When was the last time we had high elite prospects in the system ? Van was the last one I remember before this crew we have playing now.
- cabin

We haven't, but I believe a lot of people like to look at teams like Toronton who has Nylander and Marner in their system and say, "Toronto is still going to get a lot better because these guys aren't with the parent club yet." The same goes for a team like NYI who have DaColle and that guy who likes to oversleep in their system.

If we could say that we still have some 1st rounders that need to come up soon, I think people would feel better about our system. That doesn't mean our guys are poor, it's just people's perceptions on where they were taken in the draft.

Zadorov
Grigorenko
Armia at one point was top 25.

I didn't like that they were moved, but having guys of that caliber give you options.

Like someone mentioned earlier, to sustain success you need guys ready to fill in at any time
- sbroads24

Was referring to more of a top 5 pick (higher elite potential)

Where's the job if you don't mind me asking
- SABRES 89

UNLV

Was referring to more of a top 5 pick (higher elite potential)
- cabin

Then Vanek is it

2yr 4 mil dollar deal.
- dadeadhead

with ullmark playing shakey in rochester, agreed


of course rochester's D is a mess

Well, I think it's just the gap that most people are worried about. We have elite prospects, they're called Eichel and Reinhart. It just we don't have any really high touted prospects in the system, the closest are Fashing and Bailey and they aren't top-half first rounders like what people want to see, but that doesn't mean they aren't good.

But, thankfully the rosters for the next few years is almost set, which means the guys that we do have in the system can slowly develop like the way Detroit manages their system. Plus having 22 picks of the next two years will allow some gems to be found also.
- sskkoo1

Sorry, can't highlight the part about elite prospects, but I favor keeping our #1 pick this year no matter what....it's as sure of a chance that we get at least one more elite kid, and since I fully expect us to be non-lottery for the next decade, it is Maybe our last chance at a top 10 pick for some time.

Was referring to more of a top 5 pick (higher elite potential)
- cabin

Then Vanek is it
- sbroads24

Yeah. We haven't been so lucky being able to grab them in the Sabres history. have a few we acquired and a few that some on here never seen play.

with ullmark playing shakey in rochester, agreed


of course rochester's D is a mess
- homiedclown

Not sure Ullmark will make it past being a backup. He needs to work on that goal first.

with ullmark playing shakey in rochester, agreed
of course rochester's D is a mess
- homiedclown

I think this has been answered before, but is Ghule eligible to play in Rochester next year?

I think this has been answered before, but is Ghule eligible to play in Rochester next year?
- seedy

They just called him up to play.

Sorry, can't highlight the part about elite prospects, but I favor keeping our #1 pick this year no matter what....it's as sure of a chance that we get at least one more elite kid, and since I fully expect us to be non-lottery for the next decade, it is Maybe our last chance at a top 10 pick for some time.
- LandlordTom

I agree, that's a valid thought, but if a player like Linholm comes available and it takes our first, girgensons, and ennis to get him. Than I think it's a trade that needs to be made. The sure-fire fixing of our top 4 defense is worth losing a the 1st that at least a year or two away, a guy who hasn't played all year, and a guy who's position and a shutdown center may have been replaced by Larsson.

They just called him up to play.
- cabin

But his team is done now, so he can. Wasn't sure if his Jr. team still had his rights to 1 more season due to age...

But his team is done now, so he can. Wasn't sure if his Jr. team still had his rights to 1 more season due to age...
- seedy

That I do not know.

But his team is done now, so he can. Wasn't sure if his Jr. team still had his rights to 1 more season due to age...
- seedy

I don't know either, but in year 2 of NHL 16 he is in the A. I know it is a game but that system is normally correct.

2yr 4 mil dollar deal.
- dadeadhead

After the year he had, Johnson won't settle for 1 year. sabres probably only want him for one year the prospects will be ready then. There in lies the problem

After the year he had, Johnson won't settle for 1 year. sabres probably only want him for one year the prospects will be ready then. There in lies the problem
- turbo044

I kind of feel like 2-3 years for him would show him a commitment for service rendered.
Try to play him and Lehner back to back next year and trade one of them if they both have good numbers.
It would actually create a good goalie situation and if no one needs a goalie this year, there's always next year.
I'd rather have the competition than the situation we had with miller and what ever scrub was backing him...

I was going to ask during the last blog, but does anyone know what Ottawa would be asking for Hoffman? I really like this guys numbers over the past two seasons, he seems like he might be obtainable without costing a fortune.

I was going to ask during the last blog, but does anyone know what Ottawa would be asking for Hoffman? I really like this guys numbers over the past two seasons, he seems like he might be obtainable without costing a fortune.
- sskkoo1

pysyk, bailey and a second rd pick

I was going to ask during the last blog, but does anyone know what Ottawa would be asking for Hoffman? I really like this guys numbers over the past two seasons, he seems like he might be obtainable without costing a fortune.
- sskkoo1

No clue to be honest. He's scored a lot over the past 2 years, but is a seriously one dimensional player

I was going to ask during the last blog, but does anyone know what Ottawa would be asking for Hoffman? I really like this guys numbers over the past two seasons, he seems like he might be obtainable without costing a fortune.
- sskkoo1

I assume near what Kessel got

I kind of feel like 2-3 years for him would show him a commitment for service rendered.
Try to play him and Lehner back to back next year and trade one of them if they both have good numbers.
It would actually create a good goalie situation and if no one needs a goalie this year, there's always next year.
I'd rather have the competition than the situation we had with miller and what ever scrub was backing him...
- seedy

Locking up the backup position with Johnson for more than two years may really hurt us with our goalie prospects. We have Ullmark, Petersen, Kasdorf, and Johanson that will be expecting a serious look at over the next few seasons. If Lehner proves to be our #1 moving forward, I'd rather have these guys as backups, and playing at the NHL level to show themselves off for future trade bait, than have to send them away at AHL values.

pysyk, bailey and a second rd pick
- homiedclown

If Murray feels that he is a legit top 6 winger, I would pay that price, but it's more than I had hoped they would ask for.

I assume near what Kessel got
- Sabresfan-365

I wouldn't do that

I wouldn't do that
- sbroads24

Ive got a soft spot for him. I usually hate one dimensional players but there's just something about what he brings offensively...