The majority of Darcy years were with teams with speed. It's the very end of his tenure where the team got slower, but also worse in just about every other area as well.
- buffalofan19

I think the toughness aspect in these prospects is overrated these days. Looking at the #1 centres for the two cup finalists, neither really sticks out as a gritty/ballsy kind of guy.

With this high of a pick, toughness really shouldn't be a category unless the player in question is very small or severely underdeveloped (ironic considering the whole pull up incident).

He went out of his way to sign John Scott and have him take up a roster spot because of one incident almost 1 year before. Problem was he didn't bring in many skilled players whether or not they had balls.
- Sabresfan-365

For years he looked for passively talented players and when he finally discovered we were getting our asses kicked, eg Bruins and Miller, he went out and got a goon. I'm not talking about fighters I'm talking about agressively talented players.

I think they should incorporate the "goat head" in the next turd burger conversation but with blue and gold and see where it goes
- Stripes77

I never had a problem with the black and red, or the goathead for that matter. Of course, I am a tad younger, but what always bothered me wasn't the clamor for the blue and gold to return, but that people appealed to "tradition". A tradition of what? Mediocrity? Like it or not, this team is an expansion team that's lost more often that it's won. And that was the case before Darcy Regier was hired. In the grand scheme of things, it has very little real tradition worth mentioning.

For years he looked for passively talented players and when he finally discovered we were getting our asses kicked, eg Bruins and Miller, he went out and got a goon. I'm not talking about fighters I'm talking about agressively talented players.
- GilPerreault11

But our best years were when we had what was largely considered a soft team up front? I just don't see the value in the whole sandpaper aspect for top prospects these days.

If Murray wants Bennett I'm fine with that but it shouldn't be because he has more penalty minutes than Reinhart or because he's more aggressive, it should be because he's the best player available, plain and simple.

The majority of Darcy years were with teams with speed. It's the very end of his tenure where the team got slower, but also worse in just about every other area as well.
- buffalofan19

I wouldn't say majority. The period between 2004-2007 had speed, but they were passive. Their top forward for the last 6 years was Vanek who had little speed and was not known for skating.

I wouldn't say majority. The period between 2004-2007 had speed, but they were passive. Their top forward for the last 6 years was Vanek who had little speed and was not known for skating.
- GilPerreault11

The 1998-2001 teams weren't exactly slow either. They lacked offensive talent, but not speed.

For years he looked for passively talented players and when he finally discovered we were getting our asses kicked, eg Bruins and Miller, he went out and got a goon. I'm not talking about fighters I'm talking about agressively talented players.
- GilPerreault11

Everyone loves to point to the Miller/Lucic incident. It's funny since the Sabres had a winning record against the Bruins since that game going into this season. It may have changed this year since the team was just simply terrible by design.

I never had a problem with the black and red, or the goathead for that matter. Of course, I am a tad younger, but what always bothered me wasn't the clamor for the blue and gold to return, but that people appealed to "tradition". A tradition of what? Mediocrity? Like it or not, this team is an expansion team that's lost more often that it's won. In the grand scheme of things, it has very little real tradition worth mentioning.
- buffalofan19

You use that word mediocrity as if the entire Sabres organization from 1970 was just mediocre. Sure they never won the cup but they had some good maybe even great teams that just came up short. Using the fact that they never won the ultimate prize and describing it as mediocre is wrong. There is a tradition in Buffalo whether you like it or not. From the French Connection to the battles with the big bad Bruins or the Broad Street Bullies.

In fact they only missed the playoffs 6 times before 2000 and 3 of them came in the first 4 years. So seriously your mediocrity comment is awful and you as someone who is as educated as you should know better. You can't lump the Darcy years into the entire existence of them

But our best years were when we had what was largely considered a soft team up front? I just don't see the value in the whole sandpaper aspect for top prospects these days.

If Murray wants Bennett I'm fine with that but it shouldn't be because he has more penalty minutes than Reinhart or because he's more aggressive, it should be because he's the best player available, plain and simple.
- Sabresfan-365

You are looking are one reason why I like Bennett more than Reinhart. I like the fact that Bennett is a great skater, has a great shot, and is agressive. I like the fact that Bennett plays a complete game as well and is considered an intelligent player. You add the feistiness to it and that makes him the center I would rather chosen. We'll see what happens

There's two thoughts really.

1) How can a teenager not be able to do a pull up?

or

2) With no upper body strength he still is doing a damn fine job, imagine what he'll do if he ever fully develops?
- dadeadhead

That's what is scary he was very good this "year" what happens when he hits his full potential

The 1998-2001 teams weren't exactly slow either. They lacked offensive talent, but not speed.
- buffalofan19

I think when Derek Plante or Brian Holzinger are your top centers you're reaching there

You are looking are one reason why I like Bennett more than Reinhart. I like the fact that Bennett is a great skater, has a great shot, and is agressive. I like the fact that Bennett plays a complete game as well and is considered an intelligent player. You add the feistiness to it and that makes him the center I would rather chosen. We'll see what happens
- GilPerreault11

But is he better than Reinhart or Ekblad or even Draisaitl in any of those categories? Reinhart is considered by most scouts to be the smartest of the class and Draisaitl has been regarded as having the best hands.

Sure Bennett is good but reading through most of the reports, he sounds a lot like a jack of all trades master of none prospect. Could be wrong though as it is close but this is what i've gathered from all that i've read/watched.

You use that word mediocrity as if the entire Sabres organization from 1970 was just mediocre. Sure they never won the cup but they had some good maybe even great teams that just came up short. Using the fact that they never won the ultimate prize and describing it as mediocre is wrong. There is a tradition in Buffalo whether you like it or not. From the French Connection to the battles with the big bad Bruins or the Broad Street Bullies.

In fact they only missed the playoffs 6 times before 2000 and 3 of them came in the first 4 years. So seriously your mediocrity comment is awful and you as someone who is as educated as you should know better. You can't lump the Darcy years into the entire existence of them
- Stripes77

IMO, there WAS a tradition in Buffalo that ran strong up until the last 3 seaons. I think the dismay that encompassed that last 3 seasons does not represent what the Sabres had been the previous 40 years.

I think when Derek Plante or Brian Holzinger are your top centers you're reaching there
- GilPerreault11

Both were burner's though, just not very talented.

You use that word mediocrity as if the entire Sabres organization from 1970 was just mediocre. Sure they never won the cup but they had some good maybe even great teams that just came up short. Using the fact that they never won the ultimate prize and describing it as mediocre is wrong. There is a tradition in Buffalo whether you like it or not. From the French Connection to the battles with the big bad Bruins or the Broad Street Bullies.

In fact they only missed the playoffs 6 times before 2000 and 3 of them came in the first 4 years. So seriously your mediocrity comment is awful and you as someone who is as educated as you should know better. You can't lump the Darcy years into the entire existence of them
- Stripes77

Ones which they've lost far more often than they've won. We're talking about a league where more than half of its participants make the postseason. That's not that great of an accomplishment. Actually, up until 2007, Darcy's teams had more playoff success than most Sabres teams (damn, he's been there a long time). I'm sorry but real tradition worth talking about comes from championships. I look at those things as nice memories more than I really do tradition. I tend to look at it as "how does the average hockey fan look at the history of my franchise". Most informed people would probably say that they had some good teams, and were entertaining from time to time, but when it comes to overall hockey tradition, this team is far from the first thing that comes to anyone's mind.

That's what is scary he was very good this "year" what happens when he hits his full potential
- gerbe75pts

He'll be able to do a set of pull ups.

People are reading way too much into this issue. He did poorly on an exercise at a combine test, it really holds no barring (bearing) on his skill level and it really isn't an indication on what's to come.

If it was a skating or shooting or other hockey related test sure but the justification for jumping on or off the Bennett bandwagon because of pull ups is a bit much.


lol autocorrect

But is he better than Reinhart or Ekblad or even Draisaitl in any of those categories? Reinhart is considered by most scouts to be the smartest of the class and Draisaitl has been regarded as having the best hands.

Sure Bennett is good but reading through most of the reports, he sounds a lot like a jack of all trades master of none prospect. Could be wrong though as it is close but this is what i've gathered from all that i've read/watched.
- Sabresfan-365

I think it's a given that he's a better, faster skater than Reinhart. Has a quicker first step, has a better shot than Reinahart. Reinhart is said to be the smartest player and he wins that but Bennett is said to be a very intelligent, complete player as well. Voted 3rd best D forward by the OHL coaches. There are a lot of OHL forwards so to be 3rd best D forward as a 17 yr old would be considered a master.

He'll be able to do a set of pull ups.

People are reading way too much into this issue. He did poorly on an exercise at a combine test, it really holds no barring on his skill level and it really isn't an indication on what's to come.

If it was a skating or shooting or other hockey related test sure but the justification for jumping on or off the Bennett bandwagon because of pull ups is a bit much.
- Sabresfan-365

stamkos was one weak mother (frank)er back in the day

all he needs is some gary roberts love ..

He'll be able to do a set of pull ups.

People are reading way too much into this issue. He did poorly on an exercise at a combine test, it really holds no barring (bearing) on his skill level and it really isn't an indication on what's to come.

If it was a skating or shooting or other hockey related test sure but the justification for jumping on or off the Bennett bandwagon because of pull ups is a bit much.


lol autocorrect
- Sabresfan-365

Yeah, Bennett's inability to do a pull-up is going to be irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. It might be good for a laugh or two down the road, but this isn't what is going to make or break a career. There are body builders that can't do very many pull ups. It's takes a certain form, and a certain build to do them well.

He'll be able to do a set of pull ups.

People are reading way too much into this issue. He did poorly on an exercise at a combine test, it really holds no barring on his skill level and it really isn't an indication on what's to come.

If it was a skating or shooting or other hockey related test sure but the justification for jumping on or off the Bennett bandwagon because of pull ups is a bit much.
- Sabresfan-365

If you're on the fence between Bennett and Reinhart, this makes that decision for you. Strength is much more important in the NHL than JR. Imagine trying to push Shea Weber off a puck down low with no strength? There were reasons Grigorenko went from top 3 hopeful down to us at 12. Now we see why.

Both were burner's though, just not very talented.
- dadeadhead

You can go get burners with no talent. Darcy showed us that once in awhile.

Ones which they've lost far more often than they've won. We're talking about a league where more than half of its participants make the postseason. That's not that great of an accomplishment. Actually, up until 2007, Darcy's teams had more playoff success than most Sabres teams (damn, he's been there a long time). I'm sorry but real tradition worth talking about comes from championships. I look at those things as nice memories more than I really do tradition. I tend to look at it as "how does the average hockey fan look at the history of my franchise". Most informed people would probably say that they had some good teams, and were entertaining from time to time, but when it comes to overall hockey tradition, this team is far from the first thing that comes to anyone's mind.
- buffalofan19

The Sabres have a better winning percentage than the Hawk, Red Wings, Rangers...all of these teams that have such a "storied history". The fact the Sabres have been mediocre under Darcy and cause they haven't won a title clouds your judgement

If you're on the fence between Bennett and Reinhart, this makes that decision for you. Strength is much more important in the NHL than JR. Imagine trying to push Shea Weber off a puck down low with no strength? There were reasons Grigorenko went from top 3 hopeful down to us at 12. Now we see why.
- Buffalo-Sabres

Grigorenko dropped from 3 to 12 because of the russian factor and a combination of poor skating and work ethic. Seeing Bennett play, it doesn't seem like he has an on ice strength problem, he seems to handle himself pretty well out there. I just don't see why one exercise would make or break someone's decision on a top prospect. I'm sure if they had enough variety in exercises at the combine we'd eventually find one where Reinhart would struggle at.

The Sabres have a better winning percentage than the Hawk, Red Wings, Rangers...all of these teams that have such a "storied history". The fact the Sabres have been mediocre under Darcy and cause they haven't won a title clouds your judgement
- Stripes77

For many years the Sabres had the 5th best winning percentage in the league. I'm not sure where that is now though.

I think it's a given that he's a better, faster skater than Reinhart. Has a quicker first step, has a better shot than Reinahart. Reinhart is said to be the smartest player and he wins that but Bennett is said to be a very intelligent, complete player as well. Voted 3rd best D forward by the OHL coaches. There are a lot of OHL forwards so to be 3rd best D forward as a 17 yr old would be considered a master.
- GilPerreault11

but sam reinhart was granted exceptional player status


sorry guys i had to