Murray says Sabres could take Ekblad with No. 1 pick

Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray was on WGR 550 Sports Radio Tuesday and was asked his thoughts on the players at the top of this summer's NHL draft. Murray is a really astute judge of talent and this entire interview is worth a listen.

On Aaron Ekblad (around 4:00 in to the interview): "A defenseman who, at the end of the day, could become a franchise defenseman. He may be a solid - very solid - two-way defenseman that plays a ton of minutes.

"I'm not sure if he has the dynamic kind of pace to him to be a franchise player, but he's going to be a hell of a player. He's going to be a really, really good defenseman for a long time in the league. So he's a consideration for the top pick."

Also: "If we go in and have our meetings and Ekblad is hands-down the No. 1 player, as a group, then he'll be the No. 1 player. I'm a firm believer in best player available, but you also decide who the best player available is. So I can't tell you that our Western League scout that position doesn't come into who he believes is the best player available. There's all kinds of ways to get to the best player available.

"So I'm sure in the back of some of our guys' minds that we are strong on defence coming. We need a centerman. So that's going to be a question to ask to the guys who have Ekblad at 1 - or don't have Ekblad at 1, sorry. Is the reason because of position. Tell me that. If it's not because of position, let's move on."

Source: WGR 550