Sabres catch a break

What do you mean, "Finally win the lottery"? They won Dahlin just 2 years ago.

Nah I'd rather have Laf than Byfield and Vilardi

D'oh!

And some dude named Jack a few years earlier than a bunch of top 10s in between

Well if I remember right, it wasn't that they won Jack. They lost the 1st overall pick even though they had something like 60% odds at getting it, so they got Eichel instead of McDavid. Buffalo is pretty much the reason there's this terrible lottery system in the first place.

Sure they do, Too bad the highest odds say they pick #8.

Don't worry the team that got McDavid sucks too COnner mcdaVID

Yes you are correct, keep the pick unless it is crazy lopsided for Buffalo.

I mean Byfield is a great prospect (I'm in the minority who would take Stutzle over him but he's the 2nd pick in this scenario) but can you imagine Laf with Eichel? That is an incredible duo on paper. Whoever gets Laf shouldn't trade the pick unless it's a huge overpayment

Buffalo needs centers more than 1LW and drafting Byfield would set them up for 15 years. I don't think theres a huge difference between Lafreniere and Byfield anyhow, you'll see what I mean if you compare age-based results in their respective leagues.

Add in Vilardi or Kupari (I put Vilardi as he seems to be ready to step into an NHL role) and I think the Sabres do very well here. It balances the team much better than just adding Lafreniere IMO.

@Sabresfan7

I disagree vehemently about the gap. In fact, I think it's a pretty sizable gap between Laf and Byfield. But you're entitled to your opinion on that.

I still think the Sabres would be foolish to move the pick.

I really like Quinton Byfield and if the Sabres had 2nd overall pick this time that is who I am picking. But to trade that pick no, Lafreniere to me is worth more than Byfield and Vilardi my opinion. (I am not always right)

You might like this (or not).

https://thehockeywriters.com/2020-nhl-draft-quinton-byfield-underrated/

I've watched him quite a bit so my opinion is based on my viewing. He's a fantastic prospect but I just think Stutzle plays a more dynamic game and Laf plays the most dynamic game in the draft. And yes I'm aware he's one of the younger players in the draft and I'm not going to argue that his size, skating, and hands for how big he is isn't special, because it is, but I just prefer Stutzle's game (and I think Stutzle is the best skater in the draft, he's so special with his edge work and agility) and well Laf is sensational. I don't see how anybody could rank him as their 4th prospect though.

its actually pretty good, makes it interesting and worth watching + discourages tanking

Eichel goes 1st overall in 95% of any other drafts though. They might have dropped a spot but they still hit the jackpot (no pun intended).

Stutzle is going to make NHL goalies look amazing. Great player but can't shoot worth a damn.

He doesn't shoot often but I think his shot is fine when he chooses to do so. It's not as good as Holtz or Perfetti but it's fine

It's not that I think there shouldn't be a lottery. It's just that the current lottery system is flawed.

My fix is that anyone who wins a lottery pick shouldn't be able to win that same lottery pick for 3 years. So for example, New Jersey/Buffalo can't win the 1st overall, Chicago can't win the 3rd overall, etc. If the NHL wants parity, they should let multiple teams get the 1st overall pick. As a Kings fan, I shouldn't have to be worried about New Jersey winning their third 1st overall pick in nearly as many years, that's stupid.

well if u cant control it.. then no point being worried :/

get your point though,.. luck it just hard to argue against