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

[Cripple Creek]

2 minutes ago, JohnC said:

I'm not worried about what a trade would do to his psyche. He doesn't have a say in it. He has a contract and it doesn't appear that he has a no trade clause or a preferred location clause. 

So your change of scenery blah blah blah was just superfluous?

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, Cripple Creek said:

So your change of scenery blah blah blah was just superfluous?

I don't know what you are talking about. It was reported that he wanted out. If traded he doesn't have a say where he will go. The change of scenery is not superfluous to the story------- it is integral to the story. It's what he wants and supposedly told the organization. 

[stony]

3 hours ago, JohnC said:

I was listening to WGR's Instigator show where they were discussing the rumor of trading Risto to Detroit for Anthony Mantha. He is a 25 year old winger who is 6'5", 225 lbs. Detroit desperately needs defensemen and we need to build a credible second line. I would make this deal. It would be good for Risto who needs a change of scenery to refresh his game and attitude. In our system we have a few defensemen, such as Borgland, who are close to being ready to move up and play in the NHL. I would gladly make this deal. 

 

I would appreciate the opinions of posters who are knowledgeable about this particular Detroit player. 

Did this seem semi-legit, or was it just banter between the guys?  Because I'd personally drive Risto to Detroit for a 25-goal winger.  

Edited September 4, 2019 by stony

[JohnC]

2 minutes ago, stony said:

Did this seem semi-legit, or was it just banter between the guys?  Because I'd personally drive Risto to Detroit for a 25-goal winger.  

I think it was Marty Biron who brought it up. How legit is it? I can't say. There are also rumors that Winnipeg is interested in Risto. Some of the speculation is fueled by teams that need a defenseman and teams that after signing their free agents will have to move players to accommodate the signing/s. It shouldn't be surprising that a number of teams are interested in the defenseman. A while back Danny Gare who has contacts in Tampa said that the Lighting also have interest in him. The issue for the Sabres is what will they get back? As I said in the prior post if Detroit offered Mantha for Risto I would take it.  

[Cripple Creek]

3 hours ago, JohnC said:

I don't know what you are talking about. It was reported that he wanted out. If traded he doesn't have a say where he will go. The change of scenery is not superfluous to the story------- it is integral to the story. It's what he wants and supposedly told the organization. 

Well, you said “it would be good for Risto...” so it certainly seems to be something that’s on your mind. Next post you said “I’m not worried what the trade will do to his psyche.”

 

At best you seem conflicted with yourself.

[stony]

3 hours ago, JohnC said:

I think it was Marty Biron who brought it up. How legit is it? I can't say. There are also rumors that Winnipeg is interested in Risto. Some of the speculation is fueled by teams that need a defenseman and teams that after signing their free agents will have to move players to accommodate the signing/s. It shouldn't be surprising that a number of teams are interested in the defenseman. A while back Danny Gare who has contacts in Tampa said that the Lighting also have interest in him. The issue for the Sabres is what will they get back? As I said in the prior post if Detroit offered Mantha for Risto I would take it.  

I'm betting there's something to the whole "RFAs" are holding everything up.  Gotta hope so.  

[BillsFan4]

3 hours ago, stony said:

Did this seem semi-legit, or was it just banter between the guys?  Because I'd personally drive Risto to Detroit for a 25-goal winger.  

It came from Eklund at hockeybuzz -

 

https://hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklund/Rumor-WingsSabres-Talking-Major-Trade-e4-Update-5-players-involved/1/101066

 

Not sure if you’re familiar with Eklund, but if not, he’s not a respected insider (to put it nicely). 

 

He just throws stuff at the wall daily. The whole premise of his site is new rumors daily/hourly. 24/7, 365. 

 

Today he is saying Risto to Edmonton -

 

https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=101193&blogger_id=1

 

 

What he says is really not even worth paying attention to. I think he’s said that Ristolainen was going to be traded to about 5-6 different teams in the last few months alone. 

 

 

The base of this whole rumor came from Friedman (or Dreger, can’t remember) months ago when he mentioned that buffalo would be looking for a young top 6 forward for Risto and he used Mantha as an example, and stated that it was just an example and he hadn’t heard anything connecting Mantha to Buffalo.

 

Its not totally crazy. Yzerman was after Ristolainen when he was in Tampa, and Detroit needs RHD worse than Tampa did. So it wouldn’t shock me if it happened. I just put zero stock into Eklund saying it. 

 

 

I would be ok with a Risto for Mantha trade. I’m not as sold on Mantha as some others are. He is from the same draft as Ristolainen (2013) and only has 3 seasons in the NHL so far. He was trending toward bust status for a bit there, but made it to the NHL 3 seasons ago. Played pretty decent for his first 2 years (though there was, IMO, an issue with inconsistent play and inconsistent compete/effort level) and then he took a nice step forward last season and looks to finally be putting it all together. I’m just not 100% convinced that last year is who Mantha really is. He’s definitely trending in the right direction and is a legit top 6 forward right now. And it does seem to take power forwards more time to “get it”, so a slower development path for a player like Mantha isn’t unheard of, or even all that unusual I guess. Ideally, I’d like to see him prove it for 1 more season, but if he does then I doubt Detroit trades him (they may not even be willing to trade him now). 

 

If mantha was the best piece being offered for Ristolainen I would make the trade. Definitely wouldn’t be willing to add though. If anything, I’d want a pick with Mantha (just due to position value. Top 4, young RHD > top 6 winger) but if it had to be 1 for 1 I’d probably still do it. 

 

Only problem is Mantha would be yet another left handed forward. In a prefect world we trade Risto for a righty. But Mantha can (and does) play the right side so it’s really not that big a deal. 

[4merper4mer]

5 hours ago, JohnC said:

I'm not worried about what a trade would do to his psyche. He doesn't have a say in it. He has a contract and it doesn't appear that he has a no trade clause or a preferred location clause.  It was reported by a number of outlets that he let it be known to the organization that he prefers to be elsewhere. I'm not critical of his stance. It certainly is understandable. 

 

Risto is a good player but also a dumb player. He has been subjected to constant losing in Buffalo and it has worn him down. Even if the team he is going to isn't the best situation for him it still would be a better situation than the stale situation that he is currently in. 

 

As I said in the prior post I would make this deal if it is offered. 

I thought we were on an upward trajectory.  Why can't a guy who is in the locker room every day see that?

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, Cripple Creek said:

Well, you said “it would be good for Risto...” so it certainly seems to be something that’s on your mind. Next post you said “I’m not worried what the trade will do to his psyche.”

 

At best you seem conflicted with yourself.

I'm not trying to be rude but your reasoning doesn't make sense to me. Risto seems to desire a change of scenery, and I get the sense that the team is more than willing to move him if they can get a reasonable return. I did state that I'm not worried about his psyche. So what? The bigger issue for me is the return we can get from him if a deal is made that makes the team better. If a proposed Detroit deal is better deal than a proposed Winnipeg deal then the team should take the Detroit deal even if Risto prefers Winnipeg. That's the hockey business he signed up for. 

[Cripple Creek]

13 minutes ago, JohnC said:

I'm not trying to be rude but your reasoning doesn't make sense to me. Risto seems to desire a change of scenery, and I get the sense that the team is more than willing to move him if they can get a reasonable return. I did state that I'm not worried about his psyche. So what? The bigger issue for me is the return we can get from him if a deal is made that makes the team better. If a proposed Detroit deal is better deal than a proposed Winnipeg deal then the team should take the Detroit deal even if Risto prefers Winnipeg. That's the hockey business he signed up for. 

I’m simply trying to figure out what side of the fence you’re on today.

[JohnC]

1 minute ago, Cripple Creek said:

I’m simply trying to figure out what side of the fence you’re on today.

If you can't figure out what my position is from what I wrote then your confusion is your own manufactured confusion. 

[BillsFan4]

https://wgr550.radio.com/articles/news/sabres-okposo-impressed-ralph-krueger

 

Sabres' Okposo is impressed with Ralph Krueger

 

Quote

It seems like anytime you speak with one of the Sabres players, they’re pretty impressed with their new coach Ralph Krueger. What they’re impressed with is how he acts towards them.

 

Veteran winger Kyle Okposo was no different, “Just a phenomenal guy, I just went to dinner with him and a couple of the other guys and we may have talked hockey for 15-20 minutes out of two hours and we were picking his brain about his life and his experiences, but he’s just a really personable guy, genuine and an interesting guy.

 

“I’ve talked to a few guys that played for him in Edmonton and they had nothing but great things to say about him and how he treated them and just how he was as a person first and foremost and then as a coach second, so I think that speaks volumes of his character.”

 

He seems to be well respected by every Sabres player that’s been interviewed and IMO that’s a start. Anything that helps to get this team to really buy in is a good thing. 

[K-9]

10 hours ago, stony said:

I'm betting there's something to the whole "RFAs" are holding everything up.  Gotta hope so.  

I’m thinking the same. Especially where any potential deal with Winnipeg is concerned. Both Connor and Laine are in a holding pattern and their deals will have a big impact on the Jets’ salary cap moving forward so slotting Risto needs to wait.

 

My hope is that in order to slot Risto, they give us Ehlers to make it work. 

[K-9]

8 hours ago, BillsFan4 said:

https://wgr550.radio.com/articles/news/sabres-okposo-impressed-ralph-krueger

 

Sabres' Okposo is impressed with Ralph Krueger

 

 

He seems to be well respected by every Sabres player that’s been interviewed and IMO that’s a start. Anything that helps to get this team to really buy in is a good thing. 

Not surprised to hear this. In the first five minutes of his introductory press conference, Krueger displayed more mental capacity than Housley did in two years. 

[Cripple Creek]

9 hours ago, JohnC said:

If you can't figure out what my position is from what I wrote then your confusion is your own manufactured confusion. 

? you waffle

[BillsFan4]

https://www.tsn.ca/nhlpa-weighing-risks-of-poking-the-bear-1.1360531

 

NHLPA still undecided on whether or not they’ll choose to opt out of the current CBA. 

 

Really hoping they don’t but even if they do there is still time to get a deal done. 

Opting out would just start the clock on a potential lockout a year from now. 

Edited September 5, 2019 by BillsFan4

[JohnC]

The attached link is an article about Asplund written by WGR's Paul Hamilton. This link was taken from the hockey side of TBD. One player who will be interesting to follow is Ruotsalainen who played in Finland and is a little older than most of the players playing in the prospect camp. 

 

https://wgr550.radio.com/articles/news/sabres-asplund-ready-make-next-step?view=getnewpost

[4merper4mer]

11 hours ago, JohnC said:

The attached link is an article about Asplund written by WGR's Paul Hamilton. This link was taken from the hockey side of TBD. One player who will be interesting to follow is Ruotsalainen who played in Finland and is a little older than most of the players playing in the prospect camp. 

 

https://wgr550.radio.com/articles/news/sabres-asplund-ready-make-next-step?view=getnewpost

Lol the article says he is "very close" to being ready for an NHL roster which is funny enough given we seemingly drafted him when Rex Ryan seemed like a good idea.  

 

The funniest part is that the article says he will have to compete with a bunch of other guys that are almost NHL ready.  Sounds like in 4 years or so we'll be able get a few picks at the deadline by filling out the healthy scratch contingent for a playoff team with an injury prone 4th line guy the are worried about.  Upward trajectory indeed.

 

[Dr. Who]

2 hours ago, 4merper4mer said:

Lol the article says he is "very close" to being ready for an NHL roster which is funny enough given we seemingly drafted him when Rex Ryan seemed like a good idea.  

 

The funniest part is that the article says he will have to compete with a bunch of other guys that are almost NHL ready.  Sounds like in 4 years or so we'll be able get a few picks at the deadline by filling out the healthy scratch contingent for a playoff team with an injury prone 4th line guy the are worried about.  Upward trajectory indeed.

 

You are the Scott Law of Sabres' posters. The team fumbled the rebuild, but they have a fair chance to be quite good in a few years. They are certainly not the worst team in all of sports.

Edited September 6, 2019 by Dr. Who

[eball]

On 9/5/2019 at 8:00 AM, K-9 said:

Not surprised to hear this. In the first five minutes of his introductory press conference, Krueger displayed more mental capacity than Housley did in two years. 

 

My biggest surprise reading that was in realizing Okposo is still on the roster.

[4merper4mer]

25 minutes ago, Dr. Who said:

You are the Scott Law of Sabres' posters. The team fumbled the rebuild, but they have a fair chance to be quite good in a few years. They are certainly not the worst team in all of sports.

They have been for about the last 5+ years as well documented in the article above.  

 

Fair chance to be quite good in a few years?  That should win many equivocation awards.  Put a stake in the ground.  Will the Sabres make the playoffs before Seattle does?

[Dr. Who]

43 minutes ago, 4merper4mer said:

They have been for about the last 5+ years as well documented in the article above.  

 

Fair chance to be quite good in a few years?  That should win many equivocation awards.  Put a stake in the ground.  Will the Sabres make the playoffs before Seattle does?

Depends on if Seattle makes the playoffs their inaugural season, in which case it will be a tie. Outside chance the Sabres make it this year. 

Edited September 6, 2019 by Dr. Who

[K-9]

Nice to see Cozens has been cleared to play in the prospects tourney starting tonight. 

[JohnC]

Randy Sexton the GM for Rochester spoke WGR's Instigator Show about the prospects who will be playing in the Prospect tournament. This is a 16 minute segment. 

 

https://wgr550.radio.com/media/audio-channel/09-06-amerks-general-manager-randy-sexton-instigators

[JohnC]

The attached link is an interview of Victor Olofsson on WGR's Instigator show. This is a 14 min. segment. It's impressive how some foreigners have such a good grasp of the English language and are so well spoken.

 

https://wgr550.radio.com/media/audio-channel/09-06-hr-2-instigators

 

 

 

 

[BillsFan4]

The Sabres prospect challenge starts tonight at 7pm. It will be streamed live on Sabres.com for anyone within the local broadcast market. I’m not sure, but New Jersey might potentially have a stream available for those outside the Sabres local market (they did last year, anyway).

[plenzmd1]

5 hours ago, Dr. Who said:

You are the Scott Law of Sabres' posters. The team fumbled the rebuild, but they have a fair chance to be quite good in a few years. They are certainly not the worst team in all of sports.

They have. Even by winning percentage. 

5 hours ago, eball said:

 

My biggest surprise reading that was in realizing Okposo is still on the roster.

The really fun part is EVERY SINGLE PLAYER IS STILL HERE!!’

 

only person who is gone is Pommer, which is the one dude who should still be on the team! 

[JohnC]

2 hours ago, plenzmd1 said:

They have. Even by winning percentage. 

The really fun part is EVERY SINGLE PLAYER IS STILL HERE!!’

 

only person who is gone is Pommer, which is the one dude who should still be on the team! 

Miller, Vesey and Johansson will be on the roster this year. They will be bumping off some of the previous roster players. Last year Olofsson played at the end of the year. This year he will be a full time regular. Pilut will probably start off in Rochester coming off an injury. But some time in the season he will likely be with Buffalo. There is a good chance that Jokiharju will make the roster. If Risto gets traded he will most likely be with the big club. If Risto gets traded prior to the season or during the season the player who will come in the exchange will probably be a second line forward. 

 

The Sabres have approximately a half a dozen of players with expiring contracts this year. So by next season the roster will continue to be turned over even more. The point is that the players who were here last year will be steadily dispatched and replaced with better players and developing players. That's the process. 

Edited September 6, 2019 by JohnC

[plenzmd1]

@JohnC, the point is right now they have every single stinking player who played on essentially a last place team back this year. 

 

Tell season ticket holders or people Lomé me who go to 10+ games a year that last years players will be “

steadily dispatched” over the next couple years, and just continue to eat the poop sandwich we have fed you for the last 4 years”

 

You do understand the purpose of pro sports is to win right? 

 

Sounds like you are not expecting olayoffs for at least two more years, or year 5 of JBots. Damn I wish I had his job. 

 

 

[JohnC]

33 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said:

@JohnC, the point is right now they have every single stinking player who played on essentially a last place team back this year. 

 

Tell season ticket holders or people Lomé me who go to 10+ games a year that last years players will be “

steadily dispatched” over the next couple years, and just continue to eat the poop sandwich we have fed you for the last 4 years”

 

You do understand the purpose of pro sports is to win right? 

 

Sounds like you are not expecting olayoffs for at least two more years, or year 5 of JBots. Damn I wish I had his job. 

 

 

You made the point that the players who are coming into camp will all be on the roster. It's obvious that isn't an accurate statement because they brought in three free agents who will be replacing players who were on last year's roster. I believe that there will be even more turnover of the roster. I don't think that is an unreasonable or inaccurate comment.

 

I do believe the Sabres will be better this year than last year. I know you are a betting man so I would recommend to you that you don't bet on them making the playoffs this year. Hold off that bet and wait another year when the younger players get better and more talent is added. 

 

The reason why the Sabres have pooped for so long (your phrasing) is because the owner made stupid front office hires for the first few years that set this franchise back. Our current GM had to address the mess and run the operation in a more professional and rational manner. Whether you like it or not it takes time. 

 

 

[EmotionallyUnstable]

So we tanking yet? 

[ChevyVanMiller]

Cozens outshines #1 pick Jack Hughes as Sabres roll to 6-4 win.

 

https://espnrochester.radio.com/articles/wgr-am-article/sabres-come-out-flying-front-full-harborcenter-0

[4merper4mer]

12 hours ago, JohnC said:

You made the point that the players who are coming into camp will all be on the roster. It's obvious that isn't an accurate statement because they brought in three free agents who will be replacing players who were on last year's roster. I believe that there will be even more turnover of the roster. I don't think that is an unreasonable or inaccurate comment.

 

I do believe the Sabres will be better this year than last year. I know you are a betting man so I would recommend to you that you don't bet on them making the playoffs this year. Hold off that bet and wait another year when the younger players get better and more talent is added. 

 

The reason why the Sabres have pooped for so long (your phrasing) is because the owner made stupid front office hires for the first few years that set this franchise back. Our current GM had to address the mess and run the operation in a more professional and rational manner. Whether you like it or not it takes time. 

 

 

That's not what he said.  He said they are ALL on the roster now.  Okposo is an example.  He seems like a good dude but there is no reason for him to be on an NHL roster any more.  Yet here he is talking about his adventures with the new coach.  Maybe the new coach can Tony Robbins Okposo into being 25 again.  Is that the theory?

 

The Sabres either have poorly set organizational goals, or a roster unequipped to achieve goals.  Or both.  A lot of teams make the playoffs in the NHL.  It isn't a big ask at all.

 

The odds of a random team missing the NHL playoffs 8 straight years are roughly three tenths of one percent.  Once that lofty goal has been achieved, there is no reason whatsoever for a team to have a hopeless roster that relies on guys who can't do a chin up for their turnaround.

Edited September 7, 2019 by 4merper4mer

[plenzmd1]

1 hour ago, ChevyVanMiller said:

Cozens outshines #1 pick Jack Hughes as Sabres roll to 6-4 win.

 

https://espnrochester.radio.com/articles/wgr-am-article/sabres-come-out-flying-front-full-harborcenter-0

this kid needs to make the roster..i know, game has gone away from this..maybe the Sabres need to be the hardest working team again to get some mojo back

 

 

[JohnC]

The below link is an article by Mike Harrington from the Buffalo News. The article focuses on Eichel but the most interesting part is the last section on Risto and his attitude if he is kept. I may be over-interpreting that small segment but the impression is that there is a determination to move him. 

 

https://buffalonews.com/2019/09/06/buffalo-sabres-jack-eichel-nhl-mike-harrington/?view=getnewpost

[4merper4mer]

11 minutes ago, JohnC said:

The below link is an article by Mike Harrington from the Buffalo News. The article focuses on Eichel but the most interesting part is the last section on Risto and his attitude if he is kept. I may be over-interpreting that small segment but the impression is that there is a determination to move him. 

 

https://buffalonews.com/2019/09/06/buffalo-sabres-jack-eichel-nhl-mike-harrington/?view=getnewpost

That ought to increase his value.  Well played yet again Botts.

 

[snafu]

19 minutes ago, JohnC said:

The below link is an article by Mike Harrington from the Buffalo News. The article focuses on Eichel but the most interesting part is the last section on Risto and his attitude if he is kept. I may be over-interpreting that small segment but the impression is that there is a determination to move him. 

 

https://buffalonews.com/2019/09/06/buffalo-sabres-jack-eichel-nhl-mike-harrington/?view=getnewpost

 

Eichel’s quote about that smacks of  either a “leader” who doesn’t get along with Risto, or someone who knows that a Risto trade is a foregone conclusion, or both.

 

"I think everyone is expecting him to show up, right? He's under contract," Eichel said. "But I can't really comment on that much. I'm not Risto. I'm not Jason, doing Jason's job. If he's in the locker room at camp, part of the team, I think you go about business normally. You want him to be completely bought in and want to be there, but I guess we'll see what happens in the next week."

 

 

[4merper4mer]

35 minutes ago, snafu said:

 

Eichel’s quote about that smacks of  either a “leader” who doesn’t get along with Risto, or someone who knows that a Risto trade is a foregone conclusion, or both.

 

"I think everyone is expecting him to show up, right? He's under contract," Eichel said. "But I can't really comment on that much. I'm not Risto. I'm not Jason, doing Jason's job. If he's in the locker room at camp, part of the team, I think you go about business normally. You want him to be completely bought in and want to be there, but I guess we'll see what happens in the next week."

 

 

Eichel is from Mass.  Those guys aren't always easy.

[JohnC]

4 hours ago, plenzmd1 said:

this kid needs to make the roster..i know, game has gone away from this..maybe the Sabres need to be the hardest working team again to get some mojo back

 

 

I understand your sentiment about Pekar and the need for an infusion of energy and pugnacity to the team. The bigger issue is what is in his best interests for his development. If he went back to the juniors or played in Rochester he would get an abundance of playing time, maybe 20 minutes or more per game. If he started with the Sabres he probably wouldn't be getting more than 10 to 14 minutes per game. In the long run, or not too distant long run, playing more in the lower levels and using the time to more physically and emotionally develop and hone your skills might be the better approach to take.

 

Last year, there was a consideration to have Olofsson start the season with the Sabres. The organization decided to start him off in Rochester where he thrived. They then brought him up at the end of the year dwhere he played well. Tage Thompson started last season with Buffalo and mightily struggled. He was eventually sent back to Rochester where he regained his confidence and his game. I had no problem with exposing him to the NHL but for the sake of his development he should have been sent down sooner.

 

Yzerman is one of the best GM's in the game. He was instrumental in building two long term successful franchises in Tampa and Detroit. He recently went back to Detroit to take over that flagging operation. In an interview at the draft he was asked what would he do to help Detroit get back to being successful again. He succinctly stated: Draft and develop. That's the standard process for success in the NHL. And that is what Botts is currently doing.  

Edited September 7, 2019 by JohnC
spelling

[BillsFan4]

https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/sharpen-up-september-7-2019/c-308966952

 

prospect challenge continues tonight at 7pm. It will again be streamed live on Sabres.com.

 

It was a pretty good showing by the Sabres prospects last night. I was impressed with the first 2 periods. They seemed to let off the gas a bit in the 3rd. They were up 6-1 though. Probably didn’t want to embarrass NJ too much...lol (j/k) 

4 hours ago, snafu said:

 

Eichel’s quote about that smacks of  either a “leader” who doesn’t get along with Risto, or someone who knows that a Risto trade is a foregone conclusion, or both.

 

"I think everyone is expecting him to show up, right? He's under contract," Eichel said. "But I can't really comment on that much. I'm not Risto. I'm not Jason, doing Jason's job. If he's in the locker room at camp, part of the team, I think you go about business normally. You want him to be completely bought in and want to be there, but I guess we'll see what happens in the next week."

 

 

 

Im not reading too much into it. He was asked about the Risto trade comments. What else was he supposed to say?

 

I agree with him.