Scottysabres

I am more than optimistic about this Bills team. I don't know, but I am going to hazard a final score guess. 45 - 6 Buffalo.

So, if the Sabres by chance do acquire Laine, I see McCabe moving. Can't see them on the same team. Also, if McCabe is moved, does that open the door to Gardiner? So many twists and turns.

No Risto movement yet. Read TW's posts, hope these Rfa's sign soon.

I believe you won this trade! Getting rid of the older, used junk, for space is a win in and of itself. However, your going to fill that space with assets that, in themselves will become junk eventually. That's the straw that broke the camels back, FIRE BOTTS! ?

Hope: the defense improves. Fear: Mitts and Olofsson see no progress with their play. Primarily due to who they play with on a line. Expectation: Playoffs.

Sorry to hear it...... Now, about Sobotka's 2 left feet injury......

A winger not a center, but Mantua has impressed these past 2 seasons and 9s still RFA. Based on this, I'll allow it. ?

YIKES! The Sprong is NOT strong in this one...…………………..can't blame you though. But, Tage? I'm scared, very scared, that's the way Botterill feels to, at least, about Tage.

Problem with Spronge is Anaheim is doing what we did couple years back, replace aging vets with youth. They brought in Sprong from Pitt to help that youth movement. But Rakell is 26, has 3 years left, and Anaheim will continue to retool that Age to youth transition over the next couple of seasons as they build competition for a couple years down the road imo.

If it's Anaheim, Rakell or bust. If it's Winnipeg, Ehlers or bust. If it's LA, I'll bust, a cap in my skull.

Either Botterill's squeezed information so tight to the vest his balls fell off or no ones offering up a decent return. It would be humorous if Botterill's balls did drop during a presser about how the market wasn't there, the fax machine was unplugged or some other obscure excuse come early October. Just fell right off and sounded like empty tin cans when they hit the floor ?

There has to have been and most certainly continue to be conversations between Botts and other GM's on Risto. Some teams need a skill set such as that. Will it happen? Most likely, but who really knows, maybe they are all trying to low ball Botts?

Cage match between the all the RHD's to see who's on the opening night ice, 4 D enter, 3 D leave lol.

I don't disagree Risto alone cannot bring in a 2C, but, who knows what Botts can do. With that said, a package deal yea, I can see that happening. As for the Cap scenario being an issue to take back salary, we have to many left handed shots as it is, Botts could move a couple of bodies, even if he has to tie a pick to them, in order to free up some cap, I don't see it as a major issue.

Carolina Hurricanes @CanesNHL The #Canes and Chase Priskie have agreed to terms! More Info » n.carhur.com/30cBUGg 11:28 AM · Aug 17, 2019·Twitter Web Client

Yea, that doesn't have remotely the same vibe as the Sabres 50, to myself anyways.

Love it. Ordering 7

This is a good question. I'm not sure what was going on there in Anaheim with Montour. Maybe they saw the young LHD and 1st rd pick as a part of their rebuild as they did have a few large contracts that were attached to older players. Perry is gone, that leaves Getzlaf and Kesler with 2 good sized contracts yet, I see further moves from them in the next season or 2. But I believe they would be enticed with younger talent, Risto helps them in the next 3, but attach one of our young up and comers with him, or a 1st, and, while I am hesitant to say it, Rakell could most likely be made available in some package deal.

I think it's Anaheim as well. Hoping for Rakell……..

Yea, that was my thought, package a 1st with him. Wasn't sure if the compliance buyouts were running this time.

My post was to long, you beat me to it ? you and I are on the same thoughts though, I think......?

I wasn't th8nking merely Calgary. I'm thinking league wide. I mean, think about it for a moment, and correct me if my thoughts are skewed, but we have Reinhart and Dahlin in that 3 yr window (Risto's remaining yrs on contract). This season Botts can move more than just Risto to shed a bit of cap, say, Scandella and Sobotka + one of our many line 3/4 players, no? And if that is true, combined with a few of the ELC.talents sure to make the team in the next couple of years, as well as shedding a guy to the expansion draft (one can only pray Okposo, but even of a 1 to 3 million dollar player) it appears that puts us in excellent position to eat some healthy cap on Risto to significantly better the return. My personal preference is Rakell, Anaheim I think would be extremely interested in Risto at 2.4 million, just an example both player and number mind you, but my point is, if we're willing to eat cap, and have the room to do so, that return should improve, no?

All of which is true it appears, unless.........Biffalo eats cap, say, 3 million of Risto's contract. What would that get us then? Because we are shedding a ton next season anyways.

I agree with you, Culture is a critically important component of a successful franchise.

I am hoping Botterill is targeting Rakell in a Risto trade. Maybe a package for package deal. But, Anaheim needs an RHD with some term. One can only hope.