Interesting report, Matty. The Sabres are one of thirty teams that would love to have McDavid in 2015. The odds appear to favor Buffalo, but the NHL is reportedly trying to change the lottery rules to make it easier for a team with a lower pick to win the lottery. We have an entire season to play before that lottery rolls around, so I am not getting worked up over him just yet. There are a lot of other good picks in next year's draft, so I am confident that the Sabres will land a good player. Combined with this year's pick, and a very solid pipeline, Buffalo may not even have the worst record in the league, (although they probably will). Otherwise, I interpret his comments as refreshing candor that reveal a teenager that is already wiser than anyone his age should be. I see some Tom Bradyism in his comments - he appears to be motivated to continue to hone his craft even after all the adulation.
seems like there may be some legs to the Eichel playing CHL hockey McKenzie tweets. This report has him possibly playing in St John where his rights are and where it makes more sense. http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2014/03/17_saint_john_gm_eichel_will.php
The 2015 draft is still a long way off, but the prospects of landing McDavid or Eichel are making then NHL anxious to jigger the draft lottery rules to make it easier for teams to move up. Needless to say, that could suck for Buffalo. (Sweet irony would be the Sabres taking McDavid with the NYI pick.) Here is one Sabres fan that would be happy with either one of them. As for 2014, Buffalo has a 99% probability for finishing last in the league, and the worse they draft would be #2 overall. Reinhard seems like the likely first pick, and they probably will take him if they pick #1. It will get interesting if they get pushed back to #2, since Ekblad could be the pick. Buffalo really has a strong d-man pipeline so a trade down could ensue - this would not mean dropping back very far. Rumors out of Long Island are that Garth will not defer the 2014 first to next year even if it is a top five pick, (that seems likely). So Buffalo could have two top 5's this year. I would prefer they select the best player - defensive prospects are always good trade chips, so I would like to see them get Ekblad. The Sabres own the Blues first and three seconds and for a team with the need for more quality prospects over quantity I expect they will actively look to trade up selectively.
I need to qualify this; the Sabres have their 2015 first for certain. The 2014 first is based on conditions with about 30 variables - in the end, I think there's a strong possibility that they'll own their 2014 first too.
aside from the Bruins acquiring another team's pick and somehow winning the lottery to get a top 2 pick, the above proposition would be ideal for me. Ive tried to not hate the Islanders but it doesn't come easy.
Right you are, Matty, right you are. If you need lessons, I have succeeded in learning how to hate one team, (actually two teams).
lol, not sure about the other one but I know that you chose poorly in your choice of one of the teams that you hate.
The hockey team from Philadelphia has had that distinction the longest; since the '75 SC. I was young, and did not realize just yet how deplorable the hockey team from Boston is.
Might Terry Pegula or Jeremy Jacobs buy the Bills? For everyone's sake let's hope its not Jacobs. http://www.sportingnews.com/nhl/sto...lo-bills-ownership-jeremy-jacobs-terry-pegula
For the Bills' sake, I certainly hope he's not interested. If I were a fan of the hockey team from Boston I would cheer wildly for that, as the NFL rules would prevent him from owning both. Pegula is very likely to be part of the ownership group; the question is will he pony up the 30% needed to be the "majority" owner. I believe his preference is to focus on hockey. The former Sabre owner, Golisano, is another probable investor. If Jim Kelly's treatment goes well, he and Thurman Thomas will be in the mix. The recent lease deal effectively locks the Bills into the Ralph Wilson Fieldhouse for the next six years. The estate is very complicated, so it will probably be another two years before the team ownership changes, (it's in the estate for now). Buffalo, Erie County and New York State have about a two year window to hammer out a shovel-ready stadium project for as soon as the new owner is in place. I am placing my bet that they will build on the lake front in downtown Buffalo near the new hockey center. Buffalo Bills for ever!
According to the final NHL Central Scouting report dated April 8, 2014, the top three draft prospects are: 1 BENNETT, SAMUEL KINGSTON OHL 2 EKBLAD, AARON BARRIE OHL 3 REINHART, SAM KOOTENAY WHL The Sabres are assured of having one of the top two picks, and we'll know exactly one week from today. Sam Reinhart is the presumed favorite by many Buffalo fans. Aaron Ekblad is acknowledged as probably the best overall prospect, (again, by Buffaloers - yeah, I made that term up). Hmmm, what to do? Do they take the offensive player with the best leadership credentials, (granting that this is a hard matter to distinguish with teenagers). That would be Reinhart. The Sabres' prospect pipeline is loaded with solid blueliners. If they pick Ekblad, do they set up a future trade? Or, does Buffalo move down to pick up more assets? (I will be quick to say that I do not advocate this.) What if some team fell in love with Bennett and is willing to overpay to move up? Or, getting Michael Dal Colle, for instance, and another first would certainly be appealing. Of course, a lot depends on what Garth does, and how the ping pong balls fall.
halo, we'll trade you Leino for Mario Lemieux and promise to pay yor entire Scranton Wilkes Barre roster for a season. Not enough? How about for two years? Three?
I hope we find out - we've gotta secure #1 overall on Tuesday first. You can be sure to hear a lot of chatter that Buffalo is leaning to Ekblad. What would Edmonton give up to move up to #1?
thats a great point. if they truly believe that Buffalo would take Ekblad ahead of them I think they would be willing to give up more than they probably should to get that pick.
Good news! The Sabres are now affiliated with the ECHL Elmira Jackals. This should help the organization maintain much better control over prospect development. With about ten top-sixty picks coming into the system over the next two years they will need this third leg. Last season, (it is already past-tense for me!), the Sabres had their not-ready-for-Rochester prospects spread around the ECHL from Georgia to Alaska. It will give the prospects an earlier jump on getting to know each other, and being two hours from Rochester will help the Amerks too.
Thanks, Matty. It's always nice to watch a Sabres movie, and when it's about Ville, the shorter the better. He is likely to get the amnesty buy-out. The Sabres still have both available, and they expire this year. The only caveat is that his salary gets them closer to the cap floor. I think they have about $10MM to go to reach that as it is, and most FA's are going to want a premium to come to Buffalo. And they may be the type of players a fan should not want, e.g., Ville. Ah, the conundrum.
From Freidman's 30 Thoughts on CBC- Long Island News 12 producer Rob Del Muro with a good tip: Islanders GM Garth Snow attended a season-ticket holder event last week and told one fan, "It would be a safe wager on his part that we would utilize this year's (first-round draft) pick." The team has until June 1 to let the Buffalo Sabres know about the selection. If not, Buffalo gets New York's 2015 first-rounder.
