Crusader1969

C'mon. You honestly believe they'd be in last right now with either Laine or Matthews on the team? Is the d cor any better? Scandella. Risto zadarov. Pysyk McCabe. Bogo. Antipin. Gorges

If the Sabres stuck to their guns and tanked again in 2016 No ROR Trade, no Lehner trade, No Pysyk trade. the Kane trade still happens cause that trade help solidify Tank of 2015 Assume they come in last again and draft Matthews or Laine. Where would they be today? The tank of 2015 did work because they now have eichel. Imagine them with William Nylander rather than Eichel on the roster? MUrray messed it up being too aggressive with the time line. The good news - we may have gotten extremely lucky if Mittelstadt turns out to be a star. Here is another chance to add an elite talent.

I think you are exactly right. The good news is that we can have it both ways. Win a bit down the stretch as catching the 28th place team is highly unlikely. If you come in 3rd last - you will get an excellent prospect in the top 6.

I agree, long term a Defender could work out for the Sabres but im getting impatient and want immediate impact. so definitely want the Coyotes and the Sens to win some games aswell, to keep the Sabres in the Bottom 2. That 57% scares the me!

Who is good with stats. It the Sabres finish ahead of Ottawa and Arizona (finishing 3rd last) what are the odds that they draft 5th or 6th? I know it would be only be 31% that they draft in the top 3 but its top 4 that I think you need for this draft - if you want the guy playing for you next year. at #5 or #6, you are probably getting a dman. Either Boqvist, Hughes or Smith (though I've seen Dobson and Bouchard ranked high as well). Only other forward after Zadina, Svechnikov and Tkachuk worth considering would be Walhstrom it seems.

Two more games played since last update: 7 games played: Team goal of 41 points in last 41 goals- just behind pace with 6 points in 7 games Reinhart goal of 25 points in last 41 games - ahead of pace 6 points in last 7 games (.85 PPG)

An interesting one would be Merkley. Offensively gifted but a bit of a disaster in his own end and without the puck.

If it's the Blues, please let it be for Kyrou. Not sure if the Blues would give up their prized prospect for a potential rental player. Though Kane and the Blues could be a nice long term match Dealing Kyrou could happen if the Blues are comfortable with Tarasenko, Kostin, Tage Thompson as their Long term right wingers. They also have Robert Thomas in their prospect pool and he could be NHL ready next year as well.

Stil a chance that Boqvist is taken in top 4 and he definitely won't be in NHL next. But if it goes Dahlin, Svechnikov, Zadina and Tkachuk. One of them not being in NHL next year is a surprise to me. There is no doubt that whomever is drafted is an immediate improvement on the current roster. Actually meant to Link the Hockey News list that came out todaY http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/2018-draft-rankings-dahlin-still-the-darling

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/sportsnets-2018-nhl-draft-prospect-rankings-january/

No, I think Asplund will be the 4th C of the future.

Team 5 games - 2 points ( getting real ugly) Reinhart. 3 points. (22 to go)

he is never getting into the dirty areas. We will always be disappointed in him if thats what you are looking for. Doesnt mean he can't be successful in the NHL. Leafs aren't asking their Nylander or Marner to get into the "dirty areas" i dont believe. Alex's job will be to get into the open spot and take advantage of his skill.

I see more of a 3rd / 4th liner who may score 15 but can play up in the lineup in a pinch. Would be interested to hear what the coaches say about his defensive game. Think he has been killing Penalties in Rochester. Speed alone should be an improvement over some of the current roster players.

2nd Half goals 4 games played 1-3. 2 points (39 to go) Samson 4 games 0G 2A. 23 points to go Best game in ages for Reinhart tonight. Good to see

He led the USHL is Points/game at 1.25 Svechnikov was 3rd at 1.21 pts/game as a 16 year old

Thats only 1 list. Bunch of others have Dmen in the 2-5 range I've watched quite of bit of knights hockey and I just don't see him being a top 10 pick. Then you look at the stats and the kid s lighting it up. With London trading away Jones, Thomas and Pu. It will be interesting to see if he can continue his torrid pace.

Tanking isn't a solution of a bygone era. The Pens/Hawks/Kings have won all but 1 of the last what? 10 cups. History being 20\20 but he Tank should have been 2015 and 2016. How would this team look with Matthews or Laine on the team right now? The team was stripped to the bare bones. What I think most of us who supported the tank didn't realize is that it would take so much time to rebuild the depth. Maybe th Tank II, 2018 lands the Sabres the 2nd elite talent that it is sorely missing and things turn arose no quick.

This is exactly what I am trying to get a grasp of. I think you don't want to draft lower than 5th. Though as 6 you would still have Hughes and Ty Smith available. So the big question is, what is the drop off from the 4 you listed to Boqvist and then from Boqvist to Hughes, Wahlstrom and Smith?

I'm starting to feel he is the best option for Buffalo outside Dahlin. Only downside is that he wont be NHL ready next season.

Boqvist down to 8? very interesting to see Bouchard pass him. I know Bouchard is having a fantastic season with the Knights but I still like Boqvist's long term potential. Another point is that Boqvist is Aug birth date. One of the youngest in the draft.

2nd half results - 2 GP - 0 Points Reinhart - 2GP - 0 points

And you shouldn't be calling Nylander Murrays biggest mistake yet

still 19

Very good independent Draft site: https://www.thedraftanalyst.com/rankings/2018-nhl-draft-top-500-rankings-for-january/