Sabres need defenceman. Badly. Even if we get another winger in the top of this draft we still will only have 1 defenceman who will be a future top end guy. Chicago drafted Seabrook and Keith. I don't really see anyone on our team or prospect pool with that level of skill or promise. Guhle, Florentino, Martin and Borgen. Maybe one of those four will end up being a top four guy. You'd think it would be Guhle. I'm optimistic on those four but they don't strike me as grade A defensive prospects. Risto is a grade prospect but he's struggled a bit in his own end this year. Currently last on the team in plus/minus for defenceman. I know a big part of that is playing top minutes against top players but he has made some errors in his own end.
Regardless he needs a guy top pair with in the future. Weather we get that via trade or FA it doesn't appear it's going to happen in the draft. Anyone we get in rounds 2-7 in this draft won't be ready for the NHL for 3-5 years. At that point it will be too late for guys like Murray and certainly Bylsma. I hope Murray has a serious plan this off season to address his defense with better signings than Franson or Beniot...
- bluengold12

Agree 100%, thats why i haven't ruled out them trading the pick. Top 6 wingers aren't nearly as difficult to find as top pairing d-men (of the right age). If you have to move the 2016 1st rounder to do so, you pull the trigger.

Sabres need defenceman. Badly. Even if we get another winger in the top of this draft we still will only have 1 defenceman who will be a future top end guy. Chicago drafted Seabrook and Keith. I don't really see anyone on our team or prospect pool with that level of skill or promise. Guhle, Florentino, Martin and Borgen. Maybe one of those four will end up being a top four guy. You'd think it would be Guhle. I'm optimistic on those four but they don't strike me as grade A defensive prospects. Risto is a grade prospect but he's struggled a bit in his own end this year. Currently last on the team in plus/minus for defenceman. I know a big part of that is playing top minutes against top players but he has made some errors in his own end.
Regardless he needs a guy top pair with in the future. Weather we get that via trade or FA it doesn't appear it's going to happen in the draft. Anyone we get in rounds 2-7 in this draft won't be ready for the NHL for 3-5 years. At that point it will be too late for guys like Murray and certainly Bylsma. I hope Murray has a serious plan this off season to address his defense with better signings than Franson or Beniot...
- bluengold12

POLAK for a 2nd. Do it.

They just closed the 190 southbound.
- cabin

Accident.

Agree 100%, thats why i haven't ruled out them trading the pick. Top 6 wingers aren't nearly as difficult to find as top pairing d-men (of the right age). If you have to move the 2016 1st rounder to do so, you pull the trigger.
- Sabresfan-365

Absoultely not. The only way you do it is if you win the lottery and you trade back to 3 and get a d-man to go with it.

Did Pysyk get hurt? He reportedly is scratched tonight

GOD DAMN YOU.
- BINGO!

I know not everyone can see it right away... but I implore you to do so as soon as you can, The plot is simplistic but works, i laughed from opening credits till after closing... if you read any of the Deadpool comics you will walk out of that theater pleased i promise you

But I am curious of where Laine and Puljujarvi rank compared to guys like Drouin, , , , , Bennett


1.McDavid
2.Eichel
3A Mackinnon
3BMatthews
4A Barkov
4B Laine
4C Puluarvi
5A Draisail
5B Reinhart
6 Marner
6B Strome
6C Bennett
6D Drouin
- Pegullaville

I don't count Mackinnon anymore or Barkov. This is what, there 3rd year in the league?

1. McDavid (By a mile)
2. Eichel
3. Matthews.
4. Larkin
5. Laine
6. Leon Draisaitl
7. Sam Reinhart
8. Sam Bennett
9. Puluarvi
10. W Nylander
10 B. Strome

Accident.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

The heavy snow won't be here until 5.

lol yeah but this team had pathetic players like kaleta, ott, scott, peters etc but it was okay to cheer for them when they injure people in the head right?
- Smurfs-A-Joke

Your buddy Wilson is a punk and a half so you shouldn't talk

Absoultely not. The only way you do it is if you win the lottery and you trade back to 3 and get a d-man to go with it.
- ImThatGuy

If I'm picking 5th and it's a choice between Chychrun and a top pairing D-man under the age of 30 that isn't much of a choice. Chychrun might be good some day, that top pairing d-man is already good.

Your buddy Wilson is a punk and a half so you shouldn't talk
- bluengold12

I believe Ovechkin has even been suspended 3 times more than Ott if i recall

The heavy snow won't be here until 5.
- cabin

The reason this is gonna be a bad one is becuase the temp being projected -30 wind chill tomorrow is to cold for the salt to work on the roads. Gonna be a lot of accidents. They were already putting up the avoid travel signs and closing some of the new "railroad crossing" things this afternoon on the 290

Eichiel is not in the same class as McDavid. He is 2. And a distant 2.
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

You're wrong

If I'm picking 5th and it's a choice between Chychrun and a top pairing D-man under the age of 30 that isn't much of a choice. Chychrun might be good some day, that top pairing d-man is already good.
- Sabresfan-365

I guess I can see it that way.

5th overall to Anaheim
for
One of their D-men + Ritchie

I know not everyone can see it right away... but I implore you to do so as soon as you can, The plot is simplistic but works, i laughed from opening credits till after closing... if you read any of the Deadpool comics you will walk out of that theater pleased i promise you
- Havic3814

I will be attending this evening.

I don't count Mackinnon anymore or Barkov. This is what, there 3rd year in the league?

1. McDavid (By a mile)
2. Eichel
3. Matthews.
4. Larkin
5. Laine
6. Leon Draisaitl
7. Sam Reinhart
8. Sam Bennett
9. Puluarvi
10. W Nylander
10 B. Strome
- bluengold12

I was judging in terms of quality of prospect when they were all coming out of their respective draft years

You're wrong
- gerbe75pts

No he is right. McDavid is in a class all of his own.

its pretty clear to most. The only people it is not clear to are Sabres fans who are still grasping at straws that Eichel is better because we lost the lottery and were rewarded him.

I guess I can see it that way.

5th overall to Anaheim
for
One of their D-men + Ritchie
- ImThatGuy

If we're picking 1st You have to take Matthews... Unless you're positive that a team in the 2-4 range that the player you want would be there and believe he's close to the level of Matthews. I like the idea of trading our 2nd plus Ennis for a higher end D prospect. That seems more realistic.

I don't count Mackinnon anymore or Barkov. This is what, there 3rd year in the league?

1. McDavid (By a mile)
2. Eichel
3. Matthews.
4. Larkin
5. Laine
6. Leon Draisaitl
7. Sam Reinhart
8. Sam Bennett
9. Puluarvi
10. W Nylander
10 B. Strome
- bluengold12

Laine, Puljujärvi are better then Larkin and everyone one on bottom it's not close.

I was judging in terms of quality of prospect when they were all coming out of their respective draft years
- Pegullaville

Ah... I see.

I guess I can see it that way.

5th overall to Anaheim
for
One of their D-men + Ritchie
- ImThatGuy

This was actually my first choice, something around our top pick and maybe a roster player for Lindholm and a roster player from them. I question that given who his agent is but I think it would be perfect for us.

Right age, excellent defensively with offensive upside and you'd have the chance to lock him up with a long term cap friendly deal.

And fwiw, I have heard that he is indeed available (Lindholm)

No he is right. McDavid is in a class all of his own.

its pretty clear to most. The only people it is not clear to are Sabres fans who are still grasping at straws that Eichel is better because we lost the lottery and were rewarded him.
- ImThatGuy

You're obviously not getting it McDavid is in its own class and so is Jack those two will be one and two in the NHL for a decade probably

I don't count Mackinnon anymore or Barkov. This is what, there 3rd year in the league?

1. McDavid (By a mile)
2. Eichel
3. Matthews.
4. Larkin
5. Laine
6. Leon Draisaitl
7. Sam Reinhart
8. Sam Bennett
9. Puluarvi
10. W Nylander
10 B. Strome
- bluengold12

You don't give puluarvi enough credit. I wanted Draisatil > Reinhart two years ago and although Laine has more offensive flash he's inconsistent. Puliuarvi isn't as flashy but he's a fantastic play maker and just scores a different way. 17 pts in world juniors and played as an underage player the year prior. Good production in men's league in Finland

[quote=gerbe75pts]
I agree 100%

You're obviously not getting it McDavid is in its own class and so is Jack those two will be one and two in the NHL for a decade probably
- gerbe75pts

Im confused You said "No your're wrong" to the comment Jack is not in McDavid's class?