Speculation: Who do you want the Sabres to pick with the 1st/2nd Overall?

[SabreDr]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectdetail.htm?cat=1&dpid=85791&sort=finalRank&year=2014

Better yet, why does CS have him listed as a LW?

And why did they have one of the CS scouts quoted in their article about their final rankings say Bennett was a center and will be one in the NHL?

 

[Shoey]

I want whatever Sam that Tim Murray decides is better.

I went with Reinhart because he seems to have a bit more in the playmaking department and has a higher hockey IQ, but this is honestly a case where I'd be thrilled with either direction.

 

[jvirk]

Quick question for some of you: Do you think with Bennett's size (he's a bit shorter and a little less in weight) and the way he plays that he's an injury concern?

It's not a stupid question btw lol I reallyyy like the kid, I think he's gonna be really good. But he plays extremely physical and at an extremely high intensity, but he's not the biggest kid. Obviously I love his playing style and the traits he mentioned. But at 6' barely and 175/180 I can't see him making it through an 82 game season plus playoffs. Obviously injuries can happen to ANYONE, but I was just seeing your opinions as to if he could be a bigger concern at the NHL level?

It's a top 2 pick this year, we need it to be a really good one..so I'm sure every angle of these players will be analyzed.

 

[LottoPlease]

Sammy Benns. I'll change my avatar accordingly

 

[Sabretip]

Sam Bennett - but the difference between them is paper thin. I just like his chances of being a game breaking forward better then the rest.

Bennett. Because as much as I love Grandmaster Reinhart's brain, I would prefer the team be built around Bennett's heart. Let's err on the side of "will die to win."

Agreed on both counts - from what I've read, the two centers are comparable in offensive skill and instinct, not to mention physical size; the reported distinctions between them are that Reinhart seems more capable of making his teammates better statistically on the scoresheet via playmaking whereas Bennett is more capable of inspiring his teammates by leading through example via passion and effort.

Bennett

Reminds me of Girgs

I like the comparisons often made to Bennett being of the Doug Gilmour-ilk in his prime: an offensive playmaker with defensively-sound instincts and a nasty edge to his game. One scouting report referenced his "elite offensive skill" and "never gets outmuscled to win battles". Those qualities seem tailor-made to what the Sabres sorely lack.

 

[SabresBillsBuffalo]

Bennett here. If you want a very skilled possibly game breaking forward, who wears his heart on his sleeve then you want Bennett.

Kids heart is matched by no one in this draft.

Drainstl at #4-6 is who I want after that.

 

[ZeroPT*]

will you stop mispelling these prospects names PLEASE? There is no N in Draisaitl's name.

 

[vcv]

Bennett here. If you want a very skilled possibly game breaking forward, who wears his heart on his sleeve then you want Bennett.

Kids heart is matched by no one in this draft.

Drainstl at #4-6 is who I want after that.

will you stop mispelling these prospects names PLEASE? There is no N in Draisaitl's name.

Yeah, I'm afraid it's getting silly at this point. Spell their names correctly.

 

[haseoke39]

Yeah, I'm afraid it's getting silly at this point. Spell their names correctly.

This is karma for that guy who misspelled everything so badly you couldn't read a thing he wrote. Now our children don't know how to spell. Actions have consequences!

 

[Rhett4]

I'm torn between the two Sams. I started high on Reinhart, but Bennett's age and developmental curve (with a year less experience) really intrigues me. I also don't quite know what Bennett will become at the NHL level, and that both intrigues and frightens me.

It's easy to predict what Reinhart will be. He'll be a cerebral, playmaking center that will excel with good guys around him. He's not going to be able to command a game by himself because he's not the shooter that Stamkos is, doesn't have the speed of a MacKinnon, and doesn't have the overall skillset of a Crosby. With that said, he strikes me as the kind of guy that can be an effective 1st line center if you can find the right, dynamic winger for him to play with.

Bennett though. Hmm. Is he going to be gritty two-way 2nd line center or can he be a first line burner at LW?

 

[LottoPlease]

With that said, he strikes me as the kind of guy that can be an effective 1st line center if you can find the right, dynamic winger for him to play with

Don't forget the left, dynamic winger for him to play with. Crucial