2013 NHL Entry Draft: Buffalo Sabres Select...

[Hoss]

Hockey’s Future 2013 Staff Mock Draft: http://www.hockeysfu...aff-mock-draft/

 

They have the Sabres selecting Lindholm at 8 and Zadorv at 16. I personally would love that.

 

That'd be a great haul if we stay there. Lindholm would be the guy I'd take if we don't get one of the top five. But he's a few years away from playing in the NHL (not that that is a big issue, just noting it).

Zadorov would be a steal at 16.

[rakish]

I built a tool for comparing players on a PPG basis.

 

Let me walk through how I use it. Let's say you want to find comparables for Laurent Dauphin. You use the drop down to select the QMJHL, either compare him to forwards, or just to centers, then compare him to only 6' players, or all players. Some leagues have more comparables than others. Laurent has a PPG of about 1.

 

It's really just a tool to find things, you got to look deeper than this. Let's say you're comparing players to MacKinnon, you will find Dany Roussin, who didn't sign the first time he was drafted, the second time he was 20 years old, which isn't a fair comparison. Another issue is that I can't really fix players changing league mid-season, so if you spent half a year in the OHL and a half a year in a league below that, you might end up with excellent OHL numbers. I'll fix them as found.

 

I haven't tested it much yet.

[X. Benedict]

I built a tool for comparing players on a PPG basis.

 

Let me walk through how I use it. Let's say you want to find comparables for Laurent Dauphin. You use the drop down to select the QMJHL, either compare him to forwards, or just to centers, then compare him to only 6' players, or all players. Some leagues have more comparables than others. Laurent has a PPG of about 1.

 

It's really just a tool to find things, you got to look deeper than this. Let's say you're comparing players to MacKinnon, you will find Dany Roussin, who didn't sign the first time he was drafted, the second time he was 20 years old, which isn't a fair comparison. Another issue is that I can't really fix players changing league mid-season, so if you spent half a year in the OHL and a half a year in a league below that, you might end up with excellent OHL numbers. I'll fix them as found.

 

I haven't tested it much yet.

 

Wow. That's just something you whipped up?

[North Buffalo]

Marek Zagrapan was the third highest scoring forward PPG in the QMJHL history according to this. What a bust... Yes you gotta dig deeper.

[rakish]

Wow. That's just something you whipped up?

 

I've scraped three times to do my charts, then when I was doing the comparables post, which took a long time, I realized I had all the data, there was no use doing the comparables by hand.

 

Marek Zagrapan was the third highest scoring forward PPG in the QMJHL history

 

No, he wasn't. First off, it's just 2003-2012. And in that time period, he's 17th. You're doing something wrong EDIT: You are only looking at 6'1" players?

[...]

 

SO then we should trade back from 8 with someone like Columbus and get more first round picks then right? That seems to be the gist of what you are saying.

 

No, maybe. My view has been clear and consistent on all of this (although, I dig that the thread is long, and you folks obsessing over the draft probably forget my points along the way as the thread grows, which is understandable).

 

If the Sabres can deal, say, Miller and the 16 to get a 4-6 pick, plus a late pick in the first, keeping the 8, then I would be all for that.

 

If, using your suggestion, the Sabres deal 8 for a prospect, plus a 10-15 pick and a late first, that would be cool, too.

 

I just wouldn't do Vanek AND Miller plus the 8 for the 1-5 pick. I'd rather they somehow get an additional pick in the first by trading the assets I think we would all agree are worth spending ( one of Vanek or Miller, definitely Stafford, maybe Sekera, and the rest who would hardly be worth a fourth).

 

Does Boston even have a player who would be consister a 1st line forward. I have been thinking about the Sabres staying with the picks they have, and just building around guys you would consider top 6. If they end up with 6 "2nd line forwards" is that really that bad. Who cares if they don't have the next superstar as a number #1 center as long as they have 6 solid guys in the top 6 forwards.

 

Welcome! Glad to have another one join the club.

 

 

 

I think the key is if you're going with the "depth" top-6 strategy, you have to have a group of players who are anywhere from defensively responsible to elite. The Sabres problem currently, if they were to go this route, is all of their current top-6 players are offensive specialists and defensive liabilities. You can't have a bunch of one-dimensional players controlling your top-6 if they aren't of the star variety.

 

This was exactly my point in the Kane thread. The Sabres are simply not set up to host a soft offensive, one-way player, no matter what the perceived talent level.

 

 

 

I am more curious as to what people think Myers "upside" or "ceiling" is actually. After his Calder season, my thoughts on him were that he would add more "grit" and defensive acumen to his game inline with somebody of his size and girth, while not loosing his offensive skills/skating ability (i.e. Shea Weber). Not only has he lost his much heralded skating skills for a big man, he has shown evidence that he will never develop into a physical force as he often loses one on one battles. This tempers his ceiling greatly in my opinion. I would put his ceiling inline with a Richard Smehlik or Henrik Tallinder quite honestly. Not bad defensemen at all, but not ones befitting his contract or perceived potential.

 

All these excuses I see thrown about, while containing a modicum of truth, are ignoring simple observation and trends. Again, I think people get excited over his size, and confuse this with some sort of "potential". I also see many folks stating he has only had one bad season, while facts dictate he has had some horrendous stretches for the greater part of 3 years.

 

He might be untradeable as others have suggested. I certainly wouldn't want to unload him for nothing, yet I am not certain a team would give us much (the ultimate sell low situation) But if a team liked him enough where we could get a high first rounder this year without coughing up our other picks, I make that trade in heart beat.

 

Dead on...every word of it...ab-so-fricking-lutely.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

Not 1 team gives you a top #25 pick for Myers with his contract.....not 1......

[Hoss]

Does Boston even have a player who would be consister a 1st line forward. I have been thinking about the Sabres staying with the picks they have, and just building around guys you would consider top 6. If they end up with 6 "2nd line forwards" is that really that bad. Who cares if they don't have the next superstar as a number #1 center as long as they have 6 solid guys in the top 6 forwards.

 

I agree with your idea. But the only issue I have is that each and every one of their forwards (with the exception of Seguin) has extreme levels of grit. They fight for every puck. We don't have many guys like that.

 

(I'm not for the Sabres giving up the assets it will take to get someone like MacKinnon, even though I was at the beginning. But I AM for moving up for Barkov. Barkov, I think, will be a guy that mixes grit and talent).

 

Girgensons, Larsson and Foligno all have the grit. But none have proven to be real offensive contributors on the NHL level yet, so we'll see how they turn out. I'm excited for each one.

[North Buffalo]

Wow. That's just something you whipped up?

 

I've scraped three times to do my charts, then when I was doing the comparables post, which took a long time, I realized I had all the data, there was no use doing the comparables by hand.

 

Marek Zagrapan was the third highest scoring forward PPG in the QMJHL history

 

No, he wasn't. First off, it's just 2003-2012. And in that time period, he's 17th. You're doing something wrong EDIT: You are only looking at 6'1" players?

Ah got it. Forgot I did that filter.... Never mind.

[dudacek]

Not 1 team gives you a top #25 pick for Myers with his contract.....not 1......

 

Flames @ 22

Leafs @ 21

Sharks @ 20

Jackets @ 19

Detroit @ 18

Senators@ 17

Islanders @ 15

Jackets @ 14

Flyers @ 11

Stars @ 10

Devils @ 9

Oilers @ 7

 

I'd be shocked if at least half those teams didn't do it. I wouldnt hesitate if I were any of them.

Real crucial year coming for Myers. Either way he's going to make a lot of people look silly.

[Huckleberry]

i bet the oilers, red wings or stars would

[thewookie1]

What would it take to get to #4?

 

Seeing as the Avs are saying they plan to take a forward now suddenly.

 

If MacKinnon goes #1

then Jones goes #2

and Drouin likely #3

we would end up with Barkov.

 

However, if Barkov gets into the Top 3 somehow, we could land Drouin or Jones with the 4th overall.

 

Aside from Hodgson and Armia I really wouldn't be against trading any other scorers present or future. Then sign Briere to play a wing on the 2nd line and mentor our young players.

[Trettioåtta]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=674409&navid=nhl:topheads

 

Smokescreen or is Jones gonna drop?

[ubkev]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=674409&navid=nhl:topheads

 

Smokescreen or is Jones gonna drop?

 

Jones is going to drop. Maybe as low as 5th...From all the things being put out there and all the things I've read he just isn't as close to being an impact player as MacKinnon and Drouin. Those two could possibly be Stamkos/Malkin and St. Louis/Kane. Jones I'm not as sure about, could be Eric Johnson, could be Drew Doughty...who knows??

[X. Benedict]

Jones is going to drop. Maybe as low as 5th...From all the things being put out there and all the things I've read he just isn't as close to being an impact player as MacKinnon and Drouin. Those two could possibly be Stamkos/Malkin and St. Louis/Kane. Jones I'm not as sure about, could be Eric Johnson, could be Drew Doughty...who knows??

The top forwards are crowding out how good this draft is for defensemen. I don't think there is any way Jones gets past 4.

[LGR4GM]

The top forwards are crowding out how good this draft is for defensemen. I don't think there is any way Jones gets past 4.

I would argue 3rd at worst. If Colorado goes offense and then Florida does that most likely means MacKinnon and Drouin are gone. Tampa needs defense badly so why not take Jones? It makes a lot of sense.

[shrader]

The top forwards are crowding out how good this draft is for defensemen. I don't think there is any way Jones gets past 4.

 

And just imagine if he does fall to 4 somehow. All of a sudden he's skating next to Shea Weber next year (unless they wind up moving that contract).

[X. Benedict]

And just imagine if he does fall to 4 somehow. All of a sudden he's skating next to Shea Weber next year (unless they wind up moving that contract).

 

I have a preference for forwards....but if Buffalo decided to go with what the board gives them...I wouldn't be too disappointed with 2 of the top 6 D in this draft.

[LGR4GM]

I have a preference for forwards....but if Buffalo decided to go with what the board gives them...I wouldn't be too disappointed with 2 of the top 6 D in this draft.

What if our choices were #8Ristolainen and #16Zadarov? Zadarov being a major boom or bust type guy.

 

A fairly interesting and well thought out Mock Draft

http://draftutopia.com/Hockey_Utopia.html

 

an interesting consideration would be that some rumblings and I literally mean rumbles (not even rumors) have NJD looking to take Fucale whom they would be willing to trade down to take later in the 1st... 16 + 38 to move up to 9? Something to think on... could net us Lindholm and Ristolainen

[X. Benedict]

What if our choices were #8Ristolainen and #16Zadarov? Zadarov being a major boom or bust type guy.

 

A fairly interesting and well thought out Mock Draft

http://draftutopia.c...key_Utopia.html

 

an interesting consideration would be that some rumblings and I literally mean rumbles (not even rumors) have NJD looking to take Fucale whom they would be willing to trade down to take later in the 1st... 16 + 38 to move up to 9? Something to think on... could net us Lindholm and Ristolainen

I'd be pissed if Buffalo passed on Lindholm at 8.

[LGR4GM]

I'd be pissed if Buffalo passed on Lindholm at 8.

Agreed. I found it interesting that in the mock he actually discussed it a bit too. Lindholm is a RH shot and could transition to wing for us as I have read reports he has played some wing in Sweden.

[Weave]

What if our choices were #8Ristolainen and #16Zadarov? Zadarov being a major boom or bust type guy.

 

A fairly interesting and well thought out Mock Draft

http://draftutopia.c...key_Utopia.html

 

an interesting consideration would be that some rumblings and I literally mean rumbles (not even rumors) have NJD looking to take Fucale whom they would be willing to trade down to take later in the 1st... 16 + 38 to move up to 9? Something to think on... could net us Lindholm and Ristolainen

 

Hockey Prospectus has Fucale down around the 80's for their draft ranking.

 

And Nurse should also be in the convo for early D-man drafted.

[26CornerBlitz]

What if our choices were #8Ristolainen and #16Zadarov? Zadarov being a major boom or bust type guy.

 

A fairly interesting and well thought out Mock Draft

http://draftutopia.c...key_Utopia.html

 

an interesting consideration would be that some rumblings and I literally mean rumbles (not even rumors) have NJD looking to take Fucale whom they would be willing to trade down to take later in the 1st... 16 + 38 to move up to 9? Something to think on... could net us Lindholm and Ristolainen

 

Haven't heard any scouts describe Zadorov as boom or bust. What's your rationale?

[LGR4GM]

Haven't heard any scouts describe Zadorov as boom or bust. What's your rationale?

http://lastwordonsports.com/2013/04/21/nikita-zadorov-2013-nhl-draft-player-profile-12/

http://flyersfaithful.com/2013/05/13/2013-draft-eligibles-domi-horvat-and-zadarov-continue-the-tradition-of-excellence-in-london/-

 

I saw it a couple of times but my rationale is that he has a lot raw skill and great size but because of that we can't say he will round into a top pairing defender or simply be a fringe NHL guy when everything is said and done. Great size and a lot of raw potential with early indicators being he has what it takes means he is a high risk/high reward guy. That is how I see but I wouldn't mind us taking him.

[TrueBlueGED]

I'd be pissed if Buffalo passed on Lindholm at 8.

 

Pissed? I'd be apoplectic.