Derrico

All of this on a more than fair deal that has 3 more years left. It's shocking to me we all just seem ok that a trade will go down and we're moving on from him. This better not be the ROR return if he does get dealt.

Can we all just acknowledge Risto was the 26th highest scoring Dman in the league last year? On a terrible team that had trouble scoring. He is a defensive liability but he is a tough sob that I would love to see if we ever make the playoffs and he puts up points. Shelter his D responsibility and let's see what he looks like.

These are all fair points and again, if the deal brings significant return then sure. Otherwise, in an era were Karlsson is signing for $11.5 mil there is something to be said for paying Risto $5.4. Cap management is still very important and this is a very fair deal. Risto isn't the savior but if we're paying him and playing him further down the lineup I think about him much differently. Oh come on. I think we're going too far the other way on Risto now.....

Having said all that if a deal comes for a very good second line centre and there’s a clear plan in place to add another rhd then fine. But nobody should be surprised when he goes to Tampa, plays 19 min a night including power play time and absolutely thrives. Why can’t we do that here? The cost to acquire another second pairing rhd will not be cheap and I’m not ready for Nelson to get those minutes.

I Donna man. Obviously Pheneuf is shot now but I would say hes comparable to phenuf at 24. Imagine what he would have done if the leafs gave him any support. They used him like we use Risto. Then he gets traded to Ottawa and I thought he was a big part of that team that nearly went to the cup. He’s a similar guy in that he’s not a number one or probably two. Use him to his situational strengths as a second pairing? I bet he will thrive. Another nice bonus? We’re paying him exactly like a second pairing guy for three more years!

There are other small pieces but that is what botts big moves would boil down too. I think I prefer these three. But I also recognize I’m much higher on Montour than most. He is a solid 2 or really good 3 on a good team. We have Dahlin, we have Montour, we’re getting closer on D. Another topic but that’s why I’m not in a huge rush to trade Risto. I really feel Dahlin and Montour are ready for big minutes this year. Risto either slotting second pair or atleast playing similar minutes to Montour and I think we will see a better Risto. If they keep him and he has a better/break out season you can thank the Montour trade. Risto is still only 24. This is the first time we have had a legit top 4 rhd that I can think of. Kind of want to see how that plays out. Now there is an opportunity to play Risto situationally to his strengths instead of running him out there 28 min a night in all situations.

Player salaries getting out of control shortly before another contract? Can you say strike/ lockout??

Yep exactly. That’s on Murray and his scouting staff. We can’t have another nylander level prospect come from this pick.

Man it looks like there should be some nice potential available at 7. Just praying botts gets the right guy. You know atleast one of the 5 or 6 names we keep hearing will likely bust or severely underperform.

I am really rooting hard for this guy. Almost unanimous knee jerk reaction from Sabrespace when he was the pick. Shows that it's fun to run mock drafts etc. and want the Sabres to draft 'your guy' but professional scouts also have a clue at what's going on.

This is one of those years that there is almost no way I can love or hate the pick. There is no consensus at 7 and probably 6 or 7 viable names that could be taken there.

Wow. That is crazy.

I'm telling you the hype is criminally under-rated around here for this trade. Montour is a very good player and I can't wait to see what he does for a full season here (especially if he's paired with Dahlin).

My other post didn’t get deleted in the move I hope.

My bad. I posted the last two in the wrong thread. Anyway mods could move to ROR trade sucked thread? Sorry about that.

This is a whole other discussion but I would strongly disagree with you again. Take away the ROR trade and he's doing fine. To me, the Skinner deal makes up for it. If we're not in the playoffs or knocking next year then I'm with you. I think our last couple drafts seem promising, the cap is somewhat manageable right now and core pieces are here today. I think it was you that said when you have your franchise C and franchise D already you're never that far away. I thought that was well put. If Botts is competent he can do enough this summer to get us a playoff worthy roster by October.

@TrueBlueGED So, the big trade goes down for ROR at the draft in 2015. The Sabres then make the long term contract extension shortly after for $7.5 mil per season. At the time that was a pretty big contract. Yes he is worth it. But remember only 3 years ago it was before McDavid changed the landscape of contracts. The ROR deal was still fairly substantial at the time. I'm sure Pegula's had him on their yaht etc. They're active owners and I have no problem with that stuff but I'm sure there were conversations around ROR leading this young group of players. Make no mistake they brought him in for two reasons. Firstly because he is a good player that could help them win but there was also a substantial part of this move to have the veteran show the young guys the way. Anyways, a few days later they sign his brother Cal to a two year $1.4 mil one way contract. That is a gift from Pegula to his brother. He played a total of 20 games for the Sabres and is exactly what everyone knew he was; a decent AHL player but nobody who is so sought after such that he should be given a one way deal. He was never expected to contribute much so the one way deal was nothing more than a financial gift. So what happens next? Well, this thread touches the tip of the iceberg with hazings etc. and how Cal had a hand in ruining Nylander. Then ROR goes through all of the 'I'm so sad' pressers and finally ends last season with the famous 'loss of love for the game.' Pegula (rich guy who usually gets what he wants) invested so much money in this players contract, intentionally overpaid for his brother and likely has had several discussions regarding the leadership this franchise needs. There are more than whispers (dark is a reliable poster but have also heard from others as well) that ROR is a dick in the room. I'm sure Pegula feels betrayed. ROR is the opposite of what they needed in a leader (coming off all the TM/DB lack of communication crap) and his brother screws with the franchises previous first round pick. It all comes back to why did the trade get made prior to the bonus? There were rumors (yes only rumor) that Carolina, whom has a cash strapped owner, would want his GM to make a trade after the Sabres made the bonus payment. If there was more to get in a trade if Botts only had to wait one more day he obviously would. Pegula has proven time again that he is willing to pay to make his team better (several ex coaches are still being paid, Leino and all the player buy outs included). You only don't wait until the bonus payment if Pegula will not on principle. Not saying it's right or wrong but ROR and his brother absolutely betrayed Pegula. Another discussion could be whether Botts tried hard enough to talk Pegula out of it but there is enough evidence here to lead me to believe Pegula said I'm not paying this guy (or his brother) another ***** dime. Wish Botts got more but if that's how it went down I could almost understand it.

@TrueBlueGED - Not that I love reviving this thread. But I will lay out my point here. Give me a half hour or so.

Pride man. You screw over a billionaire and you're done. Terry has blown money on worse (ex-coaches). You only do that out of spite and pride. This is where we disagree I guess.

Last comment on ROR but I think it’s more than just plausible ownership told Botts to trade ROR. Why wouldn’t he wait until after the bonus was paid to make a trade? It was reported Carolina had a good offer but only if it was after the roster bonus. Why would botts trade him right before?

So much this. I know it’s the off-season optimism but botts is sitting with a real opportunity here. This team has the core that should be good enough to compete. I really like Risto but if Botts can pull off a big move I’ll be suckered back into thinking playoffs. Have to get this trade right. The difference between this trade and ROR is he doesn’t at all have to trade Risto. Sounds like there is a lot of demand out there (for a 24 year old right hand d I’m not too surprised). Maximize this return if you do want to love on. Risto cap hit isn’t bad either.

Lots of talk about getting Miller from Tampa. I don’t really know much of him. He was pretty highly thought of in ny and then disappointed in Tampa? What would we be getting here? Good second line centre?

I'm really looking forward to seeing what Botts and RK can accomplish together. I have faith they are both smart men. Hopefully they continue surrounding themselves with others who can aide in player evaluation. I'm sure it's not just Botts opinion when discussing trades. I'm sure he's speaking constantly with his pro and amateur scouting staff.

Oh come on, not you too!!

I agree. Botts always sounds to me like a draft and develop kind of guy. But I think after last seasons hot start, fan base ready to revolt, ownership may be applying some pressure. who would you look to use the pick on? Any names in mind?