Crusader1969

I like that you have Baptiste rated higher than most. I would even put him as #3. I think he has a good shot at being a top 6 winger.

If I had to chose 1 guy from that list that would be a future full time contributing Sabre it would be Devante Stephens. Though Nelson and Austin will have moments as injury call ups.

Eichel is 20 years old and already near a point per game player and the Tank was a Fail? Omg, talk about being impatient! Columbus goes from 76 points to over 100 the following season. How did they manage such a turn around? How can you assume the Sabres can't do the same? I still can't believe anyone would prefer not to have Tanked. How many years have mediocre hockey do you need to watch before you realize being stuck in the middle isn't working? 100% agree! When the forward lines next season have Bailey, Baptiste, Nylander and Carrier full time and Guhle is on blue line - there won't be many teams faster than the Sabres. Most of which will be coming next season.

I would say you should expect improvement in Cornel this coming season. Look at the first season in the AHL for Baptiste and Carrier - not much better. Give the kid a chance. I'll never agree that Murray was a bad GM. What really did he ever give away?? best anyone will come up with is Pysyk and to me thats really not that much. he overpaid Moulson and brought in a bad contract with Bogo but took out the Myers contract at the same time. I have a feeling that he had an agreement in place for Vegas to take Moulson or Bogo. But i digress

his skating is elite level and he is a smart hockey player. Will be a big part of the Sabres when they can roll 4 lines.

That was supposed to read Toronto writer on Edmonton Radio -

Toronto writer on Edmonton writer said that it all came down to ping pong balls. "if Sabres get McDavid we are talking about them (Sabres) in the playoffs and we are talking to you in Edmonton about what went wrong". God, I want Jack to come back next year and just tear up the league and I believe that he will.

Director of Pro Scouting I can live with but Greg Royce has done as good a job as anyone.

wow, even both the Amateur and Pro directors of scouting get the ax!! I don't get what TP is doing? brutal mistake by the owners - only DB should have gone. Franchise looks Mickey Mouse.

Funny thing about the NHL is how fast things can turn around - look at all the Canadian teams that missed the play-offs, plus Columbus a year ago.

I have Nylander as top 6 LW. I also don't want to totally disregard Bailey and Baptiste as top 6 candidates - Im just not ready to write their names in ink yet in that role.

I think they are in Rochester _ Cornel, Karabacek, Johansson (just came), Martin. Olofsson (7th round) still in Sweden but doing well.

WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!! if you think McNabb is a talented Dman you arent paying attention!

My understanding is that Liljegren is a big reason they are not doing well. Watched the first period of the USA v Sweden game and seemed like he was on the bottom pairing and not on the #1 PP. Totally agree on Heiskanen - doing what he is doing against top competition could vault him above Makar. Plays pro hockey against men already and performed well. Probably not the highlite reel that makar is but definitely smart, mobile and good defensively as well. Another guy really moving up and a name to get to know is Kristian Vesalainen on Finland.

This is definitely my guy, though I understand the hesitation due to playing AJHL competition. if he is the guy the Sabres target, they would have to trade down. Not worthy of top 8 pick imo If Sabres think Samson is future 3rd line centre and not top 6 RW, then this pick could make a lot of sense. I'm not sure anyone else in organization is a shoe-in top 6 RW besides Okposo (assuming he is healthy).

I've read a few scouting reports on Foote questioning his skating - think I like Hague better. Brannstrom seems to be another interesting prospect who's stock is heading higher. 9th in European skaters by the NHL scouting service. He seems to be Swedens top dman in the u18 tournament.

I would usually agree with you but this year just seems different. In your scenario I take the Dman.

I'm not even close to thinking this. Kulikov had a disastrous season but that was mainly to do with injury IMO. Many wont agree but Pysyk wasn't a big piece to lose. What other Dmen has he acquired post tank? Getting the Sabres to be in a position to draft Eichel, acquiring ROR, Kane and Okposo. His last 2 drafts were excellent. The way they've developed Baptiste, Bailey and Carrier. Easily outweigh any negatives. This team will look a hell of a lot different to start next year. Way more speed, more balanced scoring, the Dmen will be mobile. If the Antipin rumours are true, there is another huge get by Murray.

at this point, Im just hoping that 1 of them Heiskanen or Makar are there for the Sabres! Both could be top 5 at this point. Otherwise, trade down and think about Valamaki and Liljegren. How would you feel if Top 2 D off the board and the Sabres draft another Centre?

I think Alzner is more of what Sabres already have. Don't think he is worth the $$ nor the term he will get.

Think the draft board may have changed. Liljegren falling below Heiskanen and Vilamaki. Seems Heiskanen may have become the 2nd rated Dman in this draft. Liljegren is having a tough u18, which sounds like he could fall out of the top 20. he still has a week to turn it around. Not saying a Kylington type drop but still a drop.

I think we are learning that it doesn't take Dmen 3 years to become NHLers anymore.

why would Anaheim trade for Lehner? they already have their goaltender.

I think he should be expendable already if he can bring in a true stud dman -I dont think anyone is looking to trade away one though. Failing that, I think keeping Samson and the pick and making a deal with a team that can't protect all their d in the expansion draft at a much lower cost Even better, trade down a couple of slots, get a young d prospect in the trade and draft Makar.

totally agree!