Who should the Sabres Draft in the first and second round?

[North Buffalo]

NHL Draft Prospects

 

I listed this in a previous thread but think it deserves its own. The Sabres have the 11th overall and Nashville's number 1 whereever they finish up.

 

The obvious need is center, but they also need a scorer or two. Can the Sabres achieve finding such a player in this draft, do they need to move up or bundle the pics for a player.

 

Who the Sabres should trade for should be left to the other discussion. This discussion should be based on who is available in this draft.

 

P.S. The Lottery is coming up on April 10 where the Sabres could move up 4 spots, unlikely, but you never know.

 

There does appear to be a number of centers available in this year's draft, but are any able to step right in outside of the top 3-4 prospects?

[Eleven]

I think they should trade the picks. I won't say for whom, and I will leave that to another discussion as you ask. But that's how I'd use the picks, which I suppose is your question.

 

If not, it's tough to say: there are only two Cs in the top 20 as of the latest ranking: http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=61251

 

We also have no idea what picks the Sabres will have.

 

One thing I think they need to address, though, is G, unless they think that Enroth will bloom or the monster from Miami can play at the NHL level. By the time a kid drafted this year is 23, Miller will be 35.

[North Buffalo]

I think they should trade the picks. I won't say for whom, and I will leave that to another discussion as you ask. But that's how I'd use the picks, which I suppose is your question.

 

If not, it's tough to say: there are only two Cs in the top 20 as of the latest ranking: http://www.tsn.ca/dr...ature/?id=61251

 

We also have no idea what picks the Sabres will have.

 

One thing I think they need to address, though, is G, unless they think that Enroth will bloom or the monster from Miami can play at the NHL level. By the time a kid drafted this year is 23, Miller will be 35.

 

I just did a search of Sabres prospects and they had some good things to say about goalies in the Sabres system. Any shot one of these guys fills that need?

 

Sabres Prospects:

 

Also weird they have Matteau as a LW but on NHL's website he is listed as a center... which is it and GRIGORENKO is listed as RW but Center on NHL's website. :blink:

[Ross Rhea]

For all the harsh criticism Darcy has received throughout the years, I do think he has done a really good job of drafting.

[JWell]

trade all 4 of the top 2 round picks and move up. get one of the top prospects

[Wyldnwoody44]

trade all 4 of the top 2 round picks and move up. get one of the top prospects

Id be willing to do this, I think we have a decent pipeline and its time to game all our picks and go for a shark in the water.

 

After this season my impression of darcy has improved, just a bit tho. Enough for 1 more season. Ruff tho..........????

[bunomatic]

I think they should trade the picks. I won't say for whom, and I will leave that to another discussion as you ask. But that's how I'd use the picks, which I suppose is your question.

 

If not, it's tough to say: there are only two Cs in the top 20 as of the latest ranking: http://www.tsn.ca/dr...ature/?id=61251

 

We also have no idea what picks the Sabres will have.

 

One thing I think they need to address, though, is G, unless they think that Enroth will bloom or the monster from Miami can play at the NHL level. By the time a kid drafted this year is 23, Miller will be 35.

 

They just signed Connor Knapp. Maybe he fills that roll. I'm not sure if he's even ready ?

[TrueBlueGED]

Apparently even a thread on which prospect the Sabres should draft can't escape the "fire Ruff" bandwagon. Lovely.

 

On topic, unless we use our picks to package for a current player....I want to move up to the requisite position to draft Galchenyuk. From what I've read he already has an NHL-ready game defensively, and offensively he's got the total package. He may not have the offensive upside of Grigorenko, but I've heard none of the work ethic concerns with him, and I like that he has all-around game. If his ACL checks out, I'd be fine with him playing in the NHL next season. If we can't get him, next up is Radek Faksa who probably projects to be a David Backes-type player (obviously assuming he reaches his potential), and I don't think we'd have to trade up far, if at all, to get him. Those are my targets.

[thesportsbuff]

I don't think drafting a center is really our priority anymore unless we get one of the top two. But with Ennis emerging as probably the best center we've seen in blue & gold since 2007 and the addition of Hodgson who still projects to be a top-six center, we already have two promising young centers in our Top 6, PLUS Roy, who is still a capable center especially in a 2nd/3rd line role.

 

So I don't know. If there's a reasonable deal to move into the Top 3 and draft Galchenyuk or Grigorenko, I guess I'd do it, but otherwise I'd have to consider moving picks and bodies for a Dustin Brown or perhaps another borderline star player who might be available.

[TheChimp]

Vanek and Miller plus all our picks for Nail and Grigorenko. :D

[Randall Flagg]

Vanek and Miller plus all our picks for Nail and Grigorenko. :D

Thinking outside of the box, I like it.

[Two or less]

We won't get a center because we screwed our draft position by too much. Can't draft a center only because we need a center. I would go with defense, unless Galchenyuk drops a bit, which seems possible. If so, my dream draft (top 4 picks) would be -

 

1a- Alex Galchenyuk - C (Could be a game changing type player if he recovers from injury. Risk pick, high reward)

1b- Colton Sissons - RW (ALL HEART player, A Ryan Callahan type, future captain?)

2a- Henrik Samuelsson - RW (Hard hitter, hard worker. Kaleta with skill)

2b- Phillip Di Giuseppe - LW (A poor-man's Jason Pominville)

[Punch]

We won't get a center because we screwed our draft position by too much. Can't draft a center only because we need a center. I would go with defense, unless Galchenyuk drops a bit, which seems possible. If so, my dream draft (top 4 picks) would be -

 

1a- Alex Galchenyuk - C (Could be a game changing type player if he recovers from injury. Risk pick, high reward)

1b- Colton Sissons - RW (ALL HEART player, A Ryan Callahan type, future captain?)

2a- Henrik Samuelsson - RW (Hard hitter, hard worker. Kaleta with skill)

2b- Phillip Di Giuseppe - LW (A poor-man's Jason Pominville)

 

Galchenyuk is rated mid first round by NHL scouring, likely due to injury risk. I doubt he actually drops that far, but if he does and we hold onto the pick I'll be happy.

[TheChimp]

Anyone think we could dump Leino if we packaged him and #25 pick for like a mustard packet?

[Robviously]

For what it's worth, this is the draft site that correctly predicted the Sabres taking Joel Armia in the first round last year: http://www.mynhldraft.com/NHL-Mock-Draft/

 

And here's a 7 round mock: http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2012/

 

If I'm using the draft picks (and not trading up or down), I'm praying that Brendan Gaunce is still there when we draft first. He's a big center from Ontario and every scouting report raves about his character and work ethic. http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=128003

 

I'd use the second 1st round pick on Henrik Samuelsson (Ulf's son). He's a big, power forward who hits and gets under people's skin. http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=130984

 

2nd Round: I like Emil Lundberg -- big, physical winger from Sweden. http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/player/emil-lundberg/17141/ There's also Adam Pelech: http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/player/adam-pelech/17659/

 

I'd love for the Sabres to trade up and get Filip Forsberg. He's a LW (not a center) but he's the best combination of high upside and low risk as far as I can tell. I don't know what to think of Galchenyuk's knee and Grigorenko already has red flags for being lazy. Yakupov is small and we aren't going to be able to trade up for the first overall pick anyway.

 

These are my thoughts as a guy who reads a lot of draft guides but, admittedly, has never seen most of these guys play a single game.

[X. Benedict]

There looks to be a ton of value in the second and third rounds this year.

 

I expect the first round to be D heavy. D is loaded but not an outstanding Buffalo need at the moment.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if Darcy packages the two first round picks for a player, and gets a 2nd or 3rd round pick coming back.

[darksabre]

There looks to be a ton of value in the second and third rounds this year.

 

I expect the first round to be D heavy. D is loaded but not an outstanding Buffalo need at the moment.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if Darcy packages the two first round picks for a player, and gets a 2nd or 3rd round pick coming back.

 

I agree with this assessment.

[TrueBlueGED]

I don't think drafting a center is really our priority anymore unless we get one of the top two. But with Ennis emerging as probably the best center we've seen in blue & gold since 2007 and the addition of Hodgson who still projects to be a top-six center, we already have two promising young centers in our Top 6, PLUS Roy, who is still a capable center especially in a 2nd/3rd line role.

 

So I don't know. If there's a reasonable deal to move into the Top 3 and draft Galchenyuk or Grigorenko, I guess I'd do it, but otherwise I'd have to consider moving picks and bodies for a Dustin Brown or perhaps another borderline star player who might be available.

 

I still would like a center, presuming we ship off Roy, whom I still believe we can get a 1st for. If we do so, that's 3 first round picks and 2 seconds....we could hypothetically have enough ammunition to trade up for Galchenyuk and still go after a guy like Dustin Brown (who is my #1 trade target if he's actually available...yes, I want him more than Nash). I'm not worried about Galchenyuk's knee....I can't remember the last guy who failed to come back from an ACL injury in any sport. Yes, I think it's fully possible we could have the ammunition to get both a top 5 draft pick and Dustin Brown, just have to get creative. Take a look at how Burke ended up with both the Sedins in Vancouver...it took a lot of doing, but it got done.

 

For what it's worth, this is the draft site that correctly predicted the Sabres taking Joel Armia in the first round last year: http://www.mynhldraf...NHL-Mock-Draft/

 

And here's a 7 round mock: http://www.draftsite...ock-draft/2012/

 

If I'm using the draft picks (and not trading up or down), I'm praying that Brendan Gaunce is still there when we draft first. He's a big center from Ontario and every scouting report raves about his character and work ethic. http://www.hockeydb.....php?pid=128003

 

I'd use the second 1st round pick on Henrik Samuelsson (Ulf's son). He's a big, power forward who hits and gets under people's skin. http://www.hockeydb.....php?pid=130984

 

2nd Round: I like Emil Lundberg -- big, physical winger from Sweden. http://www.draftsite...lundberg/17141/ There's also Adam Pelech: http://www.draftsite...m-pelech/17659/

 

I'd love for the Sabres to trade up and get Filip Forsberg. He's a LW (not a center) but he's the best combination of high upside and low risk as far as I can tell. I don't know what to think of Galchenyuk's knee and Grigorenko already has red flags for being lazy. Yakupov is small and we aren't going to be able to trade up for the first overall pick anyway.

 

These are my thoughts as a guy who reads a lot of draft guides but, admittedly, has never seen most of these guys play a single game.

 

We're in the same boat with that...as I imagine most are as well. I'm not at all opposed to drafting a winger if he's the best we can get. Above all else I think the team needs a serious injection of offensive talent, which is why I'm keen on trading up.

[calti]

I think they should trade the picks. I won't say for whom, and I will leave that to another discussion as you ask. But that's how I'd use the picks, which I suppose is your question.

 

If not, it's tough to say: there are only two Cs in the top 20 as of the latest ranking: http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=61251

 

We also have no idea what picks the Sabres will have.

 

One thing I think they need to address, though, is G, unless they think that Enroth will bloom or the monster from Miami can play at the NHL level. By the time a kid drafted this year is 23, Miller will be 35.

 

skinny goalies are still in their prime at 35.-we need more offensive talent.

[deluca67]

I remember a few people saying this isn't a particularly strong draft. If that is the case, I would like the Sabres to do what "the Hoodie" likes to do and trade down and accumulate additional picks in future years.

[TrueBlueGED]

I remember a few people saying this isn't a particularly strong draft. If that is the case, I would like the Sabres to do what "the Hoodie" likes to do and trade down and accumulate additional picks in future years.

 

It's definitely not a particularly strong draft for forwards...as Robviously said, the 1st round is set to be very D heavy. I have read that the draft is quite deep though, and there should be good value beyond round 1.

[Eleven]

There looks to be a ton of value in the second and third rounds this year.

 

I expect the first round to be D heavy. D is loaded but not an outstanding Buffalo need at the moment.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if Darcy packages the two first round picks for a player, and gets a 2nd or 3rd round pick coming back.

I agree with this assessment.

 

I would be thrilled.

[papazoid]

the sabres pick 12th, right after the washington capitals......that OTL vs boston, cost us one spot.

 

http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=11410

[North Buffalo]

The more I read the more I think the Sabres should move up to take Grigorenko by dumping Roy and then later on back it up with another center in Stephan Matteau another big guy. Even if he ends up playing wing, the guy can score and he plays with an edge and you can't teach genetics a la Folignos. Since D is strong, I say the Sabres take one in between.

[North Buffalo]

On as side note, the Sabres took a flyer in the seventh round drafting a senior high schooler from Minnesota last year who played for Wisconsin this year. He was drafted as a 6'2" 167 lbs center. He is now listed on Wisconsin's website as 6'3' 195! Brad Navin apparently has some work to do because he struggled this year, but someone the Sabres should keep and eye as he matures and grows.