Crusader1969

i don't usually like entering the "fantasy" trade game but if the Sabres really like Tkachuk - would you consider moving up? Not sure they have the ammo to get to 4th because the Oilers would be looking for a dman and I don't think the Sabres have one that would temp them besides Risto. If Tkachuk is available at 5 - what would it take? Girgensons or Pysyk, pick 8 and a prospect like Cornel / Baptiste? Is this too high a price?

completely agree that 1 dman is off the board before the Sabres pick. Oilers are in a good spot - they can take the pick at 4 or they can drop back to a couple of spots to 7 and still get their #1 choice of dman (i think its Juolevi at this point). Dubois, Nylander and Tkachuk should fill the 5-7 spots. Calgary definitely could use the size that Dubios and Tkachuk bring on the wing. Arizona is set with Strome and Dvorak coming up as big time Centers. Canucks are the wild card, they can use help everywhere. but in the 5th spot they get their pick of the 3 wingers and should take one. Sabres will then have a choice of Chychrun or Sergi. Im not 100% convinced, as some are, that Murray would never pick a Russian but I will give the "russian factor" some credence and guess that Chychrun is the pick.

Posted this awhile ago. Murray loves his guys to be atheletic and Chychrun is at the top of the list http://ontariohockeyleague.com/article/chl-s-top-prospects-excel-in--testing-combine

Not happening. Why would either of them trade the pick? The Finns are going to be stars and I can't imagine what it would take to move up. The 8th pick is going to be a sure fire nhl player - definite top4 Dman with top pair potential.

What pick was Risto in 2013? I have a strong feeling we are going to see Chrychrun drafted by the the Sabres. He may not make team next year but he is one hell of a prospect.

To be fair, it was a comment from a Canadian scout not a Toronto writer. Still makes me laugh no matter who said it.

I think Jones has more offensive upside then Tom Wilson. In Wilson's draft season he put up 27 points while Jones put up 52 on the Knights 2nd line. I think he will put up 100 next season as a top line player on London. Could the suspensions cause teams to take pause and let him slip into the 2nd round?

User Actions Following Brad E. Schlossman‏@SchlossmanGF Drake Caggiula expected to make a decision sometime next week when he gets back to Grand Forks on who he will sign with.

User Actions Follow Windsor Spitfires‏@SpitsHockey NEWS: @sergachev31 is the winner of this year's Max Kaminsky Trophy as @OHLHockey Most Outstanding Defenceman of the Year! More to follow.

I wonder if you want to Dmen who mirror each other on your top pair? Would Juolevi be a better fit as he may complement Risto? Let's hope after tomorrow we are arguing who we want the Sabres to take with the first pick in the draft before we get too in-depth on the Dmen.

I think I'm intrigued by Chychrun's skating and size. Chychrun has a much better offensive season in his rookie year scoring 16 goals in 42 games compared to just 11 in 62 last year. Though, I read that he was really trying to concentrate on his defensive game last season and didn't join the rush as much as he did the year prior. Sergi is has much of the same attributes but is a big time hitter as well but then you have the "russian factor". Then again, maybe Joulevi would be the best to pair with Risto? The nice thing about the way the draft should shake out is that the Sabres are either going to get one of the top 3 Forwards in the draft if they get lucky tomorrow. if not, they will get one of the top 3 Dmen in the draft. I think they are looking pretty good no matter how the ping pong balls drop tomorrow night. I'll be celebrating because it means the Leafs didnt win.

Draft Buzz hockey on Chychrun who they rated #11 over: "Chychrun's defensive ability is overblown - even moreso if you extrapolate to the pros and level off some of his strengths. If he's just as susceptible to miscues and getting beaten like the rest now, and his offensive ability isn't as potent as Sergachev's, why wouldn't you go with Sergachev?"

Hot off the press: Bob Mckenzie's top 15 http://www.tsn.ca/laine-closes-gap-on-matthews-atop-tsn-draft-rankings-1.478128 Now if Sabres land the 2nd pick I'll have to hold off on buying my Tappera jersey. more Laine news: http://futureconsiderations.ca/laine-to-join-finland-at-worlds/

Could Laine have passed Matthews? http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/patrik-laine-no-1-draft-lottery-mvp-finland-winger-world-junior-champion-auston-matthews-edmonton-oilers-mike-liut-octagon/ If Sabres get the #1 pick who are you taking? If you have been reading my posts for the last 6 months you know who I want lined up with Eichel.

the system failed Sean Day. he basically had the stature of an adult when he was 14 at 6'3 230lbs and has elite level skating ability for a guy that size. His agent, Jason Wooley, pushed for him to be granted "exceptional status" at that time and he entered the OHL at 15. Unfortunately, he was over-matched and still hasn't recovered to be the prospect many thought he would be. Basically the same thing that the Oilers have done with their prospects - forcing them into a position they aren't ready for. Plus, there are lots of questions about his hockey IQ and dedication to the sport.

Looks like Future Considerations was a bit off in their initial draft list. Not even sure Steel, Krys and Day get drafted in top 2 rounds. Im pretty sure Benson goes in round 2 - had a real tough year with injuries.

Jost and Fabbro article: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/team-canada-wild-cards-tyson-jost-dante-fabbro-cemented-spots-2016-nhl-draft-iihf-u18-world-championship/

With that in mind - watch for Jordan Kyrou of the Sarnia Sting in the second round for the Sabres. http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=269034 Currently ranked 34th by Central Scouting (North American Skaters). He finished first in the "on-ice" testing at the BMO CHL Prospects game. http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/article/chl-s-top-prospects-excel-in-sport-testing-combine I've seen at least 10 Sting games this year (1 live) and he always seems to stand out. Scoring 4 goals last night for Team Canada in the World Under 18's doesn't hurt either. Wrong thread but fit well with last post.

Jake Bean out of tournament https://twitter.com/hc_men/status/719998153332621312 . What are you guys basing it off? Stats? Viewings? Only thing I know is that he almost made Sabres are his season and was very good in limited games at Roch. Never saw him play in PA myself.

you guys are starting to mix up the Fantasy Trade Speculation page with the Draft page! lol

I think its interesting that Chychrun is still rated above Juolevi and Sergi. Mckenzie tweeted again today that many teams have told him that Sergachev is the top rated Dman in 2016. Someone the other day asked if Logan Brown could be available for the Sabres in the 2nd round. Now looks like top 10 is a possibility and ahead of centers Keller and McLeod. Read somewhere that CSS puts a lot of emphasis on size - so that could help explain both points above. Tappara (Laine) defeated Karpat (Puljujarvi) in game 7 today. They move onto the finals vs Helsinki. I believe the both Laine and Puljujarvi will be on the Finns World Cup team.

I just don't think the risk/reward is worth giving up the 8th overall draft pick in a good draft (at least at the top) for a guy with 2 years left before UFA status thats were you lose the guarantee regarding Fowler. Its nothing against Fowler, he would be a fine addition to this team. is there another way to acquire him? Maybe Anaheim who is a cup contender would rather a lower cost DMan who can play for them immediately. Would you give up Guhle for Fowler? I'm guessing most would.

If you pay them that (may be a bit high in 2018/19 for Eichel and Reinhart) you sure as heck can't be paying Fowler $7million or whatever he wants as he hits FA status unless the Salary Cap escalates quickly. Which isn't saying from a pure hockey sense Fowler for the 8th pick doesnt make sense, it just doesn't make sense from a financial stand-point to me.

No but eventually you have to think that Eichel and Reinhart could be in that ball-park. What will you be paying Risto $7mill? 8million? Last think I would want is to be going into contract years for Eichel and Reinhart and not have the ability to sign them? or be susceptible to someone coming in with a huge offer sheet. Plus, you can't force Fowler to re-sign. He could walk away after 2 seasons. Right when Sergi, Juolevi or Chyrchrun are making huge contributions for the Ducks. Let me ask you this. if Fowler is truly a top Dman on the Ducks, why would they trade him? Again you are making a HUGE assumption that he re-signs with the Sabres. There is a very good possibility he will text FA and thats that. Right when the Sabres are truly a cup contender he could leave. I don't mind trading for him but giving up the 8th pick for a guy with 2 years left on his contract? Count me out. Especially when the 3 Dmen (possibly 4) are all thought as high end talents. Im hoping that Murray does a lot more than hope he doesn't screw up the salary cap.