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.
- buffalofan19

One draft won't cut it if they want a championship caliber group of forwards.

If they draft Ekblad they most certainly will need to move a defensemen.

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.
- buffalofan19

And you will be the first to run to the highest hill and trash them if they make a mistake . Now is not the time to take risks in the draft . Now is the time to build a solid foundation . Mr Murray and his staff have put the time in effort into this to make sure they don't take risks and all moves are well thought out. And pay dividends. How do you know Ekbald is going to be this game changer ?He is benefitting from a weak draft class for defense men. After watching Myers last year he is a lot closer to becoming that player.

And you will be the first to run to the highest hill and trash them if they make a mistake . Now is not the time to take risks in the draft . Now is the time to build a solid foundation . Mr Murray and his staff have put the time in effort into this to make sure they don't take risks and all moves are well thought out. And pay dividends. How do you know Ekbald is going to be this game changer ?He is benefitting from a weak draft class for defense men. After watching Myers last year he is a lot closer to becoming that player.
- Maximum Signal

They have no business drafting Ekblad.

And you will be the first to run to the highest hill and trash them if they make a mistake . Now is not the time to take risks in the draft . Now is the time to build a solid foundation . Mr Murray and his staff have put the time in effort into this to make sure they don't take risks and all moves are well thought out. And pay dividends. How do you know Ekbald is going to be this game changer ?He is benefitting from a weak draft class for defense men. After watching Myers last year he is a lot closer to becoming that player.
- Maximum Signal

I have never criticized either local team for going out and getting big time or potential big time players. The problem is we rarely see it from either team.

One draft won't cut it if they want a championship caliber group of forwards.

If they draft Ekblad they most certainly will need to move a defensemen.
- sbroads24

I fail to see why that's a bad thing. Hell, we all (rightfully) criticized Regier for hanging onto guys too long.

Who would you rather build around... Kopitar or Toews?

Who would you rather build around... Kopitar or Toews?
- SuperCat

Toews.

I fail to see why that's a bad thing. Hell, we all (rightfully) criticized Regier for hanging onto guys too long.
- buffalofan19

Who would fit that category?

Myers and Roy or Stafford are not comparable.

If Ehrhoff is willing to be moved it sounds like he's a goner anyway but he doesn't net you a top line player.

Even if a Jordan Eberle for X defensemen were available in not so sure Eberle is a championship caliber top line forward

Who would fit that category?

Myers and Roy or Stafford are not comparable.

If Ehrhoff is willing to be moved it sounds like he's a goner anyway but he doesn't net you a top line player.

Even if a Jordan Eberle for X defensemen were available in not so sure Eberle is a championship caliber top line forward
- sbroads24

With a McDavid type, if he really is the real deal, he should be just fine. And again, none of these guys outside of Reinhart sound like they're championship caliber either. That's partially why I am high on Ekblad if Reinhart isn't available. All the others' scouting reports underwhelm me.

Who would you rather build around... Kopitar or Toews?
- SuperCat

Or Patrice Bergeron?

With a McDavid type, if he really is the real deal, he should be just fine.
- buffalofan19

I'm not so sure. He's not that impressive of a player. Very one dimensional.

If you are going to be that one sided, you better be great, not just pretty good

I'm not so sure. He's not that impressive of a player. Very one dimensional.

If you are going to be that one sided, you better be great, not just pretty good
- sbroads24

Again, none of these forwards outside of Reinhart sound like they meet that criteria either. In a draft that is said to be this thin, you're better off going BPA.

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.
- Maximum Signal

I wouldnt hate marchand if we drafted him, I dont think I wanna give up the assets to trade for him. Is marchand uglier than witch hazel mike ricci?

Again, none of these forwards outside of Reinhart sound like they meet that criteria either. In a draft that is said to be this thin, you're better off going BPA.
- buffalofan19

Bennett and Draisaitl without a doubt project to be better players than a Jordan Eberle or say Cody Hodgson.

This isn't a draft full of superstars, but they aren't slouches either. Compare Bennett's or Draisatl's numbers to other players from different drafts in the OHL or WHL

Bennett and Draisaitl without a doubt project to be better players than a Jordan Eberle or say Cody Hodgson.

This isn't a draft full of superstars, but they aren't slouches either. Compare Bennett's or Draisatl's numbers to other players from different drafts in the OHL or WHL
- sbroads24

I'm telling you. Draisaitl is overrated. We will be saying "whatever happened to that guy" in about five years. Reading between the lines on Bennett, I think "good", not great.

I will be shocked if the sabres draft ekblad. Bpa or not. Fans are good with losing next year, seems like its devils advocates pushing for a run at 8th. Drafting ekblad probably assures that we will have to suck again- the year after the mcdavid draft, just to get enough forwards to be in the discussion for a playoff run in a few years. I have a feeling murray will look at the organization and rate players more appropriately.

I'm telling you. Draisaitl is overrated. We will be saying "whatever happened to that guy" in about five years. Reading between the lines on Bennett, I think "good", not great.
- buffalofan19

Ya know, ive heard him referred to as the german gretzky. A little ironic from a country that hasnt medaled in mens olympic ice hockey since hitler was calling the shots.

I'm telling you. Draisaitl is overrated. We will be saying "whatever happened to that guy" in about five years. Reading between the lines on Bennett, I think "good", not great.
- buffalofan19

I am not a fan of Draisaitl . How many of his games have you attended in person and scouted ? How many have you even watched ? A lot of scouts like him and yet you know more than all of them . Impressive. That you have already determined that he will be nothing . I have read where some scouts think very highly of him

I am not a fan of Draisaitl . How many of his games have you attended in person and scouted ? How many have you even watched ? A lot of scouts like him and yet you know more than all of them . Impressive. That you have already determined that he will be nothing . I have read where some scouts think very highly of him
- Maximum Signal

Again, I read what the scouts have to say and I form an opinion, just like everyone else. It sounds to me like he grew a little faster than most his age and will come back to earth When the size catches up with him. I also didn't like him at all in the World Juniors.

Again, I read what the scouts have to say and I form an opinion, just like everyone else. It sounds to me like he grew a little faster than most his age and will come back to earth When the size catches up with him. I also didn't like him at all in the World Juniors.
- buffalofan19

He got that suspension at the world juniors , that soured many on him . But for never seeing this player live you are too judgmental . I have read good and bad about but nowhere saying he will disappear in a few years.

Again, I read what the scouts have to say and I form an opinion, just like everyone else. It sounds to me like he grew a little faster than most his age and will come back to earth When the size catches up with him. I also didn't like him at all in the World Juniors.
- buffalofan19

You could say the same about Ekblad at the world juniors

You could say the same about Ekblad at the world juniors
- sbroads24

Except Ekblad's skating and his shot are supposed to be on par with people at the NHL level, not just above everyone at the Junior level. Draisaitl seems to use his size and that's about it.

Except Ekblad's skating and his shot are supposed to be on par with people at the NHL level, not just above everyone at the Junior level. Draisaitl seems to use his size and that's about it.
- buffalofan19

Draisaitl has one weakness.... Skating. Which can improve.

My point on Ekblad is that he failed to show at the world juniors that he is in fact a "difference maker"

Draisaitl has one weakness.... Skating. Which can improve.

My point on Ekblad is that he failed to show at the world juniors that he is in fact a "difference maker"
- sbroads24

He definitely was a difference maker in the game against the US.

He definitely was a difference maker in the game against the US.
- buffalofan19

That still says very little.

You could say Ristolainen showed the same in the medal game.

Ekblad failed at any point to show any sort of dominance.

“One is a defenceman who at the end of the day could be become a franchise defenceman. He may be a solid, very solid, two-way defenceman that plays a ton of minutes. I’m not sure if he has the dynamic kind of pace to him to be a franchise kind of player, but he’s going to be a helluva player. He’s going to be a really, really good defenceman for a long time in the league so he’s a consideration for the top pick.

This quote by Murray is exactly how I felt about Ekblad after watching him play