dejeanerret

Totally agree. One way or the other get to the bottom of it. from hockeybuzz.com: On Mike Hoffman... A short while back I wrote how I couldn't understand why the Sens were so anxious to move him...now we have an idea as to why... Listen, it would be unfair to judge here right now, and Hoffman's girlfriend may be innocent, but perception right now is very tricky...in the NHL Hoffman's name isn't very good right now and many are saying he may have to move on from his girlfriend or have a tough time playing in the league...He will be traded soon however... On Jake Allen... I am hearing Jake Allen's name has been discussed by the Sabres and Blues...still early here...but I have heard Lehner would be heading back to St Louis...Makes some sense to get both good goalies a chance at a new start... On James Neal... I am hearing the Sabres are now the other favorite for James Neal...The Vegas Knights are pretty much neck and neck with Buffalo... On Tavares.... Each day now I have another source telling me it is more likely that Tavares stays on the Island... On Karlsson... It sounds like the Sens room is really backing Karlsson right now...Will that mean he is more likely to stay in Ottawa? Appears like it might... On Rasmus Ristolainen.... Hearing Vancouver and now Montreal making a play...

She is actually Hoffman's fiancée. Ugly, ugly situation. She had an instragram account that described herself as “professional packer-unpacker,” “frenchdog enthusiast” and “Champagne lover.” I don't know her, but that can come across as a little entitled. NY Post came out with an updated story with several wives of current and former players coming to the defense of Mel Karlsson, and saying Caryk's behavior comes as "no surprise". https://nypost.com/2018/06/13/nhl-wives-teammates-fiancees-alleged-harassment-took-scary-turn/ Yikes! Safe to say, no one would just make this up. Best case scenario is a huge misunderstanding. But Karlsson's wife comes across as also hearing words to the effect of what she is claiming from Caryk. Not just social media posts. Very, very ugly. As bad as I feel for the Karlsson's, I also feel bad for Mike Hoffman. Right now he is coming to his fiancée's defense, and at the same time showing compassion towards the Karlsson's. But I have a feeling he is giving Caryk the benefit of the doubt, because honestly he is probably in the dark as well. Any ounce of evidence and she is toast. With that being said, the GM and the players agents made it clear that there is no chance this goes on into next season, and that one player has to be moved. Karlsson is obviously the most sought after, but only has one year left on his deal. From a lockerroom and wives standpoint, I'm not sure what team can trade for Hoffman right now without players and their wives having an issue bringing that type of drama and character into their environment, one that is heavy in family and children. It's obvious Caryk has no children, and is enjoying the life of an athletes significant other. Until Caryk is either proven innocent or dumped, Hoffman will remain in Ottawa. Sad set of circumstances. But as a hockey fan, would love to have Karlsson on our team.

Welcome to the board! Although Bots would have to be careful what type of locker room Dahlin comes into. The last thing we would want to bring the next generational talent into a toxic environment with a losers mentality. Still clean house. But thank our lucky stars we have a chance at this guy.

Stats aren't the standard of which winning teams with winning culture's go by when it comes to team moral and team toughness. As I stated, prior to this interview I was firmly in the "bring ROR back" category as one of our core. But it doesn't matter what your stats are, if you openly tell your teammates, management, and the fans that you checked out and accepted losing and didn't give your all each night then you need to go pronto. Did the fans who paid hundreds of hard earned dollars to bring their kids to the game deserve to see a checked out OReilly loafing around the ice? I get we are all human. But as a professional it's his duty to perform his job at the highest level, especially for the money he makes. It's his job to raise his teammates up, not sink to unacceptable levels. Especially when players and even fans were looking at him as Captain material. He has to be the example, not the victim. If a guy like OReilly says its OK to show up to work and accept losing, don't you think other guys are going to feel that? THAT'S WHAT CREATES A LOSING CULTURE. You didn't hear any of that in Eichel, Okposo, or Reinhart? Nope. Even Pommers made a statement of how on the outside it didn't seem so bad and then once you get inside and see what is going on you see the problems." To me he was basically saying players quit. When arguably your best player comes out and says I quit on the team on certain nights, he needs to go. There will be a team who will trade for him. Most likely a team that is playoff caliber. But be weary if they start losing, because this guy will check out on you.

Locker clean out day pretty much spelled out the entire season Eichel pulled a 180 from last year. He stood up as a leader and answered the tough questions. He spoke as someone who is bought in and is here for the long haul. He spoke as someone who will be part of the turnaround and will task himself with that. Okposo's interview was quite telling. There were questions he answered where he raised his chin towards the reporter answering the question, and there were questions (mostly about effort and buy in) where his head remained down, and he glared up at the reporter during and at the end of his response. To me he was sending a message. I was on him this year about his plus/minus and effort. But his injury seemed to be more serious than I thought, and he was just getting back into the groove this season. Regarding system he did mention he wished the coaches would just tell players to "go out and work and not worry so much about X and O's". So the learning the system and not being able to just react came across as frustrating in that answer. Reinhart seemed to experience similar frustration regarding being tied to a "system". Made comment that when he said "screw it" and just played his game he was more productive. He also talked about players not coming to the rink and lack of effort. Seems from the top guys they're is a sense of frustration from this. O'Reilly blew my mind. A guy who is supposed to be your heart and soul, was mentioned as a captain, and is one of your highest paid players, comes out and says he lost his love a few times this year (which to me means he was checked out for certain games) is the core of the issue of this team. I've read throughout the board about Housley not standing up to star players not giving effort, and apparently ROR was one of them. Also he mentioned being excited about going to Europe to "win something"?? WTF??? And the fact he admitted he didn't come into this season prepared training wise is unacceptable, that he "lost touch" with his training regimen and didn't come ready to play and it showed in his game. Unacceptable. When you are a professional athlete getting paid what ROR is getting paid, you don't checkout. I'm sorry. Don't' care if your 0-82. As a professional, you go out every shift and give 100% each and every shift. To admit that through out the season he mailed it in certain games is completely unacceptable. Even worse to say that in a locker cleanout screams to me that he is BEGGING to be traded. He even mentioned if he is moved he didn't seem too concerned about it. ROR wants out of Buffalo, and I can't imagine Bots not on the phone tomorrow trying to make a move after that soundbite. Honestly, this lack of effort was probably recognized early on in the season so the interview was probably just a formality. Prior to today, I though that Eichel, Reinhart, and ROR were our core. Now for me cross ROR of that list. He needs to be moved tomorrow. As for Eichel, I can tell he wants to be the leader of this franchise. He was probably frustrated not being able to say anything to ROR since they were co captains and ROR has more league seniority. As for ROR, he needs to go...now.

To get a 1st, 4th, and player, even if they are conditional, for a 20 game rental is a pretty solid haul. But one would have to wonder if the Bruins gave up that much for Nash (18 goals/10 assists/33 years old) what would they have given up to Buffalo for Kane (20/20/26)? Especially getting a gtd first rounder. The other players are meh. The season is lost, but maybe the Bruins didn't want to deal within the division? If I were the Sabres I wouldn't care since the assets I'm getting are for the future.

That's a no brainer. Lehner is 37th in GA and 33rd in Save percentage at $4 million. Safe to say Ulmark could probably do as well or better for much cheaper. Time to drain the KeyBank Arena. Gorges for a bag of pucks and we eat half his salary. Josefson for a new Zamboni machine Pouliot for a bag of sand

www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=400962497 Frustration boiled over for the Eastern Conference's last-place Sabres. The press box shook with the loud sound of a door slamming, and Sabres general manager Jason Botterill was spotted leaving the team's booth shortly after Kopitar scored his first goal to put the Kings up 2-0 I don't blame him. This team is horrible. They look slow, and lack of effort is so evident. Living in Vegas and watching the GK play, they skate like the wind, shoot quick and often, and have energy for days. We are old and tired. We have guys making millions who don't even deserve a minor league contract. Can't wait for Bots to clean house!

I was just looking at his stats a few days back saying how he's about to break out and reach career highs for goals and assists after missing games last year thinking to myself "imagine if he got hurt and was lost to the season now?" Unbelievable. The guy can't catch a break.

I agree. Pouliot is playing horrible. Baloo has made too many mental errors. At this rate we'll be very active at trade deadline with guys like Fasching, Bailey and Guhle coming up to play. Actually think Fasching and Bailey would be better than Moulson and Reinhart. Gorges being a FA is all but a goner at deadline.

OReilly/Reinhart/Okposo totals 14 Games. 0 Goals, 1 Assist, -18 +/- (Reinhart is -8) Minus frickin 18. And were only 5 games in. OReilly and Okposo make up roughly 20% of the Sabres cap space. Unacceptable.

Keep in mind the team isn't totally turned over. You have players like Moulson and Gorges who don't fit the system. Also presence in front of the net continues to be a problem. I said at the start of the season to give Reinhart a year in a new system. So far he is stinking things up. Vs. Kings I hear Ray specifically point him out being behind the net instead of in front of it. I think he is going to be another player that is going to be traded sooner than later. You also have guys like Tennyson playing who should be in the minors due to Bogosian injury. Add to the mix the fact that the players seem to be taking longer than at least Housley thought to get acclimated to the new system. It's not like Lehner is playing lights out either. Right now the team isn't playing with much confidence, which is shocking considering how everyone was talking fresh slate in September. But between still having players that don't fit the system as well as the rest of the team trying to acclimate the Sabres are just stinking up the place. I live in Vegas, and seeing a inaugural franchise start the season with 3 wins with players who have never played together before in a system they have never played before makes the Sabres situation a headscratcher. At some point before Xmas the light has to come on. Or this team will be in deep s&*!

Funny how everyone has been railing Reinhart when he hasn't even played his natural position. Give the guy a shot at center and then label him whatever if he doesn't play well.

...and that's exactly where Kevin Porter belongs. Wish I could unremember the years he played on the 2nd line.

still living off 09-10. Last seven seasons, Miller has only had one year where his GAA was below 2.50 and his Save % was .92 or above. In the last four seasons, Chad Johnson has had 2 of each.

Hurricanes were a train wreck last year. 2 seasons prior with Sharks he had 56 games 3g/9a/12p w/ +1 rating. Over 80 games that's 4g/12a/16pts. Not bad for a fringe Dman.

In other news, Kulikov's agent just sold the idea to the Jets of marketing ice to eskimos for $20 million. WTF

Great stats. His 5 vs 5 was also way better than his overall stats indicated. Oilers only bought out Pouliot to create room to sign McDavid. They loved his leadership and locker room presence. Another character move that will add stability to the locker room. It's obvious that Bots believes in building a strong lockerroom that will help show the younger players how to be a true pro. I think that's one thing the Sabres missed with TM. Veterans really didn't have a solid presence, whether it was their lack of ability or because of Disco Dan's lack of communication. Either way it seemed some of the younger players were on different pages and no one stepped in to straighten things out.

It's obvious that Bots thinks the Wild under utilized both Scandella and Poms. I can see Poms doing some damage this year on the PP and Scandella's numbers going up. Ennis and Foligno were marginal talent and not much to give up for those two. Still see Bots adding another D man. Think it's going to come via Kane trade. I can see us adding another LW too, in addition to Bonino at C. He's a given.

Another WilkesBarre connection. Knows what Bots wants and how he wants the players to be developed. On paper looks like a good move. We'll see.

I cannot see the Sabres holding onto Kane through the summer. It just doesn't make any sense. I believe Bots is just being thorough about this. He's not going to rush it. Hockeybuzz.com is stating Florida is now in the mix too. That's in addition to Ducks and Kings. I think any warm weather team has to be under consideration. Kane can be a stud on the ice, and if he lands in a beach town he'll sign long term. But he has to be in the right lockerroom. Buffalo just didn't have the caliber of leaders that could tame him. A team like the Kings who have their set leaders and won't allow distractions comes across as the best place. I think whoever acquires him has to be a contender. Otherwise it's a crapshoot for whoever gets him. But the Sabres would be playing a serious game of roulette to keep him into the season, and that doesn't sound like Bots.

Word is Bruins and Devils are clearing room for run at Shatts. I don't see Buffalo in on that anymore. I only see Bogo going to a floor team. Maybe Vegas? But we would have to take on one of their older Defensemen, which again I wouldn't mind. I think with Guhle waiting in the wings, along with Antipin getting used to the American game, and players like Nelson in the minors, the Sabres can sign solid 30ish D men with good value and allow those younger players to come along naturally. Question is what is the return for Kane? Do you still go D? or do you go high draft pick or skill forward?

Id love to have shattenkirk. But I believe he'll go to the Devils.

8 Years $60 mill AAV $7.5 mill

Saw this coming. Checked out FA Goalies on spotrac when Bots mentioned a veteran to come in and start in Rochester he was one of the guys I thought of. Funny thing is he only had one bad year in 14-15 with the Isles. Otherwise he's been starter quality. Even in Buffalo he had a better GA and same Save % in 15-16 than Lehner had last year. For his price tag not sure why a team struggling for a solid starter doesn't sign this guy. But i'll be happy to take him. Won't be surprised if he backs up Lehner and they send Ullmark down.