I don't think the Sabres will win the lottery. I think whoever ends up 28th or 27th will win it. Saying that, I do think Buffalo gets Eichel. Regardless of the outcome, people will have some kind of conspiracy theory of why they(whoever wins) won and will convince themselves that it was rigged, even if in reality it wasn't.
Unless the Sabres do win.
Then it will be whining about tanking and the Sabres not deserving McDavid given how they went about this season.
Can we also get a poll to see what % of fans are rooting for the team to lose? I've been wondering how big the anti-tank crowd is lately
There is no such thing as an "anti-tank crowd". Rooting for a team to lose or win has absolutely no effect on the final outcome. I root for them to win every game, yet they're still in last place. It's goofy rooting for your team to lose.
Can we also get a poll to see what % of fans are rooting for the team to lose? I've been wondering how big the anti-tank crowd is lately
80% of me says no, we won't draft McDavid. I'd peg our chances of getting McDavid around 1-in-5, though.
Basically, are you going to be wrecked if the Sabres don't draft McDavid? .
I will be disappointed to lose it and I'll stay disappointed for about 5 minutes then ill order up the Eichel jersey.
I was pessimistic last year and we lost, so I'll be optimistic this year.
Until the bottom falls out and the card is revealed to say otherwise, I'm going on the "yes" we're getting McDavid. Sorry for those who are so pessimistic that you're going to sabotage your own hopes. It's not that Eichel is not great. I prefer McDavid.
If we indeed finish last there is an 80% chance we don't get McDavid. It's a matter of realism, not pessimism. Believing we will get him is indeed optimistic and there's nothing wrong with that, but there's no real basis for it, it's just a manifestation of hope. Having no hope of landing McDavid would be pessimistic, but there's a pretty sharp difference between predicting we won't get him and not having hope that we might.
That's true, I know that the 20% chance guarantees you nothing, but to be fair, I just have a good feeling we'll get the man. If I'm wrong, I will be cheering for Eichel. Shrugs.
Assuming Buffalo gets Last place:
The Sabres have an 80% chance of not getting McDavid.
The Sabres at 20%, have better odds than anybody at getting McDavid
Both Statements Factual, both realistic. The perception of the situation depends on how you WANT to perceive it. 1st Statement leans towards Pessimistic people, 2nd Statement leans towards the optimistic crowd.
That's from the non-Sabres fans.
Imagine the media especially Bucky and Crew...
They'll spin it so that they look like they were on the side of tanking before everyone else...Nobody but the posters here will call them out on it and they will keep their jobs and write horrible pieces, until McDavid/Eichel doesn't score in a game then the whole "The Sabres would be wise to send them back to Juniors or to the AHL..."
I think it all unfortunately comes down to politics. If the league is anti-buffalo it will most likely be going to a team of their choice in the "lottery".
However, Pegula isn't dumb and I think he's built up respect in the league for saving the Sabres, trying to do a quick but good rebuild, the harbor center, etc. Considering the TV ratings we draw (top 5-10 in the league) if we were suddenly a cup winning team like Pittsburgh, I think it would be beneficial to the NHL (and the proximity to Canada is a small plus) and they might give it to us.
Are you serious?
It's a random lottery and not the NHL gifting the first pick to a team.
Blame the league for not showing the actual drawing. As long as that isn't transparent, there'll always be speculation of rigging.
So the auditing professionals that are hired by the league are on the take, too?
Somehow I seriously doubt that.