Buffalo Sabres and NHL: 2019/20: Sabres season officially over. Draft lottery June 26th

[njbuff]

41 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said:

He is easily a 2nd pair defenseman IMO. 

 

Here’s at an NHL analyst recently said about Risto’s situation -

https://theathletic.com/1019893/2019/06/11/examining-15-potential-trade-targets-for-the-lightning-to-bolster-blueline/

 

 

Hes been put in a no-win situation his entire Buffalo career. He’s had crap for partners (Scandella and Pilut have been his 2 best defensive partners in his 6 year Sabre career (and he only p,Ayer with each for a short time). He’s consistently in the top 5-10:for minutes played in the entire NHL. He almost always faces the toughest competition - his QoC (quality of competition) stats are near the top of the NHL too.

 

He is being used as a league wide top 5 d man instead of as a #2 or #3, which is what he is. If a team acquires him and then uses him properly, he’s going to make buffalo look foolish for ever trading him. 

 

Then why the heck is Buffalo dangling him around the NHL?

 

What are they planning to receive in return?

[BillsFan4]

1 hour ago, njbuff said:

 

Then why the heck is Buffalo dangling him around the NHL?

 

What are they planning to receive in return?

Good question(s). 

 

Darren Dreger and most of the legit insiders have all said that Buffalo would only trade Risto if it was a great return. So I’m hoping that’s true.

 

But id be lying if I said I had complete faith that Buffalo won’t trade him for a questionable return. I’m still a bit worried Risto is this year’s scape goat. 

 

From what I’ve gathered from all the reports this offseason, it sounds like Risto was likely to be moved and then talks slowed down once they hired Krueger, with the thinking that he could fix Risto. 

 

So I guess we will see what happens. 

[EmotionallyUnstable]

@JohnC

 

We are two totally different types of hockey fans. You seem extremely knowledgable and I am admittedly new to the sport. 

 

That being said, why is it so wrong to want to be good now?

 

I watch hockey purely for enjoyment. I want to see scoring, wins and a playoff run. I’d rather have one in the hand then two in the bush so putting off potential successes to snub a shot at a good season now is crazy to me. Go get the guys to be good now! Idk how to do it, who to move, or who to acquire, but that’s not my job. As others have said, other teams have done it. 

 

If I watch another wasted season playing mediocre to subpar hockey (see January/February), it will be clear that they are still a mess regardless of what you perceive to be a good administration. 

[JohnC]

20 minutes ago, EmotionallyUnstable said:

@JohnC

 

We are two totally different types of hockey fans. You seem extremely knowledgable and I am admittedly new to the sport. 

 

That being said, why is it so wrong to want to be good now?

 

I watch hockey purely for enjoyment. I want to see scoring, wins and a playoff run. I’d rather have one in the hand then two in the bush so putting off potential successes to snub a shot at a good season now is crazy to me. Go get the guys to be good now! Idk how to do it, who to move, or who to acquire, but that’s not my job. As others have said, other teams have done it. 

 

If I watch another wasted season playing mediocre to subpar hockey (see January/February), it will be clear that they are still a mess regardless of what you perceive to be a good administration. 

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be good now. Who wouldn't want to root for a good and relevant team? The obvious question is how do you get there? To state the obvious you get there by having enough talent and then having them play together as a team. Having enough talent is obviously important and having the right mix is also important. We don't have that right now. That's the challenge. 

 

Since Pegula bought the franchise this organization and staff has repeatedly been reshuffled. That is not a recipe for success in any endeavor. I believe that the owner has settled on a good GM who knows how to assemble a good organizational staff and steadily add to the roster. There is nothing unique about what we are doing that other rebuilding teams have gone through. The foundation is about getting talent in your system and developing that talent. That is not an easy or quick process. That's a reality that a number of people don't want to face. 

 

The process is taking longer than it should because the prior regimes made some stupendous mistakes that not only didn't advance the team but set it back. As I have said, and others have said, trying to take expedient, short term actions, for the quick fix not only doesn't get you anywhere meaningful but it sets you back. 

Edited June 24, 2019 by JohnC
grammar correction

[bbb]

On 6/22/2019 at 3:22 PM, BillsFan4 said:

Sabres trade up and pick Aaron Huglen.

 

He scored a crazy goal in the Hlinka -

 

 

 

 

The thing I like least about hockey is not really seeing a lot of goals or crazy saves in real time.  I did not catch what he did at regular speed. 

[PromoTheRobot]

10 hours ago, JohnC said:

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be good now. Who wouldn't want to root for a good and relevant team? The obvious question is how do you get there? To state the obvious you get there by having enough talent and then having them play together as a team. Having enough talent is obviously important and having the right mix is also important. We don't have that right now. That's the challenge. 

 

Since Pegula bought the franchise this organization and staff has repeatedly been reshuffled. That is not a recipe for success in any endeavor. I believe that the owner has settled on a good GM who knows how to assemble a good organizational staff and steadily add to the roster. There is nothing unique about what we are doing that other rebuilding teams have gone through. The foundation is about getting talent in your system and developing that talent. That is not an easy or quick process. That's a reality that a number of people don't want to face. 

 

The process is taking longer than it should because the prior regimes made some stupendous mistakes that not only didn't advance the team but set it back. As I have said, and others have said, trying to take expedient, short term actions, for the quick fix not only doesn't get you anywhere meaningful but it sets you back. 

 

Let's hope Kreuger is a big part of a step forward. I never thought the Sabres lacked for talent they so much as lacked coaching. (They weren't deep but also weren't last-place bad either.) Housley was such a huge disappointment, being married to whatever his system was rather than coaching around the players he actually had.

[JohnC]

12 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Let's hope Kreuger is a big part of a step forward. I never thought the Sabres lacked for talent they so much as lacked coaching. (They weren't deep but also weren't last-place bad either.) Housley was such a huge disappointment, being married to whatever his system was rather than coaching around the players he actually had.

I have high hopes for Kreuger. He knows how to teach and organize a unit. He's a bright man with an intuitive feel for handling people. Just because he is exceptional smart and well-rounded doesn't mean that he isn't tough and hold his players accountable. The biggest failing for Housley is that he didn't adjust when things weren't working out. I don't see Kreuger being so rigid in enforcing his system and tolerating repeated mistakes by the same players. 

[plenzmd1]

1 hour ago, JohnC said:

I have high hopes for Kreuger. He knows how to teach and organize a unit. He's a bright man with an intuitive feel for handling people. Just because he is exceptional smart and well-rounded doesn't mean that he isn't tough and hold his players accountable. The biggest failing for Housley is that he didn't adjust when things weren't working out. I don't see Kreuger being so rigid in enforcing his system and tolerating repeated mistakes by the same players. 

Man John, you are going to have to tell me how you know these things about Kreuger. 

 

And i thought Housley was a good coach who just did not have players..And Botteril was a very intelligent guy with a "plan"...but watched a first place team slide/free fall to bottom, and the folks like me who said this guy is awful fire him  and you labeled as impatient and impulsive....but  said coach now fired and new guy should improve the team greatly ?????..I just get lost in the logic....and I am somehow supposed to have faith in the GM why?????

 

This organization is still a mess, have a bad bad feeling JBOTS is now gunna be gun shy on any trade, and I know..be patient and you just wait till all the kids develop in 4 years the Sabres make their playoff run...

 

This guy is on his 3rd offseason..and he has 2 last place finishes to his name in my mind ..and mind you with inherited talent that was in a playoff race in February the year he arrived..The team has regressed tremendously since he arrived, there just cannot be any question about that.

 

And he  best not be preaching patience..and he better hope and pray this new dude can coach up "his" players... and oh, BTW, i would love to be your portfolio manager 

[Boca BIlls]

Botterill is farting in the bathtub laughing his ass of all while the team suffers.

Edited June 24, 2019 by Boca BIlls

[JohnC]

1 minute ago, plenzmd1 said:

Man John, you are going to have to tell me how you know these things about Kreuger. 

 

And i thought Housley was a good coach who just did not have players..And Botteril was a very intelligent guy with a "plan"...but watched a first place team slide/free fall to bottom, and the folks like me who said this guy is awful fire him  and you labeled as impatient and impulsive....but  said coach now fired and new guy should improve the team greatly ?????..I just get lost in the logic....and I am somehow supposed to have faith in the GM why?????

 

This organization is still a mess, have a bad bad feeling JBOTS is now gunna be gun shy on any trade, and I know..be patient and you just wait till all the kids develop in 4 years the Sabres make their playoff run...

 

This guy is on his 3rd offseason..and he has 2 last place finishes to his name in my mind ..and mind you with inherited talent that was in a playoff race in February the year he arrived..The team has regressed tremendously since he arrived, there just cannot be any question about that.

 

And he  best not be preaching patience..and he better hope and pray this new dude can coach up "his" players... and oh, BTW, i would love to be your portfolio manager 

I don't need you or anyone else to be my portfolio manager. I'm doing exceptionally well making decisions for my own well-being. Simple advice: Don't seek out the glitz and invest for the long-term. Substance over style always prevails. 

 

Would you please stop with the foolish notion that the Sabres were a first place team that spiraled out of control. They were not as good as that tantalizing winning stint led some of the want to be believers thought it was. What that enjoyable stint demonstrated is that if you play tight and smart hockey a  lesser team can compete with the better teams. The problem is that in the end talent prevails. That's what happened last year. I constantly remind you that the issue overriding this lagging franchise is about the level of talent. You need to accept that reality or you are going to damage your hard head banging it against the wall. 

 

I'm too irascible and independent to be a cult follower. Krueger is not a magic man. However, I believe that he has more depth than Housley to understand that when something is not working the coach has to make the necessary adjustments to accommodate the weaknesses of his roster. If your players are incapable of changing to you then you have to adjust to them. Housley was a rookie coach who went through the learning curve as do players. 

 

I strenuously disagree with you that under Botterill this organization is a mess. He inherited a mess and is working through it. As I have said for a long time it is going to take time to rebuild the roster. That's what is being done. It's certainly not at the rate you desire but my response to your impatience is that is your problem. Making short-term expedient decisions is not a solution so much as it is a plague that has kept this organization handcuffed by its own foolishness. 

 

There is still plenty of time to make deals this offseason. I don't foresee any blockbuster deals (unless there is a Risto deal) but rather I see a few good pickups that will improve the roster. In my opinion internal improvement by our young guys is the key to our team getting better. You may be into glitz but I am not. 

[K-9]

1 hour ago, plenzmd1 said:

Man John, you are going to have to tell me how you know these things about Kreuger. 

 

And i thought Housley was a good coach who just did not have players..And Botteril was a very intelligent guy with a "plan"...but watched a first place team slide/free fall to bottom, and the folks like me who said this guy is awful fire him  and you labeled as impatient and impulsive....but  said coach now fired and new guy should improve the team greatly ?????..I just get lost in the logic....and I am somehow supposed to have faith in the GM why?????

 

This organization is still a mess, have a bad bad feeling JBOTS is now gunna be gun shy on any trade, and I know..be patient and you just wait till all the kids develop in 4 years the Sabres make their playoff run...

 

This guy is on his 3rd offseason..and he has 2 last place finishes to his name in my mind ..and mind you with inherited talent that was in a playoff race in February the year he arrived..The team has regressed tremendously since he arrived, there just cannot be any question about that.

 

And he  best not be preaching patience..and he better hope and pray this new dude can coach up "his" players... and oh, BTW, i would love to be your portfolio manager 

This is all fair. I gave Housley every benefit of the doubt until he started to display poor coaching ability routinely and across several aspects. Krueger will get the same benefit of the doubt as well. 

 

 

51 minutes ago, Boca BIlls said:

Botterill is farting in the bathtub laughing his ass of all while the team suffers.

[plenzmd1]

 

1 hour ago, JohnC said:

I don't need you or anyone else to be my portfolio manager. I'm doing exceptionally well making decisions for my own well-being. Simple advice: Don't seek out the glitz and invest for the long-term. Substance over style always prevails. 

 

Would you please stop with the foolish notion that the Sabres were a first place team that spiraled out of control. They were not as good as that tantalizing winning stint led some of the want to be believers thought it was. What that enjoyable stint demonstrated is that if you play tight and smart hockey a  lesser team can compete with the better teams. The problem is that in the end talent prevails. That's what happened last year. I constantly remind you that the issue overriding this lagging franchise is about the level of talent. You need to accept that reality or you are going to damage your hard head banging it against the wall. 

 

I'm too irascible and independent to be a cult follower. Krueger is not a magic man. However, I believe that he has more depth than Housley to understand that when something is not working the coach has to make the necessary adjustments to accommodate the weaknesses of his roster. If your players are incapable of changing to you then you have to adjust to them. Housley was a rookie coach who went through the learning curve as do players. 

 

I strenuously disagree with you that under Botterill this organization is a mess. He inherited a mess and is working through it. As I have said for a long time it is going to take time to rebuild the roster. That's what is being done. It's certainly not at the rate you desire but my response to your impatience is that is your problem. Making short-term expedient decisions is not a solution so much as it is a plague that has kept this organization handcuffed by its own foolishness. 

 

There is still plenty of time to make deals this offseason. I don't foresee any blockbuster deals (unless there is a Risto deal) but rather I see a few good pickups that will improve the roster. In my opinion internal improvement by our young guys is the key to our team getting better. You may be into glitz but I am not. 

1) I want to be your portfolio manager cause plan seems more important than results too you?

 

2) Some of us knew the winning streak was a fluke early..and kept saying this coach is a joke who consistently uses his personnel wrong..but we heard from this GM how important it would be to be playing meaningful games in March...yep we saw how that worked out. Having said that, the Sabres started a mile race at the half mile mark and all they had to do was finish .500 to make the playoffs...and yet this supposed brainy GM did not do anything..and i mean anything, to take advantage of the lead he was given in the race. But he waits to the end of the year to say this coach just cant get it done, when every metric told you that even to us idiots. Dude was playing 17 3rd most forward minutes, staring him in  OT..and then people are upset 17 did not get a buyout???? I mean cmon, it was obvious...I need a guy who is proactive..not reactive as he seems to be.

3) You say the organization was a mess when JBOTTs got here..and yet he has done nothing but make it worse through 2 seasons..going on a 3rd offseason. I mean letting Mitts burn a year of the ELC is prolly a firable  offense on its own,

 

So lets do this..you tell what  your definition is for success next year...I can tell you mine. Its freaking playoffs or this guy prolly needs to be gone. Getting back to where they were when he got after 3 years is not successful in my mind..

 

[snafu]

2 hours ago, Boca BIlls said:

Botterill is farting in the bathtub laughing his ass of all while the team suffers.

 

Is there water in the tub?

 

 

1 hour ago, K-9 said:

This is all fair. I gave Housley every benefit of the doubt until he started to display poor coaching ability routinely and across several aspects. Krueger will get the same benefit of the doubt as well. 

 

 

I think it is more than coaching.  This team needs a culture shock.  Maybe that means shipping out underperforming vets who are collecting paychecks because that's the perception of this team.  Maybe means shipping out kids who grew up in an organization that made it clear that losing was an option (to get top draft picks).  I am speculating wildly, but I suspect that coaching is/was part of the problem and not the whole problem.

 

 

 

[eball]

So did we have a good draft or not?

[plenzmd1]

7 minutes ago, eball said:

So did we have a good draft or not?

Who the hell knows. Whole bunch of guys no one outside of scouts have ever seen play , but some folks will tell you what mistakes were made and where based on some analysts take on what another analyst gleaned from Central scouting report.

 

I do know that as of right now, 99% chance the team still sucks?!!!( actually i am encouraged the new coach can get that same group competitive as long as Sobotka is in the AHL or KHL) 

[JohnC]

4 hours ago, plenzmd1 said:

Man John, you are going to have to tell me how you know these things about Kreuger. 

 

And i thought Housley was a good coach who just did not have players..And Botteril was a very intelligent guy with a "plan"...but watched a first place team slide/free fall to bottom, and the folks like me who said this guy is awful fire him  and you labeled as impatient and impulsive....but  said coach now fired and new guy should improve the team greatly ?????..I just get lost in the logic....and I am somehow supposed to have faith in the GM why?????

 

This organization is still a mess, have a bad bad feeling JBOTS is now gunna be gun shy on any trade, and I know..be patient and you just wait till all the kids develop in 4 years the Sabres make their playoff run...

 

This guy is on his 3rd offseason..and he has 2 last place finishes to his name in my mind ..and mind you with inherited talent that was in a playoff race in February the year he arrived..The team has regressed tremendously since he arrived, there just cannot be any question about that.

 

And he  best not be preaching patience..and he better hope and pray this new dude can coach up "his" players... and oh, BTW, i would love to be your portfolio manager

Nothing personal, but I would never want you to be my portfolio manager. You are too mercurial and impulsive. I appreciate your offer but I don't want to risk being impoverished. Currently, I'm the one driving the $$$$ bus and it is going in the right direction.  Thanks but no thanks. 

[BillsFan4]

23 minutes ago, eball said:

So did we have a good draft or not?

According to some of the draft analysts, yes. 

 

 

 

https://theathletic.com/1041814/2019/06/22/pronman-2019-nhl-draft-grades-for-all-31-teams/

 

Quote

Buffalo Sabres: B-plus

The Sabres picked a lot of players I have time for. I think Dylan Cozens will be a great player, a potential top-line center or winger who can drive play. Ryan Johnson was perceived as a safe pick, but I knew a lot of teams who were high on him. Aaron Huglen is a player I am very interested in and think he had the most upside of any player picked outside the first. Ultimately I think Cozens will be great, Johnson plays but probably in a lower role, Huglen could play and has all the skill if he hits to be a good player, and I think those European players, while not top prospects yet, all at least have a chance.

Pick-by-pick analysis

 

 

I thought it was kind of a safe draft, outside of Huglen and the tall goalie they took in the 3rd. IMO they went with a lot of high floor players with less question marks (as opposed to high ceiling players that are a bigger gamble to turn into NHL players).

3 were over-agers. Nothing wrong with that with where the Sabres are at. They need their drafts to pan out more than most teams do. They’re desperate for good depth. 

 

I like their draft, but I don’t necessarily love it. One thing I did love is that they went with a number of guys who have high compete level and high motors. Guys who give 100% every second of every shift. The Sabres really need some guys like that. 

 

 

Grading NHL drafts the day after is a pointless exercise, though. 

 

I remember when the Senators drafted Erik Karlsson, there were a few people calling it a “garbage pick”. The Minnesota Wild got killed by local reporters for taking Jonas Brodin over Duncan Siemens. People killed Columbus for taking Pierre-Luc Dubois over Jesse Puljujarvi. There are tons of examples of like this. 

 

There is so much player projection involved in the NHL draft. It takes years to truly know how good a draft class is. 

Edited June 24, 2019 by BillsFan4

[JohnC]

This is an 11 minute WGR link where Ryan Jankowski, the head of amateur scouting, giving a thumb nail description of the selections.

 

 

 https://wgr550.radio.com/media/audio-channel/06-24-sabres-director-amateur-scouting-ryan-jankowski-howard-and-jeremy

[PromoTheRobot]

28 minutes ago, eball said:

So did we have a good draft or not?

 

Assume the worst. (Actually it looks decent.)

[BillsFan4]

 

 

lol if Tyler Myers gets $8M x 7yrs. 

[JohnC]

This is a half hour segment with with Craig Button on the Instigators. Great hockey talk. 

 

https://wgr550.radio.com/media/audio-channel/06-24-tsns-craig-button-instigators

Edited June 24, 2019 by JohnC

[njbuff]

Well, I can't remember the last time the Devils and Sabres have done major business together, I really can't.....................

 

so the talk in Devils land about a big trade between the two teams seems very unlikely.

 

I brought Risto a couple of days because the Devils might see him as the perfect number 2 right handed D man behind Subban.

 

There are lots of particulars in a potential deal.

 

Sabres apparently want Jesper Boqvist as a part of any deal, but the Devils won't budge on their top offensive prospect, so a deal is very unlikely.

 

It would be very interesting if these two teams can work something out, but like I said, these two teams usually don't do business together.

[BillsFan4]

21 minutes ago, njbuff said:

Well, I can't remember the last time the Devils and Sabres have done major business together, I really can't.....................

 

so the talk in Devils land about a big trade between the two teams seems very unlikely.

 

I brought Risto a couple of days because the Devils might see him as the perfect number 2 right handed D man behind Subban.

 

There are lots of particulars in a potential deal.

 

Sabres apparently want Jesper Boqvist as a part of any deal, but the Devils won't budge on their top offensive prospect, so a deal is very unlikely.

 

It would be very interesting if these two teams can work something out, but like I said, these two teams usually don't do business together.

I wasn’t even aware there was any talk of a potential deal. Glad the Sabres are (seemingly) holding firm on their offer. I’d MUCH rather bring Risto back than trade him for anything less than an ideal return. 

 

Hey, congrats on stealing Subban btw. What a great trade by Shero. That’s a savvy veteran GM taking advantage of a lower salary cap and a team’s desperation to clear cap space. 

 

I’m pretty sure the police were called though, so expect to be giving some type of statement in the coming days.... lol

[njbuff]

23 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said:

I wasn’t even aware there was any talk of a potential deal. Glad the Sabres are (seemingly) holding firm on their offer. I’d MUCH rather bring Risto back than trade him for anything less than an ideal return. 

 

Hey, congrats on stealing Subban btw. What a great trade by Shero. That’s a savvy veteran GM taking advantage of a lower salary cap and a team’s desperation to clear cap space. 

 

I’m pretty sure the police were called though, so expect to be giving some type of statement in the coming days.... lol

 

On paper it looks like a steal, but I also thought that Marcus Johansson was a steal too and it turned into a disaster for NJ.

[JohnC]

5 hours ago, plenzmd1 said:

 

 

So lets do this..you tell what  your definition is for success next year...I can tell you mine. Its freaking playoffs or this guy prolly needs to be gone. Getting back to where they were when he got after 3 years is not successful in my mind..

 

Your definition of success is going to lead you to being not only unhappy but also despondent. Unless some additions are made during the offseason I don't believe that this is a playoff team. I'm not saying that it is an impossible attainment so much as I am saying that it is improbable. The team will be better but there is still much to do especially with the young guys maturing and getting closer their potential. Sometimes dealing with reality can be tough. 

[plenzmd1]

3 minutes ago, JohnC said:

Your definition of success is going to lead you to being not only unhappy but also despondent. Unless some additions are made during the offseason I don't believe that this is a playoff team. I'm not saying that it is an impossible attainment so much as I am saying that it is improbable. The team will be better but there is still much to do especially with the young guys maturing and getting closer their potential. Sometimes dealing with reality can be tough. 

So why in the world should I have faith in Jbotts?You are saying he needs 4 off seasons to make a team who was competing for a playoff spot well into February when he got here into a playoff team? 

 

This guy better deliver, and this year, or he sadly will be gone too, for good reason. This is his roster , and his 2nd coach. not Murray’s anymore. 

 

Having said that, I do think coaching will make a big difference, the numbers did not suggest the Sabres should have been as bad as they were, but another 83 point performance and this dude needs to be gone

 

[JohnC]

1 minute ago, plenzmd1 said:

So why in the world should I have faith in Jbotts?You are saying he needs 4 off seasons to make a team who was competing for a playoff spot well into February when he got here into a playoff team?

 

This guy better deliver, and this year, or he sadly will be gone too, for good reason. This is his roster , and his 2nd coach. not Murray’s anymore. 

 

Having said that, I do think coaching will make a big difference, the numbers did not suggest the Sabres should have been as bad as they were, but another 83 point performance and this dude needs to be gone

 

What team are you referring to that was competing for a playoff spot? Your claim that last year's team was in a serious playoff run is a mischaracterization. That team lacked enough talent to be a playoff team. The streak didn't reflect its actual talent level. And that's exactly what happened. I don't want to get involved in another year of circular discussions. The bystanders were getting fatigued with our perpetual dueling. Didn't you notice the hissing?

 

The Sabres should be better and approach the required talent threshold to qualify for the playoffs. We are not that far away but we are not there yet. Either you be more patient or you will rot from the inside. 

[K-9]

17 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said:

So why in the world should I have faith in Jbotts?You are saying he needs 4 off seasons to make a team who was competing for a playoff spot well into February when he got here into a playoff team? 

 

This guy better deliver, and this year, or he sadly will be gone too, for good reason. This is his roster , and his 2nd coach. not Murray’s anymore. 

 

Having said that, I do think coaching will make a big difference, the numbers did not suggest the Sabres should have been as bad as they were, but another 83 point performance and this dude needs to be gone

 

This brought to mind something that sticks in my craw about Scandella. Last season he waxed poetic about how nice it was to be playing meaningful games in March and the way he made it sound made me want to barf. Players who "get it" don't talk the way he did, they answer that question with "we expect to be playing meaningful games well past March." As in they take it as a given. He sounded too happy about being able to play meaningful games, not like he expected to play them all along. I don't know, maybe its me, but it seemed so symptomatic of the rotten, losing culture we've seen for years now. It's a loser's mentality. 

[plenzmd1]

54 minutes ago, JohnC said:

What team are you referring to that was competing for a playoff spot? Your claim that last year's team was in a serious playoff run is a mischaracterization. That team lacked enough talent to be a playoff team. The streak didn't reflect its actual talent level. And that's exactly what happened. I don't want to get involved in another year of circular discussions. The bystanders were getting fatigued with our perpetual dueling. Didn't you notice the hissing?

 

The Sabres should be better and approach the required talent threshold to qualify for the playoffs. We are not that far away but we are not there yet. Either you be more patient or you will rot from the inside. 

The 15-16 played at a 96 point pace post all star break. The 16-17 team was 2 points out of a playoff spot entering their bye in Early February , and then pooped the bed and the coach and GM were fired for underachieving.

 

Two years and 3 offseasons later, I am told doing that exact same thing standings wise should be seen as progress. I will say JBotts knows how to underpromise like a champ, be nice if he could over deliver for a change. 

 

And @K-9, I don’t recall Scandella saying that, interesting as in his first year said too many guys okay with losing.. seems the “ culture” got to him. 

 

 

 

 

[ChevyVanMiller]

18 hours ago, bbb said:

 

The thing I like least about hockey is not really seeing a lot of goals or crazy saves in real time.  I did not catch what he did at regular speed. 

I wonder why we don't see that goal all of the time in the NHL? It's pretty much the Gait brothers move from lacrosse. Many guys in the NHL would have the skill level to pull that off. The goalie is always down hugging the post and couldn't guard the top corner at the same time.

[4merper4mer]

9 hours ago, JohnC said:

Nothing personal, but I would never want you to be my portfolio manager. You are too mercurial and impulsive. I appreciate your offer but I don't want to risk being impoverished. Currently, I'm the one driving the $$$$ bus and it is going in the right direction.  Thanks but no thanks. 

If your portfolio is the Sabres you are impovrished and appear happy to remain that way until Google turns into Kodak.

[bbb]

5 hours ago, ChevyVanMiller said:

I wonder why we don't see that goal all of the time in the NHL? It's pretty much the Gait brothers move from lacrosse. Many guys in the NHL would have the skill level to pull that off. The goalie is always down hugging the post and couldn't guard the top corner at the same time.

 

I was wondering that myself.  I was thinking that if enough guys got good at it, they would outlaw it.  

[Buffalo716]

1 hour ago, bbb said:

 

I was wondering that myself.  I was thinking that if enough guys got good at it, they would outlaw it.  

Tons and guys have the skill to do it

 

The NHL is such a fast paced game that 99% of the time you won't have the time to pull that off

 

Somebody usually is barrelling the other way towards you to knock you on your butt

[BillsFan4]

Anyone hear Renault Lavoie on WGR550 today? 

 

He sure made it sound like the reason Buffalo is shopping Ristolainen is because he asked them to. 

 

He was careful not to say Risto requested a trade. But it sure sounds like moving Ristolainen is player driven. 

 

 

 

 

 

It would make sense. I thought he sounded ready to be traded at his press conference on locker clean out day, and seeing ROR leave + win every award probably hardened Risto in that stance. 

 

I csnt blame the guy if he wanted to leave. Just like ROR, Risto is thrown to the wolves (given some of the toughest minutes in the entire NHL), but it’s been going on even longer with Risto.

[K-9]

2 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said:

Anyone hear Renault Lavoie on WGR550 today? 

 

He sure made it sound like the reason Buffalo is shopping Ristolainen is because he asked them to. 

 

He was careful not to say Risto requested a trade. But it sure sounds like moving Ristolainen is player driven. 

 

 

 

 

 

It would make sense. I thought he sounded ready to be traded at his press conference on locker clean out day, and seeing ROR leave + win every award probably hardened Risto in that stance. 

 

I csnt blame the guy if he wanted to leave. Just like ROR, Risto is thrown to the wolves (given some of the toughest minutes in the entire NHL), but it’s been going on even longer with Risto.

Has Risto met with Krueger and had a chance to fall under his Svengali-like spell yet? 

 

I hate the idea of a discontented player driving the decision to trade him. If Krueger wants him gone, fine. But if he’s convinced that Risto can be salvaged and contribute in a positive way, then screw Risto, he should stay and be part of the solution. 

Edited June 25, 2019 by K-9

[BillsFan4]

18 minutes ago, K-9 said:

Has Risto met with Krueger and had a chance to fall under his Svengali-like spell yet? 

 

I hate the idea of a discontented player driving the decision to trade him. If Krueger wants him gone, fine. But if he’s convinced that Risto can be salvaged and contribute in a positive way, then screw Risto, he should stay and be part of the solution. 

I have no idea. 

 

Knowing Risto, I would bet he could care less about a new coach or any of that stuff. I think he’s probably at the point where talk is cheap to him. He just wants the results. 

Every new coach comes in and says “we are going to ease the burden on risto” and every time it ends the same (so far, anyway). 

 

 

 

I agree though. He’s under contract for 3 more years. He may want to be traded, but that doesn’t mean botterill Needs to trade him. 

 

Taking the best offer they they can get seems like a recipe to get screwed. Wait for the RIGHT offer. Evander Kane wanted out of Winnipeg for 3+ years before he was finally traded. He said he straight up asked for a trade every year. Chevy held firm until he found the right deal. 

 

Botterill can not repeat the ROR mistake no matter what Ristolainen wants. 

 

BTW, it didn’t sound like he demanded a trade. More along the lines of he would be more than ok with moving on. 

 

 

Here is the link -

 

https://wgr550.radio.com/media/audio-channel/06-25-renaud-lavoie-tva-sports-howard-and-jeremy

 

its pretty much right at the start of the interview. 

Edited June 25, 2019 by BillsFan4

[snafu]

1 hour ago, BillsFan4 said:

I have no idea. 

 

Knowing Risto, I would bet he could care less about a new coach or any of that stuff. I think he’s probably at the point where talk is cheap to him. He just wants the results. 

Every new coach comes in and says “we are going to ease the burden on risto” and every time it ends the same (so far, anyway). 

 

 

 

I agree though. He’s under contract for 3 more years. He may want to be traded, but that doesn’t mean botterill Needs to trade him. 

 

Taking the best offer they they can get seems like a recipe to get screwed. Wait for the RIGHT offer. Evander Kane wanted out of Winnipeg for 3+ years before he was finally traded. He said he straight up asked for a trade every year. Chevy held firm until he found the right deal. 

 

Botterill can not repeat the ROR mistake no matter what Ristolainen wants. 

 

BTW, it didn’t sound like he demanded a trade. More along the lines of he would be more than ok with moving on. 

 

 

Here is the link -

 

https://wgr550.radio.com/media/audio-channel/06-25-renaud-lavoie-tva-sports-howard-and-jeremy

 

its pretty much right at the start of the interview. 

 

I wouldn't move Ristolainen no matter what he feelzzz.

He needs to be (and can be) part of the solution.  He's talented, a very young veteran, and fairly cheap for a few more years to come.  I mean holy crap, the GM needs to fix the team and shipping off a talented RHD isn't the way to start.  The return would have to pay immediate dividends.

 

I know I'm repeating what you posted, but my own feelzzz are getting the best of me.  The Sabres' bad moves trigger me more than anything else -- even if they are hypothetical bad moves that might never happen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PromoTheRobot]

Sabres schedule is out. A disappointing lack of Bills/Sabres weekends for us out-of-towners. 10/27-28 (Sun-Mon actually) , 11/2-11/3 and 12/27-12/29.

 

https://nhl.bamcontent.com/images/assets/binary/308047524/binary-file/file.pdf

[K-9]

21 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Sabres schedule is out. A disappointing lack of Bills/Sabres weekends for us out-of-towners. 10/27-28 (Sun-Mon actually) , 11/2-11/3 and 12/27-12/29.

 

https://nhl.bamcontent.com/images/assets/binary/308047524/binary-file/file.pdf

Nine back to backs with six in the first three months, none in Dec., none in Jan., two in Feb, and one in March. None of them with crazy travel involved (short hops) except for maybe our home and home vs. Tampa and they have the same disadvantage. For once, I’m not too irked about the back to backs.

 

So I got that goin’ for me.

 

EDIT: just noticed that our “home and home” with Tampa is are actually the two games we play in Sweden, so it’s even a little better than I though previously. 

Edited June 26, 2019 by K-9

[BillsFan4]

 

 

This is the 2nd separate report now that the hurricanes only offered Aho $6Mx8yrs.

 

I really wish buffalo had their own 3rd round pick in 2020. Aho would be a prime candidate for an offer sheet.