Scottysabres

I see no debate here. The kid has played 1 full season in a very sheltered role behind 2 lines that were dynamite on arguably one of the greatest regular season teams in the history of the NHL. What the Tampa Bay Lightning did this past season was incredible, and, I watched a ton of it. Cirelli was not an overwhelming or even pivotal factor in it. He had very sheltered center duty on a 3rd line with fresh legs in every game I watched that had lines 1 and 2 double shifting in at least half the game in most cases. Whether or not it's recognized, that makes a huge difference.

Grigorenko. The others are still in the NHL, but Grigorenko's departure from the NHL while the others continue to carve out a path is so very telling. Of course, this can change as Nylander's career moves forward. I'll reserve that right to change my answer for now ?

As long as it doesn't benefit Toronto ?

While I concur you did not, nor did I, but to be honest, it's the primary trade chip that is going to be used imo.

I watched plenty of Tampa hockey this year RF, I cannot subscribe to your thoughts on Cirelli. He was sheltered, and quite a bit, on arguably one of the best regular season teams the league has ever seen in it's history. His play didn't stand out nearly enough, in the many games I watched, that warrant a targeting of him by the Sabres utilizing their prime trade chip. Just my 2 cents based on what I witnessed this season is all. To much of a pedestal for this kid as of yet I think given that team make up.

Cirelli is an unproven commodity. You don't move your prime trade chip (Risto) in a deal that is high risk, at least, not in Botterills case. I wonder if many fans realize just how de-stabilizing the losing has been to the organization. When the owner comes out, after a disastrous first 8 years and says it's time to start winning, high risk moves like taking on an unproven asset at the 2c position by using your prime trade chip doesn't seem to fit the bill for success, wouldn't you agree? Because I know this much, given the moves Botterill is making this off season, shrewdly propping up the RHD position in anticipation of that Risto for 2c move, I have a very high degree of confidence that Cirelli isn't even an after thought as a 2c to Botterill, let alone in the conversation. It won't happen, based purely on common sense, and that is the correct assessment from Botterill, in my humble opinion.

I have heavy suspicions Edmonton and Buffalo are going to strike a deal involving multiple players, both defense and forwards. I believe if a deal can be struck Nolan Vesey will be coming over to the Amerks in the deal.

Friends with Luuksenan? and UPK, Finnish RHD, 20 yrs old, showed sound D play with some offensive pitch in, PMD...…………... i'd say we are keeping this guy, to see what he develops in to in any event. 2, maybe 3 years? I know what your saying though, Our current RHD as far as I can tell: Ristolainen 24 yrs old Bogosian 28 yrs old Montour 25 yrs old Miller 26 yrs old Nelson 26 yrs old Borgen 22 yrs old Fitzgerald 22 yrs old Jokiaharju 20 yrs old That looks to me like 4 immediate NHL ready RHD's in Risto, Bogo, Monty and Miller. 2 immediate depth players with NHL games in Nelson and Joker with 2 developing D pushing hard to turn the corner either this coming season or definitely next given their age, Borgen and Fitzgerald. It just makes so much sense with Bogo currently nursing an injury until in to October by reports combined with his 1 yr left that Risto is the key trade piece that could bring in a worthy 2c. But, who would the trade partner be and what does that 2c look like? Just my view of the RHD situation. And given the reports that Buffalo spoke to Gardiner's agent around July 1st?, that tells me the left side is being looked at as well.

I believe Boeser and Horvat are players you build around, I don't believe Vancouver is going to move them.

She was on the 15th floor after the surgery. Then transferred to the 9th after they discovered that little bit of fluid. They released her I think it was the 24th.

Yea but, we tie Lucic up to the French Connection Statue outside of Key Bank Center each home game day, say, around 7am'ish, and let fans dress in goalie gear, stick and all and take running shots on him all day until, a couple hours after the game ends, only one head shot an hour though...……...Come on, we'll cut him loose to eat lunch, were not barbarians here now...…………. That's got to be worth 6 mil a season for the next 4 years.

Tampa's been interested since before the deadline, and it was posted post draft that interest is still there. So ya, I'd say they are a team to watch, but not the only one. Anaheim, the need to put some stock back in RHD after trading away their's (foolish of GMBM to not go in to a mini rebuild before last season if you ask me, but that's just my opinion). They are in a bad spot defensively now as well and their top talent is aging, their mid talent, for the most part, is approaching ages where it's now or never. Rakell obviously comes to mind, but it'll cost more than Risto to get him out of there, and honestly, I'd pay it given that contract combined with his production for 3 more seasons all before he hits 30. And look, a bonus, he's Swedish...……………………………..just something to keep an eye on in my opinion. Calgary, the cap crunch combined with giving them the ability to move another D asset with comfort is interesting. There are others, but those 3 stick out to my eye in any event.

Honestly, I believe he's getting moved, with 0 doubt. Just to much circumstantial evidence with the RHD depth combined with the 2c need not to come up with that conclusion. Whether it's in a package deal or 1 for 1, who knows, but I don't believe Risto is on the roster come opening night.

I love it. "SUFFERING" ?

Has anyone actually asked Mrs. Sid? Just curious...

Could you imagine not trading one of these defensemen until the 2nd pre-season game. Holy hell in a hand grenade basket would competition be grueling at training camp and beyond. I'd believe you would actually see guys feeding sticks, elbows, skate blades, hell, even the jersey logo, to their competition while on the ice against one another.

Maybe it's like a buffet thing. "Carolina RHD buffet, RHD gravy for your biscuits" But look out, here comes a competitor...……. "Buffalo DEFENSEMEN SMORGASBOARD, YOU WANT'EM, WE GOT'EM"

So, we are stacking D. This is a strong indication more is coming, and not just on the Right Handed D side either. The earlier reports of Buffalo speaking with Gardiner, especially given just how bad Scandella played and the oft Injured McCabe, it looks like pieces are being put in place for a near complete D rebuild, including depth. No?

Wanted to post a Thank you to all who responded to this. Mom had the surgery, had a stint installed, it went fairly well, had to stay a couple extra days up at Buffalo General for some fluid in the lungs following the surgery, they said that's not uncommon. She's been post surgery for 2 weeks now and is looking good. She even finally gave up the smoking. Looks like she'll be around for a bit still ? Which makes my heart fill with a feeling of content. I know there will come a day, but these days, are not that day. At least, not yet. So once again, thank you all for your input, prayers and taking the time to respond. Believe it or not, it makes a difference, so this little community is most certainly a worthy one.

Plenty of off season to go yet and it appears UFA movement has stalled until these RFA scenarios play out. I am guessing that combined with the relatively low cap escalation has teams recalibrating before movement picks up again.

Good point. Yeesh I hope to god this isn't Botterill's plan...…...

I tend to agree with this. None of these guys is going to center successfully in my humbled opinion. There has to be other moves coming.

I would love Botterill to hook up with Anaheim again. They are going to be entering full rebuild mode here for the next couple of seasons. Rickard Rakell for 2c, That would be a deal I'd like to see.

judging by Pegula's statements, Botterill's statements, they are well aware the fan base isn't going to wait around any longer. I don't see Johansson at 2c given what we know.

Johansson doesn't primarily play center from what I understand, he plays primarily LW. To myself in any event, Marcus Johansson was brought in as a depth LW'er. Jbot isn't remotely done given the lack of cap space to get Ullmark, McCabe, Larsson and Erod signed. These guys aren't going to sign for 1.5 million each, and we only have roughly 6.5 million in cap space. Combine that information with the reports that Buffalo was talking to Gardiner's camp and it's easy to see one of the LD's is on the way out. Further combine that with Risto, Bogo, Montour and Miller on the RHD's, that's 4 NHL caliber players right there, Miller most certainly wasn't brought in to sit in the press box, neither was Montour. What? Are we going to sit 5.4 mil Risto or 5.25 mil Bogo in the press box? I don't think so, one of these guys is gone, and given Bogo's injury status, Risto is odd man out imo. As for the forward ranks, way to many bodies, with the youth pushing as well as the signings. Something is going to give. I see 5, potentially 6 players between defense and forwards on the move before all is said and done, because we don't have a 2c yet.