Michael Pachla: Sisyphus' boulder, Buffalo sports and my No. 2 overall pick.
- Michael Pachla

Mike, while I understand your sentiment of being the bridesmaid six times, this past season(the last 2 really) + 15 years of Bills mediocrity have given me new perspective. Sure I want a championship and dream of what It would be like, but I just really can't wait to get back to being competitive and relevant. Championships will come.

They only thing I don't like is the hopelessness of being mediocre and the appearance that my team is unable to do anything else. The Sabres shed the old core and management and really have given us hope and direction.

Being as bad as we were last year really shows you what its like to be outclassed at almost every level. That's not very fun. Winning a championship in any league takes being very good on the ice/field, but it also takes the a lot of other things to go right. The moon, stars and planets all seem to have to align for it to work out. And that's true in any league, NHL, AHL, NFL, World Cup Soccer. Look at this years Blackhawks. They could go toe to toe with any one of the great teams the last 30 years, but everything didn't go right. They are still just as good to me either way.

All Im saying is I'm not hinging everything on that ring. As a fan, in Buffalo, you can't. You won't enjoy yourself much. There's a lot of enjoyment to be had a as sports fan if your team is respectable and competitive.

at this point, i will be kinda surprised if bennett is there at 2, and the sabres do not take him.
- Mentalorgasm5

If Bennett's gone, then it's Reinhart, I would think.

And if Bennett's gone, and Florida kept their pick, their forward ranks are filling out quite nicely

As will you, unless Garth trades the pick.

Preference?
- grand-magus

If they keep the pick... I'm happy with Dal Colle or Draisaitl.

If Bennett's gone, then it's Reinhart, I would think.

And if Bennett's gone, and Florida kept their pick, their forward ranks are filling out quite nicely
- grand-magus

idk, if bennett goes first, I think you have to take ekblad, or trade down a spot or two to someone who will

I cant imagine what EDM would do if both Reinhart and Draisatil were sitting there at 3.
- ImThatGuy

We trade down provided that the team we were trading with kept Calgary from getting Reinhart

If they keep the pick... I'm happy with Dal Colle or Draisaitl.
- jimmc7722

I dont think Draisaitl is making it past us. I do think Dal Colle will be a nice player alongside Tavares for years to come though

We should take Bennett. Reinhart would be fine...but think Stafford. Also, Bennett is a local and has blue collar roots..he's from Holland Landing, Ontario...not from out west. Some players (Hmmmm....Myers!?) seem to have a little adjustment period. Don't underestimate being away from family and friends...and he has a top flight mentor in Doug Gilmour. Also, I would get rid of Grigs plus some/all second round picks to Edmonton for the 3rd and get both Sams...Grigs is a headcase and is not one to build around...

idk, if bennett goes first, I think you have to take ekblad, or trade down a spot or two to someone who will
- Mentalorgasm5

I know some might disagree, but best case scenario is if FLA takes bennett first. This allows Ekblad to fall to us, hopefully causing a bidding war for our pick, making EDM freak and trade us a ransom in order for them to go up a spot. We still get Reinhart and whatever EDM gives us. All hypothetical of course, but I would love to see that happen.

I know some might disagree, but best case scenario is if FLA takes bennett first. This allows Ekblad to fall to us, hopefully causing a bidding war for our pick, making EDM freak and trade us a ransom in order for them to go up a spot. We still get Reinhart and whatever EDM gives us. All hypothetical of course, but I would love to see that happen.
- IceColdBeer

I do want bennett. However, the top 4 are all so close, if bennett goes first, and we can get the 3rd overall, and their 2nd rounder for the 2nd overall. We then walk away with LD or reinhart, plus those 4 2nd rounder to get back into the first.

I am not sure it could play out any better.

I know some might disagree, but best case scenario is if FLA takes bennett first. This allows Ekblad to fall to us, hopefully causing a bidding war for our pick, making EDM freak and trade us a ransom in order for them to go up a spot. We still get Reinhart and whatever EDM gives us. All hypothetical of course, but I would love to see that happen.
- IceColdBeer

Yakupov and the 3rd please

Yakupov and the 3rd please
- beargk

No way they do that to move up 1 spot

No way they do that to move up 1 spot
- stashu

yea i would think their 2nd rounder, and we include either one of our 3rds, or our 4th.

yea i would think their 2nd rounder, and we include either one of our 3rd, or our 4th.
- Mentalorgasm5

3rd or 4th might be a bit high, maybe 5/6th, but definitely not a ton coming Buffalo's way from Edmonton. Maybe others, but I can't imagine Edmonton would trade much for #2

No way they do that to move up 1 spot
- stashu

Wouldn't be surprised if Leafs make a big push and we use that as leverage. It's all contingent on what FLA does or doesn't do. Will be happy with either Sam at two though.

Thankfully I never had Syphilis.
- leonwaldo420

I'm surprised it took 6 comments for someone to fire that line off.

Don't be afraid of skating if they are average size (6'0). JT was a poop skater his first two years and now he's above average

If I were a betting man, I'd stay as far away from predicting this draft as I could.

My head says Reinhart, my heart says Bennett and my gut says Draisaitl.

If skating is of utmost importance to Buffalo - and it very much should be (see: Grigorenko, Mikhail) - then I feel it's Bennett all the way.

Draisaitl's skating leaves a bit too be desired, from what I've seen. He's strong as an ox - powerful, even - but looks like he's skating in quicksand, and he has that very wide stance, ala Grigo. Very soft hands though, yikes.

Reinhart's skating needs work, but I don't think it hinders him at the next level, especially with some work with Dawn Braid. Hockey IQ-wise, how do you pass a guy like this up, if available?

Although, as split as we on Hockeybuzz are about this, I'm positive that Murray and Co. have their man, and that's good enough for me.
- grand-magus

It's always fun to say how Corey Perry had a skating problem too.

I hope you are right about Bennett. The Flames would love to have Reinhart.
- SolGoode

No let the Isles unite the Reinhart brothers..

Wouldn't be surprised if Leafs make a big push and we use that as leverage. It's all contingent on what FLA does or doesn't do. Will be happy with either Sam at two though.
- IceColdBeer

Reading what Boos wrote about Bennett makes me fine if we happen to take him, but I'd still prefer the higher hockey smarts in Reinhart.

We should take Bennett. Reinhart would be fine...but think Stafford. Also, Bennett is a local and has blue collar roots..he's from Holland Landing, Ontario...not from out west. Some players (Hmmmm....Myers!?) seem to have a little adjustment period. Don't underestimate being away from family and friends...and he has a top flight mentor in Doug Gilmour. Also, I would get rid of Grigs plus some/all second round picks to Edmonton for the 3rd and get both Sams...Grigs is a headcase and is not one to build around...
- Jackwagon11

In what world does Reinhart compare to Stafford?

No let the Isles unite the Reinhart brothers..
- Danformo

You'll get Ritchie and you'll like it.

No way they do that to move up 1 spot
- stashu

I would rather they didn't do that anyway. I'm not a fan of Yakupov.

We should take Bennett. Reinhart would be fine...but think Stafford. Also, Bennett is a local and has blue collar roots..he's from Holland Landing, Ontario...not from out west. Some players (Hmmmm....Myers!?) seem to have a little adjustment period. Don't underestimate being away from family and friends...and he has a top flight mentor in Doug Gilmour. Also, I would get rid of Grigs plus some/all second round picks to Edmonton for the 3rd and get both Sams...Grigs is a headcase and is not one to build around...
- Jackwagon11

...wat

In what world does Reinhart compare to Stafford?
- ImThatGuy

I see you caught onto this disaster.

In what world does Reinhart compare to Stafford?
- ImThatGuy

I was wondering the same thing.