Sabres Prospects 2016-17

[Two or less]

Who are top 10 prospects heading into the draft. (Ullmark, Erod, and Carrier have graduated from this list based on age and experience)

1 & 2 are Nylander and Guhle. Right now I'd argue for Guhle 1 and Nylander 2 based on Guhle seems closer to being NHL ready.

 

So who is 3-10. Candidates: Bailey, Fasching, Asplund, Pu, Baptiste, Petersen, Borgen, Estephan, Fitzgerald. Anyone else? Cornel? What order?

3. Asplund - improved this season in a tough league, but are Pu and Estephan closing the gap? SHL for one more season?

4. Baptiste - 25 goal season has him on top of the RW candidates. Should make the Sabres.

5. Peterson - named to US World Championship Team. I'd have him higher if I was sure he was still interested in playing for us.

6. Pu - huge jump in production and two way play and excellence in the faceoff circle. One more year in London.

7. Bailey - needs more consistency. May make the Sabres next year anyway.

8. Estephan - another very good CHL season, but dominating in the playoffs. Should be in Roch next season.

9. Fasching - injuries moved him down the list after making the Sabres in camp last season. Likely starts in Roch next season.

10. Borgen - Soph season not quite as good as Freshman year at St Cloud. Going back to school for another year.

 

Next group: Cornel, Malone, Fitzgerald, Johansson, Nelson, Smith, Hagel?

 

Hagel wouldn't make it above Fasching or Borgen? I like both of them but Hagel seems to have really taken that next step this past season.

[GASabresIUFAN]

Hagel needs to keep it up another year before I put him in our top 10. Borgen has represented the US at the U20's and Fasching made the Sabres out of camp. Hagel isnt in that class yet.

[GASabresIUFAN]

With Stephens, Smith, Malone and Florentino now signed, that leaves Estephen as the only CHL player from 2015 yet to sign.  I expect that to be done soon.

 

Other unsigned Prospects:

2012 - Peterson - 23 - College Senior - not sure if Sabres are interested in signing

2013 - Petersen - 22 - Undecided about returning to School for Senior Year, going FA or signing with Sabres

2013 - Hurley -  21 - Rising senior @ ND, not sure Sabres have an interest in signing the former 2nd rd pick.

2013 - Possler - 22 - Marginal SHL player - don't think he'll be coming over.

2014 - Johansson - 21 - came over on PTO for the Amerks,  Haven't seen work that he has been signed to an ELC

2014 -  Willam - 22 Rising senior at Brown.  Improved year or year.

2014 - Brown - 21 - Rising Jr also made great strides at BC last year

2014 - Olofsson - 21 - exploded in SHL playoffs with 12 pts in 14 games.  I'd love to see him come over.  

2015 - Borgen 20 - returning to St Cloud for Jr year.  Stay at home D we need in the system

2015 - Chukarov 22 - Rising Jr at Umass Amherst - I'd be surprised if the Sabres are interested long-term

2016 - Other then Nylander, the other 9 2016 picks are unsigned.  Asplund staying in Swe another year and no word if Fitzgerald is interest in leaving BC.   

[nfreeman]

No one would give Moulson $3MM in free agency.

[Sabre fan]

No one would give Moulson $3MM in free agency.

at this point he may be lucky to get any contract as a free agent...some good players got pushed into retirement or playing elsewhere as no one signed them last year or the ,year before...

[GASabresIUFAN]

The rule of thumb is about 100k per point. Moulson won't get a long term deal as a UFA, but 2.5 to 3 is in the ballbark for a team looking for some secondary scoring.

[LGR4GM]

With Stephens, Smith, Malone and Florentino now signed, that leaves Estephen as the only CHL player from 2015 yet to sign.  I expect that to be done soon.

 

Other unsigned Prospects:

2012 - Peterson - 23 - College Senior - not sure if Sabres are interested in signing

2013 - Petersen - 22 - Undecided about returning to School for Senior Year, going FA or signing with Sabres

2013 - Hurley -  21 - Rising senior @ ND, not sure Sabres have an interest in signing the former 2nd rd pick.

2013 - Possler - 22 - Marginal SHL player - don't think he'll be coming over.

2014 - Johansson - 21 - came over on PTO for the Amerks,  Haven't seen work that he has been signed to an ELC

2014 -  Willam - 22 Rising senior at Brown.  Improved year or year.

2014 - Brown - 21 - Rising Jr also made great strides at BC last year

2014 - Olofsson - 21 - exploded in SHL playoffs with 12 pts in 14 games.  I'd love to see him come over.  

2015 - Borgen 20 - returning to St Cloud for Jr year.  Stay at home D we need in the system

2015 - Chukarov 22 - Rising Jr at Umass Amherst - I'd be surprised if the Sabres are interested long-term

2016 - Other then Nylander, the other 9 2016 picks are unsigned.  Asplund staying in Swe another year and no word if Fitzgerald is interest in leaving BC.   

Johan Gustav Possler was going to be really good, and then he blew out his knee and never fully recovered. 

 

Olofsson though, I want him over here. 

Edited April 27, 2017 by LGR4GM

[ubkev]

Why did I think Possler's first name was Gustav?

[Eleven]

Why did I think Possler's first name was Gustav?

 

It is, isn't it?

[ubkev]

It is, isn't it?

Don't know, and I could have googled it 10 times by now.

 

Now that, kids, is what you call.... Lazy!

[WildCard]

The rule of thumb is about 100k per point. Moulson won't get a long term deal as a UFA, but 2.5 to 3 is in the ballbark for a team looking for some secondary scoring.

I've never heard of this rule. Is this really a thing? Feel like this is how GMs give out terrible contracts. One of them 5 types of bias my man Dubas talked about

Edited April 27, 2017 by WildCard

[ubkev]

It is, isn't it?

OK I googled it. It is Gustav. I just assumed I misrembered and liger was right when he called him Johan

Edited April 27, 2017 by ubkev

[Cereal]

OK I googled it. It is Gustav. I just assumed I misrembered and liger was right when he called him Johan

I had a dream last night that I was the GM of an NHL team, and on Draft Day I was intending to draft a European player named Sven.  But he had already done a bunch of photoshoots of himself in a Coyotes uniform prior to the draft, so it was awkward.

[LGR4GM]

Why did I think Possler's first name was Gustav?

Cuz it is and I was thinking of Johan Larsson still. 

I've never heard of this rule. Is this really a thing? Feel like this is how GMs give out terrible contracts. One of them 5 types of bias my man Dubas talked about

It' doesn't make sense as a rule of thumb considering how the cap changes every year. 

[GASabresIUFAN]

I've never heard of this rule. Is this really a thing? Feel like this is how GMs give out terrible contracts. One of them 5 types of bias my man Dubas talked about

Yeah, for forwards mostly.

Go look at the Sabres contracts.  Look at the performance of the player in the 2-3 before the contract was signed.  

 

For example,

Okposo averaged 61 pts in the 3 years before he signed here and received 6 mil per season

Ennis averaged 44.5 pts in the 2 seasons before his extension and received 4.6 per season

WPG gave Kane 5.25 per season after his breakout campaign of 57 pts in 2011-12

Gionta earns 4.25.  His last season 5 seasons with Montreal were 46, 46, 26 pts in 48 games (44 pts over 82 gms), 15 pts in 31 games (48 pt pace) and 40 pts.

It even works on smaller contracts. Foligno averaged 21 pts in his last 3 seasons before signing his 1yr 2.25 mill deal for this past season.

[North Buffalo]

So as the Sabres look for mobile defensemen... Ivan Chukarov at UMass comes to mind to keep an eye on. Smooth skater with a heckuv of a point shot. Good passer, but was asked to be a shut down guy this year. As talent at UMass picks up, Ill be interested in seeing if he takes the next step as a junior in the always tough Hockey East

Edited June 6, 2017 by North Buffalo

[Brawndo]

Article from a Swedish Newspaper, translated using Google Translate.

 

Asplund and his decision not to sign a contract with the Sabres this summer

 

https://translate.google.com/m/translate#auto/en/Varje%20g%C3%A5ng%20n%C3%A4r%20Peter%20Jakobsson%20den%20senaste%20m%C3%A5naden%20pratat%20om%20hur%20F%C3%A4rjestad%20bara%20har%20en%20pusselbit%20kvar%20i%20lagbygget%20har%20han%20i%20en%20bisats%20lagt%20till%3A%20%E2%80%9DDet%20vill%20s%C3%A4ga%20om%20Rasmus%20Asplund%20blir%20kvar%20%E2%80%93%20f%C3%B6rsvinner%20han%20m%C3%A5ste%20vi%20ha%20in%20tv%C3%A5%20spelare%20till%E2%80%9D.%0A%0ADet%20till%C3%A4gget%20kan%20F%C3%A4rjestads%20sportchef%20sluta%20anv%C3%A4nda%20sig%20av.%0A%0AF%C3%B6r%20nu%20%C3%A4r%20det%20helt%20klart%20att%20Rasmus%20Asplund%20spelar%20i%20F%C3%A4rjestad%20n%C3%A4sta%20s%C3%A4song.%20Trots%20att%20en%20vecka%20%C3%A5terst%C3%A5r%20till%20deadline%20f%C3%B6r%20kontrakterade%20svenska%20spelare%20att%20l%C3%A4mna%20f%C3%B6r%20NHL%20s%C3%A5%20avsl%C3%B6jar%20Asplund%20sj%C3%A4lv%20f%C3%B6r%20VF-sporten%20att%20han%20inte%20kommer%20skriva%20p%C3%A5%20f%C3%B6r%20Buffalo%20Sabres%2C%20som%20draftade%20honom%20tidigt%20i%20andra%20rundan%202016%2C%20redan%20nu.%0A%0A%E2%80%93%20Nej%2C%20jag%20kommer%20inte%20skriva%20n%C3%A5got%20NHL-kontrakt%20i%20sommar%2C%20s%C3%A4ger%2019-%C3%A5ringen%20som%20f%C3%B6r%20en%20m%C3%A5nad%20sedan%20via%20agenten%20hade%20p%C3%A5b%C3%B6rjat%20kontraktssamtal%20med%20Buffalo.%0A%0AMen%20d%C3%A5%20Sabres%20stenrike%20%C3%A4gare%20Terry%20Pegula%20valde%20att%20sparka%20b%C3%A5de%20coachen%20Dan%20Bylsma%20samt%20klubbens%20general%20manager%20Tim%20Murray%20dog%20de%20samtalen%20ut.%0A%0AOch%20efter%20att%20man%20nu%20haft%20kontakt%20med%20den%20nya%20ledningen%2C%20d%C3%A4r%20Jason%20Botterill%20%C3%A4r%20GM%2C%20har%20man%20kommit%20fram%20till%20att%20inte%20skriva%20n%C3%A5got%20kontrakt%20i%20sommar.%0A%0A%E2%80%93%20Det%20%C3%A4r%20v%C3%A4ldigt%20turbulent%20i%20Buffalo%20just%20nu%20med%20tanke%20p%C3%A5%20att%20de%20ska%20ha%20in%20ny%20tr%C3%A4nare%20i%20b%C3%A5de%20NHL%20och%20AHL.%20Och%20d%C3%A5%20vill%20de%20ha%20s%C3%A5%20m%C3%A5nga%20kontraktsplatser%20lediga%20som%20m%C3%B6jligt%20n%C3%A4r%20de%20ska%20ha%20ihop%20b%C3%A5de%20NHL-%20och%20AHL-trupp%2C%20s%C3%A4ger%20Asplund.%0A%0AEnligt%20regelverket%20f%C3%A5r%20varje%20NHL-klubb%20max%20ha%2050%20spelare%20under%20kontrakt.%0A%0A%E2%80%93%20Och%20i%20och%20med%20att%20jag%20varken%20skulle%20ha%20spelat%20i%20NHL%20eller%20AHL%20n%C3%A4sta%20s%C3%A4song%20s%C3%A5%20finns%20det%20ingen%20anledning%20att%20sajna%20upp%20mig%20nu%2C%20de%20t%C3%A4nker%20v%C3%A4ldigt%20smart%20d%C3%A4r.%0A%0ARedan%20tidigare%20har%20Rasmus%20Asplund%20varit%20inne%20p%C3%A5%20att%20det%20troliga%20om%20han%20skrivit%20kontrakt%20hade%20varit%20att%20han%20blivit%20utl%C3%A5nad%20till%20F%C3%A4rjestad%20under%20det%20f%C3%B6rsta%20kontrakts%C3%A5ret.%20Men%20kontrakterad%20av%20Buffalo%20hade%20de%20suttit%20p%C3%A5%20makten%20och%20FBK%20hade%20riskerat%20att%20hamna%20i%20en%20liknande%20situation%20som%20i%20fjol%20d%C3%A5%20Minnesota%20Wild%20f%C3%B6rst%20t%C3%A4nkte%20l%C3%A5na%20ut%20Joel%20Eriksson%20Ek%20men%20sedan%20beh%C3%B6ll%20honom%20i%20Nordamerika%20under%20inledningen%20av%20NHL-s%C3%A4songen%20efter%20att%20han%20imponerat%20stort%20p%C3%A5%20sommarens%20tr%C3%A4ningsl%C3%A4ger.%0A%0ADen%20os%C3%A4kerheten%20slipper%20nu%20FBK%20kring%20Rasmus%20Asplund%20som%20blir%20en%20av%20lagets%20toppcentrar%20n%C3%A4sta%20s%C3%A4song%0A%0A%E2%80%A2%20Vilka%20m%C3%A5l%20s%C3%A4tter%20du%20upp%20i%20vinter%3F%0A%0A%E2%80%93%20Det%20vore%20j%C3%A4vligt%20kul%20att%20g%C3%A5%20l%C3%A5ngt%20i%20ett%20slutspel%20och%20samla%20p%C3%A5%20sig%20erfarenhet%20fr%C3%A5n%20det.%20Sen%20vill%20jag%20ju%20ta%20kliv%20i%20min%20utveckling%20och%20bli%20b%C3%A4ttre%2C%20ta%20sm%C3%A5%20steg%20under%20hela%20s%C3%A4songen%20och%20kanske%20f%C3%A5%20k%C3%A4nna%20p%C3%A5%20lite%20spel%20i%20Tre%20Kronor.%20Det%20%C3%A4r%20ju%20liksom%20n%C3%A4sta%20steg%20och%20d%C3%A4rmed%20n%C3%A4sta%20m%C3%A5l.%0A%0ADet%20tre%C3%A5rskontrakt%20som%20Filipstadssonen%20skrev%20med%20F%C3%A4rjestad%20i%20december%202015%20g%C3%A5r%20ut%20efter%20den%20h%C3%A4r%20s%C3%A4songen.%20Om%20det%20blir%20centerns%20sista%20hemma%20i%20V%C3%A4rmland%20%C3%A5terst%C3%A5r%20att%20se.%0A%0A%E2%80%93%20Vi%20f%C3%A5r%20v%C3%A4l%20se%20hur%20det%20g%C3%A5tt%20under%20s%C3%A4songen%2C%20det%20kommer%20avg%C3%B6ra%20var%20jag%20hamnar.%20Men%20det%20%C3%A4r%20v%C3%A4ldigt%20l%C3%A5ngt%20dit%20nu%20och%20det%20%C3%A4r%20ett%20%C3%A5r%20och%20en%20s%C3%A4song%20jag%20ska%20ta%20mig%20igenom%20innan%20jag%20b%C3%B6rjar%20fundera%20p%C3%A5%20det%2C%20s%C3%A4ger%20han.%0A%0ARasmus%20Asplund%20har%20trots%20sin%20unga%20%C3%A5lder%20redan%20gjort%20120%20SHL-matcher%20f%C3%B6r%20F%C3%A4rjestad%20och%20i%20vintras%20noterades%20han%20f%C3%B6r%2019%20(6%2B13)%20po%C3%A4ng%20p%C3%A5%2039%20matcher.%0A%0AP%C3%A5%20landslagsniv%C3%A5%20har%20han%20representerat%20Sverige%20p%C3%A5%20samtliga%20pojk-%20och%20juniorlandslagsniv%C3%A5er%20och%20de%20tv%C3%A5%20senaste%20vintrarna%20har%20han%20varit%20en%20del%20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Edited June 7, 2017 by BRAWNDO

[LGR4GM]

Sounds like Botterill is a smart cookie

[GASabresIUFAN]

Jbot understands the system. His letting go of Estephan also made me wonder how many legit NHL prospects are left in the organization. The answer is a surprisingly low number; 8 if we lose Petersen. This isn't to say others won't eventually play some in the NHL or develop into legit prospects, but as of right now based on what I've watched and read, I think we only have 8 guys that project to being full time NHL players. Please note I have graduated Carrier, ERod and Nelson based on age or NHL experience. Bailey is also one game from graduating as well.)

 

They are (in my ranking order)

Nylander, Guhle, Baptiste, Pu, Asplund, Bailey, Fasching and Ullmark. Petersen would be 9 if he signs with us.

 

After that are a couple of guys one could argue have a reasonable chance such as Fitzgerald and Borgen, but given our lack of D, managements decision to leave both in college shows me that neither are close to being ready for the pros.

 

Then there are higher end draftees such as Cornel, Karabacek and Johansson who have yet to impress and later picks or college FAs, like Smith, Malone, Stephens, and Austin who have shown flashes or improvement but skill and speed questions limit their upside.

 

My current rankings

1) Nylander

2) Guhle

3) Baptiste

4) Pu

5) Asplund

6) Bailey

7) Fasching

8) Ullmark

9) Petersen

10) Fitzgerald

11) Borgen

12) Cornel

13) Johansson

14) Smith

15) Malone

16) Karabacek

17) Austin

18) Stephens

19) Hagel

20) Glotov

[North Buffalo]

left off Chukarov, soon to be Junior D at UMass... later pick

[GASabresIUFAN]

The Sabres have about 33 total "prospects" in the system currently. I only listed who i think are the top 20. Ivan is a 7th rd pick and although he takes a regular shift for UMass he really hasn't taken a major step in his development. At this point, I'll be surprised if he gets a contract from the Sabres.

[dudacek]

I could (and often do) quibble, but I think that's a very reasonable take on where we are.

 

One prospect I am very interested in watching this year is Karabacek.

Injuries and other issues - and our depth on the wing - have largely kept him off the radar, but assuming health, he should be in a position to fight for a middle six spot in the Amerks this year.

 

It's tempting to write him off as a complete bust, but he could also be a victim of circumstances.

This year should tell.

[North Buffalo]

The Sabres have about 33 total "prospects" in the system currently. I only listed who i think are the top 20. Ivan is a 7th rd pick and although he takes a regular shift for UMass he really hasn't taken a major step in his development. At this point, I'll be surprised if he gets a contract from the Sabres.

Im not sure, he stepped up to no. 1 D pair this past year and took on more responsibilty. Have seen him play, great shot smooth skater, needed to work on physicality and did. I see him putting it together this year. Confidence was his biggest issue imo and not wanting to make mistakes. He has size. Fair list if top 20, but i could see him jumping up. PS 2 different coaches in 2 years. Think stability this year will help.

Edited June 7, 2017 by North Buffalo

[LGR4GM]

Victor Olofsson, hope we sign him and bring him over.

[Mustache of God]

edit: Jeez that formatted funky. Asplund staying in Sweden this year. Not signing a contract due to front office upheaval.

 

http://www.diebytheblade.com/2017/6/7/15757586/rasmus-asplund-extends-stay-farjestad-sweden-shl-buffalo-sabres-prospect

 

"

Despite beginning contract talks with the Sabres a month ago, those talks went silent with the change at GM, and Asplund has decided not to come over this season.

“No, I will not sign an NHL contract this summer.

It is very turbulent in Buffalo right now, given that they will have the new coach in both the NHL and AHL. There is no need to sign me up now [to Buffalo/Rochester].

“It would be really fun to go far in the playoffs and accumulate experience from it [with Färjestad].

“Then I want to take the leap in my development and get better, taking small steps throughout the season and maybe get some games for the Tre Kronor [sweden national team].

“It's like the next step and therefore the next target.”

Who can the blame the prospect for making this decision considering there will be new coaches at both the Rochester Americans and the Buffalo Sabres in the upcoming season, with General Manager Jason Botterill looking to fill those vacancies soon."

Edited June 7, 2017 by mustacheofgod