The difference is, though, if the Sabres do draft Ekblad, they can get the elite scorer in the draft next year. I doubt the Sabres refuse to address scoring, even if it's by the accident of having a high pick again next year.
- buffalofan19

If they take ekblad would they be more willing to trade for evander Kane ?

I still think that would be a mistake.


You have a 24 year old 6'8 offensive defensemen that at worst is rounding out to be a real good 2-3 guy (which obviously I think he can be a good #1) locked up for 5 years.

Why move him to draft an unknown at the same position ?
- sbroads24

I wouldn't do that either.

I've been on the Ekblad bandwagon (currently holding strong at 1 ) for a while now though I'd be okay with either Sam.

I'm not as high on our defence as most people are so I'd agree in saying that trading Myers for that pick doesn't really help us. I want Ekblad as an addition to our defence not as a replacement for someone.

Oh , you are going with the Nashville model . Since it has been so successful there. Also Ekbald will not just waltz into the NHL at 18 and be a top pairing defenseman.
- Maximum Signal

Sure he won't be a top pair guy as a rookie. But we're talking about long-term projections with these prospects...

And how they'd fit into the Sabres long term rebuild.


Borderline guys like Webber and McCabe can all eat up minutes until Ekblad, Risto, & Zadorov are up to speed.

it made no mention of our 2nd overall pick.
- Mentalorgasm5

Like I stated, in no way can I see Florida trading #1 and the #2 pick not being involved going the other way. Tallon would be run out of town.

I don't think Tim Murray is averse to trading any one of the aforementioned. He doesn't really seem to be attached to anybody on this roster. If Myers will land him a guy he really wants, then he's going to trade him. The same goes for Ehrhoff, Ristolainen, Zadorov, etc.
- buffalofan19

I see that. Myers would be a bigger splash with a roster player coming back. Risto or Zadorov will get you other prospects

I wouldn't do that either.

I've been on the Ekblad bandwagon (currently holding strong at 1 ) for a while now though I'd be okay with either Sam.

I'm not as high on our defence as most people are so I'd agree in saying that trading Myers for that pick doesn't really help us. I want Ekblad as an addition to our defence not as a replacement for someone.
- Sabresfan-365

Agreed. I'm not gonna cry if Reinhart or Bennett goes 1 and we take Ekblad, but if we then turn around and move Myers.... It's 100% counter productive. Why not just trade the 2nd pick for a scorer then?

Like I stated, in no way can I see Florida trading #1 and the #2 pick not being involved going the other way. Tallon would be run out of town.
- dadeadhead

Agreed. It's a fairly obvious assumption that the #2 pick would be in play.

Like I stated, in no way can I see Florida trading #1 and the #2 pick not being involved going the other way. Tallon would be run out of town.
- dadeadhead

Which we agree would be stupid to trade assets to move up and grab someone where we are organizationally strong at that position

The Bills did trade up (a future 1st) to draft Watkins & then turned around and shipped 3x 1000 yrd Wr Stevie Johnson out of town...

So it wouldn't exactly be an unprecedented move.

Which we agree would be stupid to trade assets to move up and grab someone where we are organizationally strong at that position
- sbroads24

Correct.

Wonder what Edm will offer FLA...

Sam Gagner & the #3 pick for 1st overall?

The Bills did trade up (a future 1st) to draft Watkins & then turned around and shipped 3x 1000 yrd Wr Stevie Johnson out of town...

So it wouldn't exactly be an unprecedented move.
- SuperCat

Little different though. We had no one close to Watkins potential, as much as I liked Johnson, Watkins will make him look like Naaman Roosevelt.

There really is no guarantee that Ekblad turns out better than what we already have in Risto/Myers or even Zadarov

Wonder what Edm will offer FLA...

Sam Gagner & the #3 pick for 1st overall?
- SuperCat

That actually sounds like a decent offer.

Which we agree would be stupid to trade assets to move up and grab someone where we are organizationally strong at that position
- sbroads24

Maybe Tim Murray would look at it like this:

-Draft Ekblad in his first term,

-Draft McDavid in his second term.


Establish cornerstones at both ends of the ice, that have (exclusivly) his fingerprints on them..

And let the rest of the roster fall in place from there?

Maybe Tim Murray would look at it like this:

-Draft Ekblad in his first term,

-Draft McDavid in his second term.


Establish cornerstones at both ends of the ice, that have (exclusivly) his fingerprints on them..

And let the rest of the roster fall in place from there?
- SuperCat

Which sounds ideal but I hope they don't automatically think one of Eichel or McDavid is a guarantee to be theirs. A lot can happen over the course of the year

That actually sounds like a decent offer.
- jaumiller

Trade Ehrhoff to Philly (to replace the ageing Kimmo Timmonen), for Wayne Simmons.

Simmons & Girgensons has the makings of a high energy 2-way scoring line.

Maybe Tim Murray would look at it like this:

-Draft Ekblad in his first term,

-Draft McDavid in his second term.


Establish cornerstones at both ends of the ice, that have (exclusivly) his fingerprints on them..

And let the rest of the roster fall in place from there?
- SuperCat

Sabres will get a very good player @ the #2 spot. No sense in moving up.

If anything... they maybe tempted to move back a couple spots to pick up more picks in next years draft.

Might as well load up for next year.

It will be loaded with great prospects.

You really need one of the top 2 picks next year.

Maybe Edmonton will want to move up to grab Ekblad?

Which sounds ideal but I hope they don't automatically think one of Eichel or McDavid is a guarantee to be theirs. A lot can happen over the course of the year
- sbroads24

I dunno, the right moves (or the right non moves) could probably land us one of them. I know nothing is set in stone but If they field the same lineup and trade away ehrhoff/stewart and sign some low end player to short term high cap hit deals they would probably finish last again.

Trade Ehrhoff to Philly (to replace the ageing Kimmo Timmonen), for Wayne Simmons.

Simmons & Girgensons has the makings of a high energy 2-way scoring line.
- SuperCat

I was thinking more of Scott Laughton from Philly. IMO they won't move Simmonds

Which sounds ideal but I hope they don't automatically think one of Eichel or McDavid is a guarantee to be theirs. A lot can happen over the course of the year
- sbroads24

Especially if Nolan whips all these guys into great playing shape next year.

Ennis, Hodgson, & Stewart have already established themselves as budding 20g+ scorers... It's possible that Stafford, Leino, Girgensons, & Foligno could all see a boost in offensive production next season.

Sabres will get a very good player @ the #2 spot. No sense in moving up.

If anything... they maybe tempted to move back a couple spots to pick up more picks in next years draft.

Might as well load up for next year.

It will be loaded with great prospects.

You really need one of the top 2 picks next year.

Maybe Edmonton will want to move up to grab Ekblad?
- jimmc7722

The only teams that will give up 2015 picks are playoff bound teams which really doesn't help us in getting McDavid or Eichel. We already have three picks next year and our pick was always going to be our best shot at finishing bottom 5.

Trade Ehrhoff to Philly (to replace the ageing Kimmo Timmonen), for Wayne Simmons.

Simmons & Girgensons has the makings of a high energy 2-way scoring line.
- SuperCat

My god someone who understands fair trade value. I would say absolutely make this trade. Philly might not want to give up Simmons though.

Especially if Nolan whips all these guys into great playing shape next year.

Ennis, Hodgson, & Stewart have already established themselves as budding 20g+ scorers... It's possible that Stafford, Leino, Girgensons, & Foligno could all see a boost in offensive production next season.
- SuperCat

Ennis is still ? mark being unsigned. Tim has a lot of work to do this summer. Most will be draft and UFA day.

Especially if Nolan whips all these guys into great playing shape next year.

Ennis, Hodgson, & Stewart have already established themselves as budding 20g+ scorers... It's possible that Stafford, Leino, Girgensons, & Foligno could all see a boost in offensive production next season.
- SuperCat

in Europe.

That actually sounds like a decent offer.
- jaumiller

no it's not it's just 3rd for 1