2017 Draft Discussion - Sabres Pick 8th

[Takeo]

Draft is starting to lose its spirit because of this silly lottery system. Teams shouldn't be moving around this much. Of course it continues to be particularly frustrating for Sabres who are still reeling from McDavid lottery. NHL needs to tweek this.

 

[gallagt01]

Draft is starting to lose its spirit because of this silly lottery system. Teams shouldn't be moving around this much. Of course it continues to be particularly frustrating for Sabres who are still reeling from McDavid lottery. NHL needs to tweek this.

You were so close.

 

[krt88]

NHL draft lottery should be tweeked.

Let's make it complete luck and give no help to the team that finishes last vs that who just barely missed the playoffs. Why should sucking bring a reward?

Take all 15 teams and give them each one ping pong ball!

Turn the machine on live and see which of the 5 balls comes out first, second and third, then take the 12 teams left and worst record drafts 4th, 5th, 6th, etc.

No more tanking, no more anything. 17th is the same as 31st! Building a culture where losing is acceptable should not be rewarded. The Sabres TANK showed that.

 

[SatanwasaSlovak]

I would try and take Lias Andersson, that guy is going to be a major star.

 

[Ace]

Every word you wrote is wrong. So that's impressive.

 

[Husko]

Trade up and get the defenseman you love or trade the pick straight up for the best D it can find.

 

[Slangston]

I would have liked Heiskanen or Makar here, but that's looking unlikely. Barring a possible trade-up I don't see either of them putting on a Sabre's sweater.

 

[1972]

It's Heiskanen, Makar or Liljegren. If all three are gone then a cery good forward has dropped to us. Liljegren would still be the most dynamic D this team has drafted in decades. There's some risk with Makar and Liljegren, we are one of the rare teams that can afford to take a risk.

 

[MayDayMayDay]

I was annoyed at first w the results last night but after a nights sleep, Im fine with it. We'll have a Liljegren, Hague, Valimaki or maybe even Makar waiting for us, and there's still a good shot we trade the pick for an established D-man now. This is fine, stay the course.

 

[Jame]

It's Heiskanen, Makar or Liljegren. If all three are gone then a cery good forward has dropped to us. Liljegren would still be the most dynamic D this team has drafted in decades.

I think Valimaki belongs right there with Liljegren in that 2nd group of D, and should be our primary target given the assumption that Makar and Heiskanen will be gone.

 

[Dirty Dog]

I haven't seen Tippet discussed much. For those more informed than me, any quick thoughts on him?

 

[Jame]

I haven't seen Tippet discussed much. For those more informed than me, any quick thoughts on him?

Bobby Ryan.
We're pretty deep at RW for the forseeable future...

 

[1972]

im pretty surprised to see the likes of Foote and Hague mentioned in this thread, I'm not sure how anyone can think walking away with one of them is a good idea. They'd fit right in with the current Sabres D in terms of mobility though.

 

[1972]

I think Valimaki belongs right there with Liljegren in that 2nd group of D, and should be our primary target given the assumption that Makar and Heiskanen will be gone.

Valimaki checks a lot of the boxes, I just don't love how he seemingly pinches every time whether it's the right read or not, or how he sometimes likes to leave his zone and head up ice before he should. His reads have me a little cautious. At 6-2 200lbs he can get away with an awful lot in the WHL because he's already built like a man.

 

[UnleashRasmus]

Valimaki and Liljegren please and thank you. Unless somehow Miro or Makar fall down.

 

[Butt Ox]

im pretty surprised to see the likes of Foote and Hague mentioned in this thread, I'm not sure how anyone can think walking away with one of them is a good idea. They'd fit right in with the current Sabres D in terms of mobility though.

I like what Hague is about. Not at our current position, but if you could swap picks with someone in the 20's for theirs and a serviceable 4-5 and then draft Hague I'd be okay w/it.

East west is a problem sure. One than can be coached though. We already have what could be considered pmd in BG and DS. The league cycle will swing from tempo derivitive back to heavy. Clutch-n-grab fest. If Hague can be what he projects out we'll be right on with the curve.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Valimaki checks a lot of the boxes, I just don't love how he seemingly pinches every time whether it's the right read or not, or how he sometimes likes to leave his zone and head up ice before he should. His reads have me a little cautious. At 6-2 200lbs he can get away with an awful lot in the WHL because he's already built like a man.

It does seem like he can be overly aggressive, although I'm not sure I'd chalk that up to his decision-making skills. He just knows he can get away with it more often than not. He doesn't seem to play like that at all with the national team.

I have a good feeling about him...I'd take him at #8 and have no reservations.

 

[Jame]

im pretty surprised to see the likes of Foote and Hague mentioned in this thread, I'm not sure how anyone can think walking away with one of them is a good idea. They'd fit right in with the current Sabres D in terms of mobility though.

Agreed. No interest.

Valimaki checks a lot of the boxes, I just don't love how he seemingly pinches every time whether it's the right read or not, or how he sometimes likes to leave his zone and head up ice before he should. His reads have me a little cautious. At 6-2 200lbs he can get away with an awful lot in the WHL because he's already built like a man.

I think that's just Tri-City's game. Wotherspoon and Coghlan do the same thing.

Speaking of tri-city, Morgan Geekie is underrated in this draft.

 

[1972]

Agreed. No interest.



I think that's just Tri-City's game. Wotherspoon and Coghlan do the same thing.

Speaking of tri-city, Morgan Geekie is underrated in this draft.

I wasn't aware that was how they played. I figured that's just how he reads the game.

Last time we took a Finnish D at 8 we did ok.

 

[EichHart]

I think Valimaki belongs right there with Liljegren in that 2nd group of D, and should be our primary target given the assumption that Makar and Heiskanen will be gone.

I agree. I'm usually all about BPA in the top 10 but the 4 dman are all relatively close. I feel like Heiskanen is a tier above them all though. We have enough forward depth to take Best dman available at our spot. With hindsight do you wish we took Serg/Chrychrn last year and good just take best available player at 8 this year? Or would you be just as happy with Makar/Heiskanen/Lil/Val?

What tiers would you put last years dman compared to this?

Juolevi/Heiskanen
Serg/Chrychrn/Makar
Valimaki/Liljegren

 

[1972]

I'm not drafting a D in the first round who doesn't have high end to elite mobility. Can't do it.

 

[Sabre Dance]

Take best available. Forward or defense. This player is 3 years away from impacting our team anyways. A lot can change in 3 years.

 

[haseoke39]

Take best available. Forward or defense. This player is 3 years away from impacting our team anyways. A lot can change in 3 years.

I'd like to agree, but the last 3 years didn't do anything on D.

 

[ek93]

Unless there are trades made, Heiskanen and Makar won't reach us.

With that being said, I'm fine with Liljegren or Valimaki. Having a hard time deciding which one I'd like more.

This draft is completely wide open to me. Don't we have 6 picks in the top-100? There's no reason to think we can't get a few solid D prospects and maybe even a couple diamonds in the rough.

 

[Jacob582]

Would you trade our 8th pick for Charlie McAvoy?