Prospect Info: Dan Catenacci (2011, 77th) – '16-'17: Rochester #43 (AHL), Re-signed, 1 year, 2-way

[JLewyB]

I don't view the future of the Sabres in a typical Bottom/Top 6, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th line molds anymore. The lone Pegula interview this year gave us insight in how he wants his team to be assemble-like Boston, with guys like Girgs and Larsson. And his fingerprints is all over this year's draft, as well. We have enough remnants of Darcy's old philosophy to create a typical scoring line Ennis-Grigs-Armia. The rest are just called "Compete lines" filled with hardworking, versatile two-way forwards who check, chip in offensively and bring a ton of energy.

with that said I see the following:
Compete Line 1
Girgs-Coho-Compher-I just think they project to be a cut above the rest.

Compete line 2 & 3
Cat, Kea, Bailey, Foligno, Flynn, Baptiste, Hurley, Larsson, Tropp

So to answer the thread, I see Cat at best being on the Compete Line 2. But with this structure, all 4 lines would get pretty similar ice time to create match-up nightmares for our opponents ala Boston. And depending on who is hot or not, there would be nights that the E-G-A line would get "4th line" minutes while Cat's line would get the "1st line" minutes.

 

[ohlguy]

IMO Catenacci will be the Sabres version of Marchand with some Andrew Shaw in him, only more skilled. Cat was one of the best defensive players and penalty killers in major junior hockey while also top scorer on his Owen Sound team with a plus +31 rating. Highly skilled young players like Cat on an ELC who can play any role are so valuable to NHL clubs. With today's NHL salary caps, don't be surprised to see Cat and a few other good young players sticking around for opening night. Fans will love the way this kid competes and plays a complete game.

 

[tmack224]

In an ideal world, he becomes our answer to Marchand/Gallagher. A speedy, pesky player who has a nose for the net and agitates the **** out of opponents.

I think he'll be a wing at the NHL level.

My thought exactly. I think he and Marchand are the best comparables for his potential.

 

[OkimLom]

I see him annoying the S*** out of opponents when he is playing with Girgensen and Larsson.

I can just imagine the headaches our bottom 6 can cause:

(If Foligno sticks with his role and cements himself on line 3)

Any three of:

Foligno, Girgensen, Larsson, Catenacci, Compher, Flynn, Kea I think can play on the third line and give a different dynamic depending on the opponent.

I just realized the depth we have for our bottom 6 far out weighs the depth we have for our top 6. Darcy needs to get some high end talent here soon.

 

[Karate Johnson*]

I just realized the depth we have for our bottom 6 far out weighs the depth we have for our top 6. Darcy needs to get some high end talent here soon.

Maybe at the top of the draft?

 

[OkimLom]

Maybe at the top of the draft?

Either that, or through shrewd trades

 

[Wisent42]

If Cat can turn into our version of Marchand, though not looking like Sylvester Stallones Pejorative Slured cousin, I'll be happy.

 

[Carl33]

With the prospect camp over, now what do you think aboute Dan Catenacci? does he stand out?

great stats in juniors, lots of PM...3 pts in 2 AHL games. In a couple of clips, I see a kind of Alex Burrows in him for max potential...or more likely an andrew cogliano type of player?

I never saw im play live, just a couple of youtube highlights

 

[stokes84]

He can be our Dan Paille. The Boston version, not the Buffalo version.

 

[Dubi Doo]

I think he has a solid chance to be up with the big club by next season. His speed is incredible. The team can really use a speedster like him on the wing. The fact that he's very good defensively and has shown some offensive potential is only bonus.


I like his potential, and he's one of my favorite prospects. He reminds me of Helm.

 

[Jame]

He can be our Dan Paille. The Boston version, not the Buffalo version.

a 4th liner?

with his speed and style of play... a mooe hopeful comparison would be Marchand

 

[Reddawg]

IMO Catenacci will be the Sabres version of Marchand with some Andrew Shaw in him, only more skilled.

Well that's...ambitious. I hope you're right...would be nice to have a more skilled version of two of the more valuable forwards in this year's Cup Final in the works.

 

[Djp]

I havent seen him enough to see how he can be...my gut says hes a 2nd/3rd line player with Marchand being the ideal scenario.

As for Flynn...last year I did see an offensive skill set. I wonder how he would be if he played with an offensive minded center.

 

[Rhett4]

If Cat can turn into our version of Marchand, though not looking like Sylvester Stallones Pejorative Slured cousin, I'll be happy.

I'd do backflips, triple handstands, and throw a week-long party if he played to Marchand's level. That's a lot to ask. A third round pick turning into a top-six super pest with the ability to pot 25 or 30 goals and speed to burn? That'd be about as good as it gets. That'd be a homerun at 77 (and yes, that means I believe Marchand was a homerun at 71).

I'm not sure Cat has that kind of goal output in him, though I do see a few of the other similarities. I think he's certainly better than the Boston version Paille as another suggested, though. I'd peg his potential as being somewhere between the two, and ideally, he turns into a defensive-specialist on the third line who kills penalties and pots 15 to 20 goals.

Cat's one of my favorite prospects for a number of reasons, and I followed him a fair bit last year. I bet he starts in Rochester but gets a call by midseason after the injury bug strikes.

 

[Sabre Dance]

Andrew Cogliano comes to mind when thinking of a comparison. Marchand obviously is everyones dream, just like Gerbe and Gionta.

 

[Dirty Dog]

He can be our Dan Paille. The Boston version, not the Buffalo version.

I'll take him being the "Myth of Dan Paille" that many sabres fans believe

 

[Sabre Dance]

I'll take him being the "Myth of Dan Paille" that many sabres fans believe

Its weird how many myths have been created since 2007.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

Darren Helm. I think Cat becomes that sort of player.

 

[hizzoner]

Wow--some folks have spent too much time with Dr. Pangloss. In my wildest dreams I see the Cat as a border line NHLer and a reasonably competent NHLer. His skating and work ethic are very good but his size and talent level will make it difficult for him. I will happily be proven wrong.

 

[hizzoner]

Oops--I should proof read better--I meant reasonably competent AHLer.

 

[ZeroPT*]

Ideally I'd roll with a number 1 offensive line, 2 2nd lines with a balance of scoring,snarl and solid defensive work and an energy line, My hope is that Cat becomes a pest on one of the two second Lines but I think he would likely become a borderline 3rd liner/ very good 4th Liner, something like this:
XXXX-Grigorenko-Armia
Foligno-Hodgson-Girgensons
Ott-Larsson-Ennis
Tropp-Cat-Kaleta

 

[Zman5778]

Wow--some folks have spent too much time with Dr. Pangloss.

Or maybe you've been spending too much time with the Jesuits who bashed Voltaire?


I think you're being overly pessimistic. Cat strikes me as the type of player that may be a very nice complementary 3rd liner. Pretty much like Helm. And if he's another Helm-type, that's fantastic.

 

[Zman5778]

Ideally I'd roll with a number 1 offensive line, 2 2nd lines with a balance of scoring,snarl and solid defensive work and an energy line, My hope is that Cat becomes a pest on one of the two second Lines but I think he would likely become a borderline 3rd liner/ very good 4th Liner, something like this:
XXXX-Grigorenko-Armia
Foligno-Hodgson-Girgensons
Ott-Larsson-Ennis
Tropp-Cat-Kaleta

I think Catenacci is ultimately a winger in the NHL. Possibly on Larsson's wing, maybe on Kea's wing.

 

[sba]

In an ideal world, he becomes our answer to Marchand/Gallagher. A speedy, pesky player who has a nose for the net and agitates the **** out of opponents.

I think he'll be a wing at the NHL level.

That's what I'm hoping for

 

[sba]

Here's his draft thread, good reading in here:

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=933685