Rasmus_

I will believe it when it's official per someone more credible. McKenzie, Dreger or an official team release.

You can sign players with physicality. Ristolainen is not going to get any better, and we've seen him for what he is. It's time to make serious changes. Ryan Reeves is an unrestricted free agent and will have offers, but there are other ways to add physicality. Wayne Simmonds, did absolutely nothing for Buffalo. Re-signing him for anything more than a one year contract is a TERRIBLE use of cap. Braden McNabb a former Sabre is said to be available. A left handed defensemen with grit in his game and solid but below average puck mobility.

I agree with you, however where are you getting it from. I don't really see a lot of options out there. Unless you're willing to break the bank on Holtby, or trade for the likes of Matt Murray. I am in the opinion that Holtby will be nothing more than average and again be an abysmal contract. Let alone the fact that he wouldn't likely come to Buffalo as an unrestricted free agent.

I will always be a Sabres fan, regardless of where things stand. This team is so close, but so far away in so many ways. They still need to fix the bottom six forward groups, and it needs to be done creatively with an outside the box approach. I just don't think that Botterill has that in him. Three things need to happen, keep the draft picks or trade them for a legitimate world beater of a second line center. If this team gets a creative centermen who can open up the ice for players like Olofsson, Skinner, Kahun, Johansson, and Reinhart then we've got a top six. There is enough skill talent in that group with a player like a Sean Monahan (as an example) where we would instantly have the ability to balance things out. With a player like Monahan on this roster, you can easily facilitate and gradually bring in Cozens and Mittelstadt without as much pressure. Creating more depth and opportunities. If you have a win it out third line center role with Cozens and Mittelstadt and then re-sign Larsson to a contract he deserves, you have a strong pipeline down the middle. TWO: Trade Rasmus Ristolainen. Botterill has shown the ability to acquire talent on the defensive side. Whether they fit logistically: Miller / Montour, the jury is still out. However, Joker has been a godsend for this team in analytics terms an is possibly the best trade pick up in years for this team. Three: Fix the goal tending. Get a legit number one starter or draft Askarov at #8 overall. Yes, I'm serious.

The Pegula's are as much the problem as Botterill and Murray were before them. Coming off a career year Skinner deserved and got the contract he deserved. However, the way that Krueger utilized him this season was absolutely a joke. He should be playing with Jack, regardless. In addition, I do believe that Botterill attempted to acquire a second line center and it just didn't work out in the cards based on offers at the deadline. That being said, this team needs to jettison more players and clear out some of the flack. I love Rasmus Ristolainen's game overall. While he's got his warts, it's time to move him and go in a different direction. Give the defense over to Dahlin and build from there. The entire fundamental process needs to change. In addition, stop trading draft picks for players who are well past their prime. **Cough** Wayne Simmonds. **Cough** Michal Frolik. I'm not sure what they need to do, but they need to be more creative. I'm sure Botterill attempts to bring guys in from Europe, but they need to focus more on that, and start elevating the team up in different avenues similarly to how San Jose or Toronto does (with Russian players). Which pains me to mention the Leafs in any high light.

I knew it was Leino, by far. It was more of a sarcastic quip.

It's nice to see him succeeding. Especially in his home market. I really hope he gets a good run with them.

What a ***** clown. Who was worse Leino or Bogosian?

I like that he used two assets to add and upgrade the team while getting more speed into the line up, and not including anything extra or settling for middling returns. I hate to admit when Jason does something good. As I've really soured on him in the last 6 months.

That is so true! I'm assuming it ends up being Cozens, but we'll see.

We still have no number two center. ?

He played a healthy 82 games when he signed out of Europe with Chicago. He's been unlucky this year. They're just bitter. I love this move.

Kahun is a fabulous young player, but he's not a center.

The news, seems to have dried up, like the state I live in....Arizona.

31 year old on the back half of a heavy minutes career. If Simmonds is extended, I might puke. He's got no upside long term. We already have a mid 30's cap albatross in Okposo.

A team in the bottom three, or a team six points out, close to home? Why is this some big accomplishment.

We'll be drafting another center in this draft in the first round.

Kevin Bieksa, and I'm paraphrasing said, "You show respect to Simmonds. And trade him to NOT BUFFALO."

So perhaps Turris isn't the right player. It was an example of a player with term that has his warts but would be an upgrade. We can all disagree on the merits of my argument with him per say. However, waiting until unrestricted free agency guarantees nothing when we're a laughing stock around the league. When a former retired goon of a player on his first televised trade deadline day, makes a crack about Buffalo involving Simmonds. It shows some sort of merit of the frustration I'm coming from. I am in no way trying to disrespect other posters. But, we're putting square pegs in round holes. Botterill needs to go!

So is watching Skinner on the third line making 9M, a former Canadian wonderkin on his list shot making draws on the second or third line. The fact that Larsson has been our second best center since we traded O'Reilly. Do I need to go on with what we've seen at the center ice position in the last year plus?

I'm assuming a guy like Turris who has decent return, can be had for a slightly cheaper cost even possibly with some slight retention. I am that desperate for someone who can create. Haula would have been the ideal guy.

You still can likely get someone who is an upgrade over what we have, which is literally NOTHING. Mittelstadt needs the year to get his mojo back, and work on his ability. That's fine, however, there have been way too many quick fixes on this god damned team.

Keep Johansson, waive Hammond, buyout Hutton. Claim whomever is put on waivers for a roster spot this afternoon. Problem solved. Hutton is another cheap fix that didn't work. I was one who was hopeful when we got him on the cheap, but he is garbage.

Acquire someone who can be more creative than a bust in Lazar playing off position and Johansson. Don't you see that we're not going anywhere with just Jack Eichel. Are you this inept to add a former good player who yes has more points than half of our roster, which says more about your pathetic excuse as a general manager than anything, when you WON'T SACK UP and acquire even someone semi competent down the middle.

More proof to my stance. Get the ***** out of Buffalo, Jason Botterill.