The guy has a lot of flaws especially regarding his compete and skating abilities. The Sabres needed a center so they took a guy who other teams were passing on and who has those flaws. Mike Williams was a bust but the Bills needed a LT so they took him. My point is don't reach due to need when a guy (Ekblad) might be far and away better than the next forward.
- GilPerreault11

He's never at any point in time been the clear #1. If he's never been the #1 runaway by now like McDavid is, screw him.

Grigorenko was ranked 3rd at the draft.
- TheSabresTaco

TSN's ranking doesn't count. He obviously wasn't ranked 3rd at the draft because 11 teams passed on him.

It depends on how Ekblad, Reinhart, Bennett et al grade out with the Sabres internal scouting. If Ekblad is far above Reinhart you take him, if pretty close take the highest graded foward/center. I think the Bills and Sabres have shown us, ahem, Mike Williams, Grigorenko etc, you don't draft for need, you draft for the best player available.
- GilPerreault11

Reinhart has been tearing it up lately no way Ekblad would grade that much higher than him.

He's never at any point in time been the clear #1. If he's never been the #1 runaway by now like McDavid is, screw him.
- TheSabresTaco

I've never seen the Sabres internal scouting reports, have you? If so, please share

The guy has a lot of flaws especially regarding his compete and skating abilities. The Sabres needed a center so they took a guy who other teams were passing on and who has those flaws. Mike Williams was a bust but the Bills needed a LT so they took him. My point is don't reach due to need when a guy (Ekblad) might be far and away better than the next forward.
- GilPerreault11

And I'm sure.... no I'm positive that if you brought say... Radek Faksa up to the NHL right now who was picked right after Grigorenko, he'd look like he has a ton of flaws as well. There is a reason probably over 60% of that 1st round hasn't seen an NHL game yet. They are still teenagers for the most part.... Not NHL ready

TSN's ranking doesn't count. He obviously wasn't ranked 3rd at the draft because 11 teams passed on him.
- GilPerreault11

That's a bullpoop thing to say.

Reinhart has been tearing it up lately no way Ekblad would grade that much higher than him.
- bluengold12

I see some people on here are getting big woodies over his playoff run. Good for you.

Doesn't mean a thing. Calling 19 and 20 year old's busts is premature. People a lot smarter than you or me and make a living projecting these players and they obviously didn't agree.

Not everyone makes the NHL at 18-19- even 20 years old
- sbroads24

Or am I smarter then them being able to call it sooner?

I've never seen the Sabres internal scouting reports, have you? If so, please share
- GilPerreault11

Christ, we doing this?

EVERY scouting report from every reputable site INCLUDING the most important, Central Scouting, has been tossing the top 4-5 names around all year. If ALL these people can't decide, decisively, who number one is, I'm going to bet my life the Sabres don't hold him in his own (frank)ing cloud above anyone else.

That's a bullpoop thing to say.
- TheSabresTaco

Why? When was the last time the 3rd ranked player in the draft was taken 12th and by a misfit GM I might add.

Or am I smarter then them being able to call it sooner?
- hubie

No, no one remembers the people who were right. When you are wrong (which every GM, scout is ) people remember

I see some people on here are getting big woodies over his playoff run. Good for you.
- GilPerreault11

Yeah... playing good when it counts... man I guess I shouldn't get excited about that...

Or am I smarter then them being able to call it sooner?
- hubie

hubie if you're not careful, you're going to be the amateur scout version of Beezer.

the wounded gazelle used to be my main target back in the day..
- IndianaSabresFan

Its like playing musical chairs you do whatever it takes to get it and you dont want to be left with nothing but your crank in your hands

Name the player(s) drafted after him that have succeeded in the NHL already....

Jesus It amazes me how people can dog on a 19 year old kid for not being an all-star in an dysfunctional organization
- sbroads24

does Teuvo Teravainen count..

i was actually hoping we would pick him with the zemgus pick..

Why? When was the last time the 3rd ranked player in the draft was taken 12th and by a misfit GM I might add.
- GilPerreault11

That misfit GM has one of the best draft records in the past 17 years, but that's a different discussion I'm not willing to engage in right now. Usually. Usually. Players are drafted within a few spots of their rank, with varying exceptions of course like injuries or bad playoff runs, what have you. The point is, referring to your original worded comment that you insinuated the Sabres "reached" for a guy at 12 who was ranked 3 is a completely incorrect assumption.

does Teuvo Teravainen count..

i was actually hoping we would pick him with the zemgus pick..
- IndianaSabresFan

I'd say no, he just got here.

Yeah... playing good when it counts... man I guess I shouldn't get excited about that...
- bluengold12

Leino is awesome in the playoffs

Armia and Griorenko suck. The aren't from anywhere near Buffalo and they don't try hard!

does Teuvo Teravainen count..

i was actually hoping we would pick him with the zemgus pick..
- IndianaSabresFan

Not yet. He's ony played a few games.

My point is that most players would look like they have a ton of flaws if they were thrown into the NHL too early

I'd say no, he just got here.
- TheSabresTaco

i know.. but i don't think there is any looking back for him

hubie if you're not careful, you're going to be the amateur scout version of Beezer.
- TheSabresTaco

Well id say my Jr.s Prospect evaluations are pretty accurate. If people dont like it thats their issue. Just cause I talk negatively of players we drafted doesnt mean I dont know anything.

Yeah... playing good when it counts... man I guess I shouldn't get excited about that...
- bluengold12

Hmm yea, Danny Briere is what got us far in the playoffs. What a useless pile of subway sandwiches. No one wants that here.

Yeah... playing good when it counts... man I guess I shouldn't get excited about that...
- bluengold12

He might be a good or great pick but if Ekblad is ranked above him by a good amount by Murray, take him. I've seen these reach picks too often blow up and end up being mistakes. I'd love for the Sabres to take a center who pans out to be a legit # 1 center, but if Ekblad is truly the #1 prospect in this years draft, I hope they take him.

Not yet. He's ony played a few games.

My point is that most players would look like they have a ton of flaws if they were thrown into the NHL too early
- sbroads24

i am not giving up on him.. i just don't have high expectations either. at this point i feel like we missed with that pick considering some of the other players available at that time.