Yep. They've really handled them in a way that could easily lead to them being like Myers or Luke Schenn, where they struggle with consistency for years and maybe never reach their potential.
- Jsaquella

I really dont think they're going to get better. The Sabres need an education from Hinkie on how to tank.

I really dont think they're going to get better. The Sabres need an education from Hinkie on how to tank.
- PhillySportsGuy

Getting McDavid or Eichel to pair with Reinhart as a top two C threat could make them dangerous. They have more assets to deal to get high picks or players, who knows, maybe they can turn Grigo and one of the kid D-men into another sniping winger.

They just passed Boston. I think Boston is cooked and Ottawa has the 8 seed. Can't say that upsets me. I'd like to see Ottawa take out the rangers actually.
- Hextall271

i hope boston misses. (frank) them and their (frank)ing town. and (frank) marchand. twice with a rusty spoon. and lucic. and chara. and campbell. and julien.

i'm rooting for ottawa to win the whole (frank)in' thing.

Getting McDavid or Eichel to pair with Reinhart as a top two C threat could make them dangerous. They have more assets to deal to get high picks or players, who knows, maybe they can turn Grigo and one of the kid D-men into another sniping winger.
- Jsaquella

They will need defenseman. I really don't see Risto or Zadorov being top pair guys anytime soon.

Good defenseman don't usually reach FA

Getting McDavid or Eichel to pair with Reinhart as a top two C threat could make them dangerous. They have more assets to deal to get high picks or players, who knows, maybe they can turn Grigo and one of the kid D-men into another sniping winger.
- Jsaquella

if the draft goes Arizona 1 and Buf 2, given the rest of the rosters and stashes, would you value buffalo over az?

i realize in real world application, location security and ownership or whatever might make it lean buffalo. i just mean as far as an overall evaluation of the total organizational assets of players/picks

I am really enjoying reading these answers, by the way -- you folks are funny/interesting

They will need defenseman. I really don't see Risto or Zadorov being top pair guys anytime soon.

Good defenseman don't usually reach FA
- PhillySportsGuy

yeah this is part of my line of thinking.

having OEL is a huge head start for the yotes.

I really dont think they're going to get better. The Sabres need an education from Hinkie on how to tank.
- PhillySportsGuy

The draft table is what kills them...

http://www.hockeydb.com/i...aft/teams/dr00005054.html

i hope boston misses. (frank) them and their (frank)ing town. and (frank) marchand. twice with a rusty spoon. and lucic. and chara. and campbell. and julien.

i'm rooting for ottawa to win the whole (frank)in' thing.
- hammarby31

I'm actually hoping its a western team and would be fine with Chicago for timonen.

I don't want any part of Montreal rangers islanders bruins or the pens winning it. Anaheim Chicago la or minny is fine by me.

They will need defenseman. I really don't see Risto or Zadorov being top pair guys anytime soon.

Good defenseman don't usually reach FA
- PhillySportsGuy

They will need a goaltender at some point as well.

I take Edmonton and get my hands dirty.

Draft Eichel. Trade Nail for a pick to use on Provorov. Use the Pens pick to trade for a Goalie. Vaselevski maybe. Trade Eberle for a solid D man.

Tampa is just too easy.

Next question:

You are Phoenix general manager Don Maloney.

Only you know that if you do nothing but draft, you will not make the playoffs for three years, and you will be fired after that year.

But you also know that as soon as you are fired, you will be named GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

You can trade with anyone in the league except the Maple Leafs, and you can increase your odds for making the playoffs in Phoenix from 50-50 to 70-30 by trading Oliver Ekman-Larsson and get a two-year contract extension...but if you don't make it, you will not be hired in Toronto because you traded Oliver Ekman-Larsson and didn't even make the playoffs.

However, after a disastrous season in Toronto, you are told that you must make the playoffs in Year Two, or else.

What do you do?
- AllInForFlyers

Stay with ARI.
Win the draft lottery, pick McDavid. With Chicago's 1st rd pick take the bpa, (either bittner, sprong or someone who slides on offense, or Roy, Carlo, or meloche for def)

Suffer through a year of mediocrity again. Draft well, insert domi and other prospects into the lineup.

Make the playoffs in year 3. Say (frank) you Toronto

The draft table is what kills them...

http://www.hockeydb.com/i...aft/teams/dr00005054.html


- Tomahawk

They drafted Chris brown? Maybe as an enforcer but I thought he only beats women/ Rihanna. Haha

I take Edmonton and get my hands dirty.

Draft Eichel. Trade Nail for a pick to use on Provorov. Use the Pens pick to trade for a Goalie. Vaselevski maybe. Trade Eberle for a solid D man.

Tampa is just too easy.
- hereticpride

as edmonton, hanifin wouldnt tempt you?

I'm actually hoping its a western team and would be fine with Chicago for timonen.

I don't want any part of Montreal rangers islanders bruins or the pens winning it. Anaheim Chicago la or minny is fine by me.
- Hextall271

minnesota would be my other choice.

i'm a kimmo fan, but i have zero interest in chicago winning again. sorry.

Stay with ARI.
Win the draft lottery, pick McDavid. With Chicago's 1st rd pick take the bpa, (either bittner, sprong or someone who slides on offense, or Roy, Carlo, or meloche for def)

Suffer through a year of mediocrity again. Draft well, insert domi and other prospects into the lineup.

Make the playoffs in year 3. Say (frank) you Toronto
- fecondo

Even though his dad was a douche, max domi looks great and is fun to watch.

as edmonton, hanifin wouldnt tempt you?
- stayinthefnnet

I don't know if Nail gets you the 3rd overall to be honest and I wouldnt pass up Eichel for Hanifin.

The draft table is what kills them...

http://www.hockeydb.com/i...aft/teams/dr00005054.html


- Tomahawk

Jesus, that is some awful drafting.

Stay with ARI.
Win the draft lottery, pick McDavid. With Chicago's 1st rd pick take the bpa, (either bittner, sprong or someone who slides on offense, or Roy, Carlo, or meloche for def)

Suffer through a year of mediocrity again. Draft well, insert domi and other prospects into the lineup.

Make the playoffs in year 3. Say (frank) you Toronto
- fecondo

mcdavid, domi, duclair is a hell of a trio.

will still have boedker and hanzal, who if can get healthy are two extremely underrated quality guys.

then on the back end, OEL is a young franchise guy. have other young ones that have been marinating like Stone and Gormley.

then the picks from chicago/nyr to use or dangle.

minnesota would be my other choice.

i'm a kimmo fan, but i have zero interest in chicago winning again. sorry.
- hammarby31

I know noone will believe me but I always thought dubnyk was a decent tender. I watched him play for canada at the worlds and remarked that he looked solid to me. I think he just got wrecked playing in Edmonton. Good to see he's back

I don't know if Nail gets you the 3rd overall to be honest and I wouldnt pass up Eichel for Hanifin.
- hereticpride

yeah the eichel or hanifin is the dilemma i was considering.

I know noone will believe me but I always thought dubnyk was a decent tender. I watched him play for canada at the worlds and remarked that he looked solid to me. I think he just got wrecked playing in Edmonton. Good to see he's back
- Hextall271

Dubnyk had pretty good numbers with Edmonton from what I remember.

Next question:

You are Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy in Colorado.

You are an internal budget team, and Ryan O'Reilly is a tough sign...but you finally get it done, six years, $7 million, and he is an amazing two-way player for you.

But now you are faced with this decision: Nathan MacKinnon is up, and he needs a new deal, and your ownership tells you that if you sign MacKinnon, you cannot keep O'Reilly.

MacKinnon has progressed, but he has not shown that he is better than O'Reilly...and no, you cannot trade Matt Duchene or anyone else.

Your owner tells you that you need to make the playoffs next year.

You are offered a better package for O'Reilly that leaves you with very little cap room, or a slightly worse deal for MacKinnon that gives you more cap.room to add another piece...but neither is guaranteed to get you into the playoffs.

Who do you move?

mcdavid, domi, duclair is a hell of a trio.

will still have boedker and hanzal, who if can get healthy are two extremely underrated quality guys.

then on the back end, OEL is a young franchise guy. have other young ones that have been marinating like Stone and Gormley.

then the picks from chicago/nyr to use or dangle.
- stayinthefnnet

Yeah if they do actually win the draft lottery, they could be in pretty good shape in a couple of years. The stable of prospects they have right now is pretty impressive, and they did a good job getting value for vermette and yandle.

Dubnyk had pretty good numbers with Edmonton from what I remember.
- fecondo

I think they were decent but he naturally got worse as the team around him was terrible. Naturally, the oilers crack talent evaluating front office figured he was the issue and sent him packing.