7+6=13

I'm no expert but I've really tried to learn hockey over the last 6-7 years. I watch nearly every Sabres game and try to find time to watch other games. I see Reinhart as a role player on a good team. Maybe that will be the rate in a few years for a role player and paying a little more the first couple years is a factor. I like Sam, I just don't think the things he doesn't do well will get better with time even with him being such a young player.

IMO, signing Reinhart to 7 - 7.5 mil per would be a mistake. I wouldn't do it. I know that's an unpopular opinion at the moment with Kane and O'Reilly just leaving - but he's not the type of player that I want at those numbers. Paying him just because we're sore about losing talent is not a reason. I realize folks have other reasons but I just don't like his game enough.

I know - I was just funnin' with ya

I don't get it. First you say we're good, then you say we're not good.

I know the answer - seems we agree. My only issue is ROR was unprofessional in the way he handled it and had to go. You jettison players that make comments like that - it's unacceptable. Totally understand feeling that way but you can't say it - not in this sport.

Who or what is bringing this absolute no expectation of winning? I'm honestly not being snarky - it's a legit question. Was it Bylsma, Housley, GMTM, JBot, Eichel, Pegula's - I mean who is responsible for this mystery spirit of losing that crushes excellent players who can't stomach losing? I think it's BS and much more simple. We aren't a talented enough team,. It's the same as when ROR and Kane were here and replacing them with Dahlin and Skinner - the entire middle of our lineup just isn't good enough to field an NHL team. In regards to ROR, I thought he played very good and I think he was too hard on himself because I saw for the most part a guy giving effort. However, he had a meltdown unacceptable for my second highest player and a leader to have. For that he's got to go and I'm not paying any bonus even if it means I get less in a trade. I get it, we suck and we lose a lot, but that doesn't make his ridiculous actions right. He admitted it's an honor to play in the NHL and he needs to fix his mental deficiencies. Well you do that somewhere else Sir. So the Sabres still stink and have a spirit of losing that can only be explained as supernatural - because there's been enough change that it's not people - and ROR wasn't a problem? That's a no from me. He's a mental puss that found an easier route that suites him better.

Wow I didn't realize what we got for ROR until you just told me. You don't think I know we lost the trade? Ultimate taboo, yes. So you think JBot could have gotten a lot more for ROR but just decided not to? It's amazing that you want us to believe that.

I certainly wish it was better. I'm just not going to torch JBot for the trade. Every team had a shot to trade for him and that's what we got - the market spoke. On 4/09/18 he said "Upon self reflection, I wasn't mentally tough enough this year. We are stuck in this mindset of being ok with losing and it creeped into myself. I lost myself alot and just being ok with making mistakes. It's disappointing and sad. I lost the love of the games multiple times." That's just not a player that you can bring back after that, IMO, and it's also a player that isn't going to get you a lot of return in the NHL. The things he said, while I totally appreciate his honesty, is the ultimate taboo in the NHL.

I stand by ROR needed to go. He's on a team that doesn't need him to be a leader on and off the ice - we did.

Our first line and 4th lines aren't the issue - of course the 1st line will be without Skinner. The 2nd and 3rd lines are the problem. We're having to shuffle first line guys to the 2nd to make it stronger and 4th line talent is playing 3rd line. That's not working. We need to Skinner, a 2nd line center, a top 6 winger and a top 4 defensman, IMO to be better. I doubt we can accomplish all of that in free agency. What we really need is a couple of these young players to come up and be answers. Not just get acclimated to the NHL and continue a slow progression. We need young guys to become important pieces, quick.

I only mean it was a bad deal in hindsight because O'Reilly proved that he wasn't a high priced player with motivation issues and a possible locker room problem. Of course we as fans don't have enough information to know but based on the trade - we deduct that was the issue for not getting more. Again, all we can do is speculate but we have to believe JBot shopped the Blues offer and at least in his view - there wasn't a better one. The market spoke on what teams would give if you believe the deal we took is the indicator.

If you don't think he's a physical player then you don't watch games.

It's JBot's fault in hindsight, yes. Paying the bonus would have been foolish and likely wouldn't have boosted is trade value. It wasn't a money issue - it was the perception of his attitude. Everyone knows his point totals were well worth his contract.

The thing that I like about Girgs and Larry is their physical play. They go in the game and throw their bodies around more than any offensive players we've had in recent memory. They've done it ever how futile the game/season has been. They are a type of 4th line. If the FO has a plan for a scoring 4th line then it should be factored in how much vs giving up the physicality of these two.

I just don't understand this thought. We're a team known for locker room issues (true or not) and O'Reilly was rumored to be a big reason. He said he lost his love of the game at times. IMO, there's nothing worse in NHL circles to be linked to. O'Reilly's value on an awful team with a seemingly loser mentality attitude - isn't JBot's fault. The entire market had an opportunity at O'Reilly and that's what we got.

..... I live in Charlotte and when we go to Raleigh for Sabres games they hate it. When we win there's usually bickering exiting the stadium.

I respect him. On a team where effort has been questioned, he's out there playing with impending surgery in his future.

Oh why do you care? The Sabres are your second team now anyway. Haha

I'll accept any hire with an open mind. I just want it to work. We don't know the players/locker room well enough to know what they need. Hoping JBot does and I'll give him my fan support to pick one more coach.

This can only mean they are trading all of them.

Connor said it was broke. He's negative and that's not a good sign of a leader. Seems like a major problem from that draft class. edit: Sorry I confused you Curtis - there wasn't a sarcasm font to choose from.

Is there someone else I'd rather pay 7.5 million to other than O'Reilly and give Guhle for Montour, Thompson and a 2nd? Yes

Ok, then I agree that there's likely enough young developing players to fill out a decent roster, but there's no one in that group scoring 25+ goals and giving you 25-30 assists. We need production like that or we're in serious trouble.

I know, the likelihood of us getting that 80 point player right away is slim along with our chances of getting good soon. As to the bolded, I could not disagree with you more.

I think the point your making is also the same reason some of us are worried. 15 mil will need to be spent on 2 players (assuming Skinner gets around 9) - I don't think you get 3. We are a lot more than 2-3 players away from being good. I think it's more like 8-9, if I'm being optimistic and if some unknowns work out. We need this years draft pick to be an 80 point player - then we'll have a chance.