Scottysabres

There are some solid points in your post. There is also some indications by the Ducks organizations decisions over the past year and 1/2 or so that they are rebuilding/retooling (call it what you will) their blue line. Even if that rebuild/retool is in a state of flux. After all, you don't leave Theodore exposed as the sacrificial lamb for the expansion to protect Montour (which is exactly what happened) and move Vat's, then move Montour shortly there after without some decision to go in a different direction. That in and of itself, is more than sufficient data to say they are rebuilding/retooling their blue line at least, even if on a smaller scale. But outside of that, over all, yes, I concur, their forward core is staying largely intact and they have the complimentary pieces at prime age to continue on. However, with that being said, and given the length's on those Perry, Getzlaf and Kesler contracts, it is reasonable to question what they do plan to do, since their secondary piece core (and let's face it, those you listed, that is what they are, as of now) will be around the 28 to 33 age when their core stars fizzle out completely. That, is a very questionable strategy by the Ducks management team, at least, imho.

Rather quiet right now. Given how close the standings are in both conferences, especially around those wild card slots, I honestly expected more action early on today. Minnesota is interesting with reports of Zucker and Granlund being shopped. Obviously the Panarin / Bobs situation. Stone in Ottawa and Florida. Wondering how frantic the conversations are now.

The next 14 hours or so are going to be rather interesting for Sabres fans. Let's see if Botterill can pull a 2C out of that top hat of his. As of now, if the Strickland post has any substance behind the scenes at all, I have to believe it's JT Miller. We've also been told to keep an eye on Wennberg out of Columbus by Jeremy White's SuperSaucySabresSomething or other. Then there was the report of AGM Greeley at the Boston/LA with a Buffalo scout, what here is a ? to me in any event. One thing is certain, the Sabres and Lightning have been scouting each other heavily the past 3 weeks. Is it Risto? Don't know, but there is definitely something there imo.

Maybe. But I don't see Tampa waiting to get a physical D man like Risto until the off season. If they are going for it, he's a guy I'd imagine they'd want now. Not to say they even want him, but, if what Strickland says is true, that a rumor won't go away, I can fully see why they'd want him now.

David Pagnotta‏ @TheFourthPeriod 7m7 minutes ago More Hearing Sabres have a couple things still cooking. Told talks on moving Beaulieu have picked up the last few days. Not sure Ristolainen is truly in play, but we’ll see. Team wants to upgrade forward corps.

David Pagnotta‏ @TheFourthPeriod 6m6 minutes ago More Hearing Sabres have a couple things still cooking. Told talks on moving Beaulieu have picked up the last few days. Not sure Ristolainen is truly in play, but we’ll see. Team wants to upgrade forward corps.

Montour's got to be happy. He's looking back as the plane leaves Anaheim thankful he's not going to be a part of a couple year rebui…………………...oh snap...…...Buffalo? lol, I kid, I kid...………………….or...……………….do I?

1 more yr at 3.3 mil roughly then an RFA.

John Vogl‏Verified account @BuffaloVogl 3m3 minutes ago More Source says "definitely more talk happening even after the Montour trade"

Nice, I like Montour. Guess Fowler is staying then?

Ceci and Boedker healthy scratches in Ottawa per Dreger and Bobby McKenzie gave the "eyes looking" tweet while retweeting it.

Well, if not for nothing, it gave us something to talk on for a few hours this windy Sunday afternoon. So a big thank you to Andy Strickland for that, at least one of those sports reporters hadn't forgotten about us here on Sabrespace ?

I can't speak to the number crunching, since I don't really follow it closely. I use the eye test, and it tells me Risto can be one of the top two #3 defensemen in the league under the right circumstances. Those circumstances include fully playing to his strengths, an offensive defenseman combined with a very strong forward ranks roster, i.e. puck possession primarily in the oppositions zone as opposed to your own. Under those conditions I can fully see Risto being stellar. Something we don't have here and most likely won't for another couple of years at least.

Dreger says no when asked if any truth to the Risto to Tampa rumors...…………. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming ?

Playmakers? Have plenty of those, we need "finishers", "snipers" call them what you will.

Just an FYI, Tampa's had 3 scouts at multiple Sabres games past 10 days or so, with 3 in attendance again yesterday. I'd say this rumor, has some wheels.

yep

wow, just wow. Tampa loading the hell up if they get Risto.

Gust clocked in at 59mph here in Wheatfield, NY, 3 minutes ago

Wait, wut? Got to be a part of a deal going down, no?

Marc Savard @MSavvy91 A couple teams interested in Florida Panthers Mike Hoffman and I’m hearing @ArizonaCoyotes are making a real push to add him for a push to make the playoffs!!

Odd that there weren't many, if any, waivers situations yesterday in to today. I'd have thought teams looking to make moves today and tomorrow would have liked the space to do so beyond noon today. Now it looks like after noon today we might see some waivers? So moves can be made between noon and 3pm tomorrow?

Cal Foote, yes please. https://www.capfriendly.com/players/cal-foote Edit, maybe Tampa Bay, who's been scouting the Sabres heavily, are looking at Beaulieu since Housley played him the games their scouts were at our games and they are rumored to be looking for D depth.

Can't say, it did bend by the ankle. I wonder if it's going to puff up tomorrow.

It's all going down now. Multiple trades about to come in.