Crusader1969

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!

I know the guy at recrutes.ca has Heiskanen rated very high - Top 5 I think.

he is 3/4 of an inch shorter than Liljegren. Its a 2nd rate league but guys like Fabbro and Jost came out of the same tier last season. I will also caution that the guys that watch Liljegren a lot seem to not be that high on him (6th in international skaters). Here is the scouting report that really makes me question him as a top pick over Makar - http://draftineurope.blogspot.ca/ though i will say that watching him at the U18s could make me rank him over Makar once again (or fall below the 2 Finnish Dmen)

He doesnt have to reach the level of Karlsson in order to be a great player. I dont worry about his size at all. There are plenty of dmen who are slightly under 6' who are extremely important to their team. Between Liljegren and Makar, I'll trust Murray to figure out which one is better but I guessing that if the Sabres dont move up into a lottery position that the decision between the 2 will be made for him as one will be drafted prior to the Sabres slot.

I've been hyping Makar for a few months now. TSN mock draft looks like it could happen http://www.tsn.ca/patrick-goes-no-1-in-tsn-s-post-season-mock-draft-1.720569

I doubt all the dmen will be drafted prior to 7 and 8. I would be fairly confident that no more than two will go before pick #8

my guess at the Sabres draft board is: 1) Hischier 2) Patrick 3) Makar 4) Liljegren 5) Viilamaki 6) Heiskanen Though the under 18s could influence the order of pickcs 4, 5 and 6

No one worth taking? sure there isn't a generational player at the top of the draft Patrick and Hischier are both excellent prospects that the Sabres would be lucky to get. Even at 6, 7 or 8 they will get a quality player.

Wish that was true but I think Makar goes top 5, potentially top 3.

On the bright side, with a loss tomorrow the door is wide open for the Sabres to end up in 26th.

The 2 players I'm most interested to see under a new coach or change in philosophy are Tyler Ennis and Zack Bogosian. Maybe injuries have derailed both players and we will never see them at peak again but I'm not ready to give up on either yet. Along with Byslma does anyone still have a need for Girgensons to return? 4th line centre at best for me and I think I already like E-Rod better.

The Amerks have Baptiste, Karabacek, Cornel, Fasching and Bailey listed as RW for last nights game. Does anyone know the actual lines?

I will say that Toronto is having a good season with a pretty average d corps. Injuries, or a lack of, have had a huge impact on their season.

With Antipin and Guhle coming next season - that's already a good start to turning over the D and creating a defensive core that can skate. Heard that Makar is now being looked at a top 5 pick. I'd still like to get him or Liljegren. And to say they need 3 years isn't right. Hanifin played immediately, Provorov and Werenski both drafted in 2015 spent 1 more year in their program and both have had huge impact in NHL. Chychrun played in rookie year. I'll bet Sergachev plays with MTL next year Liljegren is already playing pro hockey. If you are looking to make a trade - my target is Ryan Ellis from Nashville. The Preds aren't going to be able to protect one of their vet dmen.

Best Sabres can do is finish 10th last. Looking more like somewhere between 5th and 8th. I guess the good news is that Murray should get to take 1st dmen off the board. Will be interesting to see if he wins one of the lottery slots.

New Craig Button draft rankings http://www.tsn.ca/craig-s-list-lots-of-talent-after-patrick-hischier-1.702428 maker now #1 dmen on his list

ill be open to him returning next year if he agrees that he has to simplify his system. I believe this is what Tortorella did this past summer with his coaching style. One thing Tortorella has changed for the Blue Jackets this season is doing away with morning skates. In an interview with NHL.com, Tortorella talked about allowing players to play and not over-coaching them. "(Players) get on the ice and they can't think straight because there's so much information," Tortorella told Tim Campbell. "I think that's one of the biggest adjustments all coaches are making now, including me, is to let them play. Give them a foundation but let them play and get out of their way. "But if it's the same mistake and it is constant and if it's something you can control through laziness and just not the will to play, that's part of my job to lean on them that way. It's ever-changing. We're just trying to go about our business." if Torts can change, Bylsma can too. I hate seeing a coaching carousel. Though the exist interviews with Murray and the team leaders (Eichel, ROR, etc) could doom him.

Yes, Makar didn't go to the WHL to keep his NCAA eligibility. He is committed to UMass. He played last night in his teams 9-1 playoff victory and had a goal and 2 assists. I`ve linked the highlights. You see his explosive first step at the :33 minute mark, his one time slap shot at 3:04 but you must watch his goal at 5:10. http://www.brooksbandits.ca/media-centre/news-archives.html?nID=11135