sweetlou

Sobotka- Eichel- Skinner Sheary- Mitts- Reinhart Wilson- Berglund- Okposo Girgensons- ERod- Baptiste

More wanting to see if fans are willing to move him if the returning pieces could add some more speed.

Maybe JBotts is waiting to see what happens with Nylander in Toronto? Nylander has finished 3rd on the Leafs the past two seasons at 61 pts each season as has an average of .73 pts per game. Reinhart has finished 3rd on the Sabres the past two seasons with 47 and 50 point seasons. Sam for his career has a .56 pts per game. I would say there two contracts should be very similar with Nylander's slightly higher.

Sixth round pick was just and enticer to get lower pick. Straight up they probably only give us a 5th for Beaulieu.

Looking at comparable players like Zibanejad and Galcheyuk you would have to think a bridge deal of 2 or 3 years around $4.5 million AAV or a long term contract at 7 or 8 years at around $5.5 - $6 million AAV. I'd prefer the 2 to 3 year option. Show me consistency over a couple more years. Then you can sign him long term at even $7 million if he proves he is worth it. If he stays the same then you can sign him long term at the $5- $6 million range. I am sure the Seattle factor and CBA is also playing a factor in the negotiations.

With Sekera out again with injury if I'm JBott I would be calling Chiarelli and telling him I've got Beaulieu available for a draft pick. Trade Edmonton Beaulieu and 2019 6th rd pick for Edmonton's 2019 3rd rd pick? This also helps Buffalo shed $2.4 million in cap space.

Great read Flagg... After reading through all the comments I would to add some thoughts... Most top teams have a top line made up of a combination of skill and power. Sid has pretty consistently had Hornqvist on his wing. Ovi played this past year with Wilson. Lucic in his prime with Bergeron. Brown with Kopitar. I still feel Jack and Casey need to have someone that can give them a net front presence and take up space in the offensive zone and also be solid defensively. Do the Sabres currently have anyone on the roster that fits that mold. I don't know. I'd much rather see 4 balanced lines that make it difficult for other teams to match. Sure would I love to see Jack and Skinner go out and mesh and dominate, but if we don't get balanced scoring through out the line up, they will just play against the other teams top lines and wash each other out. My idea of balanced lines would look like this... Sobatka, Eichel, Reinhart Skinner, Mitts, Okposo Wilson, Berglund, Sheary Girgensons, ERod, Bailey/Baptiste/Thompson Pommers gives them a true professional to step up out of the press box for injuries and could fill in anywhere on the right side. Larsson gives them the same at center or LW in the bottom six. On defense : McCabe, Risto Scandella, Dahlin Guhle, Bogo McCabe, Scandella, and Bogo gives you more stay at home defenseman to allow Risto, Dahlin, and Guhle to jump into the offensive rush. They must roll all three lines and not over play anyone. Depending on end game situations, you may switch up a pair for more defensive pairing, Scandella and Risto, or and offensive pairing Risto and Dahlin. I think Guhle takes big strides this year and we have a solid top six. Bogo's health could give opportunity for another Nelson call up.

I believe because they are both over thirty is why you have the negativity. I think they are solid players who fit well in the middle six. Most probably 3rd line players that can move up to second to fill in for injuries. Expectations this year. Sobotka- 13 goals- 22 assist- 35pts Berglund- 15 goals - 16 assist- 31pts For third line players I'll take those numbers!!

Hopefully the Sabres are getting a solid goaltender for the next couple of years, but I love the direction the Sabres are going in getting true professionals with good personalities. I always enjoy finding videos of players off the ice. Here is a fun one that Hutton did after the season before signing with Buffalo.

I think JBotts priority right now is signing Reinhart to an extension. If Reinhart signs a 1 or 2 year show me bridge contract then we may see a contract offered to Skinner before Jan 1st. If Reinhart sign long term, JBotts may wait closer to trade deadline. Either way I feel the first couple months of season will be very interesting on how team meshes and where everyone slots in. If Skinner takes off with either Eichel or Mitts and becomes a point per game player, why wouldn't you sign him to an eight year $7.5 million contract?

Sheary- Eichel- Reinhart Skinner- Mitts- Okposo Sobotka- Berglund- Thompson Wilson- Rodrigues- Baptiste/Pommer Need to move Larsson and Girgensons.

Hopefully Botts can extend him before season starts. Thinking 6years, $ 7million.

After watching some Sobotka highlights I think he could be one of those guys that could surprise us for a couple of years with some good point totals. He has played on some top lines with Tarasenko, Oshi and Statsny. Also some sick moves from Thompson on this first Sobotka tip.

Sheary- Eichel- Reinhart Sobotka- Mitts- Okposo ERod- Berglund- Thompson Wilson-- Larsson- Baptiste

2018-19 will still be a growing year with lots on new faces in lineup. There will be improvements made but I believe that 19-20 will be the year the Sabres make it back to the playoffs. Sheary- Eichel- Reinhart Rodrigues- Mittelstadt- Okposo Olofsson- Berglund- Pu Wilson- Thompson- Baptiste Scandella- Dahlin McCabe- Risto Pilut- Bogo Ullmark Hutton

I think everyone's concern is that with the addition of Mittelstadt, and maybe any other young players this year or next year, does Reinharts production stay the same or drop off. If the Sabres sign him long term at 6 million AAV and he only produces 45-50 pts, how would the fans react in 3-4 years? Would they be satisfied with that contract or upset at the overpayment?

With Minnesota signing Dumba and Zucker they are now over the cap. Is there anyone Buffalo should look at trading for that could help this team? This would have to be a trade of NHL players and possible picks. Would you take Foligno back, how about Charlie Coyle? I'd offer Minnesota Girgensons, Baptiste, and a 3rd rd pick for Coyle and Foligno.

Botts should either go 2 year deal at $4 per year or long term at 6 year at $5.5 per year.

Sens trades Erik Karlsson and Bobby Ryan to Vegas. Vegas trades 2019 2nd rd, 2020 1st rd picks to Ottawa. Vegas trades Alex Tuch to Buffalo. Buffalo trades Zach Bogo and 2019 1st rd pick to Ottawa. Break down for each team- Ottawa trades Ryan and Karlsson for 2019 1st rd, 2019 2nd rd, 2020 1st rd, and Zach Bogo. Vegas trades 2019 2nd rd, 2020 1st rd, and Tuch for Karlsson and Ryan. Buffalo trades 2019 1st rd and Bogo for Tuch.

Still think Buffalo could be a player in the three way trade with Ottawa. Besides Tampa is Vegas still in this discussion. They definitely could take on Ryan's contract.

He's from Sweden!!

Slotting players for the right role is going to be key for this year. Don't try and put a fourth liner in your top six, and don't put someone in your bottom 6 just because they are a veteran and have experience. My line up would look like this... ERod- Eichel- Reinhart. (Let this group use Eichel and ERod's speed with Reinhart's vision. ERod gives them a bit of defensive help) Sheary- Mitts- Okposo (Again Sheary and Mitts provide speed and hopefully Okposo can fill in the slot and net front presence) Wilson- Bergland- Thompson (Size and speed on the wing with good defensive, face off guy in center.) Sobatka- Larsson- Baptiste (Energy guy on RW, pest in middle, some skill on LW) Extra forwards- Girgrensons only gets in with injuries on LW, Pomms gets in with injuries on the RW. PK units- 1. Larsson, Wilson. 2. ERod, Eichel. 3. Bergland, Baptiste Defense- McCabe- Risto. (I think McCabe takes role of stay at home d to let Risto roam) Scandella- Dahlin. (Scandella provides veteran leadership, and good first lineman for Dahlin) Guhle- Nelson/Bogo. (protect them with only 12-14 minutes a game but let them play and grow) extra- Hunwick AHL- Beaulieu- needs to find his game or be traded PP units- Unit1- ERod- Eichel- Reinhart- Risto- Okposo Unit2- Sheary- Mitts- Sobatka- Scandella- Dahlin

I actually think there could be several guys who take steps forward due to increased roles and just a better atmosphere around the locker room. Okposo before his injury was one of those guys that looked like he was always having fun and a good teammate. I see him playing on Mitts right side and getting 20 goals and 30 assist this year. ERod I believe will eventually get a chance to play with Eichel and his creativity with Reinharts vision and Jacks finish could be potent. I look for ERod to have a break out year like Point or Gourde did for Tampa. AHL guys will get their opportunity and if they give us anything it will be an improvement over what we got from the bottom six last year.