30 teams ... How many wish Miller was their goalie ?
- cabin

They will all have a chance on March 5th

I think the Sabres will remain on the bottom of the league for at least one more year. We have 3 number one picks over the next 2 years. 2014, on paper, will be a weak draft. 2015 is supposed to be a very strong draft, comparing to the 2003 draft. With the likes of Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel coming out, it would be foolish to try to win next year. I believe the Sabres, while they would never admit it, are on track to build like the Kings, Black Hawks, and Penguins,with high draft picks. Also, 2015 is going to be a banner year for free agents. Pat Kane leading the way. With high end draft picks and strong free agents, Buffalo will be a place people want to play. Just be patient. Do you really want to rebuild like the Leafs? Eight or 9 years of no playoffs. "Quick fixes" here and there and have THAT team? The future looks bright for the Sabres and I think they know exactly how to do it. Just remember, money is no object anymore.
- jerryl1964

I would just like to point out, that this year was suppose to be a banner year for FAs too; Kessel, Sedin, Sedin, Phaneauf were suppose to be added to this list.........upcoming FAs will never make it to the market, so we cannot count on that

Grigorenko is just another flacky Eastern European primadona.

Apparently the KHL is not going to allow another player to bolt to the KHL well under contract in the NHL.

He floated through the WJC's which is pretty easy to do when your 6'3" 210 lbs. A man playing with boys for the most part.

I hope you enjoyed his time in Buffalo because he'll be bolting for the cash of the KHL after next season. What a mistake by Reggy bringing this kid up so early.

Good luck mending these bridges.

Correct... O'Reilly can't be traded until the 1-year anniversary of his contract that he signed with the Avs. He then becomes a Restricted Free Agent again upon season's end, so he couldn't just sign with Buffalo at that point either without the risk that the Avs could match the offer sheet (like they did with Calgary) or working out a deal. I think there could be some potential behind a deal for a player like Ehrhoff to Colorado to make this happen, since they seem to need some more puck-moving and veteran leadership on their blueline... but I'm not sure if that would be the type of player the Avs would want in return. I don't think the Avs keep both Stastny and O'Reilly though after this season... so do you let Stastny walk for nothing or do you trade O'Reilly in the postseason?

On another note... I have been on here a few times preaching about drafting Reinhart because of the obvious need for Buffalo up front. He reminds me in some ways of watching a young Patrick Marleau (but it took Marleau a few years before he really found his consistency and all-around game). I have spent more time watching Ekblad lately and, quite frankly, even though I thought before he was the better of the two but not enough to draft him over our needs up front... it has become very apparent to me that he's going to be a superstar on the blueline in the NHL in time. I understand the need up front as much as anyone for Buffalo, but if they pass up Ekblad they could very well regret it. Ekblad is more offensive-minded than the blueline prospects we are all well aware of in the Sabres organization... but the best part is, he's big and physical too! And he skates very well, with and without the puck. Here's to hoping the Sabres make the right decision, whichever way that may lead them.
- djc1877

I'm still taking Reinhart 1st,
But I won't be all that upset if we end up picking 2nd and take Ekblad
I agree with everything u said about him
Only THREE players in the history of the OHL have been granted "exceptional" status do they could play a year early...
Tavares
McDavid
And
Ekblad

Getting a talent like that is never a bad thing

With that NYI pick, and likely a couple more 1st rounders coming from Miller, Ott & Moulson being traded...
I think it's actually quite possible we end up with 3 of the 4 guys expected to go 1&2 in the next two drafts
ESP when I hear Murray talk about trading up for particular guys we'd target

I'm still taking Reinhart 1st,
But I won't be all that upset if we end up picking 2nd and take Ekblad
I agree with everything u said about him
Only THREE players in the history of the OHL have been granted "exceptional" status do they could play a year early...
Tavares
McDavid
And
Ekblad

Getting a talent like that is never a bad thing

With that NYI pick, and likely a couple more 1st rounders coming from Miller, Ott & Moulson being traded...
I think it's actually quite possible we end up with 3 of the 4 guys expected to go 1&2 in the next two drafts
ESP when I hear Murray talk about trading up for particular guys we'd target
- jdfitz77

You might have missed the part where Murray said he won't be icing a team of 23 year olds. I'm thinking that at most, 2/3 are moved. My bet is on 1. We'll see I guess.

You might have missed the part where Murray said he won't be icing a team of 23 year olds. I'm thinking that at most, 2/3 are moved. My bet is on 1. We'll see I guess.
- TheSabresTaco

That all depends on the players, not Murray. IF they aren't signed by the deadline, they are goners.

So even with all the drama, Grigo has more points in 43 games than half the Sabres' roster, including more points than regular, stalwarts such as Flynn, Leino D'Agostini, MFE, McCormick, and Omark. He has 3 less points than Foligno!

Someone please try to rationalize why the F--- we can't play this kid. WE ARE IN LAST PLACE. What do we have to lose by giving our star offensive prospect the NHL experience for the rest of a tanked season? It's crazy sending him back to juniors.

So even with all the drama, Grigo has more points in 43 games than half the Sabres' roster, including more points than regular, stalwarts such as Flynn, Leino D'Agostini, MFE, McCormick, and Omark. He has 3 less points than Foligno!

Someone please try to rationalize why the F--- we can't play this kid. WE ARE IN LAST PLACE. What do we have to lose by giving our star offensive prospect the NHL experience for the rest of a tanked season? It's crazy sending him back to juniors.
- LandlordTom

Could not agree more, something else is going on here.

So even with all the drama, Grigo has more points in 43 games than half the Sabres' roster, including more points than regular, stalwarts such as Flynn, Leino D'Agostini, MFE, McCormick, and Omark. He has 3 less points than Foligno!

Someone please try to rationalize why the F--- we can't play this kid. WE ARE IN LAST PLACE. What do we have to lose by giving our star offensive prospect the NHL experience for the rest of a tanked season? It's crazy sending him back to juniors.
- LandlordTom

Pretty sure its as simple as he's lazy and does not play a team game. Those other mentioned players work hard and buy in to a system. Does the system have enough talent to win.....No. They are over achieving with hard work, Girgensens is an example of what a young talent needs to do to play at this level.

Can someone explain to me why Grigo can't go to the AHL? Garth says because of age, but wasn't girgensons there all of last year? They are basically the same age.

Can someone explain to me why Grigo can't go to the AHL? Garth says because of age, but wasn't girgensons there all of last year? They are basically the same age.
- Carrsrkewl9

Girgs wasn't in the CHL. It's because of the CHL/NHL Transfer Agreement.

If anyone cares, the new ranking for draft prospects came out today on NHL.com and Ekblad and Reinhart aren't even 1 & 2. Sam Bennet is 1 and Leon Draisetl is 2

Can someone explain to me why Grigo can't go to the AHL? Garth says because of age, but wasn't girgensons there all of last year? They are basically the same age.
- Carrsrkewl9

It all has to do with birth date Zemgus (January) is older that Grigo (May) and that puts him into a place being a year ahead. that's why Zemgus was in Roch last year towards the end of the year.

It all has to do with birth date Zemgus (January) is older that Grigo (May) and that puts him into a place being a year ahead. that's why Zemgus was in Roch last year towards the end of the year.
- jpd1321

Nothing to do with that . A player cannot play on any CHL team and play in the AHL before the age of 20 . He has to play either in the NHL or CHL . No other choice. Girgensons never played for a CHL Team . It is called the Transfer agreement . And tweeners like Grigorenko get screwed by this rule.

If anyone cares, the new ranking for draft prospects came out today on NHL.com and Ekblad and Reinhart aren't even 1 & 2. Sam Bennet is 1 and Leon Draisetl is 2
- Buffalo_Boy

Good point and will change a few more times before the actual draft . It is in flux during the year based on a players performance.

So even with all the drama, Grigo has more points in 43 games than half the Sabres' roster, including more points than regular, stalwarts such as Flynn, Leino D'Agostini, MFE, McCormick, and Omark. He has 3 less points than Foligno!

Someone please try to rationalize why the F--- we can't play this kid. WE ARE IN LAST PLACE. What do we have to lose by giving our star offensive prospect the NHL experience for the rest of a tanked season? It's crazy sending him back to juniors.
- LandlordTom

Nolan is on record that teenagers should not play in the NHL. This is not a rational statement of course. I agree teenagers should not be handed the job, but they should still get a chance to compete, some are good enough to play in the NHL. Especially on a last place team.

Good point and will change a few more times before the actual draft . It is in flux during the year based on a players performance.
- Maximum Signal

ALSO - there is absolutely no reason to think we are picking first overall. Points/games played, lottery percentages, etc.

Nolan is on record that teenagers should not play in the NHL. This is not a rational statement of course. I agree teenagers should not be handed the job, but they should still get a chance to compete, some are good enough to play in the NHL. Especially on a last place team.
- DGrant

Well he better change his tune if he wants the interim tag off, teenagers that are good will play in the NHL.

Next time someone tells you that Miller doesn't have high trade value, tell that person to close his mouth. Today, there are 2-3 teams who would be willing to trade a first rounder, a top six forward, and 2 prospects in order to land Miller at or before the March 5 NHL trade deadline.

- garth

That seems like a lot for a goalie that is about to become an UFA at the end of the year.

I would love to know who these 2-3 teams are.

That seems like a lot for a goalie that is about to become an UFA at the end of the year.

I would love to know who these 2-3 teams are.
- carcus

And why the trade hasn't already happened

That seems like a lot for a goalie that is about to become an UFA at the end of the year.

I would love to know who these 2-3 teams are.
- carcus

On the same note .. There are 26-27 that wouldn't and won't be lined up for the Miller lottery.

That seems like a lot for a goalie that is about to become an UFA at the end of the year.

I would love to know who these 2-3 teams are.
- carcus

Very Smart teams , that are serious about winning the Stanley Cup ?