not so much to me i would rather have the picks...or take both Sams... but they may feel different....what i don't like about Ekblad...or any of the top 4 guys is there is really no consensus on any of them and that makes me very nervous...so all things waited equal ALWAYS TAKE THE CENTER!
- aschwach

Agreed, Calgary could wind up with the best player at 4

not so much to me i would rather have the picks...or take both Sams... but they may feel different....what i don't like about Ekblad...or any of the top 4 guys is there is really no consensus on any of them and that makes me very nervous...so all things waited equal ALWAYS TAKE THE CENTER!
- aschwach

What up bud

Agreed 150% We have more than enough youngins not ready yet for the D. We need the talented forward you cannot trade for.
- cabin

i just really hope they are thinking the Same way.....we have a lack of talent upfront, especially down the middle.

how ya been Cabin?

Agreed, Calgary could wind up with the best player at 4
- sbroads24

if that happens its 2 year in a Row they have lucked out due to the picks ahead of them....man i really was hoping Monahan fell to us last season.....

What up bud
- cabin

not much man just enjoyed a nice camping trip w the old lady and Goosey.....sucks Vaca is over though




***hat trick*** lol

what if its for #1 ...imagine if they could talk fla into it and have #1 and 2.... Myers, 2#2's and 2 of our 1's next year...while i dont think this will happen....thinking about #1 and 2 is pretty tempting.
- aschwach

i just really hope they are thinking the Same way.....we have a lack of talent upfront, especially down the middle.

how ya been Cabin?
- aschwach

Busy as usual. Just changes the cables on my girls daughters honda. Now im sitting in front of the putor.

Busy as usual. Just changes the cables on my girls daughters honda. Now im sitting in front of the putor.
- cabin

me too..well PC and TV, long work day ...now as soon as i can put a TV in my man Cave i will be living!!

In any other draft Id agree. But in this one, its Reinhart or Ekblad, with a outside shot of Drasaitl
- CaptPantalones

100% agree. Have been saying Reinhart 1 Ekblad 2 since December. Still remain firm on Reinhart being the best player in this draft with the highest possibility of reaching franchise player status. Think Bergeron, Toews, Zetterberg mixed together. Two-way play of Bergeron, offensive vision like Toews, and skating/smarts like Zetterberg. Hes an Albert Einstein on skates. The only negative I see on him is that he doesnt have the speed of a Duchene/MacKinnon. But you dont need that, just look at guys like Zetterberg/Tavares who have average skating and still dominate.

Reinhart doesnt need to work as hard as Bennett does to make plays. He just thinks the game 5 steps ahead of everyone else so he works smarter not harder. Always skates the right lines, fills the right lanes, great stick work defensively and in the offensive zone is just dominant with his passing and play making. Superior vision. Also has just as good if not better shot (release) than Bennett IMO.

Ekblad looks more Doughty than Erik/Jack Johnson for how high hes ranked in his class. People say we dont need defense, but we dont have an Ekblad in our system. Just pure dominant play at both ends of the ice. Ekblad will be paying dividends before the expiration of his ELC.

Also, I expect Murray to package some of his 2nd rounders to move up. I know hes not big on Russians, but there are 2 that really stick out to me as players I'd love for him to go after... Barbashev and Goldobin. Knowing hes big on Swede's I wouldnt be surprised to see him go after Kempe.

How much better does Ekblad project to be over Myers though? Sure he could be a better player but is it worth paying a boatload for?
- sbroads24

Well, that's the question Murray would have to ask. If Ekblad projects to be better than Myers, then you have to entertain the deal, if it were on the table.

100% agree. Have been saying Reinhart 1 Ekblad 2 since December. Still remain firm on Reinhart being the best player in this draft with the highest possibility of reaching franchise player status. Think Bergeron, Toews, Zetterberg mixed together. Two-way play of Bergeron, offensive vision like Toews, and skating/smarts like Zetterberg. Hes an Albert Einstein on skates. The only negative I see on him is that he doesnt have the speed of a Duchene/MacKinnon. But you dont need that, just look at guys like Zetterberg/Tavares who have average skating and still dominate.

Reinhart doesnt need to work as hard as Bennett does to make plays. He just thinks the game 5 steps ahead of everyone else so he works smarter not harder. Always skates the right lines, fills the right lanes, great stick work defensively and in the offensive zone is just dominant with his passing and play making. Superior vision. Also has just as good if not better shot (release) than Bennett IMO.

Ekblad looks more Doughty than Erik/Jack Johnson for how high hes ranked in his class. People say we dont need defense, but we dont have an Ekblad in our system. Just pure dominant play at both ends of the ice. Ekblad will be paying dividends before the expiration of his ELC.

Also, I expect Murray to package some of his 2nd rounders to move up. I know hes not big on Russians, but there are 2 that really stick out to me as players I'd love for him to go after... Barbashev and Goldobin. Knowing hes big on Swede's I wouldnt be surprised to see him go after Kempe.
- theblueandgold

Johnson went 1st overall. Doughty went 2nd.

How does Florida pass on reinhart??? I don't see it happening.

How does Florida pass on reinhart??? I don't see it happening.
- joshs

Whoever the best player is they will take him 1st

Johnson went 1st overall. Doughty went 2nd.
- sbroads24

I know where they went in their respective drafts. My statement has nothing to do with what spot they actually went. It had more to do with Ekblad will live up to his draft status more than Erik or Jack Johnson have. That Ekblad is more of the caliber of Doughty than of those 2. Johnson went 1st because there wasnt a Stamkos in his draft. Doughty wouldve went 1st overall if not for Stamkos.

100% agree. Have been saying Reinhart 1 Ekblad 2 since December. Still remain firm on Reinhart being the best player in this draft with the highest possibility of reaching franchise player status. Think Bergeron, Toews, Zetterberg mixed together. Two-way play of Bergeron, offensive vision like Toews, and skating/smarts like Zetterberg. Hes an Albert Einstein on skates. The only negative I see on him is that he doesnt have the speed of a Duchene/MacKinnon. But you dont need that, just look at guys like Zetterberg/Tavares who have average skating and still dominate.

Reinhart doesnt need to work as hard as Bennett does to make plays. He just thinks the game 5 steps ahead of everyone else so he works smarter not harder. Always skates the right lines, fills the right lanes, great stick work defensively and in the offensive zone is just dominant with his passing and play making. Superior vision. Also has just as good if not better shot (release) than Bennett IMO.

Ekblad looks more Doughty than Erik/Jack Johnson for how high hes ranked in his class. People say we dont need defense, but we dont have an Ekblad in our system. Just pure dominant play at both ends of the ice. Ekblad will be paying dividends before the expiration of his ELC.

Also, I expect Murray to package some of his 2nd rounders to move up. I know hes not big on Russians, but there are 2 that really stick out to me as players I'd love for him to go after... Barbashev and Goldobin. Knowing hes big on Swede's I wouldnt be surprised to see him go after Kempe.
- theblueandgold

i agree on everything u just said.....thats whu i am praying Fla lets Reinhart fall to us....Bennett is ok, tough, feisty, and competitive...maybe he is Gilmore, maybe he isa role player like Ott and i will not be mad...if they have to pick him....but i would still rather have either sdame over Ekblad we need scoring fwds......

i do not see them taking any Russians this year...though a few Swedes and Finns are possible....depends on how high they can trade back into rd 1, and how much the cost....like Kapanen a lot but doubt they can get that high....

Name to watch for in Rd 2 ...Thatcher Demko....American Goalie...from BC...time to add a highlyrated goalie prospect to the cupboard.

i agree on everything u just said.....thats whu i am praying Fla lets Reinhart fall to us....Bennett is ok, tough, feisty, and competitive...maybe he is Gilmore, maybe he isa role player like Ott and i will not be mad...if they have to pick him....but i would still rather have either sdame over Ekblad we need scoring fwds......

i do not see them taking any Russians this year...though a few Swedes and Finns are possible....depends on how high they can trade back into rd 1, and how much the cost....like Kapanen a lot but doubt they can get that high....

Name to watch for in Rd 2 ...Thatcher Demko....American Goalie...from BC...time to add a highlyrated goalie prospect to the cupboard.
- aschwach

If we can get 2 forwards before him would make a world of difference. Still have that thinking Murray gets us 2 picks in the top 4.

I know where they went in their respective drafts. My statement has nothing to do with what spot they actually went. It had more to do with Ekblad will live up to his draft status more than Erik or Jack Johnson have. That Ekblad is more of the caliber of Doughty than of those 2. Johnson went 1st because there wasnt a Stamkos in his draft. Doughty wouldve went 1st overall if not for Stamkos.
- theblueandgold

This draft is way more like 2006 than it is 2008. If Ekblad was a Doughty caliber player there wouldn't be a debate as to whether he was going 1st or not because Reinhart is not a Stamkos caliber player. The top 4 are way closer to each other than you like to admit IMO. They are all over the board.

I'm sure Ekblad will be good, maybe great but comparing him to Doughty (who is probably the leagues best desenemen behind Weber) is nuts IMO. I have watched Ekblad and he isn't better than Jones.

If we can get 2 forwards before him would make a world of difference. Still have that thinking Murray gets us 2 picks in the top 4.
- cabin

there is no question in my mind that he is definitely trying to get two firsts as high as possible....that's why i do not expect Myers or Ehrhoff to be her e next season.

i agree on everything u just said.....thats whu i am praying Fla lets Reinhart fall to us....Bennett is ok, tough, feisty, and competitive...maybe he is Gilmore, maybe he isa role player like Ott and i will not be mad...if they have to pick him....but i would still rather have either sdame over Ekblad we need scoring fwds......

i do not see them taking any Russians this year...though a few Swedes and Finns are possible....depends on how high they can trade back into rd 1, and how much the cost....like Kapanen a lot but doubt they can get that high....

Name to watch for in Rd 2 ...Thatcher Demko....American Goalie...from BC...time to add a highlyrated goalie prospect to the cupboard.
- aschwach

If a Russian is playing his developmental hockey in the US, there really isnt much of a need to worry about them IMO. Ultimately, the NHL is where the best russians want to play (exception: Kovy). I know Grigorenko has caused some ruckus among the Buffalo faithful, but he was abused by Darcy/RonRol/Nolan. I still have faith in him. Think he will do big things in the A next year. Debating on grabbing season tickets for the Merks to watch him and Armia (who had a dominant postseason!).

Barbashev the type of player that Murray claims he is seeking in his playstyle. It shouldnt matter that hes Russian. Goldobin stock is starting to fall in a lot of mock drafts I've seen lately, and to me thats sort of a good thing. He had a great CHL prospect game. It will be interesting to see how teams view him. I think its almost a given that Murray will use two 2nds to trade up in the 1st. He has a history of doing it, and nabbing good players. I dont mind that. We have an abundance of picks in the 1st 2 rounds for the next 2 drafts (and 3 including last year), and in 2-4 years, we wont be able to keep all those players. I'll sacrifice quantity of those picks if he identifies a player that he likes mid-late first.

wow Carter, nice shot.......a goal that late in the Period is a Dagger

This draft is way more like 2006 than it is 2008. If Ekblad was a Doughty caliber player there wouldn't be a debate as to whether he was going 1st or not because Reinhart is not a Stamkos caliber player. The top 4 are way closer to each other than you like to admit IMO. They are all over the board.

I'm sure Ekblad will be good, maybe great but comparing him to Doughty (who is probably the leagues best desenemen behind Weber) is nuts IMO. I have watched Ekblad and he isn't better than Jones.
- sbroads24

Disagree. There is no top 4. Draisaitl is not in contention for 1st overall. Or 2nd overall. Nor do I think Bennett should be in contention for either. Reinhart and Ekblad are the only players that should be going #1. The other should go 2. I'd even take Ehlers or Draisaitl ahead of Bennett. So that tells you how much I view Bennett. This is just my opinion though.

Tier 1
Reinhart
Ekblad

Tier 2
Draisaitl
Ehlers
Bennett

Edit: As to Ekblad... there are plenty of lists that have Ekblad #1. McKenzie surverys actual NHL team scouts, and like 7 of 12 have him #1 on their list... so I'm not sure you're entire point about Ekblad not being a Doughty? I guess you think since there isnt a Stamkos in this draft that automatically makes Ekblad Erik Johnson? Ekblad is 5x ahead in his development at 18 than EJ couldve ever thought of being. EJ was a high risk pick. Theres low risk in drafting Ekblad.

Disagree. There is no top 4. Draisaitl is not in contention for 1st overall. Or 2nd overall. Nor do I think Bennett should be in contention for either. Reinhart and Ekblad are the only players that should be going #1. The other should go 2. I'd even take Ehlers or Draisaitl ahead of Bennett. So that tells you how much I view Bennett. This is just my opinion though.

Tier 1
Reinhart
Ekblad

Tier 2
Draisaitl
Ehlers
Bennett
- theblueandgold

We all have our opinions and it wouldn't suprise me if Ekblad and Reinhart ended up far and away the best players but that's not how they are viewed right now.

How many people had Barkov 2 last year?

A lot of talk about how Jonathan Quick is or isn't overrated. Meanwhile, LA is quietly making Lundqvist look very human.

Draft him at 2

We all have our opinions and it wouldn't suprise me if Ekblad and Reinhart ended up far and away the best players but that's not how they are viewed right now.

How many people had Barkov 2 last year?
- sbroads24

I won't lie and say that I personally had Barkov at #2, but I will say that I thought it was possible a team could have him that high. He was a 17 year old putting up ridiculous numbers in the Finnish league playing against men.

I dont think a lot of people had the Sabres going D-D last year, but after the 2012 draft 1st round, and considering our depth prior to the draft, I know I posted that Risto would be our 1st pick because of him being better than any forward available, and that we could go D with the 2nd even though I wouldve liked a goal scoring winger like Rychel. I also specifically remember calling pre draft top 10 favorite Hunter Shinkaruk's meteoric fall to the 20's.