You don't know that, there was a time where Malkin struggled and was linked to trade rumors (even here actually). Ovechkin scored 50 goals for them this year and they missed the playoffs, they have terrible winger depth outside of him.

You could brag about a Backstrom-Malkin 1-2 all you want but if there's no one to put home the goals it won't do much for you. Their problems aren't because they picked ovechkin, it's because Mcphee has made some really questionable signings and trades.
- Sabresfan-365

Yep OV scored those goals and was a minus 35.

You don't build a team around a winger.

It's why Columbus (w/Nash) and Washington(w/OV and Jagr prior) have failed.

Name me the team that won the cup where it was built completely around a winger with no top notch centers?

The answer is there hasn't been one.
- dadeadhead

I agree that centers are who you build a team around but the best player on the Montreal Canadians in their 1970"s dynasty was winger Guy Lafleur.

Strong center play
Strong defensive play
Riding a hot goalie


3 keys to winning a cup.

Wingers are and always will be an interchangeable part as wingers are a dime a dozen and you can always move a center if need be.

With Bennett being rated #1 by many and the fact they have top notch centerman and him being labeled a LW/C hybrid, he fits the bill for them IMO.
- dadeadhead

Ive only seen NHL Central Scouting rate Bennett #1. Nearly every other scouting service or list does not have Bennett #1. NHLCS also has a history of making some head scratching rankings.

TSN McKenzie polled 12 NHL teams scouts for his list. 7 of 12 have Ekblad #1, 3 of 12 have Reinhart #1 and 2 of 12 have Bennett #1.

Yep OV scored those goals and was a minus 35.
- dadeadhead

He's tops on his team in Corsi for and Fenwick for. Think the -35 is also an indication of the rest of his team, which is bad.

Ive only seen NHL Central Scouting rate Bennett #1. Nearly every other scouting service or list does not have Bennett #1. NHLCS also has a history of making some head scratching rankings.

TSN McKenzie polled 12 NHL teams scouts for his list. 7 of 12 have Ekblad #1, 3 of 12 have Reinhart #1 and 2 of 12 have Bennett #1.
- theblueandgold

I heard/watched that, thank you for retelling me.


By many I mean individual people.

Ive only seen NHL Central Scouting rate Bennett #1. Nearly every other scouting service or list does not have Bennett #1. NHLCS also has a history of making some head scratching rankings.

TSN McKenzie polled 12 NHL teams scouts for his list. 7 of 12 have Ekblad #1, 3 of 12 have Reinhart #1 and 2 of 12 have Bennett #1.
- theblueandgold

NHLCS is essentially a computer ranking, isn't it?

He's tops on his team in Corsi for and Fenwick for. Think the -35 is also an indication of the rest of his team, which is bad.
- Sabresfan-365

He had 39 even strength points this year.

Ive only seen NHL Central Scouting rate Bennett #1. Nearly every other scouting service or list does not have Bennett #1. NHLCS also has a history of making some head scratching rankings.

TSN McKenzie polled 12 NHL teams scouts for his list. 7 of 12 have Ekblad #1, 3 of 12 have Reinhart #1 and 2 of 12 have Bennett #1.
- theblueandgold

Gracias, I had forgot where I heard that and thought i was making it up

You don't know that, there was a time where Malkin struggled and was linked to trade rumors (even here actually). Ovechkin scored 50 goals for them this year and they missed the playoffs, they have terrible winger depth outside of him.

You could brag about a Backstrom-Malkin 1-2 all you want but if there's no one to put home the goals it won't do much for you. Their problems aren't because they picked ovechkin, it's because Mcphee has made some really questionable signings and trades.
- Sabresfan-365

Washington has never had a true top pairing defensemen during Ovi's time there. Unless I'm forgetting someone.

I would argue that center depth, and having a guy like Bergeron/ Toews/ Richards/Backes who can play a shut down role and still produce is more important than just having a Crosby as opposed to Ovechkin

He had 39 even strength points this year.
- dadeadhead

And yet, he still lead his team in Corsi for and Fenwick for in even strength play as well, 3rd place in EV points behind Chimera and Ward. Again, speaks more about the talent around him (no thanks to Mcphee again).

Washington has never had a true top pairing defensemen during Ovi's time there. Unless I'm forgetting someone.

I would argue that center depth, and having a guy like Bergeron/ Toews/ Richards/Backes who can play a shut down role and still produce is more important than just having a Crosby as opposed to Ovechkin
- sbroads24

My original point was that I don't like discriminating against a certain player at 1st overall because of his position. If you kick ass and are the most talented in your class, you're hired (drafted, same poop).

For example, I seriously doubt anyone but Kane goes 1st overall in 07 regardless of that teams depth a centre.

Just because some ignorant sites list Bennett as a LW/C doesn't make it true. He has only played C in his two years of juniors, his coach in an interview said he is a center, the NHL Director of CS said he is a center and will be a center. He was voted as the 2nd best D center in the OHL. D is usually a reason centers are moved to wing. If he is one of the top two D centers in the strongest Canadian league, along with with the other reasons I stated we can drop that Yahoo lists him as a LW/C stuff.

NHLCS is essentially a computer ranking, isn't it?
- buffalofan19

No, they are actual people who scout for the league. 8 full time scouts and 15 part time. They subcontract out to a scouting service in Europe for European scouting.

He had 39 even strength points this year.
- dadeadhead

He still scored 50. Something that is an accomplishment and not many can do. Goal hang all you want u still have to have had a really good season to score 50 in modern nhl.

Just because some ignorant sites list Bennett as a LW/C doesn't make it true. He has only played C in his two years of juniors, his coach in an interview said he is a center, the NHL Director of CS said he is a center and will be a center. He was voted as the 2nd best D center in the OHL. D is usually a reason centers are moved to wing. If he is one of the top two D centers in the strongest Canadian league, along with with the other reasons I stated we can drop that Yahoo lists him as a LW/C stuff.
- GilPerreault11

Yet the site you keep ramming down our throats has him listed as a LEFT WING.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectbrowse.htm

Damn ignorant sites.

Yet the site you keep ramming down our throats has him listed as a LEFT WING.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectbrowse.htm

Damn ignorant sites.
- dadeadhead

To be fair though, Central scouting has always been a bit hack. If I remember correctly both Zadorov and Domi were ranked lower than Carrier in their final rankings.

My original point was that I don't like discriminating against a certain player at 1st overall because of his position. If you kick ass and are the most talented in your class, you're hired (drafted, same poop).

For example, I seriously doubt anyone but Kane goes 1st overall in 07 regardless of that teams depth a centre.
- Sabresfan-365

I agree about the draft part. However I do feel center is the most important position

My original point was that I don't like discriminating against a certain player at 1st overall because of his position. If you kick ass and are the most talented in your class, you're hired (drafted, same poop).

For example, I seriously doubt anyone but Kane goes 1st overall in 07 regardless of that teams depth a centre.
- Sabresfan-365

I understand your point but I also believe you should draft for where you're weakest. If that means trading down then you do it and get a couple more picks too to continue drafting with.

Look at Yakupov. Who are the oilers going to trade him for? Not much but they could have traded down to pick up Murray. ( I think I have the right draft year)

To be fair though, Central scouting has always been a bit hack. If I remember correctly both Zadorov and Domi were ranked lower than Carrier in their final rankings.
- Sabresfan-365

http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=88636

Yet the site you keep ramming down our throats has him listed as a LEFT WING.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectbrowse.htm

Damn ignorant sites.
- dadeadhead

And in the interview by the Director of NHL CSS who spoke for all the 9 scouts of CSS said in the article that he was and will be a center. Words and, ya know, the fact he has actually only played center in juniors speaks volumes over a label. Also the fact that he is the 2nd best D center in the OHL voted on by coaches speaks loadly as well. I go by what people actually say and facts more than by two letters on a site, but that's just me

I understand your point but I also believe you should draft for where you're weakest. If that means trading down then you do it and get a couple more picks too to continue drafting with.

Look at Yakupov. Who are the oilers going to trade him for? Not much but they could have traded down to pick up Murray. ( I think I have the right draft year)
- Aaron85

The problem with drafting where you are weakest in the NHL is that more often than not, the position you are weak at now, may not be the same when the kid is actually ready to suit up. Lately, it's different in the top 5 somewhat, but overall, you draft to stockpile your prospect pool, not address the needs of your current roster. There's a reason Colorado drafted MacKinnon despite the fact that they were so deep at the position. He was simply the biggest difference maker available. That's what I want the Sabres to get: a difference maker, regardless of position. From what I read and hear, there are two of them, Reinhart and Ekblad. Reinhart is obviously the first choice because he does play a position of need, but the Sabres, despite their depth at the position, have a lot of guys projected to be good to very good. You need someone great back there as well. If what they're saying about Ekblad is true, I have no problem taking him should Florida take Reinhart.

And in the interview by the Director of NHL CSS who spoke for all the 9 scouts of CSS said in the article that he was and will be a center. Words and, ya know, the fact he has actually only played center in juniors speaks volumes over a label. Also the fact that he is the 2nd best D center in the OHL voted on by coaches speaks loadly as well. I go by what people actually say and facts more than by two letters on a site, but that's just me
- GilPerreault11

165lbs says he starts off on the wing as so he don't get hurt.

I understand your point but I also believe you should draft for where you're weakest. If that means trading down then you do it and get a couple more picks too to continue drafting with.

Look at Yakupov. Who are the oilers going to trade him for? Not much but they could have traded down to pick up Murray. ( I think I have the right draft year)
- Aaron85

Yeah but the player comparison was pavel bure. Soo hard to pass on that.

The problem with drafting where you are weakest in the NHL is that more often than not, the position you are weak at now, may not be the same when the kid is actually ready to suit up. Lately, it's different in the top 5 somewhat, but overall, you draft to stockpile your prospect pool, not address the needs of your current roster. There's a reason Colorado drafted MacKinnon despite the fact that they were so deep at the position. He was simply the biggest difference maker available. That's what I want the Sabres to get: a difference maker, regardless of position. From what I read and hear, there are two of them, Reinhart and Ekblad. Reinhart is obviously the first choice because he does play a position of need, but the Sabres, despite their depth at the position, have a lot of guys projected to be good to very good. You need someone great back there as well. If what they're saying about Ekblad is true, I have no problem taking him should Florida take Reinhart.
- buffalofan19

Reinhart is the player this team should be eyeing as their top choice IMO.

165lbs says he starts off on the wing as so he don't get hurt.
- dadeadhead

His weight in is in the 170's now and since he is 8 months younger than Reinhart we can expect him to fill out a bit more. He's also slighly over 6 ft tall, may grow a tad bit more at 17 years old.