HopefulFuture

Sabres win the lottery. "With the first pick of the NHL draft the Buffalo Sabres select Sam Bennett"

I agree but disagree. Yes TM's selection choices are going have an immense impact on the time frame. No development as individual players will draw a playoff slot in the next 2 seasons IMHO. It's all going to come down to on ice roster chemistry. Can these kids mesh well together? Only time will tell, and that time should reasonably be 3 years or more. Suffering comes at a price.

Not only would I not be angry if this route was chosen, I fully expect it to be next seasons blueprint

Hehe, 3 to 5 years from now the new soap will wash that feeling away :) I'd like a #1 in 15 to. I wont actively cheer for them to lose, but like some dark sinister side of me smirks that evil smirk with each and every loss next season as the diabolical plan unfolds.......muhahahahaha MUHAHAHAHA

I don't doubt some analysts believe that. Your looking for a complimentary player for your star center, you have the opportunity to select one of the touted top 4 offensive prospects in the draft. I don't believe, in Snow's case, he can afford to turn away from that.

Top 5 pick, I seriously doubt the Islanders defer.

Not necessarily. The projected expectation should have always touted honesty within the final analasys 4 yo 5 years is where the number projects given the unknowns with so many variables. It's nice to believe in short turn arounds, but fans should temper that with a commitment towards ensuring it succeeds and in Buffalo's case those numbers appear more in the realm of reality.

I wouldn't go so far as to say the darkest days are behind us, were at the low point though. It's all going to come down to the pipeline and next 2 draft class picks. Can they form the necessary chemistry along with translating their individual skill sets to the pro level? Time will bare the answer out, but the corner they need to turn is on sight.

LA is one of several potential markets that are being considered I'm sure. The fact remains that there are larger population centers available and those markets offer more than just TV ad sales. There is projected growth rates population wise, merchandise sales increase to be sure and larger tax base to support the team on multiple issues a stadium faces. Traffic flow and so on. In short, there are better locations for the Bills from a business perspective. This fact, no matter the spin put out by hardcore fans, is just not disputable in the world of reality. Cold hard facts suck for Buffalo. I blame Regier for this :-p

It's one thing to have hope, but this market has been gutted enough that it puts a big ticket item such as sn NFL team at risk of leaving. And that risk is of such a nature that it will force the inevitable. U all know dam well of what I speak. Talking a good game about fighting the good fight is horse ######. It's just best to accept reality. Horse crap, and u know it. Bingo!!!!

The Bills are as good as gone.

Who got credit for the gpal

Stamkos secretly auditioning for the SABRES. hehe

Lafontaine and Molgilny should be as well

I like the sound of this. Now, if Pegula can address the roughly quarter million jobs (most middle class manufacturing jobs) that have drained from the area since the early 70's, I'd really be impressed.

Risto isn't a defensive d-man, he's a two way defender. He's young but showed great leadership ay the WJC. I wouldn't be so quick to write off these kids abilities. There is no way they move zads to forward.

I hope this scenario plays out.

I agree that the Islanders don't give us the 14 pick. I don't see them making it out of the 5 to 10 slot next season though.

Not surprised by this. Atleast we got the trade in before that sucker gets banned :-)

Point taken :-p

I don't believe moving zads to the forward ranks is beneficial to the team overall. I love the kids defensive game. If he stays the course development wise I believe it gives management a degree of flexability when it comes to making moves, particularly with Myers. I'm not advocating they will move Myers mind u, I'm merely stating zads as a d-man offers that possibility is all. So, what's your itch?

With such a short period of time and a significant lack of direct evidence offered by the prosecution team this case is hereby dismissed. Mr. Pegula, the court and prosecution should apologize.....

We won't draft Eckblad if we do trade Myers for a top 5. TM is all in for offense.

Selling off assets to secure future assets is what I just witnessed with the Sabers. So it made them a bottom team, they've made the playoffs so few times since 07 it had to be done. But I believe the target always has been future assets not to be the bottom club.

The Sabers are sure to get elite talent this draft and next as well as more supporting cast players. The issue about changes to the draft will have a minimal impact on the first statement. It's not a tank. It's a rebuild. Know the difference please. The road back to playoff hockey will be longer than many on here choose to except. But if done correctly could conceivably produce a dynasty. Rebuild away Mr Pegula, God speed and good luck.