Add Compher, Baptiste, and Possler who unitl hurt was playing fantastic
- sbroads24

its not good when we are banking on 3rd and 4th rounders to lead the team in scoring.

im done with the nhl if they start rigging the draft.
- Mentalorgasm5

cough cough crosby draft cough cough

im done with the nhl if they start rigging the draft.
- Mentalorgasm5

I said the same last night - if they mess with the draft at this point in time, with the Sabres sitting where they sit right now, then I will stop watching the NHL altogether.

We suck and now they choose to change the lottery? I am sick of getting the shaft. We are Buffalo fans already, isnt that bad enough with the history of the sports teams in this league, now when we need the draft to work in our favor, the NHL decides to mess with it. Bullpoop

Agree with all of this. Murray's focus on fostering internal competition is extremely healthy, IMO.
- nfph

Thankfully Murray has the experience of established teams like Anaheim. They didn't rush Getzlaf, Perry or Ryan. They are continuing that trend with Etem, Vatanen, Gibson, Rakell, and Noesen. They want these players to get their maximum minutes in a competitive league rather than playing limited minutes in lesser roles.

It makes too much sense to do that. Darcy was rushing players to get back to the playoffs. Overexposure does not work in the NHL, unfortunately. Only a rare breed can make it in the NHL early on... and they are still in limited roles while they are groomed for their actual spot on the team.

I just dont see it. Yes Yak has all the tools to be a great winger. The Sabres have Gagner in Ennis/Hodgson. The 2nd rd is not really needed at this point, the Sabres have too many picsk as it is IMO.

I think the Sabres should just draft Reinhart and use Ehrhoff+ to land a young forward prospect (Such as Yak)
- ImThatGuy

I'm glad people are really catching onto this thought as we beat that dead horse into the ground even farther.

cough cough crosby draft cough cough
- RynoBull

Penguins did have one of the highest odds that year

This.

F&@k these GM's and f&@k the league.

If they're serious about changing the lottery, then we have got to draft Reinhart or Bennett 1st this year.
- Powerslave

I agree! When I read that article it just made me so angry! You reward teams that play poor that is how you balance out the league!! Not by making it so they continue to suck for many years. How stupid and illogical is it that if you finish last in the standings you may have the possibility of drafting 5th or even 6th! If the NHL does this I'll have lost a lot of faith in them for rigging it very obviously in favor of big market teams and teams Bettman and the owners want to be national powerhouses...

to be fair even Stafford can score 30 goals
- RynoBull

Most improved player under Nolan.Up to this year Stafford had been a total waste of a roster spot but right now I wouldn't have a problem with Nolan slapping the C on him and riding this pony as far as he can

Money-strapped franchise with an old arena and fledgling support. Now the pride of the NHL because of luck? That would never happen to the Sabres.
- benny948

I dont think they (NHL or GMs) like Pegula and given where laFontiane works and our recent history with Shanny, we are screwed.

I agree! When I read that article it just made me so angry! You reward teams that play poor that is how you balance out the league!! Not by making it so they continue to suck for many years. How stupid and illogical is it that if you finish last in the standings you may have the possibility of drafting 5th or even 6th! If the NHL does this I'll have lost a lot of faith in them for rigging it very obviously in favor of big market teams and teams Bettman and the owners want to be national powerhouses...
- bluengold12

Whatever they can do to bring in big money.

I agree! When I read that article it just made me so angry! You reward teams that play poor that is how you balance out the league!! Not by making it so they continue to suck for many years. How stupid and illogical is it that if you finish last in the standings you may have the possibility of drafting 5th or even 6th! If the NHL does this I'll have lost a lot of faith in them for rigging it very obviously in favor of big market teams and teams Bettman and the owners want to be national powerhouses...
- bluengold12

Penguins did have one of the highest odds that year
- Sabresfan-365

Sure, as did the Sabres. Closed door Lottery selection = Rigged to keep Mario happy and the Penguins in Pittsburgh

Most improved player under Nolan.Up to this year Stafford had been a total waste of a roster spot but right now I wouldn't have a problem with Nolan slapping the C on him and riding this pony as far as he can
- buffalo 1

Mor bad years than good years. His best year he was often injured but had like 4 hat tricks. Now he is having a good 1/2 year. Far too much inconsistancy in his play.

I dont think they (NHL or GMs) like Pegula and given where laFontiane works and our recent history with Shanny, we are screwed.
- atlsabsfan

2nd overall each year or they will change it to random drafting in 2015. Then we'll get stuck with the 10th+ pick. The NHL (refs) are clearly biased.

Hmm

Mor bad years than good years. His best year he was often injured but had like 4 hat tricks. Now he is having a good 1/2 year. Far too much inconsistancy in his play.
- RynoBull

Guess what next year is for Stafford?

I'm glad people are really catching onto this thought as we beat that dead horse into the ground even farther.
- TheSabresTaco

The talk in Edmonton is they have a lot of good young d in their pipeline already.

Guess what next year is for Stafford?
- benny948

Ding ding ding!

Whatever they can do to bring in big money.
- Sabresfan-365

I'll make sure next time spector posts something about the Sabres i'll check with you to see if it's legit.

Calm down Francis.

The talk in Edmonton is they have a lot of good young d in their pipeline already.
- buffalo 1

They do, in fact. But they don't have an Ekblad

Ding ding ding!
- Powerslave

30 goals!

its not good when we are banking on 3rd and 4th rounders to lead the team in scoring.
- Mentalorgasm5

Who said lead the team in scoring ? They are out playing guys that were picked in the 1st and 2nd round. This is what good rebuilding teams do, hit on picks outside of the 1st round.


That is why Edmonton blows, there other draft picks have been putrid

Sure, as did the Sabres. Closed door Lottery selection = Rigged to keep Mario happy and the Penguins in Pittsburgh
- RynoBull

Even with alleged rigging and changing the lottery, it still sounds like the best way to get top end talent is via tanking. Even if they come up with a separate lottery to decide the top 3, you're still guaranteed a pick near the top of the draft.

I don't think they'll change much in the span of 12 months but they may eventually consider a rolling lottery system like they did back in the crosby draft.

I'm glad people are really catching onto this thought as we beat that dead horse into the ground even farther.
- TheSabresTaco

i hope the oilers move him somewhere in the offseason (khl maybe) so i never have to hear his name again. we cant score goals and we are desperate for a #1 center, so lets trade something useful to the second worst team in the league so they can give us their 6th best forward- that they dont want anymore.

Ding ding ding!
- Powerslave

Is it still safe to assume that Stafford is going to Minnesota when his contract is up?