2013 NHL Entry Draft: Buffalo Sabres Select...

[dudacek]

 

 

THANK YOU FOR SAYING THIS!!!!

 

 

So if Monahan were gone but all the top defenders were still in play minus Jones, what would you do?

 

Horvat, but Ristolainen is right there.

[sicknfla]

All this talk of moving Miller or Vanek to get into the top 5 is driving me nuts. It's not going to happen. The teams that are in the top 5 are there because they need long-term, high end talent (just like Buffalo), and they aren't going to part with those picks. Maybe for a package of Myers, Ennis, etc., but not Miller/Vanek with only a year left on their contracts. If Buffalo had a top 5 pick in this draft, we'd think DR was crazy for trading it for anything other than an insane package of picks and NHL roster talent.

 

Unfortunately I just don't see Buffalo being able to move up from 8. This is a deep draft, loaded with "future stars," so the only way I think it happens is if DR severely overpays and that's not his way of doing things (I'm not going to debate DR here, just accepting him for what he is).

 

What could happen is moving someone like Miller to Colorado for a package including their 2nd rounder (which is just as good as a late first rounder IMO). With Roy coming in, I'd imagine Sakic isn't going to feel too comfortable with Varlamov in net, and will want to make a splash. I don't think Tampa is interested, even in exchange for Vinny cap relief. They have Bishop and Lindback and will sink/swim with that duo. Florida is high on Markstrom, so I can't see them taking on Miller. There are other teams that could be interested in Miller, but they're teams that are close to contending, not building, and would only be able to offer late first rounders, not top 10's.

 

Totally agree. We are not getting into top 5 and some of these trade scenarios are embarrassing. I know it is the nature of the beast to exaggerate trades but come on. Keep it somewhat realistic.

 

I believe we end up staying at 8 and taking the best player available. If it ends up being a dman then I see us trying to go from 16 to 10-12 with giving up 16 and the later of 2nds. Still think with Miller and Vanek in play that we end up with 3 top 20 picks this year. Could very easily play out to where we have 3 more no 1's next year. Now you are building a team.

[LGR4GM]

Horvat, but Ristolainen is right there.

I'd take Nurse, Ristolainen and Zadarov before Horvat. I don't have anything against Horvat just I would rather grab the 2nd best defender versus the 7th best forward. I feel Horvat is a drop off.

[X. Benedict]

Some nice profiles here: The Hockey Writers

 

http://thehockeywriters.com/2013-nhl-draft-prospect-index/

• Linus Arnesson
  
• Justin Bailey
  
• John Baiocco
  
• Nick Baptiste
  
• Madison Bowey
  
• Matt Buckles
  
• William Carrier
  
• Greg Chase
  
• JT Compher
  
• Eric Comrie
  
• Cody Corbett
  
• Laurent Dauphin
  
• Jason Dickinson
  
• Max Domi
  
• Jonathan Drouin (The Next Ones profile)
  
  • The Human Hockey Highlight Film
    

  [*]Anthony Duclair

  [*]Eddie Ellis

  [*]Adam Erne

  [*]Kurt Etchegary

  [*]Zach Fucale

  [*]Frederik Gauthier

  [*]Stephen Harper

  [*]Ryan Hartman

  [*]John Hayden

  [*]Bo Horvat

  [*]Jusso Ikonen

  [*]Tristan Jarry

  [*]Seth Jones

  [*]Troy Josephs

  [*]Morgan Klimchuk

  [*]Jan Kostalek

  [*]Curtis Lazar

  [*]Artturi Lehkonen

  [*]JC Lipon

  [*]Jimmy Lodge

  [*]Austin Lotz

  [*]Nathan MacKinnon

  [*]Anthony Mantha

  [*]Michael McCarron

  [*]Ian McCoshen

  [*]Dakota Mermis

  [*]Sean Monahan

  [*]Mirco Mueller

  [*]Darnell Nurse

  [*]Scott Oke

  [*]Nic Petan

  [*]Ryan Pulock

  [*]Rasmus Ristolainen

  [*]Kerby Rychel

  [*]Mack Shields

  [*]Hunter Shinkaruk

  [*]Anton Slepyshev (from 2012)

  [*]Nick Sörensen

  [*]Shea Theodore

  • Slinging it in Seattle
    

  [*]Cole Ully

  [*]Lucas Wallmark

  [*]Matthew Weis

  [*]Bogdan Yakimov

  [*]Nikita Zadorov

  [*]Valentin Zykov

[LGR4GM]

this is going to take me a couple days to read through but just taking a look at the defensemen, Ristolainen me likey

 

Thanks X!

[dudacek]

 

I'd take Nurse, Ristolainen and Zadarov before Horvat. I don't have anything against Horvat just I would rather grab the 2nd best defender versus the 7th best forward. I feel Horvat is a drop off.

 

I think Nurse and Zadorov have bigger upsides than Horvat, but bigger downsides too.

Horvat will never win a scoring title, but neither will Kesler, Richards or Bergeron. Neither did Chris Drury.

You win with those types of players.

[chileanseabass]

this is going to take me a couple days to read through but just taking a look at the defensemen, Ristolainen me likey

 

Thanks X!

 

 

I really like him as well. Reminds me of Kronwall. I think I'm liking Ristolainen more and more watching how awesome Kronwall has been this year for Detroit without Lidstrom lol.

[LGR4GM]

I even added a guy, all of which were drafted outside the top 10. Point being you should not be drafting a 2nd line center in the top 10 especially when there is a 1st pairing d-man with size and grit sitting there, let alone the likelihood there will be 3 available.

Chris Drury - 72nd overall

Patrice Bergeron - 45th overall

Ryan Kesler - 23rd overall

Mike Richards - 24th overall

Patrick Sharp - 95th overall

[dudacek]

I even added a guy, all of which were drafted outside the top 10. Point being you should not be drafting a 2nd line center in the top 10 especially when there is a 1st pairing d-man with size and grit sitting there, let alone the likelihood there will be 3 available.

Chris Drury - 72nd overall

Patrice Bergeron - 45th overall

Ryan Kesler - 23rd overall

Mike Richards - 24th overall

Patrick Sharp - 95th overall

 

Exactly my point. All guys drafted way later than they should have been because scouts get wowed by measurables of the Marek Zagrapans and David Coopers of the world, instead of how well the guy actually plays hockey.

[X. Benedict]

I even added a guy, all of which were drafted outside the top 10. Point being you should not be drafting a 2nd line center in the top 10 especially when there is a 1st pairing d-man with size and grit sitting there, let alone the likelihood there will be 3 available.

Chris Drury - 72nd overall

Patrice Bergeron - 45th overall

Ryan Kesler - 23rd overall

Mike Richards - 24th overall

Patrick Sharp - 95th overall

Exactly my point. All guys drafted way later than they should have been because scouts get wowed by measurables of the Marek Zagrapans and David Coopers of the world, instead of how well the guy actually plays hockey.

 

Every pick there is risk and reward.

 

A Horvat is almost definitely an NHL player. So he's a good value pick because of the likelihood he's going to bust is small, as he can play on every line, every position.

 

However, if you draft a pure scorer and he can't find the net in the NHL, chances are he's a bust. I'd love Horvat at 16. At 8, however, you have to try to find a first line, or first pair player.

 

The top scorers go first. But there are a lot of NHL players in this draft.

[LGR4GM]

Exactly my point. All guys drafted way later than they should have been because scouts get wowed by measurables of the Marek Zagrapans and David Coopers of the world, instead of how well the guy actually plays hockey.

really? that's why?

 

Go look at the drafts of years past. first round you get about 10 guys who make the nhl (100+ games) and about 5 guys who are all stars. Round 2 you get about 5 guys who make the nhl and 1/2 who are all stars at some point. Bottom line is reaching on a guy who I don't even consider the 7th best forward (9th/10th by my reasoning) because he has immeasurable when you can take a defender with similar qualities but higher chance of success, simply does not make a lot of sense. Horvat could fall as low as 16 in some mocks and has only gone as high as 10 in some others. It would make more sense to trade up from 16 than reaching with 8.

 

Just like Fucale, I am not in love with Horvat at 8 because there will be much better players available. At 16 though, yes.

[X. Benedict]

 

 

Just like Fucale, I am not in love with Horvat at 8 because there will be much better players available. At 16 though, yes.

 

Funny that I just typed that too. :lol:

[dudacek]

I get where you guys are coming from, but where I disagree is that I think Horvat has a much better chance of being Bergeron or Drury than Nurse or Zadorov has than being Shea Weber. Or, more to the point, I don't think either defenceman will be a star.

I think there are six elite prospects. From the next tier, Horvat is the best fit for Buffalo. You might be able to grab first line offence at 16 with Shinkaruk, Domi, Wennberg or a couple others. Horvat will not be there at 16.

If Monahan was available at eight, different story. But that's not what LGR asked.

[X. Benedict]

I get where you guys are coming from, but where I disagree is that I think Horvat has a much better chance of being Bergeron or Drury than Nurse or Zadorov has than being Shea Weber. Or, more to the point, I don't think either defenceman will be a star.

I think there are six elite prospects. From the next tier, Horvat is the best fit for Buffalo. You might be able to grab first line offence at 16 with Shinkaruk, Domi, Wennberg or a couple others. Horvat will not be there at 16.

If Monahan was available at eight, different story. But that's not what LGR asked.

 

Horvat is a solid pick at any pick IMO. He's just not a first line center. He can play 11 of the other forward positions however, so he has that can't miss factor. He's a great value from 12 to 22.

[LGR4GM]

I get where you guys are coming from, but where I disagree is that I think Horvat has a much better chance of being Bergeron or Drury than Nurse or Zadorov has than being Shea Weber. Or, more to the point, I don't think either defenceman will be a star.

I think there are six elite prospects. From the next tier, Horvat is the best fit for Buffalo. You might be able to grab first line offence at 16 with Shinkaruk, Domi, Wennberg or a couple others. Horvat will not be there at 16.

If Monahan was available at eight, different story. But that's not what LGR asked.

I understand that but to what I asked and what I have been saying I disagree that Horvat is better than Ristolainen or Nurse, Zadarov is a maybe and a big boom or bust. However if I could take a 6'3" defender who likes to model his game after Pronger and has a cannon of a shot over Horvat than I do it. I would rather draft a maybe Pronger than a likely Bergeron. Not to mention I think at 16 we can still get a good solid forward prospect like Wennberg or maybe even Horvat.

 

Let us see what the combine tells us about these guys. With Nurse and Barkov not participating that gives other players a chance to sneak up teams rankings.

 

Remember that not all the rankings put Horvat at 10, other put him at 14,16,19,20

[thewookie1]

I will agree that the top 5 picks may be near impossible to get into, but I still think Miller to Tampa Bay could be a possible deal. It really depends on their plans for St. Louis and Lecavalier; if they want to go after the cup next year, trading for Miller would make sense since they don't have the time to wait on their prospect goalies before St. Louis retires.

 

Additionally I'd see if Florida, Colorado, Tampa, Edmonton or Carolina would be interested in sending their high 2nd rounder for Stafford and our 3rd or 2 5th rounders.

 

Another player that would be an interesting trade is Luke Adam's RFA rights for some other RFA who's fallen out of favor with his team.

[26CornerBlitz]

I will agree that the top 5 picks may be near impossible to get into, but I still think Miller to Tampa Bay could be a possible deal. It really depends on their plans for St. Louis and Lecavalier; if they want to go after the cup next year, trading for Miller would make sense since they don't have the time to wait on their prospect goalies before St. Louis retires.

 

Nashville is the other team I wonder about, maybe not for their 1st round pick but maybe their 2nd Rounder. They need some goals, Stafford needs a new home; seems to me a pretty good idea.

 

Another player that would be an interesting trade is Luke Adam's RFA rights for some other RFA who's fallen out of favor with his team.

 

Maybe not: Avalanche talking about trading No. 1 pick: http://www.cbssports...ading-no-1-pick

 

@coreypronman

A lot of COL's top young forwards are set to enter their primes. The org can enter a "win now" mode if they get very quality NHL pieces.

[TrueBlueGED]

Maybe not: Avalanche talking about trading No. 1 pick: http://www.cbssports...ading-no-1-pick

 

@coreypronman

A lot of COL's top young forwards are set to enter their primes. The org can enter a "win now" mode if they get very quality NHL pieces.

 

I wouldn't be shocked if they traded it....but I would be shocked if they traded out of the top 3. Going from 1-3 and adding a quality roster player could make a lot of sense, especially if they don't have a clear preference at #1. But I fully expect this comment to kick off a slew of absurd proposals to get the Sabres to #1, which I still believe is nigh impossible.

[SabresBillsFan]

I have no idea what San Jose's cap space looks like but I could see them target Vanek. Also people need to stop with Miller to Tampa! It's not going to happen. This should be a very interesting draft. I really want Miller gone but for what in return remains a mystery. I'm not a fan of taking a defenseman with the 8th pick when u look at our system and it lacks firepower up front. I would love to see both seconds moved for another first.

 

 

I understand that but to what I asked and what I have been saying I disagree that Horvat is better than Ristolainen or Nurse, Zadarov is a maybe and a big boom or bust. However if I could take a 6'3" defender who likes to model his game after Pronger and has a cannon of a shot over Horvat than I do it. I would rather draft a maybe Pronger than a likely Bergeron. Not to mention I think at 16 we can still get a good solid forward prospect like Wennberg or maybe even Horvat.

 

Let us see what the combine tells us about these guys. With Nurse and Barkov not participating that gives other players a chance to sneak up teams rankings.

 

Remember that not all the rankings put Horvat at 10, other put him at 14,16,19,20

 

I think Horvat will be gone before 16. I wouldn't mind seeing him in blue and gold.

[deluca67]

The lighting did just trade for Ben Bishop at the deadline, so I doubt there would be any interest in Miller.

All this talk of moving Miller or Vanek to get into the top 5 is driving me nuts. It's not going to happen. The teams that are in the top 5 are there because they need long-term, high end talent (just like Buffalo), and they aren't going to part with those picks. Maybe for a package of Myers, Ennis, etc., but not Miller/Vanek with only a year left on their contracts. If Buffalo had a top 5 pick in this draft, we'd think DR was crazy for trading it for anything other than an insane package of picks and NHL roster talent.

 

Unfortunately I just don't see Buffalo being able to move up from 8. This is a deep draft, loaded with "future stars," so the only way I think it happens is if DR severely overpays and that's not his way of doing things (I'm not going to debate DR here, just accepting him for what he is).

 

What could happen is moving someone like Miller to Colorado for a package including their 2nd rounder (which is just as good as a late first rounder IMO). With Roy coming in, I'd imagine Sakic isn't going to feel too comfortable with Varlamov in net, and will want to make a splash. I don't think Tampa is interested, even in exchange for Vinny cap relief. They have Bishop and Lindback and will sink/swim with that duo. Florida is high on Markstrom, so I can't see them taking on Miller. There are other teams that could be interested in Miller, but they're teams that are close to contending, not building, and would only be able to offer late first rounders, not top 10's.

I have no idea what San Jose's cap space looks like but I could see them target Vanek. Also people need to stop with Miller to Tampa! It's not going to happen. This should be a very interesting draft. I really want Miller gone but for what in return remains a mystery. I'm not a fan of taking a defenseman with the 8th pick when u look at our system and it lacks firepower up front. I would love to see both seconds moved for another first.

 

 

 

I think Horvat will be gone before 16. I wouldn't mind seeing him in blue and gold.

I'm not sure why so many are willing to disregard Tampa as a landing spot for Miller. Tampa has the talent up front to be in a win now mode. With St. Louis and Vinny getting up there in age, they should be in a win now mode. Sure, they can wait for Bishop to continue to mature, why would they if hey can pick up Miller and a take a run now. Miller, Sekera and the #16 for Bishop, Pouliot and the #3 would be an interesting idea.

[X. Benedict]

I'm not sure why so many are willing to disregard Tampa as a landing spot for Miller. Tampa has the talent up front to be in a win now mode. With St. Louis and Vinny getting up there in age, they should be in a win now mode. Sure, they can wait for Bishop to continue to mature, why would they if hey can pick up Miller and a take a run now. Miller, Sekera and the #16 for Bishop, Pouliot and the #3 would be an interesting idea.

 

I don't think having Ben Bishop stops a bigger deal for goalie. Ben Bishop is still a baby in this league.

[26CornerBlitz]

I'm not sure why so many are willing to disregard Tampa as a landing spot for Miller. Tampa has the talent up front to be in a win now mode. With St. Louis and Vinny getting up there in age, they should be in a win now mode. Sure, they can wait for Bishop to continue to mature, why would they if hey can pick up Miller and a take a run now. Miller, Sekera and the #16 for Bishop, Pouliot and the #3 would be an interesting idea.

I don't think having Ben Bishop stops a bigger deal for goalie. Ben Bishop is still a baby in this league.

 

Tampa is just not that close to competing for a Stanley Cup. They already have two young goalies on their NHL roster and 2012 1st round pick Andrei Vasilevski in the pipeline. With a chance to draft a potential franchise changing player with one of the coveted top three picks, I would hang up the phone on DR with that offer being proposed if I was Stevie Y. Only after having a good :lol: :lol: :lol: of course.

[LGR4GM]

I have no idea what San Jose's cap space looks like but I could see them target Vanek. Also people need to stop with Miller to Tampa! It's not going to happen. This should be a very interesting draft. I really want Miller gone but for what in return remains a mystery. I'm not a fan of taking a defenseman with the 8th pick when u look at our system and it lacks firepower up front. I would love to see both seconds moved for another first.

 

 

 

I think Horvat will be gone before 16. I wouldn't mind seeing him in blue and gold.

San Jose's Cap http://capgeek.com/sharks

 

It doesn't look great for them next season with 55.9mil committed to 15 players

 

I'm not sure why so many are willing to disregard Tampa as a landing spot for Miller. Tampa has the talent up front to be in a win now mode. With St. Louis and Vinny getting up there in age, they should be in a win now mode. Sure, they can wait for Bishop to continue to mature, why would they if hey can pick up Miller and a take a run now. Miller, Sekera and the #16 for Bishop, Pouliot and the #3 would be an interesting idea.

Interesting yes but I don't see Tampa trading Bishop right after they acquired him for 1 year of Miller. As for the rest of it, I think Sekera and #8 might start a conversation of getting up to #3 but I am not sure that would get it done. Currently TB has 17 players signed next year at 60.9mil against the cap. They would need to clear space or buyout someone to do anything but acquire a lower salary player.

 

Interesting note on TB, they have a crappy defense and could be a team that is willing to trade with Colorado to move up to #1 and take Jones.

 

I will say that if Colorado really is willing to trade down than Darcy better be calling and saying something along the lines of "Which of my players do you like best? That Vanek guy can score you know."

[shrader]

Maybe not: Avalanche talking about trading No. 1 pick: http://www.cbssports...ading-no-1-pick

 

@coreypronman

A lot of COL's top young forwards are set to enter their primes. The org can enter a "win now" mode if they get very quality NHL pieces.

 

These stories come out every year now and each time the pick is not moved. There's no reason to think otherwise this year.

[sicknfla]

IMO Miller is the one who is traded before the draft. I think any additional picks in this year's draft will come from him and not Vanek. I just see Vanek being too valuable to unload for an unproven draft pick. Even if it is top 3. You will be talking Vanek, 8, and ?? To get to top 3. And even that is questionable. You do not trade your best player on a crapshoot.

 

Vanek stays put and they try to work on an extension. If he has made it clear to management he wants out then they do some sort of sign and trade scenario. An extended Vanek should be the priority right now. Then if you decide to move him you get maximum return. Of course, it is a different story of he has told them he has no intention of signing. Either way is going to be interesting.