carpandean Posted February 25, 2014 Report Posted February 25, 2014 Has the NHL had expansion happen before that left the league with an odd number of teams? My initial thought was it doesn't matter if Seattle is ready if another city isn't, but if they've done it before then it's probably irrelevant. Absolutely. There were 21 teams for a long time after the league absorbed the WHA teams. And the expansion into Ottawa corrected that. Everything after that was in pairs. The even number thing became relatively irrelevant under last year's conference restructuring. The EC has 16 teams, while the WC has 14 teams. The NHL is willing, in at least the short-run, to go with an unbalanced structure. Obviously, adding two teams to get to 16 (8 and 8) and 16 (8 and 8) seems like the long-run plan, but there's no reason to believe that they wouldn't go with 15 (7 and 8) in the WC for a couple of years until they find another city to expand into. Quote
shrader Posted February 25, 2014 Report Posted February 25, 2014 The even number thing became relatively irrelevant under last year's conference restructuring. The EC has 16 teams, while the WC has 14 teams. The NHL is willing, in at least the short-run, to go with an unbalanced structure. Obviously, adding two teams to get to 16 (8 and 8) and 16 (8 and 8) seems like the long-run plan, but there's no reason to believe that they wouldn't go with 15 (7 and 8) in the WC for a couple of years until they find another city to expand into. The eventual second Toronto team to join the central division with Chicago. Quote
TrueBlueGED Posted February 25, 2014 Report Posted February 25, 2014 I kinda changed my mind. Let's pick Ekblad.. I know what everyone thinks... NO WE NEED SCORING!!! my answer: yes we do but let's pick a great player, play him and still be bad next year for McDavid. Because if they pick Reinhart or Bennett its likely that they won't be the worst team in the league. They still won't make the playoffs but probably finish around 20th-25th I don't think Reinhart or Bennett is good enough to have an appreciable effect on the Sabres record as a rookie, especially if we lose Miller, Moulson, and Ott. For reference, Crosby put up 102 as a rookie and Pittsburgh still managed a putrid 58 point season. Quote
Eleven Posted February 25, 2014 Report Posted February 25, 2014 And the expansion into Ottawa corrected that. Everything after that was in pairs. Yes but it took what, 12 years? For the record, I don't want any expansion anywhere. Quote
radiomike Posted February 25, 2014 Report Posted February 25, 2014 I kinda changed my mind. Let's pick Ekblad.. I know what everyone thinks... NO WE NEED SCORING!!! my answer: yes we do but let's pick a great player, play him and still be bad next year for McDavid. Because if they pick Reinhart or Bennett its likely that they won't be the worst team in the league. They still won't make the playoffs but probably finish around 20th-25th I've been thinking this way for a while. To me it's still all about McDavid. Best case: Draft Ekblad, still tank next year, get McDavid. Plan B: Draft Ekblad, finish near bottom, package picks/D prospects (Big Z, Risto, or Ekblad) to try to get to McDavid. Plan C: If plans A and B fail, you still have what is most likely a franchise D man to pair with Riso and Z, along with another high pick next year, and enough D depth and pieces to still move for high quality forwards through draft or trade. I'm not big on building from net out, however nabbing Ekblad gives us so much to work with in terms of landing McDavid or other top forwards, as well as a potential franchise d man. Quote
Peppy22 Posted February 25, 2014 Report Posted February 25, 2014 I don't think Reinhart or Bennett is good enough to have an appreciable effect on the Sabres record as a rookie, especially if we lose Miller, Moulson, and Ott. For reference, Crosby put up 102 as a rookie and Pittsburgh still managed a putrid 58 point season. yeah I see that point. However the #Sabres will have a bunch of young players who will have made steps forward next year so I think Reinhart/Bennett maybe could be a factor that gives them a boost. Quote
Johnny DangerFace Posted February 25, 2014 Report Posted February 25, 2014 You seriously want the sabres to not draft the rookie that could have the best impact on the team? This isn't a video game, you draft the best players that give you the best chance to win.... Intentionally drafting someone to suck next year wouldn't work and isn't smart either Quote
shrader Posted February 25, 2014 Report Posted February 25, 2014 Yes but it took what, 12 years? For the record, I don't want any expansion anywhere. Yeah, it was a long run of 21 teams. I just wanted to throw out the rest of the history, which does back up TrueBlue's thought that the league has seemed to want to avoid an odd number of teams. I don't want to see extra teams either, but it's very obvious that the league has set themselves up to add 2 more. I'm resigned to that fact. At least an odd number of teams wouldn't be as bad as when the NFL expanded to Cleveland (or was it Houston? I forget who came first). Having an odd number of teams there forcing there to be a team with a bye every single week was not the greatest of setups. Quote
radiomike Posted February 25, 2014 Report Posted February 25, 2014 You seriously want the sabres to not draft the rookie that could have the best impact on the team? This isn't a video game, you draft the best players that give you the best chance to win.... Intentionally drafting someone to suck next year wouldn't work and isn't smart either I think we're going to suck next year no matter who we draft Quote
TrueBlueGED Posted February 25, 2014 Report Posted February 25, 2014 yeah I see that point. However the #Sabres will have a bunch of young players who will have made steps forward next year so I think Reinhart/Bennett maybe could be a factor that gives them a boost. If the Sabres lose the aforementioned UFAs, they could get a boost and still be by far the worst team in the league ;) Quote
Claude_Verret Posted February 25, 2014 Report Posted February 25, 2014 I think we're going to suck next year no matter who we draft Correct, it may get better next year, but likely worse depending on who we part with this week. Tank on my brothers and sisters. Quote
Crusader1969 Posted February 25, 2014 Report Posted February 25, 2014 Whomever they draft, I would hope they stay on their junior team for another year. I know that isn't the recent trend with #1 or 2 picks but I think this is the best scenario for the team and the player. Rumour that the Sabres are trying to re-sign Miller once again, the only way I see this as a good ploy is that it increases his trade value. If the Sabres can't get a high valued prospect or a #1 pick for him. Do you agree in keeping him? Quote
Derrico Posted February 25, 2014 Report Posted February 25, 2014 Whomever they draft, I would hope they stay on their junior team for another year. I know that isn't the recent trend with #1 or 2 picks but I think this is the best scenario for the team and the player. Rumour that the Sabres are trying to re-sign Miller once again, the only way I see this as a good ploy is that it increases his trade value. If the Sabres can't get a high valued prospect or a #1 pick for him. Do you agree in keeping him? I've posted this in the Miller thread but I say absolutely not. Quote
Hoss Posted February 25, 2014 Report Posted February 25, 2014 I kinda changed my mind. Let's pick Ekblad.. I know what everyone thinks... NO WE NEED SCORING!!! my answer: yes we do but let's pick a great player, play him and still be bad next year for McDavid. Because if they pick Reinhart or Bennett its likely that they won't be the worst team in the league. They still won't make the playoffs but probably finish around 20th-25th One rookie is highly unlikely to make that big of a difference. Also, this is where the "McDavid/Eichel can't be the plan" theory is true. You don't draft a lesser talent or the guy that isn't as much of a fit so you can be worse. You don't suck for an entire season just to suck more. You make the best pick, and, if you want to be in the bottom again next year, you manipulate other parts of the roster. Quote
Taro T Posted February 25, 2014 Report Posted February 25, 2014 And the expansion into Ottawa corrected that. Everything after that was in pairs. Close. Splitting SJ out of the No Stars corrected that; which was fitting, because merging the No Stars with the Golden Barons caused the addition of 4 WHA teams to only bump the league up to 21 from 18. Ottawa came in w/ TB. Quote
shrader Posted February 25, 2014 Report Posted February 25, 2014 Close. Splitting SJ out of the No Stars corrected that; which was fitting, because merging the No Stars with the Golden Barons caused the addition of 4 WHA teams to only bump the league up to 21 from 18. Ottawa came in w/ TB. I'm amazed how mixed up it is in my head. For whatever reason I always picture Ottawa coming in with Florida. It just goes to show you how quickly they did this, team after team in rapid fire succession. Originally I was thinking that there is no way the NHL would turn this around so fast, but after revisiting their history, I'm not so sure anymore. Quote
LGR4GM Posted February 25, 2014 Report Posted February 25, 2014 I am not that high on Ekblad for various reasons. I worry that he is just dominating physically in a league where most forwards are something like 5'11" 185lbs. In the NHL you have guys 6'3" 220lbs and a much faster game. I think Ekblad will be a good defender but I think with Risto, Zadorov, Pysyk, and McNabb already in development it isn't the best player available for us or in the draft. Reinhart and Bennett are both players that based on the stats and the video I can see, seem like they have higher ceilings in the end. Ekblad looks like a 3rd guy just behind your top 2. Kinda the role that Ehrhoff should honestly be at. Really solid with good offense but not elite. Reinhart and Bennett could be similar but I think they have more of a potential to reach for elite or at least top line guys. Quote
26CornerBlitz Posted February 26, 2014 Report Posted February 26, 2014 @TheHockeyWriter Top 10 OHL Draft Prospects - http://goo.gl/TYcL3R #hockey #THW pic.twitter.com/AJdpcy5o4q Quote
Robviously Posted February 27, 2014 Report Posted February 27, 2014 Nice to see the Sabres' annual de-tanking is underway. Sixth overall pick, here we come! Quote
TrueBlueGED Posted February 27, 2014 Report Posted February 27, 2014 Nice to see the Sabres' annual de-tanking is underway. Sixth overall pick, here we come! Perhaps it's time to revive the charity bet thread, because there's no F'n way we draft 6th. None. Quote
JJFIVEOH Posted February 27, 2014 Report Posted February 27, 2014 If Edmonton stays on the track they're on now, BFLO would have to finish 10-10-3 in order to just finish 2nd last. I just don't see it happening when you consider the Sabres are 6-17-3 on the road and 15 of the last 22 games are away from home. Quote
Peppy22 Posted February 27, 2014 Report Posted February 27, 2014 If Ekblad is a Shea Weber type of player ... you better pick him... It would mean another year of tanking next year but I can take that if that means another year of development for Ekblad, Zadorov, Ristolainen, Pysyk ... add Myers and Ehrhoff and you have a great Top 6 on D. And at least 5 of them could build the back end for years... Quote
Derrico Posted February 27, 2014 Report Posted February 27, 2014 Nice to see the Sabres' annual de-tanking is underway. Sixth overall pick, here we come! If we trade Miller I'm not too concerned as it's rare we will put up 5 in a night (which we will need to do regularily). Having said that, a loss tomorrow night will make me feel much better. Quote
inkman Posted February 27, 2014 Report Posted February 27, 2014 If Ekblad is a Shea Weber type of player ... you better pick him... It would mean another year of tanking next year... Are you saying that if they draft a forward they will automatically start winning? Quote
LGR4GM Posted February 27, 2014 Report Posted February 27, 2014 Ekblad is 6'4" 216lbs... I count 4 guys on Buffalo who are either that big or bigger. McNabb, Zadorov, Ristolainen, Myers... we really don't have to keep adding guys to that list. If we draft 1st overall, Reinhart or Bennett. Quote
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