You're not wrong, but the point is almost moot now. We did our tank last year and got the guy that we wanted. Eventually you need to take that step forward and this was when we did it. It's hard to go from bottom of the standings to playoffs but easier to get there from near the middle.

Do these past 5 games mean anything for the future? No. Do they doom this franchise for picking 8th instead of 6th? Nope. Jack was the goal. We reached the goal. Anything this year was a bonus.
- Zschalberg

Agreed. We do have to start climbing out of the basement, and I would have supported us doing that this year if we were there in the middle of the pack all season. But we sat at the bottom all season and with 6-7 games we left go on a hot streak rocketing us up the standings. That's just shooting yourself in the foot. The team sat at the bottom, the fans had to inure it, the reward for that is a high pick. Pissing it away at the last possible moment is just annoying.

Agreed. We do have to start climbing out of the basement, and I would have supported us doing that this year if we were there in the middle of the pack all season. But we sat at the bottom all season and with 6-7 games we left go on a hot streak rocketing us up the standings. That's just shooting yourself in the foot. The team sat at the bottom, the fans had to inure it, the reward for that is a high pick. Pissing it away at the last possible moment is just annoying.
- sskkoo1

Murray's ability to find talent is pretty well documented. I think he's capable of hitting in just about every draft somewhere. The first pick is going to be a hot commodity for a guy who oozes "hockey trades". Just watch it's not going to matter in the end.

Agreed. We do have to start climbing out of the basement, and I would have supported us doing that this year if we were there in the middle of the pack all season. But we sat at the bottom all season and with 6-7 games we left go on a hot streak rocketing us up the standings. That's just shooting yourself in the foot. The team sat at the bottom, the fans had to inure it, the reward for that is a high pick. Pissing it away at the last possible moment is just annoying.
- sskkoo1

I feel you. Now on the other hand, had we looked absolutely awful all year and just started winning I'd agree more. That's not really what happened, though. We looked okay against a lot of decent teams and looked like we just didn't have enough to do it. Against the easier teams we've started to show what we can do. So it goes the other way too.

If this was last year's Sabres, -500 in goals and such and they started winning at the end I'd be mad. But we proved we were better than Edmonton and Toronto and Winnipeg and the like for a good amount of the season.

Enough with the picks it's time to move forward, we have enough picks.
- SABRES 89

Agreed. If they don't pick top 5, move the pick.

Just my humble opinion.

Murray's ability to find talent is pretty well documented. I think he's capable of hitting in just about every draft somewhere. The first pick is going to be a hot commodity for a guy who oozes "hockey trades". Just watch it's not going to matter in the end.
- 50GinosIn07

His ability to strike out on talent is there too... Karabacek...

Murray's ability to find talent is pretty well documented. I think he's capable of hitting in just about every draft somewhere. The first pick is going to be a hot commodity for a guy who oozes "hockey trades". Just watch it's not going to matter in the end.
- 50GinosIn07

In all seriousness, I've heard for years now how Murray has a knack for scouting and finding talent in the draft. Other than him possibly being the scout that suggested Anaheim should take Perry and Getlaf, who has he drafted that's been an overwhelming stud?

In all seriousness, I've heard for years now how Murray has a knack for scouting and finding talent in the draft. Other than him possibly being the scout that suggested Anaheim should take Perry and Getlaf, who has he drafted that's been an overwhelming stud?
- sskkoo1

Karlsson

In all seriousness, I've heard for years now how Murray has a knack for scouting and finding talent in the draft. Other than him possibly being the scout that suggested Anaheim should take Perry and Getlaf, who has he drafted that's been an overwhelming stud?
- sskkoo1

Eichel

In all seriousness, I've heard for years now how Murray has a knack for scouting and finding talent in the draft. Other than him possibly being the scout that suggested Anaheim should take Perry and Getlaf, who has he drafted that's been an overwhelming stud?
- sskkoo1

I'm not sure, but if he was the guy that said take stone (6th round) or hoffman (5th) would they count?

Agreed. If they don't pick top 5, move the pick.

Just my humble opinion.
- dadeadhead

You complete me

Eichel
- dadeadhead

Eichel doesn't count, a lump of cheese could have picked Eichel.

1 guy up front for top 6

2 d men, top 4


get johnson locked up for 1 more year

honestly I am fine bringing legwand back for 1.5 mil for 1 year


trim the fat and move on
- homiedclown

We should lock up Johnson, the Goalie situation doesn't seem to be a closed case.

I'm not sure, but if he was the guy that said take stone (6th round) or hoffman (5th) would they count?
- Zschalberg

Yeah, I would say Hoffman is a real nice find in the 5th round.

I agree. If we could use our #1 and say Tyler Ennis+ to get a top-2 D then I'm all for it. At a certain point we don't need the next Auston Matthews anymore, we need established guys. If we somehow get Stamkos and trade for a top-2 D this team is in the playoffs next year.
- Pierceme69

This team has a chance to be in the playoffs next year as is
If they make those 2 moves,
I think we contend for the division

Eichel doesn't count, a lump of cheese could have picked Eichel.
- sskkoo1

That wasn't what you asked though.

Picking in the top 5 guarantees nothing. Odds are the player that is picked is not NHL ready unless you are taking Matthews. At this stage I would rather appreciate the players we suffered to get and relish in the fact that we've gone from the WORST last place team in the modern era to a respectable mediocre team in what some would view as a quick turnaround. I trust the process. I trust Murray. If I had to put money on it I would guarantee we are not going to use that first round pick. Winning meaningless games is subjective. Meaningless to who? Those young core pieces in the locker room that you want to lead us to the promised land are gaining invaluable confidence and poise. Winning now translates to winning next year. Good games/bad games/ boring games it's all the same. This is how you establish winning culture. You can't have it both ways. Edmonton fans are still "showing off" that they're (hockey gods willing) getting another first overall pick. Not calling you out specifically. We just have to enjoy it.

P.S. - potential UFAs take notice to the standings.
- 50GinosIn07

What do u think would make Stamkos wanna sign here more...
Our late season run in the standings,
Or getting Matthews? Or even one of the Fins

I hear what you're saying,
But adding top end talent is always a good thing.

That wasn't what you asked though.
- dadeadhead

I'll try to be clearer in the future.

In all seriousness, I've heard for years now how Murray has a knack for scouting and finding talent in the draft. Other than him possibly being the scout that suggested Anaheim should take Perry and Getlaf, who has he drafted that's been an overwhelming stud?
- sskkoo1

This guy pionts to Guhle and Borgen as really strong picks, too.

http://thehockeywriters.c...s-tim-murray-done-so-far/

C in Free Agency (not really where GMTM was focused, though)
B+ in Drafts
break even in big trades - with the Lehner deal called a "loser" just on prinicpal.

This guy is not a credentialed writer, just a fan who got picked up by this blog.

This team has a chance to be in the playoffs next year as is
If they make those 2 moves,
I think we contend for the division
- jdfitz77

I think that says more about the state of our division.

This guy pionts to Guhle and Borgen as really strong picks, too.

http://thehockeywriters.c...s-tim-murray-done-so-far/

C in Free Agency (not really where GMTM was focused, though)
B+ in Drafts
break even in big trades - with the Lehner deal called a "loser" just on prinicpal.

This guy is not a credentialed writer, just a fan who got picked up by this blog.
- Der Kaiser

That's fine. Not really in this for the recognition of outside sources. That'll come with winning.

Agreed. If they don't pick top 5, move the pick.

Just my humble opinion.
- dadeadhead

Let's say they do end up at #5 somehow. Would you trade that pick for a top-6 winger or a top-2 D?

This guy pionts to Guhle and Borgen as really strong picks, too.

http://thehockeywriters.c...s-tim-murray-done-so-far/

C in Free Agency (not really where GMTM was focused, though)
B+ in Drafts
break even in big trades - with the Lehner deal called a "loser" just on prinicpal.

This guy is not a credentialed writer, just a fan who got picked up by this blog.
- Der Kaiser

Really have high hopes for Guhle and Bogen, but way too early to call them stud fines.

So, what it looks like, in the past 12+ years Murray has scouted and been in on the picks of Getzlaf, Perry, Karlsson (not sure if proven), Hoffman (not sure if proven)

Are we supposed to be winning Cups or getting award nominations for prospect cupboards ? Gentleman we moved armia, compher, zadorov, amongst others and Eichel, Reinhart, McCabe, Risto have graduated into the big leagues. We have 22 picks in the next two years and were worrying about our prospect depth. Who gives a frank we need like what one or two more prospects to work out to fill out the bottom half of our roster. Prospect depth is the least of our worries.

Really have high hopes for Guhle and Bogen, but way too early to call them stud fines.

So, what it looks like, in the past 12+ years Murray has scouted and been in on the picks of Getzlaf, Perry, Karlsson (not sure if proven), Hoffman (not sure if proven)
- sskkoo1

Karlsson is as proven as he's going to be. He's exactly what was advertised, a forward that plays D.

Coming from a bunch of hockeybuzz folks, in 20 minutes, off the tops of our heads, that's a pretty decent list.

We should lock up Johnson, the Goalie situation doesn't seem to be a closed case.
- SABRES 89

I agree. Lehner has to stay healthy for a whole season before I feel good about having a lesser backup. By the way, I applied for another job in Vegas. Hoping this one finally gets me out there.