Derrico

Pettersson is having a great year out in Vancouver. Otherwise Dahlin would be running away with the Rookie of the Year award.

You build up the rest of your team. We have a franchise centre AND a franchise D. Christ almighty we just need management to not screw this up. Those two pieces are the hardest to find. The rest should be much easier to fill. Maybe it's just blind faith but I still don't think this turnaround should take more than 2 more years.

And that's where the Sabres have some leverage. They are the only team who can offer this. I would rather barf than sign anyone over 24 to an 8 year deal but if Skinner agrees to a reasonable aav then fine. Otherwise he's only getting the 7 max.

I think so. Unlike drury/briere I think there's still a decent chance he signs in Buffalo even if he tests the market.

Should also add that he reminds me of Eichel in his rookie year where he's putting up some pretty good points but there are another one or two plays every game that could have easily went in to inflate the already lofty numbers. If he can develop a harder shot then the sky is the limit.

What a great post. Agree with all of it. I watched the leafs feed last night and when they put up the graphic showing Dahlin passing Bobby friggen Orr for most points as an 18 year old d it really put it into perspective for me. You never know if the highly hyped prospect will live up to the billing but so far he has absolutely hit it for me.

That's a hell of a shot. I still don't know if I'm ready to give up on him yet. Could still turn into a Kotalik type imo.

Nylander is already playing for his career right now but I wonder if playing his brother tonight gives him even extra motivation. He has looked pretty good at times over the past two games. Very anxious to see if he can build off that or goes through another invisible stretch.

This has nothing to do with Pegulas accountants and financial advisors (I think you know that). If there was no salary cap I suspect the Pegulas would be willing to quickly meet Skinner's demands. That's not the case though. You have a huge Opportunity Cost to consider. What's worse than consistent losing? Still losing and being stuck with multiple, unmovable, long term contracts. Like it or not the core of this team is young and there should be internal growth. I don't need to overpay a winger (who's partially the benefactor of playing with Jack) into his 35 year old season. Again, like it or not this team's window is likely 2-3 years from now. In that time Skinner will be in his very late 20's and we will slowly see the decline. I know they need to take the next step and I'm with you on that. Skinner is a good player but when you pay good players elite money for long term it has time and time again blown up in teams faces (Okposo and Molson wave hello).

I sincerely hope the Sabres operate based on what is best for the franchise and not general fan emotion. Cap management is an essential part of today's NHL. I don't think that's even debatable. Yes he scores goals. Yes I hope he stays but I'm not overpaying him just because we don't have anyone else right now. I think he does want to be here. I think the Sabres want him to be here. There should be enough wiggle room to pay him slightly more than Botts feels comfortable while keeping the contract within reason. IMO $9.25 x 8 years is not reasonable (as had been his rumored ask).

Ya he was the one who got into it with Mitts.

Obviously it was much louder with me in attendance ;)

Why are we shouting??

Upgraded tickets!! Thanks sabres! Upgraded from 300 level to section 120! Having a beautiful wife and two kids decked out in sabres gear sure helped....

Went with shamrock shakes at McDonalds

So not advisable for 3 and 5 year old children?

I’m in Buffalo and see there’s a st Patty’s day parade at 2. Has anyone been before? Worth checking out?

Been a long time coming. I’m finally back in Buffalo and attending this one with the fam. Let’s go Buffalo!!!!

Or maybe he's a career 27 goal scorer and regressing to the mean.....

Is this not an issue WE should also question?

Agreed. I hope botts sticks to his guns. More money but shorter term.

I'm very hopeful hearing the term is still up for debate. Means this isn't automatically going to be an 8 year deal. As I've stated I'm fine going north of $8 if we're talking a 5 or 6 year deal.

That's true. Was thinking James Neal.

Thats a good sign but not a reason to throw caution to the wind here. I know these are unpopular takes but I don’t think we should overpay wingers who could be benefitting from franchise centres. Penguins didn’t do it with Crosby. His wingers came up for contract and they moved on.

I donno, I completely disagree with this take. So you want to pay him because that gives fans a reason to get excited? Or it can’t get worse? You know how it gets worse? We suck and have multiple long term, unmovable contracts. I’m still hoping the core will get much better in a couple of years. If that happens and the sabres are paying Eichel $10, Dahlin God knows what, Reino God knows what, Mitts if he gets there, Montour on his next contract. That adds up. Plus this team realistically is another two or three years at minimum for serious contention. So skinner should still be good for a few of years but I’m very very skeptical his points don’t fall of a cliff those last 2 or 3 years. I don’t know the answer. I would be happy with 5 x $9 per but I know that’s not on the table.