Has everyone been talked off the ledge yet??

I said this last night but I think its worth saying again.

The Panthers winning the lottery was in my mind the 3rd best scenario for the Sabres, with the Sabres winning and the Islanders winning the first and second best respectively.

Here is why:

The Panthers IMO will take Ekblad. With them already having Huberdeau, Barkov, and Bjugstad up the middle and without having a sure stud D prospect in their cup board I think that's the way they go.

So that leaves us with the chance to take the best Sam in their eyes. I am hoping for Reinhart but I won't be upset about Bennett.

I also wouldn't discount the possibility of getting the Islanders pick this year and moving up to 3 to take both Sams.
- Stripes77

Panthers will take Bennett IMO.

Bennett/Huberdeau/Bjugstad
Boyes/Bakorov/Fleischmann
Upshall/Pirri/Bergenheim
Hayes/Winchester/Kopecky

It was interesting yesterday to hear McKenzie talk about the guys and what he found out talking to the scouts. The 12 scouts he talked to said Bennett has the best all around game, yet 3 thought Reinhart should be #1 and 2 thought that Bennett should be #1. Really, you can take that and say, it's pretty damn equal either way you look at it.

While I like that Bennett is a better skater and plays with a bit more physical edge, I'm a bit scared off by the fact that it doesn't seem like any of the scouts can come to the consensus as to whether he'll be a center or a winger.

That's pretty much the only reason that I'm leaning a bit more toward Reinhart. Not to mention that just about everything I read about him seems to remind me of Toews.
- HonkFortheGoose

I agree. I still feel FLA will take Ekblad and we would have the choice between the two Sams. I prefer Reinhart but Bennett won't upset me where I am jumping off the ledge like some in here were last night. I would love to get both actually who wouldn't love getting two top 6 forwards?

Panthers will take Bennett IMO.

Bennett/Huberdeau/Bjugstad
Boyes/Bakorov/Fleischmann
Upshall/Pirri/Bergenheim
Hayes/Goc/Kopecky
- dadeadhead

I actually posted that if the Panthers decide to go forward they would take Bennett IMO as well.

I actually posted that if the Panthers decide to go forward they would take Bennett IMO as well.
- Stripes77

That top line will be unstoppable in 2 yrs.

are we good yet?

That top line will be unstoppable in 2 yrs.
- dadeadhead

I agree. I think they go Ekblad or Bennett which either way makes me happy.

Panthers will take Bennett IMO.

Bennett/Huberdeau/Bjugstad
Boyes/Bakorov/Fleischmann
Upshall/Pirri/Bergenheim
Hayes/Winchester/Kopecky
- dadeadhead

oh my

Panthers will take Bennett IMO.

Bennett/Huberdeau/Bjugstad
Boyes/Bakorov/Fleischmann
Upshall/Pirri/Bergenheim
Hayes/Winchester/Kopecky
- dadeadhead

It seems that they like Bjugstad in the middle better than Huberdeau right now. So, switch the two of them I guess?

I agree. I think they go Ekblad or Bennett which either way makes me happy.
- Stripes77

I see them going Bennett and a guy like Anthoney DeAngelo being there for him at 32.


They have Campbell, Jovo, Kulikov, Gudbranson, and Olsen in the mix for their top 4 next year.

They also have 14 guys signed for about 46.1mil, which means they only need to spend 6-7 mil to hit the cap floor. With Kulikov, Gudbranson, Pitti, Hayes, and Olsen all needing new contracts next year.

I see them going Bennett and a guy like Anthoney DeAngelo being there for him at 32.


They have Campbell, Jovo, Kulikov, Gudbranson, and Olsen in the mix for their top 4 next year.

They also have 14 guys signed for about 46.1mil, which means they only need to spend 6-7 mil to hit the cap floor. With Kulikov, Gudbranson, Pitti, Hayes, and Olsen all needing new contracts next year.
- dadeadhead

Were you here last night? Everyone thought it was the end of the world in here. I was fully expecting us to be drafting 2nd. I am just glad that it wasn't Edmonton or even worse Toronto winning it.

It seems that they like Bjugstad in the middle better than Huberdeau right now. So, switch the two of them I guess?
- HonkFortheGoose

That would move Bennett to the 2nd line with Bakarov as you're right, I forgot they moved Huberdeau to the LW.

Were you here last night? Everyone thought it was the end of the world in here. I was fully expecting us to be drafting 2nd. I am just glad that it wasn't Edmonton or even worse Toronto winning it.
- Stripes77

I was a little but it was after like 10 or 11.

I was a little but it was after like 10 or 11.
- dadeadhead

It was very entertaining to me.

That would move Bennett to the 2nd line with Bakarov as you're right, I forgot they moved Huberdeau to the LW.
- dadeadhead

It could end up different next year, but I know they really liked what they saw from Bjugstad in the center position late in the year.

It could end up different next year, but I know they really liked what they saw from Bjugstad in the center position late in the year.
- HonkFortheGoose

Now that they have some stability (trying not to laugh) in net they really have a chance to be a good team.

Nolan says players are going to earn the roster spots for next season


anyone buying it?
or will the sabres not ice their best 18 skaters opening night?

I was a little but it was after like 10 or 11.
- dadeadhead

I stayed away. Thought it was better that way.

It was very entertaining to me.
- Stripes77

I said that it figures that we pick 2nd but in the end I see them taking Bennett as it solidifies their top 6 for next year and allows them to go after a Hossa type guy in UFA for the 2015 offseason.

It could end up different next year, but I know they really liked what they saw from Bjugstad in the center position late in the year.
- HonkFortheGoose

Bjugstad is a player I really like, 6'6".

Nolan says players are going to earn the roster spots for next season


anyone buying it?
or will the sabres not ice their best 18 skaters opening night?
- homiedclown

He will ice the best 18 skaters that earn their roster spots.

Nolan says players are going to earn the roster spots for next season


anyone buying it?
or will the sabres not ice their best 18 skaters opening night?
- homiedclown

I buy it. He tried to do that this year, but with all the injuries it was pretty much impossible. It's also open to interpretation though. If they feel that a guy like Risto is better off playing in Rochester for development purposes, you'll see those kind of moves made. Even if he may be better than one of the guys here at that point in time. They're not going to sacrifice development of their players either.

For Homie in case you missed it.

Bjugstad is a player I really like, 6'6".
- dadeadhead

I had no idea he was that big. For some reason I thought he was one of the smallish guys.

I know I saw him play at the WJC a few times, but never really noticed how big he was.

Sup....

Nolan says players are going to earn the roster spots for next season


anyone buying it?
or will the sabres not ice their best 18 skaters opening night?
- homiedclown

I think Nolan and TM have an idea of how they think the development process should be. If that means Zadorov back in juniors, McCabe in Rochester, and our 1st this year back in juniors if he doesn't show that constant "battle" then I fully expect that to happen. They aren't going to hand roster spots to kids like Darcy and RR.