2013 NHL Entry Draft: Buffalo Sabres Select...

[LaFontaineToMogilny]

I'm not sure. I think he is half Russian.

 

 

This is a little too sexy for my tastes.....Like one of those Matrix guys....I couldn't find his hit reel again.

 

He's got dual citizenship, but is born in Finland, works in Finland and plays for the Finnish national team. He has to serve mandatory military service. That said, I am sure he would be able to either serve it as part of his hockey training (professional athletes often just need to do somewhat of a boot camp, and then their regular training and playing becomes their 'service') or he might delay serving until after he has retired from hockey, or he might just not get picked for general conscription all together.

 

This is based on how the Norwegian military handles these types of things, so while there will be some differences I'm pretty sure the system will be very similar.

[Weave]

 

I'm really warming up to Ristolainen if all my favorite forwards are gone by then. His ceiling is a big, franchise defenseman who hits and that's something we haven't had since....?

 

Mike Ramsey. Yeah it has been that long sinse we've drafted a high end defensive talent with physicality.

[LastPommerFan]

Nashville has an internal budget of about $53-55M which they are at (spending, not cap) for next year with 6 players left to sign. Getting Thomas Vanek at $3.2M might be a hell of a sweetener for them. Unlike here, their fans won't suffer through several bad seasons in a row. They need scoring, cheap. 8 + Vanek at half price + a third for the #4 is a real possibility. And I don't think losing the 68th pick and a year of Vanek is too bad to move up to the top 5 this year.

 

Then you package Miller and 16 and a second to Edmonton and move back up to 7. Assuming Edmonton's not on the "list"

[waldo]

Nashville has an internal budget of about $53-55M which they are at (spending, not cap) for next year with 6 players left to sign. Getting Thomas Vanek at $3.2M might be a hell of a sweetener for them. Unlike here, their fans won't suffer through several bad seasons in a row. They need scoring, cheap. 8 + Vanek at half price + a third for the #4 is a real possibility. And I don't think losing the 68th pick and a year of Vanek is too bad to move up to the top 5 this year.

 

Then you package Miller and 16 and a second to Edmonton and move back up to 7. Assuming Edmonton's not on the "list"

 

a top 5 pick for a one year rental, an 8, and 3 mil...?....hmm

[LastPommerFan]

a top 5 pick for a one year rental and 3 mil...?....

 

Moving down four Spots.

[Trettioåtta]

Those are expensive moves. Losing your two MVPs, leaders of the team and the only guys who showed up consistently this season for 13 spots in the draft

 

Jordan Staal got the 8th/great prospect/good young player. So I would expect Vanek to get more than 4 spots in the draft.

 

Before people use the Islander example of trading all their picks to move up two slots. Let's really think what they offered, a 2nd and 3rd to move up from 4th to 2nd in a weak draft, the rest of the picks are throw ins.

[LastPommerFan]

Those are expensive moves. Losing your two MVPs, leaders of the team and the only guys who showed up consistently this season for 13 spots in the draft

 

Jordan Staal got the 8th/great prospect/good young player. So I would expect Vanek to get more than 4 spots in the draft.

 

Before people use the Islander example of trading all their picks to move up two slots. Let's really think what they offered, a 2nd and 3rd to move up from 4th to 2nd in a weak draft, the rest of the picks are throw ins.

 

I'm assuming they won't resign. That we're losingthem anyway.

[deluca67]

Mike Ramsey. Yeah it has been that long sinse we've drafted a high end defensive talent with physicality.

Jay McKee before Mario rang his bell?

[thesportsbuff]

Nashville has an internal budget of about $53-55M which they are at (spending, not cap) for next year with 6 players left to sign. Getting Thomas Vanek at $3.2M might be a hell of a sweetener for them. Unlike here, their fans won't suffer through several bad seasons in a row. They need scoring, cheap. 8 + Vanek at half price + a third for the #4 is a real possibility. And I don't think losing the 68th pick and a year of Vanek is too bad to move up to the top 5 this year.

 

Then you package Miller and 16 and a second to Edmonton and move back up to 7. Assuming Edmonton's not on the "list"

 

Cannot disagree with this more. I'm not trading my team MVP and a Top 10 pick for the #4 -- that's highway robbery! Especially when 4th overall is .. I don't know how to put this without sounding stupid, but #4 isn't #1, 2, or 3. All we've heard about all year is Jones, MacKinnon & Drouin. Yes, there will be several good players still available at #4, but for the price you suggested, we better be getting one of the consensus Top 3.

 

If we're seriously considering trading Vanek for #4, I think it would be something like Vanek & Minnesota's first for #4 and at least one prospect. No salary retained because that's ridiculous to give Nashville a 35-40 goal scorer and still pay his salary. Of course, in this scenario, Vanek would have to either be extended by Buffalo prior to the trade or agree to sign an extension with Nashville prior to the trade.

[LastPommerFan]

Cannot disagree with this more. I'm not trading my team MVP and a Top 10 pick for the #4 -- that's highway robbery! Especially when 4th overall is .. I don't know how to put this without sounding stupid, but #4 isn't #1, 2, or 3. All we've heard about all year is Jones, MacKinnon & Drouin. Yes, there will be several good players still available at #4, but for the price you suggested, we better be getting one of the consensus Top 3.

 

If we're seriously considering trading Vanek for #4, I think it would be something like Vanek & Minnesota's first for #4 and at least one prospect. No salary retained because that's ridiculous to give Nashville a 35-40 goal scorer and still pay his salary. Of course, in this scenario, Vanek would have to either be extended by Buffalo prior to the trade or agree to sign an extension with Nashville prior to the trade.

 

I am assuming Vanek and Miller will not resign before the draft, which will effectively end their tenures in buffalo. You need to trade them for something, and the whole league will know by then that they offer little value to a rebuilding club like the sabres, so their trade value drops significantly.

[Eleven]

I am assuming Vanek and Miller will not resign before the draft, which will effectively end their tenures in buffalo. You need to trade them for something, and the whole league will know by then that they offer little value to a rebuilding club like the sabres, so their trade value drops significantly.

 

They cannot re-sign before the draft, if I remember what chz and Taro have taught me. They must wait until July 1 to re-up.

[Trettioåtta]

I am assuming Vanek and Miller will not resign before the draft, which will effectively end their tenures in buffalo. You need to trade them for something, and the whole league will know by then that they offer little value to a rebuilding club like the sabres, so their trade value drops significantly.

 

I'm not sure it does. The UFA market is non existant this year. The only way to improve is through trades. Not to mention, trading for them would give you a year to convince them to sign, if they refuse, trade them at the deadline and recover 60% of what you paid for them. Plus with Buffalo's deep pockets i'm sure we would happily retain half their salary.

 

A 40 goal scorer for the price of a 3rd liner, even if only for a year, is damn nice

 

They cannot re-sign before the draft, if I remember what chz and Taro have taught me. They must wait until July 1 to re-up.

 

They can have an agreement in place though. If they are not traded, i expect them to be resigned on July 1st

[LastPommerFan]

They cannot re-sign before the draft, if I remember what chz and Taro have taught me. They must wait until July 1 to re-up.

 

Yes, they'll have to wait until then to sign an extension. But they can talk and the contract can be agreed to in principle before that according to Regier on WGR earlier this year.

[SabresBillsFan]

I don't trade Vanek and our 8th pick to move up 4 spots. If I'm trading Vanek it's more like paired with a 2nd round pick to get a number 4. Buffalo would be dumb to try to move up. I highly doubt the first 3 or 4 teams are open to trade unless what your trading is more than what we got from the Wild when we traded Pom's. I think people are underestimating the value that Vanek has. He is at least worth a first rounder, a solid prospect and player..

[WildCard]

Anyone else thinking the Islanders could use a nice goaltender right about now? Nabokov has let in some softies tonight. Send'm Miller and get back their 1st and Strome? Deal contentious on a resigning? Maybe we have to sweeten the deal with a d-man? Sekera?

 

http://islanderspoin...k.com/news/read-niagara-icedogs-coach-on-ryan-strome/

 

Seems like he has solid point production, and for some sources to say he was better than Dougie Hamilton, who's played pretty well for the Bruins, nice praise. Only 19, adds more depth at center, anyone else know more about him?

 

Screw it, I'm gonna add more to this cause I like it so much. Miller and Sekera (insert almost any other d-man besides Myers here) and a 5th for Strome and their 1st. Gives them the solid goaltender they need as well as the help on d they need. Their goal-tending situation is pretty obvious, but here are the stats on their d.

 

 

D MARK STREIT 48 6 21 27 -14 22 3 0 1 83 7.2 4.1 UFA

D LUBOMIR VISNOVSKY 35 3 11 14 12 20 1 0 0 69 4.3 5.6

D ANDREW MACDONALD 48 3 9 12 -2 20 1 0 1 45 6.7 550k

D TRAVIS HAMONIC 48 3 7 10 -8 28 1 0 1 83 3.6 875k RFA

D BRIAN STRAIT 19 0 4 4 4 10 0 0 0 13 0 775k

D THOMAS HICKEY 39 1 3 4 9 8 0 0 1 40 2.5 700k RFA

D RADEK MARTINEK 13 3 0 3 -2 4 0 0 1 12 25 750k UFA

D MATT CARKNER 22 0 2 2 -2 46 0 0 0 19 0 1.5

D JOE FINLEY 16 0 1 1 -5 20 0 0 0 2 0 537k

GP Goals Assists Points +/- PIM PP SH GW S S% Cap

 

 

 

Some pretty poor +/-'s. I'm assuming they don't resign Streit freeing up 4.1, and the rest don't put up great numbers. I haven't watched them much I'll admit, but they are certainly better offensively (d-wise) than the Sabres are, so maybe they want a Weber type player? OTHO, if they don't resign Streit I'm sure Ehroff will look pretty nice to them. Though Ehroff and Miller would certainly fetch more than Strome and a 1st.

 

It was in excel format, but it pasted weirdly. Then I tried to space it in here, and that didn't translate either. So you all get colors :P

Had this in the playoff thread, but it seems more appropriate here.

[SabresBillsFan]

Anyone else thinking the Islanders could use a nice goaltender right about now? Nabokov has let in some softies tonight. Send'm Miller and get back their 1st and Strome? Deal contentious on a resigning? Maybe we have to sweeten the deal with a d-man? Sekera?

 

http://islanderspoin...k.com/news/read-niagara-icedogs-coach-on-ryan-strome/

 

Seems like he has solid point production, and for some sources to say he was better than Dougie Hamilton, who's played pretty well for the Bruins, nice praise. Only 19, adds more depth at center, anyone else know more about him?

 

Screw it, I'm gonna add more to this cause I like it so much. Miller and Sekera (insert almost any other d-man besides Myers here) and a 5th for Strome and their 1st. Gives them the solid goaltender they need as well as the help on d they need. Their goal-tending situation is pretty obvious, but here are the stats on their d.

 

 

D MARK STREIT 48 6 21 27 -14 22 3 0 1 83 7.2 4.1 UFA

D LUBOMIR VISNOVSKY 35 3 11 14 12 20 1 0 0 69 4.3 5.6

D ANDREW MACDONALD 48 3 9 12 -2 20 1 0 1 45 6.7 550k

D TRAVIS HAMONIC 48 3 7 10 -8 28 1 0 1 83 3.6 875k RFA

D BRIAN STRAIT 19 0 4 4 4 10 0 0 0 13 0 775k

D THOMAS HICKEY 39 1 3 4 9 8 0 0 1 40 2.5 700k RFA

D RADEK MARTINEK 13 3 0 3 -2 4 0 0 1 12 25 750k UFA

D MATT CARKNER 22 0 2 2 -2 46 0 0 0 19 0 1.5

D JOE FINLEY 16 0 1 1 -5 20 0 0 0 2 0 537k

GP Goals Assists Points +/- PIM PP SH GW S S% Cap

 

 

 

Some pretty poor +/-'s. I'm assuming they don't resign Streit freeing up 4.1, and the rest don't put up great numbers. I haven't watched them much I'll admit, but they are certainly better offensively (d-wise) than the Sabres are, so maybe they want a Weber type player? OTHO, if they don't resign Streit I'm sure Ehroff will look pretty nice to them. Though Ehroff and Miller would certainly fetch more than Strome and a 1st.

 

It was in excel format, but it pasted weirdly. Then I tried to space it in here, and that didn't translate either. So you all get colors :P

Had this in the playoff thread, but it seems more appropriate here.

 

You remember the Islanders already have made a trade for Tim Thomas. I don't see the Miller going to the Islanders.

[WildCard]

You remember the Islanders already have made a trade for Tim Thomas. I don't see the Miller going to the Islanders.

All $5 million of his wasted cap space and his UFA status next season?

http://capgeek.com/player/236

 

I did read they can "toll' his contract another year to next season, but that still makes him pricey and older.

"Or the Islanders could toll Thomas’s contract forward another year. Thomas would then owe the Islanders a year of service in 2013-14. Nabokov will be an unrestricted free agent after this season."

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/02/08/tim-thomas-traded-islanders/JsjGy8VrdCaOgqW4PnvzfP/story.html

[Robviously]

You remember the Islanders already have made a trade for Tim Thomas. I don't see the Miller going to the Islanders.

They traded for Thomas to hit the minimum salary cap (and because they wouldn't have to pay him).

 

Anyone else thinking the Islanders could use a nice goaltender right about now? Nabokov has let in some softies tonight. Send'm Miller and get back their 1st and Strome? Deal contentious on a resigning? Maybe we have to sweeten the deal with a d-man? Sekera?

 

http://islanderspoin...k.com/news/read-niagara-icedogs-coach-on-ryan-strome/

 

Seems like he has solid point production, and for some sources to say he was better than Dougie Hamilton, who's played pretty well for the Bruins, nice praise. Only 19, adds more depth at center, anyone else know more about him?

 

Screw it, I'm gonna add more to this cause I like it so much. Miller and Sekera (insert almost any other d-man besides Myers here) and a 5th for Strome and their 1st. Gives them the solid goaltender they need as well as the help on d they need. Their goal-tending situation is pretty obvious, but here are the stats on their d.

 

 

D MARK STREIT 48 6 21 27 -14 22 3 0 1 83 7.2 4.1 UFA

D LUBOMIR VISNOVSKY 35 3 11 14 12 20 1 0 0 69 4.3 5.6

D ANDREW MACDONALD 48 3 9 12 -2 20 1 0 1 45 6.7 550k

D TRAVIS HAMONIC 48 3 7 10 -8 28 1 0 1 83 3.6 875k RFA

D BRIAN STRAIT 19 0 4 4 4 10 0 0 0 13 0 775k

D THOMAS HICKEY 39 1 3 4 9 8 0 0 1 40 2.5 700k RFA

D RADEK MARTINEK 13 3 0 3 -2 4 0 0 1 12 25 750k UFA

D MATT CARKNER 22 0 2 2 -2 46 0 0 0 19 0 1.5

D JOE FINLEY 16 0 1 1 -5 20 0 0 0 2 0 537k

GP Goals Assists Points +/- PIM PP SH GW S S% Cap

 

 

 

Some pretty poor +/-'s. I'm assuming they don't resign Streit freeing up 4.1, and the rest don't put up great numbers. I haven't watched them much I'll admit, but they are certainly better offensively (d-wise) than the Sabres are, so maybe they want a Weber type player? OTHO, if they don't resign Streit I'm sure Ehroff will look pretty nice to them. Though Ehroff and Miller would certainly fetch more than Strome and a 1st.

 

It was in excel format, but it pasted weirdly. Then I tried to space it in here, and that didn't translate either. So you all get colors :P

Had this in the playoff thread, but it seems more appropriate here.

Yes. I suggested this in another thread (last week?). The Islanders are on their way up, could use a goaltender starting next season, and could benefit from having another "name" player in the fold for their big move to Brooklyn (hopefully after next season if their owner has his way).

 

If we could get Strome or Reinhart from them, it would be huge for our rebuild.

 

It also makes sense for Miller. He'd be joining a playoff team, going to a bigger market, and moving to a city where his wife could presumably work (or at least have an easier time flying back and forth).

[WildCard]

They traded for Thomas to hit the minimum salary cap (and because they wouldn't have to pay him).

 

 

Yes. I suggested this in another thread (last week?). The Islanders are on their way up, could use a goaltender starting next season, and could benefit from having another "name" player in the fold for their big move to Brooklyn (hopefully after next season if their owner has his way).

 

If we could get Strome or Reinhart from them, it would be huge for our rebuild.

 

It also makes sense for Miller. He'd be joining a playoff team, going to a bigger market, and moving to a city where his wife could presumably work (or at least have an easier time flying back and forth).

Yeah I had it in my Tom Webster prediction because I was looking for an up-and-coming contender with shaky goal-tending to move Miller to and then I read someone's (yours maybe?) suggestion on Strome and looked him up. I can't imagine a better team for Miller to go to than the Islanders honestly. \

 

And potentially 3 1st round picks to start a rebuild?!?! Talk about a dream scenario

[Robviously]

Yeah I had it in my Tom Webster prediction because I was looking for an up-and-coming contender with shaky goal-tending to move Miller to and then I read someone's (yours maybe?) suggestion on Strome and looked him up. I can't imagine a better team for Miller to go to than the Islanders honestly. \

 

And potentially 3 1st round picks to start a rebuild?!?! Talk about a dream scenario

It would be three first round picks in a draft purported to be loaded with talent. :)

 

Whatever else happens, the Sabres need to be active and get things done on draft day this year.

[dudacek]

Is Barkov a franchise talent, who just happens to be behind three other franchise talents?

Would he have been battling Yakupov for number one last year?

If so, then I am willing to move Vanek or Miller in order to get him.

[thesportsbuff]

Is Barkov a franchise talent, who just happens to be behind three other franchise talents?

Would he have been battling Yakupov for number one last year?

If so, then I am willing to move Vanek or Miller in order to get him.

 

I can't answer this, as I simply don't know enough about these draft prospects. But the media hype seems to have focused solely on the "big three," which is why I'd be weary of overpaying. But, more important in my thought process from my last post, is that trading Vanek means the rebuild is on. We're not gonna compete next year without Vanek, and we're not going to sign any big name free agents if they just saw us trade away our only "top tier" player. So if we're selling out and going into full-fledged rebuild mode, I'd do whatever I can to keep two picks in the Top 10 -- if Nashville doesn't do it without our #8 involved, we keep Vanek.

 

But, to be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if Vanek alone was enough for #4. If the Goose was worth #20-something to them, Vanek is surely worth a Top 5. Lol.

[SabresBillsFan]

 

 

I can't answer this, as I simply don't know enough about these draft prospects. But the media hype seems to have focused solely on the "big three," which is why I'd be weary of overpaying. But, more important in my thought process from my last post, is that trading Vanek means the rebuild is on. We're not gonna compete next year without Vanek, and we're not going to sign any big name free agents if they just saw us trade away our only "top tier" player. So if we're selling out and going into full-fledged rebuild mode, I'd do whatever I can to keep two picks in the Top 10 -- if Nashville doesn't do it without our #8 involved, we keep Vanek.

 

But, to be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if Vanek alone was enough for #4. If the Goose was worth #20-something to them, Vanek is surely worth a Top 5. Lol.

 

I agree about Vanek I think people are really undervaluing what kind of pick/ prospect he would he bring. I know he's 28 or 29 and yes he making good money but goal scorers like him are a premium. If this guy had a great center that was passing him the puck he would be right up there in goals with Ovi and Stamkos. I would not trade Vanek unless the return is just as much or more than we got for Pom's.

[LastPommerFan]

I can't answer this, as I simply don't know enough about these draft prospects. But the media hype seems to have focused solely on the "big three," which is why I'd be weary of overpaying. But, more important in my thought process from my last post, is that trading Vanek means the rebuild is on. We're not gonna compete next year without Vanek, and we're not going to sign any big name free agents if they just saw us trade away our only "top tier" player. So if we're selling out and going into full-fledged rebuild mode, I'd do whatever I can to keep two picks in the Top 10 -- if Nashville doesn't do it without our #8 involved, we keep Vanek.

 

But, to be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if Vanek alone was enough for #4. If the Goose was worth #20-something to them, Vanek is surely worth a Top 5. Lol.

 

Vanek's value is probably somewhere between here and what I wrote. Yes, he is top level scoring talent, but there is a reality of his contract. The only guarantee a trade partner would get at the draft is 1 year of Vanek. It's one thing when you're already in the playoffs and trading a late pick for a better chance to advance, it's entirely different when your trading franchise talent (Top 10 Pick) for what may amount to 1 year and 40 goals. That's why I think they will need #8 back in the deal.

[BuffaloSoldier2010]

Nashville has an internal budget of about $53-55M which they are at (spending, not cap) for next year with 6 players left to sign. Getting Thomas Vanek at $3.2M might be a hell of a sweetener for them. Unlike here, their fans won't suffer through several bad seasons in a row. They need scoring, cheap. 8 + Vanek at half price + a third for the #4 is a real possibility. And I don't think losing the 68th pick and a year of Vanek is too bad to move up to the top 5 this year.

 

Then you package Miller and 16 and a second to Edmonton and move back up to 7. Assuming Edmonton's not on the "list"

 

I actually kind of like this idea, because then you almost certainly suck to a top 5 position next year. Play your cards right and you will have a high skill young team that will theoretically have players peaking around the same time.

 

It would certainly make next year a painful experience to watch though.

 

But for the kids,

 

You take Barkov and say nurse or ristolainen at 4 and 7 respectively,then go in on a winger like nick Ritchie next year, in a few years your roster could be something like

 

Ennis hodgson armia

Ott grigorenko Ritchie

Barkov girgensons larrson

Foligno Flynn Tropp

 

Myers nurse

Erhoff pysyk

Weber McCabe

 

Enroth

Leggio

Hackett

 

 

Obviously factoring in future draft picks more than a few months out is a total crap shoot. But I think a young team like that really sucks for a few years but with early signs from guys like girgensons foligno and larrson, if we can make that kind of work ethic part of the culture again, we could reclaim the title f hardest working team in hockey, and we might even be scary good.