X. Benedict

Last time I was in East Aurora everything seemed, you know, more normal.

Put Lundquist on the Pens. There. That explains it.

Good post.

Havana Casinos were worth fighting for.

Gotcha. Thanks.

Did I miss something?

Goals are the big issue. If this team scored 40 more goals last year it would have still only tied for last. The top goal scorer only had 21 (Ennis). For perspective, (and I say this just to highlight the problem) if this team just added Crosby's paper goal production from Pittsburgh last year, it still would have finished last in the league in goals. Be prepared for a very bad season.

No wonder Staffy is playing bad. You've been sticking him with those ........man. Bad JuJu.

Good for Gerbes. Party in the Shire: 8PM tonight.

I could see Larsson having 4, 10 goal seasons. That's over. I think Griggy is at least as good as Artem Anisimov....another inconsistent big Russian. Anisimov already has 80 goals at age 26. I'll take Griggy for the over too.

Lemieux.....even if he is a shade of his Pop. I want him. Dream scenario for round 2 would be Bleakley, Lemieux, Karlsson. I think it will be Karlsson, McKinnis, DeAngelo though.

Expectations have fallen so low for this kid that I think he'll exceed them. He's been bounced between three leagues for 2 years. Normally you'd start truly evaluating a player after 120 games in the A. Kids Grigorenko's age need routine and consistency - the organization did about all that they could to ensure Grigorenko got neither. Now he is in the curious position that he has very little pro experience in terms of ice-time, and he's in a contract year. A full year in the A is probably what he needs. But I think it is a good thing expectations have been lowered.

I'd prefer to move up. But I think it is not a tragedy if Murray can't. There is a lot of value in the middle of the second, those picks might be attractive to some clubs that need additional picks. The coming worry is maxing out on the 50 contract limit with all the draft picks Buffalo has acquired, so trading quantity for quality is imperative at some point.

In my best Roseanna Roseannadanna, "Nevermind." :lol: Thanks for clearing that up, guys. There was a time I would have known this stuff cold.

He does count against the cap because of the 35+ rule on cap circumvention. At least that was my understanding. I could have it wrong. Thanks! I should read the Buffalo media more. :lol:

I'd be delighted with Ekblad...it would mean more moves to get a center, but there are two drafts to get this right. If Ekblad is there, I think he gets taken. I don't think he will be though. I won't moan about Reinhart, Draisaitl or Bennett. (I like that order) But I think Reinhart is the clear choice. I do think Bennett would be fun to watch, I just wonder about his durability in the NHL. But this at some point choosing the best center is like looking at paint colors with the missus........... (Her) "Honey, do you prefer the Alabama Crimson, the Crimson Sunset, or the Crimson Candy Shell?" (me not seeing or caring about the difference) "Uh........definitely the Crimson Sunset, dear." (her smiling in delight because I secretively guessed correctly) "We always have the same taste, I was leaning that way too." (me confidently) "Well that's the right choice then. How about I fire up the grill and we celebrate a little."

I keep wondering, if Hextall in Philly is so desperate to clear cap space, I wonder if Murray would take the Pronger contract for Philly's #17. Is it possible? Weird idea, but I'm just wondering. A $15 million dollar dead weight contract for the #17 pick? A non-playing Pronger could be the best mentor the young defense could have.

The drink of the south?

There are going to be a lot of good value picks between 31 and 50 and possibly as many as 5 with NHL bloodlines: Lemieux, Quenneville, Macinnis, Karlsson, Schmaltz......

I'm still not happy that NJ was allowed back in the round 1. that number 30 player is sure to have a HOF career followed by #31 being an AHL all-star. ;)

This is a strange draft, IMO. The question marks start at #5 and after. Lots of value in this draft, but very few sure-fire players and very few players that project as first liners.

Interesting question. I never thought of comparing Reinhart to Oates, but I can see that. but I tend to think of Reinhart as a Datsyuk in the way of thinking his way through a game, but a bigger frame and not the same kind of skater.

He must have had Carter on the blower.

Hmmm.....for me it would be a coin toss between Gilmore and Murphy.

Yes! They can be much improved and still be pimple on the bottom last.