2017 Draft Discussion - Sabres Pick 8th

[1972]

I guess he's moved up in the rankings then because I've seen him with a 2nd round ranking all season up til the last time I looked which is probably 6 weeks ago.

I know he's technically ranked there, but I'd bet an awful lot at team steps up in the first round. He's gonna be one of the top scorers in the OHL next year.

 

[MackAttack26]

His skates are permanently stuck in molasses

This is a non-existent issue that I continue to hear/read. His speed is above average, his skating is really quite strong.

Although in the WHL he really seems to try and push his offensive game too much at times and is not focused enough defensively. (Although his more safe play that he showed at the WJC shows he is capable defensively...just needs to pick his moment better).

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Seen a lot of props for Hesikanen lately, and Liljegren's stock is dropping.

Is there any chance that Heiskanen at some point overtakes Liljegren as the top defenseman taken this year?

Heiskanen has battled with injuries after world juniors so i can't say for sure is he overtaking Liljegren or not.
I think that defenceman who ( Heiskanen or Liljegren) has better tournament in U18 WJC's is top defenceman taken in this years draft.
But at least Grant McCagg is really high on Heiskanen and he has Heiskanen 3rd overall in his newest mock draft

https://recrutes.ca/
Newest Grant McCagg's mock draft and TOP10 prospect ranking.

 

[Jim Bob]

http://news.nationalpost.com/sports...year-old-who-thinks-the-game-on-another-level

Let the hype machine begin for the 2019 draft...

 

[Jim Bob]

http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2017/3/...er-avalanche-simulation-coyotes-lottery-vegas

1. Colorado Avalanche - Timothy Liljegren, D, Rogle (Sweden)

I’m starting to come around to Mile High Hockey’s argument that the Avalanche can’t afford to pass up the best defenseman in the draft. The consensus Best Three™ in the 2017 draft are Nolan Patrick, Nico Hischier, and Liljegren. Two centers and a defenseman. When Tyson Jost joins Nathan MacKinnon in Colorado next season, they’ll be set down the middle for years.

Might as well stock the defense with a prime puck-mover like Liljegren.

 

[Gabrielor]

http://news.nationalpost.com/sports...year-old-who-thinks-the-game-on-another-level

Let the hype machine begin for the 2019 draft...

Lose for Hughes. That name's already locked up solidly.

Also, compares to mcdavid, name is jack. It's a funny world.

 

[Dingo44]

Lose for Hughes. That name's already locked up solidly.

Also, compares to mcdavid, name is jack. It's a funny world.

Yeah, the only takeaway I got was that there would be another superstar "Jack" in the league and I want our Jack to be the best Jack.

 

[Team Cozens]

IF the Sabres are drafting at #7 after the lottery... what D would you trade it for..

Fowler ?
Hanifan ?
Brodin ?

other....

 

[DJN21]

IF the Sabres are drafting at #7 after the lottery... what D would you trade it for..

Fowler ?
Hanifan ?
Brodin ?

other....

Are you assuming we can have any of these dmen for that pick?

 

[Team Cozens]

Are you assuming we can have any of these dmen for that pick?

Yes, which one would you prefer. Or is there another realistic player available
Is the price fair ??

 

[DJN21]

Yes, which one would you prefer. Or is there another realistic player available
Is the price fair ??

Hanifan's value is head and shoulders above the other 2. He was drafted higher and has years of development now. You take that and run.

Brodin I'd still personally take for that pick but Minnesota isn't gonna trade him after they lose another dman via expansion draft so it's moot. They'd rather lose 1 dman than 2 to only get our first while competing.

If Anaheim wouldn't part with Fowler for our first last year I doubt they do this year. He may be the best of the bunch currently and if we want to win now is the obvious choice. However even on the off chance aneheim accepts you're trading your first for only 1 guaranteed year of fowler. He could walk and we lose 7 years of a team con trolled pick for 1 year of fowler helping us to make bottom seed of the playoffs...

There's draw backs to all of them. Hanifan would be an absolute yes no questions asked but Carolina doesnt bite in a million years. Fowler would have to come with a sign and trade agreement. Brodin would have to come with Minnesota for some reas on wanting to gut the defense or offense during expansion.

I'd trade that pick for any of them given the above circumstances.

 

[Team Cozens]

Hanifan's value is head and shoulders above the other 2. He was drafted higher and has years of development now. You take that and run.

Brodin I'd still personally take for that pick but Minnesota isn't gonna trade him after they lose another dman via expansion draft so it's moot. They'd rather lose 1 dman than 2 to only get our first while competing.

If Anaheim wouldn't part with Fowler for our first last year I doubt they do this year. He may be the best of the bunch currently and if we want to win now is the obvious choice. However even on the off chance aneheim accepts you're trading your first for only 1 guaranteed year of fowler. He could walk and we lose 7 years of a team con trolled pick for 1 year of fowler helping us to make bottom seed of the playoffs...

There's draw backs to all of them. Hanifan would be an absolute yes no questions asked but Carolina doesnt bite in a million years. Fowler would have to come with a sign and trade agreement. Brodin would have to come with Minnesota for some reas on wanting to gut the defense or offense during expansion.

I'd trade that pick for any of them given the above circumstances.

Thanks for your comments. I guess some how much GMTM values the top 3-4 D available in this draft. I would prefer if we can trade the pick for a player who can step right in next season. Fowler really improved his play this season and his value but at the same time just lost another year off his contract. Can Anaheim fit him in at 6.5 - 7 with Theodore, Manson, Montour and Lindholm and Vatanen ??? Who knows.

How do you value Vatanen ?

 

[DJN21]

Thanks for your comments. I guess some how much GMTM values the top 3-4 D available in this draft. I would prefer if we can trade the pick for a player who can step right in next season. Fowler really improved his play this season and his value but at the same time just lost another year off his contract. Can Anaheim fit him in at 6.5 - 7 with Theodore, Manson, Montour and Lindholm and Vatanen ??? Who knows.

How do you value Vatanen ?

To me the question is not what can Anaheim afford with Fowler long term but can WE afford him. And is the risk worth the reward with him walking.

My value of vatanen is zero. No offense he's a great player. I want someone to take defensive pressure off risto allowing him to be our vatanen. Vats will never be a plus on the defensive side. I want a different style player than him. If the cost were less sure I'd welcome him but not in this discussion.

 

[Team Cozens]

IF we are drafting a defenseman. How would you rank these 5?
This is how I see them currently from my limited research.

4. Lilegren
7. Heiskanen
10. Valimaki
14. Foote
16. Makar


Thoughts??

 

[WpgBuffan]

IF we are drafting a defenseman. How would you rank these 5?
This is how I see them currently from my limited research.

4. Lilegren
7. Heiskanen
10. Valimaki
14. Foote
16. Makar


Thoughts??

I rank them this way.

Heiskanen
Lilegren
Makar
Valimaki
Foote

 

[Kiraly]

Valimaki is my guy.

Finnish LHD, big, and can move the puck.

Should be available around where we pick.

We gotta nab this kid.

A string of wins to end the season and this selection looks very possible. Very comfortable selecting another Finnish defenseman.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

I was really hoping we could nab Oettinger in the 2nd round (we could use another good prospect in the pipeline), but I'm guessing he's not going to last that long.

 

[1972]

At least Oettinger you don't need to worry about him not signing...

 

[MackAttack26]

IF we are drafting a defenseman. How would you rank these 5?
This is how I see them currently from my limited research.

4. Lilegren
7. Heiskanen
10. Valimaki
14. Foote
16. Makar


Thoughts??

Liljegren

Valimaki
Heiskanen
Makar

Foote

Given our position, I think one of those Finnish LHD will still be there and both would be terrific fits. That's my hope.

 

[1972]

We can always take 2 D in the second if it doesn't work out in the first.

 

[Jim Bob]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/big-read-nolan-patricks-unconventional-road-nhl-draft/

Sportsnet with a long read on Nolan Patrick.

He speaks to his dad every day or so — sometimes about hockey, sometimes about hunting, which he started doing at age eight, per Patrick family tradition. Steve keeps things pretty simple with his son and has told James, who also makes regular contact, to limit the advice he gives Patrick to two or three items per conversation. Uncle James can really get going.

 

[1972]

You see a kid like Keller just explode and you can't help but wonder if a guy like Mittlestadt will do the same thing with that skill level.

 

[WpgBuffan]

You see a kid like Keller just explode and you can't help but wonder if a guy like Mittlestadt will do the same thing with that skill level.

If we don't take a defenseman with our first pick I would be hoping that Mittlestadt drops to where we are picking.

 

[nickdawg95]

Foote will be the chrychun of this draft, if we pass on him we'll regret it !

 

[1972]

If we don't take a defenseman with our first pick I would be hoping that Mittlestadt drops to where we are picking.

I would agree but with Nylander in the mix already I would prefer we go with someone who does more at 5v5.