We won't be close to 27th or 28th, not with the crap teams in front of us.
- SABRES 89

I can't wait for the time when lower in the standings is not "in front of us."

2016 NHL DRAFT LOTTERY STANDINGS
TEAM ODDS PTS GP
1. Toronto Maple Leafs 20% 61 71
2. Winnipeg Jets 13.50% 63 71
3. Edmonton Oilers 11.50% 65 74
4. Vancouver Canucks 9.50% 66 71
5. Columbus Blue Jacketss 8.50% 66 71
6. Calgary Flame 7.50% 66 71
7. Buffalo Sabres 6.50% 68 73
8. Arizona Coyotes 6.00% 69 71
9. Montreal Canadiens 5.00% 72 72
10. New Jersey Devils 3.50% 75 72
11. Ottawa Senators 3% 76 73
12. Carolina Hurricanes 2.50% 76 72
13. Minnesota Wild 2.00% 77 72
14. Philadelphia Flyers 1.00% 80 70

I'm not talking about being impressive. O'Reilly is impressive. I'm talking about being one of the best two way centers in the game. He isn't comparable to the other two yet. One 40 game stretch of great play doesn't do it.
- sbroads24

True but neither is our overall team. Not that I think or expect O'Reilly to be as good as those 2 but the fact that he's better defensively than some our defensemen probably doesn't help his cause


High danger scoring chances against Fwds with 900 mins or more:

Patrice bergeron 158

Sam Reinhart 161

I can't wait for the time when lower in the standings is not "in front of us."
- Der Kaiser

Was actually thinking the same thing. Almost there

So I take it if you are in college (Fasching, McCabe) and not the CHL, it burns a year?
- mhp

It looks that way. Means you'd have to use your expansion protection on him next year as well.

True but neither is our overall team. Not that I think or expect O'Reilly to be as good as those 2 but the fact that he's better defensively than some our defensemen probably doesn't help his cause


High danger scoring chances against Fwds with 900 mins or more:

Patrice bergeron 158

Sam Reinhart 161
- Sabresfan-365

Isn't Reinhart one of O'Reilly most common linemates? Making sure I answer the Stamkos thing

I can't wait for the time when lower in the standings is not "in front of us."
- Der Kaiser

I, for one, would be thrilled if we win all our remaining games this year, to the detriment of our draft spot. Getting this young team of ours used to winning now, after 2 years of the unthinkable, is slightly more important than our draft position.

Getting these kids some success and building some winning culture NOW will go a long way towards our success in the future, imo...for the converse effect, see Oilers, Edmonton.

I was all aboard the Tankwagon for 2 super-cruddy years and I am off it now.

Isn't Reinhart one of O'Reilly most common linemates? Making sure I answer the Stamkos thing
- sbroads24

The plot twist is on the surface it looks like the former is carrying the latter.

I, for one, would be thrilled if we win all our remaining games this year, to the detriment of our draft spot. Getting this young team of ours used to winning now, after 2 years of the unthinkable, is slightly more important than our draft position.

Getting these kids some success and building some winning culture NOW will go a long way towards our success in the future, imo...for the converse effect, see Oilers, Edmonton.

I was all aboard the Tankwagon for 2 super-cruddy years and I am off it now.
- LandlordTom

Im sure columbus, new jersey, carolina and ottawa thought the same.

So, Oliver Finlay got fired in his first year with the Swords...after buying a 975,000 home that overlooks Delaware Ave. I thought I was having a bad day...
- RhinoFan

"The nutrition plan put in place by Finlay’s performance department hit a snag with players early in the season. While the smell of pizza and wings often wafts near the visitors’ room after games, Buffalo’s players were discouraged from indulging in savory snacks. The policy was later eased."

I can just picture Marchand running by the Sabres locker room with a slice of pizza in his hands and wing sauce all over his face trolling as Moulson and Gionta munch on carrot sticks..

I, for one, would be thrilled if we win all our remaining games this year, to the detriment of our draft spot. Getting this young team of ours used to winning now, after 2 years of the unthinkable, is slightly more important than our draft position.

Getting these kids some success and building some winning culture NOW will go a long way towards our success in the future, imo...for the converse effect, see Oilers, Edmonton.

I was all aboard the Tankwagon for 2 super-cruddy years and I am off it now.
- LandlordTom

Pretty much I mean you can do it for a few years but no more then that....after that you develop the losing culture...I should know ive been witnessing this since the beginning.....seen someone here saying they cant wait to look at the standings one day and not be near the bottom...ive been waiting a decade now...it would be good for your team if you guys made some strides next year as it will build confidence moving forward

Pretty much I mean you can do it for a few years but no more then that....after that you develop the losing culture...I should know ive been witnessing this since the beginning.....seen someone here saying they cant wait to look at the standings one day and not be near the bottom...ive been waiting a decade now...it would be good for your team if you guys made some strides next year as it will build confidence moving forward
- RatedR80

I disagree and want the pick...but this is a good post. I may very well be wrong.

I disagree and want the pick...but this is a good post. I may very well be wrong.
- RhinoFan

Well this year is over so I mean the higher the pick the better but next year you guys need to take that step forward because as I said....losing for years and years in a row will erase anything good you guys might have done....you guys got Eichel so that talent cant be wasted...im hoping for the same for McDavid starting next year too

Pretty much I mean you can do it for a few years but no more then that....after that you develop the losing culture...I should know ive been witnessing this since the beginning.....seen someone here saying they cant wait to look at the standings one day and not be near the bottom...ive been waiting a decade now...it would be good for your team if you guys made some strides next year as it will build confidence moving forward
- RatedR80

Your post backs up what I said...NEXT year, if we are a bubble team or slightly worse, are we still rooting for losing out so our % of #1 overall goes from 2% to 6%, or try to build that winning culture even if it means missing the playoffs? When does it end?

For me it's already over, the notion of cheering for losses, but I understand those who disagree want us to succeed in the long run just like I do.

Your post backs up what I said...NEXT year, if we are a bubble team or slightly worse, are we still rooting for losing out so our % of #1 overall goes from 2% to 6%, or try to build that winning culture even if it means missing the playoffs? When does it end?

For me it's already over, the notion of cheering for losses, but I understand those who disagree want us to succeed in the long run just like I do.
- LandlordTom

You will find zero Oilers fans on any talk of tank nation...we are sick and tired of it and just want to trade the 1st round pick for help now.....like you im not cheering for losses either....I would happily trade places in the standings with you guys

So I take it if you are in college (Fasching, McCabe) and not the CHL, it burns a year?
- mhp

the 9 game rule I think applies to the start of the season

if you sign a college kid during nhl season, it burns a year

There's no way he'd sign without the incentive of playing in the nhl first. From what ive seen/heard/read I don't think he'll need AHL time at all.
- Sabresfan-365

not sure if his skating is where it should be...according to baker it's improved but it's still not where it needs to be...that said, when he gets that 6'2" 210 lb. frame rollin' he's tough to handle

WHEN, not if we sign stamkos


the big question is the linemate issue


if you move ror to the wing, do you give them skunk or kane?

I, for one, would be thrilled if we win all our remaining games this year, to the detriment of our draft spot. Getting this young team of ours used to winning now, after 2 years of the unthinkable, is slightly more important than our draft position.

Getting these kids some success and building some winning culture NOW will go a long way towards our success in the future, imo...for the converse effect, see Oilers, Edmonton.

I was all aboard the Tankwagon for 2 super-cruddy years and I am off it now.
- LandlordTom

not sure if his skating is where it should be...according to baker it's improved but it's still not where it needs to be...that said, when he gets that 6'2" 210 lb. frame rollin' he's tough to handle
- Michael Pachla

staff half a$$ed that frame to a nice stat career

if fasching works hard, I can live with blah skating

give him foligno and larsson for 5 or 6 games and see what happens

We won't be close to 27th or 28th, not with the crap teams in front of us.
- SABRES 89

ummmm....they just lost to the worst team in the league...and have you seen the lineup outside the top seven or so?


just sayin'

staff half a$$ed that frame to a nice stat career

if fasching works hard, I can live with blah skating

give him foligno and larsson for 5 or 6 games and see what happens
- homiedclown

good point...

am really hoping that he can channel andreychuk, he seems to have that good of a net-front presence

good point...

am really hoping that he can channel andreychuk, he seems to have that good of a net-front presence
- Michael Pachla

I'll take stu barnes with a little more scoring on the second line from him

not sure if his skating is where it should be...according to baker it's improved but it's still not where it needs to be...that said, when he gets that 6'2" 210 lb. frame rollin' he's tough to handle
- Michael Pachla

I thought it looked good enough especially for a guy his size but baker would know better. His playing style makes him real fun to watch, I hope he carries it over to the pro game.

WHEN, not if we sign stamkos


the big question is the linemate issue


if you move ror to the wing, do you give them skunk or kane?
- homiedclown

Willing to bet your avatar on it?