LabattBlue

I'd take my chances with #1 overall. Three "great" 1st rounders? How do you come to this conclusion?

I agree that the stable of prospects "should" be great(keep in mind that if they hit on 40-50% of the players you listed, they will be lucky), but what would you rather have...a chance at a "superstar" as a reward for another year of sucking or a below average team finishing 5-10 spots from the bottom?

I know it's Bucky, and therefore, this will be chalked up by many as nonsense, they own the team and have a right to be involved blah blah blah, but what the heck is going on at Sabres offices at FNC... "It has come to my attention that Kim Pegula has taken a more aggressive role in daily operations of the Sabres over the past year. Apparently, she’s not just making sure First Niagara Center looks spiffy for events, as it appeared when she arrived. She’s not making personnel moves or breaking down the power play, but I’m told she has a seat in hockey meetings and therefore has a say in hockey-related matters. If you’re shaking your head over that nugget, you are not alone.". http://www.buffalone...regier-20140706 I can't wait for the Kim Pegula vs. Tim Murray showdown. LOL

The tank is 50% done(1 season down, 1 to go)... IMO, the Sabres aren't going to move far from the 30th when next spring rolls around, but if by chance TN works a miracle and the Sabres end up somewhere along the lines of 5-10 from the bottom, I will be disappointed. Even if they finish 3 or 4 from the bottom, my guess is teams aren't going to move out of the top two draft spots. What are your thoughts on missing out on Eichel or McDavid because of a run to nowhere(still missing the playoffs).

My dad took me to at least a couple of AHL games when Trottier was a Bison. I thought for sure as a naive 10 year old, that Trottier would become a superstar for the Sabres when they came into existance.

:ph34r:

As long as they all choose teams other than the Islanders, I wish them all the best. :rolleyes:

To think at one time the Sens blueline looked so promising with Chara, Redden, Volchenkov, Phillips, and Mezsaros.

I would think that coaching vacancies will be filled by the time development camp rolls around in two weeks.

You mean all the teams that finished 20+ points ahead of them last year when we had Miller in goal? With or without Ehrhoff, it's going to take more than magic to make that jump.

I agree. Even if they sign another 5-6-7 vet blueliner, the combination of youth/mediocrity on the blueline, and average to below average goaltending, will lead to being VERY competitive for 29th or 30th place in the standings. Who are we going to leapfrog?

McCormick is a decent penalty killer, a guy who will play the body, a fighter who will go with just about anyone, and a decent skater. I would take him over Scott or Ellis any day of the week. For the 2nd season in a row where it may become a challenge to drag myself to the FNC come January, February & March, his style of play is a welcome addition.

Not big enough! ;)

I know that some of the Sabres moves would not have been made if they were closer to the cap or ready to contend, but for where they are today, and to be in a good position for the coming years in terms of draft, player development, and be a playoff contender in 15-16, IMO TM did a pretty damn good job between the draft and his first FA/offseason.

Sylvester is awful(the stupid non-stop laugh), and Peters is just embarrassing. The loyalty to these two clowns by Ted Black is mind boggling.

Yep My mistake... I have too many wingers in my top 9. I corrected my original post.

I know they have the rest of the summer, but still some spots to fill... Top 3 line centers - Reinhart, Ennis & Girgensons Top 3 line wingers - Hodgson, Stewart, Stafford, Gionta, Moulson & Foligno 4th line - Deslauriers, McCormick, Mitchell Spare forwards - Kaleta, ??? & ??? Blueline - Myers, Gorges, Risto, Weber, Pysyk, & ??? Spare blueliner - ???

^^^^ This gets my vote!

Well done X! :thumbsup:

I don't remember my stance on this when I was a mod, but IMO the worst thread is the "everything NHL(outside of the Sabres)" thread. This is a hockey board. Does all NHL news really have to go in one thread for a period of 10 months or so? I've posted very little over the last year or so, so maybe it is not as extreme as I've described above. Correct me if I am wrong.

I for one am glad that the Sabres didn't trade away 2nd round picks like candy to move up in the draft. Outside of the top few players, the draft is a HUGE crapshoot. Drafting 4 players between 30-61, and hoping two of them pan out into NHL regulars for 5+ years is a realistic goal IMO.

I think Reinhart was the right pick for this team. I would have been okay with Bennett, but was concerned with what I read about his reckless play which could lead to a shorter career for a guy drafted #2 overall. Thankfully they passed on the German Gretzky. Very excited to see him at development camp!

Worst case scenario come tomorrow evening... If the Sabres somehow end up with Ekblad, meaning they passed on one of the "Sam's", I may end up throwing a brick through my TV. The top 6 prospects in the system(especially center) are weak(have been since July 1st, 2007 disaster), while at the same time they just spent two high first round picks on defenseman blue chip prospects Risto and Zadorov last year, along with near ready blueline prospects McCabe and Pysyk. Top 6 forwards in the system...Grigs and Armia(both with huge question marks), Baptiste, Compher, Fasching(all 3 may be as close to 3rd line players as they are 2nd line). This combined with the rumored changes to the draft lottery that might be implemented prior to next years draft, make last year and this coming year, a bitter pill to swallow.

Heartbreaking story. Cancer sucks. Nothing more to say. :( PS For those not familiar with the story, here you go... http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/clarence/community-mourns-ben-sauer-5-year-old-from-clarence-who-inspired-outpouring-of-support-20140514

I'm here! Haven't posted in almost a year. This was by far the toughest 12 months of hockey for me and I've been a fan since 70. Then just when I think about posting again, I read OSP maybe buying the Bills and who may be riding his coat tails...Quinny. If this happens, I may just turn in my Buffalo sports fan membership card. That being said, its nice to be back.