Derrico

Earn it.

When has this happened since Drury/Briere? I know it has, but more regularly than other franchises? Should add I am also sick of overpaying for good but not great players. I realize Skinner is better but we are still paying for overpaying Okposo and just finished overpaying Molson. This is after overpaying Ehroff, Leino.......way more players we've thrown that extra $1.5 mil to than refused to pay the extra $1.5 IMO. Edit - Should also add that if you look around the league at teams in cap hell it's usually because they've overpaid their middle of the road players. Again, please don't quote me saying I think Skinner is middle of the road because I realize he isn't. I just want to make sure there's money available when Dahlin comes up and this team is hopefully in a position to make a real run.

Ya I think this draft will make it difficult to judge this theory as well. There are several, very viable non-CHL players who would be a good pick at 7. You're right, for this draft about the only way we know is if a guy like Byram is sitting there at 7 and Botts passes (which is unlikely to happen). Again, oustside the first round I don't mind Botts approach. The AHL/CHL agreement limits the control you have on the prospect. Considering after say pick 50 it's a complete crapshoot anyways then I have no problem slanting away from the CHL unless you are taking a clearly inferior player (which I don't think is happening). Pick 7, I really can't see this playing much of a roll as you're expecting whoever it is to make the Sabres by year D2 or D3. Nylander is the exception, not the rule when it comes to top 10 picks. You have to assume he will be playing in the NHL by the start of D3 or something has gone wrong.

This is fair. Again, my comments were not directed just at you as this seems to be a narrative. I'm just saying that the strategy has some merit with non top 10 picks but I'll be shocked if it's even a factor at all when picking who you think will be the best player at 7OA. As mentioned, Botts himself is Canadian and he's had extensive work with Hockey Canada. It's just been a coincidence our last two first rounders played outside of the CHL.

Not only is he Canadian but he friggen works with HOCKEY CANADA.

There's no proof Botts has the bolded as any major evaluation factor in the first round. No Dahlin and Mitts didn't play in the CHL but I bet if they did it would have been the same pick. Dahlin would be the pick if he played on the moon. In the 2018 draft Mitts was one of 2 or 3 obvious selections based on the 'experts.' Later round picks, it does make sense to lean slightly in favor of NCAA as you do have basically an extra year of evaluation. These time periods really matter for guys taken outside the first round. There's also the ability to sign them earlier to the AHL. If we're discuss picking number 7 overall I would be shocked if Botts cared at all about playing in the CHL. Whoever is selected at 7 will be more of a sure thing and the extra year at the end should not matter either way. In fact I'm really hoping he takes a CHL player at 7 so this narrative can go away (not directing this at you). For picks starting even at 30/31 then yes, CHL will probably knock guys down a peg or two.

I could be wrong but I think to Modo it was basically Gronberg or bust.

Didn't someone report yesterday almost the exact same thing except it was in the Sabres court right now?

And now Jason never interacts with the fans again...

I would jump all over this as a buy low candidate.

Yep agreed. This also goes with the narrative I've heard that the English Premiere League uses this kind of technology at an advanced level. I've also heard some rumblings from past management (including Botts) who praised the Sabres analytics department. I was unsure of the hire at first but I'm getting on board. He seems like a natural leader and maybe a great fit for the organization today. This young teams needs a true leader personality as a coach and someone that can effectively maximize the analytic department that is already established. He checks both boxes in spades. Let's surround him with some assistants that thrive with x's and o's and this could turn into something special. I've been fooled before so I'll wait for actual results but as of June 5th let's go!

Yep. And the job was essentially offered to tippet but based on salary structure and timing of everything I think it’s clear to see botts had Krueger ranked higher than tippet. Again, disproving this source has any accurate knowledge of the way things are operating. Also like to say that I LOVE reading the latest rumours etc but I’m very impressed how little info is leaking out of the sabres now of days.

You will have to excuse him. He’s been fasting for awhile now ? @New Scotland (NS) - just a couple more days of Ramadan. Almost there!

Ya he has no source or atleast isn’t always accurate.

Sigh.......I hope this works out..... Completely agree. If he walks he walks. This is a more than fair offer to Jeff imo.

Leave the raptors out of this!

No ***** way the leafs get out of another awful contract (even if only one year left). That team is cash strapped, has to sign Marner and somehow fix their d. Nobody better be doing them any friggen favours.

Although I completely agree with you the last two sentences were completely unnecessary.

Fair. I can take that conversation over there.

@nfreeman - Are you saying you would rather give a big 8 year deal to Skinner over Reino? Usually we're on a similar wave length but I could not disagree more if that's what you are saying.

Wowzers. This is a very bold take. Those are unrealistic expectations imo. He's only scored 35+ twice in his whole career. No way he's a lock to do that the next 5 straight years. Also, what 'playoff type goals?' He's never played in a playoff game and his scoring dried up late last season when the Sabres needed him most.

No chance I'm going near 76. I honestly don't know if I'm getting to 72.

I agree with you. But because Skinner wouldnt' do it shows a bit that it's not necessarily in Buffalo's best interest to get to his number either.

I will say he's damn good when he's on and he's a great fit to play with Jack. However, I wonder, based on his size, how he performs when the going gets tough. He went on that big scoring drought late in the season when teams tightened up and frankly the Sabres needed him most. He's not a perfect player. He's very nice but I don't want to overpay for very nice to be honest. I wish I knew how good he would be in the playoffs but he has never made it. I donno. Again, I really like him but there are a couple of red flags and I'm just not willing to overpay for him.