Mustache of God

I do not understand the Florida expansion pick at all.

God . I'll be in Montreal for a Hockey Tournament when the Isles host the Sabres for the home opener. Boooooo!

Hopefully.

I knew it wasn't coming but I'm still sad about no royal blue. I also never realized the atlantic division should be called the "Red/Blue with the one black sheep" division.

I voted Moulson which was two parts optimism and one part of me believing that. I see the expansion draft as a big "first-test" for JBOT, this is a chance for him to get rid of one of Murray's horrible contracts he handed out like candy during the tank years. Given Moulson's connection to McPhee, and his performance last season (when he was used on the PP) he's shown he can still produce. I'm wondering if Buffalo can sweeten the deal be retaining some of his salary? Is that an option? My second guess is naturally Carrier. I don't mind the idea of losing him as much as I mind the idea of being married to the money wrapped up in Bogo, Moulson, and Ennis. As I said above, this is a true test for Botteril, if he manages to part ways with one of those he's going to be off to quite the start in Buffalo.

Sounds like a George Michael song.

Anyone have an eye on any specific games? I'm curious to see when the Sabres play in Vegas and when they're coming to Barclays & MSG. They only played 1 away game vs. both NY teams last year so I believe they're due 4 times in the city and then once again for the Winter Heritage Classic Stadium Outdoor game.

The latter. He's making 7.25 through '22 although if I were Vegas I might pick him? Or Methot.

Confirmed: Jbotz loves Enzo sauce, wants the good times and good taste to continue rolling.

Surprised to see Carrier left open over Ennis, however, I'm inclined to think Jbotz has a deal in place with Vegas to take Molson so I'm not too worried. Perhaps that move comes down to locker room politics

I'm not buying it. The reason Montreal sold him at such a low value was because they didn't want to lose him for nothing. Love the trade, our D is already looking better. Once these guys get some one v one with Dr. Phil we might just have some exciting hockey for the first time in a decade.

I have much less faith in these two regaining their old form. Moulson is at a point in his career where players who last transition their game to a different role (see Brian Gionta or David Legwand) and the injuries to Ennis have taken that step out of his game. If someone put a gun to my head and ask me to choose between the two I'd say, "man, you gotta get your priorities straight. also, Ennis."

I'll be the first one to go back in but I truly believe Byslma was a candle-snuffer of talent on this team. It's not so much I have faith in Bogo it's that I despised DDB and want to see evidence that everything bad that happened was his fault.

This might be the stupid Buffalo optimism speaking, but listening to Phil makes me think Bogo is gonna play like a top-4 dman. Mark me down as OUT of the bunker.

I love how the corpse of DDB is being dragged across this interview.

JBOT sounds so much smarter when he's not reading a prepared statement.

Is the Housley hire JBOT's first official move of him addressing the dumpster fire that has been our defense? I'm not counting Anitpin b/c that seemed to fall into his lap.

What kind of system does he run?

Brushing up on my Housley reading, from wikipedia: "Housley is the second leading scorer amongst U.S.-born players, with 1,232 points (338–894). He held the record for most points by an American-born NHL player until Mike Modano surpassed it on November 7, 2007. Housley never won the Stanley Cup, coming closest with the Capitals in 1998, where they were swept in the Stanley Cup Finals by the Detroit Red Wings. He played more NHL games without winning the Stanley Cup than any player in NHL history." Really impressive career, but the bolded jumps out to me as the most Buffalo statistic ever. Hopefully he gets his name on the cup here, if hired.

I believe everybody is waiting for the finals to be over so they don't draw attention away from them. Assuming the finals stretch to a 7th game we should start seeing trades start rolling in a week from now.

Thanks for clearing that up. Hopefully he keeps marinating and comes out extra-juicy.

edit: Jeez that formatted funky. Asplund staying in Sweden this year. Not signing a contract due to front office upheaval. http://www.diebytheblade.com/2017/6/7/15757586/rasmus-asplund-extends-stay-farjestad-sweden-shl-buffalo-sabres-prospect " Despite beginning contract talks with the Sabres a month ago, those talks went silent with the change at GM, and Asplund has decided not to come over this season. “No, I will not sign an NHL contract this summer. It is very turbulent in Buffalo right now, given that they will have the new coach in both the NHL and AHL. There is no need to sign me up now [to Buffalo/Rochester]. “It would be really fun to go far in the playoffs and accumulate experience from it [with Färjestad]. “Then I want to take the leap in my development and get better, taking small steps throughout the season and maybe get some games for the Tre Kronor [sweden national team]. “It's like the next step and therefore the next target.” Who can the blame the prospect for making this decision considering there will be new coaches at both the Rochester Americans and the Buffalo Sabres in the upcoming season, with General Manager Jason Botterill looking to fill those vacancies soon."

Last year the schedule was released on June 21, 2016 so I'd expect a similar date for this year.

If this ends up exactly like the Vesey situation then Peterson can right off and we'll enjoy our 16th seed playoff run to the finals.

Well, we've known about Antipin since March(?) and I feel like the possibility of Lambert staying on was practically zero percent. All of this is has been very whelming news at best. I'm guessing there will be more optimism once we have a head coach for both teams, and movement starts happening with the expansion and amateur draft.