I agree with what you're saying (i was merely speaking out of preference more than anything) but you seem to have more faith in the bolded than I do.

Imo, none of three go beyond being 2nd pairing defencemen, and I mean that as their ceiling.

I get that Zadorov has the size and McCabe was great at the WJ but on the surface I think it's very optmistic and a tad un realistic to think all three will hit or exceed their potential.

It's part of why I've been banging the Ekblad drum for a while now. I'm just not as sold on some of these guys as most seem to be. We've seen this story before. Granted it's early but I hate the idea of passing on Ekblad because "we don't need him". That's a load of poop, can't pass up on BPA because you think a college kid you drafted in the 2nd round will be your future #2 or 3.
- Sabresfan-365

IMO Ekblad is not far and away better than Reinhart or Bennett to where he's a "can't pass up" player. IMO we aren't as far away forward wise as most believe.

Girgensons
Compher
Ennis
Hodgson
Grigorenko
Armia
Larsson
Foligno
Baptiste
Bailey
Possler
Hurley
Catenacci
Flynn

Lots of 2-4 line potential there. IMO you make a trade including Hoff, and draft forwards at 2 this year, maybe take a D man at 31, and take a forward with hopefully the high 1st in 2015

IMO Ekblad is not far and away better than Reinhart or Bennett to where he's a "can't pass up" player. IMO we aren't as far away forward wise as most believe.

Girgensons
Compher
Ennis
Hodgson
Grigorenko
Armia
Larsson
Foligno
Baptiste
Bailey
Possler
Hurley
Catenacci
Flynn

Lots of 2-4 line potential there. IMO you make a trade including Hoff, and draft forwards at 2 this year, maybe take a D man at 31, and take a forward with hopefully the high 1st in 2015
- sbroads24

Agreed but he's far better than every defensive prospect we have save for maybe Ristolainen.

Personally, I'd like to see them take a defensemen with either the pick this year or our 2nd highest 2015 pick. I still think this team could use an Ekblad or Hanafin.

Agreed but he's far better than every defensive prospect we have save for maybe Ristolainen.

Personally, I'd like to see them take a defensemen with either the pick this year or our 2nd highest 2015 pick. I still think this team could use an Ekblad or Hanafin.
- Sabresfan-365

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

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

I dunno, lately i've been leaning towards focusing the attention on forwards in 2015.

Even if they don't bottom out, they'll come away with two forwards that are likely to be better than who we have a shot at in 2014.

this needs to be posted every day until the draft



Kris Baker @SabresProspects

Not getting *too* caught up in Bennett's zero pullups, but I did do five last night while holding a beer in one hand...and I didn't spill.

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

I think risto gets on the top line with ekblad

One of the biggest parts of great goaltending is having a good defense. Crawford on any other team would be in the AHL.

Look at mike smith he looks like a back up in Tampa and is a decent starter in phx.

Did buffalos GAA change much after buffalo went from all word miller to average ECHL goalie #2?
- SabresFaninIndiana

I dunno, lately i've been leaning towards focusing the attention on forwards in 2015.

Even if they don't bottom out, they'll come away with two forwards that are likely to be better than who we have a shot at in 2014.
- Sabresfan-365

They need 3 top line players. 1 can arguably be had in a trade with Ehrhoff, other 2 have to be drafted.

What if we end up with the 6th and 12th pick in 2015? Players picked in those spots tend to take a while to pan out.

- homiedclown

Quick playoff #s 2.86 GAA .906 SV%
Marc Andre Fleury 2.40 GA .915 Sv %


Ones known as a playoff choker, the other is blindly called a clutch goalie

distracted by baseball.



I'll laugh now






See, I got you
- Sabresfan-365

Loup

Quick playoff #s 2.86 GAA .906 SV%
Marc Andre Fleury 2.40 GA .915 Sv %


Ones known as a playoff choker, the other is blindly called a clutch goalie
- sbroads24

Love it

Love it
- feetontheair22

Goalies get way too much credit, and way too much blame. IMO

Lundqvist is up here






Quick, Rask, Miller,Bobrovsky, Price and a few others are all the way down here

Quick playoff #s 2.86 GAA .906 SV%
Marc Andre Fleury 2.40 GA .915 Sv %


Ones known as a playoff choker, the other is blindly called a clutch goalie
- sbroads24

quick all time in the post season
42-30 2.26 gaa .922 save %
maf 52-40 2.68 gaa .905 save %

11-12 and 12-13 season dampers whatever MAF does aside from winning another cup

Love it
- feetontheair22

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

2012-13
3.52 gaa .993 save %

quick all time in the post season
42-30 2.26 gaa .922 save %
maf 52-40 2.68 gaa .905 save %

11-12 and 12-13 season dampers whatever MAF does aside from winning another cup
- homiedclown

Both have 1 cup. If the Kings win the cup this year it won't be because of Quick. He's been average.

Goalies get way too much credit, and way too much blame. IMO

Lundqvist is up here






Quick, Rask, Miller,Bobrovsky, Price and a few others are all the way down here
- sbroads24

one reason I prefer the 2 goalie system

in a cap era, I am shocked a gm/coach has not tried that approach

Both have 1 cup. If the Kings win the cup this year it won't be because of Quick. He's been average.
- sbroads24

quick was insane in games 5-7 vs the sharks, 6-7 vs the ducks and 8-0 in games that would have eliminated the kings with a loss

hardly average

one reason I prefer the 2 goalie system

in a cap era, I am shocked a gm/coach has not tried that approach
- homiedclown

Does a 2 goalie system get the Rangers to the cup though?

I think it can work with a team like Chicago or how LA is playing now, but sometimes a goalie can be the difference like Thomas in '11

quick was insane in games 5-7 vs the sharks, 6-7 vs the ducks and 8-0 in games that would have eliminated the kings with a loss

hardly average
- homiedclown

He let in 3 goals in the 1st in a game 7 against Chicago and was arguably the reason they went down 3-0 against San Jose

Kings are scoring more than anyone else. The only reason they are still here

Loup



- homiedclown

When I saw who was coming to replace Richardey with the bases loaded and nobody out I didn't even break a sweat.


The guy's a straight up clutch reliever, the kinda guy you bring in late in post season games to just shut a team down.

Hopefully we'll get to see that this year.

Does a 2 goalie system get the Rangers to the cup though?

I think it can work with a team like Chicago or how LA is playing now, but sometimes a goalie can be the difference like Thomas in '11
- sbroads24

hank is a special goalie

I do not see that many special goalies out there anymore

I think a 2 goalie system would help a team like the sharks, pens or blues to get over their recent hurdle


the problem is there was so many special goalies in the 90's and coaches and gm's are riding average goalies and rewarding them with inflated contracts in a cap era today

He let in 3 goals in the 1st in a game 7 against Chicago and was arguably the reason they went down 3-0 against San Jose

Kings are scoring more than anyone else. The only reason they are still here
- sbroads24

a goalie who is 8-0 in a post season where their team's season is done with a loss is hardly average in any book


the oiler teams with gretz and moose would agree with me all day on this one, the only stat that matters in the post season is series won and do you get to 16 wins

hank is a special goalie

I do not see that many special goalies out there anymore

I think a 2 goalie system would help a team like the sharks, pens or blues to get over their recent hurdle


the problem is there was so many special goalies in the 90's and coaches and gm's are riding average goalies and rewarding them with inflated contracts in a cap era today
- homiedclown

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

When I saw who was coming to replace Richardey with the bases loaded and nobody out I didn't even break a sweat.


The guy's a straight up clutch reliever, the kinda guy you bring in late in post season games to just shut a team down.

Hopefully we'll get to see that this year.
- Sabresfan-365

Loup and Hutchison have nails lately

a goalie who is 8-0 in a post season where their team's season is done with a loss is hardly average in any book


the oiler teams with gretz and moose would agree with me all day on this one, the only stat that matters in the post season is series won and do you get to 16 wins
- homiedclown

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