Beast Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 On 1/20/2020 at 8:13 PM, Buffalophil1948 said: Wouldn't mind seeing an Ullmark and Jonas J tandem. Anything would be better than Hutton right now I agree. Jonas Jennings would be better than Hutton. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 9 hours ago, JohnC said: The attached link is an 8 min segment with Chad DeDominicis on WGR with Jeremy White. The core of the discussion is that under Krueger Risto has played better making his value go up. The issue as always comes down to is what can you get for Risto in a deal? Jeremy White has for a long time argued to deal him not only for the return but for the sake of changing the mix on the roster. I don't go along with his reasoning. The issue for me comes down to what can you get for him? If you can get a second-line forward such as Winnipeg's Ehler for him then I would be open to such a deal. If not, then keep your asset and don't settle for a lesser asset. https://wgr550.radio.com/media/audio-channel/01-22-chad-dedominicis-from-die-by-the-blade-with-jeremy-white In no way would I trade a first pairing defenseman for a second line forward. That would be a huge blunder. Ristolainen is playing the best hockey of his career. It’s not like he is 30 years old, either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 35 minutes ago, Binghamton Beast said: In no way would I trade a first pairing defenseman for a second line forward. That would be a huge blunder. Ristolainen is playing the best hockey of his career. It’s not like he is 30 years old, either. I'm a Risto supporter. He has upped his game under the coaching of Krueger, and has become one of our better defensemen. Is he a first pairing player? I would say he is more of a second pairing player. I say that as no slight to him because he plays a rugged style of play that the other defensemen don't. With respect to the issue of trading him for a player such as Ehlers I would be open to that type of deal because this team desperately needs more goal scorers beyond the first line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beast Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 12 minutes ago, JohnC said: I'm a Risto supporter. He has upped his game under the coaching of Krueger, and has become one of our better defensemen. Is he a first pairing player? I would say he is more of a second pairing player. I say that as no slight to him because he plays a rugged style of play that the other defensemen don't. With respect to the issue of trading him for a player such as Ehlers I would be open to that type of deal because this team desperately needs more goal scorers beyond the first line. Yes. He is a first pairing defenseman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted January 22, 2020 Share Posted January 22, 2020 Just now, Binghamton Beast said: Yes. He is a first pairing defenseman. I would say Dahlin and the player he is paired with is the first pairing for the Sabres. There is no doubt that Risto has value on the market. And there is no doubt that Dahlin has so much value to the Sabres that he is an untouchable player just as Eichel is. That untouchability does not apply to Risto. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helpmenow Posted January 23, 2020 Share Posted January 23, 2020 3 hours ago, snafu said: Interns who never use spell check. See it on tv as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4merper4mer Posted January 23, 2020 Share Posted January 23, 2020 4 hours ago, JohnC said: I would say Dahlin and the player he is paired with is the first pairing for the Sabres. There is no doubt that Risto has value on the market. And there is no doubt that Dahlin has so much value to the Sabres that he is an untouchable player just as Eichel is. That untouchability does not apply to Risto. I gave that a thumbs up because I like Risto and agree with the Eichel/Dahlin summary. While Risto has value our GM has also shown a proclivity for useless forwards so I'd just keep the good defenseman rather than add yet another Sheary/Vesey/Thompson/Mittlestadt. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted January 23, 2020 Share Posted January 23, 2020 The attached link is a 16 min segment with Marty Biron on WGR. He talked about where Jack rates in the league with the top players and the use of Reinhart on another line. He makes the good point that if Reinhart is moved off of the Jack line that it is imperative to get more production from him on the PP to compensate for him being off the top line. The most interesting part of the interview dealt with Risto and how he is used with the Sabres and his trade value. Marty takes a two prong approach to the Risto issue. The first prong is how best to use him on the Sabres, and the second prong is what is his value on the market. It seems that Marty leans more toward dealing him if you can get good value back. https://wgr550.radio.com/media/audio-channel/01-23-marty-biron-with-howard-and-jeremy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan4 Posted January 24, 2020 Author Share Posted January 24, 2020 NHL skills competition is on tonight at 8pm (EST). Eichel is doing the fastest skater event again (seems like it’ll be a yearly thing...). I still think he has a chance to win it if he has a great run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted January 24, 2020 Share Posted January 24, 2020 32 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said: NHL skills competition is on tonight at 8pm (EST). Eichel is doing the fastest skater event again (seems like it’ll be a yearly thing...). I still think he has a chance to win it if he has a great run. If Eichel raced McDavid in a straight line, he would smoke him. But nobody can turn a corner and accelerate at the same time like McJesus. Somewhere on the interwebs is a breakdown of both of them that explains the different way they achieve high speed on skates. Jack is pure power, able to achieve top speed in a couple strides, whereas McDavid uses more more steps to keep accelerating. Watch how he turns the corner tonight and you’ll notice it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 This link is by Heather Engel from NHL.com. It appears that Skinner will play against Ottawa on a line with Johansson and Frolik. Some reports indicate that Olofsson is on a week to week schedule to return. @BillsFan4 stated that he was going to be at the game. We should soon learn whether he is a jinx or a lucky charm for this forsaken team. The Sabres have won 3 out of the last 4 games. https://www.nhl.com/news/buffalo-sabres-jeff-skinner-update/c-314320428 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taro T Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 11 hours ago, JohnC said: This link is by Heather Engel from NHL.com. It appears that Skinner will play against Ottawa on a line with Johansson and Frolik. Some reports indicate that Olofsson is on a week to week schedule to return. @BillsFan4 stated that he was going to be at the game. We should soon learn whether he is a jinx or a lucky charm for this forsaken team. The Sabres have won 3 out of the last 4 games. https://www.nhl.com/news/buffalo-sabres-jeff-skinner-update/c-314320428 In practice yesterday, Skinner-Johansson-Frolik were a line. (Don't recall which reporter said that.) So, it is very likely, barring a setback that is what they run with tomorrow. The Sabres are the source for the Olofsson injury being week to week. And Sobotka and Thompson, who both had surgery, are officially listed as indefinite. Thompson is out until next season. Sobotka likely won't be back either though he's hoping to play again this season. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 1 hour ago, Taro T said: In practice yesterday, Skinner-Johansson-Frolik were a line. (Don't recall which reporter said that.) So, it is very likely, barring a setback that is what they run with tomorrow. The Sabres are the source for the Olofsson injury being week to week. And Sobotka and Thompson, who both had surgery, are officially listed as indefinite. Thompson is out until next season. Sobotka likely won't be back either though he's hoping to play again this season. I was hoping that Krueger would put Skinner on the Jack line even if it was only until the return of Olofsson in order to get him going. However, the coach has a philosophy of balancing out the lines with one player on the line able to play a more defensive game. I'm not a Vesey basher but it seems to me that having him on the first line doesn't enhance that line very much. This offseason the priority is to add to the second line and make it a more credible and contributing line. We now have a good first line, a more than solid defensive corps and a respectable checking line. With the added cap space from the departure of some of players on the last year contracts the GM should be able to bring in a needed piece or two. What would be helpful to the cause is the development of Mittelstadt. My feelings about him is that he has to earn a spot with the big club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 Paul Hamilton was on a 9 min segment on WGR talking about the Sabres. He talked about the return of Skinner. He mentioned how Lazar has played well enough to replace Asplund and get him sent back down to Rochester. He was also candid enough to acknowledge that the Sabres' chances to make the playoffs were improbable. https://wgr550.radio.com/media/audio-channel/01-27-paul-hamilton-with-howard-and-jeremy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4merper4mer Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 I saw some highlights of the mascot game on All Star weekend and it looks like even Sabretooth was selected by Botts. He'll be in Rochester soon. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taro T Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 2 hours ago, JohnC said: I was hoping that Krueger would put Skinner on the Jack line even if it was only until the return of Olofsson in order to get him going. However, the coach has a philosophy of balancing out the lines with one player on the line able to play a more defensive game. I'm not a Vesey basher but it seems to me that having him on the first line doesn't enhance that line very much. This offseason the priority is to add to the second line and make it a more credible and contributing line. We now have a good first line, a more than solid defensive corps and a respectable checking line. With the added cap space from the departure of some of players on the last year contracts the GM should be able to bring in a needed piece or two. What would be helpful to the cause is the development of Mittelstadt. My feelings about him is that he has to earn a spot with the big club. Thought he might put Skinner with Eichel, but it's pretty clear that he wants Skinner and Johansson together. Which, in fairness, was a very good pairing early in the season before Johansson tailed off (probably due to an undisclosed injury and a few games prior to Sobotka's injury). While Frolik isn't a 2nd liner, he's better than Vlad and that line should be effective. Agree that improving the 2nd line should be a priority. Would prefer it to be a priority now rather than the off-season. Would really like to see a guy that could be an effective 2C for 2 years brought in, so he could slide to 3C when/should Mittelstadt or Cozens be ready to take that role from the new guy. That, and a goalie to team w/Ullmark need to be priorities 1 & 1A this off-season. (Without going crazy on the G, as if they end up w/ a really good one then they lose Ullmark to Seattle rather than their 4th D-man.) Also, based on this morning's line combos, it looks like Girgensons will get another chance with Rrinhart and Eichel while Vesey slides to Lazar's line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 Just wasted $20 on the Sabres at +3500 to win the East. Bovada does not seem to have bet for just making the playoffs, or I would have bet that for that first. Winning the division was +7500, but no way in hell can i see that a possibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 31 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said: Just wasted $20 on the Sabres at +3500 to win the East. Bovada does not seem to have bet for just making the playoffs, or I would have bet that for that first. Winning the division was +7500, but no way in hell can i see that a possibility. Do you gamble for the purpose of losing money? You should have just gone to a fast food joint and bought yourself lunch. At least you would have gotten some fatty caloric value out of your money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 Just now, JohnC said: Do you gamble for the purpose of losing money? You should have just gone to a fast food joint and bought yourself lunch. At least you would have gotten some fatty caloric value out of your money. Its $20, two beers. They suck, but eh who knows? I would also take a similar bet but in the other direction if i could get that they finish behind the Senators at +1500 or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 Just now, plenzmd1 said: Its $20, two beers. They suck, but eh who knows? I would also take a similar bet but in the other direction if i could get that they finish behind the Senators at +1500 or so. Keep your money in your pocket this year. Next year is when you should make a calculated gamble on the team. As a gambler you should know that it is all about the timing. As of right now your gambling clock is askew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 2 minutes ago, JohnC said: Keep your money in your pocket this year. Next year is when you should make a calculated gamble on the team. As a gambler you should know that it is all about the timing. As of right now your gambling clock is askew. Only bet next year is whether BOTS gets a 5th offseason after not making the playoffs again 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 1 hour ago, Taro T said: Thought he might put Skinner with Eichel, but it's pretty clear that he wants Skinner and Johansson together. Which, in fairness, was a very good pairing early in the season before Johansson tailed off (probably due to an undisclosed injury and a few games prior to Sobotka's injury). While Frolik isn't a 2nd liner, he's better than Vlad and that line should be effective. Agree that improving the 2nd line should be a priority. Would prefer it to be a priority now rather than the off-season. Would really like to see a guy that could be an effective 2C for 2 years brought in, so he could slide to 3C when/should Mittelstadt or Cozens be ready to take that role from the new guy. That, and a goalie to team w/Ullmark need to be priorities 1 & 1A this off-season. (Without going crazy on the G, as if they end up w/ a really good one then they lose Ullmark to Seattle rather than their 4th D-man.) Also, based on this morning's line combos, it looks like Girgensons will get another chance with Rrinhart and Eichel while Vesey slides to Lazar's line. I would rather wait for the offseason to make a deal to improve the second line because with the good cap situation we should be better able toparlay that chip to make a more impacting deal. As of right now the only player who could bring that caliber of player is Risto. If he is going to be dealt then his value to get a bigger return increases with the wise use of the cap space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 2 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said: Only bet next year is whether BOTS gets a 5th offseason after not making the playoffs again Next year is going to be his make or break year. I'm sure you disagree but I believe he has put this franchise in a good position to have his bump up year next year. My advice to you is to be patient and trust the process. It will come sooner than you think. Trust me; I will not lead you astray. ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 (edited) The attached link is Krueger giving a 10 minute WGR interview about where the Sabres are. He made an interesting comment about Montour and the effect of shifting him from the right to left side. https://wgr550.radio.com/media/audio-channel/01-27-ralph-krueger Edited January 28, 2020 by JohnC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4merper4mer Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 3 hours ago, JohnC said: Next year is going to be his make or break year. I'm sure you disagree but I believe he has put this franchise in a good position to have his bump up year next year. My advice to you is to be patient and trust the process. It will come sooner than you think. Trust me; I will not lead you astray. ? Unlike McBeane's process of plugging in players that fit a winning system, Botts has plugged in players that are not useful in any system. Ok, maybe a minor league system. Go Amerks. The Sabres aren't going to win consistently until they get a real GM. Unlike Murray, I do hope Botts gets some sort of administrative job somewhere because he seems like a decent guy. I also wouldn't mind seeing him get a head scout role for a division rival. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greybeard Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 23 minutes ago, 4merper4mer said: Unlike McBeane's process of plugging in players that fit a winning system, Botts has plugged in players that are not useful in any system. Ok, maybe a minor league system. Go Amerks. The Sabres aren't going to win consistently until they get a real GM. Unlike Murray, I do hope Botts gets some sort of administrative job somewhere because he seems like a decent guy. I also wouldn't mind seeing him get a head scout role for a division rival. When you have the money for a fast food meal and you walk into a 5 star restaurant, it is difficult if not impossible to obtain anything. That has been Botts' problem. He has nothing of value to upgrade with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4merper4mer Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 15 minutes ago, Greybeard said: When you have the money for a fast food meal and you walk into a 5 star restaurant, it is difficult if not impossible to obtain anything. That has been Botts' problem. He has nothing of value to upgrade with. Sheary Vesey Mittlestadt Thompson. One was drafted; a draft pick has value. One was received for O'Reilly. ROR had value. Two were signed to free agent contracts and they both suck. This does not inspire confidence in his talent evaluation skills. On top of that, crappy players like Erod and Bogo are dissatisfied and their minimal value has decreased even more. A GM is an asset manager and the idea is to increase the value of your assets. If you start out with hundreds or billions you still want the value to increase. Botts simply has not done that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbb Posted January 27, 2020 Share Posted January 27, 2020 So, this monthlong vacation - how much of it was the All Star break, and how much of it was the bye? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan4 Posted January 28, 2020 Author Share Posted January 28, 2020 23 hours ago, JohnC said: This link is by Heather Engel from NHL.com. It appears that Skinner will play against Ottawa on a line with Johansson and Frolik. Some reports indicate that Olofsson is on a week to week schedule to return. @BillsFan4 stated that he was going to be at the game. We should soon learn whether he is a jinx or a lucky charm for this forsaken team. The Sabres have won 3 out of the last 4 games. https://www.nhl.com/news/buffalo-sabres-jeff-skinner-update/c-314320428 ? Hey, don’t blame me if they lose this one. I’ll be out of town! Thursday you can blame me if they lose though. I’ll be at the game Thursday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 12 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said: ? Hey, don’t blame me if they lose this one. I’ll be out of town! Thursday you can blame me if they lose though. I’ll be at the game Thursday. I will still blame you even if you are out of town because your karma is ubiquitous. ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 2 hours ago, bbb said: So, this monthlong vacation - how much of it was the All Star break, and how much of it was the bye? Each team is mandated a full week off for their bye week. This year, none of the Sabres bye revolved around the all star game since their week ended on Saturday and they returned to practice on Sunday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 16 hours ago, Greybeard said: When you have the money for a fast food meal and you walk into a 5 star restaurant, it is difficult if not impossible to obtain anything. That has been Botts' problem. He has nothing of value to upgrade with. He had the money for a 5 star restaurant when he got here, then decided a bunch of fast food pigouts was more advantages...the cap mess is 100% his doing. Only guys on this team with cap numbers and term that he inherited are Risto and Okposo...he has re- singed or traded for every other single player 13 hours ago, K-9 said: Each team is mandated a full week off for their bye week. This year, none of the Sabres bye revolved around the all star game since their week ended on Saturday and they returned to practice on Sunday. Huh? Past week was their bye no? BTW, cant wait to see the old axiom come out tonight"took them a while to get their legs, and by that time was to late" and "hey . after all Ottawa had the benefit of playing last night and the Sabres have been off for while, what can ya expect?"...as an explanation of why they lose to a bottom feeding tam with like 4 road wins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 1 minute ago, plenzmd1 said: He had the money for a 5 star restaurant when he got here, then decided a bunch of fast food pigouts was more advantages...the cap mess is 100% his doing. Only guys on this team with cap numbers and term that he inherited are Risto and Okposo...he has re- singed or traded for every other single player Huh? Past week was their bye no? BTW, cant wait to see the old axiom come out tonight"took them a while to get their legs, and by that time was to late" and "hey . after all Ottawa had the benefit of playing last night and the Sabres have been off for while, what can ya expect?"...as an explanation of why they lose to a bottom feeding tam with like 4 road wins Just saying they didn’t get any days off due to the all star game. Their seven day bye was from the 19th thru the 25th, regardless. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 This is a 9 min WGR link with Jason Botterill answering questions about the Sabres. There is nothing illuminating about his responses. Basically indicating that he is staying the course. His most interesting comments dealt with Mittelstadt and how he was doing in Rochester. https://wgr550.radio.com/media/audio-channel/01-28-jason-botterill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbb Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 6 hours ago, K-9 said: Just saying they didn’t get any days off due to the all star game. Their seven day bye was from the 19th thru the 25th, regardless. And, what did other teams get for the All Star break? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snafu Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 9 minutes ago, bbb said: And, what did other teams get for the All Star break? Not screwed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted January 28, 2020 Share Posted January 28, 2020 33 minutes ago, bbb said: And, what did other teams get for the All Star break? 23 minutes ago, snafu said: Not screwed? I would need to check the list of bye weeks for each team, but there are several that are off this week so those teams would have gotten those couple days leading up to the all star game. I doubt those teams end up getting more than the 10 days we ended up getting between games, though. It’s probably pretty even throughout the league. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4merper4mer Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 5 hours ago, JohnC said: This is a 9 min WGR link with Jason Botterill answering questions about the Sabres. There is nothing illuminating about his responses. Basically indicating that he is staying the course. His most interesting comments dealt with Mittelstadt and how he was doing in Rochester. https://wgr550.radio.com/media/audio-channel/01-28-jason-botterill "Nothing Illuminating" basically describes Botts sad tenure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbb Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 1 hour ago, K-9 said: I would need to check the list of bye weeks for each team, but there are several that are off this week so those teams would have gotten those couple days leading up to the all star game. I doubt those teams end up getting more than the 10 days we ended up getting between games, though. It’s probably pretty even throughout the league. But, most teams would get two smaller breaks, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted January 29, 2020 Share Posted January 29, 2020 1 hour ago, bbb said: But, most teams would get two smaller breaks, right? Each team gets a mandated seven consecutive days off. No practice, no games. Conceivably, the all star game could have extended that a day or two for some teams, but not many, I assume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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