2014 Draft Thread – Part Four

[Jim Bob]

We're due some karmic retribution. The ideal scenario sees us take Reinhart with our pick (1st), Ekblad with the Isles pick (2nd) and the Oilers screaming into a pillow at third overall.

I don't see how the Islanders pick ends up at #2.

 

[Dunkster19]

The Islanders picking 2nd seems like an impossibility. Looks like it's 1, 4, 5 or 6.
I change my feelings on this situation daily. What keeps haunting me is that if the Islanders give us their 2015 1st and we already have their 2015 2nd, they do not pick till round 3 in a strong draft. They could try to trade for a 1st or 2nd but teams will be reluctant to move those picks.

 

[Djp]

The Islanders picking 2nd seems like an impossibility. Looks like it's 1, 4, 5 or 6.
I change my feelings on this situation daily. What keeps haunting me is that if the Islanders give us their 2015 1st and we already have their 2015 2nd, they do not pick till round 3 in a strong draft. They could try to trade for a 1st or 2nd but teams will be reluctant to move those picks.

The Isles have a better shot of surpasing Calgary, Winnipeg, and Nashville than tanking and have Edmonton and Florida pass them. In order for them to pick 2nd, Buffalo or New JErsey would have to win the lottery.

 

[1972]

I saw a tweet today that said this.

FYI, Tim Murray (GM of Buffalo) said that they have Ekblad #1 on their list for a "multitude of reasons" on XM yesterday

Anyone else listen to this interview? or have a link? I have a strong feeling this is a misquote, I can't see Murray saying this in April.

 

[Zip15]

I saw a tweet today that said this.



Anyone else listen to this interview? or have a link? I have a strong feeling this is a misquote, I can't see Murray saying this in April.

I have not listened to the interview, but I would have no problem with him saying such a thing. In fact, I'd have much more of a problem with him saying he had Reinhart or Bennett pegged at #1. There's nothing wrong with playing a bluff on Edmonton, who desperately needs Ekblad.

 

[MagnumForce2]

If the Isles finish with the 5th pick which seems likely now and give it to us, who do you take? (Assuming Reinhart, Bennett, Ekblad, Draisaitl are all gone).

Do you see Dal Colle as a lock or prefer someone else like Ritchie or Ehlers?

Tough choice.....I would probably go with Dal Colle. I wouldn't rule out trading up to get Bennett either.

 

[GameMisconduct]

I saw a tweet today that said this.



Anyone else listen to this interview? or have a link? I have a strong feeling this is a misquote, I can't see Murray saying this in April.

Seems likely the tweet was referencing this from segment yesterday on XM Zman described a couple pages back

Was listening to SiriusXM's NHL radio with Scott Laughlin and Phil Esposito on the drive home. Around 5:15, they had Tim Murray on.....they asked him about the draft and whether or not they would avoid Ekblad due to having so many good-looking young defenseman.

Murray's response, and I'm paraphrasing: "If we have Ekblad rated #1, we take Ekblad. You can't have enough good defensemen. You can't have too many young players at any position really."

 

[Dubi Doo]

Seriously praying we land Reinhart. A two - way center who can put up points is ideal.

 

[gallagt01]

I have not listened to the interview, but I would have no problem with him saying such a thing. In fact, I'd have much more of a problem with him saying he had Reinhart or Bennett pegged at #1. There's nothing wrong with playing a bluff on Edmonton, who desperately needs Ekblad.

I think the idea that Edmonton needs Ekblad and views him as some sort of franchise-saving talent is overstated. The Oilers' need for help down the middle is just as prominent as their need for blue line talent (which they aren't entirely devoid of anyhow).

If Buffalo is in position to take Ekblad, I think Edmonton sits pretty and selects one of the centers if Murray in fact takes him.


I'm fine with Murray taking Ekblad.

 

[sjci]

The Islanders picking 2nd seems like an impossibility. Looks like it's 1, 4, 5 or 6.
I change my feelings on this situation daily. What keeps haunting me is that if the Islanders give us their 2015 1st and we already have their 2015 2nd, they do not pick till round 3 in a strong draft. They could try to trade for a 1st or 2nd but teams will be reluctant to move those picks.

The NYI did get a 2015 2nd back from the Flyers in the MacDonald deal.

The Isles have a better shot of surpasing Calgary, Winnipeg, and Nashville than tanking and have Edmonton and Florida pass them. In order for them to pick 2nd, Buffalo or New JErsey would have to win the lottery.

If the Panthers win tonight, they'd be 4 points back, but with two more games played, but yeah, the Islanders will either be picking 1st, 4th, 5th or 6th

 

[Zip15]

I think the idea that Edmonton needs Ekblad and views him as some sort of franchise-saving talent is overstated. The Oilers' need for help down the middle is just as prominent as their need for blue line talent (which they aren't entirely devoid of anyhow).

If Buffalo is in position to take Ekblad, I think Edmonton sits pretty and selects one of the centers if Murray in fact takes him.

I'm fine with Murray taking Ekblad.

I don't think so. He pieces that roster together so much better than any player in the draft. Could they use another center to go with RNH? Sure. But I don't buy for a second that they have eyes for anyone like they do for Ekblad. They don't have anyone in that organization remotely resembling a 25-30 min/game #1 defenseman--at least Buffalo can dream on Myers, Ristolainen, and Zadorov.

I think Edmonton would call on the #1 pick if the lottery keeps things status quo.

 

[gallagt01]

I don't think so. He pieces that roster together so much better than any player in the draft. Could they use another center to go with RNH? Sure. But I don't buy for a second that they have eyes for anyone like they do for Ekblad. They don't have anyone in that organization remotely resembling a 25-30 min/game #1 defenseman--at least Buffalo can dream on Myers, Ristolainen, and Zadorov.

I think Edmonton would call on the #1 pick if the lottery keeps things status quo.

They're awfully high on Nurse.

I agree that Ekblad is their guy. I disagree that they'll give up anything significant to make sure he ends up an Oiler.

 

[Sean McG]

What keeps haunting me is that if the Islanders give us their 2015 1st and we already have their 2015 2nd, they do not pick till round 3 in a strong draft. They could try to trade for a 1st or 2nd but teams will be reluctant to move those picks.

This is a good point that I hadn't really thought of for some reason. I still think Buffalo's going to get their pick next year, even if they passed Calgary, some team behind them won the lottery and they pick 6th, that's still one of Bennett/Draisaitl/Dal Colle/Ehlers they get a shot at. But certainly NYI not having a pick in the first 2 rounds of the 2015 draft is really going to hinge on their decision.

I saw a tweet today that said this.

Anyone else listen to this interview? or have a link? I have a strong feeling this is a misquote, I can't see Murray saying this in April.

Someone quoted earlier him saying in an interview "If we have Ekblad #1, we'll take him." So it seems like that was just taken out of context.



Also... saw two of the Niagara/North Bay playoff games last week. With Brendan Perlini you can clearly see the skating ability, size, shot, hands that have him ranked pretty highly, but outside of a pretty nice assist (his only point so far in the series) he wasn't able to do much because of the Battalion's ridiculously suffocating defensive game. Niagara also isn't very good and they're pretty young, but the massive leap he made from last year (8-4-12 in 59 games between BAR/NIA to 34-37-71 in 58) is impressive. I definitely think he'll be a top 10 pick, but probably just out of Buffalo's range

 

[Dunkster19]

This is a good point that I hadn't really thought of for some reason. I still think Buffalo's going to get their pick next year, even if they passed Calgary, some team behind them won the lottery and they pick 6th, that's still one of Bennett/Draisaitl/Dal Colle/Ehlers they get a shot at. But certainly NYI not having a pick in the first 2 rounds of the 2015 draft is really going to hinge on their decision.




Someone quoted earlier him saying in an interview "If we have Ekblad #1, we'll take him." So it seems like that was just taken out of context.



Also... saw two of the Niagara/North Bay playoff games last week. With Brendan Perlini you can clearly see the skating ability, size, shot, hands that have him ranked pretty highly, but outside of a pretty nice assist (his only point so far in the series) he wasn't able to do much because of the Battalion's ridiculously suffocating defensive game. Niagara also isn't very good and they're pretty young, but the massive leap he made from last year (8-4-12 in 59 games between BAR/NIA to 34-37-71 in 58) is impressive. I definitely think he'll be a top 10 pick, but probably just out of Buffalo's range

I had forgotten that the Islanders received the Flyers 2015 2nd at the trade deadline. So they should have a pock somewhere around #50

 

[OkimLom]

This is a good point that I hadn't really thought of for some reason. I still think Buffalo's going to get their pick next year, even if they passed Calgary, some team behind them won the lottery and they pick 6th, that's still one of Bennett/Draisaitl/Dal Colle/Ehlers they get a shot at. But certainly NYI not having a pick in the first 2 rounds of the 2015 draft is really going to hinge on their decision.




Someone quoted earlier him saying in an interview "If we have Ekblad #1, we'll take him." So it seems like that was just taken out of context.



Also... saw two of the Niagara/North Bay playoff games last week. With Brendan Perlini you can clearly see the skating ability, size, shot, hands that have him ranked pretty highly, but outside of a pretty nice assist (his only point so far in the series) he wasn't able to do much because of the Battalion's ridiculously suffocating defensive game. Niagara also isn't very good and they're pretty young, but the massive leap he made from last year (8-4-12 in 59 games between BAR/NIA to 34-37-71 in 58) is impressive. I definitely think he'll be a top 10 pick, but probably just out of Buffalo's range

Bolded: Or Poor Reading Comprehension. You know how things go on the boards here, someone says something, then everybody jumps on either side of the argument and debate until they're blue in the face.

If Murray said "If we have Reinhart #1, we'll take him." or "If we have Bennett #1, we'll take him." it would be treated the same way.

 

[Jame]

I have not listened to the interview, but I would have no problem with him saying such a thing. In fact, I'd have much more of a problem with him saying he had Reinhart or Bennett pegged at #1. There's nothing wrong with playing a bluff on Edmonton, who desperately needs Ekblad.

agreed.
there's no other reason for him to make such a statement

 

[Beerz]

WGR 550 ‏@WGR550 6m

"I'm not sure if he has the dynamic kind of pace to him to be a franchise player, but he's gonna be a hell of a player." - Murray on Ekblad

 

[Jame]

WGR 550 ‏@WGR550 6m

"I'm not sure if he has the dynamic kind of pace to him to be a franchise player, but he's gonna be a hell of a player." - Murray on Ekblad

the guy who said that, is not trading Tyler Myers

 

[1972]

I don't have the slightest clue how this top five is going to unfold.

Sounds like you can throw Dal Colle in the mix.

 

[SabresFan26]

I do not think the Sabres take Ekblad #1 after that interview. It's Sam Reinhart imo

 

[Zman5778]

I saw a tweet today that said this.



Anyone else listen to this interview? or have a link? I have a strong feeling this is a misquote, I can't see Murray saying this in April.

I heard the whole interview. He never said that they definitely had Ekblad #1.

It was simply that IF the Sabres had Ekblad ranked #1 and they had the #1 pick, then they'd take Ekblad. Was responding to a question about taking a forward vs. BPA.

 

[Beerz]

I do not think the Sabres take Ekblad #1 after that interview. It's Sam Reinhart imo

From that interview I would guess Bennett.

 

[HOOats]

the guy who said that, is not trading Tyler Myers

This. Unless Murray is using the media to compare the potentials of Myers and Ekblad in an attempt to pump up Myers. Hypothetically: "Ekblad can never be Myers because no one skates like Myers, so trade us the 2nd pick straight up."

Also, if Murray views pace as the distinguishing factor between great and franchise players, how does that fit in to his feelings about heavy-gamed players? To me it sounds like the ideal team blend - some fast skill surrounded by a bunch of big/smart/mean guys. This could potentially hint at a willingness to take a diminutive gamebreaker like Ehlers.

 

[ZeroPT*]

This. Unless Murray is using the media to compare the potentials of Myers and Ekblad in an attempt to pump up Myers. Hypothetically: "Ekblad can never be Myers because no one skates like Myers, so trade us the 2nd pick straight up."

Also, if Murray views pace as the distinguishing factor between great and franchise players, how does that fit in to his feelings about heavy-gamed players? To me it sounds like the ideal team blend - some fast skill surrounded by a bunch of big/smart/mean guys. This could potentially hint at a willingness to take a diminutive gamebreaker like Ehlers.

at #1/2?? No way

 

[B U F F A L O]

This. Unless Murray is using the media to compare the potentials of Myers and Ekblad in an attempt to pump up Myers. Hypothetically: "Ekblad can never be Myers because no one skates like Myers, so trade us the 2nd pick straight up."

Also, if Murray views pace as the distinguishing factor between great and franchise players, how does that fit in to his feelings about heavy-gamed players? To me it sounds like the ideal team blend - some fast skill surrounded by a bunch of big/smart/mean guys. This could potentially hint at a willingness to take a diminutive gamebreaker like Ehlers.

Yes please!

But with the way Murray spoke of Reinhart vision, hockey sense and passing, and that Dal Colle will be a goal scorer in the NHL with a C that can get him the puck, I have a feeling we'd go Reinhart-Dal Colle at 1 and 4.