7+6=13

I get it, but Skinner is so much more important for this team than O'Reilly was and would be. So if it's an either or, it's an easy choice. Of course we need a 2C and desperately. O'Reilly would be the perfect player for the job in theory but hey JBot and/or the owners didn't want him on the team anymore. We probably have 12-14 million to address 2C, top 6 winger and a top 4 defenseman. Bit of a tall task but let's see what they do.

O'Reilly is no where near skilled enough to play wing for Eichel. You proposed an either or situation and I responded - it's literally what you posted. I'm taking a legit NHL proven line mate for Eichel over O'Reilly every single time - in the choices you provided. If you want to change the discussion to Skinner and O'Reilly then do so.

The zero trade protections is the reason you're wrong about JBot. Absolutely not. Giving Eichel a legit line-mate was the most important thing this team needed to do. It's for that reason Skinner has infinite more value than O'Reilly at 2C.

You think JBot is a fancy worder? Man, he's no wordsmith in my book. He says "it's a situation where" 20 times an interview. I'm banking on him being better behind the scenes - I've never once felt he was using word trickery.

I am genuinely shocked at how much several veteran posters like Reinhart - and now some consider him an option at 2nd line center. When I say shocked, it's not because I think I'm so right and whoever likes/thinks he can be a center is dead wrong. It's that it makes me question my ability to understand what I'm seeing.

Very fair point

I can only hope there's an Atari down there.

Sullivan has been as bad as the organizations - he just can't see it and had to go. He thinks he's tapped into the thought process of a significant portion of fans. He worked off the assumption some of the other portion would be drawn in, because it gets 'em just so darned upset. He miscalculated and doesn't understand the fan base at all. He's the guy in a clown suite calling the Pegula's clowns for hiring the clown show that is Rex Ryan.

How do you do it? You're special.

I can only imagine you're being too hard on yourself.

Just listened to his interview with Duff. I know talk is cheap (there's a cliche for you) but that's about all we have right now. I came away thoroughly impressed.

I actually agree with what your saying about balanced scoring. However I'd replace Skinner with Reinhart in that discussion and get my balanced scoring from his potential money.

I'm no expert but I've really tried to learn hockey over the last 6-7 years. I watch nearly every Sabres game and try to find time to watch other games. I see Reinhart as a role player on a good team. Maybe that will be the rate in a few years for a role player and paying a little more the first couple years is a factor. I like Sam, I just don't think the things he doesn't do well will get better with time even with him being such a young player.

IMO, signing Reinhart to 7 - 7.5 mil per would be a mistake. I wouldn't do it. I know that's an unpopular opinion at the moment with Kane and O'Reilly just leaving - but he's not the type of player that I want at those numbers. Paying him just because we're sore about losing talent is not a reason. I realize folks have other reasons but I just don't like his game enough.

I know - I was just funnin' with ya

I don't get it. First you say we're good, then you say we're not good.

I know the answer - seems we agree. My only issue is ROR was unprofessional in the way he handled it and had to go. You jettison players that make comments like that - it's unacceptable. Totally understand feeling that way but you can't say it - not in this sport.

Who or what is bringing this absolute no expectation of winning? I'm honestly not being snarky - it's a legit question. Was it Bylsma, Housley, GMTM, JBot, Eichel, Pegula's - I mean who is responsible for this mystery spirit of losing that crushes excellent players who can't stomach losing? I think it's BS and much more simple. We aren't a talented enough team,. It's the same as when ROR and Kane were here and replacing them with Dahlin and Skinner - the entire middle of our lineup just isn't good enough to field an NHL team. In regards to ROR, I thought he played very good and I think he was too hard on himself because I saw for the most part a guy giving effort. However, he had a meltdown unacceptable for my second highest player and a leader to have. For that he's got to go and I'm not paying any bonus even if it means I get less in a trade. I get it, we suck and we lose a lot, but that doesn't make his ridiculous actions right. He admitted it's an honor to play in the NHL and he needs to fix his mental deficiencies. Well you do that somewhere else Sir. So the Sabres still stink and have a spirit of losing that can only be explained as supernatural - because there's been enough change that it's not people - and ROR wasn't a problem? That's a no from me. He's a mental puss that found an easier route that suites him better.

Wow I didn't realize what we got for ROR until you just told me. You don't think I know we lost the trade? Ultimate taboo, yes. So you think JBot could have gotten a lot more for ROR but just decided not to? It's amazing that you want us to believe that.

I certainly wish it was better. I'm just not going to torch JBot for the trade. Every team had a shot to trade for him and that's what we got - the market spoke. On 4/09/18 he said "Upon self reflection, I wasn't mentally tough enough this year. We are stuck in this mindset of being ok with losing and it creeped into myself. I lost myself alot and just being ok with making mistakes. It's disappointing and sad. I lost the love of the games multiple times." That's just not a player that you can bring back after that, IMO, and it's also a player that isn't going to get you a lot of return in the NHL. The things he said, while I totally appreciate his honesty, is the ultimate taboo in the NHL.

I stand by ROR needed to go. He's on a team that doesn't need him to be a leader on and off the ice - we did.

Our first line and 4th lines aren't the issue - of course the 1st line will be without Skinner. The 2nd and 3rd lines are the problem. We're having to shuffle first line guys to the 2nd to make it stronger and 4th line talent is playing 3rd line. That's not working. We need to Skinner, a 2nd line center, a top 6 winger and a top 4 defensman, IMO to be better. I doubt we can accomplish all of that in free agency. What we really need is a couple of these young players to come up and be answers. Not just get acclimated to the NHL and continue a slow progression. We need young guys to become important pieces, quick.

I only mean it was a bad deal in hindsight because O'Reilly proved that he wasn't a high priced player with motivation issues and a possible locker room problem. Of course we as fans don't have enough information to know but based on the trade - we deduct that was the issue for not getting more. Again, all we can do is speculate but we have to believe JBot shopped the Blues offer and at least in his view - there wasn't a better one. The market spoke on what teams would give if you believe the deal we took is the indicator.

If you don't think he's a physical player then you don't watch games.

It's JBot's fault in hindsight, yes. Paying the bonus would have been foolish and likely wouldn't have boosted is trade value. It wasn't a money issue - it was the perception of his attitude. Everyone knows his point totals were well worth his contract.