Hank is absolutely special, and I don't blame NY for paying him.

My opinion is basically that if you have a top 10 goalie, you are better off keeping him even if it's expensive.

I'll admit, maybe Gaborik or Vanek would have been a better option for St. Louis but that doesn't take away whether I think Miller is capable of winning or not
- sbroads24

the bottom half of that top ten list is a fraction of the player in the top 10 20 years ago


maybe I am showing my age here but if you look at this

http://www.quanthockey.co...83-nhl-goalies-stats.html


5 goalies played 55 game or more

In those 8 games they scored 30 goals. Which is 3.75 per game. There offense is why they are still here. IMO this is an example of a goalie getting too much credit
- sbroads24

agree to disagree


I have an 8 am tee time

agree to disagree


I have an 8 am tee time
- homiedclown

Must be nice. I have insomnia

the bottom half of that top ten list is a fraction of the player in the top 10 20 years ago


maybe I am showing my age here but if you look at this

http://www.quanthockey.co...83-nhl-goalies-stats.html


5 goalies played 55 game or more
- homiedclown

That sounds about right. It can be debated whether goaltending is more important now in a more defensive NHL where more games are lower scoring close games, or back then when if you could hold a team to 2-3 goals a game you had a good chance of winning

2011-12 post season
maf 4.63 gaa .834 save %

2012-13
3.52 gaa .993 save %
- homiedclown

That's one hell of a save % while letting 3.52 goals in a game............


I mean facing 470+ shots a game should a a record or something.

In those 8 games they scored 30 goals. Which is 3.75 per game. There offense is why they are still here. IMO this is an example of a goalie getting too much credit
- sbroads24

I agree, I like Quick I think he is an above average goalie but he has struggled at time during this off season. The entire Kings team has stepped up their production. Their shooting percentage is something like 11% when they were only at 7% during the regular season. They are producing more and that has bailed out Quick on his shaky performances.

I agree, I like Quick I think he is an above average goalie but he has struggled at time during this off season. The entire Kings team has stepped up their production. Their shooting percentage is something like 11% when they were only at 7% during the regular season. They are producing more and that has bailed out Quick on his shaky performances.
- Stripes77

Quick has been good in elimination games, but he's a big reason they faced elimination in the first place

The Rangers only hope of beating the Kings looked very Milleresque on the Kings winning goal last night.To high with the defenseman out of the play.I was pulling for you too buddy but you got to help yourself.Series over in 5,6 if a blind squirrel finds a nut.Kings win the cup.They are simply too big and talented to lose this series.Would of loved to see Boston get beat again but seeing a soft Canadian team eliminate them early well just as good.Anyways If Ekblad is projected to be the next Drew Doughty I have to rescend my thoughts of not taking him.lol.

Quick has been good in elimination games, but he's a big reason they faced elimination in the first place
- sbroads24

Agreed, and the Hawks had the Kings on the ropes in game 7 but Crawford was even worse than Quick

Agreed, and the Hawks had the Kings on the ropes in game 7 but Crawford was even worse than Quick
- Stripes77

I have a feeling Chicago is going to look to dump Crawford's contract well before it's over, especially if they end up re-signing both Toews and Kane.

And sadley, all that being said... Ekblad would be the slam dunk pick IMO.


After watching the playoffs, I'd love to see Ekblad/Myers turn into a dominant shutdown pair.


Ekblad/Myers
Erhoff/Pysyk
Zadorov/Ristolienen



...like a young STL model. Like a Boss.
- SuperCat

Our defense will smoke theirs if that's what it ends up as in 2 years.

I have a feeling Chicago is going to look to dump Crawford's contract well before it's over, especially if they end up re-signing both Toews and Kane.
- buffalofan19

Who takes on a 6 mil/year contract for someone who needs such a good team in front of him to win games though? It's not like a Luongo situation where the high cap hit is fine because the guy can play well, so some crap team can be OK taking the big hit

Who takes on a 6 mil/year contract for someone who needs such a good team in front of him to win games though? It's not like a Luongo situation where the high cap hit is fine because the guy can play well, so some crap team can be OK taking the big hit
- stashu

Move this year and next years 1st with Crawford to a team that can use a compliance buyout on him.

It's been done before, just not with such a long deal.

Id be fine with the Isles pick. I just think that the only way to build a legit top line is to draft it, and I think it's imperative we take a forward at 2 this year
- sbroads24

Drafting Ekblad sets our rebuild back another year. Like SB said, you need to draft a top line unless you're the Rangers. Grabbing one this year and one next year, possibly using Hoff to trade for the third (or a FA but w/e) leaves us available to use NYI or STL 2015 on a defenseman.

Drafting Ekblad sets our rebuild back another year. Like SB said, you need to draft a top line unless you're the Rangers. Grabbing one this year and one next year, possibly using Hoff to trade for the third (or a FA but w/e) leaves us available to use NYI or STL 2015 on a defenseman.
- TheSabresTaco

Even in the Rangers case.

St. Louis is 38, Richards will be bought out, Nash while I'm a fan is underperforming this post season. Kreider IMO is not a top line guy.

There window is short because they went the trade/FA route to get their top offensive players

Who takes on a 6 mil/year contract for someone who needs such a good team in front of him to win games though? It's not like a Luongo situation where the high cap hit is fine because the guy can play well, so some crap team can be OK taking the big hit
- stashu

I agree. I just said they'd try...not that they'd be successful.

Drafting Ekblad sets our rebuild back another year. Like SB said, you need to draft a top line unless you're the Rangers. Grabbing one this year and one next year, possibly using Hoff to trade for the third (or a FA but w/e) leaves us available to use NYI or STL 2015 on a defenseman.
- TheSabresTaco

If the Sabres were to draft Ekblad, and move, say, Ehrhoff in a package for a top 6 impact forward, and still maintain their 2 first round draft picks next year, I really don't see the rebuild being delayed that much. With the amount of assets this team has, there are a few ways the cat can be skinned here.

If the Sabres were to draft Ekblad, and move, say, Ehrhoff in a package for a top 6 impact forward, and still maintain their 2 first round draft picks next year, I really don't see the rebuild being delayed that much. With the amount of assets this team has, there are a few ways the cat can be skinned here.
- buffalofan19

Because the 2 1st next year are both unknown quantities. Sure we could end up with two top 5 picks but that's incredibly unlikely.

If we were to take Ekblad and say end up with the 5th and 11th pick. Then you are looking at 2-3 years from 2015 until they are even in the NHL.

Reinhart or Bennett are in the league no later than the 2015-2016 season

Key Stat: I'm going to skip the obvious something something goals point and instead say that the key number in Leino's season is 38.










That's the number of shots Ville took this year in 58 games played

I want everyone to think about for like 20 seconds the prospect of the Sabres finishing 30th and the Islanders finishing 29th next year. Tell me your blood doesn't rush to your lower half.

If the Sabres were to draft Ekblad, and move, say, Ehrhoff in a package for a top 6 impact forward, and still maintain their 2 first round draft picks next year, I really don't see the rebuild being delayed that much. With the amount of assets this team has, there are a few ways the cat can be skinned here.
- buffalofan19

I totally agree. With conditions.

That top 6 forward is a top 3 under 25.

One way or another, this team, this year, needs to bring in at least one top line forward via trade or draft..... IMO.

Because the 2 1st next year are both unknown quantities. Sure we could end up with two top 5 picks but that's incredibly unlikely.

If we were to take Ekblad and say end up with the 5th and 11th pick. Then you are looking at 2-3 years from 2015 until they are even in the NHL.

Reinhart or Bennett are in the league no later than the 2015-2016 season
- sbroads24

They might be in the league, but they're not necessarily guaranteed to make the impact we hope they are either. You said it yourself, none of these guys really seem to grade up to the forwards from past drafts anyway. If you like the forwards in next year's draft better (and I have no idea if the Sabres do or not), then taking Ekblad isn't the end of the world. They're most likely going to end up with at least one top 5 pick next year. I just don't see the "chicken little" scenario from drafting Ekblad.

I want everyone to think about for like 20 seconds the prospect of the Sabres finishing 30th and the Islanders finishing 29th next year. Tell me your blood doesn't rush to your lower half.
- TheSabresTaco

Let me add if you will. St Louis missing the playoffs and winning the lottery.

I totally agree. With conditions.

That top 6 forward is a top 3 under 25.

One way or another, this team, this year, needs to bring in at least one top line forward via trade or draft..... IMO.
- TheSabresTaco

IMO they need to try for 2.


2nd pick and trade

They might be in the league, but they're not necessarily guaranteed to make the impact we hope they are either. You said it yourself, none of these guys really seem to grade up to the forwards from past drafts anyway. If you like the forwards in next year's draft better (and I have no idea if the Sabres do or not), then taking Ekblad isn't the end of the world. They're most likely going to end up with at least one top 5 pick next year. I just don't see the "chicken little" scenario from drafting Ekblad.
- buffalofan19

Reinhart is NHL ready IMO. Other 2 might need a year or so.


Even if they aren't elite " still better than what we have