Jump to content

2017 NHL Draft -- General NHL Thread

WildCard

By WildCard
in The Aud Club

 Share

Recommended Posts

GASabresIUFAN All Star

GASabresIUFAN

Posted
Posted

Is everyone on the Makar bandwagon because they think he will be the BPA when we draft 6-9 or becuase we are in desperate need of good D in the pipeline?

 

Personally, I want a D drafted and I also want the guy GMTM and his staff think is closest to NHL ready. Right now we need 4 D long-term, although we are stuck with Bogo for another couple of years.

1. Guhle maybe one of the needed 4, but hard to tell with only 3 NHL games under his belt. However I'm going to assume, bssed on TM's glowing praise that he is going to be a long-term Sabre.

2. Antipin. Is smallish, already 25 and has never played in NA. Assuming he signs, is he another Vaitsev? No idea, but unlikely. The best we can hope for is that he is a solid player for the 3-5 years.

3. Gorges is gone either this year or next and we have no one in the system even close to replacing him. I thought Borgen might have a chance, but his returning to school worries me. Nelson can't play in his own zone yet and GMTM already said Austin isn't ready. After that who do we have? No one. I think Valimaki is the closest to NHL ready of the projected top 3 D. I'd like to see him drafted and then brought over immediately to play in the AHL.

LGR4GM Hall of Famer

LGR4GM

Posted
Posted

Pretty sure Valimaki is not AHL eligible.

 

Draft the best player. I want a defender but we need talent throughout the lineup.

 

Hischier I believe is AHL eligible. He's in the Nylander boat.

GASabresIUFAN All Star

GASabresIUFAN

Posted
Posted

Pretty sure Valimaki is not AHL eligible.

Draft the best player. I want a defender but we need talent throughout the lineup.

Hischier I believe is AHL eligible. He's in the Nylander boat.

I had forgotten that Valimaki was playing for Tri-City. That said, he'll be 19 in October, which means just one more Jr season.

TrueBlueGED Hall of Famer

TrueBlueGED

Posted
Posted

Is everyone on the Makar bandwagon because they think he will be the BPA when we draft 6-9 or becuase we are in desperate need of good D in the pipeline?

 

Personally, I want a D drafted and I also want the guy GMTM and his staff think is closest to NHL ready. Right now we need 4 D long-term, although we are stuck with Bogo for another couple of years.

1. Guhle maybe one of the needed 4, but hard to tell with only 3 NHL games under his belt. However I'm going to assume, bssed on TM's glowing praise that he is going to be a long-term Sabre.

2. Antipin. Is smallish, already 25 and has never played in NA. Assuming he signs, is he another Vaitsev? No idea, but unlikely. The best we can hope for is that he is a solid player for the 3-5 years.

3. Gorges is gone either this year or next and we have no one in the system even close to replacing him. I thought Borgen might have a chance, but his returning to school worries me. Nelson can't play in his own zone yet and GMTM already said Austin isn't ready. After that who do we have? No one. I think Valimaki is the closest to NHL ready of the projected top 3 D. I'd like to see him drafted and then brought over immediately to play in the AHL.

In a draft without much of the way of sure things (especially in our likely slot), I think it makes sense to roll the dice and go after the high ceiling. When risk is similar, why not chase the home run?

GASabresIUFAN All Star

GASabresIUFAN

Posted
Posted

In a draft without much of the way of sure things (especially in our likely slot), I think it makes sense to roll the dice and go after the high ceiling. When risk is similar, why not chase the home run?

Because we don't need the homerun and in comparing the risk associated with Valimaki and Maker, I think Makar's upside and downside are greater.  Risto's our homerun.  I'd rather grab the excellent guy I'm pretty sure will make a positive impact in a couple of years, then a smallish D from a second tier Jr league.  This isn't to say Makar won't be a star in the NHL. I'm concerned that is floor is significantly lower then Valimaki.  I also think because he is going to college, he is less likely to make an impact with the Sabres as soon as someone like Valimaki who can jump from Jrs with a minimum of one more jr year. Also went I compare the two, Valimaki has shown nearly as much offense in the WHL, which is a much harder league to dominate.  Truth be told I'd be happy with any of the 4 top rated D

3putt First Liner

3putt

Posted
Posted

Makar can jump after one year of college. Wash. Neither make an immediate jump so Take the bigger upside. I like Makar, but would be ok with Valimaki. Still take the BPA regardless of position and if Middlestadt or Tippet is there I think long and hard. We still need to add high end talent to the system. Using any draft to fill positional need is ludicrous due to the time factor. Outside the top 2 in any draft, you aren't making roster improvements short term via the draft.

Thorner Hall of Famer

Thorner

Posted
Posted

You can't draft for NHL-team need, but to some extent you can factor in prospect pool need. With our prospect pool weighted heavily towards forwards right now, it would make sense to add to our lacking defensive prospect pool, to up the odds of one of them panning out in a big way.

 

We have a need for a blue chip defensive prospect in the system, and would like to see Murray lean that way if most else is equal.

French Collection First Liner

French Collection

Posted
Posted

You can't draft for NHL-team need, but to some extent you can factor in prospect pool need. With our prospect pool weighted heavily towards forwards right now, it would make sense to add to our lacking defensive prospect pool, to up the odds of one of them panning out in a big way.

We have a need for a blue chip defensive prospect in the system, and would like to see Murray lean that way if most else is equal.

Agree, we have lots of right handed wingers in the prospect pool. From what I've seen of Tippett, he is similar to Baptiste but not as fast.

We need D with the big club and in the pool so leaning that way is the right move. Trading up or down to get GMTM's guy could net us extra assets as well.

3putt First Liner

3putt

Posted
Posted

You can't draft for NHL-team need, but to some extent you can factor in prospect pool need. With our prospect pool weighted heavily towards forwards right now, it would make sense to add to our lacking defensive prospect pool, to up the odds of one of them panning out in a big way.

We have a need for a blue chip defensive prospect in the system, and would like to see Murray lean that way if most else is equal.

I would say only if it's equal. Always take the best talent. Youncan always trade it later. See: jones v johnasen
GASabresIUFAN All Star

GASabresIUFAN

Posted
Posted (edited)

Last year I predicted Nylander. This year I predict Valimaki.

That's fine with me.

 

I have been watching the U18s. There are some guys on team USA with late 1st rd grades like Josh Norris and Grant Mismash that look good as does Evan Barrett. Also Oliver Walstrom and Brady Tkachuk are going to be awesome

Edited by GASabresFan
Thorner Hall of Famer

Thorner

Posted
Posted

I would say only if it's equal. Always take the best talent. Youncan always trade it later. See: jones v johnasen

Good idea in a vacuum, but there's every chance we are looking at a Hall/Larsson scenario rather than the Jones/Johansen. It's difficult to trade for good defencemen in this league. (Something Murray has to do this summer, as is.)

Crusader1969 First Liner

Crusader1969

Posted
Posted (edited)

my guess at the Sabres draft board is:

 

1) Hischier 

2) Patrick

3) Makar

4) Liljegren

5) Viilamaki

6) Heiskanen  

 

Though the under 18s could influence the order of pickcs 4, 5 and 6

 

Think the draft board may have changed. Liljegren falling below Heiskanen and Vilamaki. Seems Heiskanen may have become the 2nd rated Dman in this draft. Liljegren is having a tough u18, which sounds like he could fall out of the top 20. he still has a week to turn it around. Not saying a Kylington type drop but still a drop.

Edited by Crusader1969
3putt First Liner

3putt

Posted
Posted

Think the draft board may have changed. Liljegren falling below Heiskanen and Vilamaki. Seems Heiskanen may have become the 2nd rated Dman in this draft. Liljegren is having a tough u18, which sounds like he could fall out of the top 20. he still has a week to turn it around. Not saying a Kylington type drop but still a drop.

And someone will get a steal.

LGR4GM Hall of Famer

LGR4GM

Posted
Posted

I've been on the Miro Train for a while

Depends on where we draft but I think I can get there too. I do like Heiskanen as well. Reading the reports and looking at the videos there is just a little something extra that Makar seems to have. Can't put my finger out it. Eye test though looks good.

Crusader1969 First Liner

Crusader1969

Posted
Posted

at this point, Im just hoping that 1 of them Heiskanen or Makar are there for the Sabres! Both could be top 5 at this point.

 

Otherwise, trade down and think about Valamaki and Liljegren. 


How would you feel if Top 2 D off the board and the Sabres draft another Centre?

This topic is OLD. A NEW topic should be started unless there is a VERY SPECIFIC REASON to revive this one.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...