[Incomplete Title] Sabres (21-12-5) & NHL 2018-19 - Game 39 (MSG-B) vs. BOS (20-14-4) at 7 PM ET on 12/29

[ChevyVanMiller]

Coincidence? I think not.

[26CornerBlitz]

 

 

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

Edited July 2, 2018 by 26CornerBlitz

[Doc Brown]

3 hours ago, LikeIGiveADarn said:

 

We traded a 1C for two old 3 liners, a decent prospect, a 1st and 2nd.

 

Seems like a "take one step back to take two steps forward" kind of deal, but after Vegas this year, I'll never doubt the power of depth and a good locker room again.

There were reports of some friction between O'Reilly and the younger guys on this team.  I like the deal as it shakes some things up and gives us two veteran forwards.  Also, we now have three 1st round picks next year that should give us plenty of ammunition come trade deadline next season.

[GG]

5 hours ago, Doc Brown said:

There were reports of some friction between O'Reilly and the younger guys on this team.  I like the deal as it shakes some things up and gives us two veteran forwards.  Also, we now have three 1st round picks next year that should give us plenty of ammunition come trade deadline next season.

Let's hope we're not in the market for an oft injured head case goalie.  

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

Jeebus!  What are all the reporters going to do now that they don't have to spend time covering the "I have to get better...It's all on me...We need to look in the mirror" spiel after every loss.  The press corps in St. Louis should pick up some extra batteries and chargers for their recording devices.

16 minutes ago, GG said:

Let's hope we're not in the market for an oft injured head case goalie.  

I thought under NHL rules, every team has to carry one on the roster.  ?

[26CornerBlitz]

9 hours ago, LikeIGiveADarn said:

 

We traded a 1C for two old 3 liners, a decent prospect, a 1st and 2nd.

 

Seems like a "take one step back to take two steps forward" kind of deal, but after Vegas this year, I'll never doubt the power of depth and a good locker room again.

 

O'Reilly is not by any measure a 1C.

[26CornerBlitz]

7-2: Andy Strickland of FOX Sports Midwest Discusses the Ryan O'Reilly trade with Jeremy White on WGR (14:55)

 

With more on the Ryan O'Reilly trade and what the #Sabres are getting back from the Blues, @andystrickland joins Jeremy White next on WGR!

Strickland - depth up the middle has been a deficiency of the Blues for the past several years now. Ryan O'Reilly can help fill that void along with a guy like Brayden Schenn. The team is excited about having some strength up the middle. 

 

Strickland - Tage Thompson played a number of games in the NHL last year. A number of people were excited about his chances in the NHL. He has an elite shot. He had a great opportunity to get some NHL action right out of college last year. #Sabres

 

Strickland - Patrik Berglund and Vladimir Sobotka are two really good NHL players. They may not be flashy, but they can be really reliable players for your team. #Sabres

 

Strickland - Vladimir Sobotka has had some good moments in the NHL. He's a smaller player, but he's never been afraid to stand up to anybody. He came back from the KHL a better hockey player offensively, but that grittiness wasn't there as much. #Sabres

 

Strickland - Carter Hutton is an unreal teammate. You don't have to worry about this guy. He will come ready to play every day, and he will elevate other players around him, in terms of habits. I've also never heard anyone say anything bad about Berglund. #Sabres

 

Strickland - Sobotka is more on the quiet side, more intense, but he knows how to fit in to a NHL locker room. From a character standpoint, these guys will enhance the locker room. #Sabres
 

[Seanbillsfan2206]

There are people losing their minds that we traded arguably or 2nd best player. My question is this, what has our record been every year since getting Ryan O’Reilly? This is officially Jacks team now..

Edited July 2, 2018 by Seanbillsfan2206

[plenzmd1]

2 minutes ago, Seanbillsfan2206 said:

There are people losing their minds that we traded arguably or 2nd best player. My question is this, what has our record been every year since getting Ryan O’Reilly? This is official Jacks team now..

This whole trade came to Bergland being a Swede. Trade not made if a Swede is not included.

 

BTW @JohnC , i be drinking two beers at the opener now! 

[eball]

10 minutes ago, Seanbillsfan2206 said:

There are people losing their minds that we traded arguably or 2nd best player. My question is this, what has our record been every year since getting Ryan O’Reilly? This is officially Jacks team now..

 

The new "core" is Eichel, Dahlin, Reinhart, and Mittelstadt.  Hopefully Nylander joins them.

[26CornerBlitz]

Just now, eball said:

 

The new "core" is Eichel, Dahlin, Reinhart, and Mittelstadt.  Hopefully Nylander joins them.

 

Ristolainen should be included in the young core.  

[plenzmd1]

4 minutes ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

Ristolainen should be included in the young core.  

Getting traded with a first for the Nuge..Oilers still need D help no?

[26CornerBlitz]

1 minute ago, plenzmd1 said:

Getting traded with a first for the Nuge..Oilers still need D help no?

 

Can't see that happening.  Risto slots in perfectly as a 2nd pair D.

[plenzmd1]

Just now, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

Can't see that happening.  Risto slots in perfectly as a 2nd pair D.

I like Risto..i just have a feeling those first round picks are not getting picked by the Sabres..1 of the yes, but I think the other two are used in trades. 

 

But then again, we have seen that movie before, so maybe TPegs is okay with waiting ...

[26CornerBlitz]

 

 

Carter Hutton NHL Network Interview: https://www.nhl.com/video/nhl-tonight-carter-hutton/t-277350912/c-60748803

 

 

 

[US Egg]

3 hours ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

O'Reilly is not by any measure a 1C.

 

That is a fact.

 

Just glad it's over and Cryin' Ryan is gone.

 

Botterill did the best he could and I can't knock this move.

[shrader]

55 minutes ago, eball said:

 

The new "core" is Eichel, Dahlin, Reinhart, and Mittelstadt.  Hopefully Nylander joins them.

 

I'd throw Ristolainen in with that list.  He's asked to do too much at this point, but if Dahlin comes even close to what he's expected to be, suddenly Ristolainen becomes a very effective player on this team.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

1 hour ago, eball said:

 

The new "core" is Eichel, Dahlin, Reinhart, and Mittelstadt.  Hopefully Nylander joins them.

Dat bane sure, holy oaken!

1 hour ago, I am the egg man said:

Just glad it's over and Cryin' Ryan is gone.

Never saw him referred to as that, but seems appropriate after hearing the same interview from him after most games.

[Jauronimo]

2 hours ago, Seanbillsfan2206 said:

There are people losing their minds that we traded arguably or 2nd best player. My question is this, what has our record been every year since getting Ryan O’Reilly? This is officially Jacks team now..

The same as its been since we drafted Eichel.  Piss poor.

[26CornerBlitz]

DUFFER: After some signings and a big trade, a look at the depth chart

It's July 2 and general manager Jason Botterill probably isn't done.

 

So consider this more of an exercise to show what the Sabres have, rather than where these players might play.

 

It's also a good time to reiterate what head coach Phil Housley said on April 9: "What are they willing to change?"

 

The individuals who figure that out clearly have openings to grab hold of:

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, plenzmd1 said:

This whole trade came to Bergland being a Swede. Trade not made if a Swede is not included.

 

BTW @JohnC , i be drinking two beers at the opener now! 

I'm very happy that so far the Sabres haven't included Nylander in any of the deals. I'm not giving up on him. I'm hoping that in a year or two he becomes a regular on one of the top two lines. There is too much skill level to be impatient with him. I would like to see more passion from this placid personality. 

 

Remember, when imbibing do it slow and steady. Chugging and guzzling are usually done by slobs who end up peeing in the bushes. 

1 hour ago, shrader said:

 

I'd throw Ristolainen in with that list.  He's asked to do too much at this point, but if Dahlin comes even close to what he's expected to be, suddenly Ristolainen becomes a very effective player on this team.

I like Risto a lot. In my view he should be the top player in the second pairing. Or at best he should be the second defenseman with the top pair. It's obvious that when you are one of the better players on a bad team it affects how a player is used and the amount of time he is used. As you smartly noted at this early stage in his career/development he was called on to do too much. 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

33 minutes ago, JohnC said:

Remember, when imbibing do it slow and steady. Chugging and guzzling are usually done by slobs who end up peeing in the bushes. 

 

1.  It cuts down on water usage; no need to flush.

 

2.  It usually dissuades neighbourhood dogs from doing the same.

 

3.  You can't buy beer - only rent it.  And remember, there's only one thing worse than a Labatt's '50'.  A warm Labatt's '50'.

[shrader]

And defense is the one position where I'd say that you can never have too much talent.  I think you can overcome deficiencies among the forwards much easier than among the blue line.  Now I know some might say that Pittsburgh won back to back cups with a mediocre group of defensemen, but that's a hell of a lot easier when you've got a center combo of Crosby and Malkin.  Also, right now, this isn't about winning the cup.  It's about getting back to respectable hockey, a team that actually wins a good number of their games.

[eball]

2 hours ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

Ristolainen should be included in the young core.  

 

1 hour ago, shrader said:

 

I'd throw Ristolainen in with that list.  He's asked to do too much at this point, but if Dahlin comes even close to what he's expected to be, suddenly Ristolainen becomes a very effective player on this team.

 

Ok, you've convinced me.  There's no question he was being put in a bad position and could thrive on the 2nd pair.

[JohnC]

15 hours ago, Alaska Darin said:

The return is interesting.  Another first in 2019, a second in 2021, Tage Thompson (pick 26 in 2016), Sobotka, and Berglund.  Berglund has always been frustrating because he flashes the power forward skills at times, then disappears.  Sobotka is a pest...bottom six guy.

I'm happy with the deal. The Blues got the best player while in my mind the key for Buffalo is getting the picks and Tage Thompson, a young player with upside. Botterill was determined to shake up the room and get a better mix. And without question he is accomplishing that. 

 

Make no mistake our GM is building for the future. He is trying to piece together some good young players who will grow together. He is a strategic thinker compared to the more tactical former GM. Overall, I like what he has done. Are the Sabres a playoff team? At best a fringe team but a team with an upward trajectory. 

5 minutes ago, shrader said:

And defense is the one position where I'd say that you can never have too much talent.  I think you can overcome deficiencies among the forwards much easier than among the blue line.  Now I know some might say that Pittsburgh won back to back cups with a mediocre group of defensemen, but that's a hell of a lot easier when you've got a center combo of Crosby and Malkin.  Also, right now, this isn't about winning the cup.  It's about getting back to respectable hockey, a team that actually wins a good number of their games.

You are astute, perspicacious and adroit. 

[eball]

1 minute ago, JohnC said:

I'm happy with the deal. The Blues got the best player while in my mind the key for Buffalo is getting the picks and Tage Thompson, a young player with upside. Botterill was determined to shake up the room and get a better mix. And without question he is accomplishing that. 

 

Make no mistake our GM is building for the future. He is trying to piece together some good young players who will grow together. He is a strategic thinker compared to the more tactical former GM. Overall, I like what he has done. Are the Sabres a playoff team? At best a fringe team but a team with an upward trajectory. 

 

There are several parallels if one looks at what the Bills' and Sabres' respective GMs have done/are trying to do in a very short period of time.  Maybe the Pegulas finally got it right with these strategic men at both positions.

 

I couldn't care less about losing ROR's ability on the ice for the Sabres this season.  I wish him no ill will but a player of his supposed caliber should never have said the things he said after the season.  If he is successful in St. Louis it's fine with me, but I hope several years from now the Sabres are easily deemed the victor in this transaction.

[PromoTheRobot]

19 minutes ago, JohnC said:

I'm happy with the deal. The Blues got the best player while in my mind the key for Buffalo is getting the picks and Tage Thompson, a young player with upside. Botterill was determined to shake up the room and get a better mix. And without question he is accomplishing that. 

 

Make no mistake our GM is building for the future. He is trying to piece together some good young players who will grow together. He is a strategic thinker compared to the more tactical former GM. Overall, I like what he has done. Are the Sabres a playoff team? At best a fringe team but a team with an upward trajectory. 

You are astute, perspicacious and adroit. 

 

What's funny is "Team Stormcloud" is reforming over at SabreSpace and they are breaking out the pitchforks and torches for Bots.

[Cripple Creek]

25 minutes ago, eball said:

 

There are several parallels if one looks at what the Bills' and Sabres' respective GMs have done/are trying to do in a very short period of time.  Maybe the Pegulas finally got it right with these strategic men at both positions.

 

I couldn't care less about losing ROR's ability on the ice for the Sabres this season.  I wish him no ill will but a player of his supposed caliber should never have said the things he said after the season.  If he is successful in St. Louis it's fine with me, but I hope several years from now the Sabres are easily deemed the victor in this transaction.

Im with you on all counts, especially the hope that they did finally get it right.

 

There is no way ROR could remain on this team after his, what turn out to be parting comments. That the Sabres were able to get as much value out of the trade, when everyone knew he had to be traded, is more than I expected.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

22 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

What's funny is "Team Stormcloud" is reforming over at SabreSpace and they are breaking out the pitchforks and torches for Bots.

 Sounds like something going on in the Marvel Universe.  ?

[Seanbillsfan2206]

1 hour ago, Jauronimo said:

The same as its been since we drafted Eichel.  Piss poor.

Eichel needs to stay healthy. Reinhart came into his own at the end of last season while Jack was out. These two need to spend every minute together to form a good chemistry. I’ll be shocked if we don’t win the Stanley Cup next year 

[PromoTheRobot]

8 minutes ago, Ridgewaycynic2013 said:

 Sounds like something going on in the Marvel Universe.  ?

 

It's a long story. One you'd probably not want to know.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

19 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

It's a long story. One you'd probably not want to know.

Word.  ?

[shrader]

1 hour ago, JohnC said:

I'm happy with the deal. The Blues got the best player while in my mind the key for Buffalo is getting the picks and Tage Thompson, a young player with upside. Botterill was determined to shake up the room and get a better mix. And without question he is accomplishing that. 

 

Make no mistake our GM is building for the future. He is trying to piece together some good young players who will grow together. He is a strategic thinker compared to the more tactical former GM. Overall, I like what he has done. Are the Sabres a playoff team? At best a fringe team but a team with an upward trajectory. 

You are astute, perspicacious and adroit. 

 

Quite honestly, I'd say that Murray's biggest error was that he pulled the trigger too soon.  That group should have been allowed to grow together a bit before they made all the trades to add in the bigger pieces.  So far that appears to be the difference here.  I fully expect the trades to come, but the team is going to be allowed to gel first.

 

1 hour ago, JohnC said:

You are astute, perspicacious and adroit. 

 

And yet I have no idea what any of these words mean.

22 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

It's a long story. One you'd probably not want to know.

 

And should never be mentioned again, an annoying clique mentality that ruined a lot of good things.

[Jauronimo]

49 minutes ago, Seanbillsfan2206 said:

Eichel needs to stay healthy. Reinhart came into his own at the end of last season while Jack was out. These two need to spend every minute together to form a good chemistry. I’ll be shocked if we don’t win the Stanley Cup next year 

I'll take that bet but you seem very sure so I want odds.  3/1 they don't win the Cup next year.

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[BillsFan4]

1 hour ago, Cripple Creek said:

Im with you on all counts, especially the hope that they did finally get it right.

 

There is no way ROR could remain on this team after his, what turn out to be parting comments. That the Sabres were able to get as much value out of the trade, when everyone knew he had to be traded, is more than I expected.

 

That's what a lot of people don't seem to take into account. 

 

How TF do you bring him back after those comments? 

 

 

-He infers that he became ok with losing. 

 

-He says he is not mentally tough as a player

 

- he talks about how on a lot of nights he was ok with just not making a mistake

 

- he says he lost himself many times during the season 

 

- says he was "lost right from the get go" this year

 

- he says he lost his love for the game many times during the season 

 

- says he used to hate losing. It used to drive him and now he has kind of become ok with it (at times) to cope with all the losing. 

 

- he talks about playing in the worlds and how he's excited, and how it's been a long time since he's felt that excitement to play hockey (and try to win something). He says howmitll be nice to get that excitement to play hockey back, and hopefully he can carry that into next year

 

- after hearing his comments, a stunned reporter asked him if he needs to be moved and he says - "do I need to be moved? (pause) Umm... (pause) no."   

 

 

Mind you, he had days to think about these answers. It wasn't a heat of the moment thing. They seem like calculated answers to me. 

 

 

 

That is a whole whole lot of bomb shells to be dropping on a GM you know damn well is looking to change out some of the core. 

 

I feel like ROR knew what he was doing. Knowing the GMwas looking to make changes, ROR admits to the press that he basically embodies just about every problem that plagued the Sabres last year. 

 

 

 

 

 

It was almost like he was raising raising his hand and yelling "hey, pick me, pick me! I volunteer (to move on)" 

 

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[JohnC]

2 hours ago, eball said:

 

There are several parallels if one looks at what the Bills' and Sabres' respective GMs have done/are trying to do in a very short period of time.  Maybe the Pegulas finally got it right with these strategic men at both positions.

 

I couldn't care less about losing ROR's ability on the ice for the Sabres this season.  I wish him no ill will but a player of his supposed caliber should never have said the things he said after the season.  If he is successful in St. Louis it's fine with me, but I hope several years from now the Sabres are easily deemed the victor in this transaction.

You are spot on. There is a difference between accumulating talent and building a team. In both sports you have to have the right mix of players that go beyond talent. Beane is certainly a big upgrade over Whaley and Botterill seems to have a more coherent vision than Murray. What is noticeable and maybe more evident with the football franchise is that the GMs are in sync with the coaches. The Whaley and Rex and Whaley and Marrone tandems were like teammates in a tug of war contest pulling against instead of with each other. It seems that the Pegulas learned from their inaugural mistakes. That's a good sign. 

 

I have no problem with what ROR said after the season was concluded. He was being brutally honest describing his feelings about how the systemic losing affected him. I'm not condemning him for being frank about his feelings. I rather have him be honest about how he felt rather than be  inauthentic how he felt. Stemming from his exit interview it was evident that he didn't want to be there any longer and the GM basically agreed with him. 

2 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

What's funny is "Team Stormcloud" is reforming over at SabreSpace and they are breaking out the pitchforks and torches for Bots.

The "Team Stromcloud: can take their pitchforks and torches and shove it up their lower apertures. This was a deal that was the right thing to do for ROR; and it was the right thing to do for the organization. 

[GG]

32 minutes ago, JohnC said:

 

The "Team Stromcloud: can take their pitchforks and torches and shove it up their lower apertures. This was a deal that was the right thing to do for ROR; and it was the right thing to do for the organization. 

 

Against better judgment I went through the thread.  It struck me odd that they complained most that Botts didn't get a D-man in return.  The proper response would have been - yeah, sure would have been nice to get Myers, Pysyk & McNabb in return