Rasmus_

What would you offer for Eric Staal, that's the only question I have. At this point, I would take Staal in a heartbeat. Normally, I wouldn't want that ex Hurricane skunk on this roster, but I want the playoffs more now than ever before.

Yes please on Boeser. If Vancouver is really that stupid, then please.

1. Markus Naslund, LW (Vancouver Canucks): When you talk about a power forward who can compete in night and night out, you talk about one of my favorite Swede's of all time. A natural prime time scorer on the West Coast Express. Humble off the ice, but a beast on it. 2. Jaromir Jagr, RW (Pittsburgh Peguins): One of the strongest competitors I've ever seen play, with an ego on the ice to propel himself to be better. Dangles for days, and the ability to skate by you, through you or around you. 3. Chris Pronger, D (St Louis Blues): A leader in the room, and an agitator on the ice. He could skate, hit, and maul you into pieces. 4. "Super" Mario Lemieux, C (Pittsburgh Penguins): The ability to use size, and skill at the same time. Tenacity, toughness and the ability to score when you needed him most. 5. "Foppa" Petr Forsberg, C/RW (Colorado Avalanche: The best thing I can say about Petr, he was a wolf on and off the puck. Someone strong in the center, but able to lead a team on the wing too. Honorable mentions: Henrik/Daniel Sedin, Steve Yzerman, Pavel Bure, Trevor Linden, Raymond Bourque,

My argument for him, is that it is time to look at other aspects of this team, and not worry about other talent. It's to fix what this team hasn't had since the later part of the early 2000's. It's the ability to play a defensive position and push forward. To fill the cracks that are flawed in the seams of this roster. There is a talented center in Cozens waiting to be unleashed. Getting someone who can be a spark plug and play an intense role like Cirelli would be a boon for this team. I think there's room for growth in his game, and we need to start building a team, instead of acquiring talent. Yes we need both. But to put this team back on the right path, it needs players of all ilks. We've drafted plenty of best talent on the board before, it hasn't worked. Just my opinion. I love Lundell, he's my favorite player in this draft class, in the realistic sense and long term he's the type of building block we need. I like Asplund, and still think he has value going forward, but Lundell is that and more. In addition, after Lafrienere, Byfield, Stutzle, Rossi, there is a wide differential on where the true value of the offensive upside is. I like Raymond a lot and he'd fit the same mold of talent this team needs. Scoring ability, and a defensive game that merits addition. If we keep the pick it's between Lundell and Raymond if he really is slipping down some boards. If we are able to swipe someone like Monahan without giving up the farm, then do that. But, if we're keeping the pick, build the team up.

Anton Lundell, draft him, develop him. He's the right way to go in this turbulent time that the Sabres are going to be in. The playoffs are important, and we need to end this drought, but the idea of trading more major draft capital and subsequently draining it on someone who might not even fit further's the chances of missing for a 10th into an 11th season. To me I look at Lundell and a I see a superior Asplund. He plays the game hard, and he's efficient in both zones. He's my favorite pick in the draft, and he can be as safe a pick as you want, but he's a good quality pick. I've seen mock drafts with Sanderson, and I just gag. You can draft that in the second round.

Danault for me. I think he's one of the underestimated players in the league and is a valuable two way centermen. I'd take him in a heartbeat over Domi. Domi has major holes in his game on the defensive side. Yes he puts up points, but we have to many players like this. Team defense is the biggest problem with this team. Both with and away from the puck. They have made strides, starting with Eichel, but we need more fundamental players. I'd draft Lundell in a heart beat over anyone available at 8. He's my favorite player in the draft.

I ranted on her being a "knitter" instead of a head of hockey ops, and got a warning on HF Boards for being sexist. My post was baseless and ignorant, I just cannot listen to her talk, and think. You have some clue what you're doing. You are supposedly in charge of a hockey team "in theory" because Terry cares more about the Bills. Her opening statements at Adam's introduction conference were "we wanted someone who would listen to me". No search, no external candidates. Now Adams being interested and internally structuring more analytics into the team, is fine, sound and important. He doesn't sound clueless, but it just baffles me. The Pegula's are the problem.

Too true. I am right there with you.

He still could come in without pressure if we were to somehow find a way to get a quality centermen and put together an interesting third line combination.

I don't really get the love for Kerfoot, and Montour should be worth slightly more. Kerfoot is an interesting buy low option, but other than that, no thanks? In addition, Lindholm seems like an interesting option to inquire about. However, let's trade for more players who don't naturally suit up in a center role. He's played there before, but never really excelled points wise until they "Reinharted" him.

Please come to Buffalo this just makes too much sense.

It should be Ullmark getting all the important starts as long as he's healthy for 45-50 games next season. Hutton should only be used as relief. He's been terrible. I do sympathize with the medical condition. However, it seems like a likely excuse. Both, for him having not realized it causing an issue with his play. Or the inability for them to put him on the IR all season. I just don't really know what to believe or trust anymore. I just want the draft, and playoff hockey back. Jack is right, this losing and the aura around this team, is complete and utter *****. ***** Kim and Terry Pegula for being absolutely useless and Botterill for not having the balls that Murray had to fix things. I know a level headed approach is important to turning the right page but if we do not make the playoffs in the 10th season or at the very least, be in the mix half way into the season you need to be fired on the spot. This ***** is NOT acceptable. You have the off season and draft to fix this team Jason, otherwise, get the ***** out.

She has no comprehension of what it takes to run a hockey club. This should be given to someone who has a background in hockey operations. Regardless if it is just the business side of things. Stick the owner's box. You're part of the PROBLEM Kim, not the solution.

I would like to see him in at around 6.5 to 6.75. I think Sam is a hell of a player and he's a core player for this team. He's a guy that has improved each of the last two seasons fairly steadily. If we're going to finally end this ***** streak of nine going on ten seasons not in the playoffs, he's going to play a part of it. I'm a huge fan, and I'd rather see him here, than elsewhere. Sign him.

In terms of the cap, the Sabres can easily get out of several of the contracts. The main contracts you're stuck with are Skinner and Okposo. Montour, Ristolainen, Miller, Johansson, can all potentially be moved rather easily to some degree. I'm still in belief that Skinner will have a huge rebound year in 2020-21 (next season). He's always been a streaky on year on, one year off type of player. As long as Krueger gives him prime opportunities (aka playing with Jack), he will score his fair share of goals.

I will believe it when it's official per someone more credible. McKenzie, Dreger or an official team release.

You can sign players with physicality. Ristolainen is not going to get any better, and we've seen him for what he is. It's time to make serious changes. Ryan Reeves is an unrestricted free agent and will have offers, but there are other ways to add physicality. Wayne Simmonds, did absolutely nothing for Buffalo. Re-signing him for anything more than a one year contract is a TERRIBLE use of cap. Braden McNabb a former Sabre is said to be available. A left handed defensemen with grit in his game and solid but below average puck mobility.

I agree with you, however where are you getting it from. I don't really see a lot of options out there. Unless you're willing to break the bank on Holtby, or trade for the likes of Matt Murray. I am in the opinion that Holtby will be nothing more than average and again be an abysmal contract. Let alone the fact that he wouldn't likely come to Buffalo as an unrestricted free agent.

I will always be a Sabres fan, regardless of where things stand. This team is so close, but so far away in so many ways. They still need to fix the bottom six forward groups, and it needs to be done creatively with an outside the box approach. I just don't think that Botterill has that in him. Three things need to happen, keep the draft picks or trade them for a legitimate world beater of a second line center. If this team gets a creative centermen who can open up the ice for players like Olofsson, Skinner, Kahun, Johansson, and Reinhart then we've got a top six. There is enough skill talent in that group with a player like a Sean Monahan (as an example) where we would instantly have the ability to balance things out. With a player like Monahan on this roster, you can easily facilitate and gradually bring in Cozens and Mittelstadt without as much pressure. Creating more depth and opportunities. If you have a win it out third line center role with Cozens and Mittelstadt and then re-sign Larsson to a contract he deserves, you have a strong pipeline down the middle. TWO: Trade Rasmus Ristolainen. Botterill has shown the ability to acquire talent on the defensive side. Whether they fit logistically: Miller / Montour, the jury is still out. However, Joker has been a godsend for this team in analytics terms an is possibly the best trade pick up in years for this team. Three: Fix the goal tending. Get a legit number one starter or draft Askarov at #8 overall. Yes, I'm serious.

The Pegula's are as much the problem as Botterill and Murray were before them. Coming off a career year Skinner deserved and got the contract he deserved. However, the way that Krueger utilized him this season was absolutely a joke. He should be playing with Jack, regardless. In addition, I do believe that Botterill attempted to acquire a second line center and it just didn't work out in the cards based on offers at the deadline. That being said, this team needs to jettison more players and clear out some of the flack. I love Rasmus Ristolainen's game overall. While he's got his warts, it's time to move him and go in a different direction. Give the defense over to Dahlin and build from there. The entire fundamental process needs to change. In addition, stop trading draft picks for players who are well past their prime. **Cough** Wayne Simmonds. **Cough** Michal Frolik. I'm not sure what they need to do, but they need to be more creative. I'm sure Botterill attempts to bring guys in from Europe, but they need to focus more on that, and start elevating the team up in different avenues similarly to how San Jose or Toronto does (with Russian players). Which pains me to mention the Leafs in any high light.

I knew it was Leino, by far. It was more of a sarcastic quip.

It's nice to see him succeeding. Especially in his home market. I really hope he gets a good run with them.

What a ***** clown. Who was worse Leino or Bogosian?

I like that he used two assets to add and upgrade the team while getting more speed into the line up, and not including anything extra or settling for middling returns. I hate to admit when Jason does something good. As I've really soured on him in the last 6 months.

That is so true! I'm assuming it ends up being Cozens, but we'll see.