This franchise is in the best shape it has been in for at least a decade.
I can’t recall the Sabres having a young core that compares to Eichel Reinhart Mittelstadt Dahlin and Ristolainen - ever.
Perreault Martin Gare Schoenfeld in 74/75? Gare was the baby then and he’s older than Mittlestadt or Dahlin now. Andreychuk, Housley, Turgeon, Bodger, Mogilny in ‘89? No way. Vanek, Roy, Pominville, Miller, Campbell in ‘06? Those guys weren’t babies and they weren’t elite.
All the current group is going to need is some judicious management support, good coaching and half-a-dozen NHLers to emerge from a huge pot of stewing prospects assembled by Botterill and Murray - and time -and we will be enjoying a decade of contending.
The bad contracts are coming off the books. The asset pool is full and includes a couple extra high picks next year, The owner will spend and treats the players well. The GM understands assets and the fact that his players are people too.
The problem with the fanbase is that it has been kicked for so long, it doesn’t understand what it has and it believes it is smarter than people who have trained their entire lives for this. And they want instant gratification from a core that is essentially comprised of babies.
Complain about the decisions made about roster scraps, or the fact the Botterill hasn’t made sexy Murray trades if it makes you feel better. The good times are coming. He’s doing this the right way - a young core developing together.
When the kids hit their stride - which will start now with Reinhart and Eichel - winning will follow. It probably won’t be much this year. Too many kids finding their legs. But it will happen, we will be good, probably as soon as next year.
We are close to critical mass. The sun is rising and it is going to be a beautiful day,