Barkov. I would hate the Sabres for it, but they have to pick Barkov in that spot.
- Dgrdnr

why Barkov?

why Barkov?
- toddkac

Generational talent IMO.

Guy is almost a ppg player in the Elitserien League, playing with men.

Youngest player in the draft, 6'2'', center.

Look him up.

Generational talent IMO.

Guy is almost a ppg player in the Elitserien League, playing with men.

Youngest player in the draft, 6'2'', center.

Look him up.
- Dgrdnr

He'd look really nice on a line w Armia, his fellow Fin...
I don't think they played on the same line at the World JRs though

Also the Wild are on a losing streak and are falling down the rankings. How nice would it be to have two top 10 picks!?
- Smittyx36

If only they could continue to fall apart & Phoenix can somehow pass them & get in the playoffs instead...
Then all we have to do is win the draft lottery w that Minn pick... Hahaha

He'd look really nice on a line w Armia, his fellow Fin...
I don't think they played on the same line at the World JRs though
- jdfitz77

Don't think they did. Barkov wasn't on the top line.

Armia is good. You better hope Regier doesn't trade him away to save his ass.

Generational talent IMO.

Guy is almost a ppg player in the Elitserien League, playing with men.

Youngest player in the draft, 6'2'', center.

Look him up.
- Dgrdnr

Even though he signed to play in the KHL for a few more years,
I wouldn't mind if we grabbed Nichuskin with our 2nd pick in the 1st round
He's going to fall bc of that contract,
I just wonder how far?
And as far as convincing him to come over here & play, it certainly won't hurt that we have Grigorenko...

Even though he signed to play in the KHL for a few more years,
I wouldn't mind if we grabbed Nichuskin with our 2nd pick in the 1st round
He's going to fall bc of that contract,
I just wonder how far?
And as far as convincing him to come over here & play, it certainly won't hurt that we have Grigorenko...
- jdfitz77

Very talented, but I would not pick him unless he's a late (18-19) first rounder. Looks like Andrei Kostytsyn 2.0 to me. I don't think he'll be coachable in the NHL.

With that 2nd first rounder, Sabres should look into a dman IMO. Zadorov or even Pulock, if he drops some more.

Don't think they did. Barkov wasn't on the top line.

Armia is good. You better hope Regier doesn't trade him away to save his ass.
- Dgrdnr

He's definitely going to be a sniper
I think Regier has been told his job is safe,
because everything we are hearing, all the way up to the team president (who spends an hour a week on our local sports radio station answering fans' questions), is that we are going to build through the draft and trade veteren talent for younger talent

I expect Miller and Vanek (who both said they don't wanna be here for a rebuild) to be traded by the draft... We should get similar returns like we did with Pominville...

So we prob end up with FOUR 1st rounders and FOUR 2nd rounders in this draft
And if we trade Ott and Stafford also,
We may be able to add an additional 1st & 2nd round pick

That could really stock our talent pool in a major way

He's definitely going to be a sniper
I think Regier has been told his job is safe,
because everything we are hearing, all the way up to the team president (who spends an hour a week on our local sports radio station answering fans' questions), is that we are going to build through the draft and trade veteren talent for younger talent

I expect Miller and Vanek (who both said they don't wanna be here for a rebuild) to be traded by the draft... We should get similar returns like we did with Pominville...

So we prob end up with FOUR 1st rounders and FOUR 2nd rounders in this draft
And if we trade Ott and Stafford also,
We may be able to add an additional 1st & 2nd round pick

That could really stock our talent pool in a major way
- jdfitz77

Don't get your hopes up.

Players don't get such a premium at the draft. Players are worth more at the deadline. Picks are worth more at the draft.

Just my humble opinion, but Regier has to go.

Also, the moves you suggest would make the on ice product awful. Picks need a winning culture and good veterans to grow. See Islanders/Oilers.

Very talented, but I would not pick him unless he's a late (18-19) first rounder. Looks like Andrei Kostytsyn 2.0 to me. I don't think he'll be coachable in the NHL.

With that 2nd first rounder, Sabres should look into a dman IMO. Zadorov or even Pulock, if he drops some more.
- Dgrdnr

High risk, high reward...
There's a reason he's listed 2nd, ahead of both Drouin & MacKinnon by ISS
I've only seen him in the World JRs, so I don't really have a strong opinion on him one way or the other...
But a team who takes a chance on him could get themselves a steal

And if we get more 1sts trading Vanek & Miller,
I'd def use one on him at some point

High risk, high reward...
There's a reason he's listed 2nd, ahead of both Drouin & MacKinnon by ISS
I've only seen him in the World JRs, so I don't really have a strong opinion on him one way or the other...
But a team who takes a chance on him could get themselves a steal

And if we get more 1sts trading Vanek & Miller,
I'd def use one on him at some point
- jdfitz77

key word

he is one of the most talented. but I don't see his performances translate with consistency in the NHL, I might be wrong...

High risk, high reward...
There's a reason he's listed 2nd, ahead of both Drouin & MacKinnon by ISS
I've only seen him in the World JRs, so I don't really have a strong opinion on him one way or the other...
But a team who takes a chance on him could get themselves a steal

And if we get more 1sts trading Vanek & Miller,
I'd def use one on him at some point
- jdfitz77

Also, at the point the Sabres are, I don't think they should aim for Boom or Bust players, might as well trade the picks for a player that helps them now and helps their young players grow.

This might be the only thing I like that Gainey did : the Cammalleri/Gionta/Gomez acquisitions during the 2009 offseason got some quality veteran leadership in the room. It might pay off in the long run.

Don't get your hopes up. Players don't get such a premium at the draft. Players are worth more at the deadline. Picks are worth more at the draft.

Just my humble opinion, but Regier has to go.

Also, the moves you suggest would make the on ice product awful. Picks need a winning culture and good veterans to grow. See Islanders/Oilers.
- Dgrdnr

It depends...
My hope is that we make deals for younger NHL talent + a 1st
There's definitely teams out there that will give a good return for Vanek
Guys that can score like him aren't really going to be available this summer
And I think there will be a handful of teams very interested in Miller, either bc their goalies aren't that good, or the one they have just let them down in the playoffs again...
I know his stats are weak, but it's just bc the team in front of him is so bad
He's still a top goalie in this league, no doubt

It depends...
My hope is that we make deals for younger NHL talent + a 1st
There's definitely teams out there that will give a good return for Vanek
Guys that can score like him aren't really going to be available this summer
And I think there will be a handful of teams very interested in Miller, either bc their goalies aren't that good, or the one they have just let them down in the playoffs again...
I know his stats are weak, but it's just bc the team in front of him is so bad
He's still a top goalie in this league, no doubt
- jdfitz77

Larsson is a good start...

Vanek is worth a king's ransom, but the prices aren't the same near the draft, like I said, picks are worth a lot more than at the trade deadline.

Who do you see trading for him?

Detroit? Florida? San Jose, maybe...

Also, (frank) Miller, he has been whining all over in the last two years, his attitude seems to be problematic. So I guess the Flyers will trade for him.

Also, at the point the Sabres are, I don't think they should aim for Boom or Bust players, might as well trade the picks for a player that helps them now, and helps their young players grow.
- Dgrdnr

Good points
I think what will happen is Regier will continue the "firesale" and gather as much young talent as he can over the next two years
A couple vets will be signed to help the kids grow up
Maybe a guy like Ott sticks around?

At some point,
When we have an idea of who is going to fit into what role with the Sabres,
The other talent will be traded to fill other needs

Example;
By getting Larsson, we now have two 3rd line, gritty center prospects with enough scoring upside to possibly be 2nd liners (Girgensons)
But with the top2 center spots filled by 2 of Hodgson, Ennis & Grigorenko (one will get traded or move to the wing)...
It leaves us in a position to either trade Girgensons or Larsson, or move one to the wing also
Either way,
The moves being made are going to give us flexibility going forward
I like the way Regier is handling the "rebuild" so far...
We'll see what this summer brings

Good points
I think what will happen is Regier will continue the "firesale" and gather as much young talent as he can over the next two years
A couple vets will be signed to help the kids grow up
Maybe a guy like Ott sticks around?

At some point,
When we have an idea of who is going to fit into what role with the Sabres,
The other talent will be traded to fill other needs

Example;
By getting Larsson, we now have two 3rd line, gritty center prospects with enough scoring upside to possibly be 2nd liners (Girgensons)
But with the top2 center spots filled by 2 of Hodgson, Ennis & Grigorenko (one will get traded or move to the wing)...
It leaves us in a position to either trade Girgensons or Larsson, or move one to the wing also
Either way,
The moves being made are going to give us flexibility going forward
I like the way Regier is handling the "rebuild" so far...
We'll see what this summer brings
- jdfitz77

I don't.

He is stocking up on picks for sure. The last two trade deadlines, he's been a winner.

But he made awful UFA/RFA (hello Tyler Myers) signings and has greatly depleted the veteran leadership.

I'm not sure UFAs will flock to the Sabres in the next few years.

Good points
I think what will happen is Regier will continue the "firesale" and gather as much young talent as he can over the next two years
A couple vets will be signed to help the kids grow up
Maybe a guy like Ott sticks around?

At some point,
When we have an idea of who is going to fit into what role with the Sabres,
The other talent will be traded to fill other needs

Example;
By getting Larsson, we now have two 3rd line, gritty center prospects with enough scoring upside to possibly be 2nd liners (Girgensons)
But with the top2 center spots filled by 2 of Hodgson, Ennis & Grigorenko (one will get traded or move to the wing)...
It leaves us in a position to either trade Girgensons or Larsson, or move one to the wing also
Either way,
The moves being made are going to give us flexibility going forward
I like the way Regier is handling the "rebuild" so far...
We'll see what this summer brings
- jdfitz77

Also, that is not a guaranteed recipe for success.

Veteran leadership is indispensable.

Once again, see :

Edmonton, Oilers

New York, Islanders

Larsson is a good start...

Vanek is worth a king's ransom, but the prices aren't the same near the draft, like I said, picks are worth a lot more than at the trade deadline.

Who do you see trading for him?

Detroit? Florida? San Jose, maybe...

Also, (frank) Miller, he has been whining all over in the last two years, his attitude seems to be problematic. So I guess the Flyers will trade for him.
- Dgrdnr

I can see how Miller seems like a b*tch,
But I feel for the guy... We really have the worst team defense in the league... And our actual DEFENSEmen seem to be better offensively than able to help him out at all in our own zone... They're mostly a group of "puck moving" wusses that can't win a battle along the boards or in front of the net for the life of them

Miller to Philly, for something like...
Simmonds +
Maybe we take back Bryzgalov to help them out, but then they obviously will have to add more assets

I can't imagine any team with cap room not wanting Vanek
He's really turned into a heck of a player
Some of the "playmaker" type passes he has made this year are unreal

I think we can get a lot for both
Maybe they get traded before the draft, maybe after?
I'm pretty confident we'll get good deals for both though
They'll likely be the top two talents available this offseason
Teams will def fight over that

I don't.

He is stocking up on picks for sure. The last two trade deadlines, he's been a winner.

But he made awful UFA/RFA (hello Tyler Myers) signings and has greatly depleted the veteran leadership.

I'm not sure UFAs will flock to the Sabres in the next few years.
- Dgrdnr

They definitely won't,
Not top quality ones anyways
Can we get guys like "Perry?"
No chance
But we could prob overpay some quality guys who are on their last legs to help out for a year or two
Someone like Whitney maybe?
Not sure who will end up being available

I can see how Miller seems like a b*tch,
But I feel for the guy... We really have the worst team defense in the league... And our actual DEFENSEmen seem to be better offensively than able to help him out at all in our own zone... They're mostly a group of "puck moving" wusses that can't win a battle along the boards or in front of the net for the life of them

Miller to Philly, for something like...
Simmonds +
Maybe we take back Bryzgalov to help them out, but then they obviously will have to add more assets

I can't imagine any team with cap room not wanting Vanek
He's really turned into a heck of a player
Some of the "playmaker" type passes he has made this year are unreal

I think we can get a lot for both
Maybe they get traded before the draft, maybe after?
I'm pretty confident we'll get good deals for both though
They'll likely be the top two talents available this offseason
Teams will def fight over that
- jdfitz77

Just don't get your hopes up buddy.


G'night.

Yay! Finally we suck really bad and are losing games consistently, good stuff, bring on the draft!

Also, that is not a guaranteed recipe for success.

Veteran leadership is indispensable.

Once again, see :

Edmonton, Oilers

New York, Islanders
- Dgrdnr

I see your point,
But I think mediocre Defense and Goaltending is what's taking those organizations so long to get their "rebuilds" moving forward

I think the most important move we can make this Offseason is figuring out a way to get Bernier from LA
Maybe Enroth or Hackett and a 1st since they don't have one?
I like Hackett from what I saw last year,
But I'd be much more comfortable with Bernier and Hackett, or Enroth is even "ok" until Makarov is ready for at least backup duty

Just don't get your hopes up buddy.


G'night.
- Dgrdnr

But that's ALL we've got right now!
Hahaha
Nice talking to ya
Good luck in the playoffs

Yay! Finally we suck really bad and are losing games consistently, good stuff, bring on the draft!
- MikeyOz

Yup!
Trade Miller & Vanek and we'll have FOUR 1st rounders in this draft
I like that A LOT

Your guys never showed up. Simple as that. No effort.
- hscesq

So referees are now trolls? Wow.