If I'm the incoming GM looking to deliver my boss (Pegula) his bell cow (Miller), I'm trying to sell Miller on a blueprint that looks like the ones in LA, Stl, & Chi...

Meaning, I tell Millsy we are going to build him a world class defensive corps to play behind. One with all the bells and whistles (size, muscle, awareness & skill).



Myers, Ristolinen, Zadorov, & McNabb bring the size. Erhoff & Pysyk bring some slick puck skills...

But something is still missing, and that's Arron Ekblad!


Yup... If I'm trying to keep Miller, I tell him were going all out to bring Ekblad to Buffalo!
- SuperCat

Mr Ekblad is not the next Booby Orr . By the time he develops , time for Miller to Retire. We have a great group of defense men in the system . Can we please draft a #1 center next .

That's all fine and dandy, but who is scoring the goals?
- howie feltersnatch

Who knows? Same as the Hasek era... We'll be a tough and scrappy club that scratches and claws their way to wins in low scoring games.



One goal scorer isn't going to make a hill of beans difference on this club... Just like the beginning of the year when Vanek was here.

Even adding two goal scorers won't quite get you to the playoffs (see the Vanek/Pommer years).


Filling the cupboard with scoring talent is going to take a while. Building from the back end is the quickest path toward relevance.

Mr Ekblad is not the next Booby Orr . By the time he develops , time for Miller to Retire. We have a great group of defense men in the system . Can we please draft a #1 center next .
- Maximum Signal

No, of course not. But some are hailing Ekblad as the next Chris Pronger... And to Ryan Miller that may sound even sweeter!

Also, Bobby Orr is presently an advisor to the Ekblad camp (for whatever that's worth).

Who knows? Same as the Hasek era... We'll be a tough and scrappy club that scratches and claws their way to wins in low scoring games.



One goal scorer isn't going to make a hill of beans difference on this club... Just like the beginning of the year when Vanek was here.

Even adding two goal scorers won't quite get you to the playoffs (see the Vanek/Pommer years).


Filling the cupboard with scoring talent is going to take a while. Building from the back end is the quickest path toward relevance.
- SuperCat

We've got at least 3 1st round picks in the next two drafts, we can definitely get a whole top line with those picks. If we're lucky Girgensons/Grigorenko/ Armia is our 2nd line. Hodgson is our 3rd line center. Our defense, prospect wise, as is, is about as good as any other team by the time they develop, some of the stanley cup teams have foregone parts on defense in order to have solid offensive players because goals win games too. We'll be fine with what we have, honestly we could probably subtract from our defense and still be fine.

Now, iif the Sabres can trade something like Ehrhoff and Ennis to Winnapeg for Dustin Byflugien... Look out!



Line us up:


Byflugien/Aaron Ekblad
Myers/Pysyk
Zadorov/Ristolinen
McNabb


..and now we're cooking with peanut oil! That kinda blue line would surely perk up Miller's interest in sticking around.

We've got at least 3 1st round picks in the next two drafts, we can definitely get a whole top line with those picks. If we're lucky Girgensons ? Armia is our 2nd line. Hodgson is our 3rd line center. Our defense, prospect wise, as is, is about as good as any other team by the time they develop, some of the stanley cup teams have foregone parts on defense in order to have solid offensive players because goals win games too. We'll be fine with what we have, honestly we could probably subtract from our defense and still be fine.
- FIREonICE

Girgensons and Armia are looooong ways away from Vanek and Pominville in the goal scoring department.

Girgensons and Armia are looooong ways away from Vanek and Pominville in the goal scoring department.
- SuperCat

Right, but what's your point?

Girgensons and armia are the future, vanek and pominville are the past and they were our first line. We haven't drafted our first line yet...


Edit: pominville and vanek were perfect 2nd line players, but we never had a first line on that team either...

Now, iif the Sabres can trade something like Ehrhoff and Ennis to Winnapeg for Dustin Byflugien... Look out!



Line us up:


Byflugien/Aaron Ekblad
Myers/Pysyk
Zadorov/Ristolinen
McNabb


..and now we're cooking with peanut oil! That kinda blue line would surely perk up Miller's interest in sticking around.
- SuperCat

I get that Defense is important, but we need to start drafting scorers and centers. Miller is not gonna want to lose 2-1 or 1-0 every game like he is now. That is not going to change anytime soon, so adding more defense to the mix is not going to factor in him resigning here or not. Just my opinion.

I get that Defense is important, but we need to start drafting scorers and centers. Miller is not gonna want to lose 2-1 or 1-0 every game like he is now. That is not going to change anytime soon, so adding more defense to the mix is not going to factor in him resigning here or not. Just my opinion.
- howie feltersnatch

Miller's decision on whether to resign or not will have exactly zero to do with who the Sabres draft in 2014. Nothing. It will about whether or not he believes that the new GM will bring in top FAs right now to help the team compete. I cannot envision that the draft will be on Ryan's radar. The guys the Sabres drafted last season probably won't reach their potential until after Ryan retires. Usually takes 5 years for elite Dmen.

No, of course not. But some are hailing Ekblad as the next Chris Pronger... And to Ryan Miller that may sound even sweeter!

Also, Bobby Orr is presently an advisor to the Ekblad camp (for whatever that's worth).
- SuperCat

You have a #1 defense men in Myers . He has rounded the corner and is well on his way . We need scoring to be drafted now . Two of our prospects were named all stars at world juniors . Ahead of Ekblad .

Miller's decision on whether to resign or not will have exactly zero to do with who the Sabres draft in 2014. Nothing. It will about whether or not he believes that the new GM will bring in top FAs right now to help the team compete. I cannot envision that the draft will be on Ryan's radar. The guys the Sabres drafted last season probably won't reach their potential until after Ryan retires. Usually takes 5 years for elite Dmen.
- truthbluth

Well hey, while this is probably true, give me a defense of:

Byflugien/Ekblad
Myers/Pysyk
Zadorove/Ristolinen
McNabb

And I'm more than willing to take my chances with Enroth in net.

Well hey, while this is probably true, give me a defense of:

Byflugien/Ekblad
Myers/Pysyk
Zadorove/Ristolinen
McNabb

And I'm more than willing to take my chances with Enroth in net.
- SuperCat

It will be years for Ekblad to reach potential . Sorry we need scorers now . Do not want to set rebuild back another year for Ekblad. You also forgot Mccabe. Not interested in Byfulgien either

It will be years for Ekblad to reach potential . Sorry we neeed scorers now . Do not want to set rebuild back another year for Ekblad. You also forgot Mccabe. Not interested in Byfulgien either
- Maximum Signal

The Defense seems all good for now . We need scorers right f'n yesterday. We have some now but they need a couple that all they do is eat, sleep and put the puck in the net during game time . Not just in practice or the basement into a washing machine .

It will be years for Ekblad to reach potential . Sorry we neeed scorers now . Do not want to set rebuild back another year for Ekblad. You also forgot Mccabe. Not interested in Byfulgien either
- Maximum Signal

Heck, It will be years before any of these kids reach their potential.

And for that matter there are quite a few voices out there clamoring that Nylander is a superior forward than Reihnhart. (Though until he plays in North America, we won't know how well Nylanders game translates.)


Reinhart doesn't posses elite skating ability or size, but does have a tremendous hockey IQ. While he doesn't have the the highest ceiling of these prospects, he IS perhaps the safest prospect with the highest floor.

Some think he may only be a #2 center at the NHL level (but that's probably a worst case scenario for the kid). And while we need a #2 center as much as anybody else, lets not fool ourselves into thinking this kid is Crosby, Stamkos, or Kane... He's not.

Heck, It will be years before any of these kids reach their potential.

And for that matter there are quite a few voices out there clamoring that Nylander is a superior forward than Reihnhart. (Though until he plays in North America, we won't know how well Nylanders game translates.)


Reinhart doesn't posses elite skating ability or size, but does have a tremendous hockey IQ. While he doesn't have the the highest ceiling of these prospects, he IS perhaps the safest prospect with the highest floor.

Some think he may only be a #2 center at the NHL level. And while we needs a #2 center as much as anybody else, lets not fool ourselves into thinking this kid is Crosby, Stamkos, or Kane... He's not.
- SuperCat

All our defense are further developed than Ekblad . He is not Bobby Orr. Forwards develop a lot quicker than defense men . Top of this draft we need to find forwards that can put the puck in the net .

All our defense are further developed than Ekblad . He is not Bobby Orr. Forwards develop a lot quicker than defense men . Top of this draft we need to find forwards that can put the puck in the net .
- Maximum Signal

Ekblad's game compares to Alex Peitrangelo. If he's the best player available, you take him.

At the top of the draft we need the best player, not the best forward.


Comparing him to the greatest player of all time (as an argument not to draft him) a bit of a copout.

And on that note, Reinhart is no Wayne Gretzky.

Heck, It will be years before any of these kids reach their potential.

And for that matter there are quite a few voices out there clamoring that Nylander is a superior forward than Reihnhart. (Though until he plays in North America, we won't know how well Nylanders game translates.)


Reinhart doesn't posses elite skating ability or size, but does have a tremendous hockey IQ. While he doesn't have the the highest ceiling of these prospects, he IS perhaps the safest prospect with the highest floor.

Some think he may only be a #2 center at the NHL level (but that's probably a worst case scenario for the kid). And while we need a #2 center as much as anybody else, lets not fool ourselves into thinking this kid is Crosby, Stamkos, or Kane... He's not.
- SuperCat

So take Reinhart or Dal Colle and pick Eickel, McDavid, or Barzal next year. Can't lose really. Especially since the Islanders pick is kind of a freebie, you can take whoever you want. Hell, pick a goalie or defensemen if he want.

So take Reinhart or Dal Colle and pick Eickel, McDavid, or Barzal next year. Can't lose really. Especially since the Islanders pick is kind of a freebie, you can take whoever you want. Hell, pick a goalie or defensemen if he want.
- FIREonICE

You are correct. If the BPA is the second coming of Patrick Roy, then that's who you take.

There are plenty of holes here to fill, and we can't afford to get this one wrong.

Ekblad's game compares to Alex Peitrangelo. If he's the best player available, you take him.

At the top of the draft we need the best player, not the best forward.


Comparing him to the greatest player of all time (as an argument not to draft him) a bit of a copout.

And on that note, Reinhart is no Wayne Gretzky.
- SuperCat

You have to draft for need at some point and not best available player or you become the Edmonton Oilers in reverse.

You have to draft for need at some point and not best available player or you become the Edmonton Oilers in reverse.
- Maximum Signal

Which is basically just the younger version of the post briere/drury team.

The oilers really could have helped themselves in the off-seasons with goalie-defense prospects, but seem intent on letting their talent waste away and probably leave as soon as they're free agents.

You have to draft for need at some point and not best available player or you become the Edmonton Oilers in reverse.
- Maximum Signal

At some point.. Yes. But that point can just as easily be in round 2 (or next season even).

Reinhart is a creative playmaker with vision for sure... But who is he passing to that is going to bury the biscuit? I thought you said you want someone to score goals?

You have to draft for need at some point and not best available player or you become the Edmonton Oilers in reverse.
- Maximum Signal

Exactly...only when you are 1-2 players away...not 6 like we are today. And think of players as currency, not positions...with currency you can buy players of certain positions...or acquire them in FA. You act like the draft is THE ONLY way to acquire talent.

Exactly...only when you are 1-2 players away...not 6 like we are today. And think of players as currency, not positions...with currency you can buy players of certain positions...or acquire them in FA. You act like the draft is THE ONLY way to acquire talent.
- IonSabres

Good point.

We could just as easily draft Ekblad and package Ehrhoff + Stafford for a goal scorer like Evander Kane.


Evander Kane/Hodgson/Ennis looks to me like a scoring line we can grow with.

Exactly...only when you are 1-2 players away...not 6 like we are today. And think of players as currency, not positions...with currency you can buy players of certain positions...or acquire them in FA. You act like the draft is THE ONLY way to acquire talent.
- IonSabres

But how has that Free Agency thing worked out for The Leafs , Wild , Rangers . They are you last three big free agency winners . We are no defense away , we need forwards . Trade out of the spot if Ekblad is there and others covet him . The pick is worth a lot more before the pick is made . Long way to the draft for too many drooling over Ekblad . Should bring a big return. Maybe he gets you that forward you are looking for off another roster . Maybe Strome plus another high level prospect as Islanders need defense.

But how has that Free Agency thing worked out for The Leafs , Wild , Rangers . They are you last three big free agency winners . We are no defense away , we need forwards . Trade out of the spot if Ekblad is there and others covet him . The pick is worth a lot more before the pick is made . Long way to the draft for too many drooling over Ekblad . Should bring a big return. Maybe he gets you that forward you are looking for off another roster . Maybe Strome plus another high level prospect as Islanders need defense.
- Maximum Signal

I'd say not too bad considering FA has taken them all to the playoffs.

Gotta get in it, if you're ever gonna win it.



And as the Kings have shown us, even the 8th seed is capable of bringing home the hardware.

And once the Wild swap out Heatly for Vanek (which will be via FA mind you) next yr, they'll be big time Cup contenders.