Derrico

I'd be interested in McNabb.

Dale Colle with a very impressive night Tuesday with 5 assists. Now sits at 11 goals and 22 assists for a rediculous 33 points through 18 games. That's good for second in the OHL. Yes it helps playing with Scott Laughton but this kid can flat out play. You may ask when I'll stop posting Dal Colle's points every night, I'll stop when he goes off the scoresheet for a game.

I'll get flamed for supporting this but I completely agree. Again I must start by saying we are a long way from the draft and things can change but if Ekblad is considered by many to be much better than the next forward prospect and is still considered to be a truely elite D prospect I think you have to take him. I would much rather an elite forward prospect but if he's the concensus BPA come the Sabres pick (even if it's one) then I want them to take this kid. You can win alot of games with a very strong D and ofcourse this would open up the idea of trading one of the young guys or someone like Myers. As someone mentioned above, players who garner OHL early exemption status in the draft usually end up going first overall in their NHL draft year. Interesting tidbit, 'Ekblad's application to be the only player to be born in 1996 in the OHL draft was approved unanimously...With approval Ekblad became the first defenceman ever granted "exceptional player" status.'

Interesting, I'll have to watch more of him. I still worry about that small stature though. Sure he can still grow but some guys are just too small to do it at the pro level. Smaller guys can do things in junior they can't at the show.

I haven't read anything suggesting Vanek type. Vanek is 6'2 and Nylander is 5'10. I don't think he has the size to go to the areas Vanek goes too. I'm thinking a better Ennis. Best case scenario would be Danny Briere. This is so early in the year but as of right now from what I've read and watched I'd take: Reinhart, Ekblad, Dal Colle, Draistl and Bennett ahead of Nylander. Anton Karlsson maybe ahead as well. Bennett would be interesting. Didnt he play minor league hockey with McDavid. Would be something to take him and then get real lucky next draft.

There is something about Nylander that worries me. I admit to having not seen much footage on him but something about being a 5'10'' winger whom one scout described as 'his defensive game needs some work' just scares me off. With us likely getting a top 3 pick and certainly a top 5 pick I can think of five other guys I'd rather take.

Yep.

Really? Maybe there is a newer ISS ranking out there but as of October 14th they had Dal Colle ranked third. http://www.hockeysfu...ther-prospects/ FYI Draisaitl is ranked 10th in this report.

I may be slightly biased but if Dal Colle can stay healthy and keep his current pace up I can't see him falling outside of the top 5.

Interesting question. I say no. Pysyk, Risto and Zadarov (possibly McCabe) are going to be the cornerstones of this D once our rebuild is over. I wouldn't want to move any of them. The more I hear about Ekblad the more I think he will be ranked #1 by seasons end. That could be a great thing if we select second; giving us the best forward prospect as ranked by our scouts. I know it's a long way out but the question is what do you do if Sam R goes first? I've read a few reports saying this kid could be a legit top end Dman. The whole BPA versus team need would then come into play. I know, we're a long way away from knowing the final rankings and projections. Interesting discussion in a season filled with anger and disappointment.

I don't know LGR. Just because a trade doesn't take place does not mean it was not explored. I would have to think a GM and or anyone in management is looking at all scenarios and not just crossing their arms and taking the 'safe' pick. In one breath you're saying they have been taking one safe pick and one high risk/reward and then you are saying what, they're not making enough risk/reward moves? As you said, they went with the risky pick of Grigs and then had the balls/vision whatever you want to call it and moved up to take their other guy; Girgs. As for this past draft, I think the scouting staff and Devine in particular really wanted Risto as their guy. I (and you and most ppl) wanted them to make that Sekera trade and pick up Lindholm but obviously Risto was who they wanted and thought he'd be there at 8 thus not wasting assets. As for Dal Colle, as badly as I want him on this team, it's going to take a heck of a lot to move up from 17 or 18 to 4 or 5 (where he'll go) and I doubt a second rounder will be nearly enough to move you up that far in the first. A team like Edmonton who wants a D may slide a few spots if there are obvious forward picks at say pick 4 or 5 but they're not going to move down to 17. Say we have the #5 pick this draft and there are two D prospects sitting in the next projected spots, would you take a second rounder and ahl guy to move down to 17 or 18?

Completely agree.

Ya we should certainly have some options. Does there appear to be a Crosby or mcdavid? No. However I think we will get a guy certainly having top line potential who will hopefully have a long career in buffalo.

Another goal and assist for dal colle tonight. For the record I won't keep posting all of his stats. Just wanted to say I watched a bunch of the game today and he's a big kid who can score. Problem is he is projected to go anywhere from 3 to 10 right now and I have a feeling it will be closer to 3 to 5 by the draft. Since we're destined for pick one or two I'm not sure we would take him over Reinhart or ekblad and he will likely be too high to trade up for. We shall see

Dal colle with another great night for the gens scoring a goal and adding an assist. He's now sitting at 10 goals and 15 assists through 16 games. He's looking like a great prospect.

Nor is there proof that it provides added confidence to take them to a higher level....

Maybe, or there is a s*it load of pressure being the number one pick. Possibly a #2 pick can kind of develop under the radar whereas the 'number one draft pick' status can hurt a prospects development. Not sure which argument is more sound but hey it's a Friday afternoon and I'm bored.

I think this fanbase would burn down FNC if we take a Dman first overall. I agree with taking the BPA but when the Sabres went D D this past draft there were uproars. Now that we have those D if we took another it would be pure chaos.

He hasn't? I'm not going to pretend to know the Isles lineup over the past four years but every season he had 30+ goals Jonny T was on the roster. I assume Tavares was also playing with him. I think I even read something to the effect that Moulson got his NHL career going playing with Tavares. Am I missing something?

:lol: I chuckled. After the Isles game Vanke says "The atmosphere was great - I haven't been in a game like that for a long time." I know it's probably true but I just hate these subtle parting shots.

Not if you're part of Tank Nation.

Hmmmmm, that's not great. Although if the pick ends up being around 9 or 10 I would almost hope they defer to next season.

I don't think you can trade him in the division if there's even a slight chance he signs with Toronto. Trading within the conference is bad enough but it's rare you see a divisional trade. I know there are some exceptions ie Kessel for T.O.'s picks etc.

As long as you're rooting against the Isles as well :P The difference between whether this is a lottery top 14 pick or a 25th overall type pick is enormous. I don't care what any message board 'experts' say about how strong or weak this draft is, I'd much rather a low/mid teen pick then mid 20 pick.

I'm with you on this. As much as I loved Vanek when he was here I'm not one to cheer for a former player when a Sabres pick is affected. This gives another reason to watch the season, hope the Isles tank to give us another lottery pick. It almost happened with Minny last year (came down to the last day of the season) so hopefully the Isles D/goaltending continues to crumble and we get 2 top 15 picks this year. I'd be less thrilled if this trade was made with the Penguins or Red Wings as I'm still not sure how great the Isles are.