I agree. Of the top 3 picking teams, Buffalo has the best defensive prospect pool/youth core. IMO, Reinhart should be the guy they go after, but I don't know the Sabres organizational depth as well as you would. I just seem to think that C is the position they might have the most need in. Or they could go BPA.

Either way, should be very interesting.
- systemtool

Most hope for Reinhart. We did have a Bennett phase about a month ago but that seems to have passed. Murray and Devine aren't showing their cards though, and they're very well aware how much lack of talent we have up front, as they've mentioned it all throughout the year. All we can go on is gut feeling and by quotes.

Paraphrasing from Murray "Ekblad is going to be a hell of a player but I don't think he'll be franchise changing"

Devine "Reinhart is one of the best pure passers I've seen in the past 10-15 years"

Just clues as to how they'll lean.

Not that it'd be a better situation, but I think for a team like Toronto, right now is a more exciting period because you guys are talking about probably the top 15 prospects. There's more mystery, more fun I suppose. But once again don't get me wrong, I'll take the boringness of pick 2.

Im curious how Florida is deeper on D than up front.

Kulikov, Gubdbranson on D. Huberdeau, Brakov, Bjugstad as F.

They could go either way..

Gilbert, Jovocop and Campbell are not the future of their D. They sure could use some help there too...
- systemtool

Valid points. More accurate statement would have been that Edmonton is probably much more desperate for a franchise Dman than either Florida or Buffalo.

No way the top ten stays the way it's set up now. There will absolutely be some moves. Should be fun.

Valid points. More accurate statement would have been that Edmonton is probably much more desperate for a franchise Dman than either Florida or Buffalo.
- spatso

While I tend to agree that Edmonton is desperate for a franchise Dman they have Schultz and drafted Nurse last year, sure they don't have the complete upside that Ekblad has but Florida doesn't have anyone near Schultz or Nurse in their stable of prospects. Florida needs Ekblad more than Edmonton does IMO

While I tend to agree that Edmonton is desperate for a franchise Dman they have Schultz and drafted Nurse last year, sure they don't have the complete upside that Ekblad has but Florida doesn't have anyone near Schultz or Nurse in their stable of prospects. Florida needs Ekblad more than Edmonton does IMO
- Stripes77

Well, if we're to believe the trade rumors, Florida most certainly needs Kadri, Phaneuf and the 8th pick (which they could use to select Virtanen... boy, would he look good flanking Barkov) more than they need Ekblad.

Colorado was "deep" at center and was a lock to take Seth Jones up until almost a month before the draft. Teams don't draft based on immediate need in the NHL, even at the top. They draft the guy that will have the biggest impact. Having Huberdeau, Barkov, etc. won't deter the Florida Panthers from drafting Sam Reinhart if they believe he's more of an impact player than Ekblad.

Colorado was "deep" at center and was a lock to take Seth Jones up until almost a month before the draft. Teams don't draft based on immediate need in the NHL, even at the top. They draft the guy that will have the biggest impact. Having Huberdeau, Barkov, etc. won't deter the Florida Panthers from drafting Sam Reinhart if they believe he's more of an impact player than Ekblad.
- buffalofan19

Correct

Besides we could just trade them one of our defenders for Huberdeau

Well, if we're to believe the trade rumors, Florida most certainly needs Kadri, Phaneuf and the 8th pick (which they could use to select Virtanen... boy, would he look good flanking Barkov) more than they need Ekblad.
- grand-magus

NOBODY needs him.

Plus why would the Panthers want Kadri? Another center? Florida needs a stud winger or a Ed Jovanovski replacement yet better (Ekblad)

Seems the GM's have never been this busy this early before the draft. (according to GR) 3 more weeks . !!

If flordia takes bennett look for murrary to push hard for the third pick, maybe trading Myers plus stl 1st. Then IMO we draft ekblad and rehinhart.
- Carubba-Kaleta

Worst. Idea. EVER!!!!

Worst. Idea. EVER!!!!
- JVince11

I've heard much worse on this site

Worst. Idea. EVER!!!!
- JVince11

You should go back and review some of your past posts.

I have a feeling we'll take draisaitl. Murray said he's sure the player they want will be there.
- sippyd

If i was picking I feel like thats they guy I would want too. I think the top 4 are a win win situation for everyone involved though.

If i was picking I feel like thats they guy I would want too. I think the top 4 are a win win situation for everyone involved though.
- Buffalo-Sabres

I still feel like we will get 2 of those 4.

Worst. Idea. EVER!!!!
- JVince11

I feel like Myers is just starting to hit his stride. I would hate to see him traded now.

If flordia takes bennett look for murrary to push hard for the third pick, maybe trading Myers plus stl 1st. Then IMO we draft ekblad and rehinhart.
- Carubba-Kaleta

And don't be surprised if that happens............................

I still feel like we will get 2 of those 4.
- cabin

Via trade? I think we should stay the course. Pick in the slots we're given. Only grab extra players in free agency. Avoid model airplane glue before doing so.

I feel like Myers is just starting to hit his stride. I would hate to see him traded now.
- Buffalo-Sabres

Exactly. He really is the leader of our defense now. Ehrhoff absolutely coasted and was a joke for about 60 games last year.

Myers was a beast for us for the greater parts of each of the last few seasons.

Via trade? I think we should stay the course. Pick in the slots we're given. Only grab extra players in free agency. Avoid model airplane glue before doing so.
- Buffalo-Sabres

Something about changing the culture from quantity to quality. We have a crapton of prospects and a crapton more coming in the next 2 years. time to get some real quality.

Something about changing the culture from quantity to quality. We have a crapton of prospects and a crapton more coming in the next 2 years. time to get some real quality.
- cabin

Both Stewart and Stafford will probably be moved at the draft or the deadline too.

More picks and prospects our way most likely.

I have a feeling we'll take draisaitl. Murray said he's sure the player they want will be there.
- sippyd

Because we want Ekblad, Reinhart and/or Bennett. Of course the "guy we want" will be there. Whoever they get will be "the guy they wanted all along."

Something about changing the culture from quantity to quality. We have a crapton of prospects and a crapton more coming in the next 2 years. time to get some real quality.
- cabin

This.

If we can stay at two and move back up into the top 10, that's a no-brainer, imo.

Something about changing the culture from quantity to quality. We have a crapton of prospects and a crapton more coming in the next 2 years. time to get some real quality.
- cabin

That is true. One of my fears has been we will have so many prospects at the same development level that it will become a numbers game. We'll have to part ways with quality talent before we know what we truly have.

Edit: btw Cab, I'm doing some Cabining this weekend in Alleghany, should be fun.

Because we want Ekblad, Reinhart and/or Bennett. Of course the "guy we want" will be there. Whoever they get will be "the guy they wanted all along."
- TheSabresTaco

I am so confused on how so many people now want Draistail over Reinhart if both are on the board... that is just shocking to me.


If it was me... I would take Reinhart at #2 (assuming Ekblad goes to FLA) and then try to trade back into the 7-11 range to take Ehljers

I feel like Myers is just starting to hit his stride. I would hate to see him traded now.
- Buffalo-Sabres

He's taking less and less time to acclimate every season. Maybe in a year or two he can have an entire good year.