Just remember: Theres only one current GM who has been on the job for 3+ years and not made the playoffs

There's def some pressure
- jcragcrumple

Shhhh. 80 points and fuzzy feelings for everyone. Then next year after 4 years we will aim for 8th. Lose in the first round, but good experience for the kids. Year five is when we can really expect to win a series. Probably compete for a cup in year six or seven. Too bad Jack and Skinner are on the downside of their careers, better tank and rebuild.

Also. Longest playoff drought in the league. Thank God for Joe Flacco or this would be a two sport drought of like a combined 30 years. Eeek.

17 centers 8 lw 3 rw for camp something has to give?
- tyler46

Centers have an easier time transitioning to winger. Like Cozens is most likely playing wing if he’s with the Sabres this year.

Just remember: Theres only one current GM who has been on the job for 3+ years and not made the playoffs

There's def some pressure
- jcragcrumple

there is no pressure to be in the playoffs this spring, but there is pressure for the last 10 games of the season to have a meaning other then what will their lottery pick be

if that makes sense

there is no pressure to be in the playoffs this spring, but there is pressure for the last 10 games of the season to have a meaning other then what will their lottery pick be

if that makes sense
- homiedclown

Just skate better...

Shhhh. 80 points and fuzzy feelings for everyone. Then next year after 4 years we will aim for 8th. Lose in the first round, but good experience for the kids. Year five is when we can really expect to win a series. Probably compete for a cup in year six or seven. Too bad Jack and Skinner are on the downside of their careers, better tank and rebuild.

Also. Longest playoff drought in the league. Thank God for Joe Flacco or this would be a two sport drought of like a combined 30 years. Eeek.
- matty12345

Grab a tittie and take it easy

there is no pressure to be in the playoffs this spring, but there is pressure for the last 10 games of the season to have a meaning other then what will their lottery pick be

if that makes sense
- homiedclown

Yeah. I may not agree with it, but I understand it.

I still think a GM should be expected to ice a playoff team within 3 years, personally

For the record, I still think playoffs could happen

Yeah. I may not agree with it, but I understand it.

I still think a GM should be expected to ice a playoff team within 3 years, personally

For the record, I still think playoffs could happen
- jcragcrumple

if the d is fixed, and goal scoring goes up 10% they should make the playoffs IMO

if the d is fixed, and goal scoring goes up 10% they should make the playoffs IMO
- homiedclown

Analytically speaking ..... our defense should improve. Suppress Ristos minutes and utilize our puck moving d.

The other team can’t score if the puck isn’t in the Sabres end.

I just have a feeling that a big trade will happen to help the forward ranks, scoring some time between now and maybe November. JB needs another top forward to make the playoffs and maybe even advance and right now they don't have it. I think he is not afraid for his job but it's getting warmer.

Shhhh. 80 points and fuzzy feelings for everyone. Then next year after 4 years we will aim for 8th. Lose in the first round, but good experience for the kids. Year five is when we can really expect to win a series. Probably compete for a cup in year six or seven. Too bad Jack and Skinner are on the downside of their careers, better tank and rebuild.

Also. Longest playoff drought in the league. Thank God for Andy Dalton or this would be a two sport drought of like a combined 30 years. Eeek.
- matty12345

FIFY

there is no pressure to be in the playoffs this spring, but there is pressure for the last 10 games of the season to have a meaning other then what will their lottery pick be

if that makes sense
- homiedclown

Yes it does.

I just have a feeling that a big trade will happen to help the forward ranks, scoring some time between now and maybe November. JB needs another top forward to make the playoffs and maybe even advance and right now they don't have it. I think he is not afraid for his job but it's getting warmer.
- GilPerreault11

Trades have happened right before the season. So it’s possible. So far I think botts loves joker. If he has to chose between Risto or joker on the team right now.

By the way I got Fubo TV so I am full go for the Sabres this year. They were one of the only 2 streaming services that provide MSG+ so that is what sealed the deal. Not to mention it is $54/month and DirectTVNOW is $70 with MSG+. Anyway, it runs pretty well on my landlords wifi she provides. So, I am all set. The first time in years I won't be illegally streaming and watching it on a laptop.

We shall see, won't we.

Still time for a big Risto for 2C trade! Stay positive Sabres Nation!
- matty12345

It’s not all about THIS YEAR though

With Jack, Mitts & Cozens,
we are set at Center for years
And if Asplund becomes 3C quality,
then we can move one of them to the wing

And that doesn’t include Routsalainen or Davidsson, who both have top9 potential as well

Botts is building for the long term
And that’s smart imo

A wussy is going to be a wussy.
Someone who lives in their mommy’s basement will always run to the mods crying.
Imo, you have to see it! It is OBVIOUS!

Stop picking on me!
Troll!
Defend, defend, defend!
Everyone else starts everything!
I need some wussy!

If the plan is to win next year, why resign Larry and zemgus for one year? Those spots could go to guys like asplund to see if he can kill penalties and take defensive zone shifts. Then he would be ready to go for the year we are supposed to try to win. And it doesn't matter if I take a step back defensively because this isn't my year to contend anyway.

Or, why trade a valuable pick for Vesey if he isn't even signed for when we want to compete? Maybe I could have kept that pick and used it next off season to get something for my team that was actually trying? Especially because I could have just brought pominville back for one more year to score a few goals.

Positivity requires you to just keep moving the goal posts with this team, because objectively they haven't done enough to be good.
- matty12345

Since when is a 3rd pick “valuable?” If you don’t think Vesey is worth a 3rd rd pick then I don’t know what to tell you.

Here’s a thought, if we’re not In contention, we trade Vesey for a 2nd or 3rd pick at the trade deadline ....

Yeah. I may not agree with it, but I understand it.

I still think a GM should be expected to ice a playoff team within 3 years, personally

For the record, I still think playoffs could happen
- jcragcrumple

But what if Botts thinks the available moves to get us better now, don’t fit what best in the long run?

We don’t want him GMTMing this thing just to meet a 3year deadline

We are gonna be good, when our young core develops

But what if Botts thinks the available moves to get us better now, don’t fit what best in the long run?

We don’t want him GMTMing this thing just to meet a 3year deadline

We are gonna be good, when our young core develops
- jdfitz77

Still have a right side log jam with Miller, Montour, Joker and Borgen long term hopefully.

I really believe that if he knew Joker would be a Sabre, he'd take back either a Miller or Montour trade and go with a forward instead

Still have a right side log jam with Miller, Montour, Joker and Borgen long term hopefully.

I really believe that if he knew Joker would be a Sabre, he'd take back either a Miller or Montour trade and go with a forward instead
- jcragcrumple

True
But we don’t know how Miller & Montour really fit here yet
And Borgen & Jokiharju are still very young
There’s no rush to meet a particular deadline either that I’m aware of

I get where you’re coming from with extra bodies
But i also think we really did need to keep Larsson & Girgs too
At least until we can get someone to replace them

True
But we don’t know how Miller & Montour really for here yet
And Borgen & Jokiharju are still very young
There’s no rush to meet a particular deadline either that I’m aware of
- jdfitz77

Pretty please let us know when you are aware...



Huge fan btw

But what if Botts thinks the available moves to get us better now, don’t fit what best in the long run?

We don’t want him GMTMing this thing just to meet a 3year deadline

We are gonna be good, when our young core develops
- jdfitz77

Holy smokes I learned so much from this, gosh just golly gee. Stupendous take,

I don’t know if you know this, but huge fan btw

It’s not all about THIS YEAR though

With Jack, Mitts & Cozens,
we are set at Center for years
And if Asplund becomes 3C quality,
then we can move one of them to the wing

And that doesn’t include Routsalainen or Davidsson, who both have top9 potential as well

Botts is building for the long term
And that’s smart imo
- jdfitz77

Wait there’s a next season!?!?!?

Are you SURE!?!?!!!?!?

Dude I’m new but thankfully you’re here...




Huge fan btw

True
But we don’t know how Miller & Montour really for here yet
And Borgen & Jokiharju are still very young
There’s no rush to meet a particular deadline either that I’m aware of
- jdfitz77

Yeah, those two might not play this year. On the right side, Risto, Bogo and Nelson are here anyway

I'm talking long term. I think there was an over-investment on the right side. One too many trades of Miller and Montour with Joker and Borgen coming. Several others a little further away. Could have used a RW instead imo

They are signed for 1 year...... they can be traded before the season starts after preseason ends.

1 year isn’t the end of the world. Heck, they could be sent down to Rochester if need be.

It’s

Not

The

End

Of

The

World
- Sabretooth9

This is a common refrain from the I think we are gonna be good "team".
However, it fails to give the proper measure to the associated impact on the Cap.
So, while it all sound simple and good, it isn't that easy.

Furthermore, trading Girgs, trading Larry? 2 guys with what 20 points between them on a bottom 5 team...I'm sure Tampa, Toronto, Winnepeg, et all are just lining up for them, lol. Yezzerman wouldn't answer the phone call.

The team is about $1.5m under the Cap AFTER puting Hunwick on LTIR, which is about where most teams want to be under the Cap...or a bit more ($2.M - $2.5m under) during the season to enable short-term injury replacements and potential trades. So as if stands, Botts would prefer money in/money out transactions.

Waiving guys such as Girgs, Larry, Wilson saves about ~$1.0m ...roughly the same as a replacement player on an ELC. Banishing Okposso to the AHL, al la Moulson...the same $1.0m savings.
So there you have it, your replacement players are all on ELC's.
Can it be done, absolutely. Are these real limitations, absolutely.

It simply isn't a blank check to be cashed.

We best hope the youngins are ready for prime time...else, we are stuck with the same BS players.