Rangers will earn at least 6
- Buffalo-Sabres

it really doesn't matter the west is so much better then the east .

As much as I have Bennett as a distant 3rd on the "guys I want to draft at #2" list, the pull ups have nothing to do with it. There are absolute gym rats and workout fiends that can't do many of them, if any. It's a bizarre exercise that takes work to get at.

People are just having some fun i'm sure you give the "sam reinhart group "

some heat if he did not do one pull up ..
- gerbe75pts

The group? They own this site I have to watch what I say about Reinhart so I try to be politically correct and do not use the word soft anymore. That started a firestorm. Notice how I used his "demeaner?"

The group? They own this site I have to watch what I say about Reinhart so I try to be politically correct and do not use the word soft anymore. That started a firestorm. Notice how I used his "demeaner?"
- GilPerreault11

Neither Sam is NHL ready so having another year in junior would benefit them greatly.

As much as I have Bennett as a distant 3rd on the "guys I want to draft at #2" list, the pull ups have nothing to do with it. There are absolute gym rats and workout fiends that can't do many of them, if any. It's a bizarre exercise that takes work to get at.
- buffalofan19

This is how I feel about this draft. There is no Doughty, there is no Stamkos or Tavares type player. However there is a Duchene/Seabrook level of player, and there are 4 IMO on that level

I don't think it will be awful if the Sabres took Ekblad. It would hurt my vision of how they best would rebuild the team by drafting a strong. talented forward but if Murray and the boys think he's too good to pass up then so be it. Ditto if they take Reinhart and not Bennett.
- GilPerreault11

Murray has said all the right things for me. He is acquiring bigger players up front, he seems commited to tanking next year- by saying that the top six forwards will be the same, and saying that its very likely that whoever we draft will not be in buffalo next season (although a ten game look doesnt seem out of the question). I see the rebuild shaping up nicely with one of the sams being our second line center eventually and mcdavid or eichel being the first. Drafting ekblad pushes the rebuild back another year unless grigorenko develops into that number two center. Its silly to think erhoff gets you any kind of impact forward. I suppose if murray really believes ekblad is the only player worth taking, take him, but that does nothing to address the center position or the forwards in general. Hoping its harrington blowing smoke.

Okay, so it's one year and a small sample size, but this new playoff format seems to have provided the most entertaining playoffs in a long time. Early returns make me a fan of the bracket format.

Murray has said all the right things for me. He is acquiring bigger players up front, he seems commited to tanking next year- by saying that the top six forwards will be the same, and saying that its very likely that whoever we draft will not be in buffalo next season (although a ten game look doesnt seem out of the question). I see the rebuild shaping up nicely with one of the sams being our second line center eventually and mcdavid or eichel being the first. Drafting ekblad pushes the rebuild back another year unless grigorenko develops into that number two center. Its silly to think erhoff gets you any kind of impact forward. I suppose if murray really believes ekblad is the only player worth taking, take him, but that does nothing to address the center position or the forwards in general. Hoping its harrington blowing smoke.
- rover16

Regardless of how good Ekblad could be, you are right it delays the rebuild.

People banking on McDavid or Eichel need to be prepared to be disappointed. We can't control how bad other teams are

Okay, so it's one year and a small sample size, but this new playoff format seems to have provided the most entertaining playoffs in a long time. Early returns make me a fan of the bracket format.
- buffalofan19

Should chicago and st louis (with their respective point totals) ever be a first round match-up? Im sorry, im still selfishly wanting that st louis first rounder from this year.

Should chicago and st louis (with their respective point totals) ever be a first round match-up? Im sorry, im still selfishly wanting that st louis first rounder from this year.
- rover16

I say who cares. I was entertained more than I've been in years. Ultimately, that's all that matters.

Regardless of how good Ekblad could be, you are right it delays the rebuild.

People banking on McDavid or Eichel need to be prepared to be disappointed. We can't control how bad other teams are
- sbroads24

Even after McDavid and Eichel, there are supposed to be some dynamic forwards in next year's draft, ones that might even go ahead of this group were they eligible. The "delay of the rebuild" is grossly overstated.

Regardless of how good Ekblad could be, you are right it delays the rebuild.

People banking on McDavid or Eichel need to be prepared to be disappointed. We can't control how bad other teams are
- sbroads24

Yeah, teams do tend to take their foot off the gas if they have a look at a generational talent. Pitt should be just about due for one. The nhl draft lottery should be "brought to you by the pittsburgh penguins" every year.

Okay, so it's one year and a small sample size, but this new playoff format seems to have provided the most entertaining playoffs in a long time. Early returns make me a fan of the bracket format.
- buffalofan19

Lets just hope it doesn't create patterns where the same teams meet in the same rounds year after year.

I say who cares. I was entertained more than I've been in years. Ultimately, that's all that matters.
- buffalofan19

Fair enough. I watched all of the blues hawks games. It was must see tv. It does cheapen the regular season though.

Lets just hope it doesn't create patterns where the same teams meet in the same rounds year after year.
- Buffalo-Sabres

That is exactly what it will do. I think Boston would have won the East under the old format. I don't think the West would have been that much different, but every year there will be a matchup you wish was a conference final instead of the second round.

Even after McDavid and Eichel, there are supposed to be some dynamic forwards in next year's draft, ones that might even go ahead of this group were they eligible. The "delay of the rebuild" is grossly overstated.
- buffalofan19

It's not though. You aren't winning with a group of 18-19 year old forwards. They need 2-3 years. Reinhart could lead us somewhere in 3 years, same with McDavid 2-3 years after he's drafted.

Bottom line is we don't win without competent forwards, longer you wait to draft them, longer it takes for them to mature and make an impact.

That is exactly what it will do. I think Boston would have won the East under the old format. I don't think the West would have been that much different, but every year there will be a matchup you wish was a conference final instead of the second round.
- rmiethaner

I think STL plays someone other than Chicago and wins at least a round, gains enough confidence in Miller to sign him. We're talking about a completely different reality for multiple teams.

I think STL plays someone other than Chicago and wins at least a round, gains enough confidence in Miller to sign him. We're talking about a completely different reality for multiple teams.
- Buffalo-Sabres

Speaking of

Miller in 6 games against the Hawks - 19 goals allowed
Quick in 7 games against the Hawks - 23 goals allowed


If only St. Louis could score like LA

Then swing a trade for Nick Foligno, a young jack-of-all trades type...
who Tim Murray drafted in Ottawa.



Ritchie/Reinhart/Eichel
Ennis/Hodgson/Stewart
M. Foligno/Nick Foligno/Girgensons
- SuperCat

If your bringing in Nick get rid of Marcus. Guy is absolutely horrible. I'd rather have Virtanen then Ritchie.

Speaking of

Miller in 6 games against the Hawks - 19 goals allowed
Quick in 7 games against the Hawks - 23 goals allowed


If only St. Louis could score like LA
- sbroads24

Its a shame too because a month before they were. I'm not really sure what happened to them.

Its a shame too because a month before they were. I'm not really sure what happened to them.
- Sabresfan-365

In the end they needed a Carter/Gaborik player. They got Miller instead. Wrong move I guess

Speaking of

Miller in 6 games against the Hawks - 19 goals allowed
Quick in 7 games against the Hawks - 23 goals allowed


If only St. Louis could score like LA
- sbroads24

Miller is getting much worse then people believe he is still a good goalie but I wouldn't put him in the t

Yup they could have used Stewart. I think they will land Kesler or Spezza in the offseason. Maybe even sign Moulson to pretty low contract for a year or two.

In the end they needed a Carter/Gaborik player. They got Miller instead. Wrong move I guess
- sbroads24

Half their forwards were either hurt or just returned from injury
If they were 100% healthy, that series could've played out differently

In the end they needed a Carter/Gaborik player. They got Miller instead. Wrong move I guess
- sbroads24

Pitt should have gone after miller. Second year in a row I thought they should have.

We should do another thing similar to when we had to guess the first Sabre to be traded at the deadline and if we were wrong we had to change our avatar, but this time we have to guess who the Sabres end up drafting with the 2nd overall pick.

I'm bored.