Prospect Info: Giorgio Estephan (2015, 152nd) – '16-17: Lethbridge #9 (WHL)

[Chainshot]

Hmmmm.

 

[Woodhouse]

Not signed per Hamilton and Vogl. I guess BUF doubts Estephan's pro quickness/pace since they're not issuing him an ELC. They gave contracts to Cornel and Karabacek last year, so idk what's that different about Estephan compared to those prospects other than that and JB. This was a Prendergast pick so maybe he's on the outs too and not there to speak for him? Idk. It's not that I expected Estephan to be a gamebreaker, but I thought he developed well enough for a contract to work on more in Rochester and maybe provide depth in the future if that goes well. Or maybe this is part of upping Rochester's competitive profile with less projects, idk? I wouldn't be surprised to see him reunite with Wong in Chicago/Vegas if he passes through a redraft, given the choice.

 

[Sabre the Win]

Hmmmm.

Wow 650k to pricey for the cap guru Botteril? Its not like Rochester doesnt need depth.

 

[Tyler2829]

Maybe he didn't want to sign with Buffalo?

 

[sabrefan27]

Regier and Murray seemed to sign every borderline prospect to entry level contracts and it caused a logjam of outmatched and overclassed players in Rochester that is part of the reason for their lack of success. I, for one, welcome a GM who won't just sign a player simply because they were drafted. As is, the organization is saddled with Cornell, Karabacek, Kasdorf and Martin.

 

[La Cosa Nostra]

Cornell and Karabacek.Heh. The draft master Murray drafted two guys in the mid second that are barely AHL caliber and could pass as echl players. Laughable.

It could be estephan didn't want to sign or maybe Botterill didn't want him.

 

[CatsforReinhart]

Cornell and Karabacek.Heh. The draft master Murray drafted two guys in the mid second that are barely AHL caliber and could pass as echl players. Laughable.

It could be estephan didn't want to sign or maybe Botterill didn't want him.

Not to mention the defensive prospects available at the time, McKeown, Dougherty and Brandon Montour. And no hindsight is not what it is about they were high ranked prospects.

 

[Royal Thunder]

Regier and Murray seemed to sign every borderline prospect to entry level contracts and it caused a logjam of outmatched and overclassed players in Rochester that is part of the reason for their lack of success. I, for one, welcome a GM who won't just sign a player simply because they were drafted. As is, the organization is saddled with Cornell, Karabacek, Kasdorf and Martin.

It's not "just because he was drafted". He was leading the WHL playoffs in scoring at one point. The guy tore it up this year and last, so it's curious but I've never actually watched him play so I have no insights on that. Obviously JB does...

 

[TheStorm]

Not to happy about this.

 

[LetsDoughBuffalo]

I think it's hilarious that Hamilton went on to criticize Estephan's skating in another tweet, like he's some sort of an expert on Giorgio as a player.

Not saying that I'm the expert by any means, but it's a little curious considering Hamilton never talked about him outside of development camp times, and certainly never spoke anything negative about Estephan till now.

Trying to look like a big shot knowledgable reporter (which we all know he isn't).

Rant over.

 

[Aladyyn]

I think it's hilarious that Hamilton went on to criticize Estephan's skating in another tweet, like he's some sort of an expert on Giorgio as a player.

Not saying that I'm the expert by any means, but it's a little curious considering Hamilton never talked about him outside of development camp times, and certainly never spoke anything negative about Estephan till now.

Trying to look like a big shot knowledgable reporter (which we all know he isn't).

Rant over.

Said it in such a condescending manner too.

 

[Dex]

I remember Tim Murray once saying - in the context of having so many draft picks - that you can't sign them all. The few scouting reports I read about Estephan mentioned that he would need to come to the AHL and work on his quickness and pace. It was mentioned above as well - but I think this was probably the major factor in this non-signing. Additionally, Botteril has said he wants more depth capable of playing in the NHL and leading/providing competition for ice time in the AHL. That means two way contracts. We know they are not anywhere near the 50 contract limit, but perhaps Botteril wants to keep his options open in that regard rather than signing someone with speed and quickness issues.

I have no problem with this non-signing.

 

[Moskau]

We talking about the 2014 draft where Murray joined 70% into the season and didn't get his scouting team in place until 2015 again? Must be a Thursday.

 

[JLewyB]

Maybe he didn't want to sign with Buffalo?

This was my feeling the whole time. The small sample size in Rochester was promising. I would think any organization signs him.

 

[Djp]

Wow 650k to pricey for the cap guru Botteril? Its not like Rochester doesnt need depth.

I think Estefan wanted a max contract, so $925K...not his daft position amount.

This was my feeling the whole time. The small sample size in Rochester was promising. I would think any organization signs him.

Why ...I disagree...if he was that God had play top ahl line with 2 of fasching, carier, bailey, baptiste, and nylander.

They may though he wasn't nhl caliber.

As for packed system of 13-14 picks isn't ad much of a factor now.

 

[Samsonite23]

Weird...

 

[toejam56]

Estephan is a perfect candidate for an AHL contract. But Sabres can't do that.
Rules say he goes back in the draft.
Someone will probably pick him.
Will see if he gets ELC. Likely he will.

 

[Chainshot]

Not signed per Hamilton and Vogl. I guess BUF doubts Estephan's pro quickness/pace since they're not issuing him an ELC. They gave contracts to Cornel and Karabacek last year, so idk what's that different about Estephan compared to those prospects other than that and JB. This was a Prendergast pick so maybe he's on the outs too and not there to speak for him? Idk. It's not that I expected Estephan to be a gamebreaker, but I thought he developed well enough for a contract to work on more in Rochester and maybe provide depth in the future if that goes well. Or maybe this is part of upping Rochester's competitive profile with less projects, idk? I wouldn't be surprised to see him reunite with Wong in Chicago/Vegas if he passes through a redraft, given the choice.

It very well could be about pace and quickness, especially in translating to the pros.

Estephan is a perfect candidate for an AHL contract. But Sabres can't do that.
Rules say he goes back in the draft.
Someone will probably pick him.
Will see if he gets ELC. Likely he will.

It seems like slim odds that he gets redrafted. Redraftees almost never go higher and most don't even get re-selected.

 

[AustonsNostrils]

Not to mention the defensive prospects available at the time, McKeown, Dougherty and Brandon Montour. And no hindsight is not what it is about they were high ranked prospects.

Brycen Martin was ranked ahead of McKeown, Dougherty and miles ahead of Montour. Cornell and Karabacek were also ranked pretty high.

https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-css-2014-n-american-skaters-final-rankings/c-712854

 

[Dreakon13]

Hopefully this wasn't a case of "I don't want to sign him to an ELC because I'm new in the organization and don't know the kid well enough" out of GMJB.

There's a lot of huge offseason decisions coming up and the "it's my first day" excuse only goes so far.



That being said, I have faith that GMJB opted out of Estephan for good hockey reasons.

 

[toejam56]

It seems like slim odds that he gets redrafted. Redraftees almost never go higher and most don't even get re-selected.[/QUOTE]

True. But if this year is a weak draft in the bottom half of the draft, (as some have said) I figure Estephan might have a better upside than many. I think someone will pick him. Might not get ELC though.

 

[Onslow]

I would at least like a cogent explanation of what happened here.

He would have been perfect depth for Rochester

 

[sabrefan27]

I would at least like a cogent explanation of what happened here.

He would have been perfect depth for Rochester

He's not the type of depth Rochester needs if Botterill is serious about putting a better product on the ice. Maybe in Cincinnati.

 

[AustonsNostrils]

He's not the type of depth Rochester needs if Botterill is serious about putting a better product on the ice. Maybe in Cincinnati.

I watched a couple of Estephan's games in Rochester and my reaction to him at 19 down there was 'he's made for the AHL'. I saw a Phil Varone and any number of star AHL forwards in his game. His NHL upside, no idea other than he'd have to pile up points down there and get his shots like Varone and others have to make an impression when called up as injury replacements.

 

[sabrefan27]

I watched a couple of Estephan's games in Rochester and my reaction to him at 19 down there was 'he's made for the AHL'. I saw a Phil Varone and any number of star AHL forwards in his game. His NHL upside, no idea other than he'd have to pile up points down there and get his shots like Varone and others have to make an impression when called up as injury replacements.

Yeah, can't say I even come close to agreeing with that. Maybe he'll eventually be a good AHL player. I'd rather Botterill use this contract or spot in Rochester on someone a bit more proven.