Ruff Around The Edges

I do agree with you, what I was eluding to was going for McDavid or Eichel, that part was done right. The issue was we had the GM's reversed. We probably needed a JBot when Eichel was drafted and then a GMTM after that. probably should have tanked again the following year in the hopes of landing Matthews or Laine. This really speaks volumes right here. Fire JBot, and please NO more Pittsburgh guys in the organization (Bylsma and JBot were big misses)

We saw this with the Buffalo Bills for almost 2 decades that we are seeing right now with the Buffalo Sabres. Here are the various blames/excuses many of us have made: We blamed coaches. We blamed GM's (at this point I MISS Darcy Regier, and I can't believe I said that!) We blamed the players. Not passionate enough! We blamed the system. We blamed the facilities, we need a new arena, that will fix it all! We blamed the market they play in. Nobody wants to play here blah blah blah. We blamed Russ Brandon. Once that snake is gone we will take off! We blamed the owner (Rigas, Golisano) Terry comes in as the 'savior' we all needed. NOW we will win big We blame Kim Pegula (why not, just because!) We blame P$E. they are greedy! Hell, some of us have even blamed Jack Eichel. He is whiny, he is selfish And my ultimate favorite whine/excuse: The players don't CARE. Here is a newsflash: Athletes care a LOT more then most realize. There have been SO many changes I have lost count. Where is this coming from? Change the GM and it is fixed? No. Change the coach? No. Kruger is the issue? No he isn't. Guys and gals, as a fan of this team since the early 80's I am lost. Lost as to what will truly fix this mess. Pittsburgh tanked. Boom. Chicago tanked. Boom. LA Kings tanked. Boom. Buffalo tanked CORRECTLY and we are STILL a disaster!!! Raising the white flag.

One Rasmus for another

I envision a disaster tonight like 7-2 Avs and Botterill 'Slamming The Door' Part Deux

Considering there are a good amount of forwards on the last year of their deal cap isn't in bad shape and you start with Eichel and Dahlin, despite Terry's bumbling this far, it's still an attractive job for the right GM.

The O'Reilly thing is what it is: He wanted out, it was the return that was the issue, and always remember how it looked at the time. OReilly's contract was looking a little albatross-ish and lost his passion for the game. Cant pin ALL of this on JBot but Botterill is not doing himself any favors.

LB Vic Beasley will not be brought back by the Atlanta Falcons. Bills fans, what say you? Beane should be all over it or pass?

This might be a crazy idea: But didn't Dahlin play Center for a couple of years before he arrived in the NHL? I remember Bret Burns got moved to forward, would Buffalo ever consider doing this with Dahlin? I think Rasmus has the size and skillset to make that transition smoothly

I say its a tad bit of both but more on the 'Jack is taking the next step' aspect. Years past he was a little snakebit

First glance (basics): Last year he was in 94 percentile in assists as he was feeding Skinner, this year way down on first assists. Now Jack is 92 percentile in goals this year and his first assists are way down this year, as a result of Skinner on 2nd line. Has the same amount of goals 5 on 5 at this point then all of last season Major jump in Shooting % this year, which shows that Jack was snakebit last year in terms of goals and now they are going into the net.

Elvis will leave the building with a shutout.

51st anniversary jersey?

Since the 'Who Cares' Team is -180, our 'beloved' Sabres are +160. Insiders suggest that 'Who Cares' has no scouting report on Carter Hutton, but was told to wing it. Who Cares 7, Buffalo 2

Who Cares is favored in Vegas at -180

Not sure what is worse: Being a fan that is angry, or a fan like me now that just goes 'meh' and dosent really care how the team is doing. The Sabres have made me care so much less about hockey and if I am running the organization, that mindset is much more concerning then one that is still passionate and cares even if angry. I used to really support Botterill: But considering that the organization has a lot of movement that can be made, and perhaps a high draft pick on the horizon, and considering how JBot has built this franchise to this point, is this truly the guy that the Pegula's want to trust help shape the franchise for yet another 3-5 years, a team with mediocre goaltending, lack of grit and physicality, and depth at center? I have to say NO way. It's time to clean house.

I agree. I wish for Kobe's sake he was alone so he didn't have to know Gianna was going to pass on. But also in Gianna's case, I am 'glad' her father was there so she didn't have to be without her Dad.

I agree. The biggest thing people have to realize is: When a parent loses a child, you never move forward, you just learn to cope with it 'better' as time goes on. Cant imagine how Vanessa feels now along with Kobe's parents, who are still alive. And the other victims, along with a father mother and daughter. And that family has two other kids that now lost a sister and their parents. I live in Orange County and work not very far from where Kobe lived. For a town like Los Angeles that some feel is very nonchalant about its sports teams, the pain that a lot of people in Los Angeles and Orange County right now is unbelievable. Kobe WAS LA through and through and even though I'm not a Lakers fan, you can truly feel that today. Completely devastating.

Agree. Serves them right for not only dealing for a breaking down Erik Karlsson, then giving him the most egregious horrendous contract Ive seen in years.

I agree completely. Bogosian was once a very good defenseman, in fact I recall Patrick Kane quoted as saying Bogo was the toughest match-up in the entire NHL defensively at one time. Those are the keywords: At one time. I always feel for athletes like Zach, the injuries really plagued his career. Even though im far from a pro athlete, I tore my quad tendon and I remember the emotional battles of the recovery, I can't imagine how that must be for an athlete at the very very top of the sport. And with how quickly the sport is evolving, that hasn't helped either. I wish Zach well regardless, but the time has absolutely come to bid Bogo farewell.

Quick thoughts: 1. What a great team win for the Sabres. Linus Ullmark was steady, contributions from multiple places. 2. Lazar should not make a trip to Rochester the rest of the year. Good energy, does the little things. 3. Frolik isnt a 'sexy' move, but he will help us win games more then hurt us. 4. Sometimes injuries can bring a team together and maybe in the long run Skinner and Olofsson out is the best thing that could have happened to this team. Credit Kruger and his staff for helping keeping the ship afloat. Recent Sabres teams would have sank like the Titanic. Not this team. 5. It becomes clearer by the day this team is a bonafide #2 center away from being a consistent playoff team. We are closer then most think. Stay the course.

Maybe in part but if there were no cap implications it would be much easier. The hard salary cap has also created the alleged perception of appeasement maybe more then anything else.

I really do not get the Reinart hate going on here: Granted Sam was a #2 pick overall, and with picks that high, you are hoping for a 70+ point player minimum and a possible franchise guy. We get that Sam isn't that guy, but 60+ point players don't grow on trees. Sam is a clear top 6 forward, something that has been an issue for Buffalo for many years now. There are problems on this roster for the now and going forward. in no way do I feel Sam is a part of the problem. He can easily be part of the solution.

Agreed, Lalime was horrendous and had another year where he went 0-5 as a backup if I recall