Embracing the Rebuild: Tank Nation, the Thread

[FamilyGuy716]

The biggest problem for non-tankers, is they should actually want this to happen more next year.



I don't follow.

Want us to lose more? Or want us to see these guys develop properly? Or both?

I ask because I would hope everyone would want the kids to develop properly.

I believe the answer to the question is... Connor McDavid

 

[BSabres]

If the Sabres end up with one of Ekblad or Reinhart after the draft, do they stick them in the NHL right away? Or do you think LaFontaine's seemingly more traditional approach to development will leave even top picks in junior?

No need to rush either of them. Curious to hear your thoughts.

I say send them back. As was mentioned there is no rush as I'd rather this rebuild take another 3 or 4 years than 1 or 2 if it means proper development. The added bonus is it helps us with Tank Nation next year as well.

 

[sjci]

I say send them back. As was mentioned there is no rush as I'd rather this rebuild take another 3 or 4 years than 1 or 2 if it means proper development. The added bonus is it helps us with Tank Nation next year as well.

I think he's gonna have no problem keeping whomever we pick in juniors. Probably use the same reason as why Drouin stayed down. Nothing wrong with letting a top pick stay down for an extra year or two to fully develop and mature, rather than rush him

 

[couture23]

Yeah I hope our top pick this year, regardless who it is, plays one more year in junior.

 

[Deevo]

Well we are now 7 points behind 29th place Edmonon. Since we are Buffalo I know we will lose the lottery so I have been resigning myself to the fact that we will end up with the #2 pick and then subsequently Aaron Ekblad instead of Sam Reinhart, and I am actually getting excited about it. Even though we have gone D heavy lately, we still have 3 2nds this year we can use all on forwards and then that potential High Isles pick either this year or next. If we do end up with Ekblad and all of our dmen reach their potential, the Sabres will have by far the best and deepest defense in the league ... A D core consisting of Aaron Ekblad,Tyler Myers,Mark Pysyk,Rasmus Ristolainen,Nikita Zadorov and Jake McCabe will be insane...that is 5 dmen drafted in the 1st and McCabe was an early 2nd. Thats not even counting Ehrhoff,McNabb, Weber etc.

Just thinking of 6 top 4 dmen who all Excel at both ends and are between the ages of 18-24 is salivating.

Can't disagree here. This situation becomes increasingly more attractive if we can end up with McDavid next year.

 

[Team Cozens]

As long as we win the Leafs games and lose the rest of the games..... I am a happy boy!

 

[BuzzKillington90]

Can't disagree here. This situation becomes increasingly more attractive if we can end up with McDavid next year.

I will... It's precisely the list mentioned excluding ekblad that pretty much requires a difference making forward to be drafted...hell...2-3 of them

 

[matt trick]

Just want to say, I am excited to watch Buffalo's rebuild. If you get McDavid with either your or the Islanders first, along with a top 4 pick this year, the team is going to be outstanding very quickly. If you add McDavid, you'll have both a premier group of centers and defenseman.

Never easy to enjoy watching your team lose, but shipping out Ehrhoff (cap recapture aside), Miller, and Ott should ensure a bottom of the barrel finish while bringing in high quality futures.

Hope you guys get Ekblad, McDavid, and a high-end winger prospect with the Isles pick.

 

[start winnin]

Just want to say, I am excited to watch Buffalo's rebuild. If you get McDavid with either your or the Islanders first, along with a top 4 pick this year, the team is going to be outstanding very quickly. If you add McDavid, you'll have both a premier group of centers and defenseman.

Never easy to enjoy watching your team lose, but shipping out Ehrhoff (cap recapture aside), Miller, and Ott should ensure a bottom of the barrel finish while bringing in high quality futures.

Hope you guys get Ekblad, McDavid, and a high-end winger prospect with the Isles pick.

Just need dat McDavid

 

[Paxon]

Even missing out on 1st overall both years should put us in great position. I'd be more than happy with Draisaitl + Eichel + the Isles giving us a top 8 pick in either draft.

 

[Push Dr Tracksuit]

so in this hypothetical being asked almost 7 months before the draft happens with 55+ games left in the season... we pick at #2 having lost the lottery to a team that takes Reinhart at #1...

would you take Ekblad as best available?

How would you handle the D-corp knowing that you probably have 8 NHL ready defenders, 4 of which are 1st rounders, 1 is an Ehrhoff and a 5th first rounder (Zad) who could probably play in the NHL as well

or do you take best forward available knowing Draistal/Bennet/Nylander will all be available

do you dangle the second overall pick to a team that needs a dman like Ekblad? Teams like Fla and Col who are deep in young top6 players maybe try for a Huberdeau/Barkov or a Duchene

How crucial is it to find a #1 center this season or are you banking on a two year tank for McDavid?

 

[Paxon]

so in this hypothetical being asked almost 7 months before the draft happens with 55+ games left in the season... we pick at #2 having lost the lottery to a team that takes Reinhart at #1...

would you take Ekblad as best available?

How would you handle the D-corp knowing that you probably have 8 NHL ready defenders, 4 of which are 1st rounders, 1 is an Ehrhoff and a 5th first rounder (Zad) who could probably play in the NHL as well

or do you take best forward available knowing Draistal/Bennet/Nylander will all be available

do you dangle the second overall pick to a team that needs a dman like Ekblad? Teams like Fla and Col who are deep in young top6 players maybe try for a Huberdeau/Barkov or a Duchene

How crucial is it to find a #1 center this season or are you banking on a two year tank for McDavid?

If the draft were today, I'd take Draisaitl #2 personally. He might be my favorite guy in the draft though, certainly at the top end. I would hope the org gives serious consideration to some of the forwards like Draisaitl, Dal Colle, and Nylander, even if they ultimately choose Ekblad. The team needs dynamic forwards in the system very badly. The tough thing is when they draft #2 they probably have no clue if the Isles will defer or not, so they can't be sure if they'll have a second high pick to try and snatch one of those guys up with a few spots later.

With regards to McDavid they may as well pretend he doesn't exist, because there's just no guarantee they even draft in the top 3 next year, much less get McDavid.

There's imo no way the Panthers would trade Barkov to move up to get Ekblad when they chose Barkov over Seth Jones last year.

 

[Push Dr Tracksuit]

I wasn't suggesting move in the draft. Straight #2 pick for a top 3 forward under 24. Basically would you leave this draft with a young stud scorer or nothing at all. Especially knowing you've got another 1st either this year or next. Elite goal scorer or bust.

 

[sjci]

If the draft were today, I'd take Draisaitl #2 personally. He might be my favorite guy in the draft though, certainly at the top end. I would hope the org gives serious consideration to some of the forwards like Draisaitl, Dal Colle, and Nylander, even if they ultimately choose Ekblad. The team needs dynamic forwards in the system very badly. The tough thing is when they draft #2 they probably have no clue if the Isles will defer or not, so they can't be sure if they'll have a second high pick to try and snatch one of those guys up with a few spots later.

With regards to McDavid they may as well pretend he doesn't exist, because there's just no guarantee they even draft in the top 3 next year, much less get McDavid.

There's imo no way the Panthers would trade Barkov to move up to get Ekblad when they chose Barkov over Seth Jones last year.

The bolded part is wrong. There's no way that the Sabres would have to wait till the last second, and then the Islanders tell them they're not picking and the Sabres only have moments to prepare/pick. It just doesn't work that way.

The choice for whether the Islanders will keep or give away this year's pick will be decided on the day of, or very shortly after the lottery. Last Year the lottery was held on April 29th and the playoffs started the next day on the 30th. This year, the season ends on April 13th, so the lottery may again be held somewhere around mid April.

Teams need time to plan out their draft. Giving someone only at most a few hours notice on the day of the draft is not realistic and won't be happening.

 

[gallagt01]

The bolded part is wrong. There's no way that the Sabres would have to wait till the last second, and then the Islanders tell them they're not picking and the Sabres only have moments to prepare/pick. It just doesn't work that way.

The choice for whether the Islanders will keep or give away this year's pick will be decided on the day of, or very shortly after the lottery. Last Year the lottery was held on April 29th and the playoffs started the next day on the 30th. This year, the season ends on April 13th, so the lottery may again be held somewhere around mid April.

Teams need time to plan out their draft. Giving someone only at most a few hours notice on the day of the draft is not realistic and won't be happening.

While I think everything you're saying is logical, I'm fairly certain a poster has already confirmed that the Islanders can wait until they're on the clock to defer.

 

[Paxon]

The bolded part is wrong. There's no way that the Sabres would have to wait till the last second, and then the Islanders tell them they're not picking and the Sabres only have moments to prepare/pick. It just doesn't work that way.

The choice for whether the Islanders will keep or give away this year's pick will be decided on the day of, or very shortly after the lottery. Last Year the lottery was held on April 29th and the playoffs started the next day on the 30th. This year, the season ends on April 13th, so the lottery may again be held somewhere around mid April.

Teams need time to plan out their draft. Giving someone only at most a few hours notice on the day of the draft is not realistic and won't be happening.

If the Isles tell the Sabres what they're going to do then it's merely a courtesy

 

[Beerz]

While I think everything you're saying is logical, I'm fairly certain a poster has already confirmed that the Islanders can wait until they're on the clock to defer.

I asked the question before...it was stated from a few people that Isles could wait till whoever was on the board before deferring... Never received any proof tho'

 

[AirBriere48]

The bolded part is wrong. There's no way that the Sabres would have to wait till the last second, and then the Islanders tell them they're not picking and the Sabres only have moments to prepare/pick. It just doesn't work that way.

By most accounts, that is precisely how it will work. The Sabres will prepare accordingly for either outcome.

 

[Woodhouse]

I asked the question before...it was stated from a few people that Isles could wait till whoever was on the board before deferring... Never received any proof tho'

On an Insider Trading segment, Pierre LeBrun said: "If it's a top-10 pick come June, they can defer for the Sabres to draft in 2015 instead, a decision that the Islanders can make at that draft."

 

[Beerz]

On an Insider Trading segment, Pierre LeBrun said: "If it's a top-10 pick come June, they can defer for the Sabres to draft in 2015 instead, a decision that the Islanders can make at that draft."

Good enough for me.

 

[Stripper]

Just want to say, I am excited to watch Buffalo's rebuild. If you get McDavid with either your or the Islanders first, along with a top 4 pick this year, the team is going to be outstanding very quickly. If you add McDavid, you'll have both a premier group of centers and defenseman.

Never easy to enjoy watching your team lose, but shipping out Ehrhoff (cap recapture aside), Miller, and Ott should ensure a bottom of the barrel finish while bringing in high quality futures.

Hope you guys get Ekblad, McDavid, and a high-end winger prospect with the Isles pick.

My thoughts exactly. The sabres D will be quite something in a few years.

Ristolainen, Pysyk, Zadorov, McNabb, McCabe, McBain and Myers (as long as he's able to pull himself together) ...

Just imagine if they'd draft also Ekblad and McDavid! It's really exciting.

 

[5 Minute Major]

Mark my word, there will be more than a few teams "tanking" next season for McDavid.

 

[Paxon]

Mark my word, there will be more than a few teams "tanking" next season for McDavid.

Maybe, maybe not. There will be bad teams, but which of them will be willing to make themselves worse before the season even starts? Calgary for example, I just can't see them going that route. It's contrary to how they've been all these years and have shown since trading Iginla. The Isles are still trying to add talent, not dump it.

Florida I could see dumping off some of those vets they loaded up on a few years ago, as they did with Versteeg already this year. They're the main threat imo to actually try to tank by shedding players, and being in the division it'll suck if they're able to add one of those premier players.

I stand by not really caring if we get McDavid or not. It's just such a matter of luck. I just hope we're able to get Eichel at least, but ultimately a top 5 pick would be fine after adding what seems to be at worst #2 overall this season.

 

[Zip15]

Good night for the tank with Florida knocking off Winnipeg and the Oilers leading 4-2 against Colorado heading into the 3rd period.

 

[Beerz]

Maybe, maybe not. There will be bad teams, but which of them will be willing to make themselves worse before the season even starts? Calgary for example, I just can't see them going that route. It's contrary to how they've been all these years and have shown since trading Iginla. The Isles are still trying to add talent, not dump it.

Florida I could see dumping off some of those vets they loaded up on a few years ago, as they did with Versteeg already this year. They're the main threat imo to actually try to tank by shedding players, and being in the division it'll suck if they're able to add one of those premier players.

I stand by not really caring if we get McDavid or not. It's just such a matter of luck. I just hope we're able to get Eichel at least, but ultimately a top 5 pick would be fine after adding what seems to be at worst #2 overall this season.

I really like the idea of Eichel .... size and hands.