2013 NHL Entry Draft: Buffalo Sabres Select...

[LGR4GM]

He's a ridiculous talent. If not for the contract issue and the "Russian factor", he'd be a top three pick this year.

 

I know he's said he wants to come over to North America, but it's really tough to gauge his dedication to playing in the NHL. In general I like taking the guys with the most upside, but the Sabres really need to do their homework before drafting this guy. Although this might be a good chance for Pegula to flex his muscles (i.e. his wallet).....

 

 

If the Sabres are never going to bottom out and get a top draft pick, they might have to gamble on high-risk, high-reward guys if they're ever planning on getting top talent.

 

For all we know, Nichushkin and Grigorenko are friends from the WJC and he might like the idea of playing alongside him in the NHL. Putting those two together on a line is really intriguing.

You present a lot of logical points. I'm just really worried about screwing the pooch on this one. I still think he goes to Carolina.

 

I know that Nichushkin is a great talent. I mean he is just draft eligible and is playing in the KHL. Guy is good, but if he wants to stay in Russia and get payed handsomely he can.

 

I still think we need to target Monahan and get him. If not take Shinkaruk or Mantha.

[Trettioåtta]

This is my list of Sabres drafting list, they are ranked in order, which ever available player is highest on the list is my pick

I really want one of these five:

 

1) Jones

2) Barkov

3) MacKinnon

4) Drouin

5) Monahan

 

I would settle for one of these:

6) Lindholm

7) Nichuskin (I would be worried about him and want to talk to Grigo on his thoughts etc. - but obviously the scouting department should know all that)

 

I think these guys would be good, but they just don't excite me like the others do

8) Nurse

9) Shinkaruk

10) Ristolainen

 

I have included ten, incase someone behind us wins the the lottery, or it is decided Nich is too much of a risk

[Robviously]

You present a lot of logical points. I'm just really worried about screwing the pooch on this one. I still think he goes to Carolina.

Fine by me. My top 8 is Jones, Drouin, MacKinnon, Barkov, Lindholm, Monahan, Nurse, and Nichushkin (not in that order). If we get one of them, that's pretty good with me.

 

Of course, we could still win tonight and move down to the 9th overall pick. That's probably what's going to happen just to help snuff out whatever hope we have for the future.

[thewookie1]

If Minnesota is eliminated, how far up in the draft do you think we could move up with the 8/9th overall and the 14th?

 

How high of a pick do think Miller can fetch us?

Targets that may be interested, and we'd be willing to, ahead of us:

Colorado 2

Edmonton 5 (Need a great goalie if they ever hope to move from the bottom)

Calgary 7 (They will be losing their starter, and have 3 1st rounders)

 

 

Hell, I'd part with the 8/9th overall, and St Louis 2nd this year + LA's next year to get in the Top 5.

[LGR4GM]

If Minnesota is eliminated, how far up in the draft do you think we could move up with the 8/9th overall and the 14th?

 

How high of a pick do think Miller can fetch us?

Targets that may be interested, and we'd be willing to, ahead of us:

Colorado 2

Edmonton 5 (Need a great goalie if they ever hope to move from the bottom)

Calgary 7 (They will be losing their starter, and have 3 1st rounders)

 

 

Hell, I'd part with the 8/9th overall, and St Louis 2nd this year + LA's next year to get in the Top 5.

Honestly, I could not tell you what it would take to get into the top 3 but to move from 8th (still think we finish here) to 5/6 may be possible but I am not sure with this years draft class you could get a team to budge for a reasonable offer.

[deluca67]

If Minnesota is eliminated, how far up in the draft do you think we could move up with the 8/9th overall and the 14th?

 

How high of a pick do think Miller can fetch us?

Targets that may be interested, and we'd be willing to, ahead of us:

Colorado 2

Edmonton 5 (Need a great goalie if they ever hope to move from the bottom)

Calgary 7 (They will be losing their starter, and have 3 1st rounders)

 

 

Hell, I'd part with the 8/9th overall, and St Louis 2nd this year + LA's next year to get in the Top 5.

It sucks that the Sabres would have to burn additional assets to move to up. At this point I would be more interested in moving down in the first round and picking up some additional picks than burning multiple picks on one player. The Sabres have too many needs.

[LabattBlue]

It sucks that the Sabres would have to burn additional assets to move to up. At this point I would be more interested in moving down in the first round and picking up some additional picks than burning multiple picks on one player. The Sabres have too many needs.

I would be all in favor of staying where they are at, or a lesser alternative, moving down. I have no interest in moving up, especially knowing that you are not going to be able to move up to the cream of the crop, and even if a top 3 team is dumb enough to trade, it would cost a small fortune.

[Robviously]

Flyers win, so Sabres finish with the 8th worst record in hockey. They have a 3.6% chance of winning the lottery and drafting first overall.

 

They also have an 8.7% chance of being bumped down to the 9th overall pick if one of the no.9-14 teams wins the lottery.

 

Minnesota wins so they're in the playoffs.

[SabresBillsFan]

 

I would be all in favor of staying where they are at, or a lesser alternative, moving down. I have no interest in moving up, especially knowing that you are not going to be able to move up to the cream of the crop, and even if a top 3 team is dumb enough to trade, it would cost a small fortune.

 

Me personally I would save all 4 picks in the first two rounds and grab 4 skilled offensive players with size!

[deluca67]

Me personally I would save all 4 picks in the first two rounds and grab 4 skilled offensive players with size!

This about as solid a strategy as you can have going into the draft. The Sabres have a decent chance at Monahan and/or Gauthier in the first round if they decide center is still the primary need. There is decent size on the back end if they decide to go Ristolainen or Zadorov.

 

Hopefully there are still moves to be made and a few more assets (picks) are thrown into the mix.

[Derrico]

So we know for sure the Sabres are picking 1st, 8th or 9th (obviously very likely to be 8th)

 

If Minni loses to Chicago in the first round the pick will be 15th, 16th or 17th (if my math is correct which is a big assumption lol)

If anyone is hoping for the best possible selection for the Sabres they should be routing for Ottawa to beat Boston tonight.

[TrueBlueGED]

Don't know if anybody else caught this, but last night McKenzie was tweeting that the scouts he surveyed say there's a small dropoff after the top-4 this year and a larger dropoff after the top-7. And we're 8th. Hilarious.

[Robviously]

Don't know if anybody else caught this, but last night McKenzie was tweeting that the scouts he surveyed say there's a small dropoff after the top-4 this year and a larger dropoff after the top-7. And we're 8th. Hilarious.

Of course.

 

I'd like to know where Nichushkin fits into that analysis, though. On pure talent, it seems like he's in that "top 4", but mostly you hear about the big 3 and Barkov there.

 

Assuming we draft 8th (please no lottery shenanigans), the worst case scenario is Nurse, Monahan, or Nichushkin, right? The first two seem like great prospects and the last one is an amazing prospect that will fall because no one is sure about how to get him out of Russia (or if he wants out). I can live with those options. I'd also be thrilled to trade up for Barkov or Lindholm.

[TrueBlueGED]

Of course.

 

I'd like to know where Nichushkin fits into that analysis, though. On pure talent, it seems like he's in that "top 4", but mostly you hear about the big 3 and Barkov there.

 

Assuming we draft 8th (please no lottery shenanigans), the worst case scenario is Nurse, Monahan, or Nichushkin, right? The first two seem like great prospects and the last one is an amazing prospect that will fall because no one is sure about how to get him out of Russia (or if he wants out). I can live with those options. I'd also be thrilled to trade up for Barkov or Lindholm.

 

From what I understand, McKenzie's scouts were factoring in Nichushkin's situation, which is why the steep dropoff happened after 7 instead of 8. I'm with you on the trading up, but I understand it's highly unlikely. If Nichushkin is the last of the top tier talents at 8, I roll the dice and count in Pegula's money to get it done.

[Derrico]

Don't know if anybody else caught this, but last night McKenzie was tweeting that the scouts he surveyed say there's a small dropoff after the top-4 this year and a larger dropoff after the top-7. And we're 8th. Hilarious.

 

Really? Sounds like the Bills lol. I've read some decent variance though between ISS rankings and Central Scouting. So I'm not sure if Bob can really say there is a large dropoff. Who is the top 8 we're talking about? Jones, MacKinnnon, Drouin, Barkov, Nurse (maybe). I don't know if there is a concensus after that. For example ISS has Nikita Zardov ranking as 7th overall and Central Scouting has him as the 22nd overall North American skater (so probably around 25th-30th overall).

[LGR4GM]

Of course.

 

I'd like to know where Nichushkin fits into that analysis, though. On pure talent, it seems like he's in that "top 4", but mostly you hear about the big 3 and Barkov there.

 

Assuming we draft 8th (please no lottery shenanigans), the worst case scenario is Nurse, Monahan, or Nichushkin, right? The first two seem like great prospects and the last one is an amazing prospect that will fall because no one is sure about how to get him out of Russia (or if he wants out). I can live with those options. I'd also be thrilled to trade up for Barkov or Lindholm.

I don't think Monahan is there at 8. I would target Carolina and attempt a trade.

Jones, MacKinnon, Drouin, Barkov - Top 4

Lindholm, Nurse, Monahan, Nichushkins - Next 4

Possible top 8 guys: Shinkaruk, Ristolainen

 

Nikita Zadarov - WildCard.

[Robviously]

I don't think Monahan is there at 8. I would target Carolina and attempt a trade.

Jones, MacKinnon, Drouin, Barkov - Top 4

Lindholm, Nurse, Monahan, Nichushkins - Next 4

Possible top 8 guys: Shinkaruk, Ristolainen

 

Nikita Zadarov - WildCard.

This is pretty much how I see it too. But hopefully things get a little wonky this year the way they did last year (Forsberg falling to 11, Grigorenko falling to 12).

[TrueBlueGED]

Really? Sounds like the Bills lol. I've read some decent variance though between ISS rankings and Central Scouting. So I'm not sure if Bob can really say there is a large dropoff. Who is the top 8 we're talking about? Jones, MacKinnnon, Drouin, Barkov, Nurse (maybe). I don't know if there is a concensus after that. For example ISS has Nikita Zardov ranking as 7th overall and Central Scouting has him as the 22nd overall North American skater (so probably around 25th-30th overall).

 

I believe McKenzie surveys the chief scout for 10 teams, so it might give a better perspective than Central Scouting or ISS. The 7 were Jones, MacKinnon, Drouin, Barkov, Monahan, Nurse, Lindolm. He said after those it was absolutely no consensus on the next tier.

[Robviously]

I believe McKenzie surveys the chief scout for 10 teams, so it might give a better perspective than Central Scouting or ISS. The 7 were Jones, MacKinnon, Drouin, Barkov, Monahan, Nurse, Lindolm. He said after those it was absolutely no consensus on the next tier.

Maybe he asked 10 teams that aren't drafting in the top ten. #hope

[North Buffalo]

Just rooting for Minn to lose today :)

[LGR4GM]

Just rooting for Minn to lose today :)

? :huh:

[Derrico]

I believe McKenzie surveys the chief scout for 10 teams, so it might give a better perspective than Central Scouting or ISS. The 7 were Jones, MacKinnon, Drouin, Barkov, Monahan, Nurse, Lindolm. He said after those it was absolutely no consensus on the next tier.

 

Nice, thanks for the list. I thought Shinkaruk was ranking higher earlier in the year than he is now. Is it the 5 11 size scaring people off. I hope the Sabres draft someone bigger but not only did he have 86 points in 64 games this year but put up almost 50 goals last year and ended up with 91 points in 66 games. That's some serious numbers and in a more legit defensive league. To me those numbers mean alot more than 90 or 95 points in the QMJHL.

[Robviously]

Just rooting for Minn to lose today :)

You'll probably be disappointed.

[26CornerBlitz]

Just rooting for Minn to lose today :)

You'll probably be disappointed.

 

Right on time. :lol:

[North Buffalo]

Sorry, I was a day behind. Yeh, disappointed, oh well. Sabres can't even get that lucky... AtSon's baseball game yesterday, didn't follow hockey. At least he was good, gave up 1 run, struck out 5, hit one, walked one, and gave up one hit... not bad for his first time pitching. PS He is a lefty with a natural breaking ball... In 10 years you never know????