Johnny DangerFace Posted June 21, 2013 Report Posted June 21, 2013 (edited) Final 2013-2014 Rankings Prospect Information Updated 5/1/2014 Prospect - A player under 25 who has not yet acquired a permanent spot at the NHL level and who's expected ceiling is at the NHL level. Once a player has played a full season at the NHL level, and is not expected to have to earn a spot in the following year, then they are no longer a prospect. Forward Rankings 1. Mikhail Grigorenko 2. Zemgus Girgensons 3. Joel Armia 4. Johan Larsson 5. JT Compher 6. Hudson Fasching 7. Nick Baptiste 8. Connor Hurley 9. Justin Bailey 10. William Carrier 11. Gustav Possler 12. Nicolas Deslauriers 13. Justin Kea 14. Logan Nelson 15. Daniel Catenacci 16. Phil Varone 17. Sean Malone 18. Eric Locke 19. Tim Schaller 20. Luke Adam 21. Kevin Sundher 22. Christian Isackson 23. Colin Jacobs Defenseman Rankings 1. Rasmus Ristolainen 2. Nikita Zadorov 3. Mark Pysyk 4. Jake McCabe 5. Chad Ruhwedel 6. Brady Austin 7. Anthony Florentino 8. Nick Crawford 9. Jerome Gauthier-Leduc Goalie Rankings 1. Linus Ullmark 2. Cal Petersen 3. Andrey Makarov 4. Nathan Lieuwen 5. Matt Hackett (1) Rasmus Ristolainen Defenseman, 19, 6-3 207, Finnish Player Type: Physical Offensive Defenseman (RH) Potential (Likelihood): 1st Pairing (4/5) League: AHL Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA Projected Sabre Debut: 2014-2015 Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.1 (Pick 8) (2) Nikita Zadorov Defenseman, 18, 6-5 230, Russian Player Type: Physical Two-way Defensemen (LH) Potential (Likelihood): 1st Pairing (4/5) League: OHL - London Knights (AHL Eligible = 2015 - 2016 season) Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA (Contract can slide one year if he plays less than 10 NHL games 2013-2014) Projected Sabre Debut: 2014-2015 Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.1 (Pick 16) (3) Mikhail Grigorenko Center, 19, 6-3 200, Russian Player Type: Scorer/Playmaker (LH) Potential (Likelihood): Top Six Forward (3/5) League: AHL Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA Projected Sabre Debut: 2015 Acquired: Drafted 2012 Rd.1 (Pick 12) (4) Zemgus Girgensons Center, 20, 6-2 194, Latvian Player Type: Playmaker/Two-Way Forward (LH) Potential (Likelihood): 2nd/3rd Line Center (5/5) League: NHL Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA Acquired: Drafted 2012 Rd.1 (Pick 14) (5) Joel Armia Right Winger, 20, 6-3 187, Finnish Player Type: Scorer/Power-forward (RH) Potential (Likelihood): Top Six Forward (3/5) League: AHL Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA Projected Sabre Debut: 2015 Acquired: Drafted 2011 Rd.1 (Pick 16) (6) Mark Pysyk Defensemen, 22, 6-1 188, Canadian Player Type: Offensive Defensemen (RH) Potential (Likelihood): 2nd Pairing (4/5) League: AHL Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA Projected Sabre Debut: 2014 Acquired: Drafted 2010 Rd.1 (Pick 23) (7) Jake McCabe Defensemen, 20, 6-1 200, American Player Type: Two-way Defensemen (LH) Potential (Likelihood): 2nd Pairing (3/5) League: NHL Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA Projected Sabre Debut: 2015 - 2016 Acquired: Drafted 2012 Rd.2 (Pick 44) (8) Johan Larsson Center, 21, 5-10 200, Swedish Player Type: Two-Way Forward (LH) Potential (Likelihood): 3rd Line Center (4/5) League: AHL Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA Projected Sabre Debut: 2014 - 2015 Acquired: Trade with Wild (Drafted 2010 - Rd.2) (9) JT Compher Center, 18, 5-10 180, American Player Type: Playmaker (RH) Potential (Likelihood): Top Six Forward (3/5) League: NCAA - Univ. of Michigan Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA Projected Sabre Debut: 2016 Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.2 (Pick 35) (10) Hudson Fasching Right Winger, 18, 6-3 215, American Player Type: Scorer/Power Forward (RH) Potential (Likelihood): Top Six Forward (3/5) League: NCAA - University of Minnesota Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA Projected Sabre Debut: 2016 Acquired: Trade with Kings (Drafted 2013 - Rd.4) (11) Nick Baptiste Center, 18, 6-1 200, Canadian Player Type: Scorer/ Physical Two-Way Forward (RH) Potential (Likelihood): Top Six Forward (2/5) League: OHL - Sudbury Wolves (AHL Eligible = 2015 - 2016 season) Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in OHL Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+ Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.3 (Pick 69) (12) Connor Hurley Center, 18, 6-0 178, American Player Type: Playmaker (LH) Potential (Likelihood): Top Six Forward (2/5) League: US Juniors - Muskegon Lumberjacks Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA Projected Sabre Debut: 2016 - 2018 Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.2 (Pick 38) (13) Justin Bailey Right Winger, 18, 6-3 190, American Player Type: Scorer/Power-Forward (RH) Potential (Likelihood): Top Six Forward (2/5) League: OHL - Kitchener Rangers (AHL Eligible = 2015 - 2016 season) Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in OHL Projected Sabre Debut: 2015-2017 Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.2 (Pick 52) (14) Chad Ruhwedel Defensemen, 23, 5-11 187, American Player Type: Defensive Defensemen (RH) Potential (Likelihood): 3rd Pairing Defensemen (4/5) League: AHL Contract: Entry Level = 1 Year Left, then RFA Projected Sabre Debut: 2014 Acquired: 2013 Free Agent (15) William Carrier Left Winger, 19, 6-2 196, Canadian Player Type: Playmaker/Two-Way Forward (LH) Potential (Likelihood): Top Six Forward (2/5) League: QMJHL - Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (AHL Eligible = 2014 - 2015 season) Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+ Acquired: Trade with Blues (Drafted 2013 - Rd.2) (16) Linus Ullmark Goalie, 20, 6-3 198, Swedish Potential (Likelihood): Starting NHL Goalie (2/5) League: SHL - MODO Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned for 1 more year Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+ Acquired: Draft 2012 Rd.6 (Pick 163) (17) Gustav Possler Winger, 19, 6-1 181, Swedish Player Type: Scorer (LH) Potential (Likelihood): Top Six Forward (2/5) League: SHL - MODO Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned for 2 more years Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+ Acquired: Draft 2013 Rd.5 (Pick 130) (18) Nicolas Deslauriers Left Winger, 23, 6-0 200, Canadian Player Type: Two-Way Forward (LH) Potential (Likelihood): Top Six Forward (2/5) League: AHL Contract: Entry Level = 1 Year Left, then RFA Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+ Acquired: Trade with Kings (Drafted 2009 - Rd.3) (19) Justin Kea Center, 20, 6-4 211, Canadian Player Type: Grinder/Two Way Forward (LH) Potential (Likelihood): 3rd Liner (3/5) League: AHL Contract: Entry Level = 4 Years Left, then RFA Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+ Acquired: Drafted 2012 Rd.3 (Pick 73) (20) Logan Nelson Center, 20, 6-1 178, American Player Type: Two-Way Forward (RH) Potential (Likelihood): 2nd/3rd Liner (2/5) League: WHL - Victoria Royals (AHL Eligible = 2014 - 2015 season) Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in WHL Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+ Acquired: Draft 2012 Rd.5 (Pick 133) (21) Daniel Catenacci Winger, 21, 5-10 180, Canadian Player Type: Scorer/Playmaker (LH) Potential (Likelihood): 2nd/3rd Liner (2/5) League: AHL Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA Projected Sabre Debut: 2015 - 2016 Acquired: Drafted 2011 Rd.3 (Pick 77) (22) Cal Petersen Goalie, 19, 6-1 174, American Potential (Likelihood): Starting NHL Goalie (1/5) League: NCAA - Univ. of Notre Dame Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA Projected Sabre Debut: 2017+ Acquired: Draft 2013 Rd.5 (Pick 129) (23) Andrey Makarov Goalie, 20, 6-1 193, Russian Potential (Likelihood): Starting NHL Goalie (1/5) League: AHL Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+ Acquired: 2012 Free Agent (24) Nathan Lieuwen Goaltender, 22, 6-5 181, Canadian Potential (Likelihood): Backup NHL Goalie (1/5) League: AHL Contract: 2 year remaining, then RFA Projected Sabre Debut: 2015+ Acquired: Drafted 2009 Rd.6 (pick 167) (25) Matt Hackett Goaltender, 24, 6-2 173, Canadian Potential (Likelihood): Backup NHL Goalie (2/5) League: NHL Contract: 1 year remaining, then RFA Projected Sabre Debut: 2014 - 2015 Acquired: Trade with Wild (Drafted 2009 - Rd.3) (26) Brady Austin Defensemen, 20, 6-4 230, Canadian Player Type: Defensive Defensemen (LH) Potential (Likelihood): 3rd Pairing Defensemen (1/5) League: OHL - Belleville Bulls (AHL Eligible) Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned for 1 more year Projected Sabre Debut: 2017+ Acquired: Drafted 2012 Rd.7 (Pick 193) (27) Anthony Florentino Defenseman, 19, 6-1 210, American Player Type: Physical Two-Way Defensemen (RH) Potential (Likelihood): 3rd Pairing Defensemen (1/5) League: NCAA - Providence College Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+ Acquired: Draft 2013 Rd.5 (Pick 143) (28) Phil Varone Center, 23, 5-10 186, Canadian Player Type: Playmaker (LH) Potential (Likelihood): Bottom Six Forward (1/5) League: AHL Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA Projected Sabre Debut: 2015+ Acquired: 2011 Free Agent (29) Sean Malone Center, 18, 5-11 180, American Player Type: Two-Way Forward (LH) Potential (Likelihood): Bottom Six Forward (1/5) League: NCAA - Harvard Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA Projected Sabre Debut: 2017+ Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.6 (Pick 159) (30) Eric Locke Center, 20, 5-9 180, Canadian Player Type: Scorer/Playmaker (LH) Potential (Likelihood): Bottom Six Forward (1/5) League: OHL - Saginaw Spirit (AHL Eligible) Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in OHL Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+ Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.7 (Pick 189) (31) Tim Schaller Center, 23, 6-2 209, American Player Type: Grinder (LH) Potential (Likelihood): Bottom Six Forward (1/5) League: AHL Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+ Acquired: 2013 Free Agent (32) Luke Adam Center, 23, 6-2 206, Canadian Player Type: Playmaker (LH) Potential (Likelihood): Bottom Six Forward (1/5) League: AHL Contract: 1 year remaining, then RFA Projected Sabre Debut: 2014+ Acquired: Drafted 2008 Rd.2 (Pick 44) (33) Christian Isackson Right Winger, 22, 6-0 183, American Player Type: Playmaker (RH) Potential (Likelihood): Bottom Six Forward (1/5) League: NCAA - Minnesota Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+ Acquired: Drafted 2010 Rd.7 (Pick 203) (34) Nick Crawford Defensemen, 24, 6-1 192, Canadian Player Type: Defensive Defensemen (LH) Potential (Likelihood): 3rd Pairing Defensemen (1/5) League: AHL Contract: 1 year remaining, then RFA Projected Sabre Debut: 2015 - 2017 Acquired: Drafted 2008 Rd.6 (Pick 164) (35) Jerome Gauthier-Leduc Defensemen, 21, 6-2 196, Canadian Player Type: Offensive Defensemen (RH) Potential (Likelihood): 3rd Pairing Defensemen (1/5) League: ECHL - Gwinnett Gladiators Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA Projected Sabre Debut: 2015+ Acquired: Drafted 2010 Rd.3 (Pick 68) (36) Kevin Sundher Center, 22, 5-11 180, Canadian Player Type: Playmaker (LH) Potential (Likelihood): Bottom Six Forward (1/5) League: AHL Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA Projected Sabre Debut: 2017+ Acquired: Drafted 2010 Rd.3 (Pick 75) (37) Colin Jacobs Right Winger, 21, 6-1 210, American Player Type: Two-Way Forward (RH) Potential (Likelihood): Bottom Six Forward (1/5) League: ECHL - Elmira Jackals Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA Projected Sabre Debut: 2017+ Acquired: Drafted 2011 Rd.4 (Pick 107) Prospect Overview Nationalities: 15 Canadians, 13 Americans, 3 Russians, 3 Swedes, 2 Finns, 1 Latvian Edited May 22, 2014 by Numark
qwksndmonster Posted June 21, 2013 Report Posted June 21, 2013 Good write up. I'm excited to add some new names to the list. :beer:
Johnny DangerFace Posted June 21, 2013 Author Report Posted June 21, 2013 (edited) Yea I am really excited to see who we add to our prospect pool. Putting this ranking together got me pretty optimistic as we have some good future talent. The sabres prospect's were recently rated 8 out of 30 by http://www.hockeysfuture.com/ Also if you notice a lot of our guys at the top of the list have size Edited June 21, 2013 by Numark
inkman Posted June 21, 2013 Report Posted June 21, 2013 Numark, Can you add size to your profiles? After all, we know how important size is.
Johnny DangerFace Posted June 21, 2013 Author Report Posted June 21, 2013 Updated with size...size matters
LGR4GM Posted June 21, 2013 Report Posted June 21, 2013 Catenacci's size is not a hindrance, he is 5'10" yes but he weighs 190lbs. The kid is an animal and I have no problems with his height. He will become a Sabre in in 2014.
Johnny DangerFace Posted June 21, 2013 Author Report Posted June 21, 2013 Good thread. Please fix the title. Apostrophe?
dudacek Posted June 21, 2013 Report Posted June 21, 2013 Prospect - A player under 25 who has not yet acquired a permanent spot at the NHL level. Once a player has played a full season at the NHL level, and is not expected to have to earn a spot in the following year, then they are no longer a prospect. So why no Adam?
X. Benedict Posted June 21, 2013 Report Posted June 21, 2013 So why no Adam? the last grain of sand is slipping through his hourglass.
dudacek Posted June 21, 2013 Report Posted June 21, 2013 the last grain of sand is slipping through his hourglass. I — and most on here — agree. But he fits under the definition, and he's no less of a prospect than Drew Scheistel, Nick Crawford, Corey Tropp and Brian Flynn.
Johnny DangerFace Posted June 21, 2013 Author Report Posted June 21, 2013 (edited) I edited the definition a bit better because you're right Luke Adam did meet the requirements. But so did any ahl player. The reason I didn't include Adam or BIega is because it looks like the sabres no longer see them having NHL potential. But what does everyone else think? Do you think Luke Adam is a prospect in the sense that we think his expected ceiling is at the NHL level? Does he get one more year having "prospect status"? But he fits under the definition, and he's no less of a prospect than Drew Scheistel, Nick Crawford, Corey Tropp and Brian Flynn I think Tropp or Flynn can become 4th line contributors. And I agree on Scheistel and crawford for the most part, but I'm giving them one more year to prove anything Edited June 21, 2013 by Numark
LGR4GM Posted June 21, 2013 Report Posted June 21, 2013 (edited) I think Tropp or Flynn can become 4th line contributors. And I agree on Scheistel and crawford for the most part, but I'm giving them one more year to prove anything I see Flynn as being a perfect 3rd line guy for us. He can jump up and produce, he is tenacious on the puck and is solid defensively. Most will disagree but eh the kid looks good and can play, so let him. Speaking of sabres Prospects did you guys hear about our newest player? "Anton Larsson" according to NHL.com Darcy mentioned him the other day... ""I'm excited because it adds to a group of young players we currently have: [Anton] Larsson, [Zemgus] Girgensons," http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=674690 hashtag #idiots Edited June 21, 2013 by LGR4GM
Robviously Posted June 21, 2013 Report Posted June 21, 2013 If you factor in both potential AND likelihood of success, I think you could make the case that Zemgus Girgensons is our no.1 prospect right now. Girgensons made huge strides this season and is a total monster in terms of work ethic. According to a few players/reporters, he was the best player (for either team) in the Amerks' playoff series with Toronto. And according to Matthew Coller, when they asked him about his playoff performance, his response was "So what? We lost." If I had to make a list of prospects I DON'T want to trade, he's my no.1. Grigorenko: Scored a lot in the Q, then did nothing in the NHL, then scored a lot in the Q, then did nothing in the playoffs for the Remparts or Amerks. I was excited about the pick too, but right now he's on track to be the moody weirdo everyone was scared of during last year's draft. Armia: Good numbers in Finland again, but not spectacular. He had two concussions this year but helped his team win a championship. He'll either be a good scorer in the NHL or a guy who gets his head taken off. Or both. My list is something like: 1. Girgensons 2. Grigorenko 3. Armia 4. Pysyk 5. McNabb 6. McCabe 7. Larsson 8. Catenacci 9. Hackett 10. Tropp (could be higher since he should have been a full time NHLer last year but got injured, and I guess he could be lower too since he's getting older and we're still waiting to see how fully he recovers).
LaFontaineToMogilny Posted June 21, 2013 Report Posted June 21, 2013 If you factor in both potential AND likelihood of success, I think you could make the case that Zemgus Girgensons is our no.1 prospect right now. Girgensons made huge strides this season and is a total monster in terms of work ethic. According to a few players/reporters, he was the best player (for either team) in the Amerks' playoff series with Toronto. And according to Matthew Coller, when they asked him about his playoff performance, his response was "So what? We lost." If I had to make a list of prospects I DON'T want to trade, he's my no.1. Grigorenko: Scored a lot in the Q, then did nothing in the NHL, then scored a lot in the Q, then did nothing in the playoffs for the Remparts or Amerks. I was excited about the pick too, but right now he's on track to be the moody weirdo everyone was scared of during last year's draft. Armia: Good numbers in Finland again, but not spectacular. He had two concussions this year but helped his team win a championship. He'll either be a good scorer in the NHL or a guy who gets his head taken off. Or both. My list is something like: 1. Girgensons 2. Grigorenko 3. Armia 4. Pysyk 5. McNabb 6. McCabe 7. Larsson 8. Catenacci 9. Hackett 10. Tropp (could be higher since he should have been a full time NHLer last year but got injured, and I guess he could be lower too since he's getting older and we're still waiting to see how fully he recovers). I share your optimism in regards to Zemgus. I am hoping to see him up with the big club this year. So far, seems like an excellent pick and a redeeming factor in the midst of a torrent of Darcy Regier hatred.
Robviously Posted June 21, 2013 Report Posted June 21, 2013 I share your optimism in regards to Zemgus. I am hoping to see him up with the big club this year. So far, seems like an excellent pick and a redeeming factor in the midst of a torrent of Darcy Regier hatred. I liked Girgensons going into the draft but I wasn't sure about trading up for him. We could have stayed put and taken Henrik Samuelsson a few picks later, and done something useful with the extra 2nd round pick. Obviously I'm feeling more confident about the move now. I hope he plays all of next season as the no.1 center for Rochester. Just give him tons of minutes in all situations. We rushed Grigorenko to the NHL and look pretty stupid for doing so. No need to do that again.
Johnny DangerFace Posted June 21, 2013 Author Report Posted June 21, 2013 I think Biega deserves to be on the list. The reason I didn't include him was I think the organization made it clear what they thought of him by repeatedly choosing other prospects to get a chance to play in the NHL over him. I think the signing of ruhwedel was the writing on the wall. Plus he is now 25 years old
inkman Posted June 22, 2013 Report Posted June 22, 2013 The reason I didn't include him was I think the organization made it clear what they thought of him by repeatedly choosing other prospects to get a chance to play in the NHL over him. I think the signing of ruhwedel was the writing on the wall. Plus he is now 25 years old I don't disagree with anything you said. He just doesn't seem to be able to catch a break. He plays hard, plays way bigger than his size. He's competent offensively, and sound on D. Just not good enough or bad enough to stand out. I'll root for the guy.
Johnny DangerFace Posted June 22, 2013 Author Report Posted June 22, 2013 I don't disagree with anything you said. He just doesn't seem to be able to catch a break. He plays hard, plays way bigger than his size. He's competent offensively, and sound on D. Just not good enough or bad enough to stand out. I'll root for the guy. I don't get it either, I thought we would see him last year and I think he has earned his shot. I don't understand why they don't view him better, but it just seems they don't. I certainly think he is better than a handful of the prospects in our system, but yea
qwksndmonster Posted June 22, 2013 Report Posted June 22, 2013 I liked Girgensons going into the draft but I wasn't sure about trading up for him. We could have stayed put and taken Henrik Samuelsson a few picks later, and done something useful with the extra 2nd round pick. Obviously I'm feeling more confident about the move now. I hope he plays all of next season as the no.1 center for Rochester. Just give him tons of minutes in all situations. We rushed Grigorenko to the NHL and look pretty stupid for doing so. No need to do that again. I remember you being concerned about the pick in the middle of this year. Hopefully Grigs will do the same. And I totally agree about letting Girgensons stay in Roch. Play him with Armia all year so he can teach him the NA game and take people's heads off if they go after his head.
SwampD Posted June 22, 2013 Report Posted June 22, 2013 No apostrophe. This is a list of Sabres Prospects. …or is it a list of the Sabres' prospects? Hmmm?
North Buffalo Posted June 22, 2013 Report Posted June 22, 2013 Can't wait to see what Isaakson can do this year. He was a late round draft choice out of High School with mad skills and avg. 2 goals per game. Like most college players he mostly sat his first two years, but showed more of his ability last year. If this is a break out year for this young guy, the Sabres may actually have a first line center in two years. One could only hope he is a diamond in the rough.
That Aud Smell Posted June 28, 2013 Report Posted June 28, 2013 Is this a source of concern? Or is this more a product of other factors -- e.g., where our top prospects are from, how old they are, etc.? As of now, no Sabres prospects will be attending Canada's U20 Summer Camp. Could change after draft. https://twitter.com/SabresProspects/status/350655335037534210
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