Dude, they are 1-8-1 in their last 10 and struggling against Ottawa. I’m at least slightly nervous.

Edit: you are correct about one thing though, if Buffalo gets at least a point tonight the worst we pick is 6th.
- smellmyfinger

without a doubt they are one of the worst teams in the league and they probably could have finished last if they did get really lucky and win 10 in a row despite being out shot in that stretch like a million to one.

but everybody told me I was an idiot for them trading ROR and that Tage would be a 20 goal scorer. so guess I was wrong.

LETS GO BUFFALOOO

without a doubt they are one of the worst teams in the league and they probably could have finished last if they did get really lucky and win 10 in a row despite being out shot in that stretch like a million to one.

but everybody told me I was an idiot for them trading ROR and that Tage would be a 20 goal scorer. so guess I was wrong.
- Pomegrant

Well they are leading now. L.A. needs two points to guarantee us a top 5 pick. They’ve got a kind of poopty Anaheim team and an already in the playoffs Knights team left on their schedule. Maybe we can get real lucky.

Well they are leading now. L.A. needs two points to guarantee us a top 5 pick. They’ve got a kind of poopty Anaheim team and an already in the playoffs Knights team left on their schedule. Maybe we can get real lucky.
- smellmyfinger

I've suffered through a few Kings games rooting them on and they are married to the tank. They had a game where they were behind and Kovalchuk played like 10 minutes max over random forth line plugs. Honestly, they are so bad and the coaching is so horrendous that they could get some disciplinary actions against them for purposely losing.

LETS GO BUFFALOOO
- MartysBetter88

5-2 buffalo

come on. they weren't half bad during the Mogilny, Briere, Drury, Hasek days.
- MartysBetter88

I take it back. They’re up 5-2 over Ottawa. Sabers Rule!

You guys were sweating for nothing. Now we just need a Kings win tomorrow and we're all good.

You guys were sweating for nothing. Now we just need a Kings win tomorrow and we're all good.
- Pomegrant

KAKKO!!!!!! (Or Byram).

KAKKO!!!!!! (Or Byram).
- smellmyfinger

What's the word on Byram. Why should I be excited.

Huge night! Can no longer get worse than 3rd best odds, and Kings 1 point back with a game in hand! Go Kings Go!!

Early this season I bet someone that the Sabres would make the playoffs. At least they did something good for me this year.

What's the word on Byram. Why should I be excited.
- Pomegrant

Byram is real solid, best D in the class by a decent amount, pure workhorse. Elite skating and really slick offensively with the puck and a rock defensively, plays the game at his pace and very calculated in his decisions. Plays all situations. Should be a guaranteed top 4 D in the nhl, or even better. I think he'll go top 5, i wouldn't mind taking him if we fall to 4-6 range, i have him tied for 5th in my rankings with Turcotte, behind Hughes/Kakko/Podkolzin/Dach. He'd instantly become our best defensive prospect, probably better than Smith imo

Byram is real solid, best D in the class by a decent amount, pure workhorse. Elite skating and really slick offensively with the puck and a rock defensively, plays the game at his pace and very calculated in his decisions. Plays all situations. Should be a guaranteed top 4 D in the nhl, or even better. I think he'll go top 5, i wouldn't mind taking him if we fall to 4-6 range, i have him tied for 5th in my rankings with Turcotte, behind Hughes/Kakko/Podkolzin/Dach. He'd instantly become our best defensive prospect, probably better than Smith imo
- vlongo4419

That's high praise. We need players in all positions so if he's the best guy available seems like a slam dunk.

What's the word on Byram. Why should I be excited.
- Pomegrant

Left shot D with 26 goals and 71 points in his draft eligible year. Fantastic skater and even with those offensive numbers is still defensively responsible. Probably the closest we will get to drafting a true number one Dman. Rated anywhere from #3-5 on most boards.

If in a year or two we are icing a top 4 of:

Smith-Vatanen
Byram-Severson

We may actually have an NHL level defense core.

Byram is real solid, best D in the class by a decent amount, pure workhorse. Elite skating and really slick offensively with the puck and a rock defensively, plays the game at his pace and very calculated in his decisions. Plays all situations. Should be a guaranteed top 4 D in the nhl, or even better. I think he'll go top 5, i wouldn't mind taking him if we fall to 4-6 range, i have him tied for 5th in my rankings with Turcotte, behind Hughes/Kakko/Podkolzin/Dach. He'd instantly become our best defensive prospect, probably better than Smith imo
- vlongo4419

I don’t think it’s a stretch to rate him #3 behind Kakko and Hughes. He’s putting that performance up in the WHL, no adjustment period needed to the North American game like Podkolzin might need, also no KHL worries. I know most are high on Podkolzin but I just see to much risk there to invest the #3 pick in him. I’d be more comfortable with Byram/Dach at 3.

That's high praise. We need players in all positions so if he's the best guy available seems like a slam dunk.
- Pomegrant

For sure, whoever gets him will be very happy and he has the potential to be a staple on someones blue line. I'm not saying he'll step in and become one of the best D in the league, but compared to the other D in this draft, its not even close. He's far and away the top choice if you're looking at that position. But like i said, i'd still probably take a Dach and even Turcotte or something over him if we had the choice at 3/4. I wouldnt be upset if we took him at 3, i'd just prefer one of those centers over him

Left shot D with 26 goals and 71 points in his draft eligible year. Fantastic skater and even with those offensive numbers is still defensively responsible. Probably the closest we will get to drafting a true number one Dman. Rated anywhere from #3-5 on most boards.

If in a year or two we are icing a top 4 of:

Smith-Vatanen
Byram-Severson

We may actually have an NHL level defense core.
- smellmyfinger

And just for reference Doughty put up 21/74 in the OHL in his draft eligible year, Provorov put up 21/73 in his draft year in the WHL. Byram really looks like as close as you can be to a sure thing.

And just for reference Doughty put up 21/74 in the OHL in his draft eligible year, Provorov put up 21/73 in his draft year in the WHL. Byram really looks like as close as you can be to a sure thing.
- smellmyfinger

And to add onto that, its not a huge deal, but he's still only 17 too, wont be 18 until a week or two before the draft. So he's a bit on the younger side of the draft class as well and has a little more room to grow and develop. Those other guys played half of their draft year, or more, at 18. Its not a huge deal or difference, but its something to take note of.

Either way, just picking between 1 and 6 will give us a pretty good prospect no matter who we go with

come on. they weren't half bad during the Mogilny, Briere, Drury, Hasek days.
- MartysBetter88

When they got knocked out of the playoffs by Carolina in game seven, the winning goal as the result of a puck over the glass penalty (if I recall correctly).

Early this season I bet someone that the Sabres would make the playoffs. At least they did something good for me this year.
- willschulme

Are you Frankie grannelli?

Dreger said it's a good chance Hughes plays at the WC with his brother.

Given how much the Devils need a true #1 D, I'd be in favour of drafting Byram at 3rd overall. Top line wingers are a lot easier to get via other methods than top pairing D. The current state of this defense and its development leaves this team still at least three years from competing for a Cup unless Santini suddenly becomes one of the best zone pressure D in the league.

Dreger said it's a good chance Hughes plays at the WC with his brother.

Given how much the Devils need a true #1 D, I'd be in favour of drafting Byram at 3rd overall. Top line wingers are a lot easier to get via other methods than top pairing D. The current state of this defense and its development leaves this team still at least three years from competing for a Cup unless Santini suddenly becomes one of the best zone pressure D in the league.
- archromat

Agreed my top 2 if we are picking 3rd are Byram and Turcotte

one sim today

1. NJ
2. DET
3. ANA

one sim today

1. NJ
2. DET
3. ANA
- Senor_Elias

I wouldn't mind that draw. Detroit's well into a rebuild and Anaheim has gotten into a bit of bad luck.

If the Kings or the Blackhawks win a top two pick, that's what'll make me angry. Teams 3 or 4 years out from winning a Cup getting vaulted right back up again. Since Carolina last made the playoffs, these two teams combined for 5 championships and still have a solid core.

Dreger said it's a good chance Hughes plays at the WC with his brother.

Given how much the Devils need a true #1 D, I'd be in favour of drafting Byram at 3rd overall. Top line wingers are a lot easier to get via other methods than top pairing D. The current state of this defense and its development leaves this team still at least three years from competing for a Cup unless Santini suddenly becomes one of the best zone pressure D in the league.
- archromat

Byram is a left handed shot. A left side of Byram, Butcher, and Smith would look pretty good.