Myers is a difference maker on a team with average forwards. Zadarov also has game breaking potential.

Ekblad is described as "solid" not great or fantastic. Even Murray said he doesnt know whether Ekblad has that dynamic to him to be anything more than really good
- sbroads24

I'm not sure that's entirely accurate though. There are people who say he's solid but there are those that say he could be a real game changer at the NHL level too.

You're just (frank)ing with 89 right?
- Buffalo-Sabres

Makes no difference what he's doing, we don't need a D man, we need goal scoring and you don't pass that up if you need it.

I'll say it..................we don't need Ekblad..................we can't score goals, we need a goal scorer.
- SABRES 89

I agree that we need a goal scorer, and that it'd be unwise to pick Ekblad over one of the Sams, but it's not like we don't need improvement on defense. Everything waspoopty last year. I think defense needs to be looked at further in the future, but I don't think it should be through the picking of Ekblad.

Myers is a difference maker on a team with average forwards. Zadarov also has game breaking potential.

Ekblad is described as "solid" not great or fantastic. Even Murray said he doesnt know whether Ekblad has that dynamic to him to be anything more than really good
- sbroads24

From all indications (scouting reports, etc.), he still is closer to a lock for that than any forward outside of Reinhart. For that reason, I go with him should Florida take Sam Reinhart. Even Bennett has a profile of being NHL ready, but not nearly as dynamic as Reinhart when all is said and done.

Myers still has yet to show he can perform at this level for an entire season, or at all when the stakes are in a position where they really matter. His performance this year when his team is at the bottom of the league and the expectations aren't even six inches off the ground doesn't preclude me from taking a difference maker.

You're just (frank)ing with 89 right?
- Buffalo-Sabres

No, I just think its ridiculous that people think we absolutely have to stay away from defense.

Ive been on record saying I want Reinhart. So I agree that we SHOULD go forward. But I would not be upset with Ekblad whatsoever, and I dont think thats a "wrong pick".

I'd be more disappointed if we went with Bennett if 1 of Reinhart or Ekblad are on the board.

I agree that we need a goal scorer, and that it'd be unwise to pick Ekblad over one of the Sams, but it's not like we don't need improvement on defense. Everything waspoopty last year. I think defense needs to be looked at further in the future, but I don't think it should be through the picking of Reinhart.
- LetsGoBuffalo75

To pass up either Sam if you have the chance, is a foolish mistake.

From all indications (scouting reports, etc.), he still is closer to a lock for that than any forward outside of Reinhart. For that reason, I go with him should Florida take Sam Reinhart.

Myers still has yet to show he can perform at this level for an entire season, or at all when the stakes are in a position where they really matter. His performance this year when his team is at the bottom of the league and the expectations aren't even six inches off the ground doesn't preclude me from taking a difference maker.
- buffalofan19

There are conflicting reports on him. The one knock i've read on him is whether he'll plateau early on in his career and never really reach that potential. But then I've also heard and read about how he's ready to elevate his game and be a game changer almost right away.

No, I just think its ridiculous that people think we absolutely have to stay away from defense.

Ive been on record saying I want Reinhart. So I agree that we SHOULD go forward. But I would not be upset with Ekblad whatsoever, and I dont think thats a "wrong pick".

I'd be more disappointed if we went with Bennett if 1 of Reinhart or Ekblad are on the board.
- theblueandgold

Bottom line is this: if Florida picks Ekblad, the Sabres should absolutely pick Reinhart. If for whatever reason Florida picks Reinhart, then it should be Ekblad.

Ekblad shut down McDavid this year. He's that solid defensively.

And he has the potential to chip in 40+ points on the other end.


You could easily draft him and trade a current d-man for a forward.



What if you drafted Ekblad & then traded a guy like Myers to Col. For Ryan O'Riley?

Or maybe shop Ehrhoff to Bos. for Brad Marchand. Marchand is a young & fiesty, budding 30g scorer. He's 25 yrs old. How about him and Girgensons together.

Then there also Psysk... Edm. would love to get their hands on that kid. Psysk and the NYI pick for #3 overall.

To pass up either Sam if you have the chance, is a foolish mistake.
- SABRES 89

Agreed

To pass up either Sam if you have the chance, is a foolish mistake.
- SABRES 89

Even when one of them (Bennett) most likely won't be a difference maker? That's the approach that champions don't take.

Bottom line is this: if Florida picks Ekblad, the Sabres should absolutely pick Reinhart. If for whatever reason Florida picks Reinhart, then it should be Ekblad.
- buffalofan19

I agree. I've been saying it for over a month now.

1. Reinhart
2. Ekblad
3. Bennett
4. Draisaitl
5a. Ehlers
5b. Dal Colle

Thats my top 5.

Amerks 3-1

bump

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/sabres/2014/04/nhl-central-scouting-keeps-sam-bennett-as-no-1-draft-prospect.html

"There are guys who elevate their game when it matters most, and you're looking to project which players will do that consistently at the next level," NHL Director of Central Scouting Dan Marr said. "The guys we have at the top all are in that mold, but when we look at Sam Bennett we see a guy who could potentially have a Jonathan Toews type of career."
- SuperCat

It's a good thing he really stepped it up in the OHL playoffs

Saying he could have a career like Toews is baseless, in my opinion, and does not say at all that they play a similar style. Toews is an excellent defensive player who is mainly a playmaker on offense, and leader when it matters. Bennett doesn't even have a letter on his chest in Kingston, leans more toward the goal-scoring side of offense, and has been known for being reckless and a bit immature. If that's similar to Toews, I might as well just quit following hockey. Reinhart, on the other hand, is captain of his Kootenay team, excels on defense, and really stepped it up and carried his team during the second half of the season and during the playoffs.

I really don't see how comparables are so complicated. Bennett=Gilmour/Theo Fleury, Reinhart=Toews/Bergeron.

Ekblad shut down McDavid this year. He's that solid defensively.

And he has the potential to chip in 40+ points on the other end.


You could easily draft him and trade a current d-man for a forward.



What if you drafted Ekblad & then traded a guy like Myers to Col. For Ryan O'Riley?

Or maybe shop Ehrhoff to Bos. for Brad Marchand. Marchand is a young & fiesty, budding 30g scorer. He's 25 yrs old. How about him and Girgensons together.

Then there also Psysk... Edm. would love to get their hands on that kid.
- SuperCat

If you're going to trade either guy for a forward, he had better be much more dynamic offensively than either of the guys you suggest.

I agree. I've been saying it for over a month now.

1. Reinhart
2. Ekblad
3. Bennett
4. Draisaitl
5a. Ehlers
5b. Dal Colle

Thats my top 5.
- theblueandgold

It's why i don't understand how people thought we were doomed when we lost the lottery. By all accounts, there are two players in this draft classified as game changers and we're guaranteed one of them.

That makes me pretty (frank)ing happy considering we haven't drafted top 5 since you're favourite player

From all indications (scouting reports, etc.), he still is closer to a lock for that than any forward outside of Reinhart. For that reason, I go with him should Florida take Sam Reinhart. Even Bennett has a profile of being NHL ready, but not nearly as dynamic as Reinhart when all is said and done.

Myers still has yet to show he can perform at this level for an entire season, or at all when the stakes are in a position where they really matter. His performance this year when his team is at the bottom of the league and the expectations aren't even six inches off the ground doesn't preclude me from taking a difference maker.
- buffalofan19

Me and you have said on many occasions that ANY defensemen would look sub par with this group of forwards that lack any upper echelon talent.

Ekblad would be in that same boat here. He also isn't a lot better than Bennett IMO, all 4 guys are seen as potential top picks.

If you're going to trade either guy for a forward, he had better be much more dynamic offensively than either of the guys you suggest.
- buffalofan19

Dude Ryan O'Reilly=Chris Drury 2.0=our saviour duh?

It's why i don't understand how people thought we were doomed when we lost the lottery. By all accounts, there are two players in this draft classified as game changers and we're guaranteed one of them.

That makes me pretty (frank)ing happy considering we haven't drafted top 5 since you're favourite player
- Sabresfan-365

This, this, this.

If you're going to trade either guy for a forward, he had better be much more dynamic offensively than either of the guys you suggest.
- buffalofan19

O'Riley had 28 goals this year, Marchand had 25...

Either guy would immediately become the leading goal scorer of this team.

No, I just think its ridiculous that people think we absolutely have to stay away from defense.
Ive been on record saying I want Reinhart. So I agree that we SHOULD go forward. But I would not be upset with Ekblad whatsoever, and I dont think thats a "wrong pick".

I'd be more disappointed if we went with Bennett if 1 of Reinhart or Ekblad are on the board.
- theblueandgold

We do in the top 3 absolutely IMO. There is no guarantee we are back there next year.

I'm for going after a PP specialist, Karlsson type player later in the round like Julius Honka

O'Riley had 28 goals this year, Marchand had 25...

Either guy would immediately become the leading goal scorer of this team.
- SuperCat

Cut those totals by 1/3, probably more. That's how they'd do on our garbage team. Hodgson/Ennis on COL would put up 30 Gs.

Me and you have said on many occasions that ANY defensemen would look sub par with this group of forwards that lack any upper echelon talent.

Ekblad would be in that same boat here. He also isn't a lot better than Bennett IMO, all 4 guys are seen as potential top picks.
- sbroads24

However, I am banking on the fact that the Sabres will draft in this position next year as well. The forwards in next year's group have the potential to be a lot better than any forward you get this year anyway. If this team were set to be like Colorado, draft a MacKinnon, and then vault their way into a playoff spot, my approach would be different. However, no matter who they draft, they are still going to be a very below average team, no matter how big a game Murray and Nolan talk about setting standards. In both drafts, you get as many difference makers as you can. This year, it may be a defenseman. Next year, it will almost definitely be a forward (McDavid or Eichel). As much as they need scoring, this year is a throw away regardless. There's no hurry.

O'Riley had 28 goals this year, Marchand had 25...

Either guy would immediately become the leading goal scorer of this team.
- SuperCat

A. That's not saying much
B. They wouldnt score as much here to begin with

If you are trading someone like 57 or Ehrhoff, you need a dynamic Seguin type player back. Obviously Hoff alone doesnt get you that

No, I just think its ridiculous that people think we absolutely have to stay away from defense.

Ive been on record saying I want Reinhart. So I agree that we SHOULD go forward. But I would not be upset with Ekblad whatsoever, and I dont think thats a "wrong pick".

I'd be more disappointed if we went with Bennett if 1 of Reinhart or Ekblad are on the board.
- theblueandgold

My thing is, I know Ekblad is a world class talent. If in a fantasy scenario one of the top 4 teams in the league got to pick first, say Pittsburgh for example, I would take Ekblad. However with our D prospect situation it makes less sense. I also believe a D prospect will have a far less return in a trade than a forward, especially a center.