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

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

Rick Jeanneret coming back for 49th season.

[K-9]

Just now, \GoBillsInDallas/ said:

Rick Jeanneret coming back for 49th season.

Well that clinches it; Risto must be traded. The potential for a Ristolainen and a Ruotsalainen in the same lineup on a game night, even if it’s just a preseason game, is just too much of a stroke risk for RJ. 

[Alaska Darin]

8 hours ago, plenzmd1 said:

John, the Sabres are desperate for a #2C until/if Mitts develops into that role. Haula played #2 on a team that went to the Cup final, potted 29 that season, makes $2.75..and the return was at best a 4th line center prospect(according to what i read) and a conditional 5th...how in the world is that not a trade the Sabres should have made. Damn, Nylander  and a 3rd and i would be saying the Sabres absolutely stole this guy..

 

Why are you opposed to them getting better by trade? You keep saying you want a #2c, this guy was it, and he went for nothing..this is an absolute miss by JBotts

I'm trying to give JBott the benefit of the doubt but he better execute.   The obvious concern with Haula is where he is in his recovery but you are correct that he's the kind of guy the Sabres are pretty desperate for. 

[BillsFan4]

 

 

 

He mentions possibly adding some free agents (but didn’t say who)

 

Edited June 28, 2019 by BillsFan4

[JohnC]

2 hours ago, BillsFan4 said:

 

 

 

He mentions possibly adding some free agents (but didn’t say who)

 

We got a number of young prospects who are ready or near ready. Oloffsson, Nylander, Tage, Asplund, Borgen etc. Oloffsson is definitely ready to possibly play on the second line. Some people have given up on Nylander but I haven't. He's only 20-21 years old.  The same line of reasoning applies to Tage as to how much is he developed and is he ready to make the step up? I believe so.  I think Asplund as a third or fourth center is a year away. And the same time frame should apply to Borgen. 

 

Unless Risto is traded (still an open issue for me) I don't see any blockbuster trades. I see a few mid-level pickups that will change the mixture and add some spice to the roster. An irritated faction here get angry when I preach patience and allowing the process to proceed. Tough! That is the best way and the most sustaining way.  

[JohnC]

Darren Dreger was on WGR for a 15 minute segment. He mostly talked about the free agent market. He doesn't believe that Buffalo is going to be big players on the market. He suggests that they will wait to see how the market shakes up and get involved in the secondary market. 

 

https://wgr550.radio.com/media/audio-channel/06-28-tsns-darren-dreger-instigators

[BillsFan4]

30 minutes ago, JohnC said:

We got a number of young prospects who are ready or near ready. Oloffsson, Nylander, Tage, Asplund, Borgen etc. Oloffsson is definitely ready to possibly play on the second line. Some people have given up on Nylander but I haven't. He's only 20-21 years old.  The same line of reasoning applies to Tage as to how much is he developed and is he ready to make the step up? I believe so.  I think Asplund as a third or fourth center is a year away. And the same time frame should apply to Borgen. 

 

Unless Risto is traded (still an open issue for me) I don't see any blockbuster trades. I see a few mid-level pickups that will change the mixture and add some spice to the roster. An irritated faction here get angry when I preach patience and allowing the process to proceed. Tough! That is the best way and the most sustaining way.  

 

13 minutes ago, JohnC said:

Darren Dreger was on WGR for a 15 minute segment. He mostly talked about the free agent market. He doesn't believe that Buffalo is going to be big players on the market. He suggests that they will wait to see how the market shakes up and get involved in the secondary market. 

 

https://wgr550.radio.com/media/audio-channel/06-28-tsns-darren-dreger-instigators

 

We aren’t going to attract any big name free agents with where were at. Buffalo was never a free agent destination, but that’s even more true right now. 

 

I think the best best we can hope for are the second tier guys like Zuccarello (hopefully the Krueger connection helps!), Donskoi, Boyle, Dzingel, Stralman, etc., and even most of those guys are probably a long shot without offering more term/money than other teams. We can offer a bigger role to someone like Donskoi, maybe that’s attractive to him? 

 

 

The more more I see this offseason playing out, the more I think that Botterill may not do anything too drastic. I am sure he will at the very least add some depth players. But He may want to see how some of these players look under Ralph Krueger before doing anything drastic, and he may be partially banking on Krueger (and the growth of our young players) making Buffalo a more attractive player destination once he’s given a season to get things on the right track. That could also apply to our own players that may be getting sick of the constant losing and want out, like Risto.

Botts may also want to leave room for a couple of the young players (like Olofsson, Tage, Nylander if he’s still here, Smith, etc) to make the team. 

 

I’m just speculating. It’s way too early to start judging Botterill’s offseason plan, anyway. As Krueger mentioned, free agency hasn’t even officially started yet. There’s still plenty of time for moves to be made. 

[JohnC]

3 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said:

 

 

We aren’t going to attract any big name free agents with where were at. Buffalo was never a free agent destination, but that’s even more true right now. 

 

I think the best best we can hope for are the second tier guys like Zuccarello (hopefully the Krueger connection helps!), Donskoi, Boyle, Dzingel, Stralman, etc., and even most of those guys are probably a long shot without offering more term/money than other teams. We can offer a bigger role to someone like Donskoi, maybe that’s attractive to him? 

 

 

The more more I see this offseason playing out, the more I think that Botterill may not do anything too drastic. I am sure he will at the very least add some depth players. But He may want to see how some of these players look under Ralph Krueger before doing anything drastic, and he may be partially banking on Krueger (and the growth of our young players) making Buffalo a more attractive player destination once he’s given a season to get things on the right track. That could also apply to our own players that may be getting sick of the constant losing and want out, like Risto.

Botts may also want to leave room for a couple of the young players (like Olofsson, Tage, Nylander if he’s still here, Smith, etc) to make the team. 

 

I’m just speculating. It’s way too early to start judging Botterill’s offseason plan, anyway. As Krueger mentioned, free agency hasn’t even officially started yet. There’s still plenty of time for moves to be made. 

If Plezmd1 reads your post he will be fuming and add you to his shiiit list. I am already privileged to be on that stinky list.  In general your views coincide with mine.  

[bbb]

1 hour ago, JohnC said:

In general your views coincide with mine.  

 

You two even look the same. 

[K-9]

9 minutes ago, bbb said:

 

You two even look the same. 

[JohnC]

22 minutes ago, bbb said:

 

You two even look the same. 

That's an insult to him. I'm confident that he is much better looking. That is not to say that it is a high bar  to get over. 

[BillsFan4]

 

 

[BillsFan4]

This is pretty damn cool -

 

 

 

gives you a much better idea of what players actually make.

 

For example, on Eichel’s $10M per year deal, when all is said and done he takes home $5,216,534.  That’s less than I expected.

[BillsFan4]

 

Vellucci says he’s leaving for a great opportunity for his career (I think money is the more likely reason. Rumor has it that Dundon asked the coaches (and possibly some front office members) to take pay cuts). 

 

 

I would LOVE for buffalo to hire this guy in some capacity. I thought he might be a guy that Krueger looked to add to his coaching staff, but I don’t think he’s adding anyone else. He would have fit that “tactician” role very well. 

 

Ill be interested to see where he lands. Hopefully not Toronto...  

[plenzmd1]

 

What we give up? RHD, has to be a precurser to Risto no?

 

 

Edited June 28, 2019 by plenzmd1

[K-9]

Just now, plenzmd1 said:

 

What we give up? RHD, has to be a precurser to Risto no?

?

[plenzmd1]

2 minutes ago, K-9 said:

?

sorry, we get Miller from VGK

 

Good job Jbots!!!!!!

Edited June 28, 2019 by plenzmd1

[JohnC]

12 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said:

sorry, we get Miller from VGK

 

Good job Jbots!!!!!!

This has to be a precursor to a Risto deal. The GM is determined to put together a credible second line to spread out the scoring. The stage is being set tp add a second line player with Risto being the currency to get that done. 

 

I would be interested in some of our experts here who could give an abbreviated sketch of this player. Is he a genuine second pairing defenseman or more of a third pairing type of player? 

Edited June 28, 2019 by JohnC

[plenzmd1]

2 minutes ago, JohnC said:

This has to be a precursor to a Risto deal. The GM is determined to put together a credible second line to spread out the scoring. The stage is being set tp add a second line player with Risto being the currency to get that done. 

could of had him already......without giving up a top 4 D?

[JohnC]

5 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said:

could of had him already......without giving up a top 4 D?

The mistake you are making is that the player you targeted as a second line player is not the player that the GM is targeting. He might be after a bigger dog that has  healthier legs .  

Edited June 28, 2019 by JohnC
spelling

[plenzmd1]

3 minutes ago, JohnC said:

The mistake you are making is that the player you targeted as a second line player is not the player that the GM is targeting. He might be after a bigger dog that has  healthier legs .  

then he becomes a 3c or 4c...you know..build secondary scoring throughout the lineup!!!

 

toronto fans like me

 

 

Edited June 28, 2019 by plenzmd1

[K-9]

So this is the last piece of the ROR deal. Sobotka, Thompson, Johnson, Miller. Still a chance three of them pan out. 

[Pete]

https://blackhawkup.com/2019/06/11/blackhawks-trade-bait-breakdown-colin-miller/

injury during the middle of the season. He also spent a good chunk of time in head coach Gerard Gallant’s doghouse.

 

However, Miller still had a very solid season. Plus, he’s only 26 years old and seems to still have a good chunk of hockey left in his tank.

Miller is seen as a puck moving defenseman who can quarterback a power play and deliver a deadly shot from the point. This is something that suffered this season, as he only scored 3 goals compared to 14 goals the prior season.

Miller is probably not the prototypical defenseman that Blackhawks’ fans think of when they want a defensive upgrade, but his ability to move the puck up the ice, as well as his ability to maintain possession, is underrated.

He was 10th on the Golden Knights (3rd among defenseman) in Corsi For Percentage (56.9%). Sure, he was 10th on the Golden Knights in CF%, but that also would have put him FIRST on the Blackhawks. Dylan Sikura was rated the highest with a CF% of 55.1%.

[plenzmd1]

How weird is it VGK in cap jail after just two years.....those fans getting in two years what  most fan bases get in 15 years

 

great unexpected season..awesome playoff run, Cup final loss

 

little bit of a down regular season..lose a playoff series on a hidiously bad  call 

 

Lose good players off a good team cause of cap considerations...

 

 

[shrader]

58 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said:

 

Vellucci says he’s leaving for a great opportunity for his career (I think money is the more likely reason. Rumor has it that Dundon asked the coaches (and possibly some front office members) to take pay cuts). 

 

 

I would LOVE for buffalo to hire this guy in some capacity. I thought he might be a guy that Krueger looked to add to his coaching staff, but I don’t think he’s adding anyone else. He would have fit that “tactician” role very well. 

 

Ill be interested to see where he lands. Hopefully not Toronto...  

 

I don’t know how that team can survive long term with him being so cheap. Each move takes it to a new level. 

[BillsFan4]

 

nice! 

 

i like this trade a lot, as long as it doesn’t lead to a bad Ristolainen trade... lol. 

 

We will actually have a respectable top 6 on the right and left side. But I am quite nervous that Risto is going to be traded now. I can live with that as long as the return is proper. With the prices defenseman have been going for this offseason, it makes me nervous. But guys like Trouba and Subban had extenuating circumstances (trouba on,y willing to sign in NY and Subban with a $9M cap hit). 

 

19 minutes ago, K-9 said:

So this is the last piece of the ROR deal. Sobotka, Thompson, Johnson, Miller. Still a chance three of them pan out. 

 

I didn’t initially associate Miller with the ROR trade. Good call pointing that out. Now we can actually start to graze the return buffalo got. It’ll still be years before we know for sure. But now we know all of the exact players we got in return. 

 

If Thompson develops into a good top 6 F and Johnson into a good top 4 D, this trade could look alright for us in a few years. Miller is already a pretty good top 4 RHD.

[K-9]

While I think this “most likely” sets up a Risto deal because he’s a RHD, I’ll also say, “not necessarily.” 

 

Miller gives us one legit top paid D in Dahlin, and then five other “legit” top four. 

 

Both Scandella and Nelson can either be moved, cut, or sit in the box. We won’t miss them at all.

Just now, BillsFan4 said:

 

nice! 

 

i like this trade a lot, as long as it doesn’t lead to a bad Ristolainen trade... lol. 

 

We will actually have a respectable top 6 on the right and left side. But I am quite nervous that Risto is going to be traded now. I can live with that as long as the return is proper. With the prices defenseman have been going for this offseason, it makes me nervous. But guys like Trouba and Subban had extenuating circumstances (trouba on,y willing to sign in NY and Subban with a $9M cap hit). 

 

 

I didn’t initially associate Miller with the ROR trade. Good call pointing that out. Now we can actually start to graze the return buffalo got. It’ll still be years before we know for sure. But now we know all of the exact players we got in return. 

 

If Thompson develops into a good top 6 F and Johnson into a good top 4 D, this trade could look alright for us in a few years. Miller is already a pretty good top 4 RHD.

I only pointed it out because McKensie pointed it out first.

[plenzmd1]

Just now, K-9 said:

While I think this “most likely” sets up a Risto deal because he’s a RHD, I’ll also say, “not necessarily.” 

 

Miller gives us one legit top paid D in Dahlin, and then five other “legit” top four. 

 

Both Scandella and Nelson can either be moved, cut, or sit in the box. We won’t miss them at all.

i am on phone and too hard to look up..but Nelson was driving was some decent numbers last year before he got hurt..

 

Scandella needs to be waived/Molson treatment...must confess some the rules on player movement escapes me ...

[Cripple Creek]

42 minutes ago, JohnC said:

This has to be a precursor to a Risto deal. The GM is determined to put together a credible second line to spread out the scoring. The stage is being set tp add a second line player with Risto being the currency to get that done. 

 

I would be interested in some of our experts here who could give an abbreviated sketch of this player. Is he a genuine second pairing defenseman or more of a third pairing type of player? 

So, you’re now directly stealing lines from @plenzmd1 ? Have you no shame man?

[K-9]

Just now, plenzmd1 said:

i am on phone and too hard to look up..but Nelson was driving was some decent numbers last year before he got hurt..

 

Scandella needs to be waived/Molson treatment...must confess some the rules on player movement escapes me ...

Just to be clear, I’m not anti Nelson. Not at all because, like you say, he drives some positive stats. 

 

But Miller, Montour, Bogo, and Risto are just better. 

 

Agree. Cut Scandella and keep Nelson as the seven.

[plenzmd1]

Just now, K-9 said:

Just to be clear, I’m not anti Nelson. Not at all because, like you say, he drives some positive stats. 

 

But Miller, Montour, Bogo, and Risto are just better. 

 

Agree. Cut Scandella and keep Nelson as the seven.

but ya cant cut him right? Waive him, no one picks him up..he has to go to the AHL/ ECHL? Still eat his cap number, i get that

[K-9]

Just now, plenzmd1 said:

but ya cant cut him right? Waive him, no one picks him up..he has to go to the AHL/ ECHL? Still eat his cap number, i get that

You’re right. Better to take him out back and “Old Yeller” his untalented ass.

[JohnC]

2 minutes ago, Cripple Creek said:

So, you’re now directly stealing lines from @plenzmd1 ? Have you no shame man?

I like the word "precursor" so I stole it. There isn't much else worthy of stealing from him.

 

I openly admit that I lack shame. It's easier to get by when you have no conscious. 

[JohnC]

20 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said:

 

nice! 

 

i like this trade a lot, as long as it doesn’t lead to a bad Ristolainen trade... lol. 

 

We will actually have a respectable top 6 on the right and left side. But I am quite nervous that Risto is going to be traded now. I can live with that as long as the return is proper. With the prices defenseman have been going for this offseason, it makes me nervous. But guys like Trouba and Subban had extenuating circumstances (trouba on,y willing to sign in NY and Subban with a $9M cap hit). 

 

 

I didn’t initially associate Miller with the ROR trade. Good call pointing that out. Now we can actually start to graze the return buffalo got. It’ll still be years before we know for sure. But now we know all of the exact players we got in return.

 

If Thompson develops into a good top 6 F and Johnson into a good top 4 D, this trade could look alright for us in a few years. Miller is already a pretty good top 4 RHD.

You make a good point that sometimes it takes a few years before completing an assessment on a trade. With the selection of Cozens in this year's draft it is not unreasonable to believe that in time he will become a second line center to fill the void caused by the departure of ROR. If you consider that Mitts still has plenty of room to develop as either a second or third line center and factor in that we could still work a deal to get another second line center then our center staffing looks solid. 

 

Will Tage become a second line forward? I'm not sure. But if he becomes a good scoring third line player then I'm fine with that role. There is no doubt that the ROR trade was damaging. But as time goes by I'm hoping that it will be mitigated to the point of it being a less punishing deal. 

 

I have not been a critic of the deal because I strongly suspect more was going on with ROR and his relationship with the organization and the other players in the room that we are aware of. It's telling that I can't recall any players coming out and criticizing the deal. Sometimes you got to do what you got to do. 

[Turk71]

23 minutes ago, JohnC said:

I like the word "precursor" so I stole it. There isn't much else worthy of stealing from him.

 

I openly admit that I lack shame. It's easier to get by when you have no conscious. 

  Yes, life does seem easier when I'm unconscious.

  Not having a conscience probably makes things easier for some as well. ☺

[JohnC]

2 minutes ago, Turk71 said:

  Yes, life does seem easier when I'm unconscious.

  Not having a conscience probably makes things easier for some as well. ☺

I'm getting properly knocked around for my misdeeds. 

[Dr. Who]

1 hour ago, shrader said:

 

I don’t know how that team can survive long term with him being so cheap. Each move takes it to a new level. 

Fortunately, I hate Carolina.

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, Dr. Who said:

Fortunately, I hate Carolina.

Not that long ago the Sabres and the Billls were franchises that were fiscally tightly operated. The Pegulas have certainly made mistakes as new owners with their two franchises. They have learned from their mistakes. It is refreshing to have owners operate their small market team in a manner that allows them to compete with the bigger markets. I appreciate them and don't take them for granted. Thank you Mr. and Mrs P. 

[Cripple Creek]

5 hours ago, JohnC said:

I like the word "precursor" so I stole it. There isn't much else worthy of stealing from him.

 

I openly admit that I lack shame. It's easier to get by when you have no conscious. 

Seems, to me, that the entire idea was lifted. Is your last name Belichick?

[JohnC]

7 hours ago, Cripple Creek said:

Seems, to me, that the entire idea was lifted. Is your last name Belichick?

I use the word "a" and "the" a lot. That doesn't mean that it is owned by that rogue.  

 

I consider Belichick to be the best coach in the history of the modern NFL. I openly admire him and what he has accomplished.