Rasmus_

With our depth, quite possibly. Realistically no, he's more likely a second pairing defensemen. However, he's a smooth skating two way defensemen that will open up the ice and push the tempo more than we've been used to with potential partners for Ristolainen (no offense to McCabe). He'll bring a different element to our roster for sure. I am excited to just see a more well rounded product. I am sure I'm not the only one tired of seeing the left side of McCabe, Gorges, Falk and other riff raff.

He wears "47" for a reason. No one notices him being around. All you see with his name in the line up is his "$$" figure. We got rid of the last player who had talent with a high cap that had run his course in Ennis. Can we see him have a breakout in the teams new system and then ship him out of town. Replace him immediately with a filler.

I think he's well versed in analytics and for the most part his approach to his thoughts is at least thought out. Unlike the wind bag Peters and the ill begotten Rivet. So I'm good with it.

Seems about right, an easy contract to offload if they decide to move on from Z. I hope he shows something he hasn't in more than 2 seasons.

This, I come back to NY, right at the time the season starts. I'm hoping to get a game in Buffalo before I fly back to AZ.

I honestly don't see this as a realistic possibility. The Sabres need to jettison money before this could happen in Moulson or Bogosian. Otherwise you're looking at a near 26-27 year old entering his UFA seasons shortly who may or may not walk. As well as the fact you're trading youth when we need to supplement that in instead of sending it out. I don't see this as making sense, unless we were to move Kane for value.

Top 6. I will keep my hopes up for a healthy season. If he stays healthy all season it could easily be top 3.

Saad is turning 24, and Panarin should be in his season 28-29 season I believe. If not Panarin might be 30.

He's not invested in anyone long term this offseason, he signed his RFA's to realistic offers, while keeping to his word on being a cap strategist. He maneuvered to remove Ennis out and bring back a fan favorite who out pointed the two players combined he traded and improved the defense. He used the expansion draft to swindle Montreal out of Beaulieu even though their fans will say otherwise. He added depth and drafted for speed and skill. There still are some other needs / youth needed mainly on the back end, but this was a more methodical approach at improving the team. I believe we'll see more haggling and maneuvering as the season comes. Either way it's been a thumbs up. Get out from under the Bogosian / Moulson deals and you're even more of a GM God.

If it's a low term one year deal sure. I don't really want to get stuck in retreads from the 07-08 teams. Pommer, improves the team at the expense of Ennis which I was good with. However, I want to see a younger faster paced team. I have respect for Vanek, but his days in Buffalo are over, unless it's really the right $$ on a 1 year deal.

He's the drown sea god, anything is possible. It's the Iron Fleet man! Just kidding, it does seem completely implausible. Arya going home! Best part of the amazing episode!

Zadorov hasn't been a Sabre for two seasons, and Ristolainen is somewhat established minus a terrible CORSI. There is a huge difference in the player profile, leverage etc. Furthermore, he's not a Sabre anymore, so who gives a damn.

I would say that we still need a ton of work. Arizona, meh. Tell me about them in 5 months when they start out 0-5. Hjalmarsson looks to have taken a step back, he's been beaten down heavily each of the past six seasons. I would agree with Dallas for sure. Calgary...added what a meh goalie. They're still the same team. Carolina got better, but there are still question marks. We'll see. I would still put us in the 3-6 area of teams that most improved. Yes our defense improved, but we still need to fix the a few other areas.

I honestly don't think Larsson is questionable. He's as solid a PK, puck possession, defensive forward as this team as had. Girgensons, Pouliot, Josefsson I agree with. Deslauriers probably will be waived in favor of someone like Nylander, Fasching, Baptiste, Bailey.

I have a solid feeling that Beaulieu will settle before then and Lehner will go through arbitration. The interesting question is what happens after his hearing.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen looks to have a good handle on athleticism, movement laterally and a good blocker / glove. I was thoroughly impressed even against a group of piers. He looks like a better overall prospect than Johansson. It sucks about Petersen, but he could make us forget about him in time. Ullmark / Luukkonen sounds like a beastly pair of Scandinavian stoppers.

Looks like another quality hire, and someone outside of the general realm of his comfort zone (Pittsburgh). Botterill is not afraid to go outside of the realm of thinking.

So true, but we're trying to attribute this to cheap depth with speed. Which is where Josefsson comes in.

6 x 6.5-6.75M per season. If we were to retain him.

Like when Jack was wearing 41, it has no merit on anything really. He'll have his own number in two seasons once he turns pro. By that point we'll be done with Moulson, Pominville, and a few others.

Shrugs, I guess he'd be an improvement over Gorges and Bogosian, but I think he doesn't have as much offensive upside as Beaulieu and or Antipin. I don't really miss him that much. He's a useful mid pairing defensemen.

Can we trade him back to Ottawa for Colin White, mumbles. I still don't dislike Robin, he has a Viking type aura, and if he could work on the small ticks in his game he could improve. I'm good with starting him and if we get something too good to pass up then move on from him. However, for now he's fine.

Hainsey is such rubbish. I find him to be as average as Taylor Fedun or Justin Falk. Obviously he's better than that, but I don't think he's particularly more than average at anything.

GM: Garth Snow HC: Tortorella F: Alex Ovechkin D: Chris Tanev G: Pekka Rinne

I believe Botts also said that he would sign Lehner within the month. Could he be waiting to see the goalie market / UFA goalie market thin out before trading him?