If this were the case scouts should probably look at maybe 15 prospects every year and then just throw a dart at a list of names after them.

If you are a good GM, or have a good scouting system, you can hit more than you miss.

I mean, our leading scorer was a 2nd round pick, our leading scorer the past 2 years (Ennis) was a late 1st rounder.

McCabe was a 2nd rounder. Pysyk a late 1st.

People act like there are 5 players in each draft that become NHL'ers
- sbroads24

I like this.
Be smart and develop. So then dropping three spots isn't considered a catastrophe.

If this were the case scouts should probably look at maybe 15 prospects every year and then just throw a dart at a list of names after them.

If you are a good GM, or have a good scouting system, you can hit more than you miss.

I mean, our leading scorer was a 2nd round pick, our leading scorer the past 2 years (Ennis) was a late 1st rounder.

McCabe was a 2nd rounder. Pysyk a late 1st.

People act like there are 5 players in each draft that become NHL'ers
- sbroads24

Then why weren't those guys you mentioned picked earlier? The point is ...... you never really know who is going to end up becoming what they project to be in the NHL. It just seems like a real crapshoot.

Oh ....... one other thing ........ you had me until Pysyk

I like this.
Be smart and develop. So then dropping three spots isn't considered a catastrophe.
- PrinceChill

Can't keep playing the "develop" game forever. At some point the door to becoming a contender opens and you HAVE to take advantage of that moment. The Sabres have reached that point IMO.

We've got plenty of guys developing in the system already. We need players that can contribute NOW. That's why I wanted a top 3 pick so bad. It fits a need and solves a glaring weakness.

Then why weren't those guys you mentioned picked earlier? The point is ...... you never really know who is going to end up becoming what they project to be in the NHL. It just seems like a real crapshoot.

Oh ....... one other thing ........ you had me until Pysyk
- fastek

What exactly has Lehner done that Pysyk hasnt?

The '15 draft is supposed to be one of the strongest since 2003. The 21st pick in that draft (or even the 25th that went to WPG) might not end up your average late round pick.

What exactly has Lehner done that Pysyk hasnt?

The '15 draft is supposed to be one of the strongest since 2003. The 21st pick in that draft (or even the 25th that went to WPG) might not end up your average late round pick.
- sbroads24

Contributed more to the Sabres in 21 games than Pysyk has in 6 years perhaps?

Can't keep playing the "develop" game forever. At some point the door to becoming a contender opens and you HAVE to take advantage of that moment. The Sabres have reached that point IMO.

We've got plenty of guys developing in the system already. We need players that can contribute NOW. That's why I wanted a top 3 pick so bad. It fits a need and solves a glaring weakness.
- fastek

Respectfully disagree. Without having even made the playoffs yet, they are not yet at the do-or-die moment of truth. But I'm certainly not against trading our top draft pick, or young assets for the right guy, even with the draft happening in Buffalo.
If you want long term relevancy, keep the pipeline full and competitive.

BTW, if we secure a top three pick in this draft, I'm doing the electric slide in my living room and buying twice as good of a liquor bottle.

Respectfully disagree. Without having even made the playoffs yet, they are not yet at the do-or-die moment of truth. But I'm certainly not against trading our top draft pick, or young assets for the right guy, even with the draft happening in Buffalo.
If you want long term relevancy, keep the pipeline full and competitive.

BTW, if we secure a top three pick in this draft, I'm doing the electric slide in my living room and buying twice as good of a liquor bottle.
- PrinceChill

My point is only that the Sabres have moved from the "rebuilding" phase, to the "contending" phase. You're not going to truly reach the contending phase unless you can acquire some real top talent but you don't do that while you are blowing up your team and rebuilding like most of the other bottom feeders are now doing. Those teams just go about collecting draft picks, fill the pipeline and shed salaries. The Sabres are beyond that now ........... it's time to fill in the last pieces and start kicking ass. We almost had the best of the best scenario except the Sabres decided to start winning meaningless games at the end.

Contributed more to the Sabres in 21 games than Pysyk has in 6 years perhaps?
- fastek

Ouch.

That is NOT smooth skating. (Pissek is the worst kind of turtleneck hockey.)

Both games tonight and the Blue Jackets game.
when theres only 2 games on total and you black them both out, you're just begging me to circumvent your system. Why the FCC isn't all over this, I'll neer know. But im done playing by the NHL rules. you can rent a VPN in another state for $20/year and log in through it. Thats the route im going next year.
- seedy

Be careful, Netflix blocks anyone using a VPN no matter where you're connecting - even if it was something you had setup in your own home, I wouldn't put it past other companies to adopt that strategy as well in the coming years