SabresBillsFan

Problem with Edmonton is they didn't draft hardly any defenseman and goalies. Buffalo is the exact opposite we have defense and numerous goalie and no offense. Plus Edmonton had no stability with constant changes and then you throw Nail into the talk because he's in the coaches doghouse. I agree. People are not wanting another year of this are going to be in for a rude awakening. It's about building a Stanley cup contending team not a playoff team. That's what people don't get!

The Islanders won't give a top 4 pick away even in a weak class. The top 5 guys will probably be solid nhl players. The tank will end next year and then it's all systems go to fix this squad. Don't be surprised if Stewart or Stafford get moved at draft time or trade deadline next year. Murray wants his players and if you were listening when he got hired it's about building thru the draft and then adding a free agent or two to put you over the top. No one has a guarantee at McDavid but to be in the top two and have a shot at him or Eichel makes sense. Murray wants players who will work hard not floaters like Vanek.

This has to be the plan and this is why I think Patty left Buffalo. I think the rest of the hockey organization wanted a couple year tank job and clean house and Patty wasn't on board with it . I'm guessing Pat looked at all those picks we already had and his goal was to keep players and maybe add a key free agent with some of the younger kids.

Just what I suspected Mike Morreale thinks the Islanders will keep the pick since they will be top 5.

Too small

I agree I think the Islanders will be using that pick. It should be interesting to see what Murray does but I do think the players he picks are going to be over 6 feet tall.

I agree with the Ott part and about this is a GM's dream job with a total rebuild and a ton of cap space. I told people when this total rebuild went down it would take 3-5 years before we see playoffs and I was leaning more towards 5.

I agree I think Murray needs to hit some home runs with all these first rounders. And he needs to find some talent in the rest of the draft as well. You look at a team you want to model yourself after. People say Boston but you also have to look at Colorado. They have 3 young talented forwards and that's not even counting O'Reilly. They need to add some defense the next coupe of drafts and you have the makings of a team that's going to be good for awhile !

Hey at least I know we are all diehard fans after all this is all said and done. Not trying to piss fellow fans off just wanted to ask what people think how they would feel not going after any key free agents this summer and letting the picks develop. That's the route I believe is the right one until next year. This is what I think led to LaFontaine stepping down . I still think LaFontaine wanted to keep Miller, Moulson and Ott and when the rest of the hockey department wanted to follow the Pittsburgh model and bottom out I don't think he was totally on board with it. I think he felt like other fans about maybe bringing in a key free agent or two and with all the picks we already had he probably felt they could find young talent. Not many teams are like Detriot and can find key pieces in late rounds.

I started this topic and I know a lot of people aren't going to want to see it and go though another year like this but the real goal is next years draft. Yes it sucks being this bad but landing McDavid and Eichel makes it worth it.

I agree with this. If you think getting a couple of free agents and a top 2 pick is going to put you in contention for years to come u are sadly mistaken. A player like McDavid doesn't come around every year unless you are Detriot and somehow find these players in late rounds. You look at most top teams they were bad for a few years got high picks and built around those picks. I understand that people are probably going to have to endure another bad year or two but it will be so worth it in the long run. I said many years ago these meaningless runs late in the season killed positioning and this could have been done awhile back.

Would you be mad if Tim Murray decided not to bring in any major free agents this year and with their #1 pick this year let him stay in junior another season! This way it would almost guarantee us finishing again at the bottom. Me personally I'm on board with one more year of the tank netting McDavid or Eichel then all systems go to make sure Murray puts the best possible team on the ice. What are your thoughts?

Did McCabe play tonight? Only caught the last 5 min of game and didn't see him out there

Where's McCabe at sorry just flip it on?

I still have that poster

I agree he fell back and his skate was caught in the ice. Something tore or broken

Sorry fellas about repeating it so often. It's just going to be interesting to see what Snow does with the pick. It would be nice if they would have to tell buffalo when they do the lottery not on draft day!

Me too I watched him in the prospects game and he makes the guys around him better. I think the Islanders are going to pick this year if they fall in the top 5 when there still is a solid offensive player there. I think they can pick up a goalie in free agency and a forward to play with Tavares. I think we will be looking at a pick next year around 8-14 if Snow plays his cards right. Me personally I would love for the Islanders to let us use their pick this year. If they land pick 6 or later I think they might let us pick.

Why do people keep saying Rudy! I don't see him as anything special.

Looks like his helmet is too small

I agree with that but you have to remember these guys ain't going to be rushed anymore. I don't think Nolan wants a team with 5 rookies on them.

You can give him 7 games to see what he brings but still not long enough for an adjustment period. I don't know if I'm sold on Ruhwedel on defense fulltime like others have said!

I'm kinda hope the Blues make the conference finals so we can take that first pick. I don't trust the Blues to sign him even if he does sign there. They could have an agreement reach but not announce it until after the draft giving us a third rounder.

It's only season 1 of the tank. One more year to go folks. The tank will be complete if we can land McDavid and if not Eichel won't be a bad consolation prize.

I agree I wouldn't go that far just yet saying we are better off than these other teams. I'm not sold on some of the players we picked the previous drafts. Grigo and Armia seem to have potential but I don't see Grigo in the top 6 because of his skating. And Armia it's too early to tell.