LGR4GM

That literally cannot happen. It is against the rules. The Sabres have 14million in capspace, they can easily afford to re-sign Mittelstadt. Hell, you can give him Olofsson's money and trade Olofsson and the capspace doesn't even change.

And? This has nothing to do with NHL readiness. Kulich and Rosen are not NHL ready and that is all that matters. Great Rosen scored in the AHL playoffs and so did Kulich, I hope they can take that and be better in the AHL this upcoming season. Quickly on the bold, if this means the World Jrs than no they did not. Kulich won a silver medal. If it means the World Championship, Kulich wasn't there. Bloom was already traded

What? That has nothing to do with Isak Rosen being NHL ready. That would be a completely different conversation when and if Rosen becomes NHL ready.

No. What a bad idea. Rosen is not NHL ready, Kulich is not NHL ready. Rousek should be in Buffalo but there is no good reason to trade Krebs or Mitts. Both are middle 6, young, and good.

There's going to be several options at 39 and 45.

I bet the Sabres draft Étienne Morin. I don't love him because I think he is the type to stick check instead of taking the body and his defensive zone play is really mediocre. I would rather take Dragicevic and develop his def game than take Morin.

More fun quotes this one from Benson himself:

Elite Prospects wrote the following:

Negative.

Jack Quinn plays a 1,000,000% different game than Isak Rosen. Benson actually does have some similar defensive attributes but Quinn has more size and a better shot where Benson has I would say a bit higher revved motor. I will never understand how Jack Quinn gets repeatedly underrated at times around the internets, kid is already one the Sabres best defensive forwards and Quinn is actually very physical, he just does it in more subtle ways. I would keep both Benson and Savoie at this point. I might look to trade Rosen or Östlund if it would get me a good RHD prospect (in a package)

@Curt has the combine height and weight nailed. I'll also add that with a May birthday, he theoretically should still grow an inch or so. If it was an October bday I would be a little more worried about that but even if he ends up at 5'10", there is a lot of high end traits he displays. If you really want to go down the rabbit hole... here is his highlight package, all 30mins of it. One more note, he started in the WHL at 15 where he was almost a ppg guy with 20pts in 24 games. Last year at 16 he dropped 63 in 68games and this year he outproduced our boy Matt Savoie with 98 in 60. Last year he actually lead the Ice in playoff points. This year Savoie did and Benson was 4th in playoff points (17 in 15 games). Not that +/- is excedeedingly useful but he lead the team in it with a +68.

Not my circus, not my monkeys. I'd honestly rather just take Suchanek in the 6th or 7th and roll from there.

What about a scoring winger, pick 45 with 50% retention on the mentioned scoring winger?

Beau Akey and Gracyn Sawchyn want a word with you about these grades.

I've always valued the size of the fight in the dog more than the size of the dog.

I'd go for this at 39

Keep in mind that's one person's tracking data but still impressive. His hockey IQ is an elite trait though. Very manipulative with the puck.

Would also toss out Matthew Mania a 6' RHD

It depends on if the WHL counts the 24 games he played as a 16yr old as an accrued season. If they do, then he would have 4 years in the WHL after this season and my understanding is that it is either turn 20 before Jan 1 or accrue 4 seasons to be AHL eligible. Someone can double check that. My guess is that with 24games played that first season counts so he is required to do one more. Hard for me to answer because I might be wrong on the 4 seasons thing.

I'd rather take Sawchyn but I think this is just a case where we disagree on some guys.

At 45 I might take Strbak. Cam Allen is interesting. Idk what to make of him but I might wait until 89 because I think Allen might just not have it in terms of hockey sense. They did take a defender but I would think 1 more is coming off the board. They seem to prefer Euro defenders. Could see Strbak going on to Detroit as he would fit what they do and is a RHD with some size that might appeal to them.

Wait is Lukas Dragicevic still around? There's a guy if you just want to say F it and hope he figures out how to play defense some day. His offense is really good and he is a 6'1" RHD. Here is a good list too: Sawchyn and Akey are really interesting to me. Gauthier as well.

Beau Akey Carter Sotheran uhhh others (I'd have to look) but the Sabres should seriously be trying to draft Beau Akey. He is a 6' RHD that is exceedingly good at breaking up plays and starting a rush. Carter Sotheran is 6'3" and a little raw but has lots of potential and idk if he'll be there at 89 (he is a RHD)