I think he's better than ennis worse than Kane. He'll be very good but I think Hanifin is better. Plus if they do miss out on the generational talent, imo the next best thing would be to build an incredibly deep/strong defence. You're more likely to find scoring wingers via trade/FA than you are top 2 defencemen.
- Sabresfan-365

But Hanifin is American, so we don't want him.

I totally understand what you're saying dude. This will get sucked up by a BPA argument at some point I'm sure. But I'm wondering. What's more important to this team. Elite offense or elite defense?

2016 mock has the standings finishing in ABC order, now I'm convinced that they were right yesterday, the NHL is rigged.

http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2016/

I think he's better than ennis worse than Kane. He'll be very good but I think Hanifin is better. Plus if they do miss out on the generational talent, imo the next best thing would be to build an incredibly deep/strong defence. You're more likely to find scoring wingers via trade/FA than you are top 2 defencemen.
- Sabresfan-365

So we'd kinda be like Nashville without the scoring and great goaltending?

Alot of these people in sports are superstitious. Perhaps they feel if they meddle, i. e. tell the coach who to start in goal, it will come back to bite them.

Just a thought.
- grand-magus

The bigger problem is that Nolan reportedly refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement with his contract so he can gab away after he is fired. Both Pegula and Murray don't want it to be said that they forced Nolan to try to lose for the tank by a bitter former employee.

So we'd kinda be like Nashville without the scoring and great goaltending?
- jochfr

You been under rock oprera? Irbe turned lindback into an nhl goalie, imagine what he could do with some who's actually you know...good?

Edit: Inexcusable *oprah

But Hanifin is American, so we don't want him.

I totally understand what you're saying dude. This will get sucked up by a BPA argument at some point I'm sure. But I'm wondering. What's more important to this team. Elite offense or elite defense?
- TheSabresTaco

Personally i'd rather an elite offence as it is more exciting to watch. However, adding Hanifin to our defence brings them much closer to being an elite group than adding Marner to our offence does. That's where my thinking is at right now.

Agreed
- jochfr

go shove some corn bread in your pie hole Oprah

I'm waiting to see what happens first, Tim Murray has a complete breakdown and fights Nolan on the bench, or the "home" fans start openly rooting for the away team and booing any good Sabres play.
- Khmylev

Fight to the death between Murray, Nolan, and HardHat.

Fight to the death between Murray, Nolan, and HardHat.
- CaptainRivet

I see Murray being beaten into the pavement in that scenario.

I see Murray being beaten into the pavement in that scenario.
- TheSabresTaco

beady-eyed little douche.

go shove some corn bread in your pie hole Oprah
- homiedclown

You need a little sauce, clown?

You need a little sauce, clown?
- TheSabresTaco

got my fifth 18 inches away

Personally i'd rather an elite offence as it is more exciting to watch. However, adding Hanifin to our defence brings them much closer to being an elite group than adding Marner to our offence does. That's where my thinking is at right now.
- Sabresfan-365

Yeah, there's a million ways to argue who'd be more important based on potential. I think I would just be mad at acquiring Hanifin because of how dreadful our offense is. Of course, things can always change, based on the Kane trade and what Murray is capable of. If he's able to hustle another blockbuster for a 20 some year old top 3 kid, he can maybe afford to spend the 3rd on Hanifin without his house being pipe-bombed.

got my fifth 18 inches away
- homiedclown

Thats's what she said.

got my fifth 18 inches away
- homiedclown

Why don't you suck that puppy down and throw a slurred apology at Oprah.

got my fifth 18 inches away
- homiedclown

I see Murray being beaten into the pavement in that scenario.
- TheSabresTaco

The bigger problem is that Nolan reportedly refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement with his contract so he can gab away after he is fired. Both Pegula and Murray don't want it to be said that they forced Nolan to try to lose for the tank by a bitter former employee.
- GilPerreault11

I have no problem with this. Especially if it enforces some integrity. The amount of Nolan hate lately isn't really justified; the man is just doing his job. If you don't like his coaching style, fine. But don't hate just because he won't forfeit games. As long as the tank is done within the rules and with some level of integrity, then there will be no issues.

No I'm not pro-Nolan or anti-Murray; and yes I do understand perfectly well what is at stake.

Why don't you suck that puppy down and throw a slurred apology at Oprah.
- TheSabresTaco

There are no logo's on the balls, just numbers. Before the lottery, they figure out how many possible combinations can be had from X number of balls, and then divide the combinations up between the teams based on their percentage chance of winning (for instance, if there were 200 combinations, Buffalo would currently get 40
- oldstyle[20%] of them).
When the lottery balls drop, the person doing the draw has no idea who the combo belongs to until they check with the list they put together prior. Since it's an accredited accounting firm doing the draw, It's pretty unlikely the draw is fixed. It would be business suicide if they were caught cheating.
I used to think it was rigged as well, but with the way they are doing it this year, I doubt it.

Great! If everything you wrote here is true. Then all they need to do is put the corresponding number list online a few days before the lottery so the fans can see it, and then just draw the winning combo on live TV, then all this "Rigged" lotto stuff can be put to bed. Until that happens I don't believe anything this league or Bettman says.

- Der Kaiser

I bet Clown is more Canadian than Lahey..

It's all liquor and it's all hard.

Cab or Kaiser, turn that into something.

I have no problem with this. Especially if it enforces some integrity. The amount of Nolan hate lately isn't really justified; the man is just doing his job. If you don't like his coaching style, fine. But don't hate just because he won't forfeit games. As long as the tank is done within the rules and with some level of integrity, then there will be no issues.

No I'm not pro-Nolan or anti-Murray; and yes I do understand perfectly well what is at stake.
- Jtr1p

I agree with this.

I don't know what people want Murray to do , exactly, (Please list what he should do in order to help us remain in 30th) I would like someone to give some specifics please.

y'all realize that the los angeles kings, who've won two of the last three cups, haven't had a first overall pick since they came into the league in 1967...right?

and that the Chicago blackhawks, who've won two of the last five cups have never had a first-overall draft pick outside of kane...and that the kane pick was due to winning the lottery, right?
- Michael Pachla

Sure, we don't necessarily NEED one of them, but it does greatly enhance our chances & the speed of the rebuild

For those unaware,
NBCsports is broadcasting the Hockey East tourney tonight & tomorrow night.
Boston university is playing tonight for those who wanna watch Eichel & the free agent goalie O'conner

I bet Clown is more Canadian than Lahey..

It's all liquor and it's all hard.

Cab or Kaiser, turn that into something.
- TheSabresTaco

Challenge accepted.

Sure, we don't necessarily NEED one of them, but it does greatly enhance our chances & the speed of the rebuild

For those unaware,
NBCsports is broadcasting the Hockey East tourney tonight & tomorrow night.
Boston university is playing tonight for those who wanna watch Eichel & the free agent goalie O'conner
- jdfitz77

That's just the point. We ALL know that having one of them is AWESOME! But IF we don't get one, we as well as, 28 other teams will still strive to become a Stanley Cup Winner. I for one, will continue to root for my Sabres whether we get one or not! But that doesn't lesson my DESIRE to have one, of course I want one! If we don't get one, I want STROME/MARNER