News Article: Jason Botterill Has Buffalo on the Right Track

[26CornerBlitz]

Jason Botterill has Buffalo on the right track

By: Ryan Kennedy

As the din of free agency begins to soften, it’s time to look at the retooling of the Sabres and how their GM has put his franchise in a position to succeed in the future.

In winning the draft lottery, Buffalo GM Jason Botterill got a gift from the hockey gods in Swedish defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, but Botterill didn’t rest on that good fortune. Through trades and free agency, he has put the Sabres on the right track. Will they be a playoff team in 2018-19? Probably not. Toronto, Tampa Bay and Boston are near-locks for the post-season, while Florida should be better: the only question is if the Panthers can accrue enough points to snag a wild card spot in the East.

But let’s look at what Botterill has accomplished during his short tenure.

Click to read more...

 

[BuffaloGooner]

This thread should be good

 

[ZZamboni]

Good as in bad. Really bad. All negative all the time. Type O negative. Snark snark snark.

 

[Gabrielor]

This is a thread I'll definitely re-visit after about 25 games. We'll have an idea by then whether or not the locker room divide was real.

 

[Dingo44]

I predict we'll be reminded how the two vets from the Blues are garbage.

 

[Chad Thundercock]

The problem is media pressured to write stuff 24/7/365 leading to "This summer is already a success" fluff pieces.

 

[sabremike]

I predict we'll be reminded how the two vets from the Blues are garbage.

Berglund is at least a somewhat useful player, Sobotka is just awful and I have no idea why we wanted him. He is Cal Clutterbuck level bad/washed up.

 

[Icicle]

The problem is media pressured to write stuff 24/7/365 leading to "This summer is already a success" fluff pieces.

It’s only a problem because you’re being a negative Nancy. It’s totally acceptable to think he’s made the right moves for this franchise. This just reflects on that.

 

[dkollidas]

Berglund is at least a somewhat useful player, Sobotka is just awful and I have no idea why we wanted him. He is Cal Clutterbuck level bad/washed up.

I would say Sobotka is an improvement over Larsson on the 4th line. He put in 10goals... when’s the last time Larsson ever did that.

The crazier thing is that Berglund has 5more goals at even strength than O’Reilly. I’m not saying O’Reilly is a chump or Berglund is better. But that’s just odd.

 

[valet]

here we go again..........

 

[MayDay]

Good article. Nice analysis from a leading hockey publication.

The Sabres are definitely on the right track.

 

[joshjull]

The problem is media pressured to write stuff 24/7/365 leading to "This summer is already a success" fluff pieces.

Yes a league wide Canadian based hockey magazine is feeling pressure to write a fluff piece on the Sabres.

 

[Sabre the Win]

Meh, I can't get behind the we are gonna be so much better crowd.

I think Housley needs to go.

 

[Kyndig]

Meh, I can't get behind the we are gonna be so much better crowd.

I think Housley needs to go.

Next year when Quenneville is available.

 

[brian_griffin]

You can't make these things up. From the author of the Sabres article: "In net, the Sabres cut ties with Robin Lehner and managed to sign one of the best options on the (admittedly weak) market in Carter Hutton."

At the bottom of the article in the click-bait "You May Also Like" section, the first link is headlined "Islanders bet on Lehner, land best goalie in thin market."

 

[26CornerBlitz]

You can't make these things up. From the author of the Sabres article: "In net, the Sabres cut ties with Robin Lehner and managed to sign one of the best options on the (admittedly weak) market in Carter Hutton."

At the bottom of the article in the click-bait "You May Also Like" section, the first link is headlined "Islanders bet on Lehner, land best goalie in thin market."

Not much of a point when you consider that it's a completely different writer from THN.

 

[TheMistyStranger]

You can't make these things up. From the author of the Sabres article: "In net, the Sabres cut ties with Robin Lehner and managed to sign one of the best options on the (admittedly weak) market in Carter Hutton."

At the bottom of the article in the click-bait "You May Also Like" section, the first link is headlined "Islanders bet on Lehner, land best goalie in thin market."

Chronology is critical here

 

[Jamie Walker]

that's the first thing I noticed too. anyway, I'm going give Botterill a chance to assemble





"his" type of team. the same way I gave Murray a chance to assemble "his" team. I was excited by what murray did, but in hindsight, he was an idiot. now i'm excited for what botterill is doing. it's different, so hopefully it's better.

 

[5 Minute Major]

The problem is media pressured to write stuff 24/7/365 leading to "This summer is already a success" fluff pieces.

Why is that?

I would argue negative press sells more these days.

 

[CatsforReinhart]

Jason Botterill has Buffalo on the right track

By: Ryan Kennedy

As the din of free agency begins to soften, it’s time to look at the retooling of the Sabres and how their GM has put his franchise in a position to succeed in the future.

In winning the draft lottery, Buffalo GM Jason Botterill got a gift from the hockey gods in Swedish defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, but Botterill didn’t rest on that good fortune. Through trades and free agency, he has put the Sabres on the right track. Will they be a playoff team in 2018-19? Probably not. Toronto, Tampa Bay and Boston are near-locks for the post-season, while Florida should be better: the only question is if the Panthers can accrue enough points to snag a wild card spot in the East.

But let’s look at what Botterill has accomplished during his short tenure.

but wait wait! This franchise is an absolute mess right now

 

[Montag DP]

I can't really get on board with the idea that Berglund and Sobotka added much value in the trade, but I do agree with the overall premise of the article.

Meh, I can't get behind the we are gonna be so much better crowd.

He did say he thought the Sabres would miss the playoffs again next year.

 

[goach]

Personally I love where Bitteril is headed ! Not fond of Housely. But a nice direction.

 

[Howie Hodge]

wshahbaz certainly disagrees in his thread.....

 

[dkollidas]

I can't really get on board with the idea that Berglund and Sobotka added much value in the trade, but I do agree with the overall premise of the article.

He did say he thought the Sabres would miss the playoffs again next year.

Idk. I understand that they’re not great players. But if you consider faceoff percentage important, then Berglund/Sobotka help.

If you value even strength scoring, Berglund/Sobotka help there as well.

If you value chemistry/leadership/lockerroom presence and intangibles, Berglund/Sobotka help there too.

If you value defensive ability and grit, then Berglund and Sobotka add some value there as well.

Overall I don’t think we won the trade in terms of straight value. But I think we did what this franchise needed. Shook up the room. Added some character. And restructured around Eichel/Dahlin as thier cornerstones.

 

[HaNotsri]

I think he’s done well except the ROR trade and not using cap space in a smart way.
The good stuff: Sheary trade, keeping high picks, not digning expensive UFA