Zaistev is a very good 24 year old KHL player. So was Artemi Panarin, and he's going to beat out Eichel and McDavid for the Calder. I don't see why we can't have high expectations for Zaitsev.
- Schennski

Panarin was playing with some pretty good talent. Russians are known to put out better forwards than d men. I haven't seen much of him to be honest so im just talking out of my ass but not expecting much

Again:

The odds were stacked against the Sabres, who entered the proceedings with a 6% chance of winning. Last April, the 30th place Sabres held a 20% chip in the poker game and finished second overall. Murray converted that chip into generational talent Jack Eichel, who shut the mouths of his skeptics and doubters performing off the charts in his NHL rookie season. From the time he puled his Bauer blades on at rookie development camp in July until the time he cleaned out hi s locker stall two weeks ago, Eichel flat out dominated the true rookie class of forwards in the NHL.

The 30th place Leafs held home ice advantage for the NHL Draft Lottery. Watching the who spectacle unfold, one could not help by wonder if it all was just a waste of every other team's time. Like Tim Murray, I have had a snaking suspicion about this particular draft and which team would be awarded the first overall pick. I like conspiracy theories. I'm leaning towards the Leafs getting some corporate welfare by being selected first overall. I can't prove my theory. It's just a hunch. My take all season long is that the Leafs selected the wrong season to tank in. Their president Brendan Shanahan said that he, his staff, coaches and players "worked hard" this season to earn the number one slot in the 2016 NHL Draft Lottery. Why didn't he lead his group to win McDavid or Eichel in April 2015?

I like Auston Matthews as a player, however, he's not Connor McDavid and he's certainly not Jack Eichel in terms of his overall skill set. Matthews has a chance to be special like McDavid and Eichel. Matthews has a lot to prove at the NHL level. He played at a high level is the Swiss Elite League, however, that isn't as tough and rigorous a league as Canadian major junior, NCAA, or the Finnish Elite League.

who wins the calder next year?

nylander or matthews?

im not sure im joking
- daeth

Marner. I'm not sure I am either.

Leivo makes the big club so long as Lupul disappears.
- orienbrady22

Maybe, not ruling it out. I said if he doesn't make it. I don't think he's a lock. I like him, but there may not be enough spots.

Need to see what transpires this summer.

Again:

The odds were stacked against the Sabres, who entered the proceedings with a 6% chance of winning. Last April, the 30th place Sabres held a 20% chip in the poker game and finished second overall. Murray converted that chip into generational talent Jack Eichel, who shut the mouths of his skeptics and doubters performing off the charts in his NHL rookie season. From the time he puled his Bauer blades on at rookie development camp in July until the time he cleaned out hi s locker stall two weeks ago, Eichel flat out dominated the true rookie class of forwards in the NHL.

The 30th place Leafs held home ice advantage for the NHL Draft Lottery. Watching the who spectacle unfold, one could not help by wonder if it all was just a waste of every other team's time. Like Tim Murray, I have had a snaking suspicion about this particular draft and which team would be awarded the first overall pick. I like conspiracy theories. I'm leaning towards the Leafs getting some corporate welfare by being selected first overall. I can't prove my theory. It's just a hunch. My take all season long is that the Leafs selected the wrong season to tank in. Their president Brendan Shanahan said that he, his staff, coaches and players "worked hard" this season to earn the number one slot in the 2016 NHL Draft Lottery. Why didn't he lead his group to win McDavid or Eichel in April 2015?

I like Auston Matthews as a player, however, he's not Connor McDavid and he's certainly not Jack Eichel in terms of his overall skill set. Matthews has a chance to be special like McDavid and Eichel. Matthews has a lot to prove at the NHL level. He played at a high level is the Swiss Elite League, however, that isn't as tough and rigorous a league as Canadian major junior, NCAA, or the Finnish Elite League.

- weirdoh

Was going to ask who said this but the typos spelled Garf out for me.

Yesterday could not have been a better day. My oldest sister got married and the leafs won the lottery! What a perfect day!

Was going to ask who said this but the typos spelled Garf out for me.
- systemtool

How about how he says all the critics were proven wrong. Who the hell ever said anything about Eichel not being a good player?

Swiss Elite league not as vigorous as the Jrs, NCAA and of course the Finnish one. Don't get me wrong, I'm no pro scout, but isn't it impressive on the fact that he played against men and not 16-18 year olds?

Again:

The odds were stacked against the Sabres, who entered the proceedings with a 6% chance of winning. Last April, the 30th place Sabres held a 20% chip in the poker game and finished second overall. Murray converted that chip into generational talent Jack Eichel, who shut the mouths of his skeptics and doubters performing off the charts in his NHL rookie season. From the time he puled his Bauer blades on at rookie development camp in July until the time he cleaned out hi s locker stall two weeks ago, Eichel flat out dominated the true rookie class of forwards in the NHL.

The 30th place Leafs held home ice advantage for the NHL Draft Lottery. Watching the who spectacle unfold, one could not help by wonder if it all was just a waste of every other team's time. Like Tim Murray, I have had a snaking suspicion about this particular draft and which team would be awarded the first overall pick. I like conspiracy theories. I'm leaning towards the Leafs getting some corporate welfare by being selected first overall. I can't prove my theory. It's just a hunch. My take all season long is that the Leafs selected the wrong season to tank in. Their president Brendan Shanahan said that he, his staff, coaches and players "worked hard" this season to earn the number one slot in the 2016 NHL Draft Lottery. Why didn't he lead his group to win McDavid or Eichel in April 2015?

I like Auston Matthews as a player, however, he's not Connor McDavid and he's certainly not Jack Eichel in terms of his overall skill set. Matthews has a chance to be special like McDavid and Eichel. Matthews has a lot to prove at the NHL level. He played at a high level is the Swiss Elite League, however, that isn't as tough and rigorous a league as Canadian major junior, NCAA, or the Finnish Elite League.

- weirdoh

What the (frank) just happened?

Panarin was playing with some pretty good talent. Russians are known to put out better forwards than d men. I haven't seen much of him to be honest so im just talking out of my ass but not expecting much
- orienbrady22

Good points. I haven't seen him at all either, I just wouldn't write him off as a 3rd pairing guy.

Maybe, not ruling it out. I said if he doesn't make it. I don't think he's a lock. I like him, but there may not be enough spots.

Need to see what transpires this summer.
- burn

yeah going to be tight... I'm guessing they probs want to add a vet forward in the lineup

How about how he says all the critics were proven wrong. Who the hell ever said anything about Eichel not being a good player?

Swiss Elite league not as vigorous as the Jrs, NCAA and of course the Finnish one. Don't get me wrong, I'm no pro scout, but isn't it impressive on the fact that he played against men and not 16-18 year olds?
- weirdoh

No one ever. but got to make up some fiction to make it sound better.


Silenced the critics sounds more interesting than lived up to expectations.

What the (frank) just happened?

- BetterCallSaul

You've been garf'd

Again:

The odds were stacked against the Sabres, who entered the proceedings with a 6% chance of winning. Last April, the 30th place Sabres held a 20% chip in the poker game and finished second overall. Murray converted that chip into generational talent Jack Eichel, who shut the mouths of his skeptics and doubters performing off the charts in his NHL rookie season. From the time he puled his Bauer blades on at rookie development camp in July until the time he cleaned out hi s locker stall two weeks ago, Eichel flat out dominated the true rookie class of forwards in the NHL.

The 30th place Leafs held home ice advantage for the NHL Draft Lottery. Watching the who spectacle unfold, one could not help by wonder if it all was just a waste of every other team's time. Like Tim Murray, I have had a snaking suspicion about this particular draft and which team would be awarded the first overall pick. I like conspiracy theories. I'm leaning towards the Leafs getting some corporate welfare by being selected first overall. I can't prove my theory. It's just a hunch. My take all season long is that the Leafs selected the wrong season to tank in. Their president Brendan Shanahan said that he, his staff, coaches and players "worked hard" this season to earn the number one slot in the 2016 NHL Draft Lottery. Why didn't he lead his group to win McDavid or Eichel in April 2015?

I like Auston Matthews as a player, however, he's not Connor McDavid and he's certainly not Jack Eichel in terms of his overall skill set. Matthews has a chance to be special like McDavid and Eichel. Matthews has a lot to prove at the NHL level. He played at a high level is the Swiss Elite League, however, that isn't as tough and rigorous a league as Canadian major junior, NCAA, or the Finnish Elite League.

- weirdoh

Savouring the sweet butthurt is going to be the gift that keeps on giving. I want to jerk off to this.

Wow Garth you by far are the biggest whiner, homer, piece of **** ,

I'm sure had the Sabres won the lottery or top 3 pick you'd have no problem with this.

How you continue to have a spot on this website is beyond belief, but I guess it just goes to show the quality of Hockeybuzz in general.
- sliprock65

Good points. I haven't seen him at all either, I just wouldn't write him off as a 3rd pairing guy.
- Schennski

I think he will be just that.. seems some around here are pegging him higher which might be a reach but hopefully not.

How about how he says all the critics were proven wrong. Who the hell ever said anything about Eichel not being a good player?

Swiss Elite league not as vigorous as the Jrs, NCAA and of course the Finnish one. Don't get me wrong, I'm no pro scout, but isn't it impressive on the fact that he played against men and not 16-18 year olds?
- weirdoh

Marner. I'm not sure I am either.
- systemtool

it's pretty crazy. a guy like laine won't make it easy on those leafs but i'd have to imagine at least one of them will be a finalist.

How about how he says all the critics were proven wrong. Who the hell ever said anything about Eichel not being a good player?

Swiss Elite league not as vigorous as the Jrs, NCAA and of course the Finnish one. Don't get me wrong, I'm no pro scout, but isn't it impressive on the fact that he played against men and not 16-18 year olds?
- weirdoh

"eichel would be the #1 pick in any draft without mcdavid"

-every analyst

they hated eichel so much, i'm glad he proved them wrong

Imagine Lou and the Crew pull of a trade for one of Anaheim's goalies on Draft day?

c1067
Buffalo Sabres

Today @ 12:20 PM ET
I know I'm beating a dead horse, but doesn't anybody find it interesting that Toronto won the lottery. Buffalo didn't win the lottery for two straight years. They only won the lottery twice in 46 years. Toronto gets it on the first chance. Brendan Shanahan is the president of the leafs and he also worked under Bettman as NHL's Vice President of hockey and business development, then NHL's senior Vice President. Coincidence?




- nbboy

Explains why the leafs got Mcdavid last year too.

"eichel would be the #1 pick in any draft without mcdavid"

-every analyst

they hated eichel so much, i'm glad he proved them wrong
- daeth

(frank) I hate him so much.

Explains why the leafs got Mcdavid last year too.
- Tumbleweed

If true, then it's about (frank)ing time. You're welcome NHL of the mid 90's and the other broke teams that the Leafs have been paying for since the lockout.

Corrado and Hunwick suck. Zaitsev probably won't be as good as your thinking
- orienbrady22

Corrado looked good towards the end of the year and whether Hunwick sucks or not, he's signed for another season. I said 'what if' Zaitsev is that good.......

- smellmyfinger

A Lougie.

SabresBuzz ‏@SabresBuzz 18h18 hours ago
Matthews should stop combing his hair with a pork chop bone