Prospect Info: JT Compher, RC – 35th Overall, 2013

[ZeroPT*]

Where'd you get this from? I wanna hear some post-draft interviews

Edit: Nevermind
Darcy: http://video.sabres.nhl.com/videoce...740&cmpid=embed-share-video&navid=DL|BUF|home
Devine: http://video.sabres.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=1373&id=261741&cmpid=embed-share-video

Look at my avatar

 

[UnleashRasmus]

Loved the pick. He's a nice addition. I really am not a huge Sekera guy. I felt he was completely replaceable. No offense to any who love him. Sekera is a nice defensemen and McBain is a downgrade. But Compher can do a lot of things well. He definitely was a first round draft pick.

 

[Woodhouse]

From Red Line Report's Compher Spotlight:

Size/Strength: B
Skating" B+
Shot/Scoring abilty: A-
Puckhandling: A-
Hockey sense: A
Competitiveness: A
Physical play: A-
Composure/Poise: B
Defence: B

Scouting Report: One of the more complete two-way forwards in the upcoming draft. Plays a hard-driving physical game and is an intensely competitive guy. Combines that with a fine offensive skillset that includes a rocket shot and sniper’s touch around the net. Tough to play against because he can contribute in so many different ways, and is always in constant motion. Looks to initiate contact and plays hard in his own end, too. High character kid who comes through in crunch time.

Compher prides himself on being a two-way forward in the Jonathan Toews mold and feels his work ethic will help get him to the NHL quicker.

“I consider myself a playmaker and a gritty player that can play 5-on-5, power play and penalty kill,†said Compher. “I also like to pattern my game after Ryan Kesler who, along with Toews, plays both ends of the ice and are both leaders. Those are two guys I look up to and try to take a little bit from each guy to go along with my style of play.

“As for my work ethic, that has also helped with my success. It doesn’t matter what the score is, I’m still out there working hard, blocking shots, doing whatever I need to do. This is just a game and even if you’re up by three or four goals in the third period, you can still lose. You can’t waste the third period and even if you’re up or down by a lot, use that time to make yourself better. You can’t be lazy in thisgame.â€

 

[gallagt01]

Compher, along with Girgensons, will play in this team's top six one day. Both guys have unheralded offensive ability and they'll be a pain to play against.

 

[Paxon]

Im over the Sekera trade... and it's because of Compher

We've talked for years about how this franchise has lacked an identity... Compher is the embodiment of what I hope this team's identity matures towards.

Couldn't agree more about Compher. Can't say exactly how good he'll be but Darcy's going for guys who have either/or: Size + skill combo and/or compete + intensity + two-way game. Most of his recent picks are plus skaters as well. "Watching other teams in the playoffs" (gonna continue to be our fav catch phrase during this rebuild) it is clear these are identifiable hallmarks of successful rosters.

I don't want 200 foot guys anymore. I want 210 foot guys, and Compher sounds like a 210.

Jim Schoenfeld was a 210 foot player:

 

[Paxon]

Look at my avatar

Excellent

 

[Jame]

This is just a game and even if you’re up by three or four goals in the third period, you can still lose. You can’t waste the third period and even if you’re up or down by a lot, use that time to make yourself better. You can’t be lazy in this game.”

don't we know it...

 

[Chainshot]

Old Drury fans should be looking at this kid in that sort of light. Hard minutes, specialty teams and effort that elevates those around him? Please. Please more. Girgensons, Larsson, Compher? Throw in some of the guys like Kea who stands up for himself and his 'mates, plays hard defense... this is what the body of a damn hard team to face is going to look like.

 

[Jame]

Old Drury fans should be looking at this kid in that sort of light. Hard minutes, specialty teams and effort that elevates those around him? Please. Please more.

as President of Team Old Drury Fans, I endorse this message.

Compher

 

[SoFFacet]

“As for my work ethic, that has also helped with my success. It doesn’t matter what the score is, I’m still out there working hard, blocking shots, doing whatever I need to do. This is just a game and even if you’re up by three or four goals in the third period, you can still lose. You can’t waste the third period and even if you’re up or down by a lot, use that time to make yourself better. You can’t be lazy in this game.”

Very rare attitude, love it. I understand why they were willing to give up 38 & 52 to move up for him.

 

[Chainshot]

Compher did not come to the Sabres pre-draft camp, but he has quotes on the NTDP and having seen the rink/facilities and about being happy they traded up to get him.

"Agitiating is part of my game. I like to be hard to play against."

 

[cybresabre]

Anyone who admires the way Callahan plays the game will be ok in my book.

 

[Paxon]

There are capsules on some of our picks in the following post-draft article on American draftees: http://unitedstatesofhockey.com/201...t-a-look-at-the-top-american-prospects-taken/ (link credit: LegomyLeggio)

35. J.T. Compher — Buffalo Sabres: Buffalo had a really terrific first couple of rounds and Compher is a big part of that. The captain of last year’s U.S. National Under-18 Team is a high-character kid, with a hard-nosed game and some skill. He plays tough, works incredibly hard and has a knack for coming through in big games. He’s undersized, but his competitiveness and aggressive style bode well for his future. Compher should get quality development time at the University of Michigan to continue to grow his game.

 

[RazielMoshman]

as President of Team Old Drury Fans, I endorse this message.

Compher

Still my 2nd all time favourite NHL player. Hasek is no.1.

 

[Paxon]

Darcy actually wanted a Dell but he settled for a 1995 JT-series computer. No wonder he can't send faxes on time .

FIRE MARCY REGOOF

 

[Moskau]

He has that Tyler Kennedy look when he starts talking which should help piss opponents off even more.

 

[tsujimoto74]

Darcy actually wanted a Dell but he settled for a 1995 JT-series computer. No wonder he can't send faxes on time .

FIRE MARCY REGOOF

I have a hard time not liking this pick, but it still hurts losing Sekera to the Canes.

 

[Woodhouse]

Note: OP Addition

The OP's been fully edited and updated.

 

[jBuds]

The OP's been fully edited and updated.

You're the man.

Love this pick. Hope he picks up and matures his game to the next level at Michigan.

 

[Dreakon13]

A Gerbe-like tenacity with the body and talent to make it work? I like it.

 

[TheBarnIsElectric]

Watching the Russia u18 semifinal (thank you Woodhouse for posting), Computer looks as advertised. Good two-way harding working game so far.

Worth mentioning, that the big elite skilled power forward we PASSED on in the first round is a monster so far in this game. Are we sure he's not going to play in the NHL like he said?

 

[Moskau]

Are we sure he's not going to play in the NHL like he said?

He will come over at least for this season. That's not why we didn't take him though.

 

[TheBarnIsElectric]

I don't want to hijack the thread, but I think the question warrants more discussion than anyone has given it. I watched all their WJC games too and I've never seen anything from him I didn't like on the ice. Darcy and co. Certainly know better than I do, but the explanation they gave was the flight risk and no one seems to mind or want to press them further.

Regarding Compher, I've only watched a couple games, but he doesn't seem like a real dynamic offensive player. Are we thinking of him as a good 3rd line, heart and soul kind of guy who can pitch in with some scoring, or am I underselling his offensive upside. Anybody more familiar with him?

 

[SoFFacet]

I don't want to hijack the thread, but I think the question warrants more discussion than anyone has given it. I watched all their WJC games too and I've never seen anything from him I didn't like on the ice. Darcy and co. Certainly know better than I do, but the explanation they gave was the flight risk and no one seems to mind or want to press them further.

You referring to Devine's interview here? That was a pretty obvious deadpan. He was deflecting the reporter without having to commit to any particular assessment of Nichu's ability. I'm 99% sure its as simple as they rated Risto higher. Much higher.

Regarding Compher, I've only watched a couple games, but he doesn't seem like a real dynamic offensive player. Are we thinking of him as a good 3rd line, heart and soul kind of guy who can pitch in with some scoring, or am I underselling his offensive upside. Anybody more familiar with him?

Way to early to tell. These types of players sometimes turn into 1st line captains, sometimes 2nd line glue, sometimes 3rd line grit. I do know that with his attitude I think his chances are higher than average.

 

[Superhero]

Sekera is a great skater, but lost too many battles along the boards and wasn't able to clear the front of his own net. He also underachieved offensively. Him, Ruwedal and Pysyk were too much of the same small soft D-Men on the roster.

JT Compher sounds like he will be a fan favorite. He is a complete type of player that can help the Sabres to win many games. I think this is a great pick.