freester

What would it cost to move up from 31 to 14 approximately. I could see Podkolzin falling to 14 due to the Russian factor. Our 2nd round pick and what else?

I think if Bots plays hardball Skinner will sign for 8x8. No other team will off 64 million guaranteed and he wants to be in this location. However, I don't feel Bots is shrewd enough to out negotiate Don Meehan. Botts will likely offer 8x9 which is what the contract will be.

He is disliked by some posters due to his frequent criticism of both the Bills and Sabres organizations. Both organizations have more than deserved it although fortunately things are looking up for the Bills. While I agree its hard to enjoy the columns its been equally hard to enjoy the teams. I don't like his criticism of the Pegulas, but they are the ones who hired Rex, Byelsma, Murray, Botteril, Lafontaine which have proved to be debacles. The Pegulas are great people who have helped the city tremendously. Unfortunately they have frequently hired the wrong people

How can Sully be so critical of our beloved Sabres? Well maybe its because we are the worst organization in the NHL since Chiarelli got canned in Edmonton.

You can't handle the truth

There is virtually no chance of that happening.

Sam is younger and hasn't reached his peak yet. However he still produces more points than Skinner. 8 year contracts are better served by younger players than older players. Sorry you couldn't follow the age concept. It is a bit complicated.

While Skinner is a better goal scorer, Sam had just as many points and drives possession by creating plays. I like Skinner too but the age for the last 3 years of the contract is worrisome. He could easily fall off a cliff like Moulson and Okposo.

This wrong based on age alone. Sam would be much younger than Skinner when the contract begins for both.

I definitely think we should stay at 7. There will be a very good player there for us who will help us in a few years from now. I just hope Botteril has the patience because none of these guys are ready to play in NHL next year. (or possibly the year after)

Dude you’re delusional if you think he’s going to score 35 goals for the next 5 years. He’s done it twice in 9 years. I don’t think he’s physical enough for playoff hockey and he’s a defensive liability. Now I don’t want to lose him because we have little talent otherwise but Botteril is desperate and is going to overpay. In a few years time we will look at Botteril as among the worst GM in Sabres history.

I think we should be optimistic about the RK hire. The problem is Botteril has put together a horrendous roster and I don't expect substantial talent acquisition any time soon. It will be hard to judge RK with this poor roster but I expect an improvement from last year.

The tank was not the problem it is the incompetent GMs and coaches that have lead us here. Unfortunately Botteril is still here. I expect RK to do a great job but if Bots doesn't get him quaity players it won't matter. I also expect RK to move up to either GM or director of hockey ops in the near future.

Even if the Sabres by some miracle made the playoffs, we would lose 4 straight. We play a wimpy non physical game that is ill suited to playoff hockey. We don’t have players who finish checks. We would be manhandled by any team. The scary thing is I think we’re going to trade away Risto, our most physical player.

I think if Tampa loses this series they will make some big changes in the offseason. There were rumors they were interested in Risto.

Can we offer sheet Marner??

In all likelihood whoever we take is not playing in buffalo next year

Actually I’d prefer Okposo get the Moulson treatment and be exiled to the ECHL

If I ever see Okposo on the power play again I want the coach immediately fired

I hope not

I think they will fire Botteril after he wins the lottery on Tuesday night. The lottery is his area of expertise.

Why is Botteril’s job security not in question?

Currently Botts deserves a lot of the blame assuming he hired Housley. He traded away two top 6 forwards which has killed us and obviously hiring an inexperienced coach was a terrible decision. I listened to Mke Schoop go on an analytics rant yesterday and I think it makes sense. Our next GM and coach need to be highly geared toward analytics

We're not trading Jack unless its for Mcdavid. Lets stop with this narrative. We have had some terrible talent terrible GMs and bad coaches. We need an experienced competent GM and an experienced competent Coach.

Botteril should be fired for wasting 2 years of Middlestadts ELC