When they won the cup, Chara was a superstar and Thomas played like one in goal.
- Sabresfan-365

But neither were crazy high first round picks. I don't see why a lot of you feel you need McDavid or Eichel. Not all teams that are good had so many high picks. It's much more about developing kids into a set system your team believes in, starts with always trying to win. To me. Aiming for McDavid is the same as saying it's OK to lose. Which is a foundation that won't work.

Caps, Devils and Flames all have interest in Vanek per EK.

Your throwing that term around loosely.. I'd say there's maybe 10 -15 MAX superstars in the league..

Chara ain't one of them... he plays well but screws up A LOT in his own zone. Thomas played like one yes but doesn't mean he is one.
- bluengold12

Chara of 2014 yes I would agree, but the Chara of 2011 was definitely still a star.

Chara of 2014 yes I would agree, but the Chara of 2011 was definitely still a star.
- Sabresfan-365

Star yes. Again.. Superstar?? I don't see it..

But neither were crazy high first round picks. I don't see why a lot of you feel you need McDavid or Eichel. Not all teams that are good had so many high picks. It's much more about developing kids into a set system your team believes in, starts with always trying to win. To me. Aiming for McDavid is the same as saying it's OK to lose. Which is a foundation that won't work.
- digitalbath

Never said we needed McDavid or Eichel specifically, but we still need more high end talent and that's at the top of the draft.

Star yes. Again.. Superstar?? I don't see it..
- bluengold12

52 pts 79 games and norris trophy nominee, we don't have anyone close to that right now.

Edit: 44 in 81, lookin at the wrong year

Never said we needed McDavid or Eichel specifically, but we still need more high end talent and that's at the top of the draft.
- Sabresfan-365

High end talent comes from all rounds of the draft, again it's way more important to develop correctly than it is to have a good number in front of the kid you selected.

High end talent comes from all rounds of the draft, again it's way more important to develop correctly than it is to have a good number in front of the kid you selected.
- digitalbath

Disagree, both are important but consider this.


If the sabres develop a projected third line player drafted in the 3rd round correctly...they get a 3rd line player.

If they draft a player with elite talent and just make sure not to emotionally scar him, at absolute worst case they get a top 6 forward.

52 pts 79 games and norris trophy nominee, we don't have anyone close to that right now.

Edit: 44 in 81, lookin at the wrong year
- Sabresfan-365

I'd like to see

Risto or Myers step up this year in that department but I agree no one on D with that production. And of course I'm not saying were cup contenders with this roster.. just saying you don't need superstars and we could be cup contenders with some of our prospects filling out and making a few key trades

Disagree, both are important but consider this.


If the sabres develop a projected third line player drafted in the 3rd round correctly...they get a 3rd line player.

If they draft a player with elite talent and just make sure not to emotionally scar him, at absolute worst case they get a top 6 forward.
- Sabresfan-365

You're talking about projections. Projections aren't fact. If a kid who's projected to be a 3rd line forward but gets the right development, why is it impossible he turns into a top 6 or even number 1 forward?

I'd like to see

Risto or Myers step up this year in that department but I agree no one on D with that production. And of course I'm not saying were cup contenders with this roster.. just saying you don't need superstars and we could be cup contenders with some of our prospects filling out and making a few key trades
- bluengold12

Gotta give to get though, nobody is going to give up the players we need in the key trades without getting key assets back. This is where having 3 1sts in a deep draft next year comes in handy. I doubt he keeps all three picks and even if he does i bet one of those prospects gets dealt in a larger deal about a year later.

I agree that building the team involves key trades but imo we just don't have enough of those high valued prospects that teams covet so dearly to convince them to give us those high end veterans.

You're talking about projections. Projections aren't fact. If a kid who's projected to be a 3rd line forward but gets the right development, why is it impossible he turns into a top 6 or even number 1 forward?
- digitalbath

Because if he's projected to be a 3rd line player, it's probably because he doesn't have the talent to be a #1.

You can invest all the development you want but you can't teach pure skill. Not saying you can't find players like that in those rounds but I don't want this team to just say oh we don't high end picks so long as we develop players properly im sure our 4th round pick will put up huge numbers.

I'd rather take my chances with a high pick and develop him properly vs going for it and hoping that those mid round picks suddenly find 1st line skill. I agree development is important but there's a fine line.

Gotta give to get though, nobody is going to give up the players we need in the key trades without getting key assets back. This is where having 3 1sts in a deep draft next year comes in handy. I doubt he keeps all three picks and even if he does i bet one of those prospects gets dealt in a larger deal about a year later.

I agree that building the team involves key trades but imo we just don't have enough of those high valued prospects that teams covet so dearly to convince them to give us those high end veterans.
- Sabresfan-365

Okay so lets give up then but not stupid trades for Myers.. Fair hockey trades like what LA and Phili did with the Simmons trade

Because if he's projected to be a 3rd line player, it's probably because he doesn't have the talent to be a #1.

You can invest all the development you want but you can't teach pure skill. Not saying you can't find players like that in those rounds but I don't want this team to just say oh we don't high end picks so long as we develop players properly im sure our 4th round pick will put up huge numbers.
- Sabresfan-365

I'm in no way saying trade away all your high end picks. They're valuable and obviously have a better chance of being successful than 5th rounders. All I've been saying is. You try and win first. If that means you get 14th in the draft or 22nd ect. Then the ethic built around winning is more important than that #1 pick multiple years in a row

Okay so lets give up then but not stupid trades for Myers.. Fair hockey trades like what LA and Phili did with the Simmons trade
- bluengold12

LA also gave up a top 5 pick in that deal, and they did it because once they drafted and saw how good Doughty and Kopitar would be for them, Schenn became expendable, dido Johnson.

We don't have enough high end talent to suggest that a guy like say Ristolainen is expendable should he be underachieving, not yet anyways.

I'm in no way saying trade away all your high end picks. They're valuable and obviously have a better chance of being successful than 5th rounders. All I've been saying is. You try and win first. If that means you get 14th in the draft or 22nd ect. Then the ethic built around winning is more important than that #1 pick multiple years in a row
- digitalbath

They tried that crap for over a decade, year after year doing patch jobs to try and gun for 8th. No progress what so ever, just mediocrity and the icing on top was the lack of talent we kept missing out on.

Not saying they should go out there and tell the players to lose, but lets not pretend this team should be eyeing for Stastny and trading for Spezza this summer.

LA also gave up a top 5 pick in that deal, and they did it because once they drafted and saw how good Doughty and Kopitar would be for them, Schenn became expendable, dido Johnson.

We don't have enough high end talent to suggest that a guy like say Ristolainen is expendable should he be underachieving, not yet anyways.
- Sabresfan-365

What about doing something like Grigorenko and Baptiste plus St Louis's 1st next year for E Kane? Not saying these players are set in stone just saying that could be something similar where we can say Grigs could still be a very good player and Baptiste tore it up last year in juniors could be a semi fair trade at least a start.

What about doing something like Grigorenko and Baptiste plus St Louis's 1st next year for E Kane? Not saying these players are set in stone just saying that could be something similar where we can say Grigs could still be a very good player and Baptiste tore it up last year in juniors could be a semi fair trade at least a start.
- bluengold12

E Kane will cost more then that IMO.

They tried that crap for over a decade, year after year doing patch jobs to try and gun for 8th. No progress what so ever, just mediocrity and the icing on top was the lack of talent we kept missing out on.

Not saying they should go out there and tell the players to lose, but lets not pretend this team should be eyeing for Stastny and trading for Spezza this summer.
- Sabresfan-365

No. Spezza would be a horrible idea, plus he wouldn't play there but I don't think your team is as far off from being done shipping players out on a rebuild than it is to start winning.

What about doing something like Grigorenko and Baptiste plus St Louis's 1st next year for E Kane? Not saying these players are set in stone just saying that could be something similar where we can say Grigs could still be a very good player and Baptiste tore it up last year in juniors could be a semi fair trade at least a start.
- bluengold12

I wouldn't be surprised if he's already trying this. Don't know if Winnipeg would say yes to this but I'd be all for it. Trading from a position of strength for a guy with elite talent and still young

E Kane will cost more then that IMO.
- SABRES 89

Like I said was just an example..

Could do Grigerenko St. Louis 1st and maybe Compher?? or Pysyk..

No. Spezza would be a horrible idea, plus he wouldn't play there but I don't think your team is as far off from being done shipping players out on a rebuild than it is to start winning.
- digitalbath

I don't think they're that far off either. IMO it's one more year of true suckyness (yea I couldn't think of anything better ) once that 2015 draft is done and this team is loaded both with high upside players and key role players, we'll probably see some serious moves from this team (trades and signings).

I'm in no way saying trade away all your high end picks. They're valuable and obviously have a better chance of being successful than 5th rounders. All I've been saying is. You try and win first. If that means you get 14th in the draft or 22nd ect. Then the ethic built around winning is more important than that #1 pick multiple years in a row
- digitalbath

Easy to say . You think the players are trying to lose ? We are rebuilding . Our core was not working together . We traded them all away for picks . We are rebuilding with picks . You get enough assets through picks you can make trades. Many teams have done the same and been successful . Like the team down the road from you in Chicago did . Detroit used to own them . They rebuilt through high picks and now they own Detroit . Not a hard concept to understand .

I wouldn't be surprised if he's already trying this. Don't know if Winnipeg would say yes to this but I'd be all for it. Trading from a position of strength for a guy with elite talent and still young
- Sabresfan-365

Yeah this is what LA did and it worked out great for them.. Sure Simmons is really good but you don't see Phili winning any cups yet. doesn't have to even be E Kane. Could be someone like Eberle or a playoff tested guy like a Richards but a bit younger.

Like I said was just an example..

Could do Grigerenko St. Louis 1st and maybe Compher?? or Pysyk..
- bluengold12

IMO it's going to cost a roster player like Ennis, Ehrhoff, Myers or Hodgson to get Kane.