Crusader1969

Another Zadina goal. 16th in 19 QMJHL games. No that is not a typo https://mobile.twitter.com/hfxmooseheads/status/926906717736259586

Are we there yet!? There is no way Moulson is still on the team at this point? Right? Right? Here is my way too early 2018/19 line-up Nylander Eichel Reinhart Kane Middelstadt Bailey Girgenson ROR Okposo Smith Larsson ERod/ Baptiste. Scandella. Risto Guhle. Bogosian (if healthy) MCCabe. Antipin Playoff line-up? Not sure myself but a hell of a lot better than the team that played in Dallas If the Sabres end up bottom 5, as they appear to be heading , and draft any of Svechnikov, Zadina, Hughes, Tkachuk or Dahlin a roster spot needs to be opened. All look to be ready to jump right into the NHL immediately I

Just checking to see what Dahlin today and I noticed Olofsson scored on the PP again. Is he a 1 trick pony (pp specialist) or can he find space to use his shot 5v5?

Thanks for the reminder that we coulda /shoulda drafted Sergachev. Speaking of Nylander (whom I also have high hopes for), he is back skating in Rochester. Hopefully we see him in game action sooner than later. Back to the 2018 draft - Adam Boqvist nets 2 today for Brynas J20. That's 5 goals 6 assists in 12 SuperElite games this year.

Mittlestandt will be our Keller in 2018/19 - Immediate impact next season.

Here is the initial draft list from McKeen's hockey https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/mckeens-2018-nhl-preliminary-draft-rankings/ Pretty typical of most lists out at this time, Dahlin #1, Svechnikov #2 and basically the same players filling out picks 3 -12 just different order. First viewing of Quinn Hughes was night on the Big 10 network, really smooth skater. Definitely a nice consolation prize for a team that misses out on Dahlin. He is an October 1999 bday and is already playing on the top D-pair at Michigan. Potentially ready to make the leap to NHL next season? 25% chance of a lottery pick for the Sabres as it stands today. 8.6% for the right to draft Dahlin. 100% chance they would draft in the top 8.

ISS November rankings Big mover up is Oliver Wahlstrom, moving from 11 to 5. Wahlstrom may be he most gifted goal scorer in the draft - very similar to Owen Tippet from last year http://www.isshockey.com/iss-top-31-november-2017/

Absolutely correct - Tkachuk is your Power Forward, using braun to create space, huge net front presence and a thorn to play against. Zadina is basically Hischier 2.0. What would you take if both available? tough call since the Sabres really don't have anyone like Tkachuk, Id probably lean slightly his direction.

totally agree, why you would mess with the top PP in the league? they probably wanted to spread the talent between the 2 units but ended up making both units pathetic. Hopefully, they stick with Samson, Eichel, KO, ROR and Risto. Otherwise, I never saw this team as a Playoff contender so I am indifferent to winning and losing. Though I do hope they win games and not cheering for a Tank.

Both him and Baptiste are going on road trip. This is great news, I initially thought Bailey was going back to AHL for Baptiste. Can we hope to see Moulson on Waivers at somepoint? I really think a corner will be turned when we don't see 26 on the 23 man roster.

uggghhh, i hate this take on Alex. How can he be a bust at 19 years of age? if he played in the OHL and put up 130 points the same people calling him a bust would be calling him the second coming of Alexander Mogilny. Just remember when he played with his peer group, he lead the World Juniors in scoring. why don't we relex, let him play with a much better center with Rochester and see how it plays out before throwing the B word around?

i know, its wishful thinking. I'd really love them to move up the standings and pull off a miracle lottery win like the Flyers. I think the Sabres making the play-offs this year would be an even bigger miracle. that being said, 9 of the top 10 on the ESPN list are impact players IMO. The one who I'm not sold on is Veleno. His numbers are average but in his defense, he plays on one of the worst teams in the "Q", so doesnt get much help. For those not familiar with him, he was granted exceptional status and is already in his 3rd QMJHL season.

ESPN came out with it's draft rankings today: 1) Dahlin 2) Svechnikov So far, in all prospect rankings I have seen these have been 1 & 2 in all of them 3) Hughes 4) Boqvist 5) Zadina 6) Tkachuk 7) Veleno 8) Smith 9) Wahlstrom 10) Kupari At this point, I don't think there is much use continuing as it seems more than likely that the Sabres will be drafting in top 10. picks 11-15 will be very good players if the Sabres are able to move up the standings.

Another day and another Rasmus Dahlin, again I'm sure its a play that all Sabres prospects made in their pre-draft year but here it is anyways: https://twitter.com/AdamZHerman/status/925423964171788293/photo/1 With the Canadians win last night, Sabres would have a 12.5% of getting the first pick overall and drafting Dahlin. Not calling for a Tank but.....

More Rasmus Dahlin - probably a terrible "hot" take on my part but I don't believe all Sabres prospects were making these kind of moves when in Junior, college or playing Pro hockey against men in Sweden. https://twitter.com/cmoresport/status/924979713184956416 Dahlin is 6'2 and his NHL potential is off the charts. Reported today that he may be playing on the Swedish Olympic team this winter. As it stands today Sabres have a 10% chance of getting #1 and picking Dahlin.

Since 1/4 of the players you listed are still not on the Sabres, yes its wayyy to early.

much more difficult with Guaranteed contracts to trade over-priced players but you are 100% spot on. I'm hoping once some players get back from injury we will start seeing a purging of the roster. Did you look at this team prior to the tank and ever see a shot at the promised land? The Tank had to happen, it was the only was this team would ever become legit cup contenders year in and year out. Without it, you are just stuck in the middle. The only trade of those 3 that could have had an impact on Today's sabres is the Lehner for a 1st rounder.

not even a question. If you want to win a cup the best way is to tank and hit on a generational player. 6 of the last 9 championships won by teams that tanked and if you include LA who drafted Doughty 2nd overall, if you include them that's 8 of 9. I was reading through the 2014 draft talk the other day and I said "just wait for 5 years the sabres will dominate" I still think they will be a cup contender in 2019-20

Highlites of the Oliver Wahlstrom and Joel Farabee show from tonight. Had a hand in all 3 goals for the USA u17 https://mobile.twitter.com/usahockeyntdp/status/924090397890105344

Really nice breakdown of Zadina's all round game. this guy is going to be a top 5 draft pick https://draftbuzzhockey.com/2017/10/11/11-filip-zadina-rw-halifax-93017/amp/

I think you are can get a non-lottery 1st rounder at the deadline for Kane. Though I'm reallly leaning to re-signing him and giving him a big contract.

There is no doubt about that but who is taking Moulson, Bogo, Gorges (though don't need to trade him as his contract is off the books next season) or KO? I don't think Vegas takes Moulson (a live body) for Clarkson but I'd be calling them to be sure.

Skating this week I thought I read somewhere

This is a genius idea, I totally forgot about David Clarkson. You remember that the Leafs traded Clarkson to Columbus for Nathan Horton because the Blue Jackets wanted someone who could play for them rather than being stuck with a guy who's career was over. The leafs have had Horton stached on LTIR and will still pay him for a couple of more years Now it's Clarkson who has s getting paid over $5million to sit at home by the Knights. I'd love for them to take Moulson for Clarkson but I would also be willing to trade Pomminstein for Clarkson and a prospect in order to clear off $5 million off the cap as the Sabres could stash Clarkson on LTIR.

Definitely can't sign Lehner and Kane. Maybe Pomminstein will be the one let go at the trade deadline? That would solve the cap problem for the 18/19 season My only other thought is to trade Samson for a dman still on his ELC. Say, Nashville for Fabbro or Girard as an example? Looking back to last years trade deadline, I think Kane gets you a first rounder if you deal him. Will be tough to get a teams top prospect in return for him IMO