Crusader1969

I think it's lacking two things. Elite talent and depth. Doesn't mean there won't be a really good player in the top 10. I will admit that the 3 players I really like outside of Patrick and Hischier are Liljegren, Makar and Tippett. All 3 are by no means a sure thing, each having questions about their game. All 3 are elite level skaters and game breakers but have questions surrounding their Defensive game and decision making.

Short answer yes. What was the last "weak" draft? Most say 2012 That draft had Ryan Murray, Morgan Reilly, Hampus Lindholm, Matthew Dumba and Jacob Trouba all go in the top 10.

Obviously there is an adjustment for these guys, even Eichel and Reinhart needed some time to adjust. I would call up Nylander (once we get to 9 games remaining) and Bapiste to finish out the season. I'd even think of giving Nelson a few more games. As i mentioned on the prospect thread - I'm hoping they can entice Borgen to leave school now that his season is over.

For 1 to 3, Id want a LHD to start next to Risto next year. Those type of guys are so hard to come by, especially if they are young - I think your best change to get one is by drafting him. Case in Point - MTL wouldn't give up Sergachev for Kane. (as per Elliotte Friedman)

Here is the March update to one of my favorite Draft resource sites: http://www.draftbuzzhockey.com/ I like where he has Liljegren and Makar - right in line where Sabres will more than likely be drafting. Valimaki is also an interesting prospect that is growing on me as I do more and more draft research. Do you take the best Dman available to them or do you stick with BPA? 9 times out of 10 I say BPA but this year I'm going D unless you are able to pick Hischier or Patrick and possibly Tippett (my guess for picks 1-3).

I think they also have an opportunity for him too. Id like to think they also have a young and up and coming team. I'm more worried about Borgen than I am Cal.

He could go the Vesey route but I have to think that burning a year on his ELC would be tempting?

The 10 dmen to know how n this years draft http://thehockeywriters.com/top-10-nhl-defenseman-prospects/

Borgen's season ended last night - I'm hoping he signs shortly with the Sabres. I'd imagine returning for his junior season is the likely scenario though.

Since the Sabres game is not worth watching , here is an article on Valimaki for you to read http://www.dubnetwork.ca/interviews/nhl-draft-profiles/2017-nhl-draft-profiles-juuso-valimaki/

Craig Buttons mock draft, he is thinking exactly like me with the best 2. Dmen in the draft : Makar at 4 and Liljigren at 5 Hopefully, one falls a bit further to the Sabres or Sabres get into the lottery spots. http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre

This is probably the best scouting report I've seen on Liljegren. Very detailed he is still a young man trying to figure it out but his decision making does worry me a bit. http://draftineurope.blogspot.ca/

since Nov 29th (date of Eichel returning) NHL scoring race: 1) Marchant 2) Crosby 3) Malkin 4) Kane 5) Burns 6) Backstrom 7) Granlund 8) Eichel 9) McDavid Mcdavid has played 3 less games O'Reilly 38th Kane 41 Samson 74 Risto 71 (7th for D) Okposo 81 Then scoring falls off a cliff. Maybe scoring is this unbalanced on most teams but I think it shows that the depth on this team is still a major issue. Oh and it shows that Jack is already one of the leagues best players and shouldn't take a backseat to anyone - including Mcdavid and Matthews

Just released - March rankings. Liljegren ranked at #3 and Makar #10 are top two Dmen. Hopefully one is there when the Sabres draft. http://www.sportsnet.ca/?sn-article=sportsnets-2017-nhl-draft-prospect-rankings-march

Speed an youth through the roster. That means Guhle, Baptiste, Bailey, Carrier, Fasching (I know his game isnt speed) and Nylander (maybe half the season), and Asplund. No more Gionta, Moulson, Ennis, Fransen, Gorges (maybe 7th dman). A healthy Kulikov, an extension for Kane (meaning he has stayed out of trouble), a full season of Eichel healthy, a new coach and a play-off spot.

I would think all Sabres fans should care about this. Why wouldn't you?

Ill respectfully Disagree. The Sabres need 1 dman with elite offensive game breaking abilities. There are only 2 available in the draft Liljegren and Makar. Makar is listed at 5'11 - the exact same size as Erik Karlsson.

If you want to pinpoint the lowest point of the season (besides Eichel injury) its exactly 19:48 of the 3rd period Feb 26th vs Arizona when the coyotes complete a 3rd period comeback from 2-0 to defeat the sabres... Season over...

I don't agree, the current roster is not a playoff team. The team immobile d-corps is #1 issue. Way too many minutes placed on risto and we are seeing him deteriorate as the season winds down. Still not enough balanced scoring up and down the lineup. They have 5 guys who can score consistently. Really have to hope that Bailey and Baptiste can not only bring speed but also some scoring next season. Maybe even Nylander and Asplund? That being said, the way they've played the last 7 games is enough to say that Bylama needs to replaced before next season preferably tomorrow

I held out for as long as I could but 1-7 out of the bye week has turned the tide. Wanted to give him chance with full lineup and now I've seen enough. fire Bylsma - tomorrow morning will be fine.

How good is Cale Makar? http://oilersnation.com/2017/1/27/how-good-is-cale-makar/

I probably didn't write that as clear as I should. I'm not trading Nylander, Asplund, Guhle and I might even add Pu to that list. Hague doesn't excite me with a lottery pick. I'm not as familiar with the 3 Finnish D to be honest, though know they are all good 2 way dmen. But Liljegren and Makar are both offensive dmen with high end puck moving abilities and game breaking abilities. A Bob Mckenzie article in December quoted a scout saying that if Makar was invited to the cdn Wjc try-outs would have been Canada's best D. Liljegren came into the year as the #2 prospect but got mono and is just now rounding into form.

Unless a miracle happens and Sabres win one of the lottery spots, Im feel confident that the pick will be one of 2 players. 1) Timothy Liljegren 2) Cale Makar i wouldn't want them to trade away a lottery pick as those players will be extremely valuable in 2 years when Eichel is done his ELC. I don`t think you have to trade away the top pick this year for a top 4D. With teams scrambling to not lose a valuable asset for nothing in in the expansion draft. Next Season - Failing the trade above, I would trade a lottery protected 2018, plus a prospect not named (Guhle, Nylander and Asplund) and Larsson or Girgensons for D help next season. I would like to see if they can bring back a healthy Kulikov on a 1 year deal at reasonable money. I know he is a much better player than what we have seen this year. You add a healthy Kulikov and Guhle plus another acquired by trade to Risto, Bogo, McCabe. I think you have substancially improved over this seasons D. In 2 seasons - You have Borgen, Devante Stephens (both with 1 year AHL experience) and the 1st round pick from this year to add. This is the year they move into the top 7 or 8 teams in the league.

Rumour out of MTL that Habs have interest in Kane. Would you trade him in a deal that landed Sergachev? I know it's short term pain but for the long term.........

No, because he isn't a UFA in another season