2013 NHL Entry Draft: Buffalo Sabres Select...

[chileanseabass]

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.

 

If Buffalo can't move up from #8, then maybe they package a 2nd rounder plus #16 to move up from there (similar to last year). I think the possibilities are almost limitless at this point. Two picks in the top 10 or 12 wouldn't be bad at all.

[X. Benedict]

If Buffalo can't move up from #8, then maybe they package a 2nd rounder plus #16 to move up from there (similar to last year). I think the possibilities are almost limitless at this point. Two picks in the top 10 or 12 wouldn't be bad at all.

I don't think anything gets Buffalo into the top 4.

Having said that, this is a draft that 8 and 16 aren't bad places to be.

 

My preference would be for two forwards....and the possibilities are pretty good to get two of these guys:

 

Lindolm, Monahan, Horvat, Shinkaruk, Domi, Lazar, Mantha, Wennberg, Compher.

 

The wildcard is really Nischkushkin. And which teams want to risk the uncertainty of the KHL and waiting out his contract.

[dudacek]

We should get a haul at least equal to last year even if we stay right where we are and there are no surprise picks.

But if we get two of my top 12, I will be a very happy man.

[LGR4GM]

We should get a haul at least equal to last year even if we stay right where we are and there are no surprise picks.

But if we get two of my top 12, I will be a very happy man.

If you could pick 2 guys for spot 8 and 16 in your ideal scenario who would you take?

 

If Buffalo can't move up from #8, then maybe they package a 2nd rounder plus #16 to move up from there (similar to last year). I think the possibilities are almost limitless at this point. Two picks in the top 10 or 12 wouldn't be bad at all.

I wonder if we trade with Edmonton simply to keep them from trading with someone else. They seem likely to be okay moving down 1-3 spots.

[...]

I don't want the Sabres to use the 8 or 16 as a means toward a higher pick. I'd rather they do what they can to acquire an additional top ten pick without losing the first round picks they already have.

 

 

[LGR4GM]

I don't want the Sabres to use the 8 or 16 as a means toward a higher pick. I'd rather they do what they can to acquire an additional top ten pick without losing the first round picks they already have.

You could probably trade a 2nd or 3rd and a younger player like Ennis to someone. That I would assume could get you a 2nd top 10 pick (Carolina, Edmonton, New Jersey perhaps?)

 

 

I added a poll for the 8th overall pick. I didn't want to delete the original poll so if you want to add your vote you have to delete your original vote, sorry but lets see what people say

[dudacek]

 

If you could pick 2 guys for spot 8 and 16 in your ideal scenario who would you take?

 

Barkov (think Nichushkin, Nurse, Monahan and Lindholm before him, in part because of his shoulder) and Horvat would be a dream.

Realistically? Monahan and Shinkaruk/Domi.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

I know the Sabres are in severe need of talented forwards and defense could always be addressed, as well.

 

I know I sound like a Halifax homer, but if I'm running the Sabres draft I pick Fucale in the first round. #8 may be too big of a leap, but I am not sure he will be still on the board at #16.

 

I know I am in the vast minority here, but his potential is just too great to pass on, IMO. Think Roy, or Brodeur, that's his upside.

 

I'll say it now ... if I'm DR, I take Fucale at #8 and take the flack.

[LGR4GM]

I know the Sabres are in severe need of talented forwards and defense could always be addressed, as well.

 

I know I sound like a Halifax homer, but if I'm running the Sabres draft I pick Fucale in the first round. #8 may be too big of a leap, but I am not sure he will be still on the board at #16.

 

I know I am in the vast minority here, but his potential is just too great to pass on, IMO. Think Roy, or Brodeur, that's his upside.

 

I'll say it now ... if I'm DR, I take Fucale at #8 and take the flack.

I will add him to the poll just for you.

[dudacek]

I know the Sabres are in severe need of talented forwards and defense could always be addressed, as well.

 

I know I sound like a Halifax homer, but if I'm running the Sabres draft I pick Fucale in the first round. #8 may be too big of a leap, but I am not sure he will be still on the board at #16.

 

I know I am in the vast minority here, but his potential is just too great to pass on, IMO. Think Roy, or Brodeur, that's his upside.

 

I'll say it now ... if I'm DR, I take Fucale at #8 and take the flack.

 

Eight is too high given the talent that will be available there, but at 16 he would be an excellent pick.

I think you and I are the only ones around here on the Fucale in the first bandwagon though.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

I will add him to the poll just for you.

 

You don't have too.

 

My opinion is very clear and he would very likely only get that one vote.

 

I'll do it for posterity.

 

 

EDIT TO ADD:

 

I did vote.

 

By the way it's Zachary, not Zackary .......... just to be clear ......... :P

[Iron Crotch]

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!

 

Well we did give up the most shots in the NHL this season by a wide margin and were bottom-8 in goals against (our goaltending was strong given all the shots they faced).

 

...and then if we look at which teams gave up the fewest goals against this year it is (in order): Chicago, Boston, Ottawa, the Rangers, Detroit, San Jose, the Kings, St. Louis, Columbus, Vancouver, Annaheim, then the Penguins. You'll note that the 4 teams in each conference that gave up the fewest goals against are, in fact, the four remaining playoff teams in each conference. Stunning correlation, don't you think?

 

I'm seeing a whole lot of evidence that the defining factor of success in this league at current is defense.

 

...but what the hell. Ignore our awful defense. Score, score, score.

 

:)

 

(if I was GM I'd draft one d-man and one forward in the first round)

[Derrico]

I know the Sabres are in severe need of talented forwards and defense could always be addressed, as well.

 

I know I sound like a Halifax homer, but if I'm running the Sabres draft I pick Fucale in the first round. #8 may be too big of a leap, but I am not sure he will be still on the board at #16.

 

I know I am in the vast minority here, but his potential is just too great to pass on, IMO. Think Roy, or Brodeur, that's his upside.

 

I'll say it now ... if I'm DR, I take Fucale at #8 and take the flack.

 

Keep in mind you have your Halifax glasses on. I will be royally pissed if we go with a tender at 8. I won't be happy with that at 16 either. If he falls to the second round than there is a possibility I would consider it.

[LastPommerFan]

Interesting article about losing on purpose in baseball:

 

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/9273233/hoarding-prospects-being-horrible-houston-astros

[Derrico]

I'm afraid the draft will go similar to Craig Button's predictions. I also feel like there is a good chance this is how the draft will go down.

 

http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=93427

 

Some will be very happy with Nichushkin 'falling' to us. However, I've already read some articles on his work ethic being questioned and there is obviously the fact he has a KHL contract for the next three years. The fact he hasn't played over here and may have compete issues are big enough red flags in a deep draft like this to take a pass on this talent. I'd take Zadarov in this spot all day. I hope we all realize that although a forward is preferred, I can easily see a scenario play out where we should take a dman if we don't trade up.

[Trettioåtta]

I'm afraid the draft will go similar to Craig Button's predictions. I also feel like there is a good chance this is how the draft will go down.

 

http://www.tsn.ca/dr...ature/?id=93427

 

Some will be very happy with Nichushkin 'falling' to us. However, I've already read some articles on his work ethic being questioned and there is obviously the fact he has a KHL contract for the next three years. The fact he hasn't played over here and may have compete issues are big enough red flags in a deep draft like this to take a pass on this talent. I'd take Zadarov in this spot all day. I hope we all realize that although a forward is preferred, I can easily see a scenario play out where we should take a dman if we don't trade up.

 

Edmonton really shouldn't take another forward. They need goal and defence. They have a line of first overall picks and a second line of first rounders. I think Calgary take Monahan, even though they need defence. Carolina also need defence, and have their top 2 centres cemented in place.

[Derrico]

Edmonton really shouldn't take another forward. They need goal and defence. They have a line of first overall picks and a second line of first rounders. I think Calgary take Monahan, even though they need defence. Carolina also need defence, and have their top 2 centres cemented in place.

 

I completely agree about Edmonton but I could easily see Edmonton trading with NJ or Dallas. This mock has Carolina taking a D.

[TrueBlueGED]

Well we did give up the most shots in the NHL this season by a wide margin and were bottom-8 in goals against (our goaltending was strong given all the shots they faced).

 

...and then if we look at which teams gave up the fewest goals against this year it is (in order): Chicago, Boston, Ottawa, the Rangers, Detroit, San Jose, the Kings, St. Louis, Columbus, Vancouver, Annaheim, then the Penguins. You'll note that the 4 teams in each conference that gave up the fewest goals against are, in fact, the four remaining playoff teams in each conference. Stunning correlation, don't you think?

 

I'm seeing a whole lot of evidence that the defining factor of success in this league at current is defense.

 

...but what the hell. Ignore our awful defense. Score, score, score.

 

:)

 

(if I was GM I'd draft one d-man and one forward in the first round)

 

Rebuttal: LA was the first team since the 2003 Devils to win the Cup while finishing outside the top 10 in regular season scoring. You need both.

 

And if I'm GM, I take the best players period.

[X. Benedict]

Edmonton really shouldn't take another forward. They need goal and defence. They have a line of first overall picks and a second line of first rounders. I think Calgary take Monahan, even though they need defence. Carolina also need defence, and have their top 2 centres cemented in place.

Calgary needs everything.

[TrueBlueGED]

Calgary needs everything.

 

I'm not sure how saying a team needs everything can be an understatement, but in this case it definitely is.

[Trettioåtta]

After digging around on the internet I get the impression that the Oilers want monahan and fi he is gone they will trade the pick. Alternatively, Calgary is also hot on him and Lindholm.

 

Sadly it seems this draft will be like this season - a disappointment.

Jones, Mackinnon, Drouin, Barkov, Lindholm and Monahan gone in the top 7 would be crushing. We are looking at nichushkin i think. Which is very depressing

[Iron Crotch]

Rebuttal: LA was the first team since the 2003 Devils to win the Cup while finishing outside the top 10 in regular season scoring. You need both.

 

And if I'm GM, I take the best players period.

 

League-wide scoring is down year-over-year over the last 5 seasons. IMHO, the NHL is rapidly turning into the low scoring, "grind it out" league that it was pre-lockout. The fans will always favor flashy offensive players, but boring, physical hockey seems to be what works these days, especially in the playoffs. The Sabres are bad at everything (offense and defense), so I'm certainly down with "best available." But, any forward we draft needs size and a physical side to his game IMHO based on league trends.

 

(I don't think anyone would argue that the Cup winning team is usually good at everything)

[Trettioåtta]

Would people do any of these:

 

Vanek for 4th

Vanek + salary retained for 4th

Vanek + 16th for 4th

Vanek + salary retained +16th for 4th

Vanek + 8th for 4th

Vanek + salary retained + 8th for 4th

 

I would probably do all of these. I really want Barkov. If we traded the 16th + Vanek and got Barkov we could then pick up Nichushkin with 8th as it would be less of a risk and could give us a dynamite top 6 (Barkov, Ennis, Hodgson, Grigo, Nich, Armia)

[Weave]

I'm afraid the draft will go similar to Craig Button's predictions. I also feel like there is a good chance this is how the draft will go down.

 

http://www.tsn.ca/dr...ature/?id=93427

 

Some will be very happy with Nichushkin 'falling' to us. However, I've already read some articles on his work ethic being questioned and there is obviously the fact he has a KHL contract for the next three years. The fact he hasn't played over here and may have compete issues are big enough red flags in a deep draft like this to take a pass on this talent. I'd take Zadarov in this spot all day. I hope we all realize that although a forward is preferred, I can easily see a scenario play out where we should take a dman if we don't trade up.

 

Hopefully Khymlev, our man in Russia, will sort out whether this kid is a red flag or not.

 

If all of the impact forwards are gone at 8 it means that impact D-men are still on the board and we'll have a choice of them. I'm OK with that. Gets me some top end talent, front end or back.

[TrueBlueGED]

Would people do any of these:

 

Vanek for 4th

Vanek + salary retained for 4th

Vanek + 16th for 4th

Vanek + salary retained +16th for 4th

Vanek + 8th for 4th

Vanek + salary retained + 8th for 4th

 

I would probably do all of these. I really want Barkov. If we traded the 16th + Vanek and got Barkov we could then pick up Nichushkin with 8th as it would be less of a risk and could give us a dynamite top 6 (Barkov, Ennis, Hodgson, Grigo, Nich, Armia)

 

I'd do them all. I don't think Nashville does any. They already have an old top-6 and desperately need an infusion of talent in the middle of the ice.