Taro T

Or, not trading him says they're down a middle 6 scoring winger and they aren't convinced any of the kids looking to grab a spot are ready to do so and they don't want to waste assets (whether it be in players, draft capital, just $'s or a combo to fill that spot for a couple of months) at present. Altering plans due to events changing doesn't necessarily mean that management has changed its overall plan nor vision of how to get there. Heck, maybe coming this close to being a former Sabre ends up Olofsson's come to Jesus moment and he bears down more on the smaller aspects of the game and becomes the player that Granato keeps telling us he can be. Should he be on the roster in October, he can always still get traded after Quinn comes back or after they decide one of the kids IS ready for that sort of usage. EDIT: & btw, still expect him to be traded. Just don't see it as a slam dunk anymore. Would've had it at 98% certainty he's gone; would now put it at about 55%.

He's not getting waived. Would still expect him to be traded but don't believe it is the slam dunk it was 48 hours ago.

One of several possibilities. Him, Savoie, Kulich, Benson, & a couple others now have a little more light to squeeze onto the big roster. Will be interesting to see if this causes Olofsson to still be a Sabre come October. Prior to this news would've been willing to put a (very small) amount on VO being gone by then. Things might have just changed.

You're safe. He's a Snark.

Considering the draft is in Nashville, Is that a hockey player or a bad Billy Ray Cyrus cover singer?

Just wonder when he had his neck removed if the surgery was really necessary and just how painful it was. The man has no neck.

Hopefully Owen Power doesn't have the same hang up over Carnies that Austin Powers has. 😉

Wasn't Vancouver sending Detroit the Aisles 1st pick consumated today? Or was that from the trade deadline?

They have the top 1/2 of their D set. If the guy Adams brings in next week sticks around or Jokiharju elevates his game, they might have the top 4 set for years. You can ALWAYS find 3rd pairing D in FA or via non-painful trades. The Sabres have NEVER had a #1 D-man (except for Tallinder for about 2-3 months before he broke his arm) and now finally have 1 and are on the verge of having a 2nd. The pipeline isn't "critical" when you have 2 #1's and a 4 that plays like a 2 when out with one of those 2 #1's. Find the 4 and don't suffer any catastrophic injuries and this team's only "critical" piece for the pipeline is a guy to replace (hopefully) the vet Adams brings in to pair with Levi or Comrie/UPL should Adams be unsuccessful bringing that vet in.

One other reason it might be good to grab the really skilled F this year rather than one of the D with this pick is, the Sabres aren't going to be drafting this high again for a while (unless they trade for the pick). Way easier to find good 2nd pairing D-men at the end of the 1st than top 6 skilled forwards there.

It would definitely be good to have more D prospects in the pipeline. But it isn't critical. They have slots 1-3 locked up for years. Plus they do have Jokiharju, Johnson, and a couple of other prospects that could possibly fill the 4 slot too after the guy they bring in in the next week is ready to move on. And if they really are locked in on finding skilled F's, they can flip them for something else when they've cooked a bit more and are worth something.

Always thought that they had nameplates made up for pretty much everybody ranked in the top 60 and then just slap the velcro'd nameplate onto the back of a #23 sweater. Sandin-Pellikka's Detroit sweater definitely had a velcro'd nameplate on the back.

You mean like Thompson, Tuch, Cozens, Dahlin, Samuelsson, Power, etc.?

And if about 1/3 of your high draft pick prospects hit, you've got a line's worth of top 6ers. If 1/2 of them hit, you've got close to a top 6 chomping at the bit waiting for their chance. It's a great problem to have. The Sabres FINALLY are starting to get "1st World" problems again. 'Bout friggin' time.

Said in the other thread, but guess it's easier to leave Savoie in the W now.

Guess now Savoie can stay in the W for another year. 😉

Cool.

Doubt they're hoping they're in Houston when those guys come over, but they want to be good after they find a home. Not really high on their priority list until then. They're looking to stockpile picks and youth until then. And grabbing guys that aren't available for 3 years is a good way to keep bringing high draft picks into the fold.

Hellebucyk, Benson, or Moore please.

Cool. They thought the Sabres wanted another Russian.

Only if they think Adams wanted him.

Would've rather have had the guy the Nucks just grabbed, but it's possible. Realize most everybody wanted a D-man, but if the Yotes pass on Benson don't see how Adams can pass on him too.

Not sure if it was unexpected or not, but @LGR4GM went 5 for 5 to start the draft.

Hellebucyk, Benson, or Moore. 3 picks away. It should be doable to end up with 1 of the 3.

Danielson? Yes.