If he hits the projected ceiling, then yes. If he's as good as he's touted to be, then he will be a bonafide difference maker, something the Sabres don't have any of. I realize it's not a sure thing, but it's a risk that they should be willing to take (assuming Florida takes Reinhart). Taking anyone other than Reinhart over Ekblad, to me, represents a safe pick. I don't want safe. I want to see them start acting like a championship team and go for it.
- buffalofan19

And how do you know Ekblad is a sure thing ? Have the Hockey gods pointed the magic hockey stick at him and decreed him the chosen one ? Oh I forgot , he was granted exceptional status . The best defense man in the league Shea Weber was a second round pick . There are no sure things . We have some damn good prospects on defense right now . Time to draft players that can put the puck in the net.

And how do you know Ekblad is a sure thing ? Have the Hockey gods pointed the magic hockey stick at him and decreed him the chosen one ? Oh I forgot , he was granted exceptional status . The best defense man in the league Shea Weber was a second round pick . There are no sure things . We have some damn good prospects on defense right now . Time to draft players that can put the puck in the net.
- Maximum Signal

And Shea Weber, a bonafide difference making defensemen has never sniffed a cup, even alongside another difference making defensmen in Ryan Suter because they failed to have an above average center or forward group in general

Ekblad would be a colassal mistake

And how do you know Ekblad is a sure thing ? Have the Hockey gods pointed the magic hockey stick at him and decreed him the chosen one ? Oh I forgot , he was granted exceptional status . The best defense man in the league Shea Weber was a second round pick . There are no sure things . We have some damn good prospects on defense right now . Time to draft players that can put the puck in the net.
- Maximum Signal

I never said it was a sure thing. In fact, I said just the opposite. However, it's a risk they absolutely should be willing to take. They're at the bottom of the league. They can stand to upgrade at any and every position.

I never said it was a sure thing. In fact, I said just the opposite. However, it's a risk they absolutely should be willing to take. They're at the bottom of the league. They can stand to upgrade at any and every position.
- buffalofan19

Sure, upgrade the blue line with a FA or a trade. Ekblad is not a considerably better prospect than Bennett or Reinhart.

Sure, upgrade the blue line with a FA or a trade. Ekblad is not a considerably better prospect than Bennett or Reinhart.
- sbroads24

Reinhart, no he's not.

Bennett, yes he is.

And Shea Weber, a bonafide difference making defensemen has never sniffed a cup, even alongside another difference making defensmen in Ryan Suter because they failed to have an above average center or forward group in general

Ekblad would be a colassal mistake
- sbroads24

Nice post 24

They should really break the draft ranking down by position. Forward, Defence , Goalie.

They should really break the draft ranking down by position. Forward, Defence , Goalie.
- cabin

Not that I want to draft a goaltender at #2, but I fail to see why that's any lower than the other two on the list. This team has a whole ton of unknowns at the position...or is it really a good idea to go all-in on Ullmark?

Not that I want to draft a goaltender at #2, but I fail to see why that's any lower than the other two on the list. This team has a whole ton of unknowns at the position...or is it really a good idea to go all-in on Ullmark?
- buffalofan19

We have a poop ton of unknown goalies at the moment. Ewok is the only one we have seen at the NHL level. But they are a hard position to judge. The could have a great year and then crap the bed. Seem next season will be a good measuring stick regarding the goaltender position. We still need to draft 1 every year.

Reinhart, no he's not.

Bennett, yes he is.
- buffalofan19

According to you or all the so called Draft experts ? Why do some of them have Bennett rated number one then ? Are those experts all wrong ? Have you had more time and experience than all of them . Not that I want Bennett. But some times the arrogance of your posts can get under peoples skin . If Murray picks Ekblad so be it . He is paid to make those decisions. I don't think he is the Next Bobby Orr and that is the only way he should be such a definite for anyone.

- RynoBull

wh..wha..... wat?

According to you or all the so called Draft experts ? Why do some of them have Bennett rated number one then ? Are those experts all wrong ? Have you had more time and experience than all of them . Not that I want Bennett. But some times the arrogance of your posts can get under peoples skin . If Murray picks Ekblad so be it . He is paid to make those decisions. I don't think he is the Next Bobby Orr and that is the only way he should be such a definite for anyone.
- Maximum Signal

Most of the draft "experts" I have read have Ekblad over Bennett, and their reasoning makes sense. Ekblad has more big play ability at his position than Bennett does. That's what I mean by being a difference maker. It's a risk I'd rather them take. If they take Bennett over Ekblad (assuming Reinhart is gone), to me, it's a sign that they are still afraid to make a mistake. I don't want them to be.

Ekblad did shut down the "mythical" Connor McDavid in juniors this season...




I'm not so sure why the Sabres should be so scared of drafting Ekblad.

If Murray thinks he has future Norris Trophy written all over him, then you just draft him and trade one of our current d-men to Edmonton at the draft.

Saaay... McCabe & Stafford to Edm, for Sam Gagner?




Now all that being said, the only way the Sabres are ever going to acquire a true #1 center, is going to be by drafting one.

But maybe you can take Ekblad and hold out for McDavid next year (having McDavid & Girgensons as your 1-2 punch down the middle).

Ekblad did shut down the "mythical" Connor McDavid in juniors this season...




I'm not so sure why the Sabres should be so scared of drafting Ekblad.

If Murray thinks he has future Norris Trophy written all over him, then you just draft him and trade one of our current d-men to Edmonton at the draft.

Saaay... McCabe & Stafford to Edm, for Sam Gagner?





Now all that being said, the only way the Sabres are ever going to acquire a true #1 center, is going to be by drafting one.

But maybe you can take Ekblad and hold out for McDavid next year (having McDavid & Girgensons as your 1-2 punch down the middle).
- SuperCat

I wouldn't even trade Stafford alone for Gagner.

I wouldn't even trade Stafford alone for Gagner.
- TheSabresTaco

Staff will be a hot commodity next season IF he continues his game play were he left off. Better team effort around him will make him even better. IMO.

I wouldn't even trade Stafford alone for Gagner.
- TheSabresTaco

Maybe that's not the best example. Shooting from the hip there.

But you get the idea. Drafting Ekblad & then flipping a d-man isn't an unrealistic option. It'll just take a little bit more work.


Maybe Colorado is a fit as a trading partner? Now Try having some fun with that!

Who would they give us for Ehrhoff or Myers? I'd even be willing to sweeten the pot with a 2nd rd pick.

Maybe that's not the best example. Shooting from the hip there.

But you get the idea. Drafting Ekblad & then flipping a d-man isn't an unrealistic option. It'll just take a little bit more work.


Maybe Colorado is a fit as a trading partner? Now Try having some fun with that!

Who would they give us for Ehrhoff or Myers? I'd even be willing to sweeten the pot with a 2nd rd pick.
- SuperCat

Ehrhoff likely won't accept a trade west and Myers will not likely be going anywhere unless the deal is too good to pass up.

Ehrhoff would likely get us PAP.

Another reason I don't want Ekblad is the fact that it in turn makes the Sabres almost desperate to make a trade for a forward.

We shouldn't be the desperate team right now. We should be the ones being approached

Another reason I don't want Ekblad is the fact that it in turn makes the Sabres almost desperate to make a trade for a forward.

We shouldn't be the desperate team right now. We should be the ones being approached
- sbroads24

Being approached could be a bad thing too.

Wayne Gretzky got traded because Peter Pocklington had bad business ventures outside his hockey team . Same reason the Red Sox traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees . Not because he should have been. Buffalo does not want Marchand either.
- Maximum Signal

Sorry to be so late...just got home. Anyway, speak for yourself. I'll speak for myself...I'll take that little scumbag rat a-hole on my team any day, including twice on Sundays through Saturdays.
Nobody likes him from the opposing team, but tell me you would enjoy watching him poke in 20 - 30 year And kmnkckthe opponents off their game in the. Meantime. If you say you wouldn't, then go see a psychiatrist,althoughnot sure they could treat you.

Another reason I don't want Ekblad is the fact that it in turn makes the Sabres almost desperate to make a trade for a forward.

We shouldn't be the desperate team right now. We should be the ones being approached
- sbroads24

Desperate how? Despite the rhetoric Murray and Nolan are throwing around, make no mistake, they know they are going to finish near the bottom no matter who they pick.

Sorry to be so late...just got home. Anyway, speak for yourself. I'll speak for myself...I'll take that little scumbag rat a-hole on my team any day, including twice on Sundays through Saturdays.
Nobody likes him from the opposing team, but tell me you would enjoy watching him poke in 20 - 30 year And kmnkckthe opponents off their game in the. Meantime. If you say you wouldn't, then go see a psychiatrist,althoughnot sure they could treat you.
- IonSabres

He will get 15 goals on Buffalo . He is a product of the talent around . I speak for the majority when I see no thanks to Marchand . People in here belittle Kaleta for his cheap shots . Marchand is a worse cheap shot artist that runs and hides behind the biggest Bruin on the ice . Kaleta will at least pay the piper for his sins. And by the way I am no Kaleta fan.

Ehrhoff likely won't accept a trade west and Myers will not likely be going anywhere unless the deal is too good to pass up.

Ehrhoff would likely get us PAP.
- thatsapickle

You think Ehrhoff would only land us PA Parenteau? I want whatever you're smoking.

Ekblad did shut down the "mythical" Connor McDavid in juniors this season...




I'm not so sure why the Sabres should be so scared of drafting Ekblad.

If Murray thinks he has future Norris Trophy written all over him, then you just draft him and trade one of our current d-men to Edmonton at the draft.

Saaay... McCabe & Stafford to Edm, for Sam Gagner?




Now all that being said, the only way the Sabres are ever going to acquire a true #1 center, is going to be by drafting one.

But maybe you can take Ekblad and hold out for McDavid next year (having McDavid & Girgensons as your 1-2 punch down the middle).
- SuperCat

I ask again, why are all of your trade proposals terrible?

Scott Glennie and Jack Campbell for Ehrhoff?