Drunkard

He may be just fine, but it's still a valid question. The fact that we got a good player doesn't change the fact that we could have gone in a different direction. I was just curious to see if knowing that drafting Sergachev allowed Montreal to swap him for Drouin changes anyones mind about drafting Nylander. We supposedly drafted BPA with Nylander but defensemen currently have a premium value over wingers (and possible premium over centers) so I wonder if that premium gets incorporated into the BPA formula.

It also brings up an interesting question. Sergachev was drafted #9 last year so we definitely could have had him instead of Nylander. One year later, would you rather have Nylander, Sergachev, or Drouin? I'd rather have Drouin or Sergachev and likely Drouin. Imagine having him playing with Eichel now instead of having to wait for Nylander to develop.

I would have thought Drouin was worth more. I guess this shows the increasing value of defensemen and defensive prospects. It should start to skew the draft values of defensive prospects I would expect.

Just wait until they start clamoring to give Gorges a fat extension.

He seemed to play pretty well with Ristolainen when he was here previously, although I believe they were both on the second pairing. You can always swap him and McCabe though and pair Zadorov with his Russian counterpart, or put him with Bogosian and allow Antipin to be sheltered on the 3rd pair until he adjusts to the NHL. McCabe Ristolainen Zadorov Antipin Gorges Bogosian or McCabe Ristolainen Zadorov Bogosian Gorges Antipin

Because they had to give up O'Reilly to get Zadorov from us. Any guy they draft at #8 isn't likely to play to for them for 2-3 seasons and isn't guaranteed to be any better. Why do you think they would give up the best asset they received in that trade for the #8 pick? Or maybe you're wondering why I'd be willing to give up the #8 pick for Zadorov. If that's your question it's basically for the same reason. Whomever we draft at #8 likely won't be able to contribute to the Sabres for several seasons where Zadorov could be stapled to Ristolainen's hip on the top pair and our defense would be looking pretty solid with the addition of him and Antipin. Zadorov Ristolainen McCabe Antipin Gorges Bogosian Falk/Fedun

I'd take either him or Stoner from Anaheim to help them free up money if they included one of their good defensive prospects.

Drew Stafford of course. And that guy with marfans.

I'd still go short term on him though. 3 or 4 seasons max. The shoot out performances are still a serious concern. It has the potential keep us out of the playoffs in any given year.

Give him a bridge deal and make him practice shoot outs all summer.

I think he scored two goals (I remember they played Disco Inferno in the stadium loud enough that I could recognize it on tv after both goals).

I would too, but I doubt Colorado would bite on the offer.

Yep. Just because Edmonton may deem him expendable does mean they're just going to give him away and it certainly doesn't mean they are going to take our expendables for him. People always seem to assume that the other team will trade a quarter for 3 nickles and a slug.

Except for the fact that Eberle produces and Ennis doesn't. Eberle's cap hit is $6 million and for that he scored 51 points last season. The cap hit for Tyler Ennis is $4.6 million for 13 points. On what planet is Eberle a cap dump but acquiring the great Tyler Ennis a good strategy for them? Ennis and Girgensons combine for roughly the same cap hit as Eberle with less production. No way in hell a second round pick is enough to make up the difference.

Yeah that was kind of messed up. They should have been guaranteed 4th at worst, right after the 3 lottery picks since they didn't win the lottery.

People with kids bring in the money. Young people may be louder and drink a couple of $10 beers but people with families buy popcorn, sodas, nachos, etc. plus overpriced jerseys and hats that need to get replaced fairly frequently since kids grow so quickly. They are catering to the segment that represents the potential for generating the most revenue.

If you copy and pasted the original post, it's either fake or he spelled his name wrong on his own twitter handle. Schefiter.

You're probably right. I see Ennis as a negative value given his recent production vs his contract so that's probably what's skewing it in my mind. Most of us would probably be happy if Vegas took him, although we'd prefer they grab Moulson or Gorges. Ignoring Ennis though it's probably close in value. Girgensons and the second along with a prospect like Pu or Asplund seems about right. The equivalent of three pieces with a 2nd round value (give or take).

Unless that prospect is somebody like Guhle or Nylander I don't see Edmonton going for this at all.

He needs to be extended or traded. If he starts the season playing on his expiring contract we run the risk of him getting injured and seeing him walk for nothing. I'm not trying to get rid of him either, I'd prefer to extend him.

Exactly. I have no desire to take that gamble. I want to keep Kane but they need to have an extension agreed to in principle that is just sitting and waiting to be signed on July 1st. Otherwise they should move him at the draft.

That's a hell of a gamble to take given Kane's injury history. Nobody is going to trade for an injured Kane on an expiring contract. A bird in hand is worth 2 in the bush as they say. I'd prefer to extend Kane before the season starts but I'd rather have Muzzin or Martinez than have Kane play for us this season as a pending UFA.

It's not even possible for Kane to sign an extension until July 1st. There's nothing saying they can agree to an extension in principle now though and wait until July 1st to sign it though. If we can't get him to agree to an Okposo type contract though, we need to go ahead and move him at the draft. Given his injury history we'd risk losing him for nothing if he suffers an injury. Nobody is going to trade for an injured Kane on an expiring contract.

I'd make the deal too (Kane, Asplund, and a 2nd for Ovechkin). Ovechkin at 32, 33, 34, and 35 is still better than Kane on Eichel's wing and it would be fun as hell to watch. Hell, I'd make the 2nd rounder guaranteed and offer our 1st next year as the conditional sweetener if Kane doesn't re-sign in Washington. It would likely end up a low 1st anyway.

So would you say it's a good draft then? Better than 2013, 2014, 2015, or 2016? If not, you're just arguing semantics. Mediocre isn't bad, it's average.