I don't get why all this hate for Ekblad.. The kid only had 23g this year and 30A in 58 games!! Not only is he great hard hitting playing the pk clearing the crease, The kid can also Qb the PP great hands huge booming point shot he gets though traffic very smart and calm with the puck.. He has all the tools to be a top if not one of the best Dmen in the NHL some day.

That's just as unlikely as him being the next Shea Weber. I think he can be a top pairing guy though.
- Sabresfan-365

I had actually heard that from Bob Mackenzie on his mid season rankings. He said the scouts he talked to said he was a big body,with a decent shot, good in a lot of areas but not great at any, projected to be a solid top 4 Defense man, reminds scouts of Chris Philips.

The only talk I heard about him being a top pair or franchise D-Man has come from fans and posters.

This is a weak draft, especially for D...might be more hype to this kid than necessary.

I had actually heard that from Bob Mackenzie on his mid season rankings. He said the scouts he talked to said he was a big body,with a decent shot, good in a lot of areas but not great at any, projected to be a solid top 4 Defense man, reminds scouts of Chris Philips.

The only talk I heard about him being a top pair or franchise D-Man has come from fans and posters.

This is a weak draft, especially for D...might be more hype to this kid than necessary.
- Jeropotato

He hyped him up pretty good in the draft lottery special. Especially if 7 of 12 scouts say he's the best player in the draft. I just want this team to draft a game changer and it sounds like that's one of Reinhart or Ekblad.

I see where you're coming from and I think that we should focus on one of the Sam's, but what if we take Ekblad and then trade Myers for a young scoring winger? It could work.
- The_Inkwell

Then you have to go through the same development we went through with Myers . We have gone through the growing pain with Myer's and have come out the other side . Besides Myers will be a few years older and a good leader for up and coming draftees. It is a perfect fit . Just don't think it makes sense. If others feel Ekblad is that good . Let's trade the pick if moving down a few spots means we still get our guy.

He hyped him up pretty good in the draft lottery special. Especially if 7 of 12 scouts say he's the best player in the draft. I just want this team to draft a game changer and it sounds like that's one of Reinhart or Ekblad.
- Sabresfan-365

He is in the press . That is what they do! They need to create hype so the draft gets good ratings . Do you expect him to come out and say this draft class sucks folks ! Jones was top rated going into last years draft , Did he go in top 3 ?. It is too risky drafting a defense man with a top 3 pick.

Not in this draft class. I think the offers to move up will be pretty weak. Next year teams will be willing to open the vault and nobody will even take the calls.
- rover16

Who knows, it only takes one and some have said he is the highest rated Dman in the last 10 years. If just one GM thinks that, they will overpay. I don't think we trade the 2nd pick anyway.

Actually maybe the highest rated dman was said on here, I have no idea and I'm to lazy to look it up.

Then you have to go through the same development we went through with Myers . We have gone through the growing pain with Myer's and have come out the other side . Besides Myers will be a few years older and a good leader for up and coming draftees. It is a perfect fit . Just don't think it makes sense. If others feel Ekblad is that good . Let's trade the pick if moving down a few spots means we still get our guy.
- Maximum Signal

Calgary might go for that.

I don't get why all this hate for Ekblad.. The kid only had 23g this year and 30A in 58 games!! Not only is he great hard hitting playing the pk clearing the crease, The kid can also Qb the PP great hands huge booming point shot he gets though traffic very smart and calm with the puck.. He has all the tools to be a top if not one of the best Dmen in the NHL some day.
- Therat36

Because we do not need him . We have lots of great defense prospects already . We need forwards now ! You choose a defense man with this pick and you are setting back the rebuild another year.

Who knows, it only takes one and some have said he is the highest rated Dman in the last 10 years. If just one GM thinks that, they will overpay. I don't think we trade the 2nd pick anyway.
- BigStew

Who are these fabled "some"?

He is in the press . That is what they do! They need to create hype so the draft gets good ratings . Do you expect him to come out and say this draft class sucks folks ! Jones was top rated going into last years draft , Did he go in top 3 ?. It is too risky drafting a defense man with a top 3 pick.
- Maximum Signal

I get that, I'm not so concerned about his ratings but more his ability and what he can do in the NHL. Jones did fall but that didn't have any effect on his talent level, he was great for Nashville this year. I understand that drafting a defenseman in the top 3 is risky but in a weak draft class such as this one, I'd be okay with them taking that risk.

Because we do not need him . We have lots of great defense prospects already . We need forwards now ! You choose a defense man with this pick and you are setting back the rebuild another year.
- Maximum Signal

Need or not if Sam R is off the board at 1 Ekblad is the best pick at 2!! Yes buffalo has good not great D prospects, I'm sick of hearing it would set back the 'rebuild' you don't know that no one does it can go 2 ways.. Ekblad could end up a super star Bennett could be a bust or the other way around. The only thing that will set back the 'rebuild' is drafting a bust this high

I get that, I'm not so concerned about his ratings but more his ability and what he can do in the NHL. Jones did fall but that didn't have any effect on his talent level, he was great for Nashville this year. I understand that drafting a defenseman in the top 3 is risky but in a weak draft class such as this one, I'd be okay with them taking that risk.
- Sabresfan-365

Jones still did not perform to Myer's level . I do not want to wait 4 years for Ekblad to get there . Defense men take longer to develop than forwards . Did you watch the world juniors? Two best defense men this year already belong to the Sabres.

Need or not if Sam R is off the board at 1 Ekblad is the best pick at 2!! Yes buffalo has good not great D prospects, I'm sick of hearing it would set back the 'rebuild' you don't know that no one does it can go 2 ways.. Ekblad could end up a super star Bennett could be a bust or the other way around. The only thing that will set back the 'rebuild' is drafting a bust this high
- Therat36

Risto is a great defense prospect . I went to the game friday in Rochester . He was dominant . McCabe is a good prospect as is Zadarov . Pyshk . Forwards at the top of the draft are also more of a sure thing then defense men . And whether you want to believe it or not waiting another year to get a top notch forward does delay the rebuild another season . Do you want to be Nashville . They keep drafting top defense men . They cannot even make the playoffs.

Risto is a great defense prospect . I went to the game friday in Rochester . He was dominant . McCabe is a good prospect as is Zadarov . Pyshk . Forwards at the top of the draft are also more of a sure thing then defense men . And whether you want to believe it or not waiting another year to get a top notch forward does delay the rebuild another season . Do you want to be Nashville . They keep drafting top defense men . They cannot even make the playoffs.
- Maximum Signal

I think there is only one for sure thing in this years draft and that's Sam r will be a very good #1 or 2 center

I think there is only one for sure thing in this years draft and that's Sam r. will be a very good #1 or 2 center
- Therat36

I think there is only one for sure thing in this years draft and that's Sam r will be a very good #1 or 2 center
- Therat36

Bennett is better

It makes no sense drafting Ekblad and trading Myers. If we draft Ekblad I want to keep Myers as well and worry about forwards next year. Otherwise, I think we should take whichever Sam is available.

Tampa


Goaltending is everything in the playoffs? Poor Tampa, having Bishop injured really hurts.

Tampa


Goaltending is everything in the playoffs? Poor Tampa, having Bishop injured really hurts.
- Irish 14

Not even Callahan can save them

Tampa


Goaltending is everything in the playoffs? Poor Tampa, having Bishop injured really hurts.
- Irish 14

It's the defense. Lindback has actually being playing pretty decent. I don't know how the defense let Bourque get behind them by that much.

It's the defense. Lindback has actually being playing pretty decent. I don't know how the defense let Bourque get behind them by that much.
- Cheeseballin

Nah, I have been watching this series. Lindback needs to make that save, no excuses!

Not even Callahan can save them
- Sabresfan-365

Callahan does his share of blocking shots!

Can't stand Montreal.. Some of the most entitled fans in sports

Can't stand Montreal.. Some of the most entitled fans in sports
- bluengold12

Agree! Between Montreal & Philly fans for me

Nah, I have been watching this series. Lindback needs to make that save, no excuses!
- Irish 14

That save yes. Tampa's defense is just too slow for Montreal's forwards they've been getting burned every game so far.