Also when Murray says he wants something he usually gets it
- bluengold12

Babcock, mcdavid? Anyways, gudbranson is barely capable of playing second pairing minutes. He needs a steady skating partner like campbell to atleast look like a nhl defenseman. But you right he paid way to much for him

the quote was two years ahead, mainly attributed to two things:

1) the Sabres started this process in 2012 and went all scorched earth rebuild in 2014, which is two years before Toronto decided to rebuild

2) tim murray uses a boatload of picks and prospects to trade for young-vets, those in their mid-20's with loads of nhl experience...those named were evander kane and Zach Bogosian, ryan o'rreilly and goalie robin Lehner

although Toronto will be placing Matthews atop jvr and a stable of quality youngins, the leafs support group can't match what buffalo has right now...

and...

you failed to mention rasmus Ristolainen the sabres no. 1 defenseman, a player the leafs don't have yet either...

that said, I firmly stick to my "two years ahead of Toronto" quote
- Michael Pachla

It could be argued that Reilly and Gardiner are just as good as Risto/McCabe or Bogosian

Tyler Ennis career ppg .605
JVR career ppg .621

So the best winger on either team produces a C-hair above Ennis, but yeah... Toronto's superior. And, there is no proof how good Marner is going to be at the NHL level, yeah he's dominating right now but against kids younger than him.
- sskkoo1

Word. There can be no doubt we are ahead of TO in the process, but both teams will be competing soon for post-season, and that is awesome.

Also, Reinhart was a surprise at wing in his first NHL season, but I seriously think he has way more upside still. Can be career winger or settle in as a kick-a$$ second-line center in a while. I liken Rhino to a future Bergeron (he is at least as smart a player) and Jack MAY be close to a future Stamkos. The kid's shot is unreal.

Either way, having ROR puts us a notch ahead in the rebuild.

Babcock, mcdavid? Anyways, gudbranson is barely capable of playing second pairing minutes. He needs a steady skating partner like campbell to atleast look like a nhl defenseman. But you right he paid way to much for him
- Wissler

Add Oduya to that list. Stamkos too since we apparently already tried to trade for him.

Murray likes to get what he wants when he has currency to do so. It will be tougher now

It could be argued that Reilly and Gardiner are just as good as Risto/McCabe or Bogosian
- sbroads24

Reilley is fantastic and on a good contract. Bogo is what he is, and at least is still young, but we still don't know how good McCabe can be. He has a good pedigree and has been captain and leader everywhere he's been up to the big time. Another one that could have bigger upside than we think.

Add Oduya to that list. Stamkos too since we apparently already tried to trade for him.

Murray likes to get what he wants when he has currency to do so. It will be tougher now
- sbroads24

I have a feeling andrew ladd will sign with the sabres. He seems like a murray type of player. Just unsure of his relationship with kane

Word. There can be no doubt we are ahead of TO in the process, but both teams will be competing soon for post-season, and that is awesome.

Also, Reinhart was a surprise at wing in his first NHL season, but I seriously think he has way more upside still. Can be career winger or settle in as a kick-a$$ second-line center in a while. I liken Rhino to a future Bergeron (he is at least as smart a player) and Jack MAY be close to a future Stamkos. The kid's shot is unreal.

Either way, having ROR puts us a notch ahead in the rebuild.
- LandlordTom

When Reinhart played his 9 games after being drafted it was scary to watch. I think a lot of people were left scratching their heads think we may have picked the wrong guy. But after this past season I'm not sure if I've ever seen a player improve so much in just one year. At that growth rate I'm not putting a ceiling on Reinhart, but I know Nylander and Marner are not going to half the player Reinhart will be over their careers.

Babcock, mcdavid? Anyways, gudbranson is barely capable of playing second pairing minutes. He needs a steady skating partner like campbell to atleast look like a nhl defenseman. But you right he paid way to much for him
- Wissler

Can't fault Murray for losing lottery. Said he wanted elite franchise player in draft and got one. Babcock was slime.

When Reinhart played his 9 games after being drafted it was scary to watch. I think a lot of people were left scratching their heads think we may have picked the wrong guy. But after this past season I'm not sure if I've ever seen a player improve so much in just one year. At that growth rate I'm not putting a ceiling on Reinhart, but I know Nylander and Marner are not going to half the player Reinhart will be over their careers.
- sskkoo1

A little early to say that. Reinhart should really be playing center to fully maximize his potential. Scoring wingers are nice but 200ft centers win championships.

A little early to say that. Reinhart should really be playing center to fully maximize his potential. Scoring wingers are nice but 200ft centers win championships.
- Wissler

We all ready have two elite 200ft centers

We all ready have two elite 200ft centers
- bluengold12

Reinhart could be so much better then oreilly.

Reinhart could be so much better then oreilly.
- Wissler

Maybe he will be

We all ready have two elite 200ft centers
- bluengold12

Define elite?

I have a feeling andrew ladd will sign with the sabres. He seems like a murray type of player. Just unsure of his relationship with kane
- Wissler

Ladd probably won't come here

Define elite?
- sbroads24

- bluengold12

Eichel will be elite, O'Reilly is not

Define elite?
- sbroads24

Unless the kids have peaked at the ripe ages of 19 and 20, what we saw last year indicates both Jack and Sam could/will become elite. Elite is nice, but how many elite players don't have their name on the Cup? Ovi, Stamkos, Benn, Lafontaine, Dionne, Rod f'ing Langway, Perrault, etc. It's used as widely and as erroneously for established players as "generational" when it comes to prospects, and Sam and Jack are not established yet.

What I mean is it takes a lot for a team to go all the way, and having 2 overall second picks in consecutive years will help our chances tremendously if the stars align.

Eichel will be elite, O'Reilly is not
- sbroads24

What about Miller?

Unless the kids have peaked at the ripe ages of 19 and 20, what we saw last year indicates both Jack and Sam could/will become elite. Elite is nice, but how many elite players don't have their name on the Cup? Ovi, Stamkos, Benn, Lafontaine, Dionne, Rod f'ing Langway, Perrault, etc. It's used as widely and as erroneously for established players as "generational" when it comes to prospects, and Sam and Jack are not established yet.

What I mean is it takes a lot for a team to go all the way, and having 2 overall second picks in consecutive years will help our chances tremendously if the stars align.
- LandlordTom

I was responding to the other poster who said we already have two elite 2 way centers.....I don't think that's remotely true. Eichel will be a top 10 center, O'Reilly won't be.

Reinhart looks to be a winger

What about Miller?
- CaptainRivet

He can finally use the men's room

I was responding to the other poster who said we already have two elite 2 way centers.....I don't think that's remotely true. Eichel will be a top 10 center, O'Reilly won't be.

Reinhart looks to be a winger
- sbroads24

Elite in my mind is all star level. Perenial 25 goal scoring 60 plus points defensive stall-worth and great leader. O'Riley envisions all those things IMO in the future of today's nhl

Michael Pachla: Teams will line up for Steven Stamkos but Buffalo might be the best fit.
- Michael Pachla

Maaagnificent troll job Mike!

Elite in my mind is all star level. Perenial 25 goal scoring 60 plus points defensive stall-worth and great leader. O'Riley envisions all those things IMO in the future of today's nhl
- bluengold12

Stall worth? Like afraid to use the urinal?

Stall worth? Like afraid to use the urinal?
- Der Kaiser

No, worthy to use them.

Elite in my mind is all star level. Perenial 25 goal scoring 60 plus points defensive stall-worth and great leader. O'Riley envisions all those things IMO in the future of today's nhl
- bluengold12

Drury was never elite that's where I would rank Ryan O'Reilly

A elite two way center Bergeron, kopitar, toews

Jordan staal was definitely elite 3rd line center with Pittsburgh no doubt about it

if you're looking for a underrated 2 way center that we could possibly have for our 3rd line Nielsen