You can do that with almost every single draft when you using...hindsight.
Let's look at the drafts beginning with 2012 since he purchased the team in February of 2011.
At the time, we thought the 2012 draft with Grigorenko, Girgensons, and McCabe was going to be super strong for the team. In hindsight, obviously not, although Ullmark in the 6th round is a strength now.
The 2013 draft was strong with Risto, Zadarov, Compher, Hurley, Bailey, Baptiste, Petersen, and the too oft forgotten Florentino.
Zadarov and Compher turned into O'Reilly. Bailey and Baptiste can definitely play at the NHL level, and many have high hopes for Petersen while I think Florentino will be an ideal bottom pairing NHL Dman.
2014 is definitely a miss, but I still have belief in the goalie they took Jonas Johansson and Brycen Martin.
We already know about Guhle in the 2nd round of 2015 and I have belief in William Borgen.
So yes, no superstars, but it's not exactly easy to get superstars past the second round.
That said, we have no idea what Guhle will turn into but to get 2 top 4 defensemen in the 2nd round is certainly a win in my book, if they turn out that way. - kingcong39
It's been a frustrating year for sure. You look at the talent we have in our top 6...it's very good. But for some reason...it never translates to goals. I would argue the 3rd line is the most consistently productive line. In fact, they showed the stat that Gionta is our most productive payer per 60 min. So what's wrong with those "top 2" lines? I really believe they have the wrong mix. Reinhart and Eichel have sick chemistry? I haven't seen it. Not this year...flashes last year. All I know is when they step on the ice...I'm praying they get the puck early (into Jacks hands) otherwise it's another shift of aimlessly skating up and down the ice with nothing good happening. The ROR line? Great at controlling the puck and winning battles...but they lack overall foot speed (outside of carrier who has looked pretty good of late...but no finish). Do something...mix it up. Even give Gionta a shot with Eichel...just might work! Is it better to have a wicked awesome 3rd line...or finally unleash your superstar? As far as Franson and Gorges...way too slow for this day and ages NHL. Please get rid of them. I agree with a previous poster...Fedun should be a no-brainer. He is fast, confident and moves the puck extremely well. Been very impressed with him. It's too bad we couldn't keep Guehle. Next year. He was outstanding. Again, speed kills. Would love to see him and Risto paired together for years to come. Also, Nilsson deserves his chance to run with the crease. See what he can do. Lehner makes some nice saves...but I'm always nervous when teams are coming in on him...he's let too many questionable goals in.
It's time for Murray to trade some junk for a good player, a steal like John Muckler did to get Satan, and Hasek, Darcy did for Hecht, JP Dumont and Briere. Punch Imlach did it a number of times, perhaps the most important one being Rene Robert for Eddie Shack. Not every trade has to be a blockbuster but it can make an impact to improve the talent on your team.
Location: Cancel my subscription to the resurrection. Joined: 10.15.2007
Dec 10 @ 12:39 PM ET
It's time for Murray to trade some junk for a good player, a steal like John Muckler did to get Satan, and Hasek, Darcy did for Hecht, JP Dumont and Briere. Punch Imlach did it a number of times, perhaps the most important one being Rene Robert for Eddie Shack. Not every trade has to be a blockbuster but it can make an impact to improve the talent on your team. - GilPerreault11
Laughton is on the outs in Philly and supposedly Duclair is available from AZ...
Maybe a change of scenery could work. As usual, price is the question.
Laughton is on the outs in Philly and supposedly Duclair is available from AZ...
Maybe a change of scenery could work. As usual, price is the question. - Pairo11
Well, use his scouting prowess to trade for someone who needs a change of scenery on the cheap like the GM's I listed and steal someone who can be a top 6 player or impact D. He hasn't done that yet, all his trades have been big so far. It seems he doesn't like to dabble in one for one or change of scenery trades.
It's time for Murray to trade some junk for a good player, a steal like John Muckler did to get Satan, and Hasek, Darcy did for Hecht, JP Dumont and Briere. Punch Imlach did it a number of times, perhaps the most important one being Rene Robert for Eddie Shack. Not every trade has to be a blockbuster but it can make an impact to improve the talent on your team. - GilPerreault11
baptiste scored again last night, 11 goals in 15 games
give him a call up and put him on top line with ror and okposo
Location: I Know Nothink ... NOTHINK! Joined: 07.27.2007
Dec 10 @ 1:22 PM ET
Well, use his scouting prowess to trade for someone who needs a change of scenery on the cheap like the GM's I listed and steal someone who can be a top 6 player or impact D. He hasn't done that yet, all his trades have been big so far. It seems he doesn't like to dabble in one for one or change of scenery trades. - GilPerreault11
Good post.
The Phil Varones for Derek Grant trade absolutely rocked the hockey world.
We still don't know if Lehner has what it takes to be a #1 for this or any team. Murray paid the price that he feels was fair to acquire for who he feels has the potential to be that guy, We will find out at seasons end if he still feels that way when it comes time to negotiate a new contract. My feeling is the more time you give Nilsson, the more we will see his true worth and that is a competent backup.
baptiste scored again last night, 11 goals in 15 games
give him a call up and put him on top line with ror and okposo - homiedclown
I totally agree. Not only do we have alot of non nhl players on our roster, we dont have many players we have drafted on our team or that we dont have ,that you would call a superstar. How does tampa,washington and alot of the better teams always draft behind the sabres and get better players. Lets be honest,the bills and sabres are horrrrrrible at drafting and thats why we suck. Draisatl over reinhart,to me that was a no brainer. Same stats last year of juniors, draisatl bigger and faster
We still don't know if Lehner has what it takes to be a #1 for this or any team. Murray paid the price that he feels was fair to acquire for who he feels has the potential to be that guy, We will find out at seasons end if he still feels that way when it comes time to negotiate a new contract. My feeling is the more time you give Nilsson, the more we will see his true worth and that is a competent backup. - macman9
Goalies are not worth trading a first for, just like running backs . You can find a decent one anywhere. Yes if you can get a superstar, at goalie, it makes a difference. But dont trade value for amiddle of the road goalie. We had jaroslav halak and traded him for a third and he had two great years on the island. If we had been a smart organization and realized 5 to 7 years ago that ryan miller was average at best, we could of had a king ransom. The great organization would of made that trade at his pinnacle after olympics
I totally agree. Not only do we have alot of non nhl players on our roster, we dont have many players we have drafted on our team or that we dont have ,that you would call a superstar. How does tampa,washington and alot of the better teams always draft behind the sabres and get better players. Lets be honest,the bills and sabres are horrrrrrible at drafted and thats why we suck. Draisatl over reinhart,to me that was a no brainer. Same stats last year of juniors, draisatl bigger and faster - Buffalo39
what blows me away with our farm
2012 we picked up
a first
2013 we picked up
a first, 2 seconds and 2 5ths
Goalies are not worth trading a first for, just like running backs . You can find a decent one anywhere. Yes if you can get a superstar, at goalie, it makes a difference. But dont trade value for amiddle of the road goalie. We had jaroslav halak and traded him for a third and he had two great years on the island. If we had been a smart organization and realized 5 to 7 years ago that ryan miller was average at best, we could of had a king ransom. The great organization would of made that trade at his pinnacle after olympics - Buffalo39
