Michael Pachla: It's hard to envision Aaron Ekblad dropping past No. 2

well obvious article but nice read. good job

Draisaitl is a center


But interesting blog nonetheless. I was convinced buffalo would for sure go with a forward with so much defensive prospect depth (and nhl level) and so much need up front.
Either way, fla wont pass on ekblad.

Just be sure to take one of the sams and leave draisaitl for us

Draisaitl is a center


But interesting blog nonetheless. I was convinced buffalo would for sure go with a forward with so much defensive prospect depth (and nhl level) and so much need up front.
Either way, fla wont pass on ekblad.

Just be sure to take one of the sams and leave draisaitl for us
- hugefemale dog77

I have a feeling we'll take draisaitl. Murray said he's sure the player they want will be there.

I have a feeling we'll take draisaitl. Murray said he's sure the player they want will be there.
- sippyd

I worried that you will as well.


I was sure u guys would take reinhart until I read an article where murray mentions liking draisaitl the most of the small sample sizes hes seen of each

I have a feeling we'll take draisaitl. Murray said he's sure the player they want will be there.
- sippyd

I honestly have no inkling who they will take. This will be an exciting draft day.

I have a feeling we'll take draisaitl. Murray said he's sure the player they want will be there.
- sippyd

Most likely means that no matter who goes one they'll still have a guy they want. They view Reinhart, bennett and ekblad all evenly.

If flordia takes bennett look for murrary to push hard for the third pick, maybe trading Myers plus stl 1st. Then IMO we draft ekblad and rehinhart.

Murray WILL be wheeling and dealing.

He said the trade deadline was about Buffalo and he wants the draft to be about Buffalo, as well.

Murray WILL be wheeling and dealing.

He said the trade deadline was about Buffalo and he wants the draft to be about Buffalo, as well.
- grand-magus

Then Murray should call Philly because Philly will be extremely active. Draft in Philly and hextall gonna make moves. Hartnell& b schenn for Myers ?

Then Murray should call Philly because Philly will be extremely active. Draft in Philly and hextall gonna make moves. Hartnell& b schenn for Myers ?
- Sms401

I can only see them dealing Myers if they draft Ekblad.

I do like Schenn...

If flordia takes bennett look for murrary to push hard for the third pick, maybe trading Myers plus stl 1st. Then IMO we draft ekblad and rehinhart.
- Carubba-Kaleta

I cant see the cats passing on eklbad he is the next weber. I like ur thinking tho . Wanted to get some insight on a sabre pick from a few years back. NO GARTH I'm not talking about FREAKARENKO lol. What's the status of joel armia and his progression? .......

Then Murray should call Philly because Philly will be extremely active. Draft in Philly and hextall gonna make moves. Hartnell& b schenn for Myers ?
- Sms401

U think there's ANY chance at all that Hartnell would waive his "no movement clause" to go to Buffalo?

I highly doubt it

I cant see the cats passing on eklbad he is the next weber. I like ur thinking tho . Wanted to get some insight on a sabre pick from a few years back. NO GARTH I'm not talking about FREAKARENKO lol. What's the status of joel armia and his progression? .......
- Jordy8

Had slow start to getting adjusted to the NA style play his 1st year over here in the AHL... Part of that was due to injuries
By the playoffs, he was on our top line and our best offensive player
Had some highlite-reel type plays throughout the year
He'll start next year in the AHL again. Should be one of the first call-ups though.
Big thing is for him to be more consistent
Looks like a future 30+ goal scorer to me
Kid can really shoot the puck

Most likely means that no matter who goes one they'll still have a guy they want. They view Reinhart, bennett and ekblad all evenly.
- Carubba-Kaleta

Well Devine has mentioned they already have a consensus on who is at the top of their board.

Top 3 picks from each draft since 2000.

2000
Gaborik
Heatley
DiPietro

2001
Kovalchuk
Spezza
Svitov

2002
Nash
Lehtonen
Bouwmeester

2003
MA Fleury
Staal
Horton

2004
Ovechkin
Malkin
Barker

2005
Crosby
Ryan
Jack Johnson

2006
E. Johnson
J. Staal
Toews

2007
P.Kane
JVR
Turris

2008
Stamkos
Doughty
Bogosian

2009
Tavares
Hedman
Duchene

2010
Hall
Seguin
Gudbranson

2011
RNH
Landeskog
Huberdeau


Ill stop there because it's too soon to know what the picks will amount from the most recent years. Some names include Yakupov and Galchenyuk.

What this list tells me is two things. You can get a damn good star player, or you can get a good player. Good as in Turris, Horton. Not too shabby. If you can deal Dion and our 8th, do it. Only one real bust in Svitov. But if the deal has to include Kadri, it's simply too much and not worth it. The other thing it tells me is stay the (frank) away from D-men that high in the draft. Some good-okay Dmen there, and a couple of great ones, but nothing really eye popping. (aside from Doughty obviously)

The star d-men of today, well most of them anyways, were taken outside the top 10 picks. Heck, guys like Weber, Keith, Subban were second rounders. Far too risky, IMO.

I cant see the cats passing on eklbad he is the next weber. I like ur thinking tho . Wanted to get some insight on a sabre pick from a few years back. NO GARTH I'm not talking about FREAKARENKO lol. What's the status of joel armia and his progression? .......
- Jordy8

Weber was a second round pick. Top 3 picks for D-men don't work out too often. Doughty did, but most of the elite D-men in the league today didn't go top 3. Guys like Weber, Chara, Subban, Karlsson, Keith all mid to late first rounders or 2nd rounders. Far too risky, IMO. Im not saying Ekblad won't work out, or isn't a future stud/Norris candidate, but the odds and history aren't in his favour. Im sure he will be just fine, but be weary that D men are too risky, so superstardom might not be a lock.

If were a GM, I would have my sights set on the Sam-Sam-Leons. Especially if Im the Sabres. You guys have 6,000 firsts next year. Wait until then to add a Dman.

Hey Michael...liking the blogs to date! Keep it up.
How about a blog analyzing potential 2nd round picks...who makes sense there for Sabres.

I'm hoping for Bennett myself...send him off with a bag of steroids to Gary Roberts training this summer with Coho...then let him get another year in Jr', another summer with Roberts...and the beast of the draft is the Sabres!

Weber was a second round pick. Top 3 picks for D-men don't work out too often. Doughty did, but most of the elite D-men in the league today didn't go top 3. Guys like Weber, Chara, Subban, Karlsson, Keith all mid to late first rounders or 2nd rounders. Far too risky, IMO. Im not saying Ekblad won't work out, or isn't a future stud/Norris candidate, but the odds and history aren't in his favour. Im sure he will be just fine, but be weary that D men are too risky, so superstardom might not be a lock.

If were a GM, I would have my sights set on the Sam-Sam-Leons. Especially if Im the Sabres. You guys have 6,000 firsts next year. Wait until then to add a Dman.
- systemtool

I hear you, but a player should be evaluated on their own merits, as opposed to historical precedent. Personally, I favor Reinhart with where the Sabres stand. I certainly won't light a torch if it were to be Ekblad, though.

As the article states, however, that choice would probably require some clever trading with Ehrhoff or even Myers for offensive talent.

Florida and Buffalo are rich in talent on the back end. Both have a greater need for up front scoring in their system.

Edmonton in the #3 slot is desperate for a high end Dman. You have to wonder if the lines are buzzing between the 3 GMs.

Florida and Buffalo are rich in talent on the back end. Both have a greater need for up front scoring in their system.

Edmonton in the #3 slot is desperate for a high end Dman. You have to wonder if the lines are buzzing between the 3 GMs.
- spatso

Im curious how Florida is deeper on D than up front.

Kulikov, Gubdbranson on D. Huberdeau, Brakov, Bjugstad as F.

They could go either way..

Gilbert, Jovocop and Campbell are not the future of their D. They sure could use some help there too...

Michael,

Thanks for not writing 5 lines of dribble and following it up with some hockey poll. We all know there's not a lot to write about. How much more can you discuss other than ELCs and whether to draft Reinhardt Benit or Elitebald. You're doing a great job so far, keep it up!

Although if I could offer just a suggestion, perhaps if you'd like, and there's nothing else going on like say mid July and August, focus on some advanced stats for some of the prospects, projections etc.

Im curious how Florida is deeper on D than up front.

Kulikov, Gubdbranson on D. Huberdeau, Brakov, Bjugstad as F.

They could go either way..

Gilbert, Jovocop and Campbell are not the future of their D. They sure could use some help there too...
- systemtool

Most see it like this. Tallon can think Ekballs is BPA. So he takes him. Same with either Sam. Or Leon. I will say though that I'd think Florida has much more of a reason to draft Ekbald than the Sabres do. We have like 8 solid NHL calibur prospects and players for the long run. They have like 3. And Kulikov isn't even that great.

Most see it like this. Tallon can think Ekballs is BPA. So he takes him. Same with either Sam. Or Leon. I will say though that I'd think Florida has much more of a reason to draft Ekbald than the Sabres do. We have like 8 solid NHL calibur prospects and players for the long run. They have like 3. And Kulikov isn't even that great.
- TheSabresTaco

Florida if they keep the pick will take one of the Sam's. My guess is Bennett as he slots in nicely on Barkov's left side.

Most see it like this. Tallon can think Ekballs is BPA. So he takes him. Same with either Sam. Or Leon. I will say though that I'd think Florida has much more of a reason to draft Ekbald than the Sabres do. We have like 8 solid NHL calibur prospects and players for the long run. They have like 3. And Kulikov isn't even that great.
- TheSabresTaco

I agree. Of the top 3 picking teams, Buffalo has the best defensive prospect pool/youth core. IMO, Reinhart should be the guy they go after, but I don't know the Sabres organizational depth as well as you would. I just seem to think that C is the position they might have the most need in. Or they could go BPA.

Either way, should be very interesting.