‘But what’s the better option? How else can Buffalo build? Of the top 20 points-per-game players over the last five seasons plus this one, 13 were top-five picks: Crosby, Malkin, Stamkos, Ovechkin, the Sedins, Backstrom, Kane, Kovalchuk, Spezza, Kessel, Toews and Eric Staal. John Tavares and Taylor Hall are at 21 and 22, and rising. All but three have spent their entire careers with one team. You can complain, but this is the system.’