Crusader1969

I like it except I think McLeod will be taken by either Calgary or Winnipeg. Columbus is in desperate need of a centre - could they trade down? perhaps to 8th? Plus I don't think Calgary takes a Dman. I'm just guessing here but I think Juolevi goes before Chychrun.

Here is Laine's game tying goal with 1 minute to go in regulation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWziMoajHwI Not likely to be a Sabre but I can still dare to dream a miracle happening. Think he may have a top 5 shot in the world already.

Laine ended up with 2 goals yesterday. Here is what he did this morning http://www.iltasanomat.fi/sm-liiga/art-2000001155416.html and literally just had an OMG moment right now - 1 minute left he ties the game with an unbelievable shot.

Team Canada for upcoming Under 18 Tournament: http://www.tsn.ca/chychrun-among-draft-prospects-at-u18-camp-1.466409 Team Russia is taking its under 17 team due to doping of the Under 18 team. However, the CHL Russians are going including Sergi.

Ill give you that point but I would also think that scouting in 2016 is way different and much more of an exact science than drafting back in 1993. Plus I would say that the 2016 is considered to be a good draft at the top first 12 picks or so. I really don't remember how the 1993 draft was thought of.

I guess that's where the scouts "make their money". Actually, 5 of the guys drafted from 10-20 in 2012 already have 200 games in the NHL. The best of the lot - Filip Forsberg is at 150 and is sure to be a long time top tier NHL player. I think the jury is out on only 2 of those 11 players. The rest are long term NHL players. Mike Wilson? the Sabres player from the 90s? not sure what he has to do with the 2012 draft. Craig Button interview regarding Jake Bean: http://www.tsn.ca/radio/edmonton-1260/button-jake-bean-likely-top-10-pick-1.463570

Every player drafted from 10 to 20 in 2012 is currently on an NHL roster - some making major contributions no matter where the Sabres draft - this player should be an important piece in 2 to 3 years.

50/50?? where do you get that from? Here are the real numbers. o. 10 Average Rating: 4.43 Best: Nikolai Antropov, Radek Dvorak, Jocelyn Thibault Worst: Boris Valabik, Mikhail Yakupov Ranked 7 or better: 5.0% Ranked 5 or worse: 65.0% At least 100 NHL games (or extremely likely): 85.0% No. 11 Average Rating: 4.95 Best: Jarome Iginla, Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter Worst: Kyle Beach, Lauri Tukonen, Jeff Heerema, David Cooper Ranked 7 or better: 33.3% Ranked 5 or worse: 47.6% At least 100 NHL games (or extremely likely): 66.7% No. 12 Average Rating: 5.17 Best: Marian Hossa, Dan Hamhuis, Ryan McDonagh Worst: Teemu Riihijarvi, Hugh Jessiman, A.J. Thelen Ranked 7 or better: 42.9% Ranked 5 or worse: 47.6% At least 100 NHL games (or extremely likely): 71.4% No. 13 Average Rating: 5.05 Best: Ales Hemsky, Alexander Semin Worst: Michael Henrich, Marek Zagrapan, Michael Stewart, Colten Teubert Ranked 7 or better: 38.1% Ranked 5 or worse: 42.9% At least 100 NHL games (or extremely likely): 66.7% No. 14 Average Rating: 5.29 Best: Brent Seabrook, Sergei Gonchar, Kevin Shattenkirk Worst: Sasha Pokulok, Michel Riesen, Patrick DesRochers Ranked 7 or better: 38.1% Ranked 5 or worse: 33.3% At least 100 NHL games (or extremely likely): 85.7%

Guys to keep an eye on if Sabres drop out of top 10 would be: Jake Bean as a LHD with huge puck moving skills. Julien Gauthier who 6'4 225lbs - made the Cdn World Junior Team as a draft eligible. scored 41 goals in 54 games this season Kieffer Bellows - Son of Brian bellows, 6'0 sniper from the USNDP Guy I've seen a bunch of times and really like but he is a bit of a wild card because of a couple of suspensions - Max Jones from the London Knights. 6'3 power forward. Who put up decent point totals playing on the 2nd line and without a lot of PP time. Still have hope that one of the Big 3 Dmen fall because teams are looking to add forwards and in particular Centers.

Whatever happened to the bashers that were out in force last December or so? I'll say he should be - when a team improves 25 points year over year the coach needs to get some consideration.

Even if Sabres draft 9th and all 3Dmen are taken. That would mean that one of Tkachuk, Dubios, or Nylander is on the board. Im pretty confident someone will be looking for a centre and either McLeod or Keller (possibly both) go in the top 10.

No no no no. You are going to be drafting a top pair Dman who will be a cornerstone for 10 - 12 years. your probably not going to get that back in a trade.

I think its pretty safe to say that the Sabres top pick in 2016 back to juniors, unless a miracle happens in the lottery. Gorges will hold down their spot for another season. You are probably looking at the 18/19 season before they make a real impact with the team.

Let the Leafs risk $11 million. I really hope the Sabres are out of this one.

That's the key, who does Murray want? I'm hoping that at least 2 are there when it's the Sabres pick. If they draft 9th, they may just have to settle with whomever is left. I still like Sergi cause of the physical aspect of his game. Match him with Risto and you have a top pair as intimidating as any in the league. Plus both can skate well (elite when you consider their size) and both bring offence too. Though the Sabres may value Juolevi's smarts and ability to get the puck up to the forwards more than anything else

Corey Pronman on Twitter: "Sergachev-2016 is a ridiculously good skater for a 6-foot-3 player. Glides over the ice."  I thought it was x-pac who was the uncool one in degeneration-x

Interesting matchup in Finnish play-offs as Karpat battles Tappara. Puljujarvi assists on Karpats lone goal. Laine held of scoresheet but team wins game one 3-1.

` I don't think there is a consensus on the 3 dmen. It is possible that both Sergi and Juolevi are both drafted before Chychrun. I'd still like all 3 to be on the board when Murray picks so he has his choice but I doubt that will happen. case in point - Bob McKenzie tweeted recently that Juolevi may be consensus 4th overall pick.

there are only two outcomes that will make me happy today. First, and best outcome is a Leafs win - pushing them further up the standings. Next to pass Calgary, Winnipeg and Columbus. Living in the middle of Leafs Nation I am taking great joy in seeing their "tank" go so wrong. Leaf nation have had Matthews inked into their starting line-up (along with Stamkos) for months. I think most of them didn't realize their odds of landing him was 20% at best. The other is for the Sabres to win by 5 goals. There is no in-between. For the VERY last time for a Sabres v Leafs game i will say - "Go Leafs Go"

Sabres are now Guaranteed a lottery pick. Can't finish any better than 13th last but could fall behind the 14th last team depending on lottery result.

Good News for those of us who want a LHD with the first pick: Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie 10h10 hours ago In the past couple of weeks, I've had a few NHL scouts suggest WDR's Mikhail Sergachev is making a push to be top D in 2016 draft class Hopefully one of my 5 favorites are around when the Sabres draft - Dubios, Tkachuk and the 3 Dmen. Used to think it was a slam-dunk that one would be available, not so sure anymore.

Looks like 4 is now becoming a possibility for Dubois. Not sure if his suspension and potentially missing some/all of the play-offs will drop him back down or not

Looks like Sergy is finally getting the love I think he deserves: User Actions Follow Ryan Kennedy‏@THNRyanKennedy Vibe I'm picking up recently from scouts/execs: Mikhail Sergachev is putting himself in the Juolevi/Chychrun 2016 D-man debate

Until the contract is announced, im still going to be nervous. Call it the "BabCock" effect!

who won the Calder (or whatever the AHL cup is called)? Does anyone know without having to look it up? It really doesn't matter who has the better farm team. For the most part the roster is filled with AHL veterans who will only get a sniff of playing in the NHL - TJ Brennan for example. is there even one defensive prospect on the Marlies that will be in the NHL in 2 years? There could be a decent couple of young forwards - they have/had Nylander there but the other young players are no better than 3rd liners. If you want to argue Leafs v Sabres and who is in a better position - all you have to ask is who are the Leafs top 2 centers right now? Once they list Kadri, you just walk away, the argument is over - Buffalo wins. Now if the Leafs win the lottery and/or sign Stamkos. Then again the odds aren't that much less than that Sabres win the lottery and/or sign Stamkos.