Scottysabres

Yes, Tavares would consider Buffalo. Yes, he'd be an instant leader. But....... Unless Bots does some serious addressing of the defence, no player worth a is going to want to come to this show. It's on Botterill now. He has some heavy lifting to do prior to July 1st.

Botterill will continue to bottom 6 purge. Wilson gave a nice feed to Okposo for his goal. Patience, Botterill is showing it, wisely.

Yea, I don't want them to blow it up. I want them to learn how to close out games. Yes, It was the Blackhawks, but puck luck and they did just enough to win this one. Honestly, how many games have we seen like this? 6?

Optimism growing stronger :) 2nd period about to start, it's role playing weekend at my house..... "Beer me whine wench" :D

So, Seattle wants an expansion team, eh. What about Quebec, Kansas City, Houston and Oklahoma City? Surely Toronto's southern side (Hamilton) could easily absorb a 2nd team. And what of Salt Lake City? You just know the Mormons are closet Hockey fanatics. I think the league Could expand to 40 teams comfortably. Why Seattle though when Quebec is itching to get back in to the fight, so to speak. I miss the Nordiques.

:D I'm feeling optimistic tonight.....not sure if its the Jameson or the beer chasers.....but hell, its Friday, so why not ;)

I think they pull it off and win.

Yikes. You know,living in a past filled with pain and anguish isn't healthy....but hell, Buffalo Sports is the epitome of this I guess.

Thank you.

ScottySabres = scottysabres

They are looking decent. Can't believe Kane botched that Eichel pass. And a DEFENSEMAN scored. Hell has officially frozen over.

I suspect Matt and Jason spoke on this. Jason made a call to the Kings and done deal. This is actually what the Pegulas were talking about, making Buffalo a hockey destination. Honoring their players contracts and/or wishes if things don't work out. If FA's ask Matt about Buffalo, the area, if he believed in what they're trying to build and how the organization treats players, I highly suspect the answer will be overwhelmingly positive (John Tavares, you listening?). Smooth move by all involved. Good luck in your future endeavors Matt. Thank you for believing enough in what the Sabres are doing to re-sign here and try to be a part of it. Sorry it didn't work out.

Interesting pick up. Speed, RFA. Looking forward to seeing what else Bots does.

I th8nk Larsson is next. Maybe in a package. I think ROR will be the biggest name, I suspect a team like Carolina will offer a package Bots can't refuse. I would like Okposo moved. Free up that cap space.

My question is which way does Bots go? Bring in young 22 to 25 yr olds with a couple of leadership guys or does he move components in season for picks/prospects and wait for the off season to address leadership? Because something tells me just shaking up the current core isn't his plan. This is the Titanic, the rats are looking to jump off on to the nearest life boat.

So when do we start to see movement? Before or after Christmas?

I think Freidman said everyone's available but Jack.

I laughed.......then I cried....

I wish they'd send Reinhart down.

Anyone could be traded. The Clarkson contract is precedent. ROR could be moved for sure. So could Risto, Kane and Okposo. I'd ride out if necessary Moulson and Pominville's last year to achieve cap floor viability. If there is a plan to go hard after Taveres, they to could be moved. Targets: Defense first. I'd look to Carolina, Columbus and Dallas. Forwards, the obvious ones are Bennett out of Calgary and Galchyniak in Montreal. With the youth in Rochester building up chemistry LW CJ Smith, RW Bailey, Baptiste and Fasching, some of these guys most likely fill a couple of line 2/3 slots. That leaves some slots open for ? And then there is goaltending. Ullmark is sure to be up. But a solid 1A will most likely be needed.

Bots must make some decisions. Its clear Buffalo got hosed in their 2 seasons of drafting in the top 2. Get Reinhart to Rochester ASAP, he is all but useless up here. He needs AHL time to regain composure and confidence. Eichel......I wait it out with him. ROR, Okposo trade them. Something has to shake the very core of this group.

How did it come to this? A promising season for further progress has the team completely imploding. Who really could have seen it coming, the depths to which the teams confidence has sunk? This is truly the lowest I've seen this organization in its existence. I have no answers. No ideas. This team may actually be historically the worst team to ever play a season in the modern NHL. And that is saying volumes considering the talent on the roster. Decisions must be made, or the rebuild could stretch into a decades long sentence in the abyss, a la Edmonton.

My mind races with thoughts of the Sabres coming out with fire in their veins. Eichel or Kane with a hatty. But as game time approaches, I start to come back down to earth and the visions turn to a late night turn in with the Mrs. After downing a half bottle of Daniels with a 12 pack limp noodle experience. Something I can't remember, but she does, much like most Sabres Game nights recently.

Which won't fetch him a significant raise due to the Sabres cap situation, which is why you'd want to on the leaders board since the team is crap

Larry Quinn 2.0?