgary site. Maybe there 2nd turns to a 1st in 2021