Crusader1969

So 1 game to go in the season and a loss means they clinch last place and guarantee one of matthews, Laine, Puljujarvi or Tkachuk. you are still pulling for the win?

at what point do you start cheering / hoping for Sabres losses? Im at the point that Im indifferent to Sabres wins v losses but definitely hope teams around them win. That might change and I will start hoping for losses if they are still a point or two out of the bottom with 20 games to go.

thats a big assumption. I know they had issues with Zadorov but to completely bypass a guy because of where he was born would be a mistake IMO

Here is a blog that i came across last night from OHL prospects. They are coming out with an update in their rankings this weekend and teased it by saying that Sergachev is moving up. As an added bonus he is a LHD. its great for comparisons that the top 3 D in the draft all play in the OHL. Chychrun is the best skater, Juolevi may have the best hockey sense while Sergachev is the hammer. 5. Mikhail Sergachev - Defence - Windsor Spitfires Came to Windsor with a ton of hype and has lived up to all of it. One of the main reasons why the Spitfires are currently leading the West Division. Sergachev has stabilized a defensive unit that had major struggles last year. He's certainly a potential first pairing defender who is the complete package. 6'3, 200+lbs, but moves very well and is not afraid of using his size to play physical in the defensive end. Offensively, he seems to get better and more confident every game. He's now creating a least one good chance a game by going end to end and flashes terrific hands in the open ice. Most impressive IMO, has been how well he's run the point on the powerplay. Makes very good decisions with the puck and is excellent at creating shooting lanes to get his hard slapper to the net. Honestly, at this point, the top 5 as I have it, has really started to separate themselves from the others in this OHL class. All 5 look like top 10 picks come June.

Draft Profile of Dubois from Cape Breton. Real possibility that he is a top 10 pick and potentially could go as high as 5th. http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=pierre-luc+dubois&&view=detail&mid=4F1C4CD3DA5C0D69210D4F1C4CD3DA5C0D69210D&rvsmid=F040E2E215BDE42D41E8F040E2E215BDE42D41E8&FORM=VDFSRV&fsscr=0

not for what it is going to cost to get him.

Here is the quote from the Bob McKenzie Mid Term Rankings in response to the question if Matthews was a slam dunk at #1: “Had to think long and hard about it,” said another scout. “Laine is right there. In the end, we favoured the centre over the winger but I don’t think it’s a reach at all to see Laine going first overall. A lot of our European scouts who see these guys think Laine is better.” I understand that Matthews would be great for marketing in Arizona but so is winning and I don't think OEM and #2 for the #1 pick is reasonable from a hockey standpoint. If the unlikely event Buffalo has #1 pick and Arizona is slotted #2. If I have Matthews v Laine as being close then Im taking the one who will be the better winger. I would think that leans me to Laine but Matthews is rated highly for both his hockey smarts and his shot so he could make one hell of a winger as well.

Sabres have greatest percentage chance for picking in top 3. 40% chance we will be drafting Matthews, Laine or Puljujarvi as of today. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ca3yW2-W8AAsgza.png:large

if this was his highest priority, why wouldn't he just re-sign in Tampa? You are wasting time if you think there is even a chance Stamkos signs in Buffalo. If he wants to win (and get paid huge) he stays in Tampa, if he just wants max contract he goes to Toronto. Plus, we already have our 2 centers for the next 7 - 10 years.

If the Sabres are slotted 4 they happily draft Tkachuk and he eventually becomes the best power forward the Sabres have had in 25 years. Draft 5 - they draft Chychrun and eventually him and Risto become one of the best top pair of Dmen in the league. Draft 6 and its gets more interesting. I'm a big fan of Dubois from Cape Breton 6'3 200lb winger who has 30G and 72P in 50 games. Though, I could be talked into looking at the younger Nylander. Though, If I draft 5 or 6 and can trade McGinn for a low first rounder, I would happily trade it along with Ennis and the 5-6 pick to get Laine. Doubt it is enough though to get it done.

there is no comparison here: Laine is a physical force, just ask team Canada at the WJC as he destroyed them.

They noted on the broadcast that both Bean (whom I've only seen in the prospect game) and Sergachev not only have the potential to move into the top 10 but also to overtake Chychrun and Juolevi as the top Dman to be taken in Buffalo come June. They also said that 5 out of 10 scouts have Matthews cemented into the #1 spot regardless of Peter Pucks smear campaign. the other 5 say the only player to have a shot to overtake him is, my personal fav, Laine. Of course, he is playing pro hockey at an early age and didn't go to college either. So I guess I'll have to re-think my position. Now I guess I have to think about Tkachuk, who I said earlier today was inked in as my 4th overall prospect, because he de-committed from going to Notre Dame in order to join the London Knights of the CHL. Obviously there could be character issues and red flags that need to be investigated furtehr.

Bob McKenzie's mid term rankings just out: http://www.tsn.ca/tsn-mid-season-draft-rankings-topped-by-big-three-1.435206

here is the video evidence of yesterdays game London V Sarnia. Tkachuck scores a Hatty and Chychrun sets up Zacha for a sweet one timer. http://ontariohockeyleague.com/video/index/id/e4e015688618680d06317412fd2225e6

Big Games this week in Tank 3.0 to circle in your calendars: Tuesday - Toronto V Calgary Wed - Arizona V Vancouver Thurs - Buffalo V Philadelphia, Toronto V Edmonton Friday - Buffalo V Montreal, Calgary V Arizona Saturday - Ottawa V Columbus, Toronto V Vancouver, Winnipeg V Edmonton Sunday

Just back form a great weekend where I saw the following potential 1st rounders play: Windsor - Sergachev, Stanley, Brown Erie- DeBrincat, London - Tkachuk, Jeolevi, Jones Sarnia - Chychrun and Kryou. My two take-aways: I now have Matthew Tkachuk written in ink as the 4th overall pick in this upcoming draft. He did it all, he was physical, he scored 3 goals, showed amazing hand-eye co-ordination on a tip in, and consistently drove the net. He battled all game long and skated effortlessly next to Marner. Sergachev was physical, not as big as say Zadorov, but still lowered the hammer a few times. He drove possession into the offensive end on multiple occasions and has one hell of a shot from the point. Jeolevi played ok, definitely a smooth skater, but isnt physical. relies more on body positioning than out muscling his opponent. You can see the size and power of Chychrun and set up a one timer on a tee for Zacha for a nice PP goal. Battled hard vs Tkachuk when both were on the ice together. You can see why scouts love him by looking at him but Im still not 100% sold. DeBrincat, just knows where to go to score goals. He will be a very nice mid to late round 1st rounder for someone.

Bailey with another quiet 3 point night last night (2G 1A). Has put up 11 points in his last 8 games. Seems he is lucky to have good line-mates who have been deflecting pucks off of bailey to go into the net.

I was hoping that GR would have asked Murray to expand on why that was a highlight. Maybe they don`t know who Borgen is? Justin Bailey is putting up some points in the AHL with 8 points in his last 7 games (3G 5A). Murray said a while ago that his speed was evident even playing against professionals. I haven`t seen him play for the Amerks but did see him in the OHL a few times - definitely the fastest skater on the ice each time I saw him - the kid can fly. When you mix his speed with his size (6`3 200lb) you have one hell of a prospect.

you know why this team almost has the same amounts of points the 14/15 Sabres did in the entire season? better players - has nothing to do with learning how to win. I think the team will be better off down the road by adding a high end talent found at the top of the draft than winning a couple of more games this season. I think its Toronto, Columbus and then I have no idea. Not Edmonton is all I will guess.

The Sabres aren`t going to make the play-offs, so why not finish as low in the standings as possible. I don`t cheer against them as I want them to end with around 75 points but if that means they end up in 3rd last - I say its a win win situation.

Looking for a Jets win tonight and a 3 pointer between Flames & Blue Jackets!

seems pretty set in stone after hearing who the top 3 guys are after hearing Murray on WGR. Not sure of the order but its definitely the guys playing overseas who will be picks 1, 2 and 3 on the Sabres draft board.

I didn`t hear that at all. I heard if they dont win 10 of next 13 they are sellers and he is at the top of the list. He just said they asked for McGinn`s thoughts of term and price and then gave McGinns camp the Sabres thoughts of term and price. He followed by saying `we are probably speaking different languages`

McGinn is as good as gone and rightfully so. His stock is high and he should be traded for a decent return ASAP by Murray. The Sabres are trying to build a cup contender and McGinn isn't a top 6 player on one. If someone is willing to give up a 1st or 2nd round pick for him - its a trade Murray makes all day long and twice on Tuesday. If you can bring him back in July at a decent price & term thats fantastic but if not - he is just a guy and there are plenty of guys to play on the 3rd line.

ISS Feb rankings came out yesterday: http://www.isshockey.com/iss-top-30-february-2016/ Corey Pronman from ESPN came out this morning. SInce the rankings is for Insiders only I'll list the Top 10: 1) Matthews 2) Laine - of course, my personal fav. 3) Puljujarvi 4) Keller - (Highest I've seen him ranked). I've never seen him play but is putting up some huge #'s 5) Tkachuk 6) Nylander 7) Chychrun - seems to be falling but definitely would be intriguing for a Team like the Sabres needing a LHD who could be paired with Risto 8) Joilevi - Another LHD - could we see a top pair of Finnish D in the Sabres future? 9) Dubois - just started paying attention to him and I'm impressed by his size, speed combination 10) Fabbro - Sergachev is ranked 22 by Pronman. Lowest I've seen him ranked though Pronman did give him a pretty good write-up.