Crusader1969

You are right, picking constantly in the top 10 gets you no where. Picking in top 3/4 is where you need to be. For those who want this team to win out and finish as high in standings, what's your actual game plan to make this team good? Cause, I've seen enough to know this team isn't good enough. You can wait for them to learn to win or replace them with better players? I'll take the 2nd option. Every year we see teams turn around quick, no reason why the Sabres can't next season but they need to add better players. If you want to cheer for this team to win their last 23 games and move into 5th last, go right ahead. I'll love your passion for the Sabres and can't wait for you to actually have a team worth cheering for. Me, I'll watch every game. Hope to see some good hockey by Samson and a couple of others that will be here long term. But I won't get upset if/when they lose. I can see the silver lining and I see it literally by watching almost all of the Barrie Colt games and Halifax/ Boston U games when they are available. I'm sure there are a lot of people who think I'm not a real fan cause I hope they come in last place. The truth is, I like all Sabres fans want them to win the cup, I grew up idolizing Perreault, listening to the games on the radio. Cheering for the Sabres while living in th middle of leaf nation. I remember them being heavily favored in 1980 vs the Islanders but losing in the semi finals. I remember losing to the Bruins in OT In 1983. Brad Park scores but I still think Andre Savard could have blocked the shot. This is way too long a post but even after all these years I'm still optimistic that they Sabres will one day win a cup. Eichel is a great place to start, now let's add another good hockey player by finishing last

Why don't the Sabres set the market? If it's a good trade - Take it!

I guess because usually the best players are often drafted at the very top. This team needs more good players and where else are you going to find them? Who should learn to play together? Half the guys out there yesterday won't be around next year. Why not replace them with actual "good players"?

I think it's safe to say they are 100% going to be drafting Dahlin, Tkachuk, Svechnikov or Zadina bad! And that's ok Coyotes have won 5 out of last 6 and got a point in their 1 loss. They are definitely better than Sabres right now and won't be unloading at the deadline.

d'andre Miller with a couple of highlites Tonight's u18 5nation tournament His goal: https://mobile.twitter.com/usahockeyntdp/status/964675859830509570 His assist: https://mobile.twitter.com/usahockeyntdp/status/964680022282956801

Dobson will be the 2nd Dman off the board this draft.

Babcock didn't tear up because he got a good player at 7. Yes, I understand that they need to win a lottery to be top 3 but it looks like their are 4 no doubt about it "real" players in this draft. I'm hoping the Sabres get one. Even if it means to crawl across the finish line this season

if they do have a chance, hopefully its less than a 3% chance. Ive said it before, he is the number 1 guy i do not want on next years roster.

they were also a bit lucky that he dropped due to questions about his strength and his commitment to hockey. If your scouting department is that good, wouldn't you want them to be able to draft the guy they like best after the top 3? rather than being left with maybe their 3rd or 4th ranked prospect. Has there ever been a study done that correlates the end of one season to the beginning of the following season? if we look at this season, the 2 biggest turnarounds are New Jersey and Colorado. from Feb 1 Coloradoon - 9W 23L 2ROW New Jersey 7W 19L 5ROW somehow, even though they struggled to the end they were able to turn it around the following season.

Exactly, good players begets winning. Mike Babcock on winning the draft lottery "I remember when we got to three (in the draft lottery), I was jumping up in the living room. When we got to one, tears. People don't understand. You need real players." not "we needed to win some games late last season when it didnt matter". real players beget winning. end of story.

. I do not agree

From hockey news 5'prospects to know Dylan Sikura, RW, Northeastern University Huskies (Hockey East) – I’ve given Gaudette a lot of pub this season, so let’s share the love for Sikura, a silky playmaker who had two points of his own in the Beanpot final. Gaudette’s linemate, Sikura is a Chicago Blackhawks pick who is attracting a lot of attention right now – and with good reason. NHL arrival: 2018-19 (though there’s a chance he gets into a game this year)

i think we are at where we have always been. A pretty good top 6 without any support for the bottom 2 lines. In the long run, its a losing proposition. when the top lines go cold again, they won't have any support for the bottom 6 and the Sabres will be back to being shut-out or scoring 1 or 2. it does give me hope for next year though as I think that 5 out of the 6 bottom forwards will be replaced by younger, faster and better players. 5 out of 6 Out - Larsson, Pouliot. Nolon, Josefson, Pominville (13th forward) In - Erod, Mittelstadt, Baptiste, Smith, ??? to fill their spots

he still has 1 more season under the Sabres control. Need to get him to sign once the NCAA ends!

From Elliotte's 31 thoughts, further confirmation that Sikura may test free agency. Plus, a few more names to keep an eye on this summer. Canucks prospect Adam Gaudette had a hat trick as Northeastern won the Beanpot for the first time in 30 years. While Vancouver fans salivate at the possibility of him joining them following this, his junior season, he has one more year before they really start sweating. Teammate Dylan Sikura, who had two assists, is on the clock, with the opportunity for free agency Aug. 15 if he doesn’t sign in Chicago. There are a lot of contradictory rumours, but the Blackhawks will do what is necessary. According to NHL clubs, the number of potential August free agents is higher than normal, although there are different opinions on how many are worth chasing. Of course, some teams may decide to let players loose. 29. Just some names to keep an eye on, with NHL team followed by school: Brian Pinho (Washington/Providence), Ryan Donato (Boston/Harvard), Anthony Angello (Pittsburgh/Cornell), Louis Belpedio (Minnesota/Miami), David Pope (Detroit/Nebraska-Omaha), CJ Suess (Winnipeg/Minnesota St.), Jake Evans (Montreal/Notre Dame), Brandon Hickey (Arizona/Boston University — traded to the Coyotes in the Mike Smith deal), Nolan Vesey (Toronto/Maine) and Nolan Stevens (St. Louis/Northeastern). The latter Nolan, John Stevens’s son, scored a beauty in the Beanpot final.

From Elliotte's 31 thoughts: "Nashville definitely is all in on Rick Nash. The question is if they can outbid a large field. They already dealt Sam Girard, Vladislav Kamenev and their second-round pick in the Kyle Turris deal, so how deep are they willing to go? A first-rounder that might be 27th or lower won’t do it. They’ve still got excellent prospects (Dante Fabbro and Eeli Tolvanen atop the list) and no doubt the Rangers will try to leverage from those." If Nashville can't land Nash, do they set their target on Kane? Fabbro would be a nice piece for the Sabres to land.

Lots of Dman prospects. I read that the only non-negotiable prospects are Hart and Frost

how great would drafting one of the big 3 LW prospects with your first pick and then getting Merkely with the pick they get (hopefully) for Kane in the mid 20's?

True about Jost but I could have used Dylan Larkin or Clayton Keller as examples. If Mittelstadt is one of the top 9 fowards at training camp next fall, he should make the team.

I haven't seen enough of Olofsson but I wonder if he anything more than a PP specialist? 21 of his 37 points are on the PP. My gut feeling is that its going to take him some time to figure how to create enough space to get his shot off 5v5.

You aren't wrong either way. Boqvist has by far the most offensive upside, some say better than Karlsson at the same age, but not being trusted by his coaches in either the SHL or the Allsvenskan really concerns me. The Sabres can't afford to miss with their top pick in 2018. I could see them going with both Dobson and Bouchard over Boqvist. Of course I've seen way more of the CHL players than I have of Boqvist. So my opinion could be swayed today when its Sweden vs USA at the 5 Nation tonight at 7pm. You can watch on hockeytv.com hopefully they stream it for free.

i see that point but then I see so many examples of guys coming out of college after 1 year and doing well. In the last game against Colorado, Jost was an example of a guy who has 5 AHL games on his resume and is now a big part of the teams turnaround. As for the muscle point, I would ask "How much muscle does Mitch Marner have?" How about Matthew Barzal? If Mittlestadt signs after his freshman year and is one of the best players at camp next year, why would he be sent down? next year, the motto should be "the best players play".

Watched him pretty closely tonight during the Beanpot final and I have no concerns with his skating. I would say that he skates well for a big guy but that wouldn't be giving him his due. I think you can just say "he skates really well"

Really impressed by the 2 seniors who play for Northeastern tonight in winning the beanpot. Nolan Stevens had a nice goal tonight (20th of season. His is a big bodied forward who is currently property of the Blues. Dylan Sikura is smaller forward and has become one of the Black Hawks top prospects. Reports are that he isn't convinced to sign with chicago and could test free agency. https://www.secondcityhockey.com/2018/2/12/17004098/dylan-sikura-signing-chicago-blackhawks-northeastern-nhl-free-agency-2018

Is throwing out the same lineup and telling them go out and win enough? I believe that you are one of the best posters on this site and have way more to add than "just win". What would you like to see Botterill do? UFA Or trades?