Cox is a joke in general.
- sbroads24

Also, what people forget when they use the Edmonton example is the fact that even before we drafted Reinhart, we had one of the better prospect pools, along with good young NHL'ers already on the roster
- sbroads24

Their poor drafting in rounds 2-7 are the issue.

Like i pointed out with Chicago and Pittsburgh last week as the reason for their drafting so high many years in a row.

Cox's article was a joke in general.
- sbroads24

The article has two major flaws though.


#1, Cox bases his theory on the assumption that the sabres won't try to make any moves to get better right away, which makes sense as it has happened elsewhere, but everything we've heard is that they won't want to sit on their hands and let this continue.

#2. He talks about the sabres prospect pool not having all that much going for it, then lists like 8 names and then conveniently forgets guys like Compher, Fasching, McCabe, Carrier.

Oh and as a bonus, he compares them to the Isles saying they're only competitive just now, even though they were a playoff team a few years ago and could attribute last year to injuries. Also Pegula>Wang and Murray>Snow so that helps.


end rant, I really (frank)ing hate Cox. He's why I chose to leave my country

The article has two major flaws though.


#1, Cox bases his theory on the assumption that the sabres won't try to make any moves to get better right away, which makes sense as it has happened elsewhere, but everything we've heard is that they won't want to sit on their hands and let this continue.

#2. He talks about the sabres prospect pool not having all that much going for it, then lists like 8 names and then conveniently forgets guys like Compher, Fasching, McCabe, Carrier.

Oh and as a bonus, he compares them to the Isles saying they're only competitive just now, even though they were a playoff team a few years ago and could attribute last year to injuries. Also Pegula>Wang and Murray>Snow so that helps.


end rant, I really (frank)ing hate Cox. He's why I chose to leave my country
- Sabresfan-365

Good to know. I didn't read the article, just heard on WGR that he said that. I think next season is still going to be a non-playoff team, but I think the season after that they'll make the playoffs. Now, it does depend on how the prospects continue to develop and what the situation is in goal, but I think they currently have the pieces in place to make it happen.

Their poor drafting in rounds 2-7 are the issue.

Like i pointed out with Chicago and Pittsburgh last week as the reason for their drafting so high many years in a row.
- dadeadhead

From 2002 - 2006 The Penguins really didn't draft anybody significant in round 2-7 except Letang, Here's a list of names they drafted.
35 D Ondřej Němec
69 C Erik Christensen
101 R Daniel Fernholm
136 D Andy Sertich
137 C Cam Paddock
171 G Bobby Goepfert
202 R Patrik Bartschi
234 C Maxime Talbot
239 D Ryan Lannon
265 G Dwight LaBrosse
32 C Ryan Stone
70 R Jonathan Filewich
73 L Daniel Carcillo
121 D Paul Bissonnette
161 L Evgeny Isakov
169 L Lukáš Bolf
199 G Andy Chiodo
229 C Stephen Dixon
232 C Joe Jensen
263 F Matt Moulson
31 W Johannes Salmonsson
61 D Alex Goligoski
67 R Nick Johnson
85 C Brian Gifford
99 C Tyler Kennedy
130 D Michal Sersen
164 R Moises Gutierrez
194 D Chris Peluso
222 C Jordan Morrison
228 G David Brown
259 C Brian Ihnacak
61 F Michael Gergen
62 D Kristopher Letang
125 Tommi Leinonen
126 F Tim Crowder
194 D Jean-Philipp Paquet
195 F Joe Vitale
32 D Carl Sneep
65 D Brian Strait
125 G Chad Johnson
185 D Timo Seppäne

Good to know. I didn't read the article, just heard on WGR that he said that. I think next season is still going to be a non-playoff team, but I think the season after that they'll make the playoffs. Now, it does depend on how the prospects continue to develop and what the situation is in goal, but I think they currently have the pieces in place to make it happen.
- HonkFortheGoose

They'll be alright as long as some combination of guys like Carrier, Baptiste, Bailey, Compher, Possler, Lemieux, Hurley, McCabe, Cornel, and Karabacek hit.

You must hit on your 2-4th rounders IMO.

Hockeysfuture revisited their prospect rankings:

http://www.hockeysfuture....e-nhls-top-prospect-pool/

They'll be alright as long as some combination of guys like Carrier, Baptiste, Bailey, Compher, Possler, Lemieux, Hurley, McCabe, Cornel, and Karabacek hit.

You must hit on your 2-4th rounders IMO.
- dadeadhead

I think that with the amount of picks they've made over the last few years, even if a few of them don't turn out, they'll still have enough guys that did that it won't take 6 years for us to be relevant again.

From 2002 - 2006 The Penguins really didn't draft anybody significant in round 2-7 except Letang, Here's a list of names they drafted.

- Flynox

The years of 1991-2002 are what I'm talking about. The drafting in rds 1-4 leave a lot to desire.

52 players drafted

5 hits.


Naslund, Straka, Roszival, and Park are not included as they were either given away or let go via UFA.

It's a big reason the team had such high picks 02-06. No organizational depth.

Good to know. I didn't read the article, just heard on WGR that he said that. I think next season is still going to be a non-playoff team, but I think the season after that they'll make the playoffs. Now, it does depend on how the prospects continue to develop and what the situation is in goal, but I think they currently have the pieces in place to make it happen.
- HonkFortheGoose

Yea he's got plenty of quality assets to work with if he needs to fill the void at goaltending or upgrade at a certain position.

The years of 1991-2002 are what I'm talking about. The drafting in rds 1-4 leave a lot to desire.

52 players drafted

5 hits.


Naslund, Straka, Roszival, and Park are not included as they were either given away or let go via UFA.

It's a big reason the team had such high picks 02-06. No organizational depth.
- dadeadhead

Just shows how much the NHL Draft is a crapshoot unless you're picking in the top 5.

Yea he's got plenty of quality assets to work with if he needs to fill the void at goaltending or upgrade at a certain position.
- Sabresfan-365

IMO he got his guy in Neuvirth.

Just need to put a competent team in front of him.

His stats are miles better than Enroth's.

Just shows how much the NHL Draft is a crapshoot unless you're picking in the top 5.
- Flynox

It is but you have to hit at a better clip than 10%.

the Sabres are in a good spot moving forward but it's foolish to think that a bunch of high draft picks is all you need. we all know the Oilers example of what happens when you can't supplement high picks with smart drafting rounds 2-7 and shrewd trades/signings. but even teams like LA and Chicago acquired major parts of their rosters outside of just high picks.
- DoubleDown

Agreed.

I just look at Pittsburgh. Will all the moves and great draft picks over the years they still have exactly ONE Cup (and that was due to a last second miraculous save from the Flower). Don't get me wrong, I'm envious, but with Crosby, Malkin, etc. they should have multiple Cups yet they perpetually play great in the regular season and stink up the joint in the playoffs.

If I'm a Pen's fan I'm whistling by the graveyard with every win b/c it doesn't mean poop until the end of the playoffs.

IMO he got his guy in Neuvirth.

Just need to put a competent team in front of him.

His stats are miles better than Enroth's.
- dadeadhead

I think that's just Neuvirth on a roll, by seasons end their stats should be relatively close. Could he be good enough to win with? Maybe, but if they can get an upgrade they should take it.

Yea he's got plenty of quality assets to work with if he needs to fill the void at goaltending or upgrade at a certain position.
- Sabresfan-365

While there's a lot of question marks in goal, I think in the end what we have in the system is sufficient. While none of them may turn into Lundqvist, I think they'll be adequate. You don't have to have the #1 goalie to win a Cup. Just ask Chicago.

I think that's just Neuvirth on a roll, by seasons end their stats should be relatively close. Could he be good enough to win with? Maybe, but if they can get an upgrade they should take it.
- Sabresfan-365

He put up good numbers in Washington.

They had a very lacking defense.


He's a better goalie than most want to give him credit for. Reminds me of Miller in net. Has many of the same mechanics.

While there's a lot of question marks in goal, I think in the end what we have in the system is sufficient. While none of them may turn into Lundqvist, I think they'll be adequate. You don't have to have the #1 goalie to win a Cup. Just ask Chicago.
- HonkFortheGoose

Neuvirth is just as good as him IMO.

Lets just hope he doesn't end up making 6 mil.

While there's a lot of question marks in goal, I think in the end what we have in the system is sufficient. While none of them may turn into Lundqvist, I think they'll be adequate. You don't have to have the #1 goalie to win a Cup. Just ask Chicago.
- HonkFortheGoose

I don't disagree, I'm just not entirely convinced that they have anyone who could be our Crawford or Niemi. I know it sounds harsh but I just don't see it yet.

13 years 325 mill for Stanton of the Marlins

I don't disagree, I'm just not entirely convinced that they have anyone who could be our Crawford or Niemi. I know it sounds harsh but I just don't see it yet.
- Sabresfan-365

The way our defense is shaping up with Zadorov, Risto and Myers, were not going to need a oalie to stand on his head every game. We should be fine with an above average goalie in a few years.

13 years 325 mill for Stanton of the Marlins
- SABRES 89

They always give out horrible contracts, it's the only way they can get players to go there or stay there.

13 years 325 mill for Stanton of the Marlins
- SABRES 89

25 mil per is the going rate for a guy that will hit 30+hr, 100+rbi, .270+avg, and 80+ runs.

He's 25.


Not that I agree with it but it's the way it works.

They always give out horrible contracts, it's the only way they can get players to go there or stay there.
- Flynox

That's just it though, they had no choice but to pay up to convince Stanton to stick around.

I'd take his deal over some of the disasters the yankees have handed out over the years. He's still relatively young as well so in theory he should be able to fulfill most of that contract.

They always give out horrible contracts, it's the only way they can get players to go there or stay there.
- Flynox

a horrible contract is the one Detroit just gave Martinez or Anaheim gave Pujols and Hamilton.