Michael Pachla: Four questions after reading the NHL.com Sabres preview

First!! Another solid read

You continue your pattern of excellence. Good work ..

1. It's possible that he just forgot, but then again this is probably one of your most skilled prospects so I'm not exactly sure how it slipped his mind. Lemieux I could understand but not Armia

2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2R2sH2ScBM

3. People just look at the stat line and ignore the fact that he played for the worst offensive group post lock out ever. I hope he continues his rise

4. Depending on how the isles do those names are going to come up a lot. Even if you believe this team drastically improved, it will still be low enough that those names will be in the conversation should we win the lottery (which isn't completely out there at 3rd or 4th last).

Nice job Mike

We have more than enough prospects (not included next years 3 -1st rounders). Time to start looking forward, no more room for more young prospects and tanking. Let's start a winning culture.

Looking closely at EJ tonight!

Don't read into Murray not being quoted about Armia.

Here is a quote regarding Armia's playoff performance:

Murray didn't hide his feelings on Armia, a native of Finland whose first season in North America was quite typical for a European-born player. Armia scored 7 goals, 20 assists and 27 points in 54 AHL games, then produced a team-best 3-3-6 in five playoff games.

"He was outstanding," Murray said. "He's everything I heard he wasn't.

"He's not a shrinking violet, he's not a lazy player. He's the opposite."

The biggest issue concerning Armia: his physical strength. "His leg strength, his core strength," Murray said.

http://www.democratandchr...ch-chadd-cassidy/8847987/

Yet another solid read. Great job!

Awesome article yet again.

W/L won't bother me this year. Huge difference between watching a dumpster fire and watching a construction yard. I'm hoping that this year's team will be the latter. It doesn't hurt that there's a huge shimmering light with a possible super-duper star at the end of this tunnel.

Also - it'll be fun actively rooting against the Islanders this year as well. Gimme those top two picks baby!

Not first

Great read Michael.

I was just scanning the Sabres roster and reflecting on Chris Stuart's comments. Actually...we look pretty decent across most positions except for a top line center and a proven goaltender. Let the chess match begin for Murray to fill those slots...along with the vets and kids building chemistry...and we actually might be in the mix in a couple years!?

Nice job Mike

We have more than enough prospects (not included next years 3 -1st rounders). Time to start looking forward, no more room for more young prospects and tanking. Let's start a winning culture.

Looking closely at EJ tonight!
- Irish 14

There's always room for elite talent, especially in this years draft

There's always room for elite talent, especially in this years draft
- Sabresfan-365

Without another elite first round pick, this team is at least another decade away from a championship.

Without another elite first round pick, this team is at least another decade away from a championship.
- buffalofan19

Seriously? While I agree we need an elite player, I fail to see how that means we would be a decade away.

Every championship team has great players that weren't necessarily top 3 picks


Kopitar
Bergeron
Chara
Keith
Seabrook

Without another elite first round pick, this team is at least another decade away from a championship.
- buffalofan19

Agreee. And while I can respect everyone's opinion, it does still baffle me that people want or believe that TM, a guy who made it big in this particular area would throw that away for because he brought in a few veterans for the good of the "culture". Gimme a break, you know what brings a winning culture to a team? Talent and lots of it.

Seriously? While I agree we need an elite player, I fail to see how that means we would be a decade away.

Every championship team has great players that weren't necessarily top 3 picks


Kopitar
Bergeron
Chara
Keith
Seabrook
- sbroads24

Yes but everyone one of those teams had a player drafted top 3 far more talented then anyone we've taken in the top 3.

Yes but everyone one of those teams had a player drafted top 3 far more talented then anyone we've taken in the top 3.
- Sabresfan-365

Really who was Boston's supremely talented top 3 pick ?

Seguin who barely did anything?

Listen I agree you need those top picks, but if a 2nd rounder blossoms into a star player it's the same thing. Don't need a top 3 pick in 2015 to eventually be a contender IMO. Although I 100000% am on board with losing this year for that pick

Seriously? While I agree we need an elite player, I fail to see how that means we would be a decade away.

Every championship team has great players that weren't necessarily top 3 picks


Kopitar
Bergeron
Chara
Keith
Seabrook
- sbroads24

Other than Boston, who is the exception, not the rule, and one we won't see for a long time, each Cup winner has "that player". Buffalo doesn't have him yet. There's a possibility that Reinhart could be that, however.

Honestly I really can't figure Grigorenko out...he's big, talented...and seems to be non-existent when he plays...is it just experience? Should we be worried, or use him as trade bait? IDK

There's always room for elite talent, especially in this years draft
- Sabresfan-365

I said next year's 3 picks in 1st round

Other than Boston, who is the exception, not the rule, and one we won't see for a long time, each Cup winner has "that player". Buffalo doesn't have him yet. There's a possibility that Reinhart could be that, however.
- buffalofan19

Detroit. Point is it can be done

All of their elite players were not top draft picks
Same with Boston

LA did not have a top 3 pick play forward for them.

Really who was Boston's supremely talented top 3 pick ?

Seguin who barely did anything?

Listen I agree you need those top picks, but if a 2nd rounder blossoms into a star player it's the same thing. Don't need a top 3 pick in 2015 to eventually be a contender IMO. Although I 100000% am on board with losing this year for that pick
- sbroads24

And I don't disagree with that notion however none of our late 1sts or 2nds really show any sign of being a Shea Weber or Patrice Bergeron.

Could they eventually become one? Sure but the odds would suggest that it's very unlikely. I'd hate to look back three years from now in regret. If a guy like McCabe becomes that great then that's wonderful, but as of today I see a team that still doesn't really have "that guy".

There are a couple of candidates who could step up and show that this year but I'm personally not convinced.

Detroit. Point is it can be done

All of their elite players were not top draft picks
Same with Boston

LA did not have a top 3 pick play forward for them.
- sbroads24

But they did have one in general, and I can't see any of the guys we have right now becoming that good.

Detroit. Point is it can be done

All of their elite players were not top draft picks
Same with Boston

LA did not have a top 3 pick play forward for them.
- sbroads24

But LA's top 6 scorers were all 1st rd picks with two of them being drafted in the top 3. One was traded to get Carter.

In all they had 9 players that were drafted in the 1st rd play on that team.


Boston had a guy by the name of Nathan Horton play on their cup team who happened to be drafted in the top 3.

Detroit. Point is it can be done

All of their elite players were not top draft picks
Same with Boston

LA did not have a top 3 pick play forward for them.
- sbroads24

I never said it had to be a forward.

And I don't disagree with that notion however none of our late 1sts or 2nds really show any sign of being a Shea Weber or Patrice Bergeron.

Could they eventually become one? Sure but the odds would suggest that it's very unlikely. I'd hate to look back three years from now in regret. If a guy like McCabe becomes that great then that's wonderful, but as of today I see a team that still doesn't really have "that guy".

There are a couple of candidates who could step up and show that this year but I'm personally not convinced.
- Sabresfan-365

I just don't see how if we fall out of the top 5 that we are doomed for at least a decade. IMO that's ridiculous.

We have enough assets to go out and get great players by any means possible

We have cap space, draft picks, and a ton of prospects. We are in a great place