If Arizona wins with the #1 pick in jack Hughes, I could see a trade that works for both Arizona and Toronto

I've thought about all those same things. Makes more sense for us as an organization right now to not rush getting him signed to something long term. Let the chips fall where they're going to after a month or so into the season at least and then maybe evaluate.
- HonkFortheGoose

That's what I'm thinking. I still don't know if we are bottom 5 or just barely missing the playoffs. I think that outcome definitely effects the Skinner deal as well.

If Arizona wins with the #1 pick in jack Hughes, I could see a trade that works for both Arizona and Toronto
- Boss34

TBH, I don't think they'd trade Hughes for Matthews. I think you'd see a deal revolving around Keller or Chick Run ++ before it was a #1 overall player getting dealt.

Reinhart though...

I’m sure Sam will get done, but I’d rather it be sooner than later

I’m gonna be worried if Skinner isn’t extended by the time the season starts
- jdfitz77

From the interviews of Botts and Skinner, it doesn't seem like either are interested I'm signing an extension until at least halfway through the season. Both sides want to see how this is gonna go

I'm totally fine with that. I see 3 scenarios- we're out of the playoff picture and he's traded at the trade deadline, or: we make the playoffs and re-sign him, or the worst-case scenario, we make the playoffs and he walks for nothing, which isn't really all that bad, considering what we gave up. If he has 17 goals by Christmas, he'll get locked up imo

That's what I'm thinking. I still don't know if we are bottom 5 or just barely missing the playoffs. I think that outcome definitely effects the Skinner deal as well.
- RhinoFan

I think it has more to do with just overall chemistry with the other players. If he's clicking well and they could see him being a piece that keeps us moving in the right direction and he wants to stay, I think they'll sign him.

If Arizona wins with the #1 pick in jack Hughes, I could see a trade that works for both Arizona and Toronto
- Boss34

Excuse me but umm
...

Sam be worried.

It doesn't make sense to extend Skinner now. If we are out of the playoffs, we trade him. So an extended Skinner doesn't work for most playoff teams given cap limitations. If we are playoff bound, I expect Botts to push the idea.

Either way though, I'd actually be more worried if Skinner was being extended now. If he doesn't work, our team craps the bed again or if a good offer comes in, we'd be stuck. Let the chips fall first IMO.
- RhinoFan

What?
Skinner is a 30+ goal scorer
Idc if we are out of the playoffs this year...
I’d still like him here for the 5-7 years after that sniping in goals for us

He does still have some finish left for the PP so he's got value there for sure still. Speaking of, the PP is going to have an obviously* huge impact on where we finish this year, what are your PP #1 & PP #2 lines this year?

*obviously (great drinking game for player interviews BTW, obviously every time a player says "obviously", obviously.)

- notalent

great point...was watching jack's presser the other day and you can tell he's really matured...didn't use 'obviously' until well into the presser...seemed as if he was a little uncomfortable talking about the Lehner situation, that's when he broke out 'obviously'

TBH, I don't think they'd trade Hughes for Matthews. I think you'd see a deal revolving around Keller or Chick Run ++ before it was a #1 overall player getting dealt.
- RhinoFan

Not sure, Matthew's is also a more proven nhl former #1

I imagine Arizona would extend him for 12.5 x 8 =100

That would allow Toronto to keep their young core together and get younger.
They would be getting an ecl contract, but risk if he lives up to Matthew's value.

Matthews is worth more to Arizona? Then other teams?

Excuse me but umm
...

- Wissler

Interesting, hard to tell if you agree with my take?

Who says no?

Didn't Risto sign after camp started? I think that will be the Reinhart situation as well.

I think it has more to do with just overall chemistry with the other players. If he's clicking well and they could see him being a piece that keeps us moving in the right direction and he wants to stay, I think they'll sign him.
- HonkFortheGoose

I don't want to discount chemistry. That is certainly true. I'd imagine, if we're a bottom 5 team, regardless of chemistry, he'd be moved at the deadline. Doesn't mean we wouldn't try to resign in the summer.

If he wants to sign, we're a dumpster fire still, he puts up 30 goals...that would be a tough situation in which I think you are right that the chemistry would trump the season's outcome. Just don't think it will be the overriding reasoning either way unless such a situation arose.

What?
Skinner is a 30+ goal scorer
Idc if we are out of the playoffs this year...
I’d still like him here for the 5-7 years after that sniping in goals for us
- jdfitz77

He's scored over 30 twice in eight seasons, so calling him a 30+ goal guy could be a problematic label.

I get where you are coming from, he's the best winger we have now. If he doesn't have the attitude issues some of our former wingers had...I can understand signing him either way.

However, you know he will want to be paid like a 30g player. What if he only scores 20-20-40 stat line this year? Still want to sign him to 7+?

What about if him and Eichel don't mesh well. Willing to pay a 2nd line player 7+?

There are issues that arise if the contract is signed now and we don't get to see the product before. If everything goes well we will have time to talk. Skinner holds all the cards anyways and he can't make a decision until July 1st as is. I'd wonder if HE wouldn't want to sign until he sees how the team fairs.

Throw out all the TDL and chemistry stuff, we just acquired him. I think letting him get settled, get his stride back and meet the guys is a good call.

Edit: Thrice

Didn't Risto sign after camp started? I think that will be the Reinhart situation as well.
- gcomella34

Yes. And I hope so.

Nylander and Reinhart in the stare down.

You're joking, right? Pommer has had 60 pts once since 2012, and had 34 last year. I f he's higher than 4th line this year then we are in trouble.
- LandlordTom

Yes I am joking.

The poster I responded to was the guy who basically tried to say Kane was a 60 goal scorer

Jason Pominville on this roster neither angers nor excites me.
- buffalofan19

so you have the same reaction barometer as Jason Pominville

He's scored over 30 twice in eight seasons, so calling him a 30+ goal guy could be a problematic label.

I get where you are coming from, he's the best winger we have now. If he doesn't have the attitude issues some of our former wingers had...I can understand signing him either way.

However, you know he will want to be paid like a 30g player. What if he only scores 20-20-40 stat line this year? Still want to sign him to 7+?

What about if him and Eichel don't mesh well. Willing to pay a 2nd line player 7+?

There are issues that arise if the contract is signed now and we don't get to see the product before. If everything goes well we will have time to talk. Skinner holds all the cards anyways and he can't make a decision until July 1st as is. I'd wonder if HE wouldn't want to sign until he sees how the team fairs.

Throw out all the TDL and chemistry stuff, we just acquired him. I think letting him get settled, get his stride back and meet the guys is a good call.
- RhinoFan

Thrice

Thrice
- jcragcrumple

Caught me lackin'

Caught me lackin'
- RhinoFan

If he scores 20+20 this year, Eichel is only playing 15 games, Mittelstadt is garbage in his place, and Reinhart is sitting out the entire season, imo. He has been there before, but I just don't see him being that bad

He's scored over 30 twice in eight seasons, so calling him a 30+ goal guy could be a problematic label.

I get where you are coming from, he's the best winger we have now. If he doesn't have the attitude issues some of our former wingers had...I can understand signing him either way.

However, you know he will want to be paid like a 30g player. What if he only scores 20-20-40 stat line this year? Still want to sign him to 7+?

What about if him and Eichel don't mesh well. Willing to pay a 2nd line player 7+?

There are issues that arise if the contract is signed now and we don't get to see the product before. If everything goes well we will have time to talk. Skinner holds all the cards anyways and he can't make a decision until July 1st as is. I'd wonder if HE wouldn't want to sign until he sees how the team fairs.

Throw out all the TDL and chemistry stuff, we just acquired him. I think letting him get settled, get his stride back and meet the guys is a good call.

Edit: Thrice
- RhinoFan

So if he has that year then the return at the deadline would hardly be an over payment and we are back to the drawing board. At that point I would question what Botterill is doing and his vision for Jack's winger. I'm ok with letting him settle in and hitting his stride but if he's traded at the deadline it means Sabres are no where near the playoffs and it's back to square one, probably with a different coach.

Games on the 18th, 21st and 22nd on MSG.

Game on 25th on NBCSN.

FYI.

Games on the 18th, 21st and 22nd on MSG.

Game on 25th on NBCSN.

FYI.
- Powerslave

Thx, sry for the bogus info. That's what was on the website this morning

Didn't Risto sign after camp started? I think that will be the Reinhart situation as well.
- gcomella34

Yeah, but that was the WCoH that screwed everything up. He came in to camp late, then left, then signed the day before the season started.

Yes I am joking.

The poster I responded to was the guy who basically tried to say Kane was a 60 goal scorer
- sbroads24

December to December!

So Ozark season 2 is good huh? I haven't started it yet, I've been catching up on some other shows.

So if he has that year then the return at the deadline would hardly be an over payment and we are back to the drawing board. At that point I would question what Botterill is doing and his vision for Jack's winger. I'm ok with letting him settle in and hitting his stride but if he's traded at the deadline it means Sabres are no where near the playoffs and it's back to square one, probably with a different coach.
- buffalokb

You could probably get a Pu-type prospect and a 2nd back. It would mitigate losses. If he plays better or if a team is desperate for top6 help, could be more.

I think the point is, you sign him now and he has that year, you're worse off than square one in that you have another dead weight or overly expensive contract.

He was at 24-25-49 last year. Pommer went from a better team (MN) with 47 pts to 34 pts with us. A 9 point reduction isn't crazy. Again, I doubt it happens as his linemates and usage will be better...but that's what you risk signing him today.