If we get either mcdavid or eichel, are we in a spot that we can offer sheet an rfa and give up 3 or 4 first rounders? Tarasenko, Yakapov, Toffoli, Reilly Smith, Etam, Atkinson, Silvferberg, Connolly are all RFAs. With our pipeline, it may be the perfect time for an offer sheet, especially with a lot of teams that will be close to the cap that may have trouble signing these guys.
- adambuffalo

Why would you even think about the bolded? Seems like a waste of draft picks on unproven guys.

Honestly the only one worth it would be Tarasenko and possibly Toffoli.

The rest would never live up to that contract.

Mark Mancari and TJ Brennan type players (I know different positions)
- Stripes77

Correct.

Yep, ridiculous. I've never been a Vanek fan. Because he had a couple 40 goal seasons all his fans thought he was this monster of a goal scorer. From watching the games he was just like anderchyuck (f spelling). Tip ins, garbage goals, rebounds... Vanek could never snipe a goalie at will like Stamkos or score clutch goals like Drury and dare I say it... Derek Roy.

Vaneks label as a pure goal scorer was ironically represented well when he was in the shootout... Clapper from the hash marks.
- theblueandgold

Vanek had the ability to score 40 when he wanted.

Problem is he rarely wanted to. I now know why he was distracted so often

Hey guys check out my 1/4 season mock draft (lol)

Its pretty early but what the hell I had some fun with it. Let me know what you think

http://my.hockeybuzz.com/...t_id=16577&user_id=164194
- MCGUIZZY

IMO if they aren't drafting 1 or 2, they will trade back a few spots to grab Strome or Barzal.

Vanek had the ability to score 40 when he wanted.

Problem is he rarely wanted to. I now know why he was distracted so often
- sbroads24

IMO he has the talent to be one of the top 10-15 players in this league.


He just doesn't have the want to, to do it.

Shame when you think about it.

IMO he has the talent to be one of the top 10-15 players in this league.


He just doesn't have the want to, to do it.

Shame when you think about it.
- dadeadhead

It is. He has more skill than guys like Perry or Carter, was a great passer when he was focused. Just didn't care 50% of the time

IMO if they aren't drafting 1 or 2, they will trade back a few spots to grab Strome or Barzal.
- dadeadhead

I wouldnt count Mitch Marner out of that conversation

It is. He has more skill than guys like Perry or Carter, was a great passer when he was focused. Just didn't care 50% of the time
- sbroads24

And yet he's still #2 in goals, #5 in assists, and #3 in points for that draft class.

Like I said, what a waste.

I wouldnt count Mitch Marner out of that conversation
- MCGUIZZY

I'm not. Just IMO Strome and Barzal are the next tier after the top 2 followed very closely by Marner, Zacha, and Konecny

I'm not. Just IMO Strome and Barzal are the next tier after the top 2 followed very closely by Marner, Zacha, and Konecny
- dadeadhead

I hear ya. I think Barzel slides. We will see how he heals up from his knee injury

Why would you even think about the bolded? Seems like a waste of draft picks on unproven guys.

Honestly the only one worth it would be Tarasenko and possibly Toffoli.

The rest would never live up to that contract.
- dadeadhead

Fair enough. St Louis has $12m in cap space and only have 15 guys signed. If tarasenko wants $5m+, would St Louis be interested in a trade, say their 1st back this year, our 1st next year and a prospect like Psyck, knowing that we could offer sheet him for say $6m and they would only get our 1st, 2nd and 3rd next year.

IMO if they aren't drafting 1 or 2, they will trade back a few spots to grab Strome or Barzal.
- dadeadhead

I can't see why they would do that.

Whole point of this is to come away with an elite player (or someone who could be elite).

I don't care how "loaded" the defense is, if you're drafting 3rd either take Hanifin or trade it in a package for an equivelant. Passing up on a guy like that just to fill a position of need (with less talent) is an easy way to build an under achieving team.

Take Hanifin, make a trade involving a d-man if you have to.

It is. He has more skill than guys like Perry or Carter, was a great passer when he was focused. Just didn't care 50% of the time
- sbroads24

Lol...no. I'd take Perry 100 times out of 100 over vanek. And carter is more well rounded.

Vaneks problem was he never was interested in becoming well rounded. He doesn't like the physical part of the game. Which is fine. Not asking him to lay bone crushing hits. But use your size and frame to work the dirty areas along the boards, he hates doing that. He also has below average skating, another thing that's held him back. Another reason id take Perry or carter.

Lol...no. I'd take Perry 100 times out of 100 over vanek. And carter is more well rounded.

Vaneks problem was he never was interested in becoming well rounded. He doesn't like the physical part of the game. Which is fine. Not asking him to lay bone crushing hits. But use your size and frame to work the dirty areas along the boards, he hates doing that. He also has below average skating, another thing that's held him back. Another reason id take Perry or carter.
- theblueandgold

Like I said Vanek has the ability to be one of the top 10-15 players in this league.

The issue is want to and he doesn't want to. He'd rather coast and collect his paycheck to pay off bookie's.

Lol...no. I'd take Perry 100 times out of 100 over vanek. And carter is more well rounded.

Vaneks problem was he never was interested in becoming well rounded. He doesn't like the physical part of the game. Which is fine. Not asking him to lay bone crushing hits. But use your size and frame to work the dirty areas along the boards, he hates doing that. He also has below average skating, another thing that's held him back. Another reason id take Perry or carter.
- theblueandgold

Thank you

I can't see why they would do that.

Whole point of this is to come away with an elite player (or someone who could be elite).

I don't care how "loaded" the defense is, if you're drafting 3rd either take Hanifin or trade it in a package for an equivelant. Passing up on a guy like that just to fill a position of need (with less talent) is an easy way to build an under achieving team.

Take Hanifin, make a trade involving a d-man if you have to.
- Sabresfan-365

I can. You trade back with a team like Philly or Colorado who NEEDS d help and you walk away with a guy that could be elite plus other assets to use to bring in other players. This draft is about McEichel or bust for Buffalo.

Lol...no. I'd take Perry 100 times out of 100 over vanek. And carter is more well rounded.

Vaneks problem was he never was interested in becoming well rounded. He doesn't like the physical part of the game. Which is fine. Not asking him to lay bone crushing hits. But use your size and frame to work the dirty areas along the boards, he hates doing that. He also has below average skating, another thing that's held him back. Another reason id take Perry or carter.
- theblueandgold

Yea I'd take the other two as well, that's not what I said

Vanek has more skill than Perry does. Perry has a better shot, Vanek was a better passer, stick handler and had just as good of hands around the net.

His skill level is why he was taken well ahead of the other 2......

Lol...no. I'd take Perry 100 times out of 100 over vanek. And carter is more well rounded.

Vaneks problem was he never was interested in becoming well rounded. He doesn't like the physical part of the game. Which is fine. Not asking him to lay bone crushing hits. But use your size and frame to work the dirty areas along the boards, he hates doing that. He also has below average skating, another thing that's held him back. Another reason id take Perry or carter.
- theblueandgold

I think everyone here would but that was not the point of what he said. Vanek had the best pure talent from the draft class. If he cared he could of been the best from it, he just had very little desire to do so.

Yea I'd take the other two as well, that's not what I said

Vanek has more skill than Perry does. Perry has a better shot, Vanek was a better passer, stick handler and had just as good of hands around the net.

His skill level is why he was taken well ahead of the other 2......
- sbroads24

Arguable

Like I said Vanek has the ability to be one of the top 10-15 players in this league.

The issue is want to and he doesn't want to. He'd rather coast and collect his paycheck or pay off bookie's.
- dadeadhead

I just disagree with that viewpoint. Even if he cared and became
More well rounded in his playing style, I don't think he ever would have come close to top 10-15. He's just missing a lot of things that can't really be improved once you get that far in your career... Stick handling, skating, IQ. All areas he lacked in. And as I said before, as a goal scorer he's only useful for garbage goals. Rarely did I see Vanek score a clutch goal or snipe.

I think everyone here would but that was not the point of what he said. Vanek had the best pure talent from the draft class. If he cared he could of been the best from it, he just had very little desire to do so.
- ImThatGuy

Correct and still is #3 out of that draft from a production stand point.


It's said when a person wastes their talents.

I just disagree with that viewpoint. Even if he cared and became
More well rounded in his playing style, I don't think he ever would have come close to top 10-15. He's just missing a lot of things that can't really be improved once you get that far in your career... Stick handling, skating, IQ. All areas he lacked in. And as I said before, as a goal scorer he's only useful for garbage goals. Rarely did I see Vanek score a clutch goal or snipe.
- theblueandgold

Um what?

Yea I'd take the other two as well, that's not what I said

Vanek has more skill than Perry does. Perry has a better shot, Vanek was a better passer, stick handler and had just as good of hands around the net.

His skill level is why he was taken well ahead of the other 2......
- sbroads24

I disagree with most of that actually. I think Perry is better than Vanek in just about everything.

Vanek was just well ahead in his development when he was drafted. Perry was more raw.

I just disagree with that viewpoint. Even if he cared and became
More well rounded in his playing style, I don't think he ever would have come close to top 10-15. He's just missing a lot of things that can't really be improved once you get that far in your career... Stick handling, skating, IQ. All areas he lacked in. And as I said before, as a goal scorer he's only useful for garbage goals. Rarely did I see Vanek score a clutch goal or snipe.
- theblueandgold

Which he did both well

He was fast north to south, he wasn't agile or quick. He could get to the other end of the ice pretty fast when he got going though

I just disagree with that viewpoint. Even if he cared and became
More well rounded in his playing style, I don't think he ever would have come close to top 10-15. He's just missing a lot of things that can't really be improved once you get that far in your career... Stick handling, skating, IQ. All areas he lacked in. And as I said before, as a goal scorer he's only useful for garbage goals. Rarely did I see Vanek score a clutch goal or snipe.
- theblueandgold

If he cared he'd have been a 40/40 guy every season IMO.

When he turned it on he was far and away the best player on the ice.

He didn't/doesn't seem to care so it matters naught.