Scottysabres

True, I'm looking it at from an off season deal and much can happen yet.

Hmmmmmmm....Karlsson, Tavares. Can I get a YES PLEASE! for both. Only, there is no way I'm giving this years 1st or Risto in a deal for Karlsson. We have a player we could put in a package for him, and I submit my opinion on reasons why Ottawa may consider. To Ottawa Ryan O'Reilly (26 yrs old, 7.5 mil, 5 yrs) Zemgus Girgenson (23 yrs old, 1.6 mil, 1 yr, RFA) Jake McCabe (24 yrs old, 1.6 mil, 1 yr, RFA) Nick Baptiste (22 yrs old, RFA) 2019 1st rd pick 2020 1st rd pick 2019 3rd rd pick To Buffalo Erik Karlsson (27 yrs old, 6.5 mil, 1 yr) Bobby Ryan (30 yrs old, 7.25 mil, 4 yrs) Colin White (20 yrs old, 925k, 1 yr, RFA) O'Reilly and Duchene back together. Ottawa is seeking a center. Girgensons as a utility player cheap frees up Ottawa to make other deals with the players they could potentially move. McCabe as a cheap LD and is young. I believe Ottawa would like to move on from Bobby Ryan. This affords them a reasonable opportunity to do so. Colin White, while a great prospect, helps offset the overwhelming cost to Buffalo in this package, and debate it or not, that is reasonable imo given the package size. Buffalo gets Karlsson, the #1 D man they've been looking for right in prime years. He'd be a reasonable re-sign and affords "options" defense wise with other players. ROR and Bobby Ryan's contracts are a wash. Yes we lose a fantastic 2 way center, but I believe Ryan's career would flourish here in Buffalo. Maybe as Reinharts LW'er on line 2? Maybe, who knows. His contract is also a year less than ROR. White adds to an already abundant center prospect pool. There is a new sheriff in town, and he believes in developing talent, not rushing it to potential failure. This also leaves assets like Kane and Lehner Fred up for other deals, perhaps to gather in more 2018 draft assets to help off set the 19 and 20 loses in this deal. In any event, imo, this is a fairly balanced deal value wise. Thoughts? Move Pominville and, if possible, Bogosain. Sign John Tavares in the off season. Cap would be fine.

I so miss that show

At least Lehner is shutting the door, for the most part.

Yes he does.

Great game. Love the conditions and the outcome. Any word on Petey?

Man, karlsonn 4 years ago, yeaI'll take my chances with the 10 million dollar wonder boy now.

As long as they show up.

So, this CJ Smith guy, he likes to score goals I hear. Looks to be having an AHL season that screams big club next season. Bailey, Baptiste should be taking notes.

Read every response. No easy way to say it, so I'll just say it. If Tavares goes to FA and has an interest in Buffalo, you sign him to max term (8 yrs) at a reasonable aav 9 to 11 mil a season. You move ROR, Pominville and Bogo to make it happen. It's not even debatable in my humble opinion.

Yes, Tavares would consider Buffalo. Yes, he'd be an instant leader. But....... Unless Bots does some serious addressing of the defence, no player worth a is going to want to come to this show. It's on Botterill now. He has some heavy lifting to do prior to July 1st.

Botterill will continue to bottom 6 purge. Wilson gave a nice feed to Okposo for his goal. Patience, Botterill is showing it, wisely.

Yea, I don't want them to blow it up. I want them to learn how to close out games. Yes, It was the Blackhawks, but puck luck and they did just enough to win this one. Honestly, how many games have we seen like this? 6?

Optimism growing stronger :) 2nd period about to start, it's role playing weekend at my house..... "Beer me whine wench" :D

So, Seattle wants an expansion team, eh. What about Quebec, Kansas City, Houston and Oklahoma City? Surely Toronto's southern side (Hamilton) could easily absorb a 2nd team. And what of Salt Lake City? You just know the Mormons are closet Hockey fanatics. I think the league Could expand to 40 teams comfortably. Why Seattle though when Quebec is itching to get back in to the fight, so to speak. I miss the Nordiques.

:D I'm feeling optimistic tonight.....not sure if its the Jameson or the beer chasers.....but hell, its Friday, so why not ;)

I think they pull it off and win.

Yikes. You know,living in a past filled with pain and anguish isn't healthy....but hell, Buffalo Sports is the epitome of this I guess.

Thank you.

ScottySabres = scottysabres

They are looking decent. Can't believe Kane botched that Eichel pass. And a DEFENSEMAN scored. Hell has officially frozen over.

I suspect Matt and Jason spoke on this. Jason made a call to the Kings and done deal. This is actually what the Pegulas were talking about, making Buffalo a hockey destination. Honoring their players contracts and/or wishes if things don't work out. If FA's ask Matt about Buffalo, the area, if he believed in what they're trying to build and how the organization treats players, I highly suspect the answer will be overwhelmingly positive (John Tavares, you listening?). Smooth move by all involved. Good luck in your future endeavors Matt. Thank you for believing enough in what the Sabres are doing to re-sign here and try to be a part of it. Sorry it didn't work out.

Interesting pick up. Speed, RFA. Looking forward to seeing what else Bots does.

I th8nk Larsson is next. Maybe in a package. I think ROR will be the biggest name, I suspect a team like Carolina will offer a package Bots can't refuse. I would like Okposo moved. Free up that cap space.

My question is which way does Bots go? Bring in young 22 to 25 yr olds with a couple of leadership guys or does he move components in season for picks/prospects and wait for the off season to address leadership? Because something tells me just shaking up the current core isn't his plan. This is the Titanic, the rats are looking to jump off on to the nearest life boat.