Speculation: The 2019 Draft Thread - Sabres pick 7th

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Gabrielor

"Win with us or watch us win." - Rasmus Dahlin
Jun 28, 2011
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Buffalo, NY
I am hoping that the Blues and Sharks both finish in the two wild card spots and that they give us firsts in the 16-20 range. Having 3 top 20 draft picks in 2019 would be fantastic. With 3 1sts this year most likely, I want to see BPA for all 3 1sts.

A few questions for the resident draft gurus since I will not pretend that I actually have the ability to watch the top prospects outside the WJC and YouTube.

1- Are there any top goalie prospects this year? 2018 seemed very weak on goalies. Not that I am pining to draft a goalie in the first, I am more curious if there is even a goalie worth taking in the first.

2- the overall depth of this draft class. We know about Hughes, but is there any other franchise defining prospects ? I don't want to finish last and aim for #4 but I wouldn't mind knowing about the other top prospects outside of Hughes in case we win a #2 or #3 lotto pick.

3- any power forward types projected to go round 1. We definitely need to add some size, sandpaper and scoring. If we can get all that in one player even better. There haven't been many power forward prospects that panned out but due to their scarcity there is always a team willing to take a big power forward prospect. If there's one available when we pick that is worth a selection I wouldn't mind seeing one taken.

4- How many first round caliber D prospects are RHS compared to LHS. I know Dahlin prefers the right side but we can definitely use a high end RHS D prospect. Risto has 4 years left on his deal before he can walk in free agency. It's not right around the corner but it isn't exactly ages away. We may need to hit on one of the extra 1sts this year for a potential Risto replacement. Regardless, we need RHS Dmen even if Risto stays. Of course we anticipate Samuelsson to make it as a top 4 RHD but in today's game you can never have enough RHS Dmen.

5- And last but not least, speed. Now that Botts is entering his 3rd draft, I want to see this team rounded out. We have the top 6 centers in place. The top pairing in place. I'd like to see wnat kind of players Botts targets with "luxury" picks. If we end up with all 3 1sts in this years draft I definitely expect to see Botts use a first on a total boom/bust prospect. That is the best time to take such a player, when you have multiple firsts.

With possibly 3 1sts this year I just want BPA all 3 1sts. Hopefully it's used on a goal scoring RWer (to replace Okposo), a 2 way center (to eventually replace RoR) and a big physical dman with some snarl. Of course, if San Jose and St.Louis want to use the next two seasons to uncharacteristically miss the playoffs two years in a row and give us unprotected 2020 1sts that's even better :laugh:

Pretty much I want all 3 1sts to come in the same draft. I have no idea how 2020 grades out against 2019 but regardless of where the picks are I'd rather just get to use all 3 1sts right away so we can see an impact from the Kane and RoR trades sooner rather then later.

To your goalie question, Spencer Knight is the guy you want to watch. Dustin Wolf also has a shot.
 

LetsDoughBuffalo

Registered User
Apr 4, 2014
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I'm bias towards using the picks because I LOVE following the junior season, the draft, and the prospects once being drafted - but I think I'd be surprised if Botterill keeps all of the three 1st round picks and our 2nd round pick. I'd expect 1 of those 4 premium picks to be moved.
 

Dingo44

We already won the trade
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Jul 21, 2015
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I'm bias towards using the picks because I LOVE following the junior season, the draft, and the prospects once being drafted - but I think I'd be surprised if Botterill keeps all of the three 1st round picks and our 2nd round pick. I'd expect 1 of those 4 premium picks to be moved.

I'd be OK if it's part of a trade for a slam dunk younger player.

What I'm trying to decide is if I would trade both SJ's and St.L's 1sts to move up to get one first in the top 10 - especially if both of those are around the 20 - 22 mark.

Botts might also be able to move one of those first plus our first if it's an early pick to move up a couple of spots for someone they REALLY like.

It's really interesting - lots of flexibility like Beane had this year. I'd like to see them maybe add another second - maybe at the deadline.
 

LetsDoughBuffalo

Registered User
Apr 4, 2014
453
70
I'd be OK if it's part of a trade for a slam dunk younger player.

What I'm trying to decide is if I would trade both SJ's and St.L's 1sts to move up to get one first in the top 10 - especially if both of those are around the 20 - 22 mark.

Botts might also be able to move one of those first plus our first if it's an early pick to move up a couple of spots for someone they REALLY like.

It's really interesting - lots of flexibility like Beane had this year. I'd like to see them maybe add another second - maybe at the deadline.

Quality over quantity - I wasn't even thinking of trading up. Good point!
 

Der Jaeger

Generational EBUG
Feb 14, 2009
17,690
14,084
Cair Paravel
I am hoping that the Blues and Sharks both finish in the two wild card spots and that they give us firsts in the 16-20 range. Having 3 top 20 draft picks in 2019 would be fantastic. With 3 1sts this year most likely, I want to see BPA for all 3 1sts.

A few questions for the resident draft gurus since I will not pretend that I actually have the ability to watch the top prospects outside the WJC and YouTube.

1- Are there any top goalie prospects this year? 2018 seemed very weak on goalies. Not that I am pining to draft a goalie in the first, I am more curious if there is even a goalie worth taking in the first.

2- the overall depth of this draft class. We know about Hughes, but is there any other franchise defining prospects ? I don't want to finish last and aim for #4 but I wouldn't mind knowing about the other top prospects outside of Hughes in case we win a #2 or #3 lotto pick.

3- any power forward types projected to go round 1. We definitely need to add some size, sandpaper and scoring. If we can get all that in one player even better. There haven't been many power forward prospects that panned out but due to their scarcity there is always a team willing to take a big power forward prospect. If there's one available when we pick that is worth a selection I wouldn't mind seeing one taken.

4- How many first round caliber D prospects are RHS compared to LHS. I know Dahlin prefers the right side but we can definitely use a high end RHS D prospect. Risto has 4 years left on his deal before he can walk in free agency. It's not right around the corner but it isn't exactly ages away. We may need to hit on one of the extra 1sts this year for a potential Risto replacement. Regardless, we need RHS Dmen even if Risto stays. Of course we anticipate Samuelsson to make it as a top 4 RHD but in today's game you can never have enough RHS Dmen.

5- And last but not least, speed. Now that Botts is entering his 3rd draft, I want to see this team rounded out. We have the top 6 centers in place. The top pairing in place. I'd like to see wnat kind of players Botts targets with "luxury" picks. If we end up with all 3 1sts in this years draft I definitely expect to see Botts use a first on a total boom/bust prospect. That is the best time to take such a player, when you have multiple firsts.

With possibly 3 1sts this year I just want BPA all 3 1sts. Hopefully it's used on a goal scoring RWer (to replace Okposo), a 2 way center (to eventually replace RoR) and a big physical dman with some snarl. Of course, if San Jose and St.Louis want to use the next two seasons to uncharacteristically miss the playoffs two years in a row and give us unprotected 2020 1sts that's even better :laugh:

Pretty much I want all 3 1sts to come in the same draft. I have no idea how 2020 grades out against 2019 but regardless of where the picks are I'd rather just get to use all 3 1sts right away so we can see an impact from the Kane and RoR trades sooner rather then later.

1. Spencer Knight, USNTDP
2. Maybe. If Turcotte, Newhook, or Kakko have monster years and show a large amount of development, then yes. I doubt it though. Looks like a one horse race.
3. Cozens, Blake Muray, Ravoie, Poulin
4. Soderstrom, Honka, Helleson. I don't think any of them are close to cracking the top 5.
5. Speed everywhere in this draft. Lots of undersized prospects as well.
 

Jame

Registered User
Sep 4, 2002
52,673
9,037
Florida
Targets at each spot

BUF 1st: Assume the 2nd-8th range
Targets:
Kaapo Kakko RW
Alex Turcotte C
Peyton Krebs C
Alex Newhook C
Bowen Byrem LD
Kirby Dach C
Raphael Lavoie RW
Dylan Cozens C

STL and SJ 1st: Assume 20-30 range
Targets:
Matthew Robertston D
Spencer Knight G
Blake Murray C
Matthew Boldy LW
Leevi Aaltonen LW
Nolan Foote LW
Cole Caulfield C
 
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Gabrielor

"Win with us or watch us win." - Rasmus Dahlin
Jun 28, 2011
13,311
13,749
Buffalo, NY
Aside from the obvious in Hughes, my favorite high Sabres pick atm would be Turcotte. Absolute gamer.
 

Dingo44

We already won the trade
Sponsor
Jul 21, 2015
10,262
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Greensboro, NC
Aside from the obvious in Hughes, my favorite high Sabres pick atm would be Turcotte. Absolute gamer.

I really like Turcotte. And Caufield is like Hughes lite.

Of course I'm biased towards NTDP players but I am really a big fan.

I'd hate to see Jack Hughes in Vancouver, or really anywhere in Canada, to be honest.

Still wish we could take a flyer on Dhooghe!!!
 

1972

"Craigs on it"
Apr 9, 2012
14,426
3,147
Canada
I’m thinking Kirby Dach is going to be my favourite prospect in this draft start to finish. Big pivots like that don’t fall out of the top 5. Scheifele, Getzlaf or Johanson take your pick. He’s that type of player.
 

Aavvaa

Registered User
Jul 2, 2018
211
172
I’m thinking Kirby Dach is going to be my favourite prospect in this draft start to finish. Big pivots like that don’t fall out of the top 5. Scheifele, Getzlaf or Johanson take your pick. He’s that type of player.
I get your overall point but both Scheifele and Getzlaf weren't top 5 picks
 

hizzoner

Registered User
Sponsor
Jun 19, 2006
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1,081
True. They did have replay available in Edmonton where the game was played but as there was no television in the other arena site there was an agreement that NO replays could be used. The Canadian goal was definitely a fraction of a second late.
 

Der Jaeger

Generational EBUG
Feb 14, 2009
17,690
14,084
Cair Paravel
Assuming that the Sabres draft around 10, and then again twice from 20-25, I'd be happy with a size-speed-skill draft.

Cozens in top 10.
Vlasic and Murray with the later two picks.

I'd be happy.
 
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