Derrico

IMO there's a high probability the Sabres take one of these three guys. A little summary of each: http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=196391 http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=243386 http://www.mynhldraft.com/2016/NHL-Draft-Profiles/Alexander-Nylander

Love the player. However, two things concern me a bit. First he is a righty and if he shot left I would be more anxious to pull the trigger. Second it looks like he only has one year remaining on his deal. If the trade is similar to ROR and an extension could be signed immediately then yes I would really consider this deal.

Love Dubois. I agree with you that I have him going to Vancouver as well. Possibly Calgary if Edmonton goes D. I think Tkchuck will still go one spot ahead of him. In fact, if Murray is able to trade up to 4 or 5 with Edmonton or Vancouver (which I think is doubtful) it would be to take him and not a Dman. From types of guys Murray seems to love, this guy has all of those qualities.

If all 3 Dmen are gone you laugh and thank your lucky stars. Murray then runs to the stage and selects Dubois in as few words as possible.......

Hahahhhaha I know right I had to show my wife last night and she died laughing. I told her you were the one to pick out my picture from last year. Her reaction was "What kind of websites does he go on?" HAHHAHAHAHA

Hahaha I guess that would hurt the rest of us having to see it too. I originally wanted Mathews in a graduation or scholarly picture but can't photoshop. At all. If anyone wants to help out we won't have to stare at that shirtless dude every time Pi posts.

Oh my god that's amazing. I had a few in mind but they hail in comparison to that. Pi, good on you for owning up my friend. The picture provided by wildcard shall be your offseason avatar.

This is true. Just sucks it's a division rival making these moves. I know, I'm not expecting us to cruise through the division or anything. I guess it just really sucks it's the leafs making all these moves and getting some good luck/direction. If this was Ottawa I don't think I would care nearly as much.

Ahhhhh I see. I have no idea how good this guy is but the leafs. I'm usually a rational person but since Saturday night it feels like the sky is falling.....

???

I don't know man. If you consider Reinhart and Eichel vs. Mathews then sure we win. But as Blue said, when you add in Marner, Nylander and Reilly I still think we have the better drafted core.....but it's not a run away.

I doubt it. I could see them trading with a team like Calgary or even Arizona but I think they know we are also looking for a Dman and I'm sure they would want to be the ones to have their pick. They've been lucky in past lotteries sure. But to drop from 2 to 4 is a kick in the pants. I'd be pissed as an Oiler fan trading back to 8th and only picking up a third pairing Dman.

Obviously the big 3 are gone before us. I'd be shocked if Tkachuk or Dubois is there either. To me this is the big 5 that will all be unavailable. That leaves: the 3 D and Nylander as the next best available with 2 being taken by the teams ahead of us. Everyone has their opinion and I don't think there's a chance Murray is taking the Russian D. Therefore the next BPA group of 3 (after the Big 5) is Nylander, Chychurn and Juolevi. We would get whoever is left available of the 3. If Murray decides he doesn't like either of those D or Nylander then a couple of names of guys "off the board" he may look at include: Logan Brown, Julien Gauthier, Jake Bean and Tyson Jost My favorite would be taking Nylander. The rivalry between Leafs/Sabres is already shaping up to be enormous. Imagine each side has a brother in their top 6?!

The leafs have made the playoffs once (and lost in the first round) since 2004. I hate their fan base but they've suffered as much or more than us.

Was just going to do this type of analysis. Here are the teams last 5 draft picks (compared vs talent and not draft year) Mathews, Eichel Marner, Reinhart Gauthier, Girgensons Reilly, Risto Nylander, 8th pick (somewhat decent chance it's Nylanders brother) Their drafted core is very similar to ours imo. They are a Kane/ROR trade and Eichel/Reinhart development year behind us.

I hear ya man. I'm pissed off too. Leafs are going to be good sooner than later. First time I've had to deal with this as a Sabres fan living a stones throw from Toronto in at least 15 years. Thank god we should also be very good soon. Oh man I love this post.

I'm liking this optimism from you tonight. True blue melt down has me nervous. He's been trying to dissuade the 'because Buffalo' talk and then has an outburst like he had is tough. It's like seeing your dad cry and realizing maybe everything won't be ok.....

All depends on who goes ahead of us. If it's big 3 plus tkachuk, Dubois, julovi and chychurn are gone then I don't know where Murray goes. Next best available would seem to be Nylander and sergachev. I just don't see TM drafting either. If any of those 7 fall I think that's the pick. the leafs. At least it'll be more fun beating their now that the fans care.

Thought it would have been a bit more. I'll take it and see how this year goes.

Agreed. He really excelled in the second half of the season as a 3rd line C. What are our guesses for salary?

Maybe I misread the rest of the conversation. If we are picking top 3 then we are getting another elite forward and I really wouldn't go after Stamkos at that point. But if we end up picking 8th I think one of the D will be available to us so I would be fine signing Stamkos and drafting a D. I would rather trade for a top pairing D then sign Stamkos but I think the odds of landing him are greater then finding a team willing to part with a top pairing potential dman. We still have Risto and promise in Pysyk, or moreso McCabe. They don't have that. Especially their Risto.

Agreed. I'm not really on the pursue Stamkos bandwagon but I don't agree with this at all.

Great analysis dudacek. I'd like to see Girgs moved for a good Dman (especially considering our young guys on the way as you mentioned). But how good is Brodin? Only 7 points in 68 games all of last year?? Is he a gem defensively? Whoever we get we want paired with Risto. So considering Brodin likely wouldn't be on the PP we still need him playing probably 24 minutes per night. I see he averaged that in 14/15 but he only averaged a little over 20 min last year.

I'm not sure how much value Girgensons has. I like him but he's coming off a 7 goal, 18 point season. Those are nowhere near centre pieces for trades. I know he's young he's young. But if I can get a team to bite on him being a big part of the trade to land a potential top line LHD then go for it. A little off topic and I don't mean to derail the thread but where are we slotting Girgs if he's still here? I sure would like one more top 6 winger. With Eich, Reinhart, ROR, Kane and Ennis that would take up all 6 spots. I don't think DD changes up Larsson, Gionta and Foligno. So does Girgs start on the 4th line unless there's an injury? Is he Gionta's replacement on that 3rd line after next season? I really do like the potential of Girgs, but I need a lot more from him next season and I'm not sure where he exactly fits.

Great background/explanation. Thanks for this.