Michael Pachla: Amerks end tough season on a sour note, but some bright spots emerge Lack of depth stretching down to Rochester was a big factor

Michael Pachla: Amerks end tough season on a sour note, but some bright spots emerge
Lack of depth stretching down to Rochester was a big factor
- Michael Pachla

Fist

Fist
- Matthews_Auston

helluva game last night...props to the leafs for gutting that one out

helluva game last night...props to the leafs for gutting that one out
- Michael Pachla

Thanks Mike. We are in their head if nothing else. I didn't realize what a team of douchebags Washington were. Orpik, Kuznetsev, Williams all douches.

Merry Christmas everyone

Thanks Mike. We are in their head if nothing else. I didn't realize what a team of douchebags Washington were. Orpik, Kuznetsev, Williams all douches.
- Matthews_Auston

playoff hockey...it's always been that way

Cupboard........
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARE!

Cupboard........
BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARE!
- seedy

here are some of the players to look for next year in rochester:

d-Brendan guhle (2015, 51st-overall) probably in Buffalo

c-sean Malone (2013, 159th)
d-Anthony florentino (2013, 143rd)
d-Devante stevens (2015, 122nd)
c-Giorgio estephan (2015, 152nd)

other possibilities:
g-cal Petersen (2013, 129th)
f-gustav possler (2013, 130th)
f- victor olofsson (2014, 81st)

Good article Pach. The Amerks - like the Sabres - need an enema. Full cleansing. While I am happy to see some of these earlier prospects sign with the organization, it is quite alarming about how little depth we have when we had all of those draft picks from the infamous tank years.

here are some of the players to look for next year in rochester:

d-Brendan guhle (2015, 51st-overall) probably in Buffalo

c-sean Malone (2013, 159th)
d-Anthony florentino (2013, 143rd)
d-Devante stevens (2015, 122nd)
c-Giorgio estephan (2015, 152nd)

other possibilities:
g-cal Petersen (2013, 129th)
f-gustav possler (2013, 130th)
f- victor olofsson (2014, 81st)
- Michael Pachla

Thats the thing. We're dealing with the gap between the tank and Murray's drafts.
Theres some potential, they're still developing.
Its unfortunate, but just the way it is.

Thats the thing. We're dealing with the gap between the tank and Murray's drafts.
Theres some potential, they're still developing.
Its unfortunate, but just the way it is.
- seedy

you nailed it...only so many spots you can fill with free agents

This will sound like a broken record to some...
But as far as the defense goes, we are in the shape we are in bc Murray has ignored defense in the 3 drafts since he got here

When I put this together, I almost couldn't believe it
Sabres drafting under Murray...
3 drafts

1st round- drafted 3 forwards, ZERO defensemen, traded 2 picks
2nd round- drafted 4 forwards, ONE defenseman, traded 4 picks

So out of a possible 14 picks in the 1st and 2nd since Murray has been here...
he's only used ONE of those picks on a defenseman (Guhle)

No freaking wonder out defense is in rough shape

Hey GMTM...
STOP IGNORING DEFENSE IN THE DRAFT A$$HOLE

Antipin season over. When does that go down?

This will sound like a broken record to some...
But as far as the defense goes, we are in the shape we are in bc Murray has ignored defense in the 3 drafts since he got here

When I put this together, I almost couldn't believe it
Sabres drafting under Murray...
3 drafts

1st round- drafted 3 forwards, ZERO defensemen, traded 2 picks
2nd round- drafted 4 forwards, ONE defenseman, traded 4 picks

So out of a possible 14 picks in the 1st and 2nd since Murray has been here...
he's only used ONE of those picks on a defenseman (Guhle)

No freaking wonder out defense is in rough shape

Hey GMTM...
STOP IGNORING DEFENSE IN THE DRAFT A$$HOLE
- jdfitz77

In 2016, he took 4 Defencemen over 10 selections.
In 2015, he took 4 defencemen out of 6 overall selections.
In 2014, He took 1 out of 9 selections, but that was also the year after Darcy drafted both Zadorov and Risto, so he probably wanted to address the forward ranks, which were desperately in need of at the time.
thats 9 defencemen out of 25 selections.
Approximately 40-something percent.
Defence makes up 30-something percent of a hockey team.
I dont understand how only the first and second round is relevant, but you ignore the rest of the selections. Especially after we drafted 2 in the first round in 2013.

Antipin season over. When does that go down?
- Cup Crazy '07

May 1st.

Two other things, players in the last three drafts would probably not be with the sabres yet unless you propose drafting a dman instead of eichel or Reinhart.

If our prospect cupboard is so hard, why our we still constantly ranked in the top 10 in propsects by the experts (I.e., not any of us)

In 2016, he took 4 Defencemen over 10 selections.
In 2015, he took 4 defencemen out of 6 overall selections.
In 2014, He took 1 out of 9 selections, but that was also the year after Darcy drafted both Zadorov and Risto, so he probably wanted to address the forward ranks, which were desperately in need of at the time.
thats 9 defencemen out of 25 selections.
Approximately 40-something percent.
Defence makes up 30-something percent of a hockey team.
I dont understand how only the first and second round is relevant, but you ignore the rest of the selections. Especially after we drafted 2 in the first round in 2013.
- seedy

I really enjoy reading your posts.

Aside from Sam and Jack, the bulk of Murray's draft picks since he was hired are barely in Rochester, let alone the big club. Building a complete NHL roster and depth in Rochester takes time (3-5 years).

Before GMTM came to town, all we ever complained about was the fact that we had no top six forwards on the team. Now we do, although it took sacrificing prospects on D, and everyone is pissed about the blueline. We can't have it both ways.

I really enjoy reading your posts.

Aside from Sam and Jack, the bulk of Murray's draft picks since he was hired are barely in Rochester, let alone the big club. Building a complete NHL roster and depth in Rochester takes time (3-5 years).

Before GMTM came to town, all we ever complained about was the fact that we had no top six forwards on the team. Now we do, although it took sacrificing prospects on D, and everyone is pissed about the blueline. We can't have it both ways.
- The_Inkwell

Really? That's an incredibly weak excuse.

You can absolutely have it both ways. That's what good teams have.

It's not like we have an incredible top 6 either....

Minnesota game scheduled for 3pm. It's 3:18 and they are doing the anthem.

In 2016, he took 4 Defencemen over 10 selections.
In 2015, he took 4 defencemen out of 6 overall selections.
In 2014, He took 1 out of 9 selections, but that was also the year after Darcy drafted both Zadorov and Risto, so he probably wanted to address the forward ranks, which were desperately in need of at the time.
thats 9 defencemen out of 25 selections.
Approximately 40-something percent.
Defence makes up 30-something percent of a hockey team.
I dont understand how only the first and second round is relevant, but you ignore the rest of the selections. Especially after we drafted 2 in the first round in 2013.
- seedy

Because the chances of 3rd-7th round picks making your team & contributing in a meaningful fashion is pretty low
Basically just lotto tickets

If u want to build a good defense...
you MUST draft heavily in the 1st & 2nd rounds

May 1st.

Two other things, players in the last three drafts would probably not be with the sabres yet unless you propose drafting a dman instead of eichel or Reinhart.

If our prospect cupboard is so hard, why our we still constantly ranked in the top 10 in propsects by the experts (I.e., not any of us)
- turbo044

Well...
instead of Nylander, we could've drafted Sergachev, McAvoy or Chychrun
Going back to the 2014 draft
he reached for Cornel & Karabacek in the 2nd,
when Montour(Ana), Dougherty(Nash), & McKeown(LA) were all available & higher rated
And that was right after we drafted a poop ton of forwards

The only top4 projected defenseman we have right now is Guhle
Not a coincidence that he's the only guy GMTM has picked in the top 2 rounds

Wouldn't u feel better about our defense if we had more than just Guhle on the way?

Also,
What's the most precious trade commodity right now?
Everyone is looking for young defensemen

Seriously, who do u think has more trade value...
the forwards Murray took in 2014, or the defensemen he passed on?

Heck, Montour is mentioned all the time on here as someone we should try to trade for... and we could've just picked him!

Because the chances of 3rd-7th round picks making your team & contributing in a meaningful fashion is pretty low
Basically just lotto tickets

If u want to build a good defense...
you MUST draft heavily in the 1st & 2nd rounds
- jdfitz77

Thats kind of the point though. Some degree of luck involved in winning. Most of the contending teams have hit a few times on their lotto tickets because they know they have to. Because you cant really go heavy on one position in the high rounds, you'll find yourself missing on high talent because you've chosen to draft based on position.

Murrays 2nd round in 2014 wasnt bad because he didnt go defence, its bad because he chose what appear to be 3 bad picks.

Thats kind of the point though. Some degree of luck involved in winning. Most of the contending teams have hit a few times on their lotto tickets because they know they have to. Because you cant really go heavy on one position in the high rounds, you'll find yourself missing on high talent because you've chosen to draft based on position.

Murrays 2nd round in 2014 wasnt bad because he didnt go defence, its bad because he chose what appear to be 3 bad picks.
- Sabresfan-365

In the first 2 rounds of Murray's 3 drafts with us...

Forwards taken- 7
Defensemen taken- 1
Picks traded- 6

Now didn't u just say above that "you can't really go heavy on one position in the high rounds"
Well that's exactly what Murray did

And he ignored the defense

And now, we're kinda scrambling to figure out what we are gonna do

In the first 2 rounds of Murray's 3 drafts with us...

Forwards taken- 7
Defensemen taken- 1
Picks traded- 6

Now didn't u just say above that "you can't really go heavy on one position in the high rounds"
Well that's exactly what Murray did

And he ignored the defense

And now, we're kinda scrambling to figure out what we are gonna do
- jdfitz77

Yes, you cant go into a draft with that mindset, not in the high rounds.

2nd overall in 2014 they shouldve gone fleury over reinhart? even broads wouldnt have done that

the 3 picks in the 2nd round? assume they take the highest taken D after each pick. Thats dominik masin, who had 6 points in the ahl. Bergman, better but not an nhl d-man right now. and Mckewon, 11 points in 71 games in the ahl.

They just didnt take many in the top 60 last few drafts because thats not what was there at the pick. It's not like he consciously chose to select only forwards. If we want to get technical we could say picking hanifin or werenski at 2 in 2015 wouldve put the D in a much better position than it is today. It's technically true but...


He didn't ignore the defence, he just made horrendous choices when it comes to it (bogosian, gorges, kulikov)

Yes, you cant go into a draft with that mindset, not in the high rounds.

2nd overall in 2014 they shouldve gone fleury over reinhart? even broads wouldnt have done that

the 3 picks in the 2nd round? assume they take the highest taken D after each pick. Thats dominik masin, who had 6 points in the ahl. Bergman, better but not an nhl d-man right now. and Mckewon, 11 points in 71 games in the ahl.

They just didnt take many in the top 60 last few drafts because thats not what was there at the pick. It's not like he consciously chose to select only forwards. If we want to get technical we could say picking hanifin or werenski at 2 in 2015 wouldve put the D in a much better position than it is today. It's technically true but...


He didn't ignore the defence, he just made horrendous choices when it comes to it (bogosian, gorges, kulikov)
- Sabresfan-365

He ignored the defense in the draft
Repeatedly

And why do I have to assume he'd have taken the next best defensemen available in round 2?
Dougherty & McKeown were the highest rated (both round 1)

Regardless...
Of course u could nitpick at each individual selection

I'll say it again
7 forwards chosen, 1 defenseman chosen...

Absolutely unacceptable!
If u want to BUILD the defense,
you've gotta spend high picks at that position

Not every pick...
but at least some of them
Seems pretty reasonable to me

Yes, you cant go into a draft with that mindset, not in the high rounds.

2nd overall in 2014 they shouldve gone fleury over reinhart? even broads wouldnt have done that

the 3 picks in the 2nd round? assume they take the highest taken D after each pick. Thats dominik masin, who had 6 points in the ahl. Bergman, better but not an nhl d-man right now. and Mckewon, 11 points in 71 games in the ahl.

They just didnt take many in the top 60 last few drafts because thats not what was there at the pick. It's not like he consciously chose to select only forwards. If we want to get technical we could say picking hanifin or werenski at 2 in 2015 wouldve put the D in a much better position than it is today. It's technically true but...


He didn't ignore the defence, he just made horrendous choices when it comes to it (bogosian, gorges, kulikov)
- Sabresfan-365

Charlie Mac instead of Nylander