I've seen him compared to Giourx, Getzlaf and I think I saw maybe as good as Taveres. None of those guys with the exception of John himself are as good as Kane Stamkos with the ability to take over a game. Both are in top ten likely and as I said I except Eichel to be a top ten player every year after a few seasons in the NHL. Maybe now that we know where he's going analysts will call him elite but I've heard perennial all star and top centerman for a contending team that's great and all but when you have the chance at the next Gresky and you lose it to a team that all ready reaped the benefits of having the great one multiple times it leaves a sour taste in your mouth. Like the Colts drafting Peyton then getting Luck. It's not like their fan base and organization hasn't had its fair share of historical success. Plus I watched that Gretsky 30/30. Any team that f's up keeping the greatest player ever doesn't deserve a chance at getting potentially the next greatest player ever.
- bluengold12

Ummmm have you seen Eichel's elite speed? That is what makes him a notch above guys like Tavares.

I know it stinks we didn't get McDavid... but no need to be so sour about it. Eichel has been talked about as a generational talent himself. The reason so many teams were tanking was to be in the sabres position. We won last night and thats all that matters.

Ummmm have you seen Eichel's elite speed? That is what makes him a notch above guys like Tavares.

I know it stinks we didn't get McDavid... but no need to be so sour about it. Eichel has been talked about as a generational talent himself. The reason so many teams were tanking was to be in the sabres position. We won last night and thats all that matters.
- Smittyx36

Dude can fly

Dude can fly
- JCSabs06

Exactly. The kid is amazing.

Look at it this way. Crosby = One cup. Toews = 2 and probably more to come

Who is the better overall player? Crosby. Would you rather be in Chicago or Pitts?Thats an easy one. Chicago.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that the Sabres are going to be a very very talented team in the near future. Missing out on McDavid is a bummer but in no way does it set us back much.

Exactly. The kid is amazing.

Look at it this way. Crosby = One cup. Toews = 2 and probably more to come

Who is the better overall player? Crosby. Would you rather be in Chicago or Pitts?Thats an easy one. Chicago.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that the Sabres are going to be a very very talented team in the near future. Missing out on McDavid is a bummer but in no way does it set us back much.
- Smittyx36

I said it last night and I'll say it again. After watching highlights from this past WJC of both players, I am just as impressed with Eichel as McDavid, against the same competition.

I said it last night and I'll say it again. After watching highlights from this past WJC of both players, I am just as impressed with Eichel as McDavid, against the same competition.
- JCSabs06

They are different kinds of players. I think Eichel will be just as valuable to a team as Mcdavid will be. Only difference might be that McDavid gets more points. But who cares. Its a team game and we have a very bright future. I'm also pretty excited to see the best American to play in a long time.

Is eichel comparable to toews you think?

Is eichel comparable to toews you think?
- beargk

A notch above in skills. Idk about leadership qualities. Toews is probably the best captain in the NHL.

A notch above in skills. Idk about leadership qualities. Toews is probably the best captain in the NHL.
- Smittyx36

Toews has that mature-beyond-his-years attitude, and always seems so calm. Eichel probably has some time to catch up in that area

id assume risto to start.

i really dont think the oil would be that interested in reinhart to be honest. or as the main piece coming back for mcdavid.
no slight to him, but hes much in the mold of nuge and kinda redundant.
solid two way guy, but kinda slight in stature. not a real physical guy.
and since the oil already have draisaitl (whether sam is better is not is debateable, but leons huge frame and style of play downlow is really exciting in terms of oiler needs)

and aside from sam, if the oilers were to deal, i dont see why they go for another center. theyll want defence and goaltending
- Ihateallofu

Except Eichel would be the main piece coming back.

I wouldn't spend any more than the Eichel pick and, say, Zadorov. And that's not enough, so let's all shut up and get excited about Eichel. You too, Tim.

Except Eichel would be the main piece coming back.

I wouldn't spend any more than the Eichel pick and, say, Zadorov. And that's not enough, so let's all shut up and get excited about Eichel. You too, Tim.
- nfph

Eichel, Zad, + 2nd 1st Rounder + $1 Billion get it done?

Tim Murray has a hard on for him he'll be here draft day
- gerbe75pts

U mean Garth has a hard on for him...... I get em mixed up
Too.

I like seeing Murray have to work for it now, this situation will now show me if this guy is cut out to be a NHL General Manager.

Does it take the Sabres swapping spots with Edmonton and then giving them their 1st round picks in the 2016/2017 draft years as well Rasmus Ristolainen?

Now I am intrigued.

I like seeing Murray have to work for it now, this situation will now show me if this guy is cut out to be a NHL General Manager.

Does it take the Sabres swapping spots with Edmonton and then giving them their 1st round picks in the 2016/2017 draft years as well Rasmus Ristolainen?

Now I am intrigued.
- BuffaloHardHat

That would cripple you guys. You aren't that deep organizationally that you can move Ristolainen and 2 more 1sts.

Stop w the trade proposals for the 1st pick. It ain't happening and we shouldn't want it (for the price it will take).

All this is ridiculous and ignores the reality that sometimes the best move is to stand still

I think the Oilers asking price (from Buffalo) would probably look something like:


Eichel, Girgensons, Ristolinen, Bagosian, & Pysyk; ALL for Conor McDavid.



WAAAAAY too much for the Sabres to give up... but if I'm EDM, I'm trading McDavid for that lot!


The price isn't gonna be right on this one, IMO. Better off just embracing Eichel. If McDavid is Gretz & Eich is Modano... You're still getting a HOF center (and maybe future capt of Team USA).

Stop w the trade proposals for the 1st pick.
- Der Kaiser

Why?
Isn't this an internet message board where fans from teams get together and discuss hockey?

That would cripple you guys. You aren't that deep organizationally that you can move Ristolainen and 2 more 1sts.
- Jeropotato

Edmonton.......

ESPN Headline:

Dysfunctional Oilers get another No. 1 pick

Oilers rewarded for years of ineptitude with another No. 1 pick

Wish Murray could be able to do a Sedin type draft without giving up the farm but oh well. I think this still hurts cause it's Edmonton

Edmonton.......

ESPN Headline:

Dysfunctional Oilers get another No. 1 pick

Oilers rewarded for years of ineptitude with another No. 1 pick
- RynoBull

ESPN? Lol.....

Like until they get better defence and better goaltending?
Quite the prediction.
Did u just come up with this?


As far as the pipe dream scenarios; he's an oiler unless someone is willing to bend overin a trade offer.

Deal with it brah
- Ihateallofu

Ha! "Brah" got your surfboard up their in Edmonton?

Oilers? Lol.....
- Jeropotato

Fixed

Wish Murray could be able to do a Sedin type draft without giving up the farm but oh well. I think this still hurts cause it's Edmonton
- Beezer33

IMO, he'd def have to "give up the farm".

But that being said, I think it's conceivable that such a trade could be done without including Evander Kane or Tyler Ennis.

We could come out of it with a young (yet legit) legit top line... if nothing else.

Edm has a lot of forwards already.

But maybe they'd like a solid vet like Matty Moulson (with a handful of d-men), to show some of the youth the way?

IMO, he'd def have to "give up the farm".

But that being said, I think it's conceivable that such a trade could be done without including Evander Kane or Tyler Ennis.

We could come out of it with a young (yet legit) legit top line... if nothing else.
- SuperCat

McTavish has already been quoted as a ZERO chance of trading the pick.

I feel Sorry for Edmonton, They get to keep their poopty management team for a few more years while elite talent wastes away.

Ok, the tanking is over and it's time to move on!

We have our 3 top centers (Reinhart, Eichel & Girgs)

We have prospects up the a$$ and picks - flip these into some cap strapped teams that need to dump salary - San Jose, Kings......

Goalie - go get Gibson!

It's time to grab a vet D-Man (Green/Martin) and Forward (Sharp/ROR) and stop the talk of tanking, nothing is ever 100% (concussions, knee injuries ........)

Let's just start talking playoffs and how we can get there, because it's killing me year after year watching these playoffs and NOT watching my hometown team!

Looking forward to 2015-16 playoff run, nothing less will be accepted!
- Irish 14

I agree Irish, and I think you highlighted our three big needs going into next year. As it stands, I want our opening night roster looking something like this. Obviously you can shift players around to fill those question marks but I want to address filling them.

E Kane - Eichel - ???
Moulson - Girgensons - Gionta
Foligno - Reinhart - Ennis
Deslauriers - Larson -

??? - Bogosian(R)
Maszaros(L) - Ristolainen(R)
Zadorov(L) - Pysyk(R)

???
Lindback

The two main chips this leaves out are Hodgson and Grigorenko...personally I trade both of them.

1RW
Outside of St Louis, none of the other players jump out as legit #1 guys and it's unlikely he leaves NYR. I would look at Frolik out of the FA crop or look to offer Coho/Grigs to a team in need of centermen.

Free agency
Joel Ward
Michael Frolik
Justin Williams
Martin St. Louis

Trade
Of the higher ranked RW's, Eberle is likely to be the only one in the mix given the lottery results. Alternatively I package CoHo/Grigs with our NYI 1st and float it out there on draft day to see if anyone bites.

Powerplay QB/Point DM
In this situation I go the FA route and take Ehrhoff back. Teams generally don't like trading for defensemen with this skill set, and while he's older, I prefer his lower cap hit over Green (plus Ehrhoff shoots left)

Free Agency
Christian Ehrhoff
Mike Green

Trade
I'm not sure what it would take but I take a shot a Burns cause San Jose is going to have to be a team in transition this offseason. Problem is I don't see anyone on our roster that can help them so unless they completely dismantle the team it seems unlikely.

Goalie
This is a tough one. I think Lindback can make an argument as backup but we need a better option at #1. INB4 Ewok...let's not go there, but maybe Niemi is worth a shot on a short contract.

Free Agency
Annti Niemi
Devan Dubnyk
Jhonas Enroth

Trade
I don't think you get a #1 goalie back unless you start trading away pieces that shouldn't be traded. Goalie is uber important obviously but FA might be the way to go for a short term solution.

So if you switch those ??? out with FA's you get this. Thoughts?

E Kane - Eichel - Frolik
Moulson - Girgensons - Gionta
Foligno - Reinhart - Ennis
Deslauriers - Larson -

Ehrhoff(L) - Bogosian(R)
Maszaros(L) - Ristolainen(R)
Zadorov(L) - Pysyk(R)

Niemi
Lindback