pi2000

let's get back on topic.... My breakout candidate (besides Dahlin's forehead) is Justin Bailey. IMO he graduates to full time NHL duty, putting up +20g in his first full campaign... seeing time besides Eichel and Mittlestadt.

I'd take him in Buffalo in a heartbeat.... perhaps with the emergence of Saros, his $7mil/yr price tag, and being 35 years old... they'll look move him. He has one year left at $7mil/yr.... I'd do a Bogo for Rinne deal. They would net $2mil in cap space next season and add a defender with only 2 years left on his deal. BUF rids themselves of Bogo's contract and gets a goaltender that could likely get them into a playoff position.... on a one year deal, which would be attractive to a playoff team at the deadline if BUF is out of playoff contention. That said, Rinne would probably rather retire than accept a trade to BUF.... hahaha. He does have a NTC/NMC.

His peewee team was forced to move him to D because he was scoring too much at F, other teams complained thinking that if they moved him back to D, he wouldn't score so much. It backfired because he played more as a defensemen and it's easier to rush the puck up ice from that position.

prospect camp should be fun

The Process tho...

Have you watched Dahlin play live in person?

This is good to hear. I really hope Ullmark finds success at the next level. Goalies are difficult to project. Even if Ullmark does well in Buffalo, I still think they need an experienced veteran to not only help him along, but be ready to take the reigns if required.

I'd be OK with a WSH or NSH Cup parade. Vegas and their spoiled fanbase... where's the suffering? If they do win Lord Stanley's Cup, the hockey God's will damn them for eternity. Tampa? em'

We live in a day and age where hyperbole in the media is the norm. It's become a contest between media outlets for clicks, and whoever has the most outrageous headline will garner the most visits (ad revenue). That said, we would all be wise to temper our expectations for Dahlin. The enjoyment will come if he exceeds expectations, not just meets them. However, I'm thrilled that we're even having this discussion.... we live in a universe (only 1 in 5) where BUF won the lottery. Let's enjoy it.

Don't worry, the "leaders" on this team will make sure Dahlin tones down the compete level in practice.

Wait, what? You just did. I was comparing Rosen and Allen.... you brought Dahlin into the equation. Anyway.... I think Dahlin will fit in nicely in Buffalo.. probably better than he would fit in a big city like LA or NY.... considering where he's coming from. Tkachuck would fit nicely as well.... most hockey players would. How many trust-fund entitled intellectual hockey players from warm weather large population beach cities are there anyway?

From all accounts, Dahlin is a hard-working kid from a middle class family in a cold weather environment, not unsimilar to Buffalo. Dahlin's background is nothing like Rosen.

Which player would be more comfortable in Buffalo? The self-made hard working farmboy Josh Allen or the silver spoon entitled trust-fund intellect Josh Rosen? Being comfortable in your environment goes a long way towards how well you perform.

They need a veteran... look how well that worked out for Vegas. Without Fluery they're on back-nine by now. I'm not that high on Ullmark. He looks like a young Lehner to me... poor rebound control... struggles positionally. Nice guy tho. I'd rather they move him while he still has value, and acquire a veteran who can take a leadership role for a couple seasons while they restock the goalie cupboard. Maybe even go after a guy like Shestyorkin if they can somehow pry him away for NYR.

I'll allow it.

1) Scandella and Bogosian? Oh boy. I like Scandella, but he hasn't exactly been around the block a few times. Bogo? I'm talking about "on-ice" direction, not in the trainers room. 2) If he's truly generational..... 3-5) Good points. If that happens I'll burn my avatar.

Dahlin's forehead

Nylander before he becomes completely worthless.... and Fasching, who doesn't fit the system. Ullmark plus, for an established goaltender... Fluery? Bishop? Smith? Crawford?

I wouldn't trade the pick for a young Karlsson, but I would do it in a heartbeat for a young Doughty.

Couple of concerns... 1 - Who will mentor the young Swede? Housley? IMO you need a veteran on-ice presence to guide him through the rigors of his first season in the NHL. That guy currently isn't on the roster. 2 - He was a healthy scratch in Pyeongchang. Why? 3 - Friction between him and Eichel. Hear me out.... Both guys like the puck on their stick. They both like to rush it up ice and hold on to it. Will there be enough rubber to keep both satisfied? 4 - Defense. Can he play defense or is he simply an offensive threat? Karlsson, IMO, is terrible defensively. Doughty is a stud. Will he be more like his fellow countryman? Hmmm. 5 - I'd like to sit down and talk to him for about 3hrs... then talk to his former teammates and coaches, meet his family and friends. Find our what makes him tick, how much does he simply love the game, what is his ultimate goal in life? Does he value money as much as Austin Matthews? Is he smart? Until I get those answers, I'll have some reservations. It takes a special type of individual to reach the pinnacle of their sport.

For example, he really hyped up Estephan... and he amounted to absolutely nada. He's not even signed to a pro-contract. http://www.sabresprospects.com/2016/04/buffalo-sabres-april-2016-prospect.html "Some guys just know how to play the center position. Estephan, a smooth, crafty player with excellent vision and an impressive two-way mindset, fits the bill with his fine edge work and superior puck-handling ability. While he creates and finishes in the offensive zone, Estephan has proven to understand what it takes to be an effective defensive player as well. When he becomes a faster, more powerful glider with added strength up top, Estephan looks like a player with a decent professional future ahead of him as a multi-dimensional organizational depth forward with a fair amount of NHL upside." I like him, think he's a special player, but.... not at the generational level some are forecasting. I project him to be on par with guys like Klingberg and Theodore. Both great offensive skill, skating, puck handling... but it will take time before he learns to defend at the NHL level. Would I be shocked if he gets to the level of Doughty or Karlsson? No, but he just turned 18 and there's no telling how he'll react to the North American game, with all the distractions that come with being an NHL player. Has his skating peaked? His vision, ability to read plays? There's no way to know how much runway he still has, but I do think he's the best prospect in the draft.

Baker over-hypes everybody IMO, he's like Craig Button.

Gates Orlando

Seems like a Vegas/Tampa final is inevitable.