Who is going to be the best pro hockey player?

[inkman]

I'm going to go with they hype machine and pick Myers. I really like Sekera and Butler, with Weber not far behind, but according to all, Myers is the real deal.

[shrader]

Deluca would love it if Fienhage makes it. I've seen the kid injure more people than the number of games I've seen him play in.

[SabresFan526]

I think it will be Butler. I think Butler is a top pair defenseman who will log a ton of ice time. I find him to be very good in the defensive zone and if he can add in the offense, he will be a superstar. Butler apparently manned the powerplay point in college and was apparently very good offensively at DU. He has some pretty good offensive numbers for his college career. So, if he can work on that side of his game at the NHL level, then I think he'll be the best pro hockey player out of the defenseman.

 

I chose Butler over Myers because Butler has proven what he is capable of at the NHL level. I saw a bit of the Memorial Cup. Myers was a man among boys and just dominated. I think offensively, there is probably more upside to Myers than any other defenseman in the Sabres prospect ranks including Sekera. Defensively, even with his size, I found Myers to be a bit soft in the defensive zone. If he can add some snarl to his game, then I think he'll easily be the best. He's got a great shot, is an excellent skater (especially for someone of his size), and of course has amazing reach, but he needs a bit more of an edge like Chara has for me to say he will become the best. I chose Butler over him because I've seen Butler show a bit of a snarl, he's good defensively, and is rumored to be good offensively even though he did not show it much this past season. I've seen Butler play NHL games, but I haven't seen Myers play NHL games yet. I think Butler is right now better than Sekera and Weber, and I think he could become better than Myers, but it's very tough to say right now.

[darksabre]

I agree with your assessment of Butler, which is why I picked him. He has shown good ability at the NHL level minus some flubs that are to be expected of a rookie. I think this season we'll really see what he is made of and I hope it turns out well, because he seems to have "hockey sense" which is something that I think is the most crucial for a defenseman.

[shrader]

Butler's offensive numbers really weren't all that impressive in Denver. But then again, Matt Carle really fogs the perception of what good numbers were for that team. The goal totals are nice, but I would've expected more assists, especially in the NCAA where the phantom 3rd assists pop up left and right. He's definitely got more offsensive upside than we've seen, but it really is nice to see such a good head on his shoulders as a young pro.

[nfreeman]

I think it will be Butler. I think Butler is a top pair defenseman who will log a ton of ice time. I find him to be very good in the defensive zone and if he can add in the offense, he will be a superstar. Butler apparently manned the powerplay point in college and was apparently very good offensively at DU. He has some pretty good offensive numbers for his college career. So, if he can work on that side of his game at the NHL level, then I think he'll be the best pro hockey player out of the defenseman.

 

I chose Butler over Myers because Butler has proven what he is capable of at the NHL level. I saw a bit of the Memorial Cup. Myers was a man among boys and just dominated. I think offensively, there is probably more upside to Myers than any other defenseman in the Sabres prospect ranks including Sekera. Defensively, even with his size, I found Myers to be a bit soft in the defensive zone. If he can add some snarl to his game, then I think he'll easily be the best. He's got a great shot, is an excellent skater (especially for someone of his size), and of course has amazing reach, but he needs a bit more of an edge like Chara has for me to say he will become the best. I chose Butler over him because I've seen Butler show a bit of a snarl, he's good defensively, and is rumored to be good offensively even though he did not show it much this past season. I've seen Butler play NHL games, but I haven't seen Myers play NHL games yet. I think Butler is right now better than Sekera and Weber, and I think he could become better than Myers, but it's very tough to say right now.

I like Butler too, but I don't recall seeing any snarl. No big hits, no fights, no crease-clearing, no firing in to the scrum in front of Miller. More of an even-keeled, steady, smart defensive player who understands how to get the puck out of the zone. I see him more as a solid 2nd pairing defenseman -- a valuable guy, but not a critical one. I'm hoping Myers becomes a true #1 guy, but of course no one has any idea whether this will happen.

[wonderbread]

Butler's offensive numbers really weren't all that impressive in Denver. But then again, Matt Carle really fogs the perception of what good numbers were for that team. The goal totals are nice, but I would've expected more assists, especially in the NCAA where the phantom 3rd assists pop up left and right. He's definitely got more offsensive upside than we've seen, but it really is nice to see such a good head on his shoulders as a young pro.

 

 

This is the time when Darcy needs to sign him long term.

[BetweenThePipes00]

This is the time when Darcy needs to sign him long term.

Except that he has a contract through 2010-11 and he can't sign an extension until he is in the final year of his deal. So you'll have to wait at least a year on that ...

[wonderbread]

Except that he has a contract through 2010-11 and he can't sign an extension until he is in the final year of his deal. So you'll have to wait at least a year on that ...

 

 

Rules schmules. Chicago does whatever they want. <_<

[That Aud Smell]

i went with butler.

 

i agree with where hockeysfuture.com has myers on its two-tier system: an 8C - plenty of upside, a lot of risk.

 

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/tyler_myers

 

i agree with the sentiment that butler is projecting as a solid, smart, steady #3 d-man (although i have no problem seeing that as a #2). i came of age at a time hen it was fashionable to mock "steady bill hajt" (kids are cruel, and often stupid ... at least, i was) -- but butler's game compares favorably with bill's, i think.

[todzilla]

I really like Butler. I live in Denver and they loved him here. He's really smart and a great student of the game. He knows and respects the history. He may never make the All Star team, but he will be a solid, never hurt you guy for alot of years. That said it seems like Myers has a chance to be special, which is why I voted for him. We could have a real nice top 4 for alot of years with these guys.

[nfreeman]

i agree with the sentiment that butler is projecting as a solid, smart, steady #3 d-man (although i have no problem seeing that as a #2). i came of age at a time hen it was fashionable to mock "steady bill hajt" (kids are cruel, and often stupid ... at least, i was) -- but butler's game compares favorably with bill's, i think.

Hajt was the comparable I was thinking of too. That would be fine, although I'd love to see just a bit more difference-making, either through hitting, skating it out of the zone, blasting it from the point on the PP (and I assume he'll get at least a look there with Spacek gone), or something. But we could certainly live with another Hajt.

[SabresFanInRochester]

I think it will be Butler. I think Butler is a top pair defenseman who will log a ton of ice time. I find him to be very good in the defensive zone and if he can add in the offense, he will be a superstar. Butler apparently manned the powerplay point in college and was apparently very good offensively at DU. He has some pretty good offensive numbers for his college career. So, if he can work on that side of his game at the NHL level, then I think he'll be the best pro hockey player out of the defenseman.

 

I chose Butler over Myers because Butler has proven what he is capable of at the NHL level. I saw a bit of the Memorial Cup. Myers was a man among boys and just dominated. I think offensively, there is probably more upside to Myers than any other defenseman in the Sabres prospect ranks including Sekera. Defensively, even with his size, I found Myers to be a bit soft in the defensive zone. If he can add some snarl to his game, then I think he'll easily be the best. He's got a great shot, is an excellent skater (especially for someone of his size), and of course has amazing reach, but he needs a bit more of an edge like Chara has for me to say he will become the best. I chose Butler over him because I've seen Butler show a bit of a snarl, he's good defensively, and is rumored to be good offensively even though he did not show it much this past season. I've seen Butler play NHL games, but I haven't seen Myers play NHL games yet. I think Butler is right now better than Sekera and Weber, and I think he could become better than Myers, but it's very tough to say right now.

 

I certainly think it will be Myers. And as soon as he picks his NHL number, I will buy his jersey to join my Vanek jersey. (I feel that good about it.) In fact, I was wearing a Vanek jersey before it was cool, because there were Briere, Drury, Miller, and Campbell jerseys to compete with. Let's hope my instinct is right again!

 

I like your comments above and I almost completely agree with your assessment. I think we saw a good part of Butler and so it's easier to see him make the transition to NHL, than someone who has not been at that level before. But, I think Myers will live up to expectations, and that's why I don't completely agree -- he'll be better than Butler.

 

I think that with Myers outplaying everyone last season, he did not have a role model to take after. I would have loved to have seen Spacek stick around and play that role this season. However, if it is grit that Myers needs, maybe that is why Montador was signed. Could that really be why DR signed Montador? Toughen up the big guy? If that's the case, I love the move. If it's just coincidence, hey, whatever works.

[SabresFan526]

Here's a nice article about Butler in the Buffalo News this morning. He plans to watch film this summer and learn the right time to jump into the play and become more of a difference maker offensively. This is what I like to see.

 

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/sabresnh...ory/726892.html

 

I'm going to make the bold prediction that in 5 years, Butler is going to turn into a Norris Candidate because of his skill offensively as well as his sound defensive play that we've already seen. I thought he was smart defensively and made very good clearing passes out of the zone. I felt that because he was a rookie he did not feel comfortable jumping into the play and asserting himself more offensively. If he learns when the right time is to jump into the play and begins to assert himself more on the Buffalo blueline, we are going to have a star here. I honestly see this Buffalo blueline turning into Chicago's blueline of young studs in Butler, Myers, Sekera, and Weber. I'm almost of the opinion that the Sabres should just throw this upcoming year away and just play the kids both on defense and at forward and just see what happens and how this team plays.

[That Aud Smell]

I honestly see this Buffalo blueline turning into Chicago's blueline of young studs in Butler, Myers, Sekera, and Weber. I'm almost of the opinion that the Sabres should just throw this upcoming year away and just play the kids both on defense and at forward and just see what happens and how this team plays.

i'm sure there are those who're more conversant with how chicago's young blueliners came of age (or who have more time to look it all up), but, for my own part, i like the comparison and would support a decision on the sabres' part to take that risk -- either of the 2 most likely outcomes would be fine by me: (i) things pan out and our young d-corps is the toast of the (north)east or (ii) things don't pan out and we end up with a top-5 pick.

[deluca67]

Deluca would love it if Fienhage makes it. I've seen the kid injure more people than the number of games I've seen him play in.

It would be nice to have someone back there that would prevent the nightly running of Sabre goalies.

[inkman]

I've seen the kid injure more people than the number of games I've seen him play in.

Through legal checks?

[shrader]

Through legal checks?

 

Yeah. It's just a shame that he couldn't get more playing time this year. North Dakota was pretty deep on D and had two freshman battling for the last spot. Really, if you have to choose between two big physical defensemen, are you going to dress the guy name Fienhage or the guy named Blood?

[inkman]

...are you going to dress the guy name Fienhage or the guy named Blood?

Is my last name Regier?

[rickshaw]

but he needs a bit more of an edge like Chara has for me to say he will become the best.

 

 

You mean like being in a tussle with another player and while on the ice, pushing on the guy's face as he gets back to his feet???

 

Myers did that against a Vancouver player in the playoffs. I'd say that's pretty nasty, using someone's face as leverage so you can get back to your feet.

[Sabre Dance]

Is my last name Regier?

 

:lol: :lol: :lol: LOL!

[X. Benedict]

Hajt was the comparable I was thinking of too. That would be fine, although I'd love to see just a bit more difference-making, either through hitting, skating it out of the zone, blasting it from the point on the PP (and I assume he'll get at least a look there with Spacek gone), or something. But we could certainly live with another Hajt.

 

I was just thinking that there are times his coolness reminds me of Hajt.

[shrader]

Is my last name Regier?

 

They're both the same size, so Darcy did pick a big physical defenseman. Looking at North Dakota's roster, it looks like he's put on about 20 lbs since being drafted. He's going to get plenty of ice time this year, so it'll be worth keeping an eye on.

[nfreeman]

It would be nice to have someone back there that would prevent the nightly running of Sabre goalies.

Montador will immediately fight anyone who runs Miller. But I'd be happy with another one.

[Stoner]

Montador will immediately fight anyone who runs Miller. But I'd be happy with another one.

 

Isn't that the coach's decision? Ruff has said he prefers the power play.