Palm Trees And Taxes

Fantasy Island has been rebuilt and reopened complements of PSE: The address? 1 Seymour H Knox III Plaza where there is an ongoing fantasy world where you think you can win NHL games with below average goaltending and no C depth.

There is no way to slice it. Skinner was a horrendous signing. Yeah yeah he needs a #2 center but that contract was a massive overpay and looking back JBot would have been better served flipping him at the deadline last year. Skinner can be redeemed and be a 25-30 goal guy, but at that cap hit? 9m dollar a year players shouldn't be so dependent on having others around them to produce.

BTW how long is JBot's contract for?

As for me I am completely done with Jason Botterill: Gave us an albatross of a contract with Jeff Skinner to be saddled with for the next 7 seasons after this one. Has litterly messed up Casey Mittlestadt's development. Refuses to add true toughness and grit to a roster screaming for it. Yes, we are waiting for UPL to arrive, but the second they signed Carter Hutton I said 'bad move' and that was proven, one year wonder in St Louis. When will this franchise realize that goaltending is a massive issue? Can we TRULY trust this guy with the cap space this off-season to truly fix the issues? Based on Sobotka, Tage Thompson, Frolik, Vesey, and other head scratching moves? Oh yes Pierre on NBC said 'it will turn around quick' of course he did, Pierre is a clear Penguins homer and where did JBot come from again? Between Bylsma and now Botterill, can we stop looking to the Pittsburgh Penguins organization for the coach and front office answers? Saynora Jason!

This trade proves that the cap space is becoming as if not more important and valuable then the value of the player itself.

Would not mind the Sabres giving Anaheim a call and ask about Adam Henrique or Rickard Rakell as possible solutions for the #2 center role

One period at a time and one game at a time. Not even worried about the standings at this point. What is important is this franchise putting wins together, improving week to week and watching Ralph Kruger change the culture of this franchise, which I feel confident he can do. Seeing players Dahlin keep improving, watching Eichel continue his Hart worthy campaign, and hopefully Botterill makes the right decisions on how to jettison out of town and work to keep.

Agree. I also think this kicks off the sell, as they can take some salary back if need be too. I look for JBot to make a deal maybe even tomorrow.

Sabres are 4-1 since the Ralph Kruger passion filled message about talking to fans in Buffalo etc after a loss. Wonder if that speech fired up the locker room at all

Just look at what Cale Makar is doing for the Avs. Think about that Maker has Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog and Miko Ratanen floating around on the PP. Now think about the fact that Makar is 21. Now imagine Dahlin getting 2 more years to develop physically and mentally, and if the Sabres add 1 or 2 legit Top 6 forwards to the mix. It's scary how great Dahlin can be. Sit back and enjoy the ride folks. He is just getting started.

Sabres should look for a 2nd center that has the flexibility to move to W when Cozens is ready to take over the #2 role. Can't count on DC or Mitts until they truly show it at the NHL level.

One thing I have often wondered (I am the silent majority politically, the one of many that is fed up with both sides equally) but I wonder if these fact checkers themselves are extreme one way or another. It can be an endless cycle

Sabres should talk to Vegas again and see if they want a defenseman (Risto) maybe Marchessault or someone like that can be preyed away, I think Jonathan can play C and would solve our biggest need right away.

Agreed. And also cant completely fault Bruce because of Minnesota's aging roster with an assortment of albatross contracts that are virtually unmovable. Wild need to nuke and start over.

Truth!

Addition by subtraction?

Rue the Pu, has a nice ring to it

I agree about he 2005-2006 season. I know some consider No Goal the hardest loss to deal with in Sabres history, not for me. That Sabres team had Hasek riding them, I think we all knew Dallas was the better team when being brutally honest with ourselves about it. The loss to Carolina in Game 7 still stings today. Jeff Jilsson and the staff infection still haunt me as a fan. Not sure about all of you, but I really felt that Sabres team was the one that was going to deliver the Cup to Buffalo, without hesitation, I felt like that one was stolen from us by Carolina.

That escalated quickly

Have seen this in other sports at times, but I wonder of the new 9m contract for Skinner is causing him to put more pressure on himself. That 1st year after signing a monster contract, that can happen. Maybe Skinner settles down next year and returns back to form.

Keumper reinjured in practice for Arizona....lot of injuries today

You just have to laugh it off, what other option do we all have?

Skinner on the 3rd line?

I agree with alot of what the original poster said. Talent creates a culture too. The Sabres just do not have the talent needed to take the next step. I know we spend a lot of time focused on the #2 center situation, secondary scoring, and the overabundance of average defenseman we have (all very valid points BTW), but one of the staples of the Sabres since their inception for the most part has been strong goaltending: Don Edwards, Barrasso, Sauve, Puppa, Fuhr, Hasek, Biron and Ryan Miller: Since Miller left stage right via trade, the Sabres haven't come close to replacing any of the goalies mentioned. I know we are waiting for UPL, but can this franchise afford to wait that long?