Bob Malooga

I still cannot understand why people want Sam Bennett? Out of the three forwards, he chipped in the least, on his team's goals...at something like 74%, or somewhere around there. Whereas Draisaitl contributed on 91%, and Reinhart at 84%...and they say Draisaitl played on the weakest team. (I still want Reinhart...you cannot deny pedigree and a kid who grew up around the NHL.) The other way I look at it is...we need skill, not "potential"...we have plenty of that in the organization, and we're still waiting to see it. Feel free to try and sell me on Bennett, though? But to me, and plenty others I have heard/read, he is the 4th best prospect, behind the Ekblad, Reinhart and Draisaitl. *EDIT: I forgot where I saw those "contribution percentages," but the numbers are pretty close and in the correct order. One more thing...from everything I have read, I am absolutely sold on taking chances on Ho-Sang and DeAngelo, especially if they are available with any of the Sabres' second round picks. The talent is undeniable with those two. It's worth the risk for a team like Buffalo, without a doubt.

Connor McDavid is 17, and he'll be 18 in less than 6 months. Other than that, I'm lost, lol...it went from draft to Girgenson and Larsson's career NHL goals scored.

On the list from the post being discussed. Crosby, Gagner, Kane, Drouin, McKinnon, Kane, Hall, Tavares, Brassard, Stamkos, Huberdeau, Strome, Seguin, Ryan, Couturier, Nugent-Hopkins. Thank you for posting this stuff...much rather listen to this stuff, than the WGR on-demand section. lol.

I'll take this a step further, because I want them to also be a part of the future...even the leaders of the "core," possibly. But, we also have our #12 Myers, #26 Ennis, (#10 Hodgson), #23 Pysyk, #16 Armia...that could be 13 first round picks by the 2015 season. Now THAT is a rebuild of epic proportions...how in the world can THAT fail? (That's why this is NOT Edmonton, not even mentioning 2nd/3rd round picks.) Yet, Anthony Florentino (5th round, 2013) WAS invited? That's sounding really promising for the Sabres. But, nothing is set in stone yet... http://www.leagueittous.com/2014/06/19/usa-announces-42-player-world-junior-evaluation-camp-roster/ "One player not invited to camp that could very well make this team is Noah Hanifin of the US U-18 team. He is a 2015 draft eligible and is said to be in the same boat as Seth Jones and Jacob Trouba at their age. So keep an eye on him to potentially make this squad."

Are you the Ehlers fan around here? (or are you referring to someone else you like...or Grigorenko? lol, there's quite a few between.) Exactly. Many still consider him an "elite" prospect. He is still really young. He wouldn't be the first late-bloomer. Just imagine being 18-19 years old and having the hopes of an entire NHL franchise and fanbase, placed upon YOUR shoulders...it wouldn't be easy. And I think we all agree he should have never left Quebec, until this coming season (2014-15), at which point he would ply his trade and prove his worth for 2 years in the AHL...that could have helped A LOT. That's the route Toffoli and Pearson took, as well as many others, and it worked for them. I just think it would be extremely stupid to get rid of such a once highly rated and regarded prospect...that's NOT what Marek Zagrapan was. But that is not even the point...the point is...look at the first 16 already drafted...they are all pretty much "stars" in the league...and this is saying Sam Reinhart will fit in with those players. Neither Zagrapan or Girgorenko is within that group of players, nor were they ever. (They weren't drafted that high, either.) We're definitely on the same page...grab those two and get me Demko, and I'll call that an amazing draft..."perfect," to be honest. I think they will be far and away the two best players from this draft, with a doubt in my mind. :thumbsup: (And again, I love Tuch and Virtanen, lol.)

Sorry if this has been posted already, but I did not see it anywhere. According to this study, Sam Reinhart is the #12 offensive prospect to come out of the draft in the past decade. http://thats-offside.blogspot.ca/2014/06/adjusted-draft-year-scoring-for-chl.html

I would think, being his first GM job and the amount of work he has to do, he's got that squared away so he can focus on trades this week. If we could come away with...Reinhart, Tuch, Karlsson and Demko in the first two rounds...I'd call that an amazing draft. (No Tuch? Give me...Ritchie, Virtanen, or Perlini.) Is that too far-fetched, or no?

You're welcome. And besides Lundqvist...I think one could argue that Enroth has been right at the top as one of the better ones, especially in international play. (Feel free to correct me if I am wrong on that, somebody? But, didn't he just lead Sweden to gold last summer?)

Pretty sure I read somewhere, or heard on WGR, that he had a hand in drafting Robin Lehner...who is 6-5, 220 lbs, drafted in the 2nd round. Whatever that is worth, maybe not much...I have no clue, just thought it was worth sharing. *I found this too...which is pretty interesting, lol. "With that debut at 19 years, two months and 24 days Lehner became the youngest Swedish goaltender to play in the NHL, breaking Jhonas Enroth's record of 21 years, four months and 13 days." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Lehner If they have gone through all of this garbage in the past 1-2 years, for THIS?!?! I give up. And IF this team DID make the playoffs...you're technically giving up a shot at Connor McDavid, for Shawn Thornton, Patrick Kaleta, 8th place and a first round exit. I'd probably find the closest bridge and jump off of it...but, then again, that would be typical Buffalo, half-ass something just to get it done.

Fair enough, my bad, I actually JUST saw that conversation in the other thread...I was just busting balls anyways. Question though...if the Sabres could get anyone who is realistically available, who would you want them to get? Do you offer-sheet a Linden Vey, Jeremy Morin, or somebody like that...it is what Murray always talks about, right? (Someone a few years into their development, that hasn't caught on with their NHL team?)

For someone who is a stickler about starting threads being discussed elsewhere and re-posting stuff... This couldn't go in the Free Agency thread opened three weeks prior to this one? Lol. :nana: http://forums.sabres...abres-strategy/

Did I honestly read somebody saying the NBA playoffs are better than the Stanley Cup playoffs? That is probably the most comical thing I have heard all year. As for future "tough guys," I think we're forgetting Deslauriers, Fasching and Carrier...they are big and said to have mean streaks. (And I do not want to trade Tyler Myers and Tyler Ennis...too much connection for me, as they both share the same first name as me...and they were the Sabres two 1st round draft picks the day after my Father passed away in June of 2008...I just can't do it, can't bring myself to being 'alright' with them being gone.)

I'd like to go here too...especially after last night. It seems to me, and probably everyone else, the Kings "blueprint," is the Sabres "#Blueprint." Big, strong, physical players up front...with a defense who can do everything, a stellar goalie...and a coach who knows how to use it all. Bringing in players from organizations like this (Fasching, Deslauriers, Carrier from STL)...is a good start. And having a GM who knows what he wants, how to get it and how to use/develop it...is the icing on the cake. I wish my Father was still here so he could witness this rebuild with me...he would be ecstatic. (Hopefully some day our "Regehr" is someone like Ryan Callahan, a player we bring in who has not yet won a cup and joins us to do so...and our "Gaborik" is someone like Patty Kane, that one added piece needed to put us over the top.) *Now, I just need to figure out a role for Dustin Brown...and my Upstate, NY, trifecta is complete! Lol.

This got me on youtube for an hour...I was dying watching some of these, I had to add a few. (I don't think anything will ever top that "worm" I saw posted above though.) This little kid just has the time of his life playing goalie...even playing his air-guitar! Jacob Markstrom gets down to the "Venga Boys!" Goalie does the "Wobble" with dance team. (and he KILLS it!) Sorry, I couldn't help myself...being a former goalie and currently a DJ, I love this stuff! :-) (I am actually in talks with my old high school and the rink they play at to DJ the varsity games this winter.) I had to add this...I freaking love hockey, I love goalies. (PS. I love Marty Biron, too.) *The song to this video is great too, the video is even better...Rob Dougan - "Clubbed To Death"...I highly suggest watching it. See if you can figure out the meaning behind...it's one of "those" music videos, it's a message that has significant meaning for the world today, and life in general. EDIT: Here it is... ("Go against the grain, break down barriers...and set an example.")

I never got an answer to my response...so I'm really confused. What I get is...in a weak draft, with so many prospects already in the system, a bunch more draft picks to grab more prospects through the next couple years, and no real #1 goalie prospect in the system... You would rather get the #25-#30 skater...over the #1 goaltender, and probably the best to come out in a few years? That makes absolutely zero sense to me. (*I'm still not wavering from Sam Reinhart, and I don't think I will.)

Well, that is why I said "unless he makes it to the 2nd round." Even then you take him if you think he can be an elite goalie, and won't make it to the 2nd round, and you have a pick to spend on an elite goalie prospect. I'd much rather get the best goalie in a couple years, instead of the 28th-31st best skater in a relatively weak draft class. If you want him, and don't think he is going to make it to your next pick...you take him. (Not to mention, every mock draft I've seen has him going in the top-20...but you don't want him at the end of round #1?) How many of those were actually rated as the best goalie in their draft class and a top-20 draft pick? That is the question.

What would make Pierre McGuire more "connected" than Brisebois, Botterill, Fenton, and/or Rutherford? He was a scout 20 years ago and has been a TV announcer...while they have consistently been involved in the league, building hockey teams. (And I'm not trying to be a jerk and call you out, I am legitimately asking because I have absolutely zero clue.) Like somebody else said, it seems like this is going to be Matt Millen, but in the NHL...why not Jeremy Roenick? lol.

I definitely could not do a pull-up at 17 years old...but I could push someone around on the ice, or lay them out on the football field. I still think Reinhart is the superior athlete/player, and I want the Sabres to draft him the most. (I'd like Thatcher Demko too, if they get another late 1st round pick...or if he makes it to the 2nd round.)

I must say this though... Between Eichel, Tuch, Milano, Hanifin, Compher, Fasching, Demko, Dougherty, Schmaltz, Larkin, Glover, McInnis, Collins, etc... The USA is really starting to churn out some quality players in recent drafts, especially this year and next. And upon further research into this topic, I found this article... http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=710238 "The selection of right wing Michael McCarron of the United States Under-18 National Team Development Program in the first round of the 2013 NHL Draft marked the ninth straight year at least one player from the United States Hockey League was among the top 30 picks. 32 players competing in the USHL in 2012-13 were chosen last June, the most players selected from the league in one year. There's no question the USHL has been churning out NHL-caliber athletes in recent years; a total of 94 USHL alumni competed in the League in 2012-13. More than 300 players on USHL rosters last season committed to NCAA Division I schools and more than 200 are currently under NHL contract." (I see that continuing to improve...as some of the names I mentioned get drafted in the next couple years.)

With all due respect, he has been playing on a line with Jack Eichel and Alex Tuch...who are both excellent players. I would much rather get Tuch, than Milano...but that's just how I would rather build my team. (As for Bennett vs. Reinhart...I have wanted Reinhart for nearly 2 years, and that will not change...he is the superior player/athlete.)

He was considered a "sleeper" going into the 2013 NHL draft, by number of places. I had a hard time finding the article I read about him, but I did find this... http://stateofhockey...ers-steals.html "3. RW, Nick Baptiste (Sudbury, OHL) Height: 6'1" Weight: 189lbs Shoots: Right ISS rank: 48th, The Hockey News' rank: 63rd, NHL Central Scouting's (NA) rank: 61st 2012-13 Stats:66GP, 21G, 27A, 48pts, 44pim's, -1 Talent Analysis: Blazing speed and a relentless motor is what the scouts consistently rave about this kid. After having a good 2nd half to the season Baptiste rose on the draft charts, going from 105th at the NHL Central Scouting mid-term rankings to 61st. Baptiste's wheels are what get him noticed but he's also started to show he has some good finish as well. His defensive game is still a work in progress but he brings the effort necessary to develop this part of his game to make him a terrific two-way winger. He may be more of an instinctual player than others available in this draft, but his competitive drive and skillset make him an attractive later round selection." (I'll post the original article I read if I find it, as it was from a much more credible source, like "The Hockey News" maybe?) EDIT: I actually feel like this article got some of its info from the one I read, as Mitch Wheaton was another "sleeper." Here are two other articles I found that I remember reading about him...after hearing about him and searching for information on him. The Hockey Writers - Next Ones! http://thehockeywrit...ospect-profile/ NHL Draft tracker: Nick Baptiste (interview included) http://sports.yahoo....&ysp_frm_woah=1

Yes, 3 of his goals came in a hat-trick yesterday. Teddy Nolan is showing exactly why he deserves to be an NHL coach again...he sure knows how to get his men playing.

YES! I was in 8th grade...I remember asking my Father if they won, could I get a Hasek jersey? (Hasek wasn't playing, Shields was in goal.) I'll never forget that goal for as long as I live, it was so loud, I could not hear myself think...and random people were hugging me! lol. (And thankfully, Steve Shields got my Father to break and spend $200+ on a Dominik Hasek jersey...I just wish I could get it signed!)

It's kind of like Jason Bonsignore all over again. Only difference is, Bonsignore was drafted much higher, 4th overall to be exact. He went from sure-fire stud, to a total bust. http://kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/jason_bonsignore_-_i_feel_like_i_let_everyone_in_edmonton_down *EDIT: Here is another good read about him, mentions how Kevin Prendergast was really there for him and tried to help him. http://oilersnation.com/2011/9/1/an-epic-rant-jason-bonsignore-on-his-failed-days-with-the-edmonton-oilers

Thanks for clarifying, that is certainly interesting...a big, right handed center (which we kind of lack). I'd love for Buffalo to bring him in, even to just see if he has anything to offer them...wouldn't hurt. http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/kevin_hayes/ *He is rated (7.0-C) pretty much equally with most of our higher-rated prospects. I did find this though... http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/blackhawks/post/_/id/4679317/qa-with-hawks-prospect-kevin-hayes "Do you know what your plan is going forward with the Blackhawks?" KH: Pretty sure I’ll be signing once the season’s over. We’ll take it from there.