yeah...I understand where you're coming from, but I'll offer up the la kings model...they built their team with one top-two draft pick...

don't get me wrong, mceichel would be awesome, but there are other ways, including the free agent heavy boston bruins
- Michael Pachla

I was going to mention the Kings and Bruins, but the problem with those models is that you have to hit on just about everything. We haven't seen that kind of competence from either of our franchises in a long, long time, if ever. I understand that this is a new regime, but it's also a relatively inexperienced regime. This is Tim Murray's first rodeo as a GM. Yes, he has a lot of years as a scout, but, he has yet to establish a track record as "the" decision maker, the one that will be held accountable if things go wrong, and the one that will be lauded should things go well. He's done great work in the past, but up until now, it's always been somebody else rubber stamping the decisions based on his recommendations. That's a completely different dynamic. Murray is most likely going to make some mistakes along the way. They may not be monumental, but they could, and probably will be, significant. It simply comes with the territory of such a high profile position.

A franchise player, a true elite player, and one of the best at what he does, can mask a lot of a team's shortcomings. And that's often what a team needs, especially if it's as inexperienced as this one is from top to bottom.

Just throwing this out there. Toews was not a top 2 pick.
- HonkFortheGoose

I hear ya, goosie...point being that the Chicago/Pittsburgh model of tanking for consecutive top selections in the draft is always touted as the best route...and somehow if the sabres miss out on another top-two pick this year, it will be the end of any cup aspirations...

I disagree

I was going to mention the Kings and Bruins, but the problem with those models is that you have to hit on just about everything. We haven't seen that kind of competence from either of our franchises in a long, long time, if ever. I understand that this is a new regime, but it's also a relatively inexperienced regime. This is Tim Murray's first rodeo as a GM. Yes, he has a lot of years as a scout, but, he has yet to establish a track record as "the" decision maker, the one that will be held accountable if things go wrong, and the one that will be lauded should things go well. He's done great work in the past, but up until now, it's always been somebody else rubber stamping the decisions based on his recommendations. That's a completely different dynamic. Murray is most likely going to make some mistakes along the way. They may not be monumental, but they could, and probably will be, significant. It simply comes with the territory of such a high profile position.

A franchise player, a true elite player, and one of the best at what he does, can mask a lot of a team's shortcomings. And that's often what a team needs, especially if it's as inexperienced as this one is from top to bottom.
- buffalofan19

point taken...and I agree whole-heartedly...would like to add that although the 2012 and 2013 drafts for buffalo won't mask shortcomings, that large group of players has the collective character to overcome the impending shortcomings

edit: that, to me, is the la kings model

I hear ya, goosie...point being that the Chicago/Pittsburgh model of tanking for consecutive top selections in the draft is always touted as the best route...and somehow if the sabres miss out on another top-two pick this year, it will be the end of any cup aspirations...

I disagree
- Michael Pachla

gringo makes the top pick in 2015 expendable

I was going to mention the Kings and Bruins, but the problem with those models is that you have to hit on just about everything. We haven't seen that kind of competence from either of our franchises in a long, long time, if ever. I understand that this is a new regime, but it's also a relatively inexperienced regime. This is Tim Murray's first rodeo as a GM. Yes, he has a lot of years as a scout, but, he has yet to establish a track record as "the" decision maker, the one that will be held accountable if things go wrong, and the one that will be lauded should things go well. He's done great work in the past, but up until now, it's always been somebody else rubber stamping the decisions based on his recommendations. That's a completely different dynamic. Murray is most likely going to make some mistakes along the way. They may not be monumental, but they could, and probably will be, significant. It simply comes with the territory of such a high profile position.

A franchise player, a true elite player, and one of the best at what he does, can mask a lot of a team's shortcomings. And that's often what a team needs, especially if it's as inexperienced as this one is from top to bottom.
- buffalofan19

Neither of those teams hit on everything.

2008 draft Kings drafted Colton Tuebert and gave us Tyler Myers
2009 Boston drafted Jordan Caron 25th overall

Boston traded a 35+ goal scorer for someone (Seguin) who ended up being traded himself before he made any significant impact

No team is perfect, and there is no perfect model to build a cup winner

No team is perfect, and there is no perfect model to build a cup winner
- sbroads24

sitting on your hands is a good way not to win the cup though

sitting on your hands is a good way not to win the cup though
- homiedclown

except for two seasons, that was an awful period in sabres history

RE: Epic offensive failure last year

Just a quick snapshot of me compiling some numbers:



(yes, I typo'd Flynn apparently...not redoing the screenshot)

15 players from the 13/14 roster on the left, 11 on the right. I think the 11 on the right will easily out-point last year's team, and that's not even accounting for young guys - like the potentials of Armia, Grigorenko, Reinhart, Ristolainen, etc.

The team couldn't even muster 2 goals per game last year. I don't think that will be a problem this season, especially since they'll likely be allowing more goals than last year and will need to work harder and have the motivational coach that will get some effort out of them.

I hear ya, goosie...point being that the Chicago/Pittsburgh model of tanking for consecutive top selections in the draft is always touted as the best route...and somehow if the sabres miss out on another top-two pick this year, it will be the end of any cup aspirations...

I disagree
- Michael Pachla

Chicago actually had a very small chance of getting the #1 pick the year that they drafted Kane. So, just because we don't finish dead last, doesn't mean it can't happen either.

RE: Epic offensive failure last year

Just a quick snapshot of me compiling some numbers:



(yes, I typo'd Flynn apparently...not redoing the screenshot)

15 players from the 13/14 roster on the left, 11 on the right. I think the 11 on the right will easily out-point last year's team, and that's not even accounting for young guys - like the potentials of Armia, Grigorenko, Reinhart, Ristolainen, etc.

The team couldn't even muster 2 goals per game last year. I don't think that will be a problem this season, especially since they'll likely be allowing more goals than last year and will need to work harder and have the motivational coach that will get some effort out of them.
- stashu

thx for doing that, stash

Chicago actually had a very small chance of getting the #1 pick the year that they drafted Kane. So, just because we don't finish dead last, doesn't mean it can't happen either.
- HonkFortheGoose

tru dat

Neither of those teams hit on everything.

2008 draft Kings drafted Colton Tuebert and gave us Tyler Myers
2009 Boston drafted Jordan Caron 25th overall

Boston traded a 35+ goal scorer for someone (Seguin) who ended up being traded himself before he made any significant impact

No team is perfect, and there is no perfect model to build a cup winner
- sbroads24

There are, however, ways of mitigating risk, something that this team needs to do. Like I said, this team now lacks a lot of experience, in just about every aspect of the organization. If the Sabres had brought in someone with Dean Lombardi type experience as a GM, I'd be more on board with a Kings/Bruins type of build. The Sabres don't have that, which is not necessarily a bad thing. That's why I'd greatly prefer having the franchise player than trying to mess around with the whole "whole is greater than the sum of its parts" routine. Maybe I'm just jaded from past experience, but I believe this team will absolutely need a franchise/cornerstone player to mask some mistakes and growing pains that will inevitably happen along the way.

thx for doing that, stash
- Michael Pachla

I like stats

There are, however, ways of mitigating risk, something that this team needs to do. Like I said, this team now lacks a lot of experience, in just about every aspect of the organization. If the Sabres had brought in someone with Dean Lombardi type experience as a GM, I'd be more on board with a Kings/Bruins type of build. The Sabres don't have that, which is not necessarily a bad thing. That's why I'd greatly prefer having the franchise player than trying to mess around with the whole "whole is greater than the sum of its parts" routine. Maybe I'm just jaded from past experience, but I believe this team will absolutely need a franchise/cornerstone player to mask some mistakes and growing pains that will inevitably happen along the way.
- buffalofan19

in theory, they already have 2 or 3 franchise d men and a couple of guys up front

with a poopload of picks coming still

I still think our best draft pick will come from the islanders in 10 months

I like stats
- stashu

There are, however, ways of mitigating risk, something that this team needs to do. Like I said, this team now lacks a lot of experience, in just about every aspect of the organization. If the Sabres had brought in someone with Dean Lombardi type experience as a GM, I'd be more on board with a Kings/Bruins type of build. The Sabres don't have that, which is not necessarily a bad thing. That's why I'd greatly prefer having the franchise player than trying to mess around with the whole "whole is greater than the sum of its parts" routine. Maybe I'm just jaded from past experience, but I believe this team will absolutely need a franchise/cornerstone player to mask some mistakes and growing pains that will inevitably happen along the way.
- buffalofan19

I think everyone would agree that you need franchise players. I just don't think we are screwed if we don't get McDavid. Every team had bad draft choices, has bad trades or they over pay mediocre FA's.

The good thing is that the Sabres have a boat load of assets as far as draft picks and prospects, that right there is mitigating risk in this rebuild. We have a higher probability of landing a franchise player or having one of our prospects turn out to be one

for cabin

Martin in the 9th is insane in a PPR. He very well could have a huge bounce back year
- sbroads24

I was astounded to see him drop so far. I had him ranked 22nd but I needed more receivers and a decent TE. Hell, somehow I grabbed Ellington AND Bernard (both top 20 picks). These are the kinda guys that run routes and catch passes.

that team he has is sick

tough call as to who to cut for bye weeks
- homiedclown

I think I did pretty well accounting for bye-week-hell with the back half picks. Waiver guys, yeah, I'm not sure who I'd cut, but there's always a few monster injuries or under performers. Who knows.

Yea..... I have one tonight It's the dynasty that starts in the 5th round

I need to get a sleeper RB or 2 if I want a chance
- sbroads24

Devonta Freeman.
Carlos Hyde.

gringo makes the top pick in 2015 expendable
- homiedclown

The Expendables makes The Justice League expendable.

I actually did this analysis a couple weeks ago. The Bills are well above the average bust threshold for 1st round picks in the past 15 years. Don't remember the numbers, but average league bust rate was like 46% where the Bills were around 32%. We, like every other franchise, have had some pretty terrible picks, but also some great ones more often than not.

I actually did this analysis a couple weeks ago. The Bills are well above the average bust threshold for 1st round picks in the past 15 years. Don't remember the numbers, but average league bust rate was like 46% where the Bills were around 32%. We, like every other franchise, have had some pretty terrible picks, but also some great ones more often than not.
- TheSabresTaco

While that's encouraging, what I think was overlooked was what type of impact the players had on this team

Whitner, McKelvin, Evans, EJ, and a few others might not be "busts"
But was Whitner a top 5-10 safety ever here? Did McKelvin ever become a #1 corner?

I think our biggest problem was never drafting superstars, which in the NFL are found throughout the 1st round [/img]

[quote=sbroads24]While that's encouraging, what I think was overlooked was what type of impact the players had on this team

Whitner, McKelvin, Evans, EJ, and a few others might not be "busts"
But was Whitner a top 5-10 safety ever here? Did McKelvin ever become a #1 corner?

I think our biggest problem was the fact that a lot of these players turned out to just be ok, and in the NFL you need to land some star players , which in the NFL are found throughout the 1st round

I hate this sit sometimes



Hatty