As a buffalo fan watching Nylander was a struggle. Even in the ahl he had troubles. He has no consistency to his game our a trait that he has worked on to allow him to breakout (except maybe his speed).

I really like the development I have seen from both of them. Dach has always had the confidence to try his fancy moves, but it seems like hes figuring out the right scenarios to use them now, and hes still figuring out how to play the boards. No matter when he came up he was going to have to learn how to handle the hard style of play, so its better he learns this year so he can hit the ground running next year. As for Boqvist, it isn't as clear cut for me, but I think because of what I have seen I am really happy with the decision. He has gotten a LOT smarter defensively, and considering that was the big question mark entering this year, I have a feeling he's going to be really hecking good next year. All in all, I am really happy with the decision to have them play games this year, because you can't really see what you have in less than 10 games, and losing 1 year of service time isn't really a big issue for me because chances are theyre gonna get a 3 year bridge deal anyway or they will already be in their next big contract by the time they hit the 7 year mark to be a UFA. With the focus the org has put on them and the spotlight signaling that they are the future, I don't get the sense that anyone is going to let them come close to walking away on the FA market

Its not that he doesn't have the traits, everything is there for him, the speed, the skill, the hands, the size, everything. He just hasn't figured out how to put it all together and that's probably the most frustrating part. I've been happy with what I have seen in the past couple of games, it looks like he could really be turning a page

Boqvist is definitely ready. Dach is too. His size and talent is far too great for the ahl

Dach couldn't be assigned to the AHL and is under the watchful eye of the organization in the NHL. Don't sweat it.

In a sense that's kinda what I meant that they need to be worked on so they improve as nd be used effectively in a game. He has slot of practice to do to become the prospect he was drafted to be (should've drafted sergachev).

Dach seems to get lit up against the boards at least once a game. He’s a tough kid.

Like I said I see those there doing a lot of the right things and just can’t put it all together. Hopefully next year those three plus Kubalik, Toews, Kane, Mitchell, Cat, Strome it all comes together. We’ll see.

Both will be fine. I think people expect highly drafted teenagers to be automatic stars but it more than not doesn't works like that. Guys like Pettersson, Makar, Dahlin, etc are not the rule. They are the exceptions. Players those ages aren't supposed to be that good, that quick.

In all fairness to Dach and Boqvist though, their stats aren't even that bad for rookies. Hughes and Kakko both have 6-7 goals and Boqvist is the youngest dman still playing in the NHL right now and has put up 8 points already. Not too shabby.

I'm sure you're going to get a lot of feedback here. My personal opinion is that it really does take time for prospects to develop. What I mean by that is both players are flashing signs of being REALLY good hockey players. Both are making a lot of mistakes too.

Boqvist
Keep him with Keith. I think they play well together. Keep Boqvist on the PP in fact ask him to pitch in more! Right now for the most part he's just the point man on the top passing the puck right or left. I want to also see him move vertically a little bit too. Receive a pass from the wing...make 1 juke and drive closer to the net. Crash the D down and react. I just want to see Boqvist do different things on the PP really. He's had some nice saves on the back end. Heck, even broke a few ankles yesterday with Senators sliding into the boards on their own. Just keep at it.

Dach
I need to see more progression with him. This is going to take even more time because he's had a year less of learning and conditioning to be perfectly frank. We need to keep the ATOI up on him even if he looks tired. The NHL season is a grind for sure and he's taking a lot of punishment the past few games, but he keeps on ticking. Tkachuck's late hit...Borowiecki's elbow to the head and basically just going after Dach. He's learning. At the end of yesterday's game he was getting more aware of where Borowiecki was on the ice. With that said...and knowing full well that an injury is the absolute last thing he needs. I'm not so sure these' jumps and dodges near the offensive blue line should be his MO. Understood he's 18 and is still filling out......so that might be the answer, but 6'4" 200lbs. If someone's jamming you in transition. I'd like to see a little more strength with the puck. It's a work in progress and he'll get there, but it takes time.

As for the direct answer...why spend that slide year now? They need these guys. Strome/Saad/Drake/Shaw all out recently. DeHaan/Seabs out for the season. I hate that we're that injured, but I do like the trial by fire. It's worth it to me to get these guys real NHL ice time than try to predict multiple years into the future.

Oh and something I just realized something that may make sense as to why they are letting them burn a year now, itll be easier for whoever the GM is at the time (hopefully not staniel) to negotiate contracts. Having Kane, Toews, Keith, Dach, Boqvist, Strome, Debrincat, Mitchell, and potentially Kubalik depending on how many years he gets on an extension, ALL coming off the books at once would be a huge pain, and even without Dach and Boqer itll still be pretty annoying to have to deal with. The service time before becoming a UFA isnt going to be an issue, and I don't think they have any plans of leaving, so why put another 2 contracts into that huge mess of whatever its going to be? Makes a little more sense now that I see that

Man these guys have potential and this season is really about them finding their feet, hell next year they won't be superstars though with time I think the both of them have the ability to make the NHL and be dare I say it "elite" and stay long term. I am probably more impressed with Boqvist currently but he has another year on Dach. Boqvist I have seen develop this year as the games come thick and fast and the learning curve he is receiving by partnering Keith on the blue line is invaluable. Overall I think they both can get close to 20 points this year, Dach might get a few more but they will get a little more productive as the year goes on but then look to build on that next year.

I want to make sure people know I’m not ragging on either and I’ve been impressed with both of them. They both seem to be doing everything right except putting up points. Yes, points aren’t everything but for teams that are good or teams that want to make the playoffs, they need secondary scoring, like they got tonight from Smith and Caggs.

Side note: Kubalik could’ve had another two goals tonight. That dude is just on fire.

Im high on Kubalik too, I really like the positions he takes up on the ice plus he is responsible in our own end.

Im also high on boqvist and Dach but they are 19 and 18 respectively. Even after tonights result I still think we will end up with a top 10 draft. We versed 2 poor teams and scraped the win against OTT so I think another top 10 pick will help boost our prospect pool before we make another tilt at the playoffs and beyond.