dudacek

This has so much potential and is the obvious path. All we can do is blame Terry and this legion of idiots for squandering one of the best opportunities in hockey.

Probably, but Drysdale is an RD. The extra winger is Olofsson or even R2 for now, plus we've got two 2nds, Sam and Jack's $10 million factoring in. To your 2nd point, yes but does anyone still think that's going to happen?

I think you'd have 3 pretty damn good 2Cs, with your top 2 able to match up with any one. Or you can switch Zegras in for Drysdale, adjust sweeteners accordingly.

8th and Turcotte is too much for Reinhart. We'd need to add. The thought of something based around Eichel and Johnson for Zegras, Lindholm (or Manson) plus has crossed my mind. Or Eichel and Johnson for Drysdale and 3OA plus has as well. Pick Beniers and Eklund and spend Jack's $10 million on supporting them. Sick as I am of kicking the can down the road, this would be U23 core to drool over. Eklund Cozens Quinn ??? Beniers Peterka Asplund Mittelstadt Thompson Dahlin Joker Samuelsson Drysdale Luukkonen Everyone in that top 5 plays full-out hockey.

Do the Kings have the pieces for Eichel and Power? It might not be straight across, but Byfield for Power has to be pretty close in value. Could Adams trade Eichel elsewhere for a package lacking a centre, then flip 1OA and Power and an add to the Kings for Byfield?

Many consider him the most-connected Kings insider. I would suggest the source is from inside the Kings head office and the point is to remind the Sabres that the Kings have other paths they could take if Buffalo keeps pushing for Byfield. Which also suggests to me that talks between the Kings and the Sabres must be fairly far along.

We do have a Euro scout, Anders Forsberg

How do you define "solid 2nd-pairing defender?" To me, that's someone who's ranks somewhere in the middle of the 50-100 range in an overall ranking of NHL defenders. His production is well above that range (he's 23rd over the past 3 years), and my perception of his defence is that he's better at it than any current Sabre defenceman.

I think the Western Division is a vast wasteland on the ice, other than Vegas. I think that off the ice, the Kings and the Ducks are at the bottom of a tough entertainment market and each need to find some way to boost their business. I think that Jack Eichel has the potential to considerably boost the fortunes of either franchise — bitter rivals — on and off the ice. Coincidentally, each franchise has both the cap space to fit Eichel and the trade pieces to make a strong bid. If I am Adams, I am setting these two teams against each other in a bidding war. It's our best chance of getting a strong return.

I think you missed the intent of my question. I'm trying to increase my understanding of Beniers upside. Bergeron is not a conventional #1C, but he is a #1C. Could we one day say the same thing about Beniers?

So he is a Bergeron in the making, and a reasonable option at #1 many years, not just this year?

I will be surprised if it’s not done by the draft, but it could be sooner. The acquiring team will want Jack to start on whatever course of treatment is agreed upon ASAP.

Is it hypocritical for me to say the Sabres have to be targeting a player as good as Byfield and then say I don’t really want Byfield? From an asset value/positional perspective he’s almost the ideal return and (a long with Dach) the closest thing to a potential Eichel out there. I just get a sense this kid will never be the sum of his parts and that he will wilt under the pressure of having to live up to being “the guy traded for Eichel.”

I would love for you to explain why without using charts. I am fairly confident NHL GMs do not agree with you.

You know I’m counting on him to be traded before it gets anywhere near 31, right?

Pretty sure former Sabre 1st-rounder Steve Patrick is his dad.

Jack Eichel doesn’t strike me as a patient man. If want he wants is simply “out” and we still haven’t obliged him 13 months from now, I don’t think he’ll be overly picky if it’s not “Boston” or NY or whatever his Fave might be.

He’s under contract for two more years. I mean I get what you’re saying, but he’s not Eakin. And he’s not behind many of those other guys in the bottom 7 in terms of what he’s proven. I see him as NHL player.

What makes you say that?

I’d like to hear you expand on this. Any D man? Any D man this year? Because the Sabres are good at D and weak at forward? Because Beniers is clearly best player available? All of the above?

Was that before Jason Karmanos and Kevyn Adams? Do we know what he thinks of them?

Girgensons will be back on the 4th line.

Can I turn this around? What does Alex Pietrangelo do that’s elite? Roman Josi? Isnt there a model of 1st-pair D where the player is elite because he checks off every box, even if he isn’t flat-out elite in any one area? He can defend against the fastest skaters, the trickiest, and the most powerful. He can make plays against the strongest, the smartest and most determined opponents. He can process the game at it’s highest level. He can play all night long. Can a player be elite at being complete?

If Kevyn is trying to give everything to Eichel, that has to be because he doesn’t like the offers he’s getting for him. I think that relationship is where it is because Adams hasn’t been, or is tired of, giving in to Eichel.

Because they are giving a stud college coach — who put up a decent record with a Rangers team that was on a mini-tank and was fired in fit of pique by a egomaniac owner — one of several interviews? Your strong opinions on things are starting to make me smile.