English is not your first language, is it?

I'm honestly not trying to be a d1ck either. That's a serious question
- mochoson

nope,but is okay I forgive you,nobody is perfect

There is no way he has the offensive skill set or potential that Larsson does. I said I think he will be a good #4 d-man for the Oilers one day, similar player to Ladislav Smid, there is nothing wrong with that at all. He was named an all-star because he was excellent defensively. As for Gernat, sure he's doing great offensively for a 5th round pick, but defense is where he struggles. If I had a nickel for every player who put up a lot of points in the WHL and never had that translate to an NHL career I'd be rich
- dallas717

Fact is you can't write off a bunch of 20 year olds. FYI when Souray came into the league he was a Defensive Defenseman..and I'm just repeating what I've heard about Klefbom. He confuses me because some scouts say he's got ridiculous potential and offensive skill, some say he's got none.

you just use the same term to describe a D player...(1)first pairing dman like Myers....
- AlEx_OiL

I'm not sure I understand your point...?

Your asking that now, after all of those players have played games in the NHL. Its not the same. Its easy to name all of the lottery picks from recent years who have done well. But how about ones that have not done so well? I can name plenty.

I realize its a lottery pick. It'd be one of the main pieces going back to Buffalo.

That doesn't mean you can package it with a over-age, non-established prospect like Omark and expect to get back a proven, 1st line, PPG center in Roy, a Vezina, top-5 goalie in Miller, and a first pairing dman like Myers. The return would have to be enormous.

And what other salary are they suppose to shed exactly? Their saving nearly 3 mill just for swapping Miller with Khabbi. They also only have Khabbi for next year, where as Miller is on the hook for two more seasons.

Thats without the other almost 10 mill being sent back combined between Myers and Roy. If anything, the deal would need major restructuring just to make it work cap wise. The Sabres would almost have to take back Horcoff as well.
- mochoson

I meant BUF needs to shed salary.

Also, yes a lottery pick doesnt necessarily pan out.. I meant it was a top 2 pick... How many top 2 picks don't pan out?

I realize it was an overpayment, but not by nearly as much as you think

You just proved my point. Neither of Gernat or Marincin have played at an NHL level and, based on their skills, there is no reason to assume they ever will. That is why it is stupid to say they will probably one day play for the Oilers, let alone have first pairing potential like Richard said, which is the point I was trying to make in the first place. No I don't have a magic ball, but what I do have is common sense when it comes to who has a legit chance at playing in the NHL (Klefbom, Musil) and who doesn't (Gernat, Marincin). Try using it.
- dallas717

So what your saying is because of your Common Sense expertise is that any of those 2 players are going to make it to the NHL level....why don't you ask Tambo if you can take Stu MacGregor job

Plante is going to surprise all of you.
- Pilgor09

I'm thinking Matt Greeneish

I meant BUF needs to shed salary.

Also, yes a lottery pick doesnt necessarily pan out.. I meant it was a top 2 pick... How many top 2 picks don't pan out?

I realize it was an overpayment, but not by nearly as much as you think
- mfreedman

I understood what you ment. They would be sending back around 15 million in salary. Those are some pretty big contracts.

Well pan out and "bust", I guess is the term, are two different things.

I'd like to think "not panning out" would just be the player not reaching certain expectations, while still being a serviceable and effective NHLer.

A bust is a prospect who doesn't pan out and has trouble establishing any type of definite role.

What I'm basically saying is, is yes, a 2nd overall pick usually, at a bare minimum is a gurranteed NHLer. However, that doesn't necessarily mean they are a gurranteed superstar/1st line/pairing player.

I understand what you mean though. What it comes down to is Buffalo is sending back established players. A Calder winner. A Vezina winner. An established, 1st line center. That's a HUGE deal. A lottery pick going back is almost essential for the deal to even work.

Got a problem with that shedding wussy? Get your Schticky today!

For the love of god, cant we all STOP using (frank)ing numbers to describe dmen? You all sound (frank)ing retarded.

There is a such thing as a number 1 dman, yes. I get that. To an extent, I would even go as far to say as there is a such thing as a number 2 dman. I don't even like saying that.

However, a number 3, 4, 5, 9, 12341 guy? Give me a break. It sounds retarded. There is NO such thing.

And yes, I am being anal about something like terms right now. Top pairing. Top four. Second pairing. Bottom pairing. Theres no (frank)ing difference between a "3-4 guy" and a "5-6" guy. If your a 5-6 guy, your a bottom pairing dman. 5 is not better then 6. Neither is good enough to be a top 4. Thats all. 3 is not better then 4. They are just, depending on the team, not as good as the two guys on the top pair. On most teams, theres very little disparity amongst 1-2-3 and 4.

I'm sorry, but reading "Well, Colton Teubert can probably be a 4-5-6 guy" is (frank)ing retarded. It doesn't make any sense.
- mochoson

Get use to it because that's the way things are going. It's no different than how now we don't just have offesnive d-men, we have PMD or PP-d-man etc...

Get use to it because that's the way things are going. It's no different than how now we don't just have offesnive d-men, we have PMD or PP-d-man etc...
- Lahey

Agreed

You just proved my point. Neither of Gernat or Marincin have played at an NHL level and, based on their skills, there is no reason to assume they ever will. That is why it is stupid to say they will probably one day play for the Oilers, let alone have first pairing potential like Richard said, which is the point I was trying to make in the first place. No I don't have a magic ball, but what I do have is common sense when it comes to who has a legit chance at playing in the NHL (Klefbom, Musil) and who doesn't (Gernat, Marincin). Try using it.
- dallas717

So why do NHL scouts talk about players top end potential when drafting a player?

You just proved my point. Neither of Gernat or Marincin have played at an NHL level and, based on their skills, there is no reason to assume they ever will. That is why it is stupid to say they will probably one day play for the Oilers, let alone have first pairing potential like Richard said, which is the point I was trying to make in the first place. No I don't have a magic ball, but what I do have is common sense when it comes to who has a legit chance at playing in the NHL (Klefbom, Musil) and who doesn't (Gernat, Marincin). Try using it.
- dallas717

Funny all this common sense you claim to have. I know that gm's draft guys in the second round all the time when they have no chance of making the nhl. I stand by my earlier statement. You are a clown. Gernat might even be a 5th rounder but he didnt look all that out of place in the preseason and hes having a great year in the whl.

Get use to it because that's the way things are going. It's no different than how now we don't just have offesnive d-men, we have PMD or PP-d-man etc...
- Lahey

Yeah, see, that's retarded.

Your either a defensive dman, an offensive dman, or a two-way defensemen. Thats it.

Yeah, see, that's retarded.

Your either a defensive dman, an offensive dman, or a two-way defensemen. Thats it.
- mochoson

That's your opinion and you are in the minority.

That's your opinion and you are in the minority.
- Lahey

I though I was the only minority here

How come whenever anyone talks about our d prospects nobody ever mentions Jeremie Blain? This kid is having a great season in the qmjhl. At a near ppg pace all season with acadie bathhurst and now 20 pts in 14 games with victoriaville.

That's your opinion and you are in the minority.
- Lahey

I wasn't calling you retarded directly, if thats what you thought. So you think terms like that are necessary?

I'm sorry, but number one, that's way to specific. Saying a guy is a "puck mover" is a term that more or so further describes his talents, not the type of player he is. For example, Luke Schenn is a puck moving dman. He is good a transitioning the puck out of his own end. It doesn't necessarily mean he racks up a ton of points. I dont need to explain to you how and why Luke Schenn is a defensive d-man though. Your a smart guy.

A powerplay dman? C'mon? Really? Is it not assumed already that if a defensemen is an offensive dman or in other instances a two-way dman, they are going to play on the powerplay? Are there dmen who are powerplay-specialists? Yes. But its just such a lame and over-expressive term. It's not needed at all.

How come whenever anyone talks about our d prospects nobody ever mentions Jeremie Blain? This kid is having a great season in the qmjhl. At a near ppg pace all season with acadie bathhurst and now 20 pts in 14 games with victoriaville.
- Ihatebrianburke

Jeremie Blain

Future

Blain has much of the skill set of a tough, top four, offensive minded blueliner. He already delivers on both the power play and even strength from a scoring standpoint, is a willing combatant, and loves getting his nose dirty. If he's able to pick his skating and defensive play up by a couple notches, he could well be a quality 2nd pairing rearguard who can contribute with the man advantage.

...for real? are you actually serious? 3 of our best players for an un proven forward, decrepit goaltender, china glass fragile forward, and a guy who had an overrated shootout goal that has accomplished virtually nothing in the NHL and a second round pick?

I guess it makes sense that a leafs fan would suggest this but that would NEVER happen, no GM is that stupid.
- sabresfan365

You are looking at this as a "glass is half empty" sort of idea.

- Grigs is a 1st round pick that if Bufalo was in the Oilers spot and had the abiltiy to pick him, they would in a heart beat.
- Khabby isn't being brought in as a starter for the Sabres, he would be backing up and adding mentorship to your current backup who will inherit the #1 spot.
- Hemsky is being sought out by many NHL teams as a potential trade. If Buffalo could get him for the right price they would take him. A change of scenery might do him wonders.
- Omark isn't in the NHL because Hmesky is filling his role on the Oilers. Nuff said.
- and who turns down a second round pick?

In return, you are making room for you new goalie, drafting a potential superstar in Grigs to replace Roy, andding leadership through Hemsky and depth with Omark and using the draft pick to fill a hole on the team left by Myers.

I think its a pretty even trade. We might have to throw in a prospect d-man but meh, Id do it.

Good blog Richard. Agree with you wholeheartedly on the Tyler Myers front. I would make that trade in a second.
Just to let you know, I attended a Regina Pats game and looked in on the development of Brandon Davidson and Martin Marincin the other night.

Brandon Davidson looks to be about 3 years away and is developing into a smart yet unspectacular d-man. He looks like someone who would be a first line penalty killer in the coming years.

Martin Marincin proves to me why d-men should have the opportunity to play in the AHL sooner. Lots of talent, a huge body, but is playing down to the level of play around him. He needs to be in Oklahoma with the Barons ASAP so his defence intelligence can be improved.

I wasn't calling you retarded directly, if thats what you thought. So you think terms like that are necessary?

I'm sorry, but number one, that's way to specific. Saying a guy is a "puck mover" is a term that more or so further describes his talents, not the type of player he is. For example, Luke Schenn is a puck moving dman. He is good a transitioning the puck out of his own end. It doesn't necessarily mean he racks up a ton of points. I dont need to explain to you how and why Luke Schenn is a defensive d-man though. Your a smart guy.

A powerplay dman? C'mon? Really? Is it not assumed already that if a defensemen is an offensive dman or in other instances a two-way dman, they are going to play on the powerplay? Are there dmen who are powerplay-specialists? Yes. But its just such a lame and over-expressive term. It's not needed at all.
- mochoson

I didn't take it that way I'm just stating how things are going. As for PP-d-man that is what Bergeron is called.

How come whenever anyone talks about our d prospects nobody ever mentions Jeremie Blain? This kid is having a great season in the qmjhl. At a near ppg pace all season with acadie bathhurst and now 20 pts in 14 games with victoriaville.
- Ihatebrianburke

The Q is very high scoring league. While the fact that he's a PPG dman is nothing to sneeze at, how good of an NHL player he'll be (if at all) is something you can't really gauge until he's spent some time in the AHL/ECHL.

I didn't take it that way I'm just stating how things are going. As for PP-d-man that is what Bergeron is called.
- Lahey

See, Bergeron, to me, is strictly an offensive dman. They are essentially the same thing.

Good blog Richard. Agree with you wholeheartedly on the Tyler Myers front. I would make that trade in a second.
Just to let you know, I attended a Regina Pats game and looked in on the development of Brandon Davidson and Martin Marincin the other night.

Brandon Davidson looks to be about 3 years away and is developing into a smart yet unspectacular d-man. He looks like someone who would be a first line penalty killer in the coming years.

Martin Marincin proves to me why d-men should have the opportunity to play in the AHL sooner. Lots of talent, a huge body, but is playing down to the level of play around him. He needs to be in Oklahoma with the Barons ASAP so his defence intelligence can be improved.
- skidmark

He was suppose to be in the AHL this year. He showed up in camp pretty much the same size as he was when he played the year before. He struggled in training camp against men so they elected to send him back to Prince George, which was the smart move.

Just because a guy can man handle boys doesn't mean he is ready to play against men.

Plante is going to surprise all of you.
- Pilgor09

Like Kyle Turris ?