Crusader1969

Dubois is definitely making noise and i can't imagine him out of the top 10 in any ranking of the top prospects. How poorly all the Canadian teams are playing I can't see the Sabres drafting higher than 7th at this point (assuming they don't win the lottery). http://capebretoneagles.com/article/eagles-rout-mooseheads-9-2-

I messaged Corey Pronman (ESPN) a week ago for his opinion on who would fit better on Eichel`s wing - Dubois or Gauthier. He replied `Dubois cause he is a much better`

Future Considerations releases Feb rankings: includes a nice write up on one of my favorites if Sabres draft lower than 5th in Pierre-Luc Dubois. http://futureconsiderations.ca/fc-releases-february-ranking-for-2016-nhl-draft/

good point. Leafs / Columbus are ok at home (basically .500) while Edmonton has a decent home record.(15-11-2).

Toronto Stars race to the bottom: http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/2016/02/16/race-to-the-nhl-basement-remaining-games-for-bottom-four-teams.html Sabres with the least home games left with 11 out of 24 but have the easiest schedule with only 15 games vs teams with winning records. Also, Sabres have slipped into second. No longer the most likely team to draft one of the Top 3. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CbbvYy7W4AAFis5.png

not sure I agree, its similar to Bob Mckenzie's rankings in that all they did was survey a bunch of hockey writers and NHL scouts to rank the prospects. The NHL comparable is just "plays in the style of" not to be taken literally that this is the next Datsyuk. The hockey writers aren't just some hockey blogger like you find on Hockeybuzz (no offense to any of them) but are guys who run sites as independent scouts, many of them are well known and highly regarded.

again its not my graph, im just passing it along. lol He has them finishing with 78 points - so there is optimism there

its not really anything to do with me. Here is a link to the website if you wish to complain: http://www.dobberprospects.com/contact/

Maybe you need that draft pick to complete a trade that will bring in a top 6 player. Way too much value in getting the pick over keeping an UFA that will walk for nothing. at this point it doesnt really matter, its already a done deal that the Sabres are sellers cause they couldn't make Murray's ultimatum of winning 10 of 13,

Cornell with back to back 3A games. Now 18th in OHL scoring with 54GP 24G and 41A. His 65 points this season is the most he has had in his OHL career.

definitely style of play.

story on Estephan from Feb 9th: http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/134347/podcast-resurgent-hurricanes-riding-offensive-ability-estephan-forwards/

Lets not forget where the Sabres got Bailey for all those who don't want to see McGinn Traded.

Here you go: http://www.dobberprospects.com/fantasy-ranking-draft-eligible-prospects/ I still can't stop thinking that Laine would be the perfect compliment for Eichel. Though, no matter where they finish, they will need luck to get the 2nd pick. I would say as long as they draft in top 8. However, if you want help for the team next season you are probably looking at top 3

Dobber sports did a poll of 15 writers and scouts and ranked prospects by their future value, probability of success and how quickly they will contribute in the NHL 1) Matthews - NHL Comparable Malkin 2) Laine - NHL Comparable Ovechkin The best pure goal scorer available in an entry draft in over a decade who shoots off the pass with near-perfect accuracy. – Steve Kournianos, Draft Analyst 3) Puljujarvi - NHL Comparable Mats Sundin He has the physical stature to handle the league immediately 4) Tkchuck - NHL Comparable Jamie Benn 5) Nylander - "Exceptional skill set much like his brother, can create offense out of nothing. Will need to get stronger to be effective at pro level" 6) Chychrun -NHL Comparable Duncan Keith 7) Dubois - NHL Comparable Patrick Marleau "Pierre-Luc Dubois has the size and versatility to find his way into an NHL lineup quickly" 8) McLeod - Comparable Ryan Kessler "Has more offensive potential than people seem to suggest he does. Plays the power game the way NHL teams want their centers to now. Just needs to improve his finishing ability, but he creates a ton of chances and will only get better". – OHL Prospects

Dobber sports did a poll of 15 writers and scouts and ranked prospects by their future value, probability of success and how quickly they will contribute in the NHL 1) Matthews - NHL Comparable Malkin 2) Laine - NHL Comparable Ovechkin The best pure goal scorer available in an entry draft in over a decade who shoots off the pass with near-perfect accuracy. – Steve Kournianos, Draft Analyst 3) Puljujarvi - NHL Comparable Mats Sundin He has the physical stature to handle the league immediately 4) Tkchuck - NHL Comparable Jamie Benn 5) Nylander - "Exceptional skill set much like his brother, can create offense out of nothing. Will need to get stronger to be effective at pro level" 6) Chychrun -NHL Comparable Duncan Keith 7) Dubois - NHL Comparable Patrick Marleau "Pierre-Luc Dubois has the size and versatility to find his way into an NHL lineup quickly" 8) McLeod - Comparable Ryan Kessler "Has more offensive potential than people seem to suggest he does. Plays the power game the way NHL teams want their centers to now. Just needs to improve his finishing ability, but he creates a ton of chances and will only get better". – OHL Prospects I've messaged the site to see how they come up with their analysis, without reply. I found it when Bob McKenzie retweeted one of their posts. I believe it adds strength of schedule and home/-away records into the equation.

good news for those like me (though I think there are not many of us) who want the Sabres to finish as low in the standings as possible - getting to about 75 points on the season. DTM About Heart still has the Sabres most likely to finish last: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CbRXUwyWIAAQH2P.png

serious question. With 25 games to go, what is the better scenario for you? 1) Sabres win 15 of last 25 games - "learn to win" as they say. End up with the 10th pick in the draft 2) Sabres win 10 of last 25 games - finish 4th last and draft between 1 and 5. (assuming no more than 1 team below you moves up in lottery) and add another elite talent to your team? wanted to add a poll but have no idea how to do it!

Big games that involve two teams who are very much alive in the BIG 3 sweepstakes this week: Monday Feb 15th Montreal vs Arizona Minnesota vs Vancouver Tuesday Feb 16th Buffalo vs Ottawa Wed Feb 17th Minnesota vs Calgary Thursday Feb 18th Minnesota vs Edmonton Friday Feb 19th Buffalo vs Columbus Philadelphia vs Montreal Vancouver vs Calgary Saturday Feb 20th Philadelphia vs Toronto

I can definitely see why you would be disappointed but they have a 19 year old with 16G, a 20 year old with 16G a 21 year old Dman who is considered one of the best up and coming players in the league. They have an All-star center who I believe is 24. The have 2 other Dmen in their top 4/5 who are playing in their first full season in the NHL. They lost their starting Goalie in Game 1. They lost their top point getter from last season (who scored 20 Goals on a really really bad team) for most of the season. They don't have any depth currently but have 4 or 5 prospects who should fill these rolls in next year or two. (Guhle, Bailey, Fasching, Baptiste and Borgen). they have a good possibility of adding 1 of the 5 players in this years draft that I believe strongly will have an immediate impact in the NHL next season. Sorry I can't be disappointed, no matter where they finish in the standings, if they reach the 75(ish) point total this season.

then who expected? team is right on pace to what I expected and most prognosticators.

or maybe next year he will have more points with a winger who is Finnish?

48 points and on pace for 72 is exactly where this team should be. Please find me one prognosticator outside of Buffalo thought this team would be anyplace but right where they are. I've been disappointed in the last 2 games (save Justin Bailey) but definitely not disappointed on the season over-all.

I'm pretty sure anyone and everyone would love to have Stamkos on the Sabres. The question is do you want Stamkos at a max contract? Is he worth $10/11 mill for 7 -8 years - thats where it becomes a debate.

So team improves from 52 to 73 points this year. Next year, say they improve to 87 points but don't make playoffs and you are ready to fire people?