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2013 NHL Entry Draft: Buffalo Sabres Select...


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Jones or MacKinnon  

127 members have voted

  1. 1. Which would you draft given the 1st overall pick?

    • Seth Jones
      18
    • Nathan MacKinnon
      68
    • Jonathan Drouin
      22
  2. 2. Who do you think the Sabres should draft at #8 overall?

    • Sean Monahan
      10
    • Elias Lindholm
      7
    • Valeri Nichushkin
      10
    • Ristolainen/Nurse/Zadarov/Other defender
      0
    • Zach Fucale
      2
    • Other, please post name
      5


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Posted

In my mind I look at talent like this:

A) 1st Ballot Hall of Fame (Crosby, Datsyuk, Stamkos, and Ovechkin when he wants to be)

B) All Star/Borderline HoF (Zetterberg, Teows, guys who are amazing but not at the above tier)

C) Average 1st liner/Occasional All Star (Jason Pominville type)

D) Top End 2nd liner (David Krejci, Joe Pavelski, guys who could log 1st line minutes but will excel on the 2nd line)

E) Average 2nd liner (A lot of guys fall into this but you know the types, Derek Roy, Danius Zubrus, guys who are solid on the 2nd line)

F) Top End 3rd liner (Ott, Cleary, anyone who could be on the 2nd but on a legit team should hold down the 3rd line.)

G) Average 3rd liner (Shaw, guys who are players but sure only be up on the 2nd line in time of major injuries)

H) Top End 4th liner (Goose, Prust, Holmstrom guys who can play the shutdown role but lack that bit of skill/soft hands to stay here)

I) 4th liners (everyone else who can play in the NHL because there is a big drop off once you get down to here in my mind.

 

Otherwise i agree

Posted

 

I don't think he will be available, he has shown a lot in the postseason from what I have seen. Like I said if NJD passes than Phoenix and Winnipeg are good bets for Horvat.

 

Oh, I absolutely agree. I would be happy if we take him at eight.

He is exactly what we need and number six overall on my list. ( I have my doubts about Nichushkin.)

Posted

Oh, I absolutely agree. I would be happy if we take him at eight.

He is exactly what we need and number six overall on my list. ( I have my doubts about Nichushkin.)

what does your list look like? I do not have him at 6th not even just among forwards.

 

O and in this draft I would not be happy with Horvat at 8th overall.

Posted

Well since there was some questions/comments on the possible 16th overall selection for Buffalo I am going to profile 4 players (13, 14, 15 ,16) that could fall to Buffalo at 16. Note that these are based off my internal ranking of the prospect and not on my Mock Draft in which I shifted some things around. I will include height/weight because that has been mentioned a lot. Also I will note how they shoot with the acronym L/R hs (handed shot).

 

13) Hunter Shinkaruk, Lhs – 5’11” 175lbs

- With 86pts in 64 games in the WHL, Shinkaruk is above average skater with excellent hands and vision. The thing that makes me the most excited about him is that he has more than 1 weapon. Fast and shifty on his skates he also is noted by just about every review and in every video you can see it, for a deceptive and quick wrist shot that has some mustard on it. So what are this kid’s downsides? Well he is not a physical player and he is not going to beat and bang with opponents. IMPO his skillset far offsets is lack of physicality and don’t suffer from the illusion he won’t compete hard on every shift.

 

14) Max Domi, Lhs – 5’10” 184lbs

- With 87pts in 64 games in the OHL, Domi is an excellent skater but he also is an excellent shot and somewhat of an agitator. Not afraid to mix it up anywhere or at any time, he has no problem engaging with opponents that are physically stronger. Considered to have a very strong and solid lower body, he excels at cycling the puck and is unafraid to dig it out of corners. He is sound defensively and has a good work ethic at both ends of the ice. He looks like Steve Ott with a lot more skill. So don’t let his height scare you off, he is good and from what I have seen on the highlight reel, this kid doesn’t need 2” more of height to be effective.

 

15) Alexander Wennberg, Lhs – 6’1” 190lbs

- With 32pts in 46 games in the Swedish Allsvenskan League and poised to play in the Swedish Elite League this upcoming season, Wennberg is probably one of the best skaters both in terms of speed and agility in this draft class. He could skate and stickhandle his way in a crowded phone booth then drop off a nice pass to a teammate for the goal. His main lacking feature is that he does not possess a dangerous/accurate shot. He is a playmaking pivot who will control the game with his skating and his puckhandling. His defensive game is also highly developed and good do in part to how smart he is at reading plays. With some added strength and some work on his shooting this guy predicts out to be a very solid 2 way center.

 

16) Anthony Mantha, Lhs - 6’4” 203lbs

- With 89pts in 67 games in the QMJHL, Mantha has a lot of good things going for him outside of his size. His shot is really good and strong and he can unload a good wrister. His skating for someone his height is surprisingly good. This helps him blow past defenders but also helps him in board battles to keep his balance. He is not afraid to be physical and enjoys digging the puck out of corners. The main critique it seems is his defensive game which is not surprising given that the Q is not known for being a heavy backchecking league. It is something to note that he does occasionally puck watch. Some reports question his effort which is a red flag to me but he is potentially a power forward in the making.

Posted

I'm not even sure why I remember this name, but is that Moe Mantha's kid?

He is not related to Moe Mantha. He is however related to Andre Pronovost and is also the grand-nephew of Marcel Pronovost, a Hockey Hall of Famer

Posted

He is not related to Moe Mantha. He is however related to Andre Pronovost and is also the grand-nephew of Marcel Pronovost, a Hockey Hall of Famer

 

 

Marcel Pronovost was at least an interim coach for teh Sabres as well.

Posted

Well since there was some questions/comments on the possible 16th overall selection for Buffalo I am going to profile 4 players (13, 14, 15 ,16) that could fall to Buffalo at 16. Note that these are based off my internal ranking of the prospect and not on my Mock Draft in which I shifted some things around. I will include height/weight because that has been mentioned a lot. Also I will note how they shoot with the acronym L/R hs (handed shot).

 

13) Hunter Shinkaruk, Lhs – 5’11” 175lbs

- With 86pts in 64 games in the WHL, Shinkaruk is above average skater with excellent hands and vision. The thing that makes me the most excited about him is that he has more than 1 weapon. Fast and shifty on his skates he also is noted by just about every review and in every video you can see it, for a deceptive and quick wrist shot that has some mustard on it. So what are this kid’s downsides? Well he is not a physical player and he is not going to beat and bang with opponents. IMPO his skillset far offsets is lack of physicality and don’t suffer from the illusion he won’t compete hard on every shift.

 

14) Max Domi, Lhs – 5’10” 184lbs

- With 87pts in 64 games in the OHL, Domi is an excellent skater but he also is an excellent shot and somewhat of an agitator. Not afraid to mix it up anywhere or at any time, he has no problem engaging with opponents that are physically stronger. Considered to have a very strong and solid lower body, he excels at cycling the puck and is unafraid to dig it out of corners. He is sound defensively and has a good work ethic at both ends of the ice. He looks like Steve Ott with a lot more skill. So don’t let his height scare you off, he is good and from what I have seen on the highlight reel, this kid doesn’t need 2” more of height to be effective.

 

15) Alexander Wennberg, Lhs – 6’1” 190lbs

- With 32pts in 46 games in the Swedish Allsvenskan League and poised to play in the Swedish Elite League this upcoming season, Wennberg is probably one of the best skaters both in terms of speed and agility in this draft class. He could skate and stickhandle his way in a crowded phone booth then drop off a nice pass to a teammate for the goal. His main lacking feature is that he does not possess a dangerous/accurate shot. He is a playmaking pivot who will control the game with his skating and his puckhandling. His defensive game is also highly developed and good do in part to how smart he is at reading plays. With some added strength and some work on his shooting this guy predicts out to be a very solid 2 way center.

 

16) Anthony Mantha, Lhs - 6’4” 203lbs

- With 89pts in 67 games in the QMJHL, Mantha has a lot of good things going for him outside of his size. His shot is really good and strong and he can unload a good wrister. His skating for someone his height is surprisingly good. This helps him blow past defenders but also helps him in board battles to keep his balance. He is not afraid to be physical and enjoys digging the puck out of corners. The main critique it seems is his defensive game which is not surprising given that the Q is not known for being a heavy backchecking league. It is something to note that he does occasionally puck watch. Some reports question his effort which is a red flag to me but he is potentially a power forward in the making.

 

I'm wondering about JT Compher at that spot too. His stock could be rising.

Posted

I think the fans would be pissed taking a defenseman at 8 when this team lacks any serious offense and hardly any offensive prospects in the system. This team needs top 6 forwards. I'm not so overly concern about getting another D-man. Who in the hell is going to score!

Posted

what does your list look like? I do not have him at 6th not even just among forwards.



 

OK this was fun — my sweet 16 (sort of) for the Sabres in the best draft in years. It’s not my predicted order, it’s who I want the Sabres to pick. It’s based on what I've read, seen and heard, and what kind of players I think this team needs to acquire to win:

1) Nate MacKinnon: On this forum we talk a lot about establishing team identity. I want my Sabres to be blazingly fast, talented, fearless and packing a deep-seated, burning hatred of losing. I want my pulse to race while watching them play. I want to know that we can break a game open no matter what the situation. I want my icon to be Pat Lafontaine. MacKinnon can be a Lafontaine-type player. He will be a top-ten scorer in this league many times during his career and a Team Canada regular. He will quickly make this team worth watching again and become a first-line centre you can trust in all situations. His bust potential is miniscule. He can be the captain and centrepiece of a Stanley Cup team.

Downside: Jeremy Roenick; Upside: Sidney Crosby



 

2) Jonathan Drouin: This is the most talented player in the draft. His hands are sick. His hockey sense is extra-sensory. He could win an NHL scoring title. And he will bring fans out of their seats. I have him and MacKinnon so close, I'd happily take an extra pick to let another team make the choice. I'd prefer MacKinnon because he is a centre, because he has a more robust build and a more robust game, and because he just seems better constructed for playoff hockey. But Drouin could make anyone who passes on him regret it.

Downside: Patrick Kane; Upside: Mario Lemieux in Jason Pominville's body

 

3) Seth Jones: I will say this right up front: I want forwards. I want forwards so bad I will ignore an excellent defenceman to take one. But you just can't ignore Seth Jones. The guy has everything you expect from a number-one d-man, and is bigger, smarter, more mobile and more poised than any 18-year-old has a right to be. He's a guy you can build around, an incredibly safe bet and a legitimate number one pick.

Downside: a poor man's Larry Robinson; Upside: Larry Robinson

 

4) Alexander Barkov: The guy is a 6'3" 210-pound 17-year-old who finished in the top-ten in scoring averaging nearly a point a game against men in the Finnish Elite League. He's not going to pound you and he is not going to outskate you. But is so solid, so calm, and so skilled you’d have more luck running into mountains, than knocking him off his game. He is a legitimate franchise centre and worth trading up to get.

Downside: Mats Sundin; Upside: Evgeny Malkin

 

5) Sean Monahan: This kid does not have the elite potential of those above him, but he does have the potential to be a legitimate first-line NHL centre. He checks off all the boxes: big, defensively responsible, poised, skilled, creative, willing to get dirty, good on the rush, good in traffic, good in the room. In a down year, he'd be in the conversation for number one. I've lobbied for the Sabres to go after Sean Couturier and he seems to be cut from similar cloth. I think he is a relatively safe pick, but he is the first guy on my list where I get a slight whiff of bust.

Downside: Shawn Horcoff; Upside: Eric Staal

 

6) Elias Lindholm: This kid stacks up in many ways as a virtual carbon copy to Monahan — a complete, all-around, skilled competitor with the potential to be a first-line centre. I've rated Monahan slightly higher because of his size, but I do think Lindholm is the safer pick, who will be, at worst, a good third-liner. I'm really comfortable projecting him as a guy who plays a similar role to Patrice Bergeron, and with similar success.

Downside: A more skilled Chris Kelly; Upside: Henrik Zetterberg

 

7) Bo Horvat: You want evidence I am keying on forwards who know how to win? Here it is. Horvat is a strong but not elite skater, and a solid but not elite physical presence. He is skilled, but not elite in creating offence. What he is however, is a winner — someone who can play in every zone, in every situation against any opponent and find a way to come out on top. He wins faceoffs, shuts down top scorers, rallies his teammates and scores clutch goals. He might not have the upside of some others available here. But he is the type of player we simply do not have enough of.

Downside: Chris Kelly; Upside: Chris Drury with an elite shutdown game

 

8) Max Domi: The battle between size and skill will go on forever, but to me the deciding factor is the battle inside the player. Domi won’t appeal to guys still pining for the concept of Zack Kassian, but he will beat the Kassians of this world in the corners with his skill and his want-to. He’s got top-line skill and compete level. Plus I’d really like to see him and Rayzer strike up a friendship.

Downside: Derek Roy; Upside: Martin St. Louis

 

9) Rasmus Ristolainen: I think the Sabres have some top-four d-men coming in Pysyk, McCabe, and McNabb, and effective younger NHLers in Sekera, Weber and Myers. But a big, nasty, dependable blueliner who can skate would be a huge plus on any team, especially this team. He looks like a very safe pick with upside.

Downside: Toni Lydman; Upside: Mike Ramsey

 

10) Hunter Shinkaruk: If you didn’t like the Domi pick, you’ll hate this one. With one exception, the best talent available at this point. He doesn’t have the fire Domi does, but he competes, and finds holes. And he’s great in open ice. Yes, it’s a Darcy-type pick, but we need top-six skill and this guy could easily be a first-liner.

Downside: Tyler Ennis; Upside: Patrick Kane

 

11) Darnell Nurse: I get why people love this kid and I expect him to be picked way before this. I like his edge and his physical package. But for some reason I get a Zach Bogosian vibe — that scouts are looking more at his package than his game. I’m concerned his whole isn’t quite the sum of his parts and it could take a long time before his parts turn into a good NHL player. Still, he’s got so many elements I can’t see waiting on him any longer than here.

Downside: Colten Teubert; Upside: Shea Weber

 

12) Nikita Zadorov: In a draft with so many skilled guys and safe prospects, it’s pretty hard to pick a project early. Zadorov is a project but one with monstrous upside given his size and skating. He’s raw, but I think he can be polished into an elite defender with some offensive potential. He’s a tough kid, well worth a shot here.

Downside: Adam Pardy; Upside: a meaner Mattias Ohlund

 

13) Zach Fucale: I know I am in a minority, but I am tired of crossing my fingers on sixth-rounders. First-round goalies may have fallen out of favour, but I think we’ve been spoiled for the past 20 years and would feel a heckuvalot better with a blue-chip goalie in the system. He is a head-and-shoulders the top goalie. More to the point, he is one of just two players with elite upside left on the board and the safer pick of that pair.

Downside: Marc-Andre Fleury; Upside: a more laid-back Ryan Miller

 

14) Valeri Nichushkin: skill-wise he’s top-five — a big body and a bull coming off the wing, who is very tough to defend against. But I want team-first players who despise losing and bring their teammates up. I’m not sure he fits that mold. I would be OK with him at 16. But if we take him at eight, I would be worried.

Downside: Nikita Alexeev; Upside: Ovechkin lite

 

I see the list of potentially elite prospects ending here. Hopefully one of the above slips to our pick at 16. If not, there is a lengthy list of good prospects to choose from. Who I’d choose largely depends on complementing who we pick earlier.

 

My favourites at 16: Alexander Wennberg (most skilled guy available at this spot), Adam Erne (power winger who will need to be coached), Valentin Zykov (big centre, with second-line potential), Ryan Hartman (Pat Kaleta with skill), Ryan Pulock (complete defenceman), Kerby Rychel (another power winger), Curtis Lazar (character winger with skill), Anthony Mantha (lacks edge, but damn can he score)

 

I see drop-offs after four, six and 14 and would happily trade up to get into the next level, or down within a level.

Posted

So if it were to fall into place (which, of course, will never happen) then we'd be looking at Zadorov and Burakowsky? I wouldn't hate that. I like Zadorov as a monster, punishing d-man. Don't know anything about Burakowsky, but I assume he doesn't suck. :P

I think if Monahan is there at 8 we take him over Zadarov.

Posted

Here's the ISS From May 15, 2013

http://www.tsn.ca/dr...ature/?id=92324

 

Hmmmm, I've seen many mocks where Monahan is gone by our selection. I think many would be very happy if he's sitting there at 8. If not and Lindholm is gone, I really would consider Zardov very seriously. From what I read he has the same or more upside than Myers had when we drafted him but with a way more natural physical edge to him. Try not to let Myers recent disappointment taint that analogy. For all the talk about our good young defensemen, we were God awful on the back end last year. When the opportunity is likely an undersized winger or someone who has the potential of being a top 2 dman, I would be ok with them taking Zardov.

Posted

Hmmmm, I've seen many mocks where Monahan is gone by our selection. I think many would be very happy if he's sitting there at 8. If not and Lindholm is gone, I really would consider Zardov very seriously. From what I read he has the same or more upside than Myers had when we drafted him but with a way more natural physical edge to him. Try not to let Myers recent disappointment taint that analogy. For all the talk about our good young defensemen, we were God awful on the back end last year. When the opportunity is likely an undersized winger or someone who has the potential of being a top 2 dman, I would be ok with them taking Zardov.

The mocks that I keep seeing are clearly based off of 3pro mocks and have us taking a defenseman at 8 and letting Sean Monahan fall or Elias Lindholm fall. I can't not believe seeing how absolutely craptastic our team was at puck possesion and offense this season that Darcy Regier would waste our first pick in this draft and pass on either Monahan or Lindholm. It is a nightmare I have where we take some defender who pans out to like 5/6 guy but hey at least he is big, where as Lindholm and Monahan go on to great careers... give me chills.

 

ps. I have read at least 8 mocks by my count that have us taking Ristolainen, or Zadorov, or Nurse at 8 and letting Sean Monahan fall and get drafted by NJD at 9. :doh:

Posted

The mocks that I keep seeing are clearly based off of 3pro mocks and have us taking a defenseman at 8 and letting Sean Monahan fall or Elias Lindholm fall. I can't not believe seeing how absolutely craptastic our team was at puck possesion and offense this season that Darcy Regier would waste our first pick in this draft and pass on either Monahan or Lindholm. It is a nightmare I have where we take some defender who pans out to like 5/6 guy but hey at least he is big, where as Lindholm and Monahan go on to great careers... give me chills.

 

ps. I have read at least 8 mocks by my count that have us taking Ristolainen, or Zadorov, or Nurse at 8 and letting Sean Monahan fall and get drafted by NJD at 9. :doh:

 

Seems like the less-involved mocks would just look at which player is best at the pick. Or they're factoring in the horrible defence and ignoring the even more horrible offence.

Posted

The mocks that I keep seeing are clearly based off of 3pro mocks and have us taking a defenseman at 8 and letting Sean Monahan fall or Elias Lindholm fall. I can't not believe seeing how absolutely craptastic our team was at puck possesion and offense this season that Darcy Regier would waste our first pick in this draft and pass on either Monahan or Lindholm. It is a nightmare I have where we take some defender who pans out to like 5/6 guy but hey at least he is big, where as Lindholm and Monahan go on to great careers... give me chills.

 

ps. I have read at least 8 mocks by my count that have us taking Ristolainen, or Zadorov, or Nurse at 8 and letting Sean Monahan fall and get drafted by NJD at 9. :doh:

 

That would be a nightmare lol. If Monahan or Lindholm are there when we pick at 8 I absolutely want them to be the selection. My big fear is that they are both gone by then and if that's the case I would seriously consider a dman.

Posted

Seems like the less-involved mocks would just look at which player is best at the pick. Or they're factoring in the horrible defence and ignoring the even more horrible offence.

Yea they seemed to all be based off of these 3 original mocks that I can't find right now but they were posted in here a while back. 2 had us taking a defender and I think one had us taking Nichshkin.

 

That would be a nightmare lol. If Monahan or Lindholm are there when we pick at 8 I absolutely want them to be the selection. My big fear is that they are both gone by then and if that's the case I would seriously consider a dman.

If they are both gone than that means we would have our pick of the best defenders outside of Jones. I couldn't fault Darcy for taking one then.

 

 

So if we keep our 38 overall pick I have to say I kinda like the idea of taking this RW prospect Justin Bailey. He is big at 6'3" and will bulk up from his 185lbs. He just played his 1st year in the OHL getting 36pts in 57 games. Interestingly he is from Williamsville so he has that local connection. He would be a bit of a project but he has good hands, decent skating and good hockey IQ. Most excitingly he shows a high compete level at all times from the couple of reports I can dig up. He projects out to be a solid to good 2nd line guy and is projected to go 35-40 which is right in the Sabres wheel house. Something to keep in mind for the 2nd round. One final thing is he has a heavy shot but he could use a quicker release on his wrister

#95

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aWzJ3zQa1U

 

O and the kid grew up being a Sabres fan and being a neighbor to Peca and Barnaby... http://sports.yahoo.com/juniorhockey/blog/buzzing_the_net/post/nhl-draft-tracker-justin-bailey-kitchener-rangers?urn=juniorhockey,wp18532

Posted

Yea they seemed to all be based off of these 3 original mocks that I can't find right now but they were posted in here a while back. 2 had us taking a defender and I think one had us taking Nichshkin.

 

 

If they are both gone than that means we would have our pick of the best defenders outside of Jones. I couldn't fault Darcy for taking one then.

 

 

So if we keep our 38 overall pick I have to say I kinda like the idea of taking this RW prospect Justin Bailey. He is big at 6'3" and will bulk up from his 185lbs. He just played his 1st year in the OHL getting 36pts in 57 games. Interestingly he is from Williamsville so he has that local connection. He would be a bit of a project but he has good hands, decent skating and good hockey IQ. Most excitingly he shows a high compete level at all times from the couple of reports I can dig up. He projects out to be a solid to good 2nd line guy and is projected to go 35-40 which is right in the Sabres wheel house. Something to keep in mind for the 2nd round. One final thing is he has a heavy shot but he could use a quicker release on his wrister

#95

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aWzJ3zQa1U

 

He's the son of former Bills linebacker Carlton Bailey. Was coached by LaFontaine.

Posted

The mocks that I keep seeing are clearly based off of 3pro mocks and have us taking a defenseman at 8 and letting Sean Monahan fall or Elias Lindholm fall. I can't not believe seeing how absolutely craptastic our team was at puck possesion and offense this season that Darcy Regier would waste our first pick in this draft and pass on either Monahan or Lindholm. It is a nightmare I have where we take some defender who pans out to like 5/6 guy but hey at least he is big, where as Lindholm and Monahan go on to great careers... give me chills.

 

ps. I have read at least 8 mocks by my count that have us taking Ristolainen, or Zadorov, or Nurse at 8 and letting Sean Monahan fall and get drafted by NJD at 9. :doh:

 

I think if Lindholm is on the board at 8, Buffalo takes him. I would prefer a forward with the 8th pick....but I think Ristolainen might be hard to pass on as well. He's a pretty complete player. I think those two are in the NHL pretty soon.

 

Monahan might need some seasoning.

 

I was a little disappointed to see Horvat move up most boards. He's said to be able to play 11 of 12 forward positions. All except #1 center. He might not be there at 16.

Posted

He's the son of former Bills linebacker Carlton Bailey. Was coached by LaFontaine.

 

Gotta be a good athlete with them genes.

 

Hmmmm, I've seen many mocks where Monahan is gone by our selection. I think many would be very happy if he's sitting there at 8. If not and Lindholm is gone, I really would consider Zardov very seriously. From what I read he has the same or more upside than Myers had when we drafted him but with a way more natural physical edge to him. Try not to let Myers recent disappointment taint that analogy. For all the talk about our good young defensemen, we were God awful on the back end last year. When the opportunity is likely an undersized winger or someone who has the potential of being a top 2 dman, I would be ok with them taking Zardov.

 

A big, mean, talented D man is high on my covet list.

 

He said "taint".

 

*giggle*

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