Top 5 Draft Poll - 2. Buffalo

[JurassicTunga12]

I'll go with Bennett. There have been some rumbling that the Sabres are very high on Bennett as well. I also think it's more likely that the Oilers pass on Reinhart rather than Bennett, which would leave Sam Reinhart for the Flames .

[Yrebmi]

With the polling being so close, the 3rd poll should just list one vote as "Remaining Sam"

Edmonton should take that pick, but with them so obviously enamored of Draisaitl, I think Sam's our man. We just don't know which.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Yrebmi

With the polling being so close, the 3rd poll should just list one vote as "Remaining Sam"

Edmonton should take that pick, but with them so obviously enamored of Draisaitl, I think Sam's our man. We just don't know which.

I don't think it's obvious that Edmonton will take Draisaitl. I don't believe the teams have made any final decisions yet and if they have they aren't going to announce them.

One thing though, I don't want Draisaitl and it isn't for any good reason (kind of like Lindholm last year), but I hope one of the other three are available for us.

[AC]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

I suggest that we combine them in the next poll and consider them equally there yet equally gone.

Schrödinger's Sam paradox?

[ForeverFlameFan]

I want the Sabres to go for Bennett because them picking Bennett gets us Reinhart. If the Sabres pick Reinhart we are getting Draisaitl.

[Monahan23]

Toss up between Bennett, Draisaitl and Reinhart. I voted Bennett although in hindsight I think they go with Draisaitl. My vote tied ot with Reinhart and Bennett at 120

[Gaskal]

Unbelievable how close it is still.

[Textcritic]

I really think that Draisaitl will go either #1 or #2. He is a great fit in Buffalo.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I really think that Draisaitl will go either #1 or #2. He is a great fit in Buffalo.

If Florida or Buffalo picks Draisaitl they won't regret it. Helps the Flames too because we get to have one of the Sams. I still wouldn't be mad if Ekblad, Bennett and Reinhart are picked in the top 3 because I still like Draisaitl for his size and soft hands. As long as we stay in the top 4, Flames' fans should be very proud of the pick we are getting.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

If Florida or Buffalo picks Draisaitl they won't regret it. Helps the Flames too because we get to have one of the Sams. I still wouldn't be mad if Ekblad, Bennett and Reinhart are picked in the top 3 because I still like Draisaitl for his size and soft hands. As long as we stay in the top 4, Flames' fans should be very proud of the pick we are getting.

With the other team that needs some size and grit in their top 6 drafting ahead of the Flames either Bennett or Draisaitl will be going to Edmonton.

Reinhart may be a great player but he is not going to provide the physical presence and edge the Flames desperately need in the top-6.

Baertschi, Gaudreau, Hudler and Monahan (okay Monahan is a great player with size but Ollie Jokinen plays with more of an edge) all have a chance to be on the playoff Flames. The only guys in the system with edge that can realistically play top-6 are Glencross and Colborne and Porier. If it is not Baertschi then the next best hope for our top 6 is Granlund or Klimchuck or Backlund

We Flames Fans were spoiled by having Iginla being the best forward as well as being the toughest to play against...... and even with him (arguable the very best power forward / scary forward getting 20 minutes of ice time/game in the league) the Flames were constantly looking for another top-6 physical player (Nolan, Bertuzzi).

Gaudreau may be similar to Kane. Monahan is not similar to Toews.

I would much rather have Poirier and Bennett/Draisaitl being added to the top-6 rather than Sam R.

If Sam R. falls through to the Flames it will likely force a major trade of at least one off the key building blocks... That is the situation that Edmonton has gotten into and they are having great trouble dealing away Eberle, RNH or Yakapov.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

I suggest that we combine them in the next poll and consider them equally there yet equally gone. Since most people just want either one of them, I don't think it really affects the next poll. We are just wondering who will trickle down. The numbers in this poll already support this. Unless someone really has fears about coin tosses.

So for instance, at next poll Draisaitl vs Bennet/Reinhart leftover. Let's say Edmonton takes the other Sam, we get Draisaitl. Let's say Edmonton takes Draisaitl, we get a Sam. I mean the poll is really about guessing anyways, right?

Not sure I agree ...

I think the Oilers will take Draisaitl over Bennett, but not Reinhart (no inside information at all).

They've had Draisaitl high on their list, but if Reinhart who they didn't expect to see at that spot is available I think they have a better chance of changing their mind.

In the summer if I have a tight prospect vote I do a run off, but in this case I can't see that making much of a difference.

So I'm going to go with vote 300. Who ever is ahead at vote 300 is the Sabres pick and we move on.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

...

What the hell are you blathering on about?

[Bingo]

9 more votes to go and Reinhart pulling away

The next test will be what Calgary fans really think the Oilers will do with Draisaitl

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

What the hell are you blathering on about?

I think I speak " Ricardodw" and will try and translate. Lol

I think he is saying that when it comes time for making push for playoffs or cup run that by adding Reinhart , the flames will not have enough grit on the top 6, when including Sven, Monohan, Huddler, Johnny hockey, ect. I believe he singled at Poirier as the only guy with grit.

He is not wrong, but if he thinks that the flames in 2-4 years are going to keep every prospect and not trade any of them , then he is delusional. Flames will either need to trade for grit on top 6 or if that has been addressed through prospects then I have to think there will be some holes on D that will need to be addressed . News flash not every prospect that the flames draft will make it. Nor every prospect the flames draft will be kept.

As for having a hard time trying to trade RnH and Eberle, I am not convinced they have even tried yet.

[The Fonz]

Looks like it's Reinhart, even if all remaining votes go towards Bennett.

[Vinny01]

I just think with all the late season awards and love that has been given to Bennett he is who Buffalo will take. He seems to have the character that teams want to build around. I just think he has slightly separated himself from Reinhart in the last few weeks (CHL prospect of the year, THN top pick, etc)

[Bingo]

Ok ... this one is done. Glad it turned out with a 5% win for one of them, and not a complete draw.

Oilers pick coming up