Pronman ranks Sabres pool #1 in NHL

[Taro T]

59 minutes ago, GASabresIUFAN said:

Good Skating is one of those things I like our prospects to have but isn’t a make or break issue for many players unless their role depends on it.  The lack of top end speed certainly hasn’t hampered Reinhart for example.  Mattias  doesn’t need it great speed to play the defensive specialist who allows Dahlin to do what he does best.  

I do understand why he has Samuelsson relatively low.  Matt is a high floor low ceiling prospect.  He is what he is like Novikov further down the list.  He likely won’t ever be a player coaches use on the PP or when the team is down a goal with a minute to play.  So what.  This kid will probably play 1000 games NHL, much of it in the top 4, shutting down opponents top forwards.  His physical style is something this team needs more of.

A player like Nadeau doesn’t need it as long as he has enough speed to get to the front of the net on time when the puck is launched toward the net.  Dave Andreychuk made the Hall of Fame playing that way.  

Also speed without hockey sense is useless.  Laaksonen can’t play defense, so what good is his speed?  I worry Lindgren is much the same.  

I agree with @LGR4GM that Dahlin’s compete level has increased dramatically under DG and is no longer an issue. I also think his in zone play has also improved.  G-d what RK nearly did to this kid is unforgivable.  

Is anyone else worried about the lack of size among our forward prospects. The 3 1st rd pick this year are all under 6 feet.  Also we could use more physical players like Samuelsson and Novikov, especially up front.  Nadeau’s willingness to play in the dirty areas may become a necessity for this team. 

You keep harping on Krueger almost ruining Dahlin.  Ralph was not the only coach fired that fateful day in March.  There was one other canned that day.  THAT is the guy that was actually supposed to be showing young Rasmus how to play the position and stay out of the non-X & O "motivational" coach's dog house.

Turned out Krueger's ability to motivate expired after a short shelf life.  But Steve Smith should never have been brought in by Housley (who should never have been brought in by Botterill) much less kept around by Krueger (who also shouldn't have been brought in by Botterill).  SMITH was the guy that was actually working with Dahlin on his game, not Ralph.  Dahlin's play tailed off towards the end of his rookie season.  Krueger was no more than a bar patron in Buffalo as that was happening, but Smith was guiding him even back then.

[dudacek]

Full agreement on the "it's the fight in the dog that matters" take on the size of the Sabres.

Also:

• Power 6'6' 215
• Samuelsson 6'4" 225
• Dahlin 6'3" 210
• Lyubushkin 6'2" 210
• Cozens 6'3' 190
• Tuch 6'4" 220
• Thompson 6'7" 225

It's not like they've only been adding peewees

[Zamboni]

Actually the narrative from the more dramatic posters was, “Dahlin IS ruined”. And sometimes the word “forever” was used. 😂

Never was it clarified with a “while Kruger is coach” or “so far he LOOKS ruined”.

 

[Derrico]

4 hours ago, Taro T said:

You keep harping on Krueger almost ruining Dahlin.  Ralph was not the only coach fired that fateful day in March.  There was one other canned that day.  THAT is the guy that was actually supposed to be showing young Rasmus how to play the position and stay out of the non-X & O "motivational" coach's dog house.

Turned out Krueger's ability to motivate expired after a short shelf life.  But Steve Smith should never have been brought in by Housley (who should never have been brought in by Botterill) much less kept around by Krueger (who also shouldn't have been brought in by Botterill).  SMITH was the guy that was actually working with Dahlin on his game, not Ralph.  Dahlin's play tailed off towards the end of his rookie season.  Krueger was no more than a bar patron in Buffalo as that was happening, but Smith was guiding him even back then.

How Steve smith coached the D as long as he did is quite frankly amazing.  He even survived one coaching fire in Buffalo no?  Puke.

[Stoner]

How have previous top ranked teams done a few years down the line?

[Thorner]

6 minutes ago, PASabreFan said:

How have previous top ranked teams done a few years down the line?

Very well, tbh.

Generally at the top of the prospect list a few years later, too.

[Stoner]

23 hours ago, Thorny said:

Very well, tbh.

Generally at the top of the prospect list a few years later, too.

Fantastic.

I didn't figure LGR would be one of the laughing icons.

[dudacek]

Did anyone else see this list ranked the Bruins dead last, with only 3 players projected to play in the NHL? (The Sabres had 19)

Boston's top prospect, Lysell, is ranked 170th overall.

Will this ever be meaningful?

[LGR4GM]

14 minutes ago, dudacek said:

Did anyone else see this list ranked the Bruins dead last, with only 3 players projected to play in the NHL? (The Sabres had 19)

Boston's top prospect, Lysell, is ranked 170th overall.

Will this ever be meaningful?

Boston is at the cliff. Once Bergeron goes, it's all over. 

[French Collection]

9 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Boston is at the cliff. Once Bergeron goes, it's all over. 

I hope so. The timing will be perfect for the Sabres to replace them as an Atlantic division power.

Bergeron is about the only Bruin I can tolerate. Once he is done they can try to sign guys via UFA but it will be tough to replace a heart and soul leader like him.

[GASabresIUFAN]

On 8/26/2022 at 10:39 AM, Taro T said:

You keep harping on Krueger almost ruining Dahlin.  Ralph was not the only coach fired that fateful day in March.  There was one other canned that day.  THAT is the guy that was actually supposed to be showing young Rasmus how to play the position and stay out of the non-X & O "motivational" coach's dog house.

Turned out Krueger's ability to motivate expired after a short shelf life.  But Steve Smith should never have been brought in by Housley (who should never have been brought in by Botterill) much less kept around by Krueger (who also shouldn't have been brought in by Botterill).  SMITH was the guy that was actually working with Dahlin on his game, not Ralph.  Dahlin's play tailed off towards the end of his rookie season.  Krueger was no more than a bar patron in Buffalo as that was happening, but Smith was guiding him even back then.

Sure Smith stunk.  However assistants coach what their superiors tell them to coach.  Remember DG was RK’s forward coach.  How did that work out?  Certainly DG wasn’t coaching his current system. RK’s team RK is responsible for the results regardless of who the day to day position coach is. 

[MattPie]

1 hour ago, French Collection said:

I hope so. The timing will be perfect for the Sabres to replace them as an Atlantic division power.

Bergeron is about the only Bruin I can tolerate. Once he is done they can try to sign guys via UFA but it will be tough to replace a heart and soul leader like him.

Realistically they don't, they probably jettison everyone over 25 that has value and reload with picks.

[Norcal]

Watching Sabres prospects games and highlights this season is going to be time consuming and wildly entertaining. 

[Zamboni]

On 8/30/2022 at 11:43 AM, French Collection said:

I hope so. The timing will be perfect for the Sabres to replace them as an Atlantic division power.

Bergeron is about the only Bruin I can tolerate. Once he is done they can try to sign guys via UFA but it will be tough to replace a heart and soul leader like him.

The scum bag Bruins downfall will be delicious. And the tears of the scum bag fans will be equally delicious. 

[Thorner]

On 8/30/2022 at 10:31 AM, LGR4GM said:

Boston is at the cliff. Once Bergeron goes, it's all over. 

We’ve heard this so many times I long for the “skeptical” emoji to make its return. Not doubting it, per se, but you often see these teams Houdini-out

[LGR4GM]

3 minutes ago, Thorny said:

We’ve heard this so many times I long for the “skeptical” emoji to make its return. Not doubting it, per se, but you often see these teams Houdini-out

Idk how Boston can get out of where they are headed without trades and 3 good drafts. Maybe they can. 

[Thorner]

12 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Idk how Boston can get out of where they are headed without trades and 3 good drafts. Maybe they can. 

The best part is, once we build a sustainable team, short of a fatal error like Black Sunday I’m REALLY looking forward to being “one of those teams” who seems to always be able to snake their way around issues like the cap, etc, to maintain their spot on top. 

It’s just easier to maneuver from a position of power, the league facilitates smoother operation for those teams. Just gotta GET there 

[Doohicksie]

So a coupla games into the Prospects Challenge, how do you feel about the Sabres' prospect pool?

[Taro T]

1 hour ago, Doohickie said:

So a coupla games into the Prospects Challenge, how do you feel about the Sabres' prospect pool?

The same as prior to it.  The Sabres SEEM to have done a very good job of scouting during the covid years and seem to have ended up with more prospects from then than most squads.  This tourney gives confirmation to that observation.  Now, they need to actually develop most of those prospects.  Expect they can & will, but it isn't a given & will take some time to prove out.  (And if they haven't/don't solve the goaltending puzzle it won't really matter at the end of the day.)

[French Collection]

I’m pleased with the prospect team so far. There are some really skilled forwards. Östlund and Nadeau would have bolstered this lineup.
I think they need to sign another goalie, Suchanek would be my choice. Even if Levi and Portillo sign, there is room for another prospect.

I would like to see Novikov over here soon. He sounds like a solid Dman in the KHL, too bad he is LHD. A few more D in the pipeline would be nice.

Kozak is good and getting good reviews from the coaches and media. He could become the Sabres 4C.

[Doohicksie]

One thing I remember when living in Detroit when their run started, it seemed like whenever they had an injury on the NHL team, there was a prospect in the AHL that was just about busting at the seams to make the big club.  Eventually they all got up (or a few got traded to fill areas of need).  I hope this what we're beginning to see with Rochester.

[bob_sauve28]

Any opinions on Komorov? He looked pretty good I thought. 

[Doohicksie]

He reminds me a lot of Muel.

[Doohicksie]

What I'm starting to realize is that, far from having too few quality prospects in the system (as happened during the Eichel era), there is now an abundance, and that while a lot of these guys have NHL futures, not all of them will play for the Sabres.  This prospect pool will allow Kevyn to make trades to fill specific needs on the Sabres, without cleaning out the cupboard.  If the Sabres are hanging around the playoffs this season and want to make a push to get over the top, they can trade a young prospect for an established NHLer in the position of need, and there will still be plenty of talent in the pipeline.

[Flashsabre]

50 minutes ago, bob_sauve28 said:

Any opinions on Komorov? He looked pretty good I thought. 

He has been my biggest pleasant surprise. He is big, plays physical but there is some untapped talent there it looks like. He needs to work on his feet if he is going to play in the NHL one day but him and Lindgren have been a very good pair for two games here, very ying and yang.

Edited September 18, 2022 by Flashsabre