2013 NHL Entry Draft: Buffalo Sabres Select...

[Derrico]

Chances are one of them will be there at eight. I am nearly 100% sure, if we stay at eight, we will draft either Monahan or Lindholm.

 

I hope you're. I very much disagree (I think Edmonton is trading down) but I hope you are right.

[Hoss]

I hope you're. I very much disagree (I think Edmonton is trading down) but I hope you are right.

 

I mean guys like Lindholm and Monahan are still behind MacKinnon, Drouin, Barkov and Jones. I doubt BOTH of them go ahead of Nichushkin. I just don't see a way that six of the top seven players end up being forwards. If Edmonton is trading down, we should look to get their pick. It's a one spot jump, but it guarantees us a good forward. Wouldn't take more than like 8 and Luke Adam or something small like that.

 

Then if Edmonton really wants to trade their pick then they can trade 8.

 

Nurse or Jones are the only dmen I'd be content with at eight. MAYBE Ristolainen. Otherwise, I believe we would be better off trading the pick.

[WannabeGM]

Would be extremely disappointed if Zadorov was the pick.

Just wondering why most seem to like him better. I know nothing about him. Seems to be a big physical presence. One of the things I think we lack.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

Like Lazar a lot. He is one of many good options at 16.

An extra pick in the top 25 would be wonderful.

Very solid defensive minded Center is the book on him with limited offensive potential. IIRC he was at the Sabres' Combine, so they may be looking at him as a possibility at 16.

 

Thanks....if they liked Girgs...I would assume they have to really like this guy. You can't go wrong with drafting hard working, big bodied, leader-type centers....at worst you end up with a 3rd or 4th line winger that is hard to play against. If you get lucky, you end up with a dangerous team.

[Weave]

I couldn't disagree more. Taking Nurse at #8 if we had the choice of Lindholm or Monahan is insanity in my mind. Lindholm is one of the best 2-way players as is Monahan and both of them have offensive skills as well as character. Both are credited with being extremely hard workers. In the end I think the drop off from say Nurse to a guy like Pulock or Santini (guys possibly available at 16) is not as significant as the dropoff btw Lindholm/Monahan and a guy like Zykov or Erne

 

The adjectives you threw at Lindholm can be used just as readily for Risto and Nurse. I think there won't be a bad choice at 8. Maybe not the exact choice the Sabres hoped for, but not bad.

[Hoss]

Did a profile on Monahan. This one was a bit quicker than others because I have to head off to work soon. http://sabresoftomorrow.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/sean-monahan-prospect-profile/

[X. Benedict]

The adjectives you threw at Lindholm can be used just as readily for Risto and Nurse. I think there won't be a bad choice at 8. Maybe not the exact choice the Sabres hoped for, but not bad.

There will be a good choice at 8 for sure.

[Hoss]

I mean, no matter where you're picking in the top 10, there will be a "good choice." But when you consider what's in front of the Sabres in this draft, there are great choices and then "good" choices. Buffalo looks like they'll have to settle for "good." Which is better than picking at like 13 after JUST missing the playoffs and getting a "mediocre" choice.

[dudacek]

From listening to Darcy it sounds like they figure to be guaranteed someone from their second tier at 8, but are close enough to the top tier that someone might slide. That's why they aren't likely to drop from 8. (I'm referring to his "you sure there's not six (elite talents)?" comment to Sylvester, and to his repeated "not much difference between 10 and 25" remarks.

[LaFontaineToMogilny]

From listening to Darcy it sounds like they figure to be guaranteed someone from their second tier at 8, but are close enough to the top tier that someone might slide. That's why they aren't likely to drop from 8. (I'm referring to his "you sure there's not six (elite talents)?" comment to Sylvester, and to his repeated "not much difference between 10 and 25" remarks.

 

It makes sense to think that way. It seems to me the Sabres were exploring a hard push to number 4 or above to get to Barkov, they might even have explored the pipe dream of MacKinnon, but it has become obvious that the price is too much to do it. That leaves us with a decent shot at picking up a very good player in a position we need. Then the thinking becomes more along the lines of how much do we value this guy over that guy. Say they really want to get Elias Lindholm, but could get Monahan just by staying in 8th. Is the gap big enough to justify the price?

[LGR4GM]

First Curtis Lazar is 6' 195lbs so I am not sure why he is being billed as a big body. He is average body. That being said he has a strong 2-way game, a great writst shot and is unafraid to drive the net. He could become a solid center or RW in the NHL some day and would not be a terrible pick at 16 but I think their are going to be players there with higher upside.

 

As far as Zadarov goes. He is a big imposing defender at 6'5" roughly 230lbs. He is physical and has some good offensive upside. The reason he doesn't get talked about at #8 and the reason his rankings are everywhere from 7th to 20th is because he is an extremely raw talent. He is a boom or bust type kid who if he reaches 80% of his potential will be a top 4 but if he reaches 95% of his potential will be a #1 tank.

[dudacek]

 

 

 

Thanks....if they liked Girgs...I would assume they have to really like this guy. You can't go wrong with drafting hard working, big bodied, leader-type centers....at worst you end up with a 3rd or 4th line winger that is hard to play against. If you get lucky, you end up with a dangerous team.

 

Lazar really ripped up an elite U16 tournament two years ago - smashed scoring records and that really put him on the radar.

I think he's been downgraded a bit because scouts were hoping to see more of that offence from him this year, but he's got some offence in him to go with the great intangibles. He has kinda got lost in the shuffle, but I think he has a chance to be to 2013 what Richards and Kesler were to 2003.

[LGR4GM]

It makes sense to think that way. It seems to me the Sabres were exploring a hard push to number 4 or above to get to Barkov, they might even have explored the pipe dream of MacKinnon, but it has become obvious that the price is too much to do it. That leaves us with a decent shot at picking up a very good player in a position we need. Then the thinking becomes more along the lines of how much do we value this guy over that guy. Say they really want to get Elias Lindholm, but could get Monahan just by staying in 8th. Is the gap big enough to justify the price?

It has become obvious that teams in 1-4 won't trade. Darcy said he asked they to name their price and they said not for sale.

 

Well the price to go from 8 to say 6(most likely where Lindholm goes) is probably pretty unknown until draft day. If Calgary is sitting in 6th hoping Barkov or Nichushkin fall and they dont, they may trade back for 8 and 52. It is just so hard to tell this far out.

[qwksndmonster]

The biggest holes in our system are W, gritty D, and top line center potential. Right now we have Hodgson and Grigorenko who both have a decent shot at developing in to #1 centers. The players who fit the bill that could be there at #8: Nurse, Ristolainen, Nichushkin, Lindholm. I think Darcy's going after picks 5-7 without the intention of giving up 8. The prospects (If we really have to use prospects) I'd use as trade bait are Pyssyk, Ruhwedel, and McCabe. If we end up with high end potential at both ends of the ice, that would be my ideal draft.

[LaFontaineToMogilny]

It has become obvious that teams in 1-4 won't trade. Darcy said he asked they to name their price and they said not for sale.

 

Well the price to go from 8 to say 6(most likely where Lindholm goes) is probably pretty unknown until draft day. If Calgary is sitting in 6th hoping Barkov or Nichushkin fall and they dont, they may trade back for 8 and 52. It is just so hard to tell this far out.

 

I am thinking that a lot comes down to what Calgary does. Dream scenario is that Feaster goes all Novia Scotia and picks Fucale, if I'm Darcy the next second I am shaking hands with Edmonton that they can have Nurse and a 2nd from us, and we'll take Lindholm. More likely though, Calgary picks Nurse, and Edmonton might or might not be willing to swap down for Ristolainen and we still end up with Lindholm. If Calgary against better judgment wants to swap spots with us then hell yeah! Take it and run, but if they are really moving out of that spot they are probably looking to get goal-tending and could move much lower and pick up a better return.

 

If everything goes to ###### and Calgary picks Lindholm, then who cares, we likely pick Monahan and it won't be that bad at all, or the Oilers get stupid and pick Monahan and we end up with Darnell Nurse, and that's not bad at all either. Of course, there is the chance that Devine was serious when he said we want more Finns to play with Armia and we end up with Ristolainen. Perhaps the worst case scenario I can think of with the first pick, but still not a disaster.

[LGR4GM]

The biggest holes in our system are W, gritty D, and top line center potential. Right now we have Hodgson and Grigorenko who both have a decent shot at developing in to #1 centers. The players who fit the bill that could be there at #8: Nurse, Ristolainen, Nichushkin, Lindholm. I think Darcy's going after picks 5-7 without the intention of giving up 8. The prospects (If we really have to use prospects) I'd use as trade bait are Pyssyk, Ruhwedel, and McCabe. If we end up with high end potential at both ends of the ice, that would be my ideal draft.

I wouldn't trade McCabe to move from 8 to 6. Nope wouldn't do it, kid is everything this team needs and lacks. Best 2nd round pick of 2012 draft IMPO.

[Hoss]

I wouldn't trade McCabe to move from 8 to 6. Nope wouldn't do it, kid is everything this team needs and lacks. Best 2nd round pick of 2012 draft IMPO.

 

Nor would I. I would give Ruhwedel probably.

[LGR4GM]

Hockey Writers latest Mock Draft from Today: http://thehockeywriters.com/a-june-2013-nhl-mock-draft/

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

First Curtis Lazar is 6' 195lbs so I am not sure why he is being billed as a big body. He is average body. That being said he has a strong 2-way game, a great writst shot and is unafraid to drive the net. He could become a solid center or RW in the NHL some day and would not be a terrible pick at 16 but I think their are going to be players there with higher upside.

 

The kid was a babyface and looks like he has worked his butt off. He has a deep and broad chest, a solid upper body, and looks to be strong on his skates and likes to play down low. He is built....that's why you don't look at stats! Or if you do, he was 5'11" 177lbs last year...so the kid has done a great job bulking up in the right places.

 

The more I see and hear from this kid, the more I think he is a perfect pick at 16. This is an NHL playoff performer in build and mind if I've seen one. The fact the Sabres liked Girgensons makes me believe Lazar has to be on the radar.

[Robviously]

Does anyone have any strong feelings about the 2nd round or later? I'm interested in Justin Bailey at #52 or #69. He's from Buffalo, he's a big power forward, and his dad (Carlton Bailey) was a linebacker for the Bills. His numbers in his first OHL season weren't spectacular but he suffered a concussion early on that probably slowed him down in a new league. Definitely a risky pick but his upside might be worth it.

[dudacek]

Bailey would be a good pick at 52. Be shocked if he's there at 69.

[LGR4GM]

Does anyone have any strong feelings about the 2nd round or later? I'm interested in Justin Bailey at #52 or #69. He's from Buffalo, he's a big power forward, and his dad (Carlton Bailey) was a linebacker for the Bills. His numbers in his first OHL season weren't spectacular but he suffered a concussion early on that probably slowed him down in a new league. Definitely a risky pick but his upside might be worth it.

I talked about him at some point. Suggested Laurent Dauphin at 38 and Bailey at 52. He won't be there at #69 and may not be there at 52

[Robviously]

Hockey Writers latest Mock Draft from Today: http://thehockeywrit...nhl-mock-draft/

If I knew right now that we'd get Alexander Wennberg at #16, I'd be a lot less worried about #8 and the rest of the draft for that matter.

[LGR4GM]

If I knew right now that we'd get Alexander Wennberg at #16, I'd be a lot less worried about #8 and the rest of the draft for that matter.

totally agree with that sentiment

[Robviously]

I talked about him at some point. Suggested Laurent Dauphin at 38 and Bailey at 52. He won't be there at #69 and may not be there at 52

The draft gets VERY unpredictable after the first round, and maybe after the first half of the first round. Dan Catenacci was supposed to be gone in the 2nd round and some scouts even talked about him late in the first, but we got him in the third. I think Bailey could go anywhere in the 2nd or 3rd rounds, but I think (hope) we'll have better options at #38.