We don't need Ekblad
- SABRES 89

Wasn't really thinking it out of needs just my personal rank of the prospects.

I've basically reached the point where I think I'd be happy with any of the top 3.

Personally, I like Reinhart but people I know who know far more about this stuff than I do think Ekblad's the guy and there's a case for Bennett as well.

I wouldn't say that... But we sure do need a center a hell of a lot more.
- LetsGoBuffalo75

I'll say it..................we don't need Ekblad..................we can't score goals, we need a goal scorer.

Wasn't really thinking it out of needs just my personal rank of the prospects.

I've basically reached the point where I think I'd be happy with any of the top 3.

Personally, I like Reinhart but people I know who know far more about this stuff than I do think Ekblad's the guy and there's a case for Bennett as well.
- Sabresfan-365

I would like Reinhart as well but wouldn't be upset with Bennett.

I'll say it..................we don't need Ekblad..................we can't score goals, we need a goal scorer.
- SABRES 89

Your statement seems to be logical!

Your statement seems to be logical!
- Sabresfan88

Careful with agreeing with me, that could get you in trouble here.

There really isn't a strong correlation between the CSS #1 and the player that's actually been drafted #1 over the years.
- buffalofan19

Clearly there's not a clear cut #1 player in this draft.

It's not out of the realm of possibility to think any one of the Big 3 could conceivably go 1st overall.



Heck, Reinhart is still playing and could still boost his stock if he leads his team to a championship.

I'll say it..................we don't need Ekblad..................we can't score goals, we need a goal scorer.
- SABRES 89

Very true, but there are plenty of holes on defence as well. Outside of Myers, nobody's really established themselves as a top 4 guy. Ristolainen looks to be the surest bet, but after that it's all a toss up. Mccabe and Zadorov are both unknowns and the rest are projected to be 5/6 kinda guys.

Careful with agreeing with me, that could get you in trouble here.
- SABRES 89

It wouldn't be the first time that I get in trouble here!

I said it maybe 2-3 weeks ago that coaches would be gone and look, 3 are goners.

I'll say it..................we don't need Ekblad..................we can't score goals, we need a goal scorer.
- SABRES 89

Whether it's a goal scorer or a defenseman, this team needs difference makers...because they have none. Both Ekblad and Reinhart are as closest to that as you are going to get on that draft. You pick the one Florida leaves you. If Florida really is brazen enough to take Bennett (which, from all indications, they won't be), then you get Reinhart because of the offense. However, you don't pass up a difference maker for a forward who you will most likely send to Juniors anyway (knowing Ted Nolan's adversion to young players) simply because he's a defenseman.

Very true, but there are plenty of holes on defence as well. Outside of Myers, nobody's really established themselves as a top 4 guy. Ristolainen looks to be the surest bet, but after that it's all a toss up. Mccabe and Zadorov are both unknowns and the rest are projected to be 5/6 kinda guys.
- Sabresfan-365

I understand and agree however, at this time I would not pass up either Sam for Ekblad.

Very true, but there are plenty of holes on defence as well. Outside of Myers, nobody's really established themselves as a top 4 guy. Ristolainen looks to be the surest bet, but after that it's all a toss up. Mccabe and Zadorov are both unknowns and the rest are projected to be 5/6 kinda guys.
- Sabresfan-365

Let me ask you a question!
At this point, do you think our "D" has more promising prospects, or our "O"??

Whether it's a goal scorer or a defenseman, this team needs difference makers...because they have none. Both Ekblad and Reinhart are as closest to that as you are going to get on that draft. You pick the one Florida leaves you. If Florida really is brazen enough to take Bennett (which, from all indications, they won't be), then you get Reinhart because of the offense. However, you don't pass up a difference maker for a forward who you will most likely send to Juniors anyway (knowing Ted Nolan's adversion to young players) simply because he's a defenseman.
- buffalofan19

Exactly. This team was bad in all areas, not just the offence. It's our first top 5 pick since Vanek, we're not like EDM and FLA who have been drafting up there for years. When you're starting, you should just be looking for the best game changer kind of player you can find.

I understand and agree however, at this time I would not pass up either Sam for Ekblad.
- SABRES 89

I trust that Murray knows whats up

Let me ask you a question!
At this point, do you think our "D" has more promising prospects, or our "O"??
- Sabresfan88

Neither group has a difference maker. So, I take the guy closest to that, regardless of which group he falls under.

It seems like the Penguins will struggle in the net again!

I'll say it..................we don't need Ekblad..................we can't score goals, we need a goal scorer.
- SABRES 89

Ekblad will be just as much a help of scoring goals as Bennett or Reinhart would be. When you have a defenseman like Ekblad who controls play from the back end, can get the puck up the ice quickly and move it efficiently, and who is a slam dunk quarter backing the PP; it will pay dividends down the road just as much as Sam Reinhart or Bennett would. In fact, Reinhart and Bennett are hardly described as pure goal scorers.

Whoever we draft this year wont pay immediate dividends anyways. So not sure why you're concerned about drafting Ekblad or one of the Sam's.

Neither group has a difference maker. So, I take the guy closest to that, regardless of which group he falls under.
- buffalofan19

Sorry, I have to disagree with you!
Our "D" seems to be more promising than our "O", hence, I will go heavily on drafting "O".

Exactly. This team was bad in all areas, not just the offence. It's our first top 5 pick since Vanek, we're not like EDM and FLA who have been drafting up there for years. When you're starting, you should just be looking for the best game changer kind of player you can find.
- Sabresfan-365

Madrid finally wins El Clasico. Barca looked VERY lethargic today. That was disappointing... boy that Welsh kid has some good pace, eh?

Ekblad will be just as much a help of scoring goals as Bennett or Reinhart would be. When you have a defenseman like Ekblad who controls play from the back end, can get the puck up the ice quickly and move it efficiently, and who is a slam dunk quarter backing the PP; it will pay dividends down the road just as much as Sam Reinhart or Bennett would. In fact, Reinhart and Bennett are hardly described as pure goal scorers.

Whoever we draft this year wont pay immediate dividends anyways. So not sure why you're concerned about drafting Ekblad or one of the Sam's.
- theblueandgold

You're just (frank)ing with 89 right?

Let me ask you a question!
At this point, do you think our "D" has more promising prospects, or our "O"??
- Sabresfan88

What do you define as promising. If you mean "deeper" then yes it's our defence but more promising?

In terms of actual potential and their ceiling Grigorenko and Armia have a far higher one than say Ruhwedel and Pysyk. There's also Girgensons, Compher and the one guy in the OHL who was lighting it up (Baptiste I think).

Whether it's a goal scorer or a defenseman, this team needs difference makers...because they have none. Both Ekblad and Reinhart are as closest to that as you are going to get on that draft. You pick the one Florida leaves you. If Florida really is brazen enough to take Bennett (which, from all indications, they won't be), then you get Reinhart because of the offense. However, you don't pass up a difference maker for a forward who you will most likely send to Juniors anyway (knowing Ted Nolan's adversion to young players) simply because he's a defenseman.
- buffalofan19

Myers is a difference maker on a team with average forwards. Zadarov also has game breaking potential.

Ekblad is described as "solid" not great or fantastic. Even Murray said he doesnt know whether Ekblad has that dynamic to him to be anything more than really good

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2014/04/nhl-central-scouting-keeps-sam-bennett-as-no-1-draft-prospect.html

"There are guys who elevate their game when it matters most, and you're looking to project which players will do that consistently at the next level," NHL Director of Central Scouting Dan Marr said. "The guys we have at the top all are in that mold, but when we look at Sam Bennett we see a guy who could potentially have a Jonathan Toews type of career."
- SuperCat

It's a good thing he really stepped it up in the OHL playoffs

Saying he could have a career like Toews is baseless, in my opinion, and does not say at all that they play a similar style. Toews is an excellent defensive player who is mainly a playmaker on offense, and leader when it matters. Bennett doesn't even have a letter on his chest in Kingston, leans more toward the goal-scoring side of offense, and has been known for being reckless and a bit immature. If that's similar to Toews, I might as well just quit following hockey. Reinhart, on the other hand, is captain of his Kootenay team, excels on defense, and really stepped it up and carried his team during the second half of the season and during the playoffs.

I really don't see how comparables are so complicated. Bennett=Gilmour/Theo Fleury, Reinhart=Toews/Bergeron.

Madrid finally wins El Clasico. Barca looked VERY lethargic today. That was disappointing... boy that Welsh kid has some good pace, eh?
- theblueandgold

Gareth

Was wearing his jersey while watching today. with that 1 year transfer ban and Puyol and Valdes potentially gone, it looks like it may be the end of an era (finally)

Sorry, I have to disagree with you!
Our "D" seems to be more promising than our "O", hence, I will go heavily on drafting "O".
- Sabresfan88

Whats not promising about out O?

Hodgson, Ennis, Girgensons, Grigorenko, Compher, Baptiste, Fasching, Hurley... we have some talented forwards in our system that developed beyond expectations this year (Girgensons, Compher, Baptiste, Fasching). We only lack that bona fide franchise guy. I'd say we lack that franchise D too. Although Risto, Myers might become one. Zadorov wont be a franchise guy IMO. Just a very good #3.