dudacek

Nope, but I don’t think your opinion is out to lunch As much as I like Rossi’s game, I don’t see him being a clearcut 1st line centre, so that’s probably where we differ. That Drysdale is light years ahead of anyone available at 21 is indisputable in my book. Do you think Eklund is clearly superior to Zegras?

I don’t think trading Eichel, Ristolainen and Reinhart is about blaming them for what ails the Sabres. Jack is a top-10 NHL talent, Sam is a 1st-liner and Risto is a warrior, and each will help whomever is lucky enough to acquire them. Trading them is about bringing optimism and belief back to the dressing room. No one blames the three for losing it after what they’ve been through, but letting them move on might be the most expedient way of allowing a rebirth to happen. I can’t say whether the relationships are salvageable or not, from this distance they do not appear to be. But in order for the move to be successful, you have to be bringing the right assets in to replace them.

Not to be that guy, but I’d love to see a link. I’m talking about a Larry Brooks or a Darren Dreger type citing sources, not stating their opinion.

If Risto’s gone, Miller will inherit his offensive minutes. It will be the first time he’s been properly used in his Sabres career. Botterill was such a moron when it came to roster building.

In my mind Rossi is Saku Koivu, which a notch below, but a similar package. Rossi cannot create/utilize space, or thread the needle with pucks as well as Zegras and that is why Zegras has a higher ceiling in my view. But there is a very good chance Zegras tops out as Willie Nylander, too. I might take Zegras over 1st overall. And Drysdale and 3OA is hardly LOL when the alternative is Rossi and pick 21

What if the cost to protect Borgen was higher than a 4th? Is Borgen a better asset than Ristolainen, or marginally better than Colin Miller? You can’t have it both ways.

A world where Will Borgen is simultaneously of significant value AND might be available on waivers is funny to me. Besides @inkman, I wonder how many on here have seen Borgen play more than a dozen or so games?

LOL. Good point. We are now short of D with questionable offensive upside. 😘

As well he should have been. Too bad, oh well. Now go get a better replacement.

Good. I hope a message is being sent to Rasmus about becoming a leader of this reset core. Its a message you don’t have to send Dylan, but I think with Ras you are going to have to give him permission. He’s a good kid who may not seize it without permission.

Steady, stay-at-home 2nd-pairing RHD. With Risto and Borgen likely moving on, I had interest and would have paid that price.

We've had some bad weeks over the past few summers for the same reasons. Talk about learning not to take fresh air for granted. Hate it.

You know, it's entirely possible. Minimal, expiring contract, fills the role of the emergency keeper and crosses off the "must pick three goalies" requirement. They may not want Miller's cap hit, or think they'll get much flipping him. They may not see Borgen among their starting 7, or think he will clear waivers. And they may believe Girgensons is overpaid compared to others they can pick up for the same role. After that, who is even remotely interesting?

Sabres do an advance presser before the draft every year. Nothing unusual about this, and the presence of Forton is confirmation. There will be another Friday night and a final one Saturday night or Sunday morning. And look at Charlie sliding seamlessly into @Brawndo's shoes. Some fine holiday relief there.

Trying so hard not to take the bait here…

If we are making a deal with the Rangers, I hope Braden Schneider is one of the pieces coming back. More talented than Borgen, more reliable than Risto and just as nasty as either. He projects as an excellent shutdown partner for either Johnson or Samuelsson moving forward.

LOL at the bold. Talk about damning with faint praise. In other news, Derek Roy was a very good NHL 2C. Over a 5-year stretch post Briere he was the 18th-highest scoring centre in the NHL. Be very happy if Mitts could become a Roy.

Kent Johnson is the most talented player in the draft, IMO. Most talented does not equal best hockey player though. High-risk, high-reward there for someone.

Not in the context of #1, but the Buffalo News is again reporting the Sabres are very high on Luke Hughes. Might be something to keep an eye on if we get a 2nd pick. Lysowski says it’s Power or Eklund at #1.

Looks like the Kraken are going to have a lot of talent that slips through their fingers.

Matthew Boldy is an excellent prospect Id love to have in the organization. Very Jack Quinn-ish.

I think Zegras is probably a better player than Power and will have a better career. I think he definitely fills a greater need for an Eichel-less, Reino-less Sabres.

As confident as I am the Sam could garner a top 10 pick in value, there is no way he’s getting the equivalent of two top 10 picks in 8 and Turcotte. Turcotte’s star has fallen a bit, but not that much.

Not sure whether Friedman’s report is good news or not? Not that there has been anything confirmed, but the internet seems to think 3OA and Comtois were offered. If Anaheim has bowed out and it is down to Minnesota and the Rangers, can we assume the leading package now beats that? To me, that would mean at minimum Kakko and Rossi would have to be on the table with a number of pluses, no? If the offers were never as good as the rumoured Duck offer to begin with, we are in trouble.

As a guy who wants Eklund, the decisive separation Power seems to created in the minds of some scouting departments would be something I’m trying to leverage. What would Seattle or Anaheim be willing to offer in order to switch spots? I might trade first overall for Zegras. Would the Ducks trade Zegras for Power?