Just for fun, (quickly) went through the first-overall's from '88 ton 2012. These are the ones who never won a Cup:

Sundin 1989
Owen Nolan, 1990
Lindros, 1991
Hamrlik, 1992
Alexander Daigle, 1993 (Ottawa's tank)
Jovocop, 1994
Berard, 1995
Chris Phillips, 1996
Jumbo Joe, 1997
Stephan, 1999

Including Dipietro in 2000:

Kovalchuk, 2001
Nash, 2002
Ovechkin, 2004
E. Johnson, 2006
Stamkos, 2008
Tavares, 2009

all those Edmonton picks
- Michael Pachla

poor Daigle

Great blog Michael. I find I'm developing "unexpected fondness" for this group, too.

Point of clarification however. Murray traded away Miller, Ott, and Moulson, and I think that's talent.
- Der Kaiser

clarified...was meant to be "this season"...now it is...

thx

Didn't we pick Zads at 16, not 18?
- Herzeleid

yup...need to hire you as my editor

thx

Just for fun, (quickly) went through the first-overall's from '88 ton 2012. These are the ones who never won a Cup:

Sundin 1989
Owen Nolan, 1990
Lindros, 1991
Hamrlik, 1992
Alexander Daigle, 1993 (Ottawa's tank)
Jovocop, 1994
Berard, 1995
Chris Phillips, 1996
Jumbo Joe, 1997
Stephan, 1999

Including Dipietro in 2000:

Kovalchuk, 2001
Nash, 2002
Ovechkin, 2004
E. Johnson, 2006
Stamkos, 2008
Tavares, 2009

all those Edmonton picks
- Michael Pachla

So basically we should finish 8th last that way we dont have pick one and dont have to worry about falling into this stat.

Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel be Dammed, I don't want to be another stat.

but they won the Stanley Cup in 2011 and were runner up in 2013 without a homegrown top-pick save for seguin who was in a bottom six role...and they're still an eastern conference power
- Michael Pachla

They won the cup because they signed a Norris trophy winner that 2 teams decided to give up on (or chose to sign Wade Redden instead)

And landed an annual Selke winner in Bergeron in the second round.

I wouldn't want to attempt to emulate that model.

So basically we should finish 8th last that way we dont have pick one and dont have to worry about falling into this stat.

Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel be Dammed, I don't want to be another stat.
- ImThatGuy

I'm sure Crosby, Stamkos and Tavares will all see one before their career is over

clarified...was meant to be "this season"...now it is...

thx
- Michael Pachla

Isn't it nice that we get to nitpick over this sort of silliness instead of having to wade our way through meaningless slang and marginally legible mispellings and half-statements?

They won the cup because they signed a Norris trophy winner that 2 teams decided to give up on (or chose to sign Wade Redden instead)

And landed an annual Selke winner in Bergeron in the second round.

I wouldn't want to attempt to emulate that model.
- sbroads24

it wasn't really about emulating, it was an example of winning without a first overall pick...

I actually like how the kings did it and was a big proponent of their model...only had one top-two pick

Isn't it nice that we get to nitpick over this sort of silliness instead of having to wade our way through meaningless slang and marginally legible mispellings and half-statements?
- Der Kaiser

thx, schultzie

yup...need to hire you as my editor

thx
- Michael Pachla

Favorite part of the entire blog was something we havent seen in 2 years.. A Core...Every team should have players that give the team character. With the door swinging open like a walmart on black friday it's been difficult to watch. Yet with Risto/ Zads/myers and ennis/zemgus we're seeing the chemistry beginning.

Also With every great team you have a solid captain. Doesn't have to be the best player on the team (ex. dustin brown) but someone that wont be traded(lol) and is respected.

Michael Pachla: I blame Kevin Devine and Darcy Regier as well as...
26th place after a 6-1-0 run has Sabres' fans in a bit of a quandary
- Michael Pachla

The team is fun to watch

I get home from work, find myself watching the games til 3 or 4 am now

I have not had this feeling in a long time


No reason to female dog about them winning, enjoy a descent product on the ice

Favorite part of the entire blog was something we havent seen in 2 years.. A Core...Every team should have players that give the team character. With the door swinging open like a walmart on black friday it's been difficult to watch. Yet with Risto/ Zads/myers and ennis/zemgus we're seeing the chemistry beginning.

Also With every great team you have a solid captain. Doesn't have to be the best player on the team (ex. dustin brown) but someone that wont be traded(lol) and is respected.
- yen6d1

this


I see 2 lines working as a unit and a 4th line being ok
The D is not flashy, but doing the little things we have not seen in a long time

The quality of shots on our goalies has improved as well

All little things that are needed for a team to be a better team moving forward

So basically we should finish 8th last that way we dont have pick one and dont have to worry about falling into this stat.

Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel be Dammed, I don't want to be another stat.
- ImThatGuy

I don't think there is anyone on here that doesn't want us to get McEichel, but it's interesting to think about the likely hood that we won't get either. We have to finish dead last to be guaranteed of that. That is going to be difficult, even if we try, and it doesn't seem like Nolan and Murray are onboard for that. I guess we'll see if Murray pulls some strange moves in the coming months.

I don't think there is anyone on here that doesn't want us to get McEichel, but it's interesting to think about the likely hood that we won't get either. We have to finish dead last to be guaranteed of that. That is going to be difficult, even if we try, and it doesn't seem like Nolan and Murray are onboard for that. I guess we'll see if Murray pulls some strange moves in the coming months.
- notalent

I said yesterday the next day games will tell the direction for this season


now it's 9 games

I'll never forget how happy I was when I saw my wife walking down the aisle
towards me.............. My heart was beating fast and the excitement was hard
to bear. It seemed to take an hour, but eventually there she was, standing
beside me.I gave her a loving smile and said,"Get that shopping cart over here,
honey. They're selling 3 cases of beer, for the price of 2."

I said yesterday the next day games will tell the direction for this season


now it's 9 games

- homiedclown

So are we gonna win tomorrow ? Seems Bishop will be in net . Does Enroth get a rest ?

Isn't it nice that we get to nitpick over this sort of silliness instead of having to wade our way through meaningless slang and marginally legible mispellings and half-statements?
- Der Kaiser

Did somebody say meaningless slang and marginally legible mispellings and half-statements?

I knew my ears were rining for a reason

I'll never forget how happy I was when I saw my wife walking down the aisle
towards me.............. My heart was beating fast and the excitement was hard
to bear. It seemed to take an hour, but eventually there she was, standing
beside me.I gave her a loving smile and said,"Get that shopping cart over here,
honey. They're selling 3 cases of beer, for the price of 2."
- cabin

this


I see 2 lines working as a unit and a 4th line being ok
The D is not flashy, but doing the little things we have not seen in a long time

The quality of shots on our goalies has improved as well

All little things that are needed for a team to be a better team moving forward
- homiedclown

They're playing like team latvia against Canada or Team USA against Belgium in the world cup. Essentially playing not to lose and capitalizing on 1 or 2 mistakes hoping it goes their way.

Nolan Recycled the same bench play (one in and one going out on the far side for a breakaway) from the olympics to try and generate a scoring chance.

And I'd say that 2 of these wins have come down to puck luck. The dump in on carry price that was gift wrapped to Moulson and they were very lucky to escape with even a point last night after getting dominated in the 2nd period

I took a look the fancy stats for shots against enroth comparing the number between shots within 20 feet and everything outside of that. Still a remarkable amount of good scoring chances coming his way.

And for the most part it's been the same trio driving possession and creating the chances.

Bottom line, I think certain individuals have stepped up their play (to be expected) but with a sub 40% fenwick they've still got a long way to go as a team.

Dear Canada: So long. Love, the Bills. It was a little more eloquent than that, but the Bills did announce the termination of the Toronto series on Wednesday.

I'll never forget how happy I was when I saw my wife walking down the aisle
towards me.............. My heart was beating fast and the excitement was hard
to bear. It seemed to take an hour, but eventually there she was, standing
beside me.I gave her a loving smile and said,"Get that shopping cart over here,
honey. They're selling 3 cases of beer, for the price of 2."
- cabin

They're playing like team latvia against Canada or Team USA against Belgium in the world cup. Essentially playing not to lose and capitalizing on 1 or 2 mistakes hoping it goes their way.

Nolan Recycled the same bench play (one in and one going out on the far side for a breakaway) from the olympics to try and generate a scoring chance.

And I'd say that 2 of these wins have come down to puck luck. The dump in on carry price that was gift wrapped to Moulson and they were very lucky to escape with even a point last night after getting dominated in the 2nd period

I took a look the fancy stats for shots against enroth comparing the number between shots within 20 feet and everything outside of that. Still a remarkable amount of good scoring chances coming his way.

And for the most part it's been the same trio driving possession and creating the chances.

Bottom line, I think certain individuals have stepped up their play (to be expected) but with a sub 40% fenwick they've still got a long way to go as a team.
- Sabresfan-365

i dont think it should have gotten to that point. Enroth had that one goal covered for a sufficient amount of time and their should have been a whistle

I'll never forget how happy I was when I saw my wife walking down the aisle
towards me.............. My heart was beating fast and the excitement was hard
to bear. It seemed to take an hour, but eventually there she was, standing
beside me.I gave her a loving smile and said,"Get that shopping cart over here,
honey. They're selling 3 cases of beer, for the price of 2."
- cabin

So are we gonna win tomorrow ? Seems Bishop will be in net . Does Enroth get a rest ?
- cabin

Run that midget down till he can't face another shot..

i don't see the problem with that.. if we have him in our 3/4 pairing i think we are in good shape.. he is playing well and still maturing
- IndianaSabresFan

That was a quote last night from one of the haters after Myers had a great game.