Rasmus_

Ramsey for me, but I don't have as extensive a track record as some on the board. So I would say Ramsey for me.

He does definitely lack the quick step, and he gets beat to the outside at times. I like his physicality and he is straight forward. He was drafted too high, based on his potential. I would say to me, I've been more and more annoyed by his play the longer I've seen him in Buffalo. He's a good room guy for sure. If you could get decent value, trade him and move on. Nah, I don't miss Myers one bit. I thought I would when he was traded, but the more time that has gone on, I don't think he's more than a third defensemen.

Timo Meier making up for his down season in the regular season to bring out his talents. I forgot he was in the Q. Yet another SJ forward who has upside :P

I love the stats that you bring Rak! That's pretty good for a mid-to-late 3rd round pick. Something to look forward to in Rochester.

I love his tape, I definitely want him over other D in the middle rounds if he's there. One can only hope. We were teased a few seasons ago now when Lemeiux vs Barbashev were sitting at the top of the first round.

Yeah the skating has been a major pitfall to his game. Unfortunately. I think I'd rather have Davidson at this point as well! Is your disdain, for the contract, his style of play, his knack for getting nicked up easily? All of the above? I agree, Keller is someone who should easily be available from 8-13. The defense is the part of the team that needs the most work. As they may have answered a few questions, but still have more questions than answers. I furthermore agree that Tkachuk especially would be the reason to move up to #4, if you're targeting an offensive piece.

Well he should be better than having Austin on the 1st PP unit. Man, that was brutal visage!

Exactly, he's an unbelievable talent, but in Junior he's elite. I question his step going against men. We'll see. He's an interesting group of talent, skill and speed. They are fun to watch though! :)

+1, as I said in lesser text above. Definitely agree that as appealing as a Tkachuk-Eichel-Reinhart line is, the defensemen is still a major value and need. It all depends on who/what you believe in.

I know that, but the skill is also just as good if not greater. So I was saying how scary that line could potentially be! :)

It's not a terrible trade, and it gets Bogosian off the books. It allows Buffalo to control their board outside the top 3, to pick whoever they want or feel who they feel is the best player outside of Mathews and the Finn's. Reinhart isn't that great, but he'd be an interesting young bottom pair D. Tkachuk-Eichel-Reinhart would be more scary than Tkachuk-Dvorak-Marner, IMO. The passing, the movement around the net, and bigger size than Marner/Dvorak. Even better would be getting Chychrun and somehow convincing Vesey to come to Buffalo to play with Jack.

If you're trading up to #4, you're likely going after someone like Tkachuk, Dubois or someone in that area. Moving up to #4, is for Tkachuk, not Keller. If you want Keller, he'll be there at #8. I still prefer the D to him!

Maybe he's the next small forward like Domi to take the league by storm. I just see the D as the best value at 8, unless there is a big time fall.

Give me Chychrun, Juolevi or Sergachev over Keller. I like the prospect but, I prefer to build from the back forward. Give me the best fit based on Murray and companies choice and go from there. Stanley cups are built on the backs of D. Ala Doughty, Seabrook, Keith, and even if you call him a stud Letang. *The only way I take a forward is if Tkachuk fell. I think Keller has a lot of upside, but I just don't trust that pick from my gut.

Nice write-up for sure, Dineen seems interesting.

Boooooo! All about London knocking all of this riff raff off :)

Woah, that was amazing!

She was on one of my favorite shows for a little while in White Collar.

heh. They'll finally land a big fish IMO. I cannot understand how they've been even functional with that terrible D for so long. Kronwall withstanding, they're terrible.

Go London!

The only way that is acceptable is if they move down. :P

The most incompetent since MacTavish/Tambellini/Howe, or Feaster/whoever else for sure. Landeskog would be the ideal fit to me, he plays well in all three zones. He's also a responsible and team leader in his early 20's. Duchene is a great player in his own right, I wouldn't hate it either way, but I would prefer Landeskog. I'm still not a big fan of Barrie, even if he does some things right.

So behind on the second round and later group myself.

Personally I'd be good trading back into the late teens. There is a chance someone like Fabbro, Jones, McAvoy, and a few others could be there looming. Possibly even free falling McLeod. It all depends on what you want. But if we could walk away with Keller and Fabbro/McAvoy/Bean or Chychrun and Jones/McLeod I would be stoked. We're at the stage where building is all about sparking the last few areas to push this over the edge. I realize Fabbro is a RHD. But he's so talented in his own right.

Backes has reminded us of the 2011-2013 seasons of his ability to play tough minutes and really be efficient in all aspects of the game through the playoffs. He's the type of forward any team would love to have, however there are concerns about his type of play breaking down. Giving him 5 years would be very long in the tooth on the down side with the first two seasons possibly being rewarding. Personally, I don't mind if the AAV were slightly higher on shorter term, but I don't see him knocking on Buffalo's door. Stranger things have happened.