WGR: 11-27 and 12-18: Jason Botterill with Schopp & the Bulldog

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11-27: Jason Botterill with Schopp & the Bulldog on WGR (17:19)

#Sabres GM Jason Botterill talks with Schopp & the Bulldog now live

Botterill - We just went through a difficult 6 games in 9 stretch. It doesn't get any easier. We've been able to stay the course and win tight games. Finding ways to come through in the clutch. #Sabres

Botterill - As we play, some of these top teams like Winnipeg and Tampa, we didn't play a full sixty minutes, but when we did it was our game. Fast. #Sabres

Botterill - Throughout this streak, our goaltending has been exceptional. Coming up with key saves in key times. #Sabres

Botterill - If you start looking at the standings, it's not going to be successful. We lost a game in NY, was one of our best games. Eventually we'll play a solid game and not get the result. So be it. #Sabres

Botterill - Standings will take care of itself.

Botterill on Tage Thompson - He's more aggressive, getting his feet going. Creates a lot of turnovers with his long reach and turns them into scoring chances. He has an absolute rocket. #Sabres

Botterill on Thompson - He's been consistent in shootouts in practice. #Sabres

Botterill on Pilut being up - Scandella is not available tonight. Wanted to have an extra defenseman on the ice. He'll dress for warmup. #Sabres

Botterill on players resting in other sports - The standings here is so tight. Maybe we might see it at the end of the year, but mid-season teams need their top players. #Sabres

Botterill on Pilut - Lawrence's numbers have been spectacular this year. Just wanted to have him get a feel of it up here. Eventually he'll get games up here, for sure. #Sabres

Botterill on Skinner - We'll talk later. It's real fun watching him play right now. It's been a great relationship for both sides so far. #Sabres

Botterill on Skinner - I talk to his agents on a daily basis, because they have a lot of clients. On the contract, we've said we'll talk later in the year. #Sabres

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12-18: Jason Botterill with Schopp & the Bulldog on WGR (16:54)

Listen now as #Sabres GM Jason Botterill joins Schopp & the Bulldog at @716FoodandSport!

Botterill - I know how hard our players & coaches have worked. They should be proud of their accomplishments so far, and know there's more work to be done. #Sabres

Botterill - Within that five game losing streak we played two or three really good games. That's good for Mittelstadt & Dahlin to go through. #Sabres

Botterill - We feel some players down in Rochester will help us out in the second half of the year. #Sabres

Botterill on Berglund - All I can say is we've made a statement on it and nothing has changed. #Sabres

Botterill - Jack has played well defensively with hard matchups. He's gotten a lot better on his two way game. #Sabres

Botterill on Eichel - You come into the league at age 18, sometimes we're amazed how good they are. He's grown as a leader and a man. #Sabres

Botterill - We've tried to create three balanced pairings, trying to get some depth scoring. That's how we want to win. #Sabres

Botterill - Pilut will hopefully be back this weekend, same thing with McCabe. You want to see them get some practices before that happens. #Sabres

Botterill on Pilut - I think his play has been outstanding so far. After some injuries we had to throw him in the deep end versus some top players and he did a super job. #Sabres

Botterill on Pilut - His ability to cope with some disappointment and how hard he works in practice is part of why he got back up here. #Sabres

Botterill - Whether you're drafted or undrafted, it's all about development. The draft is just a snapshot. #Sabres

Botterill on something he wants to be better - You want to have more depth scoring up front. The game vs. Arizona, loved it. You see little things like Girgensons blocking that shot, he got an assist for that. #Sabres

Jason Botterill: "You want to have more depth scoring up front"

The Sabres have strung a nice stretch together following their five game losing streak. It's been a bit since we talked with the General Manager. Before the Sabres played the Panthers on Tuesday night, Sabres GM Jason Botterill stopped by 716 Food & Sport to chat with Schopp & the Bulldog. Here's some of the best from Botterill's time with the guys!

 

[Gabrielor]

Wish S&BD spent more questions and time on scoring depth and the acquisition of it. It was the last topic, and only briefly mentioned.

 

[Royal Thunder]

Wish S&BD spent more questions and time on scoring depth and the acquisition of it. It was the last topic, and only briefly mentioned.

As someone from out of town who only listens to them when they do interviews like this, they are terrible interviewers.

 

[beerme1]

Guys, Schopp and Bulldog. Lower your expectations and simply hope the person on the other end of the interview knows how to carry it. Like Razor. He knows he has to play to the inability of those two and does and is rather humorous. Bots is all business.

 

[ZZamboni]

I’m glad Botts is tight lipped about PB. IF he’s trying to move him now, there’s no NEED to besmirch him or say anything publicly. Get him off the team, recoup what you can, and move on.

 

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