So there's no point at all, no reason for his "eyebrows are raised" and his "brow is furroughed." Got it.
- jmatchett383

So people would be aware to listen to the press conference today ?

So people would be aware to listen to the press conference today ?
- Maximum Signal

Wouldn't the same amount of Buffalo fans listen to the press conference regardless of whether or not some OHL team is there as well?

Correct, there is no reason in this world for there to be a headline. How dare he!
- stashu

I didn't say there was no reason to not report it, merely that there was no reason for his "eyebrows to be raised" and his "brow to be furrowed." He's (not so secretly) trying to tie McDavid to the Sabres when there is no connection at all right now more so than a Sabres connection to Dylan Strome or Cole Mayo.

Wouldn't the same amount of Buffalo fans listen to the press conference regardless of whether or not some OHL team is there as well?
- jmatchett383

No not really including the Otters as being part of the press conference gets folks more interested . Because of the Sabres anticipated suckiness, folks here excited about McDavid . Many of them made trips over the last year to see games he is in in the OHL . I saw him 3 times last year myself . If they do host a game here many local fans will attend to see if he is all he is stated to be. By the way he is !

No not really including the Otters as being part of the press conference gets folks more interested . Because of the Sabres anticipated suckiness, folks here excited about McDavid . Many of them made trips over the last year to see games he is in in the OHL . I saw him 3 times last year myself . If they do host a game here many local fans will attend to see if he is all he is stated to be. By the way he is !
- Maximum Signal

And with the new draft lottery rules, it's a surefire bet that they'll be getting him, the same way they got Ekblad at #1 last year.

And with the new draft lottery rules, it's a surefire bet that they'll be getting him, the same way they got Ekblad at #1 last year.
- jmatchett383

So folks can't get excited about the prospect of getting him ? They are not allowed to watch a generational player before he gets to the NHL? They can't dream that they win the lottery for once?

Thank you for your concern for our dreams.

They can...but 2 teams having a joint press conference has no relationship as to whom a team will draft/be in a position to draft next season.

They can...but 2 teams having a joint press conference has any relationship to who a team will draft/be in a position to draft next season.

Word is they are going to be hosting an Otter's home game here . Also Mr Pegula is interested in purchasing a Major A franchise in the future . Good way to see if Hockey crazy Buffalo will attend Major A games . Currently closest team is about 35 miles away . I know lots of Hockey lovers that travel up to those games . I guess the problem is you are not aware how hockey crazy this area has become.

They can...but 2 teams having a joint press conference has any relationship to who a team will draft/be in a position to draft next season.

Word is they are going to Hosting Otter's home game here . Also Mr Pegula is interested in purchasing a Major A franchise in the future . Good way to see if Hockey crazy Buffalo will attend Major A games . Currently closest team is about 35 miles away . I know lots of Hockey lovers that travel up to those games . I guess the problem you are not aware how hockey crazy this area has become.
- Maximum Signal

I've been to Buffalo 3 times and have always thought it was a place where people do love their hockey. 35 miles is not a long way to travel for a game.

I don't so much have a problem with them having a joint press conference as I do Garth's overreaction, where he is somehow connecting a joint press conference into a Connor McDavid will be a Sabre, while disguising it as "I'm curious to see what they have to say."

I've been to Buffalo 3 times and have always thought it was a place where people do love their hockey. 35 miles is not a long way to travel for a game.

I don't so much have a problem with them having a joint press conference as I do Garth's overreaction, where he is somehow connecting a joint press conference into a Connor McDavid will be a Sabre, while disguising it as "I'm curious to see what they have to say."
- jmatchett383

Garth is a cheerleader more than an analyst he over reacts to anything like this . But that is Garth that is not going to change. We do appreciate any updates he has and how quickly he informs us of them.

Garth is a cheerleader more than an analyst he over reacts to anything like this . But that is Garth that is not going to change. We do appreciate any updates he has and how quickly he informs us of them.


- Maximum Signal

That's fine. As an informative writer (with or without typos), news like that is fine. It's the "Hey, let me write a really skewed perspective on this that somehow connects A to G while skipping B-F," that I had an issue with.

I agree. Keeping it between the last 5-6 teams would be a much fairer structure. Teams that finish just out of the play-offs by a few points (especially in a tough division - where teams are very close together points-wise at the end of the year)) are more than likely still good teams. As a result, they shouldn't have ANY chance at getting the number one (even though currently the odds of that happening are very low, there is still that possibility, which should not be the case)
- Zogg

Look at it this way. Colorado wasn't that bad of a team. They tank for one season and pick up a franchise player in MacKinnon. The next year, they win the division.

A couple years before that, Colorado wasn't that bad. They trade Anderson for Eliott (to purposely tank), struggle to end the season, and end up getting their future captain in Landeskog.

I hate that crap.

Because there is so much more movement with free agents in today's NHL (along with cap ceilings and floor), things can change drastically in one offseason.

There hasn't been expansion in forever. There is a pretty good competitive balance in today's NHL. Buffalo chooses to be that bad. They don't have to be. They want to 'bottom out'. That's their choice. With that said, I hate that teams get rewarded for doing it.

I like the new system. If anything, I think teams 5 thru 10 should have even more of a shot at getting a top 3 pick. The difference between being the 7th worst NHL team and the 2nd worst NHL team is not that big.

Look at it this way. Colorado wasn't that bad of a team. They tank for one season and pick up a franchise player in MacKinnon. The next year, they win the division.

A couple years before that, Colorado wasn't that bad. They trade Anderson (to purposely tank), struggle to end the season, and end up getting their future captain in Landeskog.

I hate that crap.

Because there is so much more movement with free agents in today's NHL (along with cap ceilings and floor), things can change drastically in one offseason.

There hasn't been expansion in forever. There is a pretty good competitive balance in today's NHL. Buffalo chooses to be that bad. They don't have to be. They want to 'bottom out'. That's their choice. With that said, I hate that teams get rewarded for doing it.

I like the new system. If anything, I think teams 5 thru 10 should have even more of a shot at getting a top 3 pick. The difference between being the 7th worst NHL team and the 2nd worst NHL team is not that big.
- Charliebox

I don't think Colorado tanked necessarily. They had a lot of injuries that year and frankly, what they did have wasn't good enough, coach included. Sure, they traded away a few points towards the end of the season, but so do a lot of teams.

I also don't think Buffalo is choosing to be bad. Looking at their team on paper, there is potential to, maybe not make the playoffs, but to be a competitive team most nights. Whether that translates to on-ice success if different. Now Florida, THERE is a team choosing to be bad.

I don't think Colorado tanked necessarily. They had a lot of injuries that year and frankly, what they did have wasn't good enough, coach included. Sure, they traded away a few points towards the end of the season, but so do a lot of teams.

I also don't think Buffalo is choosing to be bad. Looking at their team on paper, there is potential to, maybe not make the playoffs, but to be a competitive team most nights. Whether that translates to on-ice success if different. Now Florida, THERE is a team choosing to be bad.
- jmatchett383

You're right about the injuries. But doesn't that make it even worse? I mean, we all knew Colorado wasn't that bad. They got unlucky for a year and then snag Mackinnon. poop, lots of teams, that really aren't that bad, have off years due to injury. It doesn't mean you deserve a franchise superstar.

Over the past 5 seasons, there have been about 5 other teams who have been much, much worse than Colorado.

Now that there hasn't been expansion forever, and teams all have to fall within a certain payroll, there is no excuse for sucking long term. Edmonton did not deserve as many 1st overalls as they got.

If the system had been the new way, maybe Edmonton would have addressed their real issue (horrible management and coaching), instead of ruining so many potential star players.

You're right about the injuries. But doesn't that make it even worse? I mean, we all knew Colorado wasn't that bad. They got unlucky for a year and then snag Mackinnon. poop, lots of teams, that really aren't that bad, have off years due to injury. It doesn't mean you deserve a franchise superstar.

Over the past 5 seasons, there have been about 5 other teams who have been much, much worse than Colorado.

Now that there hasn't been expansion forever, and teams all have to fall within a certain payroll, there is no excuse for sucking long term. Edmonton did not deserve as many 1st overalls as they got.

If the system had been the new way, maybe Edmonton would have addressed their real issue (horrible management and coaching), instead of ruining so many potential star players.
- Charliebox

I actually thought Edmonton's problem was drafting too many of the same player without addressing needs. Maybe they could have traded down in the RNH/Yakupov year and picked up a top-5 pick plus a good defenseman/goalie.

I actually thought Edmonton's problem was drafting too many of the same player without addressing needs. Maybe they could have traded down in the RNH/Yakupov year and picked up a top-5 pick plus a good defenseman/goalie.
- jmatchett383

That's part of 'management', no?

That's part of 'management', no?
- Charliebox

Good point.

II don't so much have a problem with them having a joint press conference as I do Garth's overreaction
- jmatchett383

Welcome to "Garth."