A thread for constructive analysis of the draft.

We made some decent picks, but the overlaying theme of the draft, as well as this short offseason thus far is that we haven't really tried to make any hard-nosed moves. Now, we could be trying and simply the deals aren't there, but that is the same line Darcy has given the last 2 offseasons.

Also, for more of our senior members, if any articles or clips are out with Darcy discussing the situation himself, I'd love to hear him, if they exist.

/discuss

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Only One Me.

Darcy said he was looking to acquire players more than trading anyone away. That makes me wonder how willing he was to part with draft picks in any trade scenarios. Either way there is not much to say about this draft. Without having a pick higher than #15 or so there wouldn't be an impact player to discuss in much detail.

Just like every other team, we won't know how good it was for a few years once these guys develope. The NHL draft is set up so that GMs have to gamble and guess the future of these players. It's forced to be a crap shoot, and too often teams end up looking real bad. I do think Buffalo is going the right route and staying with North American picks. At least they are removing the extra risk of having a player stay in Europe for whatever reason, unless a sure-fire european falls in their lap. Buffalo's historical failure wth European draft picks supports the trend.

I agree without having a pick higher than 15 you really don't have an impact player unless the player was injuried or the scouts couldn't really read his ability. I also agree that staying with north american picks is a better idea because buffalo has a really bad failure with European draft picks in the last few years.

Understood, but I feel atleast 1-2 moves need to come if we are to hold our title over the Northeast. I vehemently believe that the Top-6 needs to see a change, not a drastic Montreal '09 change, but definitely a new face. Ditto for the Top-4 Defense. Two new faces would go a long way I believe.

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Only One Me.

I agree, and my sig says it all. Except now I should probably replace Sharp with Lee Stempniak.

Did any moves happen on draft day?

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"Call a cop he robbed Delmore blind!!!"
Rick Jeanerette after Marty Biron's diving save back in 2000.

"I'm going to go to the spa and have a hot tub and massage and relax," Miller said. "That's it, and it's back to work tomorrow." Ryan Miller after clinching the North East division.

Not by the Sabres

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mechaphil

By anyone? I can't find any evidence of draft day deals anywhere.

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"Call a cop he robbed Delmore blind!!!"
Rick Jeanerette after Marty Biron's diving save back in 2000.

"I'm going to go to the spa and have a hot tub and massage and relax," Miller said. "That's it, and it's back to work tomorrow." Ryan Miller after clinching the North East division.

Just picks being swapped about, the Pens acquiring the rights to Hamhuis, and then a trade involving Bobby Sanguinetti that I don't remember the details of.

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mechaphil

Darcy would really be breaking out of his shell if anything major happened this offseason. I just don't see it happening.

I wouldn't be shocked to see Connolly in a Sabres uni this season.

That said, I'll still head into this season with an open mind, as I always do. Connolly knows he has to turn his game around. He was just plane bad last year. But I'll cut him a break. It was his first full one injury free in a long time. Plus, it's a contract season this year.

Meanwhile, we have a lot of talent coming up through the ranks. Think of all the young players on this team that are going to be better. Ennis, Gerbe, Kennedy, Myers, Sekera.

We may see some Portland guys crack the line up and impress us like Weber... maybe Grangani.

And I expect Darcy to make some offensive pick ups with the cap space freed up by Tallinder and Lydman walking.

And then a couple of here and theres for depth in Portland.

We'll get bounced in the conference semi finals.

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Wheelhouse

65 points in 73 games is bad? i thought connolly was one of the better forwards this season.

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2 picks went the other way to the Rags

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

I think he meant playoffs.

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mechaphil

Yeah Connolly was good during the season but he sucked shit in the playoffs same with Roy

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just call me Brad

Twitter @BUrbanowicz13

I deeply respect your boys' optimism towards the current roster, but I believe amongst serveral other fans, the Sabres themselves are not entirely confident in their own ability.

Let's look at the Sabres objectively for a moment, in comparison to the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. While Kane and Toews are incredible, nothing they do on the ice is superhuman. In other words, Ennis could just as easily set up plays like Kane, and Vanek could just as easily finish plays like Byfuglien.

That being said, look at various interviews of players and staff over the last 6 months. The Blackhawks went into this year KNOWING they'd have a legitimate and very likely shot at Stanley. Bowman himself stated in various interviews that the Blackhawks themselves had that sort of cockiness in the locker room, knowing if they played to their potential, they'd have a great run. Now, alternatively listen to Ryan Miller, arguably our best player, speak about the Sabres.

He doesn't bad mouth them, giving only gracious remarks of his co-workers. However, his tone and delivery of this entirely imply that he isn't infact confident in his groups' ability to win Lord Stanley. All you need to do is listen to his remarks post Olympics and post Playoff (righfully so here) that while he respects his team, he isn't fully behind all of them. Alternatively, the Blackhawks were trump tight in their media appearance, and even if they lost, you knew they were a great team through their off-ice presence. Now, I'm not suggesting we recruit a bunch of loud mouths, but we certainly need a noticable impact on our roster. If we can't be confident in ourselves, we don't deserve to win Stanley.

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Only One Me.

Oh, I don't think anyone would argue that. Look at the way they behave on the ice when something doesn't go their way for the proof necessary.

That's why a lot of people are clamoring for the culture of the team to be shaken up.

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mechaphil

I'd agree, but they've shown an improved ability to bounce back year after year.

Connolly was good during the regular season, but we all know he can be better.

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Wheelhouse

Connolly is broken goods. He got lucky that Darcy took a gamble on him and gave him the contract he has now.

I hope he's saving his money, because he won't get that kind of scratch again.