the 2003 draft class is considered the second best of all-time behind the 1979 class...the kings ended up with three first-rounders from that class when they landed carter and richards
- Michael Pachla

That Rangers pick though

That Rangers pick though
- Sabresfan-365

I think that's the only one of the entire first round

They lose that edge paying Brown 5.875 per year though. I think both teams have done a good job with their contracts.

Keith at under 5.5 and Hjalmarsson at 4 mil are pretty good deals.
- Sabresfan-365

I don't think they lose any edge. Hawks are in cap trouble today. Kings have their entire team locked up for the next 2 years at least until Kopitar is up

I think that's the only one of the entire first round
- Michael Pachla

Shawn Belle was a pretty bad pick as well but that was 30th overall so I give them a pass.

I think that's every scouts biggest nightmare. To draft the one guy in one of the deepest drafts of the century that didn't record a single point in the NHL.

I would love to know who that scout was and if he managed to land a job after

I don't think they lose any edge. Hawks are in cap trouble today. Kings have their entire team locked up for the next 2 years at least until Kopitar is up
- sbroads24

That's just it though, aside from timing, they both find themselves in similar situatons. Kopitar keeps this up he's going to wind up with a contract not unlike the one Toews/Kane got.

Toffoli and Pearson will likely command big raises as well if they keep it up.

Richards and Carter under contract for a long time given their age.

Shawn Belle was a pretty bad pick as well but that was 30th overall so I give them a pass.

I think that's every scouts biggest nightmare. To draft the one guy in one of the deepest drafts of the century that didn't record a single point in the NHL.

I would love to know who that scout was and if he managed to land a job after
- Sabresfan-365

yeah...that was pretty bad...we need a rangers fan to chime in on that one and give us some insight

yeah...that was pretty bad...we need a rangers fan to chime in on that one and give us some insight
- Michael Pachla

Im afraid to ask, not unlike reminding a sabres fan that we had one of the highest odds at landing Crosby

Seriously? While I agree we need an elite player, I fail to see how that means we would be a decade away.

Every championship team has great players that weren't necessarily top 3 picks


Kopitar
Bergeron
Chara
Keith
Seabrook
- sbroads24

Those are just lucky picks. Luck has nothing to do with the Buffalo Sabres or Buffalo Bills. So if we want a Cup we will have to get that #1 or #2 pick in next season's draft.

Those are just lucky picks. Luck has nothing to do with the Buffalo Sabres or Buffalo Bills. So if we want a Cup we will have to get that #1 or #2 pick in next season's draft.
- Jammerz04

Glass half full opinion: we're about due for some serious luck

That's just it though, aside from timing, they both find themselves in similar situatons. Kopitar keeps this up he's going to wind up with a contract not unlike the one Toews/Kane got.

Toffoli and Pearson will likely command big raises as well if they keep it up.

Richards and Carter under contract for a long time given their age.
- Sabresfan-365

In a few years they will be in similar situations. Not right now though. The Hawks have to trade players to get under. And will have to again when Kane and Toews deals kick in.

With Toffoli and Pearson probably being full time, and with resigning Gabby, after the Hawks inevitably trade someone, you could argue the Kings will be better and the Hawks will be worse

In a few years they will be in similar situations. Not right now though. The Hawks have to trade players to get under. And will have to again when Kane and Toews deals kick in.

With Toffoli and Pearson probably being full time, and with resigning Gabby, after the Hawks inevitably trade someone, you could argue the Kings will be better and the Hawks will be worse
- sbroads24

Yea I agree between the two the Hawks will have to be more creative to stay as competitive but they're in very similar positions with their big players and contracts.

After watching the Ivan Hlinka highlights


If we get the chance, I hope TM doesn't pass up on Marner because of his height. Dude's a serious gamer

Detroit. Point is it can be done

All of their elite players were not top draft picks
Same with Boston

LA did not have a top 3 pick play forward for them.
- sbroads24

Detroit has been holding onto the oldies for years my friend. They won their last Cup with a pretty stacked team. They won't win one again for a looooong time. Making playoffs is great for revenues and such but honestly if you can't get the cup it just seems repetitive and pointless. See the Sharks and Blues.

After watching the Ivan Hlinka highlights


If we get the chance, I hope TM doesn't pass up on Marner because of his height. Dude's a serious gamer
- Sabresfan-365

Don't know much about him but he's listed at 5'11.

Detroit has been holding onto the oldies for years my friend. They won their last Cup with a pretty stacked team. They won't win one again for a looooong time. Making playoffs is great for revenues and such but honestly if you can't get the cup it just seems repetitive and pointless. See the Sharks and Blues.
- Jammerz04

The Sharks have a few top 3 picks on their team. With 0 cup finals appearances.

There is no set way to build a cup team

Don't know much about him but he's listed at 5'11.
- sbroads24

Watched him a couple times when I went up to london and really liked what I saw. Frenchie concurred but we both wondered if he could up his game to make up for his size, while it's just one tournament I'm almost 100% convinced of his abilities now. (Mainly because throughout the year he really shied away from shooting the puck, made me wonder how good his shooting abilities really were).

I think he's going to have a big year

Watched him a couple times when I went up to london and really liked what I saw. Frenchie concurred but we both wondered if he could up his game to make up for his size, while it's just one tournament I'm almost 100% convinced of his abilities now. (Mainly because throughout the year he really shied away from shooting the puck, made me wonder how good his shooting abilities really were).

I think he's going to have a big year
- Sabresfan-365

I remember seeing him briefly in the playoffs but I was focused on watching Zadarov.

Without another elite first round pick, this team is at least another decade away from a championship.
- buffalofan19

Decade?
That sentence right there is why I hardly ever read anything you type.
Sorry just being honest.
By the way I appreciate your blogs Mike.
When I do come here now it is usually just to read them and I thank you.

I remember seeing him briefly in the playoffs but I was focused on watching Zadarov.
- sbroads24

Yea that's where he kinda stepped up and scouts took notice.

Zadorov-Marner could be an important link up for their powerplay, something to keep an eye on should they send Zadorov back.

Yea that's where he kinda stepped up and scouts took notice.

Zadorov-Marner could be an important link up for their powerplay, something to keep an eye on should they send Zadorov back.
- Sabresfan-365

Speaking of the PP, I wanted someone like Milano in this last draft.

We need someone that can enter the zone and back guys down.

Roy was good at it in his prime, Connolly was great at it when healthy, and I think Milano could have been that guy.

As much as I like Ennis...... His zone entries could use a ton of work

Speaking of the PP, I wanted someone like Milano in this last draft.

We need someone that can enter the zone and back guys down.

Roy was good at it in his prime, Connolly was great at it when healthy, and I think Milano could have been that guy.

As much as I like Ennis...... His zone entries could use a ton of work
- sbroads24

Yup, you mentioned Honka as well, he did well for Swift Current in that regard.

Marner's got that in his game as well(zone entries).

As far as your 2nd sentence goes, I don't know all the prospects that well but from what little i know I think Hanifin (yes a defensemen gasp! ) is probably the best at that.

Yup, you mentioned Honka as well, he did well for Swift Current in that regard.

Marner's got that in his game as well(zone entries).

As far as your 2nd sentence goes, I don't know all the prospects that well but from what little i know I think Hanifin (yes a defensemen gasp! ) is probably the best at that.
- Sabresfan-365

Hey if we end up with Eichel/Hanifan color me ecstatic

Yup, you mentioned Honka as well, he did well for Swift Current in that regard.

Marner's got that in his game as well(zone entries).

As far as your 2nd sentence goes, I don't know all the prospects that well but from what little i know I think Hanifin (yes a defensemen gasp! ) is probably the best at that.
- Sabresfan-365

Off topic but IMO Florida would have been better off with Seth Jones and Sam Reinhart then Ekblad and Barkov

They lose that edge paying Brown 5.875 per year though. I think both teams have done a good job with their contracts.

Keith at under 5.5 and Hjalmarsson at 4 mil are pretty good deals.
- Sabresfan-365

Bickell at 4 isn't though.

Off topic but IMO Florida would have been better off with Seth Jones and Sam Reinhart then Ekblad and Barkov
- sbroads24

In hindsight that's probably true but my guess is they didn't expect to be drafting 1st overall again this year.

Put a lot of faith in the D they already have and they didn't do so well.