GARTH'S CORNER: Go Big

GARTH'S CORNER: Go Big

So I stopped for a cup of joe with the boys earlier this morning after we skated hard 90 minutes.
- garth

Sorry man. I've seen you. I can't believe this.

I think you meant to end the article with "I could not care less". No education necessary to become a blogger.

Scanned quick, no nikolaj ehlers in top 10, disregarded the remainder of the what can be assumed as useless text

Ekblad is a great prospect, but not even close to what this team needs. The Sabres need forwards. Take Sam Bennett and watch him make everyone around him better.

I think you meant to end the article with "I could not care less". No education necessary to become a blogger.
- Ron C.

I think you meant to end the article with "I could not care less". No education necessary to become a blogger.
- Ron C.

So, your point is ?

Kapanen?

If we get the Isles pick this yr, then im totally ok with this idea. Draft Ekblad and draft Draisatl. Then move another D-man in a package for a forward
Or draft Bennett

I have been thinking that if buffalo gets the islanders pick plus their first overall pick that will likely equal 2 picks in the top 3 or 4. Both Florida and Edmonton will be clamoring for Ekbald. If Tim Murray starts dropping hints that he might take Ekbald 1st over all he could try to trade the 1st overall pick to which team offers the most (out of fl or edm). If they are desperate enough to have a bidding war he could get a good haul for 1st overall and still get one of the Sams and Draisaitl. Or maybe even both Sams if he is lucky.

I have been thinking that if buffalo gets the islanders pick plus their first overall pick that will likely equal 2 picks in the top 3 or 4. Both Florida and Edmonton will be clamoring for Ekbald. If Tim Murray starts dropping hints that he might take Ekbald 1st over all he could try to trade the 1st overall pick to which team offers the most (out of fl or edm). If they are desperate enough to have a bidding war he could get a good haul for 1st overall and still get one of the Sams and Draisaitl. Or maybe even both Sams if he is lucky.
- Themomentgood

There is one other option and that is moving Myers and/or Ehrhoff at the draft by maybe packaging one of them plus the likely 1st we get from STL for either FLA's or EDM's first pick. Murray did an interview on an Ottawa radio show just before the Olympic break and he stated his D of the future was 3, 44, 55 and 61..well 44 is gone and he never mentioned 10 and 57 so I doubt they figure in his future plans. Just a side note, one trend I noticed was in the last 10 years Bob Mckenzie's top rated draft prospect went first in the draft...it'll be interesting if Ekblad stays as his number 1 if he goes first.

Come June 1st no matter what Snow chooses to do as far as giving us the Islanders 1st this year or in 2015 he loses. It's top 5 this year vs a shot at McDavid or Eichel. We are a sure bet to finish 30th next year so we will get either one of those two.

Say what you will about Garth's blog... but he is absolutely right in this case. Ekblad is the best player in this draft and the most ready to contribute on the NHL level. The power of drafting him first will also open trade possibilities with Edmonton, as they really don't need another young forward (obviously). That opportunity could include Tyler Myers, Christian Ehrhoff (if not on his no-trade list) or Pysyk as possibilities who may interest the Oilers. One of those players could be dealt for one of their current forwards (Nugent-Hopkins maybe) and then Edmonton would replace that player with their pick. I've read that the Isles intend to keep their pick if Top 3... otherwise, they will let it go to the Sabres (we'll see, as only time will tell). If the Isles pick is between 6-10, it could be interesting to see what the Sabres would do with it... I think they'd lean towards trading the pick, if there is interest. If the Isles give up their pick and it is #3, then it is again a no-brainer to grab Ekblad first because it guarantees the Sabres either Reinhart or Bennett. If it is #4 or #5... you're still looking at either Draisatl or Dal Colle or Ritchie, I suppose. This situation is exactly why I was floored last year that they elected to take Ristolainen over Nichushkin... I like Risto, but that decision may haunt this team for quite some time. As the Sabres need scoring and now the best player (Ekblad) may not be their choice because they got it wrong last year.

There is one other option and that is moving Myers and/or Ehrhoff at the draft by maybe packaging one of them plus the likely 1st we get from STL for either FLA's or EDM's first pick. Murray did an interview on an Ottawa radio show just before the Olympic break and he stated his D of the future was 3, 44, 55 and 61..well 44 is gone and he never mentioned 10 and 57 so I doubt they figure in his future plans. Just a side note, one trend I noticed was in the last 10 years Bob Mckenzie's top rated draft prospect went first in the draft...it'll be interesting if Ekblad stays as his number 1 if he goes first.

Come June 1st no matter what Snow chooses to do as far as giving us the Islanders 1st this year or in 2015 he loses. It's top 5 this year vs a shot at McDavid or Eichel. We are a sure bet to finish 30th next year so we will get either one of those two.
- Leninthebuff

That's not a bad idea. Trade the 1st overall to either fl or edm, whoever is willing to pay more and then trade the St. Louis pick and erhoff to the team that didn't get the 1st for their pick and buffalo could potentially have the 2nd 3rd and 4th pick. I don't know how realistic it is but it's a nice thought. I probably wouldn't trade Myers unless I got a massive haul though. Like the 1st in this draft plus the 1st in the next plus a player.

That's not a bad idea. Trade the 1st overall to either fl or edm, whoever is willing to pay more and then trade the St. Louis pick and erhoff to the team that didn't get the 1st for their pick and buffalo could potentially have the 2nd 3rd and 4th pick. I don't know how realistic it is but it's a nice thought. I probably wouldn't trade Myers unless I got a massive haul though. Like the 1st in this draft plus the 1st in the next plus a player.
- Themomentgood

Sabres can only afford to trade Myers IF they intend to draft and keep Ekblad... simple enough, right?

Sabres can only afford to trade Myers IF they intend to draft and keep Ekblad... simple enough, right?
- djc1877

Seems like it would be better to wait unless they can secure some high picks next year. Getting mcdavid and Hanifin next year would be a dream come true and if trading Myers can make that happen I would be all for it. But who knows who is going to be bad next year (besides buffalo). You would think eventually the Oilers will have to turn it around and be good with all the top players they have...

Murray and some credit to Darcy have left the Sabres with more then one route to travel the next two years. The guy that is forgotten is Grigorenko who with some late season experience down at Rochester this year and maybe a half to full season down there next year may develope into the player that was expected when drafted at #12 in 2012. He hasn't hit 20 yet so it's still to early to give up on him. His whole situation was mishandled.

Sorry man. I've seen you. I can't believe this.
- systemtool

Murray and some credit to Darcy have left the Sabres with more then one route to travel the next two years. The guy that is forgotten is Grigorenko who with some late season experience down at Rochester this year and maybe a half to full season down there next year may develope into the player that was expected when drafted at #12 in 2012. He hasn't hit 20 yet so it's still to early to give up on him. His whole situation was mishandled.
- Leninthebuff

I would take Bennett. Never draft a D man with top pick.

Say what you will about Garth's blog... but he is absolutely right in this case. Ekblad is the best player in this draft and the most ready to contribute on the NHL level. The power of drafting him first will also open trade possibilities with Edmonton, as they really don't need another young forward (obviously). That opportunity could include Tyler Myers, Christian Ehrhoff (if not on his no-trade list) or Pysyk as possibilities who may interest the Oilers. One of those players could be dealt for one of their current forwards (Nugent-Hopkins maybe) and then Edmonton would replace that player with their pick. I've read that the Isles intend to keep their pick if Top 3... otherwise, they will let it go to the Sabres (we'll see, as only time will tell). If the Isles pick is between 6-10, it could be interesting to see what the Sabres would do with it... I think they'd lean towards trading the pick, if there is interest. If the Isles give up their pick and it is #3, then it is again a no-brainer to grab Ekblad first because it guarantees the Sabres either Reinhart or Bennett. If it is #4 or #5... you're still looking at either Draisatl or Dal Colle or Ritchie, I suppose. This situation is exactly why I was floored last year that they elected to take Ristolainen over Nichushkin... I like Risto, but that decision may haunt this team for quite some time. As the Sabres need scoring and now the best player (Ekblad) may not be their choice because they got it wrong last year.
- djc1877

Two different GM's. Everything that has happened the last 15 years has haunted this franchise. The wrong players have walked and we signed the wrong players. It will take a few years to undo the bad picks and poor contracts (i.e. Leino & Hodgson) We have a stacked prospect system with many more on the way in the next 15 months. So many chips to play, I'm not focusing on the pocket 10's, I'm going to ride this hand all the way to the River card. I'd like to see what Murray has planned before I worry about 2 18 year old kids and where they were drafted. I agree, I do like the flexibility but I'm not going to microanalyze too much until 2014-2015 season.

Salad days??

In regards to Vanek he would be well advised to consider resigning with the Islanders if he wants to be an elite scorer. (Playing Tavares and Okposo could be the best line in hockey, or one of them). He looks lost in Montreal and that would never fit. If he goes to Minny, then he has to move to line 2 behind Parise. The Islander offered 50 mill and a chance to be a star because he does need a Tavares to help him get all those goals. My gut tells me he goes to Minny but a return to the Isles would allow him to be a prolific scorer.

Say what you will about Garth's blog... but he is absolutely right in this case. Ekblad is the best player in this draft and the most ready to contribute on the NHL level. The power of drafting him first will also open trade possibilities with Edmonton, as they really don't need another young forward (obviously). That opportunity could include Tyler Myers, Christian Ehrhoff (if not on his no-trade list) or Pysyk as possibilities who may interest the Oilers. One of those players could be dealt for one of their current forwards (Nugent-Hopkins maybe) and then Edmonton would replace that player with their pick. I've read that the Isles intend to keep their pick if Top 3... otherwise, they will let it go to the Sabres (we'll see, as only time will tell). If the Isles pick is between 6-10, it could be interesting to see what the Sabres would do with it... I think they'd lean towards trading the pick, if there is interest. If the Isles give up their pick and it is #3, then it is again a no-brainer to grab Ekblad first because it guarantees the Sabres either Reinhart or Bennett. If it is #4 or #5... you're still looking at either Draisatl or Dal Colle or Ritchie, I suppose. This situation is exactly why I was floored last year that they elected to take Ristolainen over Nichushkin... I like Risto, but that decision may haunt this team for quite some time. As the Sabres need scoring and now the best player (Ekblad) may not be their choice because they got it wrong last year.
- djc1877

Did you actually suggest Pysyk for Nugent-Hopkins???

Stabbing Westward. I'm a big fan.

[That's a lie, I have never heard of them, except as a repeated reference in Garth's blog titles.]

Did you actually suggest Pysyk for Nugent-Hopkins???

- Jeropotato

Not necessarily straight up, No. But I could see Pysyk for Yakupov (straight up, but I doubt Buffalo wants him) or Pysyk and Ennis packaged together for RNH and Petry (or something similar). Pysyk is going to be a steady blueliner in the NHL for years, he was already better than any other Sabres Dman (except Myers and Ehrhoff) this season. They just want to feed his confidence by being the go-to blueliner in Rochester and he's truly embraced that role, often given credit by Cassidy (Amerks Head Coach) as one of the key reasons for the turnaround in their season. I'd be willing to trade Tyler Myers for RNH + additional assets, but Myers has more upside at this point than RNH in my opinion. Myers' past struggles can be explained, while RNH not improving his play with the offensive talent surrounding him raises more doubts than reassurances.