Why not get top level forwards in 2014 and 2015 drafts as Tim Murray has stated this pick will go back to Junior . Is that against any rules ? We are loaded on defensive prospects. If Ekbald was that much better than all other top picks , yes you draft him . But he is not.
- Maximum Signal

No, it's not against the rules....and neither is drafting the best defenseman in a given draft.

And we've had this debate before: just because Murray says the guy is going back to juniors, doesn't mean he is. It's basically in a GM's job description in every professional sport to say one thing to the media, and then do another.

Little different though. We had no one close to Watkins potential, as much as I liked Johnson, Watkins will make him look like Naaman Roosevelt.

There really is no guarantee that Ekblad turns out better than what we already have in Risto/Myers or even Zadarov
- sbroads24

There's no guarantee that Watkins turns out better than Stevie Johnson either. The Bills made those two moves because they felt that Sammy Watkins will give them more in the long run than Stevie Johnson did. If the Sabres feel the same way about Ekblad and Myers, they should draft him (assuming he's there at #2; I don't want to move up to #1 to get him either). There are differing opinions on Myers, and we really don't know how the new decision makers at First Niagara Center really feel about him. Personally, I still don't think he's at a level of Keith or Drew Doughty (who got absolutely snubbed when it came to the Norris candidacy), and I'm not sure he'll ever be. I don't know if Ekblad will be either, but I'm willing to take a shot on just about anybody who can. You can never have enough of those, seeing as how they're so rare to begin with. I'm not worried about their offensive ineptitude. Even after McDavid and Eichel, it sounds like there will be plenty of offensive studs to be had next year.

No, it's not against the rules....and neither is drafting the best defenseman in a given draft.
- buffalofan19

Historically forward is most likely the better option.

Who would you rather have, Hall, Seguin or Gudbranson? You'd take either of the forwards by a country mile.

Erik Johnson, Staal or Toews? Toews by a mile

Doughty or Stamkos? Stamkos

Tavares or Hedman? Tavares

Huberdeau, RNH, Landeskog, or Adam franking Larsson?

McDavid, Reinhart, and Hodgson will do just fine
- feetontheair22

Lots of assumptions on the first 2, but also what about Grigo, Girgo, Ennis? Down the road the picture could be (and I hope so) completely different than what we may think now.

Obviously a lot goes into a players success in the NHL, but you're telling me a potential 1st overall pick can't do ONE stinking pull up? That concerns me. Ekblad or the other Sam please.

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...nett-at-scouting-combine/
- IceColdBeer

I was just trying to make a joke but some people are making big deal out of nothing IMO ..

If he was this good this year.. imagine how good he will be when all muscle

stamkos was in the same situation he fixed it with gary roberts

sam will do the same

There's no guarantee that Watkins turns out better than Stevie Johnson either. The Bills made those two moves because they felt that Sammy Watkins will give them more in the long run than Stevie Johnson did. If the Sabres feel the same way about Ekblad and Myers, they should draft him (assuming he's there at #2; I don't want to move up to #1 to get him either). There are differing opinions on Myers, and we really don't know how the new decision makers at First Niagara Center really feel about him. Personally, I still don't think he's at a level of Keith or Drew Doughty (who got absolutely snubbed when it came to the Norris candidacy), and I'm not sure he'll ever be. I don't know if Ekblad will be either, but I'm willing to take a shot on just about anybody who can. You can never have enough of those, seeing as how they're so rare to begin with. I'm not worried about their offensive ineptitude. Even after McDavid and Eichel, it sounds like there will be plenty of offensive studs to be had next year.
- buffalofan19

Who has differing opinions though?
The only thing that has been reported is that if you want Myers, you better be wiling to pay up. That doesn't sound like they are torn, sounds like they think he's a key cog in the rebuild and they better get offered something special to move him.

There's no guarantee that Watkins turns out better than Stevie Johnson either. The Bills made those two moves because they felt that Sammy Watkins will give them more in the long run than Stevie Johnson did. If the Sabres feel the same way about Ekblad and Myers, they should draft him (assuming he's there at #2; I don't want to move up to #1 to get him either). There are differing opinions on Myers, and we really don't know how the new decision makers at First Niagara Center really feel about him. Personally, I still don't think he's at a level of Keith or Drew Doughty (who got absolutely snubbed when it came to the Norris candidacy), and I'm not sure he'll ever be. I don't know if Ekblad will be either, but I'm willing to take a shot on just about anybody who can. You can never have enough of those, seeing as how they're so rare to begin with. I'm not worried about their offensive ineptitude. Even after McDavid and Eichel, it sounds like there will be plenty of offensive studs to be had next year.
- buffalofan19

As far as the Watkins/Stevie comparison, yea there is no guarantee.. But that's like saying there is no guarantee Reinhart is better than Stafford

Who has differing opinions though?
The only thing that has been reported is that if you want Myers, you better be wiling to pay up. That doesn't sound like they are torn, sounds like they think he's a key cog in the rebuild and they better get offered something special to move him.
- sbroads24

Myers has trade value, and a lot of it. Looking to trade a guy, and looking to get rid of him as soon as possible aren't the same thing. I'm not convinced they'll trade Myers, even if Ekblad fell to #2 and they drafted him.

The way Murray was willing to trade 2 2nds for Hudson Fasching tells me one thing: that he has a list of people he wants to get on his team, and he's willing to pay a decent price to get certain guys. Obviously, I would assume that certain players have higher value to him than others, but if it takes a Tyler Myers to get a guy he really wants, he's going to pull the trigger.

Historically forward is most likely the better option.

Who would you rather have, Hall, Seguin or Gudbranson? You'd take either of the forwards by a country mile.

Erik Johnson, Staal or Toews? Toews by a mile

Doughty or Stamkos? Stamkos

Tavares or Hedman? Tavares

Huberdeau, RNH, Landeskog, or Adam franking Larsson?
- sbroads24

Assuming Ekblad does turn out to be as good as some people think he will be (and yes, I realize that's a big "if"), who of those defensemen were projected to be that good? Doughty? Maybe Erik Johnson? The difference with this draft than the other two is that there really are no potential real breakout forwards in this draft. None of what I read about any of these guys, even Reinhart, tells me they're worth building a team around. Look, I'm not for trading up. I hope Reinhart falls to them, and the Sabres take him, but, I just fail to see how, when you're the worst team in the league, and one completely devoid of difference makers, how taking the best player at his position is counterproductive, even if it's a position you're supposedly deep at.

Assuming Ekblad does turn out to be as good as some people think he will be (and yes, I realize that's a big "if"), who of those defensemen were projected to be that good? Doughty? Maybe Erik Johnson? The difference with this draft than the other two is that there really are no potential real breakout forwards in this draft. None of what I read about any of these guys, even Reinhart, tells me they're worth building a team around. Look, I'm not for trading up. I hope Reinhart falls to them, and the Sabres take him, but, I just fail to see how, when you're the worst team in the league, and one completely devoid of difference makers, how taking the best player at his position is counterproductive, even if it's a position you're supposedly deep at.
- buffalofan19

If they rate Ekblad really high, and FLA takes Reinhart or Bennett and we grab Ekblad, I won't be too upset (even though I'm against it) however if they then turn around and move Myers who's coming into his own for someone like Jordan Eberle or Jeff Skinner.....I'll be pissed. They need a forward to build around

This talk of taking Ekblad is foolish, the pick should be Reinhart and if that fails it should be Bennett. My opinion

Dunleavy sits down with Sam Reinhart

This talk of taking Ekblad is foolish, the pick should be Reinhart and if that fails it should be Bennett. My opinion
- SABRES 89

AMEN!

And hello to all. Haven't visited in a little while.

This talk of taking Ekblad is foolish, the pick should be Reinhart and if that fails it should be Bennett.
- SABRES 89

The real question is do Murray and Company think Ekblad is the game changer that some do I guess . The few contacts I have are in other organizations outside the Sabres and they think he is good but benefitting for a weak defensive draft class . They feel he is not as good as last years top defensive prospect, Jones

This talk of taking Ekblad is foolish, the pick should be Reinhart and if that fails it should be Bennett. My opinion
- SABRES 89

it is crazy for us to debate taking, what could be the best player in the draft.

The real question is do Murray and Company think Ekblad is the game changer that some do I guess . The few contacts I have are in other organizations outside the Sabres and they think he is good but benefitting for a weak defensive draft class . They feel he is not as good as last years top defensive prospect, Jones
- Maximum Signal

I understand we can use a player like Ekblad............ and we can however, we need scoring and IMO the best player is Reinhart. But Murray makes the call so in time we will see I guess. I would just hate to see Reinhart there and we take Ekblad.

Myers stays and Hoff needs to be here another season to help till the youngins are ready to take over . That could be 2 more seasons imo. And to lose a couple picks in the upcoming drafts would indeed set us back a bit.
- cabin

Still would love it if Hoff were dealt as a package to get #1 and keep #2....I'd fall off my chair if TM could pull that off. I've always been a Hoff fan, but I don't think he is the veteran role-model type, like a Numinen-type or even Tallinder, that will steady the D anyway. But, who knows what really goes on in the locker room? Weber (ugg) for all his flaws might still be here next year or 2, and lots of folks think he is the best leader we have at any position.

McDavid, Reinhart, and Hodgson will do just fine
- feetontheair22

I think Hodgson is on his way out.

Congrats on the new gig B0os!! We're happy to have you!

I understand we can use a player like Ekblad............ and we can however, we need scoring and IMO the best player is Reinhart. But Murray makes the call so in time we will see I guess. I would just hate to see Reinhart there and we take Ekblad.
- SABRES 89

I feel exactly the same as you.

Still would love it if Hoff were dealt as a package to get #1 and keep #2....I'd fall off my chair if TM could pull that off. I've always been a Hoff fan, but I don't think he is the veteran role-model type, like a Numinen-type or even Tallinder, that will steady the D anyway. But, who knows what really goes on in the locker room? Weber (ugg) for all his flaws might still be here next year or 2, and lots of folks think he is the best leader we have at any position.
- LandlordTom

That would be insane. I'd have no complaints.

I think Hodgson is on his way out.
- Jammerz04

He stays at least 2 years during transition . Then they will judge him again and decide his future . By then with any improvement . That contract becomes very attractive to any trading partners.

This talk of taking Ekblad is foolish, the pick should be Reinhart and if that fails it should be Bennett. My opinion
- SABRES 89

Yuppers. But if we somehow land pick 1 & 2 Ekblad and Reinhart would be the way to go IMO.

Sammy Watkins is bigger stronger and faster than Stevie Johnson. Obviously there are no gurantees but it's a calculated risk.

Is there anyway what Harrington was floating could actually happen? Myers and St. Louis 1st next year to Florida for the #1 overall? I can't even imagine having the #1 and #2 pick this year.