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.
- Pierceme69

That's why Darcy drafted 2 of the top 4 rated defencemen in the draft in the first round. To succeed, you need a all around solid defenseman that can shut down the elite players. We potentially got our Keith/Seabrook or Weber/Suter pairing.

I'll take that over what may seem to be the sexy pick. Believe me, I was all about Nichushkin at 8 and Shinkaruk at 16. But I'm liking the top D pick. Everyone was so wrapped up in the hype of forwards this year, where we sneak in picking up the quality defense.

That's why Darcy drafted 2 of the top 4 rated defencemen in the draft in the first round. To succeed, you need a all around solid defenseman that can shut down the elite players. We potentially got our Keith/Seabrook or Weber/Suter pairing.

I'll take that over what may seem to be the sexy pick. Believe me, I was all about Nichushkin at 8 and Shinkaruk at 16. But I'm liking the top D pick. Everyone was so wrapped up in the hype of forwards this year, where we sneak in picking up the quality defense.
- awildmudkip

The problem is that D take years to develop. Myers is a perfect example of what a high rated D can be if he doesn't develop well. Risto may be close to NHL ready, but Zadarov is probably 2 years away. I like that they got McBain. He's only 25 and saves some cap space.

The problem is that D take years to develop. Myers is a perfect example of what a high rated D can be if he doesn't develop well. Risto may be close to NHL ready, but Zadarov is probably 2 years away. I like that they got McBain. He's only 25 and saves some cap space.
- Pierceme69

and raw power forwards don't take time to develop their game?

and raw power forwards don't take time to develop their game?
- awildmudkip

Of course. These are 18-year-old kids. But Nichushkin could have been developing on the Sabres at a position we have a dire need for.

My main problem with passing on Nichushkin is that we have such terrible RW depth that we are pretty much guaranteed to have Gerbe and Stafford on the team again this season.

Of course. These are 18-year-old kids. But Nichushkin could have been developing on the Sabres at a position we have a dire need for.
- Pierceme69

after the abysmal performance our defense has had, I'll take Ristolainen (remember, elite right hand shot defencemen are a rare breed) for right now, and Zadarov in a couple years. and for many years to come.

My main problem with passing on Nichushkin is that we have such terrible RW depth that we are pretty much guaranteed to have Gerbe and Stafford on the team again this season.
- Pierceme69

Yeah, it's terrible. But don't rule out the free agency market. What convinces any free agent to come play for your team? Money. Clarkson, Horton, Bouchard, Iginla, plus others are available.

Yeah, it's terrible. But don't rule out the free agency market. What convinces any free agent to come play for your team? Money. Clarkson, Horton, Bouchard, Iginla, plus others are available.
- awildmudkip

Younger guys are more inclined to play for more money. I would think Iginla would look for a shot at a cup. That being said we MIGHT be able to get Damien Brunner, Brad Richardson, Brandon Yip, or Clarkson. Aside from Clarkson none of those guys excite me much.

after the abysmal performance our defense has had, I'll take Ristolainen (remember, elite right hand shot defencemen are a rare breed) for right now, and Zadarov in a couple years. and for many years to come.
- awildmudkip

I like Risto as a player. I just would have preferred Nichushkin. It just reeks of Darcy taking the safe road again which bothers me about him.

I like Risto as a player. I just would have preferred Nichushkin. It just reeks of Darcy taking the safe road again which bothers me about him.
- Pierceme69

Playing it safe isn't always a bad thing. His risk pick was Hurley, who would have easily have been a 1st round pick in next year's draft given the circumstances. Would I have liked the Nichushkin pick now after all this? Sure. But I'm still growing on the Ristolainen pick more and more.

Playing it safe isn't always a bad thing. His risk pick was Hurley, who would have easily have been a 1st round pick in next year's draft given the circumstances. Would I have liked the Nichushkin pick now after all this? Sure. But I'm still growing on the Ristolainen pick more and more.
- awildmudkip

I think a lot of people are resigned to the fact we will stink this year and I think I felt like if we got Nichuskin and Myers came to camp in shape for once we might be able to make the playoffs. People can say what they want about squeaking into the playoffs but Toronto by all intents should have beaten Boston in the first round and the Red Wings didn't even make the playoffs until their last game of the season and they were up 3-1 on the team who won the cup. Give me a 1 in 16 shot every year.

When it's all said and done, it's still a draft. There are no gaurentees. I think Myers has this year to show us what he's done in his Calder year or he's gone. He needs to stop trying to do everything like Vanek and just keep it simple. It's scary to think how well the Sabres do depend on how well he plays. I like to think he's an important piece on this team, he just needs to put it all together.

Who knows. We still have 3 months to wait.

I think a lot of people are resigned to the fact we will stink this year and I think I felt like if we got Nichuskin and Myers came to camp in shape for once we might be able to make the playoffs. People can say what they want about squeaking into the playoffs but Toronto by all intents should have beaten Boston in the first round and the Red Wings didn't even make the playoffs until their last game of the season and they were up 3-1 on the team who won the cup. Give me a 1 in 16 shot every year.
- Pierceme69

If Myers was in fact in shape, shoot, say even had a career year, who knows what would have happened? Pominville would still probably still be here. We might only have a ~#20 pick.

I'm not about -squeeking- into the playoffs. That's why Risto+Zadarov make sense.

If Myers was in fact in shape, shoot, say even had a career year, who knows what would have happened? Pominville would still probably still be here. We might only have a ~#20 pick.

I'm not about -squeeking- into the playoffs. That's why Risto+Zadarov make sense.
- awildmudkip

You have to make the playoffs to win the cup. The Kings proved that you can win it just by getting in. I have a problem with Pegula saying our sole existence is to win the cup and then not even making the playoffs his first two full years as the owner.

You have to make the playoffs to win the cup. The Kings proved that you can win it just by getting in. I have a problem with Pegula saying our sole existence is to win the cup and then not even making the playoffs his first two full years as the owner.
- Pierceme69

The Kings proved nothing but having a stacked roster and getting hot at the right time wins the cup. But that's just me, I guess. Though I agree he should never have said those words. I, for one, have had enough for words. Just shut up and win it for RJ.

The Kings proved nothing but having a stacked roster and getting hot at the right time wins the cup. But that's just me, I guess. Though I agree he should never have said those words. I, for one, have had enough for words. Just shut up and win it for RJ.
- awildmudkip

I couldn't disagree that the Kings were a much better #8 seed than usual, but the Oilers made it to the cup finals as a very average team with a hot goalie in 2005-2006. So it can happen. If you get in.

let me ask you this. From Rutherford's comments it sounds like the 8th and Sekera could have gotten us the 5th where Elias Lindholm went. Do you wish we had Lindholm over Risto?

I couldn't disagree that the Kings were a much better #8 seed than usual, but the Oilers made it to the cup finals as a very average team with a hot goalie in 2005-2006. So it can happen. If you get in.
- Pierceme69

Well like I said, if there's anything I've learned from our Cup appearance to now, is that you need smart and strong defence. With all the players the Sabres have been drafting as of late, it's hard to not like their picks. Tough, smart, and hard to play against.

Hopefully that will be Buffalo's identity for years to come.

let me ask you this. From Rutherford's comments it sounds like the 8th and Sekera could have gotten us the 5th where Elias Lindholm went. Do you wish we had Lindholm over Risto?
- Pierceme69

Hard to say. You don't know how Lindholm/Ristolainen will pan out. Plus, we got an extra pick in Compher. So you have that, too.

Would I have been excited to trade up to get him? Sure. But it's a deep draft, so it's hard to be upset knowing there's plenty of talent throughout and you'll be getting a solid player regardless.

Hard to say. You don't know how Lindholm/Ristolainen will pan out. Plus, we got an extra pick in Compher. So you have that, too.

Would I have been excited to trade up to get him? Sure. But it's a deep draft, so it's hard to be upset knowing there's plenty of talent throughout and you'll be getting a solid player regardless.
- awildmudkip

Yeah, I mean you could say that about every pick in every draft ever. I'm just asking would you rather have a potential elite 2-way center over a potential elite defenseman.

Yeah, I mean you could say that about every pick in every draft ever. I'm just asking would you rather have a potential elite 2-way center over a potential elite defenseman.
- Pierceme69

Potential Elite defenceman. Something Buffalo has never truly had. Grigo has the potential to be the Elite #1 center. That's why I think they went with Risto.

Potential Elite defenceman. Something Buffalo has never truly had. Grigo has the potential to be the Elite #1 center. That's why I think they went with Risto.


- awildmudkip

This is why we disagree then. I think without scoring this team will never get better. We have half a team full of AHL talent up front.

This is why we disagree then. I think without scoring this team will never get better. We have half a team full of AHL talent up front.
- Pierceme69

ask Boston how they did. They were always defense 1st, tough team to play against. Didn't always have the flashiest players, but didn't prevent them from having success.

Remember the French Connection? That line was special. How many cups did they get Buffalo again? Face it, offense will always be fun to watch, but when you can't shut down their offense, you're not gonna go far.

Heck, The Penguins of all teams got SWEPT. How could that be even possible? They had Crosby, Malkin, Neal, and Iginla! Chara and company shut them down and played the patient game.

Oh, I guess yesterday was better than I thought. Jeremy White just said we got Jamie Benn from Carolina for Sekera. Not sure how the Canes got him.