The 2019 draft revisited

[LGR4GM]

So this is a fun conversation. It's 2 years out and we've learned a bit about the deepest draft of the last 5 years. 

How do you feel about Cozens where we got him?

Which team really failed in the first 2 rounds?

Who's surprised you most?

Who's your favorite non Sabre draftee now?

[LGR4GM]

Which player other than Cozens do you wish we drafted and why?

[dudacek]

Looks like the top 3 picks all made the NHL immediately, none of them are studs yet.

Then you've got Cozens and 40th pick Nils Hoglander making it this year, neither is a stud yet.

And Bjornfoot (22), Byrum (4) and Zegras (9) have all seen action this year as well.

And how about Tyce Thompson, a 4th rounder already seeing NHL action.

[SDS]

No link? I have to do my own research? 

[tom webster]

Right now, the 2015 draft with 74 players has the most players on active rosters. The 2019 should come close.

What’s interesting to me, that while we always debate which drafts yield the best prospects, most end up with about the same number of players making active rosters.

[dudacek]

3 minutes ago, SDS said:

No link? I have to do my own research? 

https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl2019e.html

[#freejame]

I wanted Caufield. I still can’t believe he fell as much as he did. I’m happy with Cozens. I think Caufield will probably put up better numbers, but Cozens will do much more for us. 

[rakish]

13 minutes ago, tom webster said:

Right now, the 2015 draft with 74 players has the most players on active rosters. The 2019 should come close.

What’s interesting to me, that while we always debate which drafts yield the best prospects, most end up with about the same number of players making active rosters.

The best prospects is about the top end of the curve, the number of players making active rosters would be the opposite end of the curve, no?

[LGR4GM]

20 minutes ago, SDS said:

No link? I have to do my own research? 

lol, here

https://www.eliteprospects.com/draft/nhl-entry-draft/2019

[LGR4GM]

7 minutes ago, rakish said:

The best prospects is about the top end of the curve, the number of players making active rosters would be the opposite end of the curve, no?

I think this is important. Depth isn't the number of players that make the nhl or play 100 games but the number of players that mattered in the NHL. How we define that would be open for major debate. 

 

I think Newhook to Colorado is going to be  a major steal. He should be on an NHL roster next year. 

[tom webster]

29 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

I think this is important. Depth isn't the number of players that make the nhl or play 100 games but the number of players that mattered in the NHL. How we define that would be open for major debate. 

 

I think Newhook to Colorado is going to be  a major steal. He should be on an NHL roster next year. 

I agree with everything in the first paragraph. I don’t consider my qualified to pass judgement on the quality. If you look at my “demographics” thread, clearly 2015 has the most players active right now, for whatever that’s worth 

[inkman]

1 hour ago, LGR4GM said:

So this is a fun conversation. It's 2 years out and we've learned a bit about the deepest draft of the last 5 years. 

How do you feel about Cozens where we got him?

Which team really failed in the first 2 rounds?

Who's surprised you most?

Who's your favorite non Sabre draftee now?

Two years isn’t nearly enough time to evaluate these guys.  You seem to always want to evaluate drafts entirely too soon thereafter.  

[Stoner]

If Terry doesn't trade for Bjornfoot, he is a fool.

[French Collection]

I am not a fan of Hughes, puny waterbugs are not my favourites. He will get stronger and approach the expectations.

Kakko hasn’t shown much yet, I much prefer Cozens so far.

Dach reminds me of Getzlaf, he may end up as the best of this class.

Byram may become Duncan Keith. I like this kind of Dman.

I loved Turcotte pre draft but I think Cozens and Zegras are better now.

Seider is supposed to be developing well. I have not kept tabs on him but I trust Stevie Y still likes him.

Cozens is a Sabre and I hope he has a long career in Buffalo. Love his game and the hustle. I think he could be top three.

I don’t know anything about Broberg.

Zegras was very impressive at the World Juniors and will have a great mentor in Getzlaf. He could end up with the best stats in this class.

Podkolzin looks good and has size for the pro game. There is less defensive responsibility for a winger so he may make the jump next year.

My two cents.

 

 

 

[GASabresIUFAN]

I wanted Matt Boldy.  I hoped Jbot could work some magic and move up to get him.  

I like Cozens.  It was a tight battle between him, Turcotte and Zegras IMO.  I think by the end of their career Cozens and Zegras will turn out to be better players then Dach and Turcotte.  

I also liked Brink and Beecher.  Didn't have any interest in Kaliyev.  I agree with LG that Jbot should have taken a forward at 31 but I like Johnson and had a 1st rd grade on him.  I will not be surprised when he develops into a better version of McCabe.  

I also really like our Picks Portillo and Rousek.  I've been following them since they were drafted and think both have NHL futures, especially Portillo.  I also wonder what will happen with Huglen if he can get and stay fully healthy.

[inkman]

40 minutes ago, PASabreFan said:

If Terry doesn't trade for Bjornfoot, he is a fool.

Give us all the Bj’s? 

[SDS]

4 hours ago, dudacek said:

https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/nhl2019e.html

The lazy sob in me says thank you. 👍

[Weave]

2 hours ago, PASabreFan said:

If Terry doesn't trade for Bjornfoot, he is a fool.

Meddling in a meddler’s business?

[BuffalOhio]

8 hours ago, #freejame said:

I wanted Caufield. I still can’t believe he fell as much as he did. I’m happy with Cozens. I think Caufield will probably put up better numbers, but Cozens will do much more for us. 

When I watch Cozens, it feels as if I'm watching a young Jonathan Toews.  The kid is fast, skilled, tough, and gritty.  What's not to like?

[Carmel Corn]

In terms of who we could have selected otherwise, I say Zegras.  He was tremendous at the world juniors...but I know that can be misleading.  His game is different than Cozens, but IMHO he is highly skilled offensively.

[PerreaultForever]

I'm fine with that draft. I hoped for Dach but knew he'd probably be gone. Cozens was my second choice. I was actually surprised JBot picked him. Didn't seem like a JBot type player but he's everything I hoped he'd be. 

[pi2000]

17 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Which player other than Cozens do you wish we drafted and why?

At the time of the pick I wanted Zegras or Caufield.

Zegras reminds me of a young Jason Spezza.  Skill for days, creative, unlimited upside.

Caufield not just because of his shot, but because he simply has a knack for scoring.    Guys like him only come around once every 7 or 8 years and what he has can't be taught.   

Cozens is already a hell of a player tho and happy we have him.