Crusader1969

if it wasn't anyone else but McDavid they don't even get the chance to score because Risto is able to handle the speed of the opposition. To say it was a stinker goal is just sour grapes. McDavid is better than Eichel offensively. Case closed - Time to move on.

Im thinking about it. have been for months. I think we all saw first hand why Murray was so disappointed at the lottery last spring. He knew then that he lost a chance at the best player the NHL has seen since Lemieux. Not taking anything at all away from Eichel. He has the chance to lead the Sabres to the Cup and can be a great great player. But if we keep comparing him to McDavid for the next decade, its a game he is sure to lose.

This is an easy one. I'll take struggles and a top 3 pick. People learn lessons when they go through adversity and will often be better for it. You don't think Reinhart is a better player now because he struggled in his 9 games last season? Plus you know what will really help them be better players and team? Adding one of the top 3 elite players. You don't think putting a guy like Laine on Eichels wing is going to help him?

there will be a lot of European scouts in Oulu Finland tomorrow. Karpat hosts Tappara in Liiga which means Puljujarvi plays head to head vs Laine. if you are snowed in tomorrow it may be worth finding the game some where on the world wide web.

IMHO, I think it will have zero correlation to how this team plays next year 14-5 or 5-14.

They got rid of the main perpetrator in Justin Schultz. They have played much better since the coach went on a rant, sat Schultz and called out his team. Since then lost 2-1 to Kings, 2-1 in OT vs Ducks and beat Islanders 3-1.

Definitely ranks ahead of Juolevi in my books. As i've mentioned before, the kid is a hammer. Every game you watch you are guaranteed to see him deliver at least 1 big hit and he will make at least one attempt to carry the puck over the blue line and drive to the net. People also rave over his calm under pressure. I re-watched the WJC game between Finland and Russia the other day. Juolevi was directly responsible for 1 goal against and got caught flat-footed another time that led to a great opportunity for the Russians. Chychrun hasn't had as good a season as many expected but scouts / gms have got to be impressed with his size & speed combination. I'll be surprised if he isn't the first Dman taken.

Hockey Prospects updated 2016 draft rankings released today. https://www.hockeyprospect.com/2016-nhl-draft-rankings/ Dubios moves ahead of Tkachuk on another list - Chychrun drops to 9th and ranked below Joulevi and Sergi. As I mentioned a few weeks back there is a possibility that 6 Forwards (5 of whom are wingers) go before the 1st Dman goes.

have you enjoyed watching Justin Bailey so far?

There is no doubt that Tkachuk's stats have benefited from being on a Super Line with Marner and Dvorak but he has more than held up his end too. I was at a game 3 weeks ago where he had a hat-trick and assist. 1 goal was a tip-in while standing in front of the net, another was scored while driving the net off the break. In no way, did he look out of place playing with along side high end talent. Overall, I've seen him play live 3 times and another 10-12 times on tv. If the Sabres draft 4th or 5th and draft Tkachuk I would be in no way disappointed, or concerned. Don't forget he put up 11 points playing next the Matthews at the WJC - he meshes well with Elite players and would look great next to Eichel for the next decade.

It was going to be miserable with or without McGinn. Or come in the draft and usually near the top.

I've got about 10 Steelhead games PVR'd and I'll have to watch them soon. Time to pay more attention to Nylander who looks to be in the 6 - 8 slot. Hoping I can find some of his WJC games somewhere. He has really good OHL numbers - 28G and 44A in 52 games. He is also on loan with Mississauga, so (I believe) could go to AHL next season rather than having to go back to OHL. Craig Button`s Mock draft - http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/video/tradecentre-button-s-mock-draft~818345 Dubios rising here with Chychrun dropping.

Agreed, Sabres could/should be buyers next deadline.

Draft Buzz hockey released their rankings today: I've been wondering if we would see a dramatic rise in one of my fav's Dubois and here it is. Now ranked 4th by DB hockey. ahead of Tkachuk. Dubois was the Q player of the week for Feb to 22nd. This past week he missed a game due to injury. Played 2 days later at put up 2G and 3A.

optimistically the highest they will finish is 23rd (7th last) Minnesota holds spot #22 and if they play .500 over their remaining 20 games, the Sabres would have to go 14-5 to catch them. I don't care how easy the rest of the schedule is - there is no way they are achieving that kind of record.

Another game another Laine PP goal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUc3M2PIn6o Only way I see Puljujarvi going ahead of Laine is if they think JP can become a top line C.

article on Eric Cornel: http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/2016/02/25/a-leader-on-and-off-the-ice-for-peterborough-petes-captain-eric-cornel-sits-15th-in-ohl-scoring

Another draft article: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/draft/2016/02/21/2016-nhl-draft-matthews-jake-bean-chychrun-depth/80668094/

Laine with a Goal and Assist today to help Tappara defeat Assat 5-3; His goal comes at 3:40 of the highlite package. http://liiga.fi/videot/2016/02/24/huippuhetket-assat-tappara Anyone else see Ovi when watching him?

The other thing he said is that pick 9 through 28 are almost interchangeable. link to his interview: http://media.wgr550.com/a/113607735/mike-morreale-talks-2016-nhl-draft.htm article from Vancouver Sun: http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/hockey/edmonton-oilers/janne+niinimaa+huge+laine+puljujarvi+draft/11728922/story.html

Definitely looks like a battle for 3rd. Leafs and Oilers are in a Tank league all of their own. How about this draft order from the draft simulator? too good to be true? -wouldnt even have to watch the first 5 picks: 1) Arizona - Matthews 2) Buffalo - Laine 3) MTL - Puljujarvi 4) Edmonton - Chychrun 5) Toronto - Tkachuk Draft Order 1 2 3 4 5

oops, the 4th liner is supposed to be whatever number Varrone wears. thanks

They have the ingredients of an excellent team High end, elite, centers, A stud on D, (hopefully) a top end goalie and lots of youth on its way to help improve team depth. Future is bright but the next month could be ugly.

any guesses of the lines in another week? I think its going to be: 26 15 28 9 23 56 82 22 12 44 59 22 Wonder if they will give Bailey more than 9 games and let his Contract to kick in. If not replace 56 with Carrier (whatever number he wears) Definitely looking like a bottom 5 team.

Draft article: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/draft/2016/02/21/2016-nhl-draft-matthews-jake-bean-chychrun-depth/80668094/