Comment 1500 because I feel like it.

Wasn't on here at all since draft started. Way too busy. How'd everyones hopes and dreams pan out?

Knew Vanek and miller would stay. Very surprised/upset no Nichushkin and he went to Lindy but hey build from the net out I guess.
- Beezer33

exactly. regier loves building from the net out. being in limbo with vanek/miller isn't great. it makes me feel like he might be considering getting rid of them (but really does he have much choice if they want to leave?) in which case having a solid defense for our new netminder is necessary. Our forward core isn't terrible but we really just need about 2 years of poopting the bed to restock that with stars. that and if we actually play our cards right we could get something useful for miller and/or vanek for forward.

I hope we trade him there. It's good for both parties. We sure could use more of their prospects haha
- Beezer33

could we fleece granlund for vanek?

could we fleece granlund for vanek?
- FIREonICE

id rather trade vanek somewhere else than minny, i dont want their whole prospect team becoming ours.

could we fleece granlund for vanek?
- FIREonICE

Maybe they find the idea of Vanek playing with Pominville enticing? We would have to add more but I wish.

(frank), even all the major sports sites say we had one of the best drafts

could we fleece granlund for vanek?
- FIREonICE

Either him or Coyle would be our target I'd think
Vanek supposedly wants to go there,
So if he agrees to extend as part of the deal we could get more
And we could even pay part of his salary for this year,
Or take back a guy like Heatley in a salary dump for them

(frank), even all the major sports sites say we had one of the best drafts
- Tsyolin

Because we did.

(frank), even all the major sports sites say we had one of the best drafts
- Tsyolin

Even if there was a particular guy u wanted that we passed on...
U have to admit,
Solidifying our defense for the next 10yrs or so is a great thing
And the guys we added bring the nasty toughness that our defense has sorely missed

I loved the picks
And with the 2nd rounders we went all forwards

We still have Miller & Vanek to move,
We should be able to get a good return for them

And we are likely to draft very high the next couple years too

I think this rebuild is off to a great start

Rasmus Ristolainen Draft interview

 
Q.  What were you feeling up there?
RASMUS RISTOLAINEN:  I feel actually great.  I didn’t expect
that I’d go this early.  I thought maybe I’d go after 10 or something.
 
Q.  Did you have any conversations with them?
RASMUS RISTOLAINEN:  Yeah, actually like the whole season I had
a couple of conversations with Buffalo.
 
Q.  Describe what kind of player you are.
RASMUS RISTOLAINEN:  I’m a two-way defenseman, best part is the
offensive side.  I have a good shot.  I play very physically.  I can help
the team on power play and PK, also.
 
Q.  What do you think you said in the meetings with Buffalo
that made them pick you today?
RASMUS RISTOLAINEN:  Actually I told them who I am and I can
help the team and tell what kind of person I am.
 
Q.  Do you expect to play in the NHL this coming season?
RASMUS RISTOLAINEN:  Yeah, I think that’s my goal, to play next
year in the NHL.
 
Q.  Physically you feel you’re ready?
RASMUS RISTOLAINEN:  Yeah, I think so.
 
Q.  Did you talk to Armia much about Buffalo?
RASMUS RISTOLAINEN:  Yeah, actually Armia is a good friend for
me, and actually I haven’t talked to him in a couple weeks.  We played last
year at World Juniors together, so there I talked to him, and he talked
like Buffalo is a very good place and a very nice city.
 
Q.  How significant is it for you to have a little bit of
familiarity with having some of the things he’s told you about Buffalo?
Did you learn much from him about the organization?
RASMUS RISTOLAINEN:  Actually he told me only a couple things,
so actually I don’t know what there is happening, but we’ll see what’s
happening after this Draft.
 
Q.  What’s the biggest thing you need to do to play in the NHL
this year?
RASMUS RISTOLAINEN:  Well, like work everything, every part,
because like two?way defenseman have to do everything well, like every
situation.
 
Q.  Are you familiar with the Sabres as a team?  Do you know
any of the players?
RASMUS RISTOLAINEN:  Yeah, sure, I watch a lot of NHL, so I can
say that I knew like all the players in Buffalo.
 
Q.  Is there a player in the NHL that you model your game after
or anything like that?
RASMUS RISTOLAINEN:  Yeah, I try to play like Shea Weber.  He’s
like my idol.  He’s a big leader on the ice, play physical, have a good
shot.
 
Q.  (Inaudible).
RASMUS RISTOLAINEN:  Yeah, I think it’s helped me a lot because
Liiga-SM League and the NHL are not the same, but I think it’s going to
help me.
 
Q.  You played a lot of minutes, too, 21 minutes a game?
RASMUS RISTOLAINEN:  Yeah, I think I played like 22, 25 minutes
last season in every game.
 
Q.  How much does that help you, that much ice time, that much
experience, so many different situations on the ice?
RASMUS RISTOLAINEN:  Yeah, it helped me a lot, and if I get a
lot of ice time then coach trusts me and he can put me on the ice and I can
be a better player if I’m on the ice a lot.
 
Q.  What was your reaction when Buffalo picked you?  Did you
have an idea it might be Buffalo?
RASMUS RISTOLAINEN:  Actually no.  I don’t know what I’m
thinking when I heard my name, but it feels awesome.
 
Q.  When you were looking at the Draft and it was getting to be
seven and eight, were you thinking Buffalo?  Were you thinking other teams
that were nine, 10, 11?
RASMUS RISTOLAINEN:  I think maybe after 10, 15, somewhere in
there.  That was a good surprise for me.
 
Q.  What do you know about Buffalo?
RASMUS RISTOLAINEN:  I know the team, players, a little bit the
city.
 
Q.  How much is it going to be good for you to have a chance to
go on a team that’s rebuilding and probably wants to go with a lot of
younger players?
RASMUS RISTOLAINEN:  Yeah, I think it’s good.  It’s maybe
easier to get a spot on the team if they are rebuilding that, so I think
it’s good.
 
Q.  You obviously use your size to your advantage.
RASMUS RISTOLAINEN:  Yeah, I think I use my size very well.  I
win the battles to use my physical size.
 
Q.  What is it about Finnish defensemen the last few years?  It
seems like there’s more than in the past.  They’ve always had great
forwards, but it seems like there’s a lot of defensemen, as well.
RASMUS RISTOLAINEN:  Yeah, sure, they are all like in my age,
so we have good coaches in Finland, and when we get to the team and we can
play, like a lot of ice time, it always helps us a lot.
 
Q.  Getting so much ice time at a young age, what was that
like?
RASMUS RISTOLAINEN:  Yeah, I think it’s good for me, and it shows that the
coach can trust me and put me on the ice, and still, there is older
players, but still I can be on the ice, so that’s good for me.

Im not really surprised at how it went no, Darcy wants to make sure this team will have grit for years to come and he made sure of it all right.

Getting Baily at 58 didnt hurt either

Wow, Harrington did nothing but complain about Newark on Twitter after the draft. What a (frank)ing chump.

Dear Bobrovsky,
Please go to the KHL
Thanks!

"The Blue Jackets were very close to re-signing goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, a deal that could have been completed as soon as Monday. But what a wild weekend it appeared to be for the Jackets. For starters, they took trade calls from other teams on Bobrovsky when it wasn’t clear if they would ever be able to close the gap in contract talks. Meanwhile, sources confirm that the Jackets spoke to the Buffalo Sabres about Ryan Miller, Vancouver about Schneider and even checked in Saturday night with the Phoenix Coyotes on Mike Smith, the latter out of reach after agreeing to terms with Phoenix on a six-year deal worth $5.667 million a season. In the end, unless the Bobrovsky deal falls part, they finally got their Vezina Trophy winner back, which is the best solution of all."
-Pierre LeBrun, espn

The we'll have CBus, Philly and the Isles bidding for Miller
And I think Pitt will at least call as well

2013 NHL draft: Team grades
Buffalo Sabres among several teams scoring big in loaded prospect class
Updated: July 1, 2013, 3:01 AM ET
By Grant Sonier | ESPN Insider


Buffalo Sabres: A+
Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov gives Buffalo two elite-sized, gritty D-men with picks No. 8 and No. 16 and, over time, will have a major impact on the back end. The blue line was a big need for the Buffalo system, and they addressed it as well as they could with their first two selections. In the second round, the Sabres add skilled, blue-collar forward J.T. Compher, and two big hard working forwards in Connor Hurley from Edina High School and Justin Bailey from Kitchener of the OHL -- both give added size. This was a really strong draft for the Sabres.

So I just read all 1,500 comments..

anyway, I must admit I over-reacted with the first round of the draft. Much like everyone else, I thought "let's draft 'elite' forwards! too much talent!" However; the picks simply made sense. Why? Successful play-off teams have that one defenceman who will play you 25-30 minutes without breaking a sweat. Not only did Darcy take one chance at that, he took two. Looking at what he just drafted.

RASMUS RISTOLAINEN: 6"3; ~205 lbs. Shoots Right
Plays the two way game, knows how to play the body, also loves to put up the points. Solid all around defenceman. Think Teppo had something to say?

NIKITA ZADOROV: 6"4; ~220 lbs. Shoots Left
Your classic "punish all in our zone" defenceman. I think Volchenkov, except MUCH more upside to his developmental offensive game.

Looking back at this, it gives him more flexibility both short-term and long-term. Ristolainen can push for a spot this year where Zadorov can polish his game. My point being we just got two SOLID pieces for success. Personally, the best way to re-build starts with your defense. With how tight games have been in this year's Cup Final, it really has shown me how important it is to have exceptional depth at D.

My eyes and ears perked when I heard the Sekera trade. We shave some cap space to pick up a right handed shot capable McBain. Plus we get an extra pick in this deep draft. With that, we pick up JT Compher. Left Winger who can wheel and deal. Shortly after, Darcy picks his low risk/high reward pick in Conner Hurley. I say low risk because we got a free pick thanks to Sekera. Hurley will be a longer-term project, but can be an impact player down the road.

Lastly, how pleased were we when home-grown Justin Bailey fell into our lap? Great head on his shoulders, VERY mature for his age, what's not to like about this kid?

Sleeper picks in Gustav Possler and other local kid Sean Malone. I almost hate to admit it, but taking a step back, Darcy did well. Here's to hoping he doesn't screw it up in Free Agency....

Even if there was a particular guy u wanted that we passed on...
U have to admit,
Solidifying our defense for the next 10yrs or so is a great thing
And the guys we added bring the nasty toughness that our defense has sorely missed

I loved the picks
And with the 2nd rounders we went all forwards

We still have Miller & Vanek to move,
We should be able to get a good return for them

And we are likely to draft very high the next couple years too

I think this rebuild is off to a great start
- jdfitz77

2nd rounders are guys that won't help us for 3 years minimum. We had a chance to add a 6'4" 210 lb fast NHL ready wing today and we didn't. Pegula sold us all a bill of goods about winning the Stanley Cup within 3 years and we missed the playoffs the first two full seasons he was the owner. That alone should have gotten Darcy and company fired. But no, instead they decide to let a guy that is totally married to the players on the roster rebuild. And lo and behold we have two guys here that won't re-sign next season still on the roster that could have gotten us something today.

2nd rounders are guys that won't help us for 3 years minimum. We had a chance to add a 6'4" 210 lb fast NHL ready wing today and we didn't. Pegula sold us all a bill of goods about winning the Stanley Cup within 3 years and we missed the playoffs the first two full seasons he was the owner. That alone should have gotten Darcy and company fired. But no, instead they decide to let a guy that is totally married to the players on the roster rebuild. And lo and behold we have two guys here that won't re-sign next season still on the roster that could have gotten us something today.
- Pierceme69

Just because he's "NHL ready", doesn't mean he'll stay in the NHL. That's why 7 other teams passed him up. KHL factor played a big part for him. Still does.

So I just read all 1,500 comments..

anyway, I must admit I over-reacted with the first round of the draft. Much like everyone else, I thought "let's draft 'elite' forwards! too much talent!" However; the picks simply made sense. Why? Successful play-off teams have that one defenceman who will play you 25-30 minutes without breaking a sweat. Not only did Darcy take one chance at that, he took two. Looking at what he just drafted.

RASMUS RISTOLAINEN: 6"3; ~205 lbs. Shoots Right
Plays the two way game, knows how to play the body, also loves to put up the points. Solid all around defenceman. Think Teppo had something to say?

NIKITA ZADOROV: 6"4; ~220 lbs. Shoots Left
Your classic "punish all in our zone" defenceman. I think Volchenkov, except MUCH more upside to his developmental offensive game.

Looking back at this, it gives him more flexibility both short-term and long-term. Ristolainen can push for a spot this year where Zadorov can polish his game. My point being we just got two SOLID pieces for success. Personally, the best way to re-build starts with your defense. With how tight games have been in this year's Cup Final, it really has shown me how important it is to have exceptional depth at D.

My eyes and ears perked when I heard the Sekera trade. We shave some cap space to pick up a right handed shot capable McBain. Plus we get an extra pick in this deep draft. With that, we pick up JT Compher. Left Winger who can wheel and deal. Shortly after, Darcy picks his low risk/high reward pick in Conner Hurley. I say low risk because we got a free pick thanks to Sekera. Hurley will be a longer-term project, but can be an impact player down the road.

Lastly, how pleased were we when home-grown Justin Bailey fell into our lap? Great head on his shoulders, VERY mature for his age, what's not to like about this kid?

Sleeper picks in Gustav Possler and other local kid Sean Malone. I almost hate to admit it, but taking a step back, Darcy did well. Here's to hoping he doesn't screw it up in Free Agency....
- awildmudkip

Even better news: Risto is VERY close to 6'4, and Zadorov is close to 6'6.

Even better news: Risto is VERY close to 6'4, and Zadorov is close to 6'6.
- LetsGoBuffalo75

Is this where you I ask you "is half an inch going to make a difference?" where you respond in a snarking manner "That's what she said!"?

Just because he's "NHL ready", doesn't mean he'll stay in the NHL. That's why 7 other teams passed him up. KHL factor played a big part for him. Still does.
- awildmudkip

He will play this season in the NHL. The only factor was if a team didn't think he could crack their roster it was better they didn't draft him because he would have played in the KHL this season instead of the minors. There is no way he doesn't crack our roster. He would have been better than any RW we even have on the team right now.

By the way, if Rutherford thinks Sekera is a shutdown type D I'm not sure what video he has been watching.

He will play this season in the NHL. The only factor was if a team didn't think he could crack their roster it was better they didn't draft him because he would have played in the KHL this season instead of the minors. There is no way he doesn't crack our roster. He would have been better than any RW we even have on the team right now.
- Pierceme69

Of course that's the only factor. Screw the chance of him being injured, or not having chemistry with the team, or having poor relations with the players/coach, or simply having a poor season himself.

Nope, the only chance he goes to the KHL is if he doesn't get a starting job in the NHL. Plus we're all aware we're short on Right Wing. I'm sure Darcy can see that too. I'm also sure he knows Darcy knows when July 5th is.

By the way, if Rutherford thinks Sekera is a shutdown type D I'm not sure what video he has been watching.
- Pierceme69

That's bad for us?

Of course that's the only factor. Screw the chance of him being injured, or not having chemistry with the team, or having poor relations with the players/coach, or simply having a poor season himself.

Nope, the only chance he goes to the KHL is if he doesn't get a starting job in the NHL. Plus we're all aware we're short on Right Wing. I'm sure Darcy can see that too. I'm also sure he knows Darcy knows when July 5th is.
- awildmudkip

Yeah, none of the other players drafted could get injured either. Good point. Who do you think Darcy is going to convince to come to this terrible team? The whole reason this draft was so important was because it was loaded with top end offensive players. And we took none of them. Everyone seems to remember our defense being the weakest point of the team, and they were not very good, to be sure, but how about the fact that we lost 7 games where we held teams to 2 goals through regulation. That was the reason we weren't a playoff team. We couldn't score goals because we have AHL offensive talent at at least half of our forward spots.

That's bad for us?
- awildmudkip

Yes I said that was bad for us. You're on a roll.