Scottysabres

The fear of being replaced by an AHL'er has our boys showing up tonight.

I agree with you. There is a lot to be said about effort. Of course, size and skill help as well ?

You know the tale of the shrooms from younger years past? Much respect to you sir...………………..

scouts!! SCouts!!!!! SCOUTS!!!!!!

0 - 0 so far. But...…………………………. I want a Tampa Bay players blood on the ice. Seriously, I grow tired of their antics. Draw blood, control the puck, own the game.

100% accurate. I to, look at the Gaustad trade is the start of the tear down for the rebuild. And you are spot on, it has been a complete disaster. The truly disgusting part of this complete fiasco in Sabres history, is that as of right now, there appears to be no plan in place to begin to right the ship and the spiraling out of control losing culture looks to continue well in to the foreseeable future, at least, as of right now, as stated.

I wouldn't expect any major moves from Botterill. I don't believe he sees the 50th anniversary season as anything more than a promotional plug for the organization as he continues to wait for …………………… ?????????????? Hell, I have no idea what he's waiting for. He re-signed a majority of these plugs hoping for what? A different result? At this point I'm just going to call it what it is, Botterill's a straight out idiot or there is some super secret master plan to win the Cup next season...……………. I'll go with the obvious, he's an idiot.

No, I'm pretty sure it was Galchenyuk when he was with Montreal.

Just got home from the Bills game. First Bills game since 1986. Not impressed, 2nd and 3rd string or not, still not impressed. Let's see what the Sabres can do.

Bring us the head of local boy Myles Wood...……….and the rest of his body, still attached and in hockey working order would be nice to...……...

It is well known the Pegula's are very accommodating to those players who wish to leave Buffalo. Or, he could just say at the end of the season that he's lost the love of the game. All kidding aside (or are we?), if Jack's had enough and he goes to management/ownership wanting out, they aren't going to enslave him to servitude in Buffalo, that's not their style. The truly baffling part of all this, is that no one is pushing it, we are merely stating it wouldn't surprise us and some of us, myself included, actually expect it. After all, is their some arbitrary number of years of the contract Jack is expected to fulfill without thinking at all about his overall career? Honestly, many of us couldn't blame him if he wanted out, especially given the mess this organization has become, and let's be honest, it is a mess. As for a critical mass of talent showing up, I've at least seen this before, when we got Eichel and Reinhart. We had plethora of picks on top of them, many of which were moved as picks or just didn't make the NHL cut. This team is in bad shape imo. And that's just the take I have given the events that have unfolded over the past 5 years, 5 years of which at the end of this season will be Eichel's 5th as well. I know I wouldn't be the least bit happy with what's unfolding here in Buffalo.

Which leads me to this question. Why would Botterill re-sign a majority of last seasons roster or not trade a couple pieces of those already signed in an effort to change the coming seasons (this season) end result? Is there a larger plan here in play? For the following season? I don't believe that for a second. I think Botterill was hoping on the coaching change, combined with the couple of additions made in the past 12 months would push the team to at least playoff contention this season. That has completely failed imo. If that was his intention, which I believe it was.

Skinner isn't built for the physical game he's been playing lately, or at least, trying to. He needs a top notch center to roll with, a RW with size and near equal speed would be nice to, but a center is a must. Is Cozens that guy? So young yet? I just don't know, but Skinner really needs some help on that second line if they're hell bent on keeping Olofsson on LW for Eichel. Personally, I like Skinner with Eichel, the chemistry last season was just so obvious. But, that's just my take.

Drink more Crown, hold the coke...…………..

This team needs more than a 2 center. The 3rd and 4th lines contribute so sporadically they basically need 4 out of 6 players overhauled. The 2nd line is a complete disaster, both C and wings. Netminding could be improved over Hutton. Ullmark looks serviceable. The Defense is only going to be as good as the forwards are at keeping some offensive play actually showing results. Jury's still out on D. At least, to me. Could they pull it off between now, and say, next November/December? I guess, but...……………...what are the odds Pegula and Botterill will? Not good as of right now. Just sayin...………...

I don't see a rebuild. I see perpetual (in my best Darcy Regeir voice) "suffering".

Jack won't stick around past next season if major changes aren't made imo. He's not going to let his career rot away here in Buffalo.

I won't post on Kane or ROR save this, they went to teams with "Established Cultures". There were already expectations where they went. That is not the case here in Buffalo, and that, is a huge problem. I do agree with your GM hiring assessment. The coaching one as well. Once again, I'm not advocating trading Reinhart, I could care less if he stays or goes, but if he gets us a player or players that can make a larger impact, and I feel they can, I'm all for it. The turn around with this organization has to start both in the management system and on the ice, imo.

It's already to late. He had his opportunities in the off season to adjust the roster, he didn't do it. He'll be here next season as well most likely. From a fans perspective, where we are sitting, at least myself and others I speak with, we are looking at 3 to 5 more years before true contention, and that is if they turn it around at all. I don't see Jack here at that time.

I disagree respectfully. The roster is a product of ownership/management. Not the other way around.

The culture of this organization was dead long before Kane or ROR were here to begin with. Their presence made 0 difference in it, that fact is bore out in the teams record while they were here. They are a red herring in my opinion, to a much larger problem, a problem that was here before Pegula bought the team imho. The Sabres weren't exactly tearing up the league before him either, he's just magnified the problem to it's lowest common denominator. Whether Reinhart stays or goes won't be relevant to fixing this mess, once again, imho. As I stated above, he doesn't have the killer instinct, the drive, and quite frankly, the talent to alter anything significantly here. And while it is true he may very well do much better in the right roster surroundings, the fact remains, the Sabres aren't going to get that surroundings without moving some pieces just like Sam to get there, imo. Mind you, I'm not a Reinhart hater, I'm just not a fan. To me, he's a Meh player, nothing more, nothing less. Very replaceable imo.

Sums it up right here...……………...

This dogma of "actual talent" is a fallacy based on Sam's draft position imho. He's shown nothing in the form of killer instincts, and I mean, nothing. Confusing talent with drive, motivation, going 100% on the ice 100% of the time is what is leaving this team well to the bottom of the standings. Pimlach is correct, the culture needs to be "your in Buffalo, ***** or we'll pull you off the pot and replace you with someone who will". Reinhart doesn't have what is needed here in Buffalo, once again, imho.

Just remember, it's not the team, it's the ownership/management that is the problem. They put this crap on the ice, for the better part of 5 years + now. They are that bad unfortunately.

Not gonna happen. If he had it in him, he'd of shown it by now imo. He'd make a great trade piece however. Because honestly, this team still needs a complete over-haul save 2 to 4 roster players.