2017 Draft discussion- Sabres pick 8th. Part 2

[La Cosa Nostra]

That's a damn good list to be apart of, outside of literally Maclean. Strome still projects as a 1C. I take Tippett over Mittelstadt but after Glass. I can just picture Tippett as Eichels winger for the next decade popping in 30-35 goals a season. He has good skating for his size and a great shot. He just screams to be paired with Eichel. Tippett has been my choice for awhile now factoring in that he will most likely be there while the top 2 D will not. I'd prefer Tippett over Liljegren also. Liljegren seems to have that Kylington drop to his draft status. I take Tippett at 8 if Glass and Vilardi plus the top 2 D are gone.

RoR-Okposo
Eichel-Tippett
Reinhart-Nylander

I know disco is gone but I can still see the new coach going with "pairs". 3 years from now I could see those 6 forwards in our top 9 leading it far in the post season. I have a feeling Okposo will be here for at least 3 more seasons. Likely dealt with 2 years left on his contract with some sweeteners to a floor team.

 

[UnleashRasmus]

That's a damn good list to be apart of, outside of literally Maclean. Strome still projects as a 1C. I take Tippett over Mittelstadt but after Glass. I can just picture Tippett as Eichels winger for the next decade popping in 30-35 goals a season. He has good skating for his size and a great shot. He just screams to be paired with Eichel. Tippett has been my choice for awhile now factoring in that he will most likely be there while the top 2 D will not. I'd prefer Tippett over Liljegren also. Liljegren seems to have that Kylington drop to his draft status. I take Tippett at 8 if Glass and Vilardi plus the top 2 D are gone.

RoR-Okposo
Eichel-Tippett
Reinhart-Nylander

I know disco is gone but I can still see the new coach going with "pairs". 3 years from now I could see those 6 forwards in our top 9 leading it far in the post season. I have a feeling Okposo will be here for at least 3 more seasons. Likely dealt with 2 years left on his contract with some sweeteners to a floor team.

All this is fine and dandy, and yes you can find defensemen in later rounds that produce. Look at Weber, Josi, Ekholm, and countless others. However, part of the problem is that you also miss out on the talented blueliners by going for flash over substance. I can see what you're going to view in Tippett, but this team needs to push the puck from the back forward.

 

[Jim Bob]

That's a damn good list to be apart of, outside of literally Maclean. Strome still projects as a 1C. I take Tippett over Mittelstadt but after Glass. I can just picture Tippett as Eichels winger for the next decade popping in 30-35 goals a season. He has good skating for his size and a great shot. He just screams to be paired with Eichel. Tippett has been my choice for awhile now factoring in that he will most likely be there while the top 2 D will not. I'd prefer Tippett over Liljegren also. Liljegren seems to have that Kylington drop to his draft status. I take Tippett at 8 if Glass and Vilardi plus the top 2 D are gone.

RoR-Okposo
Eichel-Tippett
Reinhart-Nylander

I know disco is gone but I can still see the new coach going with "pairs". 3 years from now I could see those 6 forwards in our top 9 leading it far in the post season. I have a feeling Okposo will be here for at least 3 more seasons. Likely dealt with 2 years left on his contract with some sweeteners to a floor team.

Tippett seems too much like Jake Virtanen for my liking.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Tippett's game is similar to Kane's and Virtanen's. Lots of power and speed, with skill, but lower end hockey IQ.

 

[1972]

Based on everything Botterill is saying, I would be surprised if he's really doing his homework on Liljegren leading up to the draft.

 

[Paxon]

Based on everything Botterill is saying, I would be surprised if he's really doing his homework on Liljegren leading up to the draft.

Why's that? Hockey IQ?

 

[Gabrielor]

Would you trade a second this year to move up to 5 or 6 (past Arizona) to get Makar?

 

[Jame]

Would you trade a second this year to move up to 5 or 6 (past Arizona) to get Makar?

I'd trade both 2nds to get Makar

 

[Gabrielor]

I'd trade both 2nds to get Makar

May have to. Makar fits well for Arizona. Hopefully we call Vancouver.

In 2015, the price from 8 to 5 was a 2nd (a YouTube Columbus vid). Should be similar.

 

[1972]

Why's that? Hockey IQ?

Just based on his interviews, he seems to really stress having D who can skate and think the game offensively and jump in the play, even if it means not being the greatest defender...look in Pittsburgh as well with Justin Shultz and Kris Letang, those are two pretty comparable guys in skillset to Liljegren. So if there's anyone who would understand how to develop Liljegren is probably Botterill. I'm not buying the 'low hockey IQ' argument with Liljegren, he just isn't polished.

Liljegren is hard to get a read on, there's a chance he is picked before he gets to us or he could fall to 15th.

 

[Jim Bob]

Would you trade a second this year to move up to 5 or 6 (past Arizona) to get Makar?

When is the last time a trade up like that happened in the top 10 of the NHL Draft?

I think it may go as way far back as when the Canucks did all their moves to get the Sedins.

 

[sabrebuild]

Just based on his interviews, he seems to really stress having D who can skate and think the game offensively and jump in the play, even if it means not being the greatest defender...look in Pittsburgh as well with Justin Shultz and Kris Letang, those are two pretty comparable guys in skillset to Liljegren. So if there's anyone who would understand how to develop Liljegren is probably Botterill. I'm not buying the 'low hockey IQ' argument with Liljegren, he just isn't polished.

Liljegren is hard to get a read on, there's a chance he is picked before he gets to us or he could fall to 15th.

This answer doesn't really make sense. Or am I misreading something.

 

[Gabrielor]

When is the last time a trade up like that happened in the top 10 of the NHL Draft?

I think it may go as way far back as when the Canucks did all their moves to get the Sedins.

We know for sure it was offered in 2015.

Were also somewhat sure it was possible in 2013, just pricier. (5,McCain for 8,sekera,2-52)

 

[Jim Bob]

We know for sure it was offered in 2015.

Were also somewhat sure it was possible in 2013, just pricier. (5,McCain for 8,sekera,2-52)

Offers happen all the time, yet trade ups like that have been non-existent in the top 10 over recent history.

I don't it is realistic to expect that they could trade up from 8 just by using picks.

 

[Paxon]

Just based on his interviews, he seems to really stress having D who can skate and think the game offensively and jump in the play, even if it means not being the greatest defender...look in Pittsburgh as well with Justin Shultz and Kris Letang, those are two pretty comparable guys in skillset to Liljegren. So if there's anyone who would understand how to develop Liljegren is probably Botterill. I'm not buying the 'low hockey IQ' argument with Liljegren, he just isn't polished.

Liljegren is hard to get a read on, there's a chance he is picked before he gets to us or he could fall to 15th.

Did you mean to say you wouldn't be surprised if he's really doing his homework? Because you said you'd be surprised if he's really doing his homework on Liljegren which is what made me confused. Assuming it was a typo, I agree. I definitely see Liljegren as a target of interest for the Sabres and for Botterill.

 

[Gabrielor]

Offers happen all the time, yet trade ups like that have been non-existent in the top 10 over recent history.

I don't it is realistic to expect that they could trade up from 8 just by using picks.

Sure we can. When I say offers, I mean them coming from 5, not being proposed to 5.

In both of those examples, the team at 8 turned them down.

 

[Jim Bob]

Sure we can. When I say offers, I mean them coming from 5, not being proposed to 5.

In both of those examples, the team at 8 turned them down.

That's great, but that doesn't mean that teams want to trade back this year.

I'll believe it if I see it.

 

[1972]

Did you mean to say you wouldn't be surprised if he's really doing his homework? Because you said you'd be surprised if he's really doing his homework on Liljegren which is what made me confused. Assuming it was a typo, I agree. I definitely see Liljegren as a target of interest for the Sabres and for Botterill.

Sorry about the typo, I meant I'd be surprised if he isn't doing his homework.

 

[1972]

Dream draft is Liljegren/Makar and Brannstrom. That would be a game changer for us.

 

[Rasmus CacOlainen]

Dream draft is Liljegren/Makar and Brannstrom. That would be a game changer for us.

From everything I've read Im not keen on Liljegren. Rather have Valimaki/Brannstrom from purely what I've read. Makar would be a major coup if we can get him, especially at 8 without giving up assets to trade up.

 

[Jame]

Dream draft is Liljegren/Makar and Brannstrom. That would be a game changer for us.

Dream Draft:

8TH - Cale Makar D
37th - Henri Jokiharju D or Artem Minulin D
54th - Morgan Geekie C
68th - Josh Norris C
89th - Aleksi Heponiemi C
99th - Dylan Coghlan D
161st - Kirill Ustimenko G

 

[LetsDoughBuffalo]

Dream Draft:

8TH - Cale Makar D
37th - Henri Jokiharju D or Artem Minulin D
54th - Morgan Geekie C
68th - Josh Norris C
89th - Aleksi Heponiemi C
99th - Dylan Coghlan D
161st - Kirill Ustimenko G

I know you said "dream draft" so I'm not criticizing, but I think that Norris will end up going a little higher than 68.

 

[hizzoner]

I would not mind Formenton in second round and Entwistle with our first third. They have great wheels with some offensive flair and pk ability.

 

[AustonsNostrils]

Craig Button mock draft.

7. Arizona Coyotes: Cale Makar, D, Brooks (AJHL) A dynamic defenceman who approaches the game in a similar manner to Erik Karlsson.

8. Buffalo Sabres: Timothy Liljegren, D, Timra (SWE-Als) An excellent skater who can impact the game in multiple ways.

Really want Makar.

I do think the criticism of Liljegren is overdone, wouldn't bother me if he's our pick but I do want to try to move up a 2-3 spots to get Makar. We have an extra 2nd rounder.

Tempting to trade Kane to Vancouver to move up to 5th. I think Benning would consider it.

 

[Ace]

Craig Button mock draft.

7. Arizona Coyotes: Cale Makar, D, Brooks (AJHL) A dynamic defenceman who approaches the game in a similar manner to Erik Karlsson.

8. Buffalo Sabres: Timothy Liljegren, D, Timra (SWE-Als) An excellent skater who can impact the game in multiple ways.

Really want Makar.

I do think the criticism of Liljegren is overdone, wouldn't bother me if he's our pick but I do want to try to move up a 2-3 spots to get Makar. We have an extra 2nd rounder.

Tempting to trade Kane to Vancouver to move up to 5th. I think Benning would consider it.

You think he'd consider one of the best even strength scorers in the league to move down 3 spots?

Fascinating.