Surprised Garth didn't write a Letterman to the Sabres blog.

If this draft is similar to '03 then would you rather have
Nathan Horton (#3 2003)

or

Braydon Coburn (#8 2003)
Jeff Carter (#11 2003)
Steve Bernier (#16 2003)

IF for some reason you guys had all 3 of those picks, I would rather just hold onto them in this draft.
- JAKEw1234

you're doing it wrong. you are supposed to pick the 3 worst possible first round picks compared to the best possible top 3 pick. DUH!

Or does 8,11 and 16 get you in the top 3 ?
- Pairo11

Drouin is a heck of a player, but you could be talking about:
Valeri Nichushkin
Hunter Shinkaruk
Bo Horvat

at 8,11,16. You could draft an entire scoring line. More valuable than Drouin.

I wouldn't want that simply because of the pressure it would put on an 18 year old kid. "We sold the farm for you, no go out there and save the franchise." It's too much.
- truthbluth

I'm just thinking they finally need to go big or go home. The team needs someone 'marquee'. They either need to trade for a centerpiece or draft one.

The organization has been too cautious for too long and it's won them exactly nothing.

If this draft is similar to '03 then would you rather have
Nathan Horton (#3 2003)

or

Braydon Coburn (#8 2003)
Jeff Carter (#11 2003)
Steve Bernier (#16 2003)

IF for some reason you guys had all 3 of those picks, I would rather just hold onto them in this draft.
- JAKEw1234

I'm agreeing with a Flyers fan. The end is near. I've been saying it since our season ended. Do what you can to get as many top 16 picks in this years draft class. I'd rather have 3 of the first 16 picks than the first overal. It's not that I don't think Mac is gonna be good maybe even great but this team has so many holes. Fill the holes now and build around it

I'm agreeing with a Flyers fan. The end is near. I've been saying it since our season ended. Do what you can to get as many top 16 picks in this years draft class. I'd rather have 3 of the first 16 picks than the first overal. It's not that I don't think Mac is gonna be good maybe even great but this team has so many holes. Fill the holes now and build around it
- Stripes77

Yeah this. Also, if Miller and Vanek are gone, Sabres are looking at a top pick next year. It's not as good a year, but Sam Reinhart would be a top 4 pick this year.

Drouin is a heck of a player, but you could be talking about:
Valeri Nichushkin
Hunter Shinkaruk
Bo Horvat

at 8,11,16. You could draft an entire scoring line. More valuable than Drouin.
- truthbluth

I don't think we could get all of those picks where we are. Horvat and Shinkaruk will both be there at 8, maybe at 11, and probably not at 16.

I still think we should try trading up from 16 in order to get one of those types of players.

Yeah this. Also, if Miller and Vanek are gone, Sabres are looking at a top pick next year. It's not as good a year, but Sam Reinhart would be a top 4 pick this year.
- truthbluth

I wouldn't hate moving up to 1st overal. Especially since we have some pieces where we can move back in to the first. Just do something Darcy. If all that happens by the end of the Sunday is we draft 8th and 16th I think it's a failure no matter who we get with those picks. We can keep those picks and move players for other players I'd be happy with that. Just shake the damn thing up

I'm agreeing with a Flyers fan. The end is near. I've been saying it since our season ended. Do what you can to get as many top 16 picks in this years draft class. I'd rather have 3 of the first 16 picks than the first overal. It's not that I don't think Mac is gonna be good maybe even great but this team has so many holes. Fill the holes now and build around it
- Stripes77

There are two ways of thinking. The way you're thinking, which is we get a lot of very good players on rookie deals and build that way, or the way I feel, which is if you get a player like MacKinnon, it instantly makes you more attractive to free agents because you have a cornerstone player. I don't think either idea is wrong.

I wouldn't hate moving up to 1st overal. Especially since we have some pieces where we can move back in to the first. Just do something Darcy. If all that happens by the end of the Sunday is we draft 8th and 16th I think it's a failure no matter who we get with those picks. We can keep those picks and move players for other players I'd be happy with that. Just shake the damn thing up
- Stripes77

Be patient. It's a long offseason, players are going to have the highest value on the eve of free agency. The draft might be silent, but the Sabres will make moves. I don't think that Miller or Vanek will fetch a 1st round pick this year. Just my guess. Front offices get just as excited about the draft as fans. I think teams really want to make their picks.

Not so good... The value is right but it's not right for us. If we pick Pulock at 11 then we'll have an offensive stud with great IQ to replace Kimmo when he retires. If something of similar value could be worked without using the 11 then I'd be more open to it. I just really think they should keep the 11 and pick Pulock, as he really is the 2nd best defenseman in this draft behind no one but Seth Jones.
- JAKEw1234

miller and JGL for #11.. he is not a stud, he is a project but he could be a solid offensive dman in time..

Chris Kunitz just signed an extension with the Pens. 3yrs 3.85 per. That is a sweetheart deal for the Pens. Remember the last time Darcy got one of those? Me neither.
http://penguins.nhl.com/c...29&cmpid=pit-twt-penguins

Be patient. It's a long offseason, players are going to have the highest value on the eve of free agency. The draft might be silent, but the Sabres will make moves. I don't think that Miller or Vanek will fetch a 1st round pick this year. Just my guess. Front offices get just as excited about the draft as fans. I think teams really want to make their picks.
- truthbluth

I think if a team that is known for making moves and aren't afraid of making them. Teams like Philly would be more open to the idea of trading this years first. Not that I think they will but it's possible. It's more of years of frustration during the offseason watching other teams get better or at least try when Darcy stands pat

Chris Kunitz just signed an extension with the Pens. 3yrs 3.85 per. That is a sweetheart deal for the Pens. Remember the last time Darcy got one of those? Me neither.
http://penguins.nhl.com/c...29&cmpid=pit-twt-penguins
- truthbluth

He makes less than Stafford

Vinny bought out. Any takers?

Vinny bought out. Any takers?
- ImThatGuy

Absolutely.

Vinny bought out. Any takers?
- ImThatGuy

only if we keep Miller/Vanek. If not, doesn't make much sense.

Vinny bought out. Any takers?
- ImThatGuy

Pass. And by pass, I mean when Vinny is told, "Darcy Regier is calling," he'll say, "pass."

only if we keep Miller/Vanek. If not, doesn't make much sense.
- Whatnot78

he could be a good mentor.. I wouldn't mind on a short term for a reasonable contract

Vinny bought out. Any takers?
- ImThatGuy

No need if we don't keep Vanek

Vinny bought out. Any takers?
- ImThatGuy

Signing Vinny and Briere gets Vanek to resign.


Puts us in the playoffs too.

Signing Vinny and Briere gets Vanek to resign.


Puts us in the playoffs too.
- dadeadhead

You are high aren't you

Signing Vinny and Briere gets Vanek to resign.


Puts us in the playoffs too.
- dadeadhead

Good grief. I do not believe that it puts us in the playoffs. There is something about a swiss cheese defense that needs to be addressed.

You are high aren't you
- SABRES 89

Yes.


On life.

@TSNBobMcKenzie

Compliance buyout window is now open BUT no buyout can occur until: a) player is put on waivers; b) player clears waivers 24 hrs later.

So does this mean if a team is willing to pick up the full tab on a player they can claim them off waivers and not have to bid against other teams?