Jim Bob
RIP RJ
Never heard of him.
7. Buffalo Sabres
Position of need: Playmaking winger or high-end defenceman
Pick: C/LW Tim Stützle (or RW Lucas Raymond if the Senators picked Stützle)
The Sabres prospect pool could really use a defenceman but if Drysdale is gone, it's probably too high to reach so far for a need that you take the next-best defender on your board. But luckily for the Sabres, the stars have aligned and exactly the kind of player the team is looking for up front should be available. After taking centre Dylan Cozens last year as the future 2C to Jack Eichel, the Sabres look for someone who can play with Eichel's pace and get him the puck. Stützle is the perfect pick and the Sabres get a luck best-case scenario outcome for the second year running. If that second Senators pick were Stützle, I think everything that follows plays out the same way and the Sabres may get lucky with Raymond, who would also fit in nicely with Eichel. Either way, the Sabres probably end up with an excellent outcome at pick No. 7, given the team preferences ahead of them.
Alternate scenario: What's fascinating about the way this might play out for the Sabres is that even if they win, say, the third lottery pick, I still think the player they end up with at No. 7 may be the same they pick if they win it. I do believe, accounting for need, that Stützle stands a good chance of being their guy at No. 3, as well.
Raymond would be an absolute steal at 7. Kid has Marner vibes with more grit and drive.If we stay put around the 7th/8th area, Raymond is the dream realistic scenerio.
Stuztle and Byfield are up there with him in my books, but both will be gone by then surely.
Meanwhile, Raymond is arguably the 2nd best player in this draft, but due to limited ice time in the SHL, his numbers don't pop as much as his talent does and he may be available.
Wheeler: Every lottery team's biggest need at the 2020 NHL...
I'm sure Dahlin wouldn't mind Raymond being the pick.
I listened to this podcast this morning. It's with Frolunda's U16, U18, & U20 player development coach.
He talks about how Dahlin and Raymond are a different breed a few times.
In regards to the quote in the tweet, that was one theory of Brazil's success in soccer. Kids frew up playing futsol and played so many small-space games, their footwork and ability to react quickly was developed really well.
Yeah, general athleticism is important, as well as being able to think the game.Hockey is a late development sport. Playing a lot of different sports growing up have a lot of carry over to hockey.
Soccer and lacrosse are two great ones. But, almost any sport will give you something that helps with hockey development.
Yeah, general athleticism is important, as well as being able to think the game.
I think a problem that's spread across many youth sports is that specialization gives kids a short term boost, but isn't always beneficial in the long run. A kid that plays only hockey year round at the age of 11 is probably going to better than kids that play one season, and as a result more parents (and kids) push for this in fear of falling behind. Then, as a result, fail to develop skills from other sports that might transfer.
Unrelated, is there a way to get SHL ice time. I saw someone say Raymond averaged 9:48 but dont know where to find the numbers
Unrelated, is there a way to get SHL ice time. I saw someone say Raymond averaged 9:48 but dont know where to find the numbers
7. Buffalo Sabres: Lucas Raymond, LW, Frolunda-SHL
Joe Yerdon: It’s probably easy to say the Sabres will default to taking Swedes at this point, but there aren’t a lot of players that can do what Raymond does. He finds teammates with ease, he’s able to find areas in the offensive zone left unguarded, and he uses that time to create chances and score goals. Holtz would’ve been an ideal fit as a winger with size and a shot to match, but size can go both ways. Small and skilled works well with players that have Raymond’s ability. Buffalo needs offense in the system in the worst way and he can provide it.
Pronman’s take: Buffalo has a lot of very good young players in the organization, and Raymond would be yet another addition to a potentially elite young core group of players. He will need time to develop speed and strength before he gets to the NHL. It remains to be seen when all these young pieces in Buffalo will move the organization forward, but it’s a lot of talent, especially when you add a player like Raymond with his elite skill and hockey sense.
Seeing the Sens get Stutzle and Rossi makes me sad
I'm not saying it's exactly the same situation or comparing these players, but these type of statements seem eerily similar to the 2016 draft when we were debating Juolevi vs guys like Chychrun, Sergachev, McAvoy, and Bean.
I haven't spent nearly as much time watching amateur hockey this year, but from my limited viewings it would be hard to pass on some of the elite toolset guys if they're available (Raymond, Holtz, Stuetzle).
Well, hopefully they are scouting Lundell's video gaming habits...