Scottysabres

Dreger just said on the instigators that after speaking with sources in Detroit Athanasiou will not be traded.

Lol, ok

Your relying on a stats sight, not actually watching the games.

Except, I watch a great deal of Anaheim games, Rakell has played center, not wing, a majority of his time there. Yes, he's been shifted to wing, sometimes for extended periods, but not predominantly. As for the offer, two 1st's, two 2nd's, not something that is far off in my earnest opinion. It starts the conversation, as I said.

You'd be surprised to hear this maybe, but unlike Botterill I'm not beyond the playoff experience. These guys that are going to be here need it. So yes Jame, I do agree with your take on not retaining all the 1st's, even if we don't get out of the 1st round the intangibles of having our current developing core salivating, striving to get back to that experience with more drive, dedication, hard work and focus does pay huge dividens. For the record, at least as long as SDS keeps it :), making the playoffs to myself in any event, is more important than keeping four 1st rd picks over the next 2 seasons. With that said, Botterill has time, roughly 30 days, I believe a couple of trades are coming. Because honestly, if he doesn't address at least attempting to move this team forward in their progress toward the playoff end, I will join you in calling for his head, pitchfork, torch and all.

Absolutely

These aren't offers made, you realize this correct? The point of the post obviously went a little to far for you. First off, any player can be traded, below, at or above market value, so the 0% chance nonsense...…………...save that for the dinner table. The point of the post was an offer can be made. What? Do you honestly believe it works like this: GM - A: I have two 1sts and two 2nds for player X and Y, do you accept? GM - B: Why no, you couldn't even get X's jock strap for that, and you want me to add Y? dialtone…………… Contrary to your obvious skewed view of things, most deals take time, a great deal of time. The point of the post was plausibility to a deal unto itself, as in, Botterill has already started any conversations, long ago, for anything that may bare fruit. You should be aware, these event's don't happen in a vacuum in almost all cases. They are living conversations, relationships and require a great deal of back and forth. There is no "chart" that lays this out. I'm sorry, but your view of the ROR trade, is dead on incorrect, inaccurate and speaks volumes to the plunge head first in to what "I THINK SHOULD HAPPEN" category. But the reality is, your not an NHL executive for one of the clubs, and their knowledge of the inner workings of their own teams and their visions of what moves to make far exceed yours.

Schenn or Zibby, either would help the Sabres. The question of cost does come in to play, but I wouldn't be targeting either of those guys if the price is a piece to far. With that said, I am not beyond over paying a bit if the player warrants it. I don't see the Rangers moving Zibby, as his age and contract are right in the pigeon hole, so to speak, on certain other elements of their roster, that 24 to 28 age range. The Rangers aren't known for tear downs and rebuilds, more like retooling and adding high end assets on the brink of their prime/twilight yrs. He won't be made available in my humble opinion. Schenn however is a different animal all together. 1 yr left at just over 5 mil, 27 yrs old already, he's going to be looking for that locked in 6 yr or more deal, and he'll most likely get it. Good skater, not great foot speed though. I'd pass, but, it's not just a wave of the hand pass. As for other notables, Kevin Hayes, back the Rangers pool. I don't know, he's already cresting at just over 5 mil, and he'll be 27 with UFA status for his next deal. To risky for me, but, as with the 2 above, not a wave of the hand pass. Charlie Coyle, sorry, doesn't move the meter for me. His consistency in production throws up red flags. Mikael Granlund, you have my attention, injuries hamper him from time to time, but his production is a bit more stable. Unfortunately, 26 yrs old, 1 yr left at just over 5 mil. Same boat as these others. You see the pattern developing here duds? They all look like a good fit, but at what price? Not only the price were giving up to acquire the asset, but the price to retain them as they enter that UFA yrs contract right in the middle of their prime. It just never seems to end well, or very rarely. Players that do interest me are 23 to 25 yr olds, on longer than a yr or 2 contracts, Center and at least 1 RHD and/or 1 top 6 winger. Just my take is all dudacek.

This is a fair statement. So, I will try not to be vague in my attempt to trade not one, but two 1st's. To Buffalo: Rickard Rakell, 25 yrs old, primarily 0lays center but has shifted to wing from time to time. $3,789,444 x 3 yrs Brandon Montour, 24 yrs old, PM-RHD. $3,387, 500 To Anaheim: St. Louis 1st rd pick Buffalo 2019 1st rd pick St. Louis 2021 2nd rd pick Buffalo 2021 2nd rd pick Why Anaheim does this, aging core, draft picks coincide with needed replenishment. Why Buffalo does this, 2 key assets on very reasonable contracts that fill needs. Further draft picks can be accumulated as the seasons progress, no significant losses. You have to give to get, championships are not won by those who are faint of heart. If you can substantially better the team now, you do it. I've waited 50 yrs for a cup, ÷=%/ waiting another 5 yrs for "potential". If we can add and go for it in the next 18 months, then do it.

I asked the same thing. What's done is done.

Risto has multiple yrs left. Yes Dahlin is here. Reinhart is on a bridge. Skinner will be resigned, I have no doubt. McCabe will be QO'd or resigned. Larsson will be QO'd or resigned. Rodriguez will be here. Both goalies will be here. Middelstadt, Thompson will be here. I won't go in to the pipeline, your most likely familiar with them. They have gone cold for the 2nd quarter of the season, they were hot in the 1st quarter. They are where I expected them to be, a bubble wild card team. I am not sure what you expected. You seem transfixed on the ROR being shipped off situation. News Flash: they came in dead last, with ROR on the roster. They finished bottom 8, with ROR on the roster. Now, you can choose to ignore the obvious, that ROR was never going to be the hockey god and saviour of the Buffalo Sabres and move on from it, or not too. That's a choice for you to make, for myself, I'm at complete peace with it. After all, 50 yrs now, and as a fan "I have never lost my love for the game". And in that 50 yrs as a Sabres faithful, it's sure as hell been a sight more hockey pain and anguish as a Sabres fan than little timid Ryan faced in a mere 2.5 seasons here.

There is more than just losing involved, I am sure. And while I don't believe Eichel is beyond that, I do firmly believe that McDavid is in an entirely different set of circumstances. To start with, the conference strength, much tougher in the East right now, and Buffalo, as I said, having warts, is hanging around. Could you imagine Edmonton's position in this Conference? There is also stability forming around Eichel roster wise. Yes, it did take 4 seasons, but then again, it would be remiss not to point out the obvious here, the Sabres tore it down to the dirt under the foundation, when McDavid arrived in Edmonton not only was that not the case, but there was in fact high end, very high end talent already in place there. And these are just a couple of facets of that dychomity I spoke of, in my view.

I not only don't believe, but am fully cognizant of the fact, that the Edmonton Oilers and Buffalo Sabres management situations are completely different dichotomy's. Each with their own warts, but one projecting in an upward trend, one not only sitting idle, but actually regressing with no short (1 season) or medium (3 seasons) term competitive growth in to a contention window. And while that may all change as an off season goes by, combined with the removal of Chiarelli as their GM, the damage for them Is already steep, with no appreciable pipeline to fall back on as of yet, which will take time to stock and develop. As opposed to Botterill, who has maintained assets in the pipeline and actually added to them. And while I openly concede both Middelstadt and Thompson could have really used this season in the AHL, by no means do I account those decisions as anything directly related to moving ROR. In short, I don't believe for 1 second Botterill woke up one morning and said: "Casey Middelstadt and Tage Thompson by gosh are the answer". He traded ROR with foundational reasons I am sure the fan base if not fully aware of as of it, if they ever will be. Speculation abounds about "love of game" or "Passion", but this is not the thread for that conversation. And I've already chimed in on it myself with clarity in that thread. You lost your love of the game, Buh-bye now, you've got to go. But I digress. Back to the McDavid comment, I don't believe McDavid will want to stay there at 24 yrs old with no appreciable improvements for his career or personal goals.

I don't think I used McDavid's "passion" as a reasoning why I stated what I did on the subject.

I don't believe Eichel is in a similar situation.

10 game, we are going to need a 10 game winning streak, and it must start immediately upon return from the ASB.

I don't know, I'd go so far as to say that if that mess of a team isn't straightened out by the end of next season he'll demand a trade. He's had to of seen enough by now, I'm wagering the Oilers are on a much shorter term leash when it comes to McDavid and his desire to compete at a higher level than his team has.

I remember something very similar to this being said by one Tim Murray. Unfortunately that isn't always the case.

This sounds reasonable. A couple of questions. Given the current cap situation, is there a limitation on what Botterill can bring in, both in term and amount of players? For example, you mention adding the right "2" pieces. Ok, with a few million dollars, how does that work? Are we talking about 1 established vet and 1 ELC? Or two 2 million dollar contracts? If so, 2 mil doesn't seem like a viable number for an established player that can make an immediate and long term impact except if your name is Rickard Rakell, then I can see where that fits. So who could be brought in to both secure a run to the playoffs, have term to help beyond this years run to the playoffs and have an "affordable" contract?

Granlund is a nice player, but, he's primarily a playmaker. Without snipers/finishers, I fear he'll just be spinning his wheels here.

I would take Rattie, if anything he'll help Rochester if/when we call up a winger or 2. I wouldn't touch Spooner, f#$% Edmonton, I'm still butt hurt over the Eichel/McDavid lottery draw, and I blame them, because...…………...well because 5 or 6 1st over alls and you still look like you do, f$%^ ya!

A prime candidate to "lose his love" for the game ?

So my wife tells me when she does the laundry ?

Sigh, the day dream was going swimmingly until your reality post hit me ?

Its been reported today they are looking to be buyers, 1st is in play. Looking for a 3/4 LHD. Buffalo has some 3/4 LHD's. If we can squeak out a 1st for Scandella I'd be elated.