Bob Malooga

WHO? Aren't Jimmy and Kevin both property of other teams already? My last name is "Hayes," I would love to have someone on the Amerks/Sabres with the last name "Hayes!" lol. I'm really starting to like Deslauriers and Schaller...and Makarov looks like a mini "Dominator" to me sometimes.

I have been meaning to ask...and I mean this 100% seriously... Did ANYBODY truthfully believe the Buffalo Sabres would be anywhere near even a decent team this season? As I said on the radio the other day...this has been one of the best years of sports I have witnessed, because the stress was gone. I did not expect the Bills or the Sabres to be any good. I understood they're re-building and I know what comes with that. I expected the Bills to struggle with new coaches, players and schemes...but they ended up surprising me a little bit. Better than I thought. Same with the Sabres...I had zero belief in Ron Rolston as an NHL Head Coach, and I knew there would be a lot of rookies starting the year with the big club. I figured by Christmas they would be so behind, an 8th place chase like usual was extremely far-fetched, and I absolutely expected them to be drafting in the top-3 positions. Now, going into this season...there are really zero expectations like I had with the Bills last year. If they surprise me, so be it...but I am 100% prepared for another uninteresting season. (and to me, getting elite players through the draft is worth it.) The only reason I am alright with all of this...I believe 100% that it works and will absolutely pay off in the future. I truthfully believe that our best times as Buffalo sports fans are in the not-too-distant future. Give it 3 years and we have 2 very good teams...dare I say, "contenders?" Like I keep saying to skeptics...do you want a fun and exciting team, with young kids who can grow together and become possibly one of the best teams we have seen here...or do you want to continue chasing 8th place and mediocrity with a bunch of Ville Leino's? I've had enough and I am sick of being the joke of the sports world, and I know damn well that guys like Doug Marrone and Doug Whaley, as well as Ted Nolan and Tim Murray, do NOT want to be the laughingstock of their profession...they won't let that happen to them. They are young and prideful and all want to make a name for themselves within their profession as some of the best at what they do. So, "fans" I challenge you, get behind them fully and support them 100% and see this thing through...we really have no other option.

That will happen next year when they end up with Connor McDavid. I mean, really...could you imagine Toronto ending up with Connor McDavid...AND...the Buffalo Bills? #WorstNightmareEver The truth here though is that Stern didn't screw the Pacers, they screwed themselves by not taking Karl Malone. Patrick Ewing did not accomplish anything more than Karl Malone did, in their NBA careers. (BUT...that is when basketball was AWESOME and actually fun to watch. Something I cannot stand anymore.)

Well, since that is a thread about the "NHL Draft," and this is specifically about ONE aspect of the NHL draft...it seems obvious that if you want to talk about the Islanders deferment of their pick, you would come to this thread, rather than sift through 60 pages of other stuff that have nothing to do with this specific subject. I never understood that here, that is the point of a message board...to open threads on different subjects. Why be so broad and cover 100 different subjects in ONE thread that is 60+ pages, rather than open new threads for different subjects? Makes no sense. That's why TBD has grown so much since I started following back in high school 14 years ago. And it continues to grow and be great. A perfect example is that NHL draft thread that is 60 pages long. What if people just want to discuss the Islanders pick, while some others just want to discuss Sam Reinhart vs. Sam Bennett? Or someone else wants to compare goalie prospects? That right there alone is 3 different subjects being discussed in one giant clusterf**k of a thread, that becomes hard to follow. Just my opinion, which is not worth much...but I am sure there are others who share the same feelings.

I never understand this...he is the same height as Bennett, and 15 pounds lighter. People always talk about this or that player being "too small," but Sidney Crosby is only 5-11 and 200 lbs. That's not "big."

I was going to put this in the draft thread, but figured I would put it here...sorry if its already been posted. But, my take on the "tank" is clear, and I have been pushing for that for nearly 3 years now. However, I also like to look at the other side of the coin. People tend to point to Edmonton and say, "Oh it won't work, look at the Oilers." Why doesn't anyone ever point to Detroit and say, "look at how they do things?" This is not the original article I saw a few days ago, but it gets the point across I am trying to relay... http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2014/04/07/gustav-nyquist-just-the-latest-example-of-the-detroit-red-wings-highly-successful-scouting-development-nhl-machine/ "The prevailing opinion is the Red Wings mine the NHL draft better than anybody else, considering where they pick every June — no first selection higher than 19th overall (Jakub Kindl in 2005) in the last 15 years." They are always in the playoffs, and continue to build their roster with players like Nyquist, Jurco, Tatar, Ericsson, etc. (late round draftees) But the Wings of today, suffering through their worst injury-plagued season in many years, have been able to change on the fly courtesy players they drafted: Nyquist, Tomas Tatar, Tomas Jurco, Riley Sheahan. “(Red Wings GM) Ken Holland’s draft philosophy is to get two players out of every draft (to the NHL), doesn’t matter if it’s first round or fifth or sixth,” former Calgary Flames GM Craig Button said. “They draft players who can skate, with skill but then they become part of a group … They throw them all in the mix. Some are going to make it, some aren’t.” “The thing about the Wings,” said a scout from another organization, “is their (drafted) players all buy in to what it’s going to take to get to the NHL.” Just something to think about...obviously this is not the way the Sabres are going, but it is very interesting to think about and look at in-depth. (I'll try to find the original article from last week that made me think about posting.) Here is another one showing Fedorov, Holmstrom, Datysuk, Zetterberg, Ericsson, Helm and Nyquist...ALL drafted 4th round or later. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2018747-how-the-detroit-red-wings-created-another-future-star-in-gustav-nyquist

WIth all due respect...in 6 years, we have 2-3 prospects playing full-time in the NHL...looking at other teams, that is horrendous. I agree with that, but now the NHL is trying to put a clamp on that because owners can't keep up with Pegula. Already said you can't have on-ice combine-type camps to evaluate prospects. Which is absurd. And if they change the 2015 draft and sc*ew Buffalo...I will lose it. That will ruin the league.

Never mind...clearly my entire point was missed. It was not about microscopically comparing each and every prospect with each other on Buffalo's roster. I was simply saying that with all of the "what-ifs" and unknowns we have on the roster, how can anyone say we are ahead of those other teams? They have plenty of skill as well, some of which is further ahead of what Buffalo has at the same age. Plus, like Buffalo, they have a lot of "who's" and what-ifs," it is all the same as the Sabres' organization has. I would say they are all at about the same place right now. The difference between Buffalo and the rest, is the fact that Buffalo has the draft picks and is basically starting from scratch. But absolutely zero of that means that anything is going to develop and pay off...or become some of those other players. (I sure hope it does. I sure hope the OP is correct. I am just being realistic, I have seen this play out for years. I am 100% onboard with the tank, and who most everyone around here wants the Sabres. I have mentioned that from post #1 since I joined this site. I was not attacking the OP or trying to insult anyone's evaluations or opinions...I was simply stating the obvious for discussion purposes. Lesson learned, for sure...I apologize. /rant) I, too, have stated this as my ideal situation, numerous times here and elsewhere...and will continue to do so until it is not possible. Thank you, just digging my head out of the sand and trying to be realistic for once in my life. :-)

Lack, Horvat, Shinkaruk, Markstrom, Jensen, Schroeder, Corrado, Gaunce, Matthias, Subban, Weber, Tanev, Kassian... Kelser, Edler, Bieksa and the Sedins as trade-bait next year if need be...I would say Vancouver is in pretty darn good shape. Coaching wise? No, probably not. He is the only player (currently) on his team who has any skill, he has no linemates to feed him the puck or vice-versa. If that kid got traded to Buffalo, you're telling me you wouldn't be excited? He'd instantly be our best player.

If you don't have a single player who could even come close to sniffing Evander Kane's jockstrap, then you're in trouble. (see the Sabres) No, I actually got my information from doing some lengthy research on the "prospect" websites. Just because you (or I) don't know their names, or haven't seen them play much...means absolutely nothing. And again, my entire point is the fact that these teams were labeled as being behind Buffalo...but each one has a REAL LEGIT PROSPECT (18-20) years old, that is better than ANYONE the Sabres currently have on their team, in Rochester, or playing elsewhere...THAT is my point. Also, just because we have decent prospects doesn't mean they will end up doing anything without players around them who came make them better and help them transition...like a Kane, Tavares, Stall, Cammalarri, Kesler, Weber, etc...elite prospects have players like that around them. If not a single person can understand the point I am trying to get across here, then I give up and apologize...goodnight. ***Last thing...somebody said some of those players are in their 5th year since being drafted, right? Well, guess what? We have plenty of players who were drafted in those same years who have yet to even sniff NHL ice or become regulars...what does THAT tell you? I am on board with the tank, I love our prospects...but I also try to be as realistic as possible, we are no further ahead of anyone *right now*.

The original post said absolutely nothing about "prospects," it spoke of "youth." Under the age of 25 years old, is considered youth. So, if you want to look at it that way...those teams are way further ahead of Buffalo because of the young stars they already have. And I also never argued Buffalo's standing in the "prospect rankings." I have stated numerous times, they are the #1 prospect pool in the NHL...but again, that has zero to do with the original post, or my original comment. One more thing...if they are behind in the "prospect" area, they sure are ahead in building a team of quality prospects around the quality players they already have. ALL of those teams have a "superstar," or at least one VERY close...Buffalo has zero.

Some of these teams have a hell of a prospect pool that certainly compares to Buffalo's...and a couple have much more! (Disclaimer: Each team's prospects are not listed in any specific order.) Panthers - Huberdeau, Barkov, Pirri, Gudbranson, Bjugstad, Kulikov, Robak, Shore, Howden, Trocheck, Petrovic, McCoshen, Matheson, Olson, Clapperton. Oilers - Hall, Ebele, Nugent-Hopkins, Yakupov, Schultz, Nurse, Klefbom, Marincin, Musil, Lander, Slepysev, Brossoit. Calgary - Monahan, Gaudreau, Granlund, Backlund, Galiardi, Byron, Hanowski, Colborne, Baertschi, Reinhart, Knight, Poirier, Agostino, Brodie, Klimchuk, Kanzig, Olivier-Roy, Jankowski, Bouma, Aliu, Gillies. NYI - Tavares, Okposo, Grabner, Strome, Lee, Reinhart, Pulock, Martin, Bailey, Halmo, Hamonic, Nelson, Donovan, Williams, McAdam, Cizikas, Pokka, Mayfield, Ullstrom, Poulin, Nilsson. Ottawa - Karlsson, Zibanejad, Turris, Lazar, Puempel, Hoffman, Pageau, Stone, Gryba, Smith, Grant, Lehner, Ceci, Hogberg, Dunn, Karlsson, Borowiecki, Wiercioch,. Toronto - Bernier, Van-Riemsdyk, Kadri, Reilly, Leivo, Ashton, McKegg, Gauthier, Finn, Percy, Verhaeghe, Herzog, Gibson. Carolina - Skinner, Stall, Faulk, Lindholm, Murray, Bowman, Nash, Loktionov, McGinn, Biega, Rask, DiGiuseppe, Pesce, Tolchinsky. Winnipeg - Kane, Scheifele, Trouba, Bogosian, Burmistrov, Peluso, Ellebe, Tangradi, Postma, Halischuk, O'Dell, Wright, Hutchinson, Morrisey, Petan, Lowry, Comrie, Hellebuyck, Kasdorf, Samuels-Thomas, Copp, Stoykewych. Nashville - Jones, Forsberg, Del Zotto, Josi, Diaby, Jarnkrok, Sissons, Girard, Veilleux, Aberg, Watson, Beck, Ekholm, Wilson, Smith, Bourque, Spaling. Vancouver - Markstrom, Lack, Kassian, Horvat, Shinkaruk, Jensen, Schroeder, Gaunce, Corrado, Matthias, Labate, Hutton, Subban, Blain, Erickson, Dalpe, Welsh, Weber, Tanev, Stanton, Zalewski. Ok, now...these are not all "prospects" by definition, but every one of them is 25 years of age or younger. A couple of teams are probably on par with the Sabres, but quite a few have at least one prospect who is better than anything the Sabres have. On top of that, a few of them have an elite goaltending prospect, as well as already established players who are top-line all-stars. The Sabres have neither of those things. So, I would not say we are much further ahead of any of these teams, if any of them at all. I think every one of those teams have at least one prospect, that is better than anything the Sabres have. I understand we have prospects who could turn out to be great players, but they have nobody around them like these teams do...that is my point, as well as the fact that some of these other players were drafted after Buffalo's pick...and they rate higher than our prospects we drafted. I just wouldn't automatically say we are ahead of those teams...because knowing quite a few of those prospects, from those teams...those teams listed above have quite a promising future if everything goes as planned, and these kids pan out with the right coaching/chemistry. (I REALLY like what Calgary is doing.)

I do not understand why they are doing the same thing with McCabe as they did with Grigorenko...why waste a year of the ELC for a measly 7 games? Also, why's Buffalo not gone after any college UDFA's? They'd offered immediate playing time for guys like Mark Zengerle...or even guys like Alex Krushelnyski, Dan O'Donaghue, Connor Jones, Sam Warning, Pat Brown, John McInnis, Dan Carr, Andrew Calof or Matt Zay...who would all be like a free/extra draft pick. We missed out on guys like Garrett Thompson (OTT), Chris McCarthy (NYR), Ryan Haggerty (NYR), Bryce Van Brabant (CAL), Kevin Goumas (PHI), Matt Bailey (ANA), Ryan Carpenter (SJ), Matt Carey (CHI), Greg Carey (PHX), Cody Kunyk (TB), Colin Campbell (DET), Mike Zalewski (VAN). Non-forwards I would have REALLY liked, but we didn't really need are...D - Christian Folin (MIN), D - Kevin Czuczman (NYI), G - Phoenix Copley (WAS). On a sidenote...I found this from last year, about Brian Flynn...which is quite the write-up, and makes me think like he certainly deserves to stick around. Brian Flynn, C - Senior, University of Maine If there’s one undrafted collegian that could potentially become a top scorer at the pro level, it’s Brian Flynn. Since arriving in Orono four years ago, Flynn has been one of Maine’s top point producers. And while the Lynnfield, MA native is an outstanding playmaker; it is his ability to score goals that is among the attributes getting the attention of several NHL teams, including the Philadelphia Flyers. Flynn attended the Flyers’ prospect camp over the summer. Flynn currently ranks second on the Black Bears roster with 45 points (17 goals, 28 assists) playing in all 33 games to date. His plus-23 leads Maine and is tied for second nationally. Flynn centers the Black Bears’ explosive top line that includes national top scorer Spencer Abbott and junior Joey Diamond. Back on February 17 versus UMass, he became just the 17th player in the program’s history to reach the 150-point career mark. Most recently, Flynn was named a semi-finalist for the annual Walter Brown Award, which recognizes the top American-born collegiate player playing in New England. At 6’1, 185 lbs, Flynn is the biggest of Maine’s top line players. He has excellent finishing ability and great net presence. Two characteristics that separate Flynn from many other collegiate point producers are his ability to position himself for the best possible scoring opportunities and capitalizing on rebounds. These attributes are especially noticeable is on the Maine power play, where seven of Flynn’s 17 goals have come this season. He has also shown a knack for scoring timely goals as well. Another of Flynn’s attributes that has NHL scouts taking notice is his terrific stick work. He utilizes his stick-handling skills quite well, both offensively and defensively. As the Black Bears’ top centerman, Flynn also excels in face-offs, winning well over 50 percent of his draws. He possesses a very good shot and can get pucks off quickly and smartly. While Flynn isn’t an overly physical player, he has added some grit to his game. That has made him more effective in battling for pucks and in the defensive end. It’s unlikely that Flynn will ever become a physical force at the pro level, but he certainly has the potential to become a dominant offensive force.

Thank you, its been quite a battle...thankfully it seems it is nothing serious, but I still have some tests to do...hoping no surgery will be required. Between the Sabres, Bills and Syracuse...NHL deadline and NFL free agency, my health takes quite a hit this time of year. lol.

Let's grab Martins Karsums while we're at it...and Roberts Lipsbergs is draft eligible this year too! Grab all the Latvians! :-)

I agree with this. Like I was telling a friend, Lafontaine has never built a hockey team, or even had a hand in part of doing so. Craig Patrick and Tim Murray, on the other hand, have done so with pretty good, if not great results. The right guys are still on the job, as far as I'm concerned...I just hope Patrick stays long enough to see it through. Which also leads me to believe, Pegula, Black, Patrick and Murray are all on board with the "Tank." 2 of them, I believe (Black & Patrick) have already been a part of such a re-building project in Pittsburgh. They are manipulating the team for losing purposes. I don't know if it was mentioned here, but Bryan Colangelo talked about doing it in the NBA. We have heard some of these guys talk about it, but Lafontaine and Nolan do not seem to want to do things that way. If you don't want to be here and do what is best for the logo, then I don't think there is any place for you...executive, down to the fans. http://www.cbssports...mits-to-tanking-

Seeing how stacked Florida now is at Center, and how they don't have much on the back-end as far as prospects go... Would you trade one of Pysyk or McCabe and one of Zadorov or Ristolainen, and a 1st round pick...for Alexander Barkov or Nick Bjugstad? Or any combination of 2 high quality, young defenders (Myers?) and draft picks...to get a high quality center prospect from Florida? (Far-fetched? Sure...But, humor me here, I am bored out of my mind, lying in a hospital bed...with no end in sight to this bull**it...I need some entertainment.)

I was joking, calm down. But, even if "the writing was on the wall," I didn't see the "wall" as much as I saw that rumor getting shot down here and elsewhere...and people flamed that kid, and myself...for suggesting that Miller was indeed being sent to St. Louis. (None of which were YOU, so I don't know why your panties got bunched up.) People went as far as saying St. Louis was out of the running, "content with Halak," and it was Minnesota who wanted Miller. (Gotta love this time of year!) EDIT: And yeah, I would like to know where Rattie (Or Jaskin) is as well...but I like the idea of Carrier, I trust Murray over anyone else.

I think it becomes a 1st in 2016, if they don't make the WFC and he re-signs after the draft. But, I heard we have to give them a 2nd and a 3rd, to get the 1st. (Anyone else hear that? It was on WGR.)

Florida has a lineup of some darn good, young centers...especially now...Barkov - Bjugstad - Pirri - Grimaldi - Howden - Shore - Trocheck...All drafted in the first 2 rounds, all have a prospect rating of 7+, only 2 of them under 6-feet tall. Really surprised Murray did not make this deal...this is the exact kind of player he speaks of/we need.(Would anybody have been mad if he traded a 2nd and a 4th for this kid?) "Pirri's puckhandling and playmaking skills are by far his strongest attributes. His decision-making and feel for the offensive game continues to improve at the professional level and has helped him develop into an offensive leader at the AHL level. He is adept at finding the soft spots in the offensive zone and possesses a hard shot. Though his defensive game is a work in progress, Pirri is not quite a liability and has added enough strength to compete against larger forwards. A potential top six center, his main hurdle will be adjusting to the speed and tightened space at the NHL level." http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/brandon_pirri/

Some of you owe Michael Straw an apology...but, while I was NOT in St. Louis, Miller now is...exactly like it was speculated exactly one month ago.

There are 3 guys who have a statue and their jersey's retired...who never won anything either. That's not the point...you honor your best players, look how many players the Bills have honored, what have they won? (They are 2 of the best players in franchise history, and by far the 2 best goalies we have ever seen wear the blue and gold.)

He is being compared to Erik Cole and Max Pacioretty...even if he becomes half of the player those guys are (or have been)...how is that a bad thing? He is strong on the puck and has a nose for the net. Good 2-way player. Great leader/worker on and off the ice. Was rated as a 1st round pick and top-30 prospect, before injury. (Everything Buffalo needs.) I don't see anything bad about picking this kid up...nobody has a better idea of what he will be more than Tim Murray, and I trust his evaluation skills. (He is the one who got Getzlaf and Perry in the back-half of the first round, while in Anaheim.) Here is Button's take on Carrier...he sure seemed to like him. * This is also a promising report on the kid...and if he lives up to his potential, Murray got a steal. Yves Leblanc from Redline Report: “He’s a solid prospect, a guy that projects as a solid 2nd line NHLer. His skating was a pretty big issue last year, but he was moving better this year until the injury. He plays bigger than his size, not a big banger but will compete for pucks and is hard to knock off it. He has good poise and vision with the puck, above average hands. Not a huge upside (will probably never be a point-per-game NHLer), but a very safe pick with a bit of upside (50-70 points).”

Anybody opposed to Pegula building a statue out front of Hasek and Miller in a few years? (Maybe at the same time of the unveiling, raising jerseys #30 & #39 together up to the rafters? No better way to honor two of the best Sabres of all-time.) As for the trade...it is bittersweet. I couldn't be happier and more excited for Ryan and Steve, but I am not as happy about the return as I thought I would be, as I REALLY wanted Jaskin or Rattie. However, I think the draft picks could produce better prospects than either of those two guys. Tim Murray won me over tonight, that's for sure. My question is...how does the conditional pick work, with the draft coming before free agency? I hope St. Louis makes the WFC so we don't even have to worry about it. I fully expect Murray to make another move before the deadline, to clear some space on his plate for the actual deadline day...which will be as hectic as we've ever seen. I am excited, and just tweeted NBC Sports and NHL Network, that given Buffalo's TV ratings...it would be within everyone's best interests if they show as many Blues games on those channels as possible from now through the playoffs. St. Louis is now my second favorite team, and I would watch every game for the rest of the year. Either way, Tim Murray is probably all like, "the future's so bright, I gotta wear shades!" :flirt: EDIT: Removed controversial comment.

I do not want to trade Marcus Foligno, Brayden McNabb, Tyler Ennis or Tyler Myers. Those are 4 homegrown kids who will be our leaders in a couple years. I want to add some young competition to that group, that can push them and grow with them...Adam, Pysyk, Armia, Larsson, Girgensons, Grigorenko, Zadorov and Ristolainen is a good start. Add Reinhart or Bennett, and McDavid or Eichel to that group...that is a lot of talent to build a team with. Compliment that with possibly Prince and Rattie...and I am ecstatic with the prospects of the rebuild...and that doesn't even include Compher, McCabe, Hurley, etc. Develop them however you see fit, and add/keep whatever veterans you need until they are ready. Then go from there...but, in my opinion, and "perfect world," that there is my "perfect" pool of talent of which I will rebuild this team with and around. Then you can get rid of whomever doesn't make the cut to fill the "core." I keep saying those are some of the names who will be on a cup someday if/when the Sabres win one. (This is mainly a reaction to that article...if an elite top-6 player is coming back, I understand some talent has to go the other way. But those were weak trades with players I'd rather keep, and not much coming back.)