Derrico

Very unpopular but I let him walk for anything over $8 per for 8 years or any other amount over 6 years.

Man. We are like soul mates ;). Always on the same page. Agree with this. I want the Sabres to take this next step. They NEED to take the next step. But I'm worried about this contract. Skinner is very good and we get the best of Eichel with a competent winger but I'm very nervous of this contract. Contracts like moulson, Okposo, Leino et al. have absolutely killed this franchise. 8 years is a long time for someone in his late 20s. $8.5 or $9 plus is a ton of cap space.

Maybe. I have no idea the stats because 99 percent of the time a coach will split the games. Is it really poor if the same guy goes back to back? Legit asking. Not sure if there is a stat out there or not.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I find it straight up baffling anyone could come away disappointed or even indifferent with this kids play. He is literally putting up historic numbers and several times a game looks like the best player on either team. As an 18 year old dman. Even many plays that don't result in points (usually breakout passes etc) are outstanding. Sure there is the odd gaff but what he is doing is the highlight of the season for me. Even more impressive than jack breaking out imo.

Eh I've got no problem with this. Hutton has struggled a bit lately (including last leaf game) and I thought Ullmark looked good against Pitt.

It is

Don't hate the guy but he had 9 goals going into last night. He's playing second line minutes for this team. He still doesn't have 30 points on the season. Again, second line minutes. Not his fault at all but based on the makeup of the team and ice time he's getting Connor sheary is killing the Sabres. They cannot get that low of production from a second line winger. Period. Mitts, Thompson et al have the rookie excuse going for them this season atleast. Sheary doesn't. It's not his fault jbott has yet to improve the forward group but Sheary as a second line player is one of the main reasons this team will miss the playoffs. The middle six is just not good enough.....nice to see those two last night tho.

It's funny you say that. Watching the game he actually reminded me of a better version of Guhle. He does have some similar characteristics in the way he skates and aggressiveness in the O zone. Guhle may get there in a couple years, the first could turn into something nice. I still make this trade all day. I really think Montour will be a very nice middle pairing guy for a long time.

He was not a regular third pairing player on the Ducks.

He will be fine.

After the 10 game win streak I kept thinking atleast the games should all matter right until the very end.....March 1st and they're out of it.....

Yep. This. Dahlin is 5 points away from passing Bobby Orr to become the second highest scoring 18 year old dman ever. That’s what I’m watching for.

Ya I donno man. You've had a hard on for the panthers for what seems like years now. They also haven't done jack.

He had some issues in the d zone but overall I thought he was pretty decent. I seem to be in the minority on thinking that. He didnt get an assist but he made a great pass to start what led to the mitts goal. Thought he had some nice breakout passes as well. Looks to be very good skater which is how the NHL has trended. I was fine with his first game.

Agreed. If they're trailing in the third push him into the top four.

Ya I think he was there in time to easily play. Facing the leafs, I selfishly wanted to see him in there. Can't blame botts though. Have him watch a game from up top and try to give him the best opportunity to succeed may have been the right play. Then again, we need every point in the standings as we can and maybe the Sabres get out of last night with atleast one if he's in there instead of one of the bottom pairing guys.

Looking forward to seeing the new guy!

Agreed but I'm still not going to get too worked up over losing a third round pick. In fact, give me another upside guy similar to Beulieu and I also make that trade again all day. Didn't work out in this instance but I'm still not upset by taking a low risk chance. This Montour deal is a whole other thing. You're right in they need to start hitting on some trades. They gave up way more than the Beulieu trade and this will really set the Sabres back if botts is wrong. If he's right then we have may have a legit top 4 and really top 6. Probably the best on paper we've had in forever. Need the on paper to translate to wins and losses though.

Yep. Fair point. I like this calculated move though. This team is crapping away core years of eichel, Reinhart et al. A shake up had to come and I can't think of taking a better shot than a 24 year old top 4 rhd.

Wow. I'm usually right in sink with most of your points but completely disagree on Montour being close to Beaulieu level. Beaulieu was being benched by Montreal in the playoffs prior to acquisition. The third round price tag reflects that. Montour with a bit of a down year but seems to have enormous upside based on everything I've read. Admittedly I haven't seen him play much. Again, a vastly greater acquisition cost was needed. If he's close to Beaulieu level then jbotts should be gone.

If Guhle doesn't make it or is a 6/7 type then I think whoever the Ducks draft will be hoping in 4 years they will be as impactful and have the upside of Montour. Many things can make this trade go south but we've now added two top 4 dmen in the span of 8 months. On paper, d looks much improved the rest of this year and more importantly puck drop 2019/2020.

Not to mention they don’t even own their first round pick. Crazy.

Who?

Again, being in 'leaf country' aka 'the Great Satan' there was a lot of discussion around the leafs looking to find a way to trade for Montour.

This is also reasonable. From all accounts it does seem Montour took a bit of a step back this year. Maybe this puts doubt in their mind he can turn into the player many think he can be. I remember several Sabres analysts, radio hosts etc. wanting Montour for 2-3 years now. I am forced to listening to leaf media up here and they've been proposing trades for this guy for years. I'm talking some who were serious about wanting to move a guy like Nylander for. These are fans and at best arm chair analysts. It just seems like he's pretty highly regarded around the league. Maybe the Ducks know something most don't? No arguing. I'm just very surprised the Ducks traded a 24 year old Dman if they will be rebuilding. That's all.