Rasmus_

I would assume it depends on who's available in talks and if anything goes past the "is this player available" stage. There could be a lot of teams up against the cap especially if it falls the possible 1.3M below that could have some interesting options available. Even a third line center, wing, or upside early 20's player who is not necessarily in their plans long term could work. (Not saying that the pick equates to that type of player)....Who knows. As far as Rodrigues, he had a nice season regardless of Eichel on his line, obviously that helps. There are some nice shots on net in the video packages I've seen.

Playing a versatile forward role would be my best guess, but he'll be on the roster next year full time. He proved what he can do with the top line and is definitely a building piece, not AHL fodder.

Or wait until Buffalo makes the playoffs before McDavid?

It all depends if they are ousted early or if they go on a deep run. It's all about the challenge for Babcock. Who knows. Honestly, I'd love to have him but my more realistic target if let go is Dale Tippett. I love his coaching style.

I love his passion and his continued effort to protect his teammates, but he's at the point where he should consider hanging them up for his family and rest of his life. I respect him as a player.

Nope. That's for GM's like Holmgren IMO. I don't really see it as a relevant option, though within the rules. It just doesn't make much sense.

#15 makes the most sense, but it doesn't matter what number he takes, the jersey will sell well in Buffalo regardless. Be like Eich!

I would think: Niemi, Hammond, Ramo, Neuvirth, Enroth, at least come before Lindback. If you want to move Chad Johnson and resign him on a two year 750K contract for two years as the back-up sure. The team should sign O'Connor if they have the leg up regardless. Ullmark having double hip surgery should be a major concern. Dump: Hackett, and Lieuwen.

I'm in the cut-bait end on him. He did play to his ability and rebounded somewhat infront of a weak team. However, I'd rather go after Neuvirth, sign O'Connor to compete with Johnson or trade for someone like Lehner.

Definitely, we're talking about positive things. Like trading for O'Reilly, the growth and development of Girgensons, Larsson, Ristolainen, and so on. It was a really tough season to which most had their blinders on for too long. It's time to take them off and enjoy the view on what should be a successful other side. Hopefully this offseason can culminate in some further building blocks: O'Reilly, Frolik, Franson were three that I put in the prediction thread. Lines of: Ennis-Eichel-Kane, Moulson-Girgenson-O'Reilly, Gionta-Rienhart-Frolik, Foligno-Larsson-Deslauriers, and pairings of: Zadorov-Ristolainen, Franson-Bogosian, Gorges-Pysyk (Screwed up not checking if Franson was a righty, thought he was a lefty), and goalies of: Michal Neuvirth or Robin Lehner and Matt O'Connor or Chad Johnson.

We draft Jack Eichel We draft Jordan Greenway at 31 overall We trade Mikhail Grigorenko, Jake McCabe, 2015 1st (Which ever is left) and 2016 2nd for Ryan O'Reilly We extend Ryan O'Reilly for 4-5 Seasons We sign Michal Frolik and Cody Franson We sign Michal Neuvirth and Matt O'Connor *We trade for Robin Lehner (Contingent on Neuvirth - or sign and trade for regardless) We waive Chad Johnson We do not re-sign Pat Kaleta, Andrej Meszaros, Andre Benoit, Matt Hackett, Tyson Strachan or Anders Lindback (sorry bud). Mark Pysyk, Sam Reinhart, make the Sabres out of camp and never look back. We do not trade Nikita Zadorov.

I still wouldn't trade Zadorov or Pysyk. But I can see your emphasis there. I am not a Green fan regardless of his ability to run a PP unit. He has no ability in his own zone. Pass.

Go Eichel. Embrace the cards you're dealt and move-on. I wanted McDavid, and the chance came and left. Shrugs. Moving on to bigger and better things.

As a back-up initially yes. He's going to have to earn the starting job. Lol. I can see a Neuvirth, Niemi, type and then O'Connor battling with Makarov for AHL starts, and Johnson as the back-up unless moved in the offseason. O'Connor won't be given a stating job anywhere.

Cam Ward is an absolute downgrade from Niemi and Neuvirth. Calling a goalie with a cup win your parameters are pretty lame. Talbot is interesting it really would depend on the price IMO.

Eh I'm done rooting against them, draft Eichel and lets start progressing, not staying stagnant.

Good enough for me!

Looked, saw, bought! That is awesome!

I couldn't agree with you more, the draft lottery ended, and we're getting Eichel. That's it. Ristolainen and Girgensons are to valuable to trade to move up one for the better prospect. In due time we'll be okay with it as a fan base. It just sucks for the moment. Let's get back to winning and building. It'd be like trading Sam Reinhart for a retread or a pick in this draft class that I've seen on other sites.

Murray will likely due his due diligence to call MacTavish and company, but I don't see much happening there. Weirder things have happened, but Eichel is coming to Buffalo.

Now we can just focus on the other elements of the draft. Zboril, Greenway, White, etc.

Matt Cooke has been too injured in the last year plus to qualify as the guys to knock out. I want him to knock out the Lucic's, the Marchand's etc. Which he did there :D.

Until they fire their entire upper management, they'll be stuck in the snow drifts. MacTavish is more likely to sink his head into the sand in the Sahara before he is to build a quality NHL product. The man is methodically idiotic. I love individual players like Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Darnell Nurse, and RNH, but you cannot build a team with names. It is not fantasy hockey. I see what you did there. :flirt:

Time to embrace Jack Eichel. I really loathe the Oilers from hear on out. It's not their fault for winning the lottery, but really they develop their players terribly. I preferred McDavid in every sense, but it is what it is. Your sentiments on the drafting process in team sports makes some sense in an "anarchist" sort of way. However, how is not helping the lower teams improve off of a bad situation not the way to get McDavid who is the best player in the draft. That is how drafting has worked from day 1. Your a team of the Buffalo Sabres not the LA Kings or Anaheim Ducks. I'm confused at this thinking. So rather than get a McDavid type player, you'd rather have Buffalo further suffer and reward a team who but 5-6 years ago was in the lottery?

Enjoy being ruined McDavid. you MacTavish and company. Trolls.