Buffalo Sabres Daily: Draft Options, Aaron Ekblad, New York Rangers

By Tim Redinger | Jun 6, 2014

The Buffalo Sabres have options at the number two overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. [Bleacher Report].

I don’t think the Buffalo Sabres have had this many options on the table before when presented with one pick. There are several players that the team could land if they are drafting out of the minor league, and even more players available if rumors of Tim Murray entertaining offers to move down in the first round are true.

While this year’s draft isn’t as deep or maybe NHL ready as the Connor McDavid draft – the fact that the Buffalo Sabres aren’t planning on being good next season in the hopes of getting McDavid should give the drafted player the knowledge that hey, I am going to get another year or two to get better before having to be the man.

Your going to have to be dreaming to think that Aaron Ekblad won’t hear his name called either number one or number two come the draft. [Hockey Buzz].

If Ekblad doesn’t get drafted first or second, it is not because he doesn’t have the ability. I really don’t see the Florida Panthers passing on Ekblad – but I do see the Buffalo Sabres passing on Ekblad.

But, (I hate that word), Seth Jones was supposed to be the number one last year, and the Florida Panthers passed on him with the number two pick. Jones was still the highest defenseman picked at number four.

Does Ekblad have the wrong position to be selected at the top of the draft this year?

More from Draft

The New York Rangers can’t play it safe against the Los Angeles Kings says former Buffalo Sabres player Craig Ramsay. [NHL].

Don’t get your superman underpants all knotted up or too excited just yet the series is far from over. The New York Rangers have a chance at winning game two in Los Angeles and bringing the series back to the Gardens as a best of five.

But the New York Rangers have to play their game. They can’t try and contain the Los Angeles Kings and prevent themselves from losing – that is what killed them in game one and will be the death of them in this series.

At the same time, you don’t want to open the throttle up and play a run and gun type game with the Los Angeles Kings. That could be the Quick death of you too. (yes – the Q is capitalized for a reason). The New York Rangers need to play their game to have a chance in this series, and yes, while that means not holding anything back, it also means playing the safe game that they know how to play, and that is the game of the New York Rangers.

Stanley Cup Champion Gets a top three pick? Unnecessary. Totally. [Too Many Men].

This theory only works if good players are only found in the top three of the NHL draft. There is no merit what so ever in rewarding the Stanley Cup Champions with a top three pick in the draft the year after they win the Stanley Cup.

It isn’t always about picking high. It is about picking smart. Take any good team. Lets say the Detroit Red Wings for example. When is the last time they have a pick even in the top ten of the first round? 1991. The 1997 Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings didn’t have a first round pick at all in that years draft – it didn’t hurt them in the slightest – they went on to win the Stanley Cup in 1998 as well.

In the eight years leading up until their last Cup win in 2008 the highest draft pick they held was the 19th. In fact, they didn’t have a first round draft pick in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 206 2009, 2011 and 2012.

Sure the Detroit Red Wings might be the exception not the rule.

You don’t have to draft high to find good players. You just have to know how to find good players where your drafting.

Makes me think I won’t be too upset if Tim Murray and the Buffalo Sabres decide to trade down in the first round this year.