"IDIOT" (in all caps) is a tongue in cheek theme around these parts lately.
- buffalofan19

I used it this weekend as a joke and it was deleted...

I used it this weekend as a joke and it was deleted...
- jochfr

I saw that.

The problem with it is that any ref or blogger that sees it, and doesn't come here often enough won't realize it's not serious.

"IDIOT" (in all caps) is a tongue in cheek theme around these parts lately.
- buffalofan19

got it...we have a pretty good group in here

I used it this weekend as a joke and it was deleted...
- jochfr

I was banned because I responded to Sbroads with it...

I was banned because I responded to Sbroads with it...
- ImThatGuy

There's nothing wrong with that. It creates competition, which is what you want. Someone is going to be the odd man out. You can't live in fear of whether or not the guy you release might turn into a star player.
- buffalofan19

yeah you want competition to a point but- minors are for development, not whoever shows up and is the best from game 1. Knapp is now gone- not that he will be missed or anything (i hope)- but does anyone in that organization know what hes capable of??

same thing will happen with at least 2 of these guys IMO.

its about scouting and making the right choices and then developing those players- not about just amassing a glut of goalies and crossing your fingers and hoping you get lucky with one of them.

with that plan you will end up like the Flyers...

I firmly believe in drafting a goaltender every year, but I wouldnt trade up for one.

I expect Buffalo will trade back into round 1 for a forward (Tuch, Vrana, Schrbeck) along with drafting Ekblad/Reinhart, and take a goalie in the mid rounds.

No need to really go and get one high until you get a better look at what Makarov/Ullmark/Petersen (or even Neuvirth with regular play) can do

yeah you want competition to a point but- minors are for development, not whoever shows up and is the best from game 1. Knapp is now gone- not that he will be missed or anything (i hope)- but does anyone in that organization know what hes capable of??

same thing will happen with at least 2 of these guys IMO.

its about scouting and making the right choices and then developing those players- not about just amassing a glut of goalies and crossing your fingers and hoping you get lucky with one of them.

with that plan you will end up like the Flyers...
- battelmt

I would like to believe that the scouts, coaches, etc., would have done a significant amount of due diligence as to who is further along with their development. Often times, if you have a too many guys developing well, you get something back for them in a trade. Other teams see these guys as well.

I looked up the Vezina winners from the last 30 years. Only 4 different goalies that won the award were taken in the first round. Brodeur x4, Kolzig, Fuhr, and Barrasso. I thought there would have been more, but I would stay away from drafting a goalie in the first round unless someone special falls into your teams lap.

I was banned because I responded to Sbroads with it...
- ImThatGuy

so then it would seem we need another inauspicious code word for the "I" word that can be used without fear of persecution.

Nik ehlers- Pat Kane
William Nylander- Claude Giroux
Aaron Ekblad- Alex Pietrangelo
Sam Reinhart- Patrice Bergeron
Leon Draisatil- Anze Kopitar
Sam Bennett- Mike Richards (in his prime)
That's guys I see as realistic style comparisons. Obviously Nylander does not have the defensive capabilities as giroux but that's who I think of when I see his speed and offensive ability.

I looked up the Vezina winners from the last 30 years. Only 4 different goalies that won the award were taken in the first round. Brodeur x4, Kolzig, Fuhr, and Barrasso. I thought there would have been more, but I would stay away from drafting a goalie in the first round unless someone special falls into your teams lap.
- houseofcards74

well done...thx for the research

Nik ehlers- Pat Kane
William Nylander- Claude Giroux
Aaron Ekblad- Alex Pietrangelo
Sam Reinhart- Patrice Bergeron
Leon Draisatil- Anze Kopitar
Sam Bennett- Mike Richards (in his prime)
That's guys I see as realistic style comparisons. Obviously Nylander does not have the defensive capabilities as giroux but that's who I think of when I see his speed and offensive ability.
- Pegullaville

thanks. ill take two please.

I looked up the Vezina winners from the last 30 years. Only 4 different goalies that won the award were taken in the first round. Brodeur x4, Kolzig, Fuhr, and Barrasso. I thought there would have been more, but I would stay away from drafting a goalie in the first round unless someone special falls into your teams lap.
- houseofcards74

When you have one beast win it 6 times in a span of 8 years, it leaves a lot of guys out.

But yes, the point is very valid. Many of the better goalies aren't those top of the draft guys anymore. But for teams drafting late in the first who are obviously already good teams, drafting a goalie in the 1st round isn't necessarily a horrible idea.

Nice job Mike P.!!

Nik ehlers- Pat Kane
William Nylander- Claude Giroux
Aaron Ekblad- Alex Pietrangelo
Sam Reinhart- Patrice Bergeron
Leon Draisatil- Anze Kopitar
Sam Bennett- Mike Richards (in his prime)
That's guys I see as realistic style comparisons. Obviously Nylander does not have the defensive capabilities as giroux but that's who I think of when I see his speed and offensive ability.
- Pegullaville

I think your spot on except for Reinhart. Id go Henrik Sedin as a more comparable

When you have one beast win it 6 times in a span of 8 years, it leaves a lot of guys out.

But yes, the point is very valid. Many of the better goalies aren't those top of the draft guys anymore. But for teams drafting late in the first who are obviously already good teams, drafting a goalie in the 1st round isn't necessarily a horrible idea.
- stashu

he was a BEAST. So much fun to watch

Nice little article in the NY Times about Buffalo's NHL playoff ratings:

http://www.nytimes.com/20...abReward=relbias%3Ar&_r=1

I still question the premise that it is really "passion for the sport of hockey" as a whole versus simply just being a passion for the NHL, but it reminds me of what Colin Cowherd said a couple of years ago. Buffalo is the only television market in the United States where the NHL drives the ratings.

this is their pipeline after enroth and neuvirth...a quick note, knapp probably will be in Elmira if he's in the sabres organization at all

The rest line up like this (by age):
•Matt Hackett, 24 yrs old, 2009 3rd round (No. 77) MIN
•Connor Knapp, 23, 2009 6th round (No. 164) BUF
•Nathan Lieuwen, 22, 2011 6th round (No. 167) BUF
•Andrey Makarov, 21, 2012 FA, BUF
•Linus Ullmark, 20, 2012 6th round (No. 163) BUF
•Cal Peterson, 19, 2013 5th round (No. 129) BUF
- Michael Pachla

Hackett should be traded..
Knapp in the ECHL
Lieuwen and Makarov split time in AHL
Ullmark stays in Europe
Peterson should be at UND through at least Junior year

After this season i can see Enroth or Neuvirth being dealt. That brings up whoever is better between Lieuwen or Makarov and opens a spot for either Knapp or Ulmark in the AHL..

if we keep Hacket then Makarov goes to the ECHL and fits his way back again.

i like the variety of choices we have which creates a lot of competition and fighting for that starting position

Michael Pachla: Should the Sabres move back into the 1st to land the top goalie prospect?
- Michael Pachla

no

move up to get another center/winger

I firmly believe in drafting a goaltender every year, but I wouldnt trade up for one.

I expect Buffalo will trade back into round 1 for a forward (Tuch, Vrana, Schrbeck) along with drafting Ekblad/Reinhart, and take a goalie in the mid rounds.

No need to really go and get one high until you get a better look at what Makarov/Ullmark/Petersen (or even Neuvirth with regular play) can do
- CaptPantalones

i am wit ya bro

NHL approximately earned 3.7 billion this year so the cap could exceed 70 Million next season.

NHL approximately earned 3.7 billion this year so the cap could exceed 70 Million next season.
- Pegullaville

Normally it would, but it wouldn't surprised me if it stuck at around 67-68 because of the Canadian dollar.

Better that way anyways, lower cap=lower floor=not having any justified reason to sign Moulson or Callahan to a 6 year deal

I looked up the Vezina winners from the last 30 years. Only 4 different goalies that won the award were taken in the first round. Brodeur x4, Kolzig, Fuhr, and Barrasso. I thought there would have been more, but I would stay away from drafting a goalie in the first round unless someone special falls into your teams lap.
- houseofcards74

Correct, but 3 of those goalies have multiple cups.

Normally it would, but it wouldn't surprised me if it stuck at around 67-68 because of the Canadian dollar.

Better that way anyways, lower cap=lower floor=not having any justified reason to sign Moulson or Callahan to a 6 year deal
- Sabresfan-365

Isn't the ultimate revenue number in US dollars though? If the numbers are final, the amounts used should take into account the weaker Canadian dollar. I should think the weaker dollar should have a real effect in future years.