2017 Draft Discussion - Sabres Pick 8th

[dotcommunism]

Guys, let's try to keep discussion in this thread at least tangentially related to the 2017 draft and not rehash irrelevant topics.

 

[threeVo]

Longshot obviously, but if we ended up with a top 2 pick would you:

A. Draft Nico or Patrick and trade Nylander+ for defense

or

B. Trade the pick for defense and keep Nylander.

I would pick option A, and that includes 2018 1st

 

[Push Dr Tracksuit]

Longshot obviously, but if we ended up with a top 2 pick would you:

A. Draft Nico or Patrick and trade Nylander+ for defense

or

B. Trade the pick for defense and keep Nylander.

I would pick option A, and that includes 2018 1st

C. trade the pick and Nylander for defense, come in to next season with a rebuilt top 4 and Bogo on the third pairing

 

[threeVo]

C. trade the pick and Nylander for defense, come in to next season with a rebuilt top 4 and Bogo on the third pairing

Sure but what does 1OA+ Nylander get you? It doesnt fetch someone on OEL's level IMO, I feel like its just too much value for what you would get, but not enough value to get what you want if that makes sense.

 

[Push Dr Tracksuit]

Sure but what does 1OA+ Nylander get you? It doesnt fetch someone on OEL's level IMO, I feel like its just too much value for what you would get, but not enough value to get what you want if that makes sense.

i was thinking more along the lines of Tanev and Scandella or Hanafin and Fowler + a new fourth line in the process

 

[Husko]

I would do whatever option nets us the single best defender we can get

 

[DJN21]

C. trade the pick and Nylander for defense, come in to next season with a rebuilt top 4 and Bogo on the third pairing

All of this. I'm not married to nylander and I'm not married to a pick we haven't made. If we can swap both in separate deals for top 4 dmen I do it and don't think twice.

 

[Zip15]

Pronman out with his 2017 Draft top-50 today (Insider).

Top-10:

1. Nico Hischier, C, Halifax (QMJHL)
2. Nolan Patrick, C, Brandon (WHL)
3. Owen Tippett, RW, Mississauga (OHL)
4. Eeli Tolvanen, RW, Sioux City (USHL)
5. Klim Kostin, LW, Moscow (KHL)
6. Gabe Vilardi, C, Windsor (OHL)
7. Timothy Liljegren, D, Rogle (SHL)
8. Martin Necas, C, Brno (Czech Extraliga)
9. Cody Glass, C, Portland (WHL)
10. Kailer Yamamoto, RW, Spokane (WHL)

Write-ups for the three highest-ranked defensemen:

7. Timothy Liljegren, D, Rogle (SHL)

Liljegren missed a sizeable chunk of the season due to mono, but he's one of the most dynamic offensive defensemen of the past few drafts. "He was able to quarterback an SHL power play when he was 16. You just don't see that," said one scout. Liljegren skates very well and can get up in a rush, but it's his skill and offensive mind that elevate him to the highest levels. While he's an imaginative and effective puck mover, he can get himself into trouble at times. He gives the puck away a lot going for the one extra play. He also has struggled defensively since returning to pro play. One NHL exec made a comment on his play on recovering from mono, "It can take a few weeks, sometimes even a few months, to get your feet under you. I think he could turn his season around starting in February."

....

13. Cale Makar, D, Brooks (AJHL)

Makar has been lights-out good this season in the AJHL, and he had a dominant performance at the World Junior A Challenge. Small, older (a late 1998 birth date) defensemen from Junior A don't get me excited that often, but Makar deserves a ton of recognition. Makar skates very well and has a strong burst out of each stride. He's aggressive jumping into the play and can pressure with his speed. Makar also is a highly skilled puck handler with high-end offensive instincts. He can make tough offensive plays with consistency and quarterback a power play. His defense was passable at the Junior A level, but scouts are concerned about him checking pros due to his size and defensive IQ.

....

16. Miro Heiskanen, D, HIFK (Liiga)

Heiskanen established himself as a regular in the middle of a top Finnish league team's lineup as one of the younger players in this draft class. His hockey sense is so good that he dictates the play due to how effectively he moves the puck. He makes great decisions, understands how to create chances while keeping his plays simple, and overall shows no issues playing at a pro pace. His mobility is pretty good, too, as he can get up into the rush well and close his gaps efficiently. He's a little shorter than average for an NHL defender and needs bulk, but I see his IQ translating well as he rises up the ranks.

http://www.espn.com/nhl/insider/story/_/id/18645344/nhl-ranking-top-50-prospects-2017-nhl-draft

 

[Myllz]

Would be awesome if Liljegren kept sliding, he'd be a great get with our pick.

 

[Samsonite23]

Would be totally satisfied with drafting Heiskanen, and he's ranked 16th.

 

[Husko]

Would be awesome if Liljegren kept sliding, he'd be a great get with our pick.

I would give up a great deal to trade up and get him

 

[Jame]

Would be awesome if Liljegren kept sliding, he'd be a great get with our pick.

Seems to perfect to happen.... like when Kopitar ALMOST fell in our lap (We got Marek Zagrapan instead)

I can't forsee Liljegren falling out of the top 5. I'd still bet on him going top 3.

 

[7 11 14]

Posted this in roster speculation:

If we keep being mediocre and end up drafting Makar I won't even be mad.

 

[Myllz]

Seems to perfect to happen.... like when Kopitar ALMOST fell in our lap (We got Marek Zagrapan instead)

I can't forsee Liljegren falling out of the top 5. I'd still bet on him going top 3.

I don't see it happening either, but one can dream.

 

[dkollidas]

How about thoughts on Cal Foote? Too slow? Haven't really watched him but the pedigree is there

 

[DJN21]

How about thoughts on Cal Foote? Too slow? Haven't really watched him but the pedigree is there

He's the perfect consolation prize if we miss out on the top 5 in the draft. He checks every boxes we need outside of speed. Big and physical, great shot from the point, has a mean streak and a family dedigree. Can play PP and PK thus far in his career, shows decent leadership qualities. That being said he's a boom or bust type prospect. His foot speed and offensive instinct outside of a big shot could fairly be questioned.

 

[EichHart]

Just draft the best available defenseman and move on. We should be picking anywhere from 5-15. One good one will fall, the difference between the offensive prospects and defensive ones are not enough to make up for team need aside from Nolan and Hischier.

 

[paulmm3]

If Makar's defensive IQ is being questioned that's a pretty big knock against him. IQ being one of those more "you have it or you don't" things than something you can work on developing. We need offense out of our defensemen for sure but we also need solid defensive play.

 

[Jame]

He's the perfect consolation prize if we miss out on the top 5 in the draft. He checks every boxes we need outside of speed. Big and physical, great shot from the point, has a mean streak and a family dedigree. Can play PP and PK thus far in his career, shows decent leadership qualities. That being said he's a boom or bust type prospect. His foot speed and offensive instinct outside of a big shot could fairly be questioned.

That would be Heskanen

 

[struckbyaparkedcar]

That would be Heskanen

Yo it's right there above you.

And I'll say it until it happens, the solution to the Bogo issue outside of exposure/trade once teams clear salary is to shelter him on the first offensive pairing with a puck mover who can play off his aggressiveness. Ideally Ristolainen, but we'll see who shakes loose. That puts a low-pressure role on his injury replacement, and will hopefully serve as a showcase for a future trade.

 

[1972]

He's the perfect consolation prize if we miss out on the top 5 in the draft. He checks every boxes we need outside of speed. Big and physical, great shot from the point, has a mean streak and a family dedigree. Can play PP and PK thus far in his career, shows decent leadership qualities. That being said he's a boom or bust type prospect. His foot speed and offensive instinct outside of a big shot could fairly be questioned.

The kid is Cody Franson, he's so fricken overhyped on this board. He's not the next stud out of Kelowna, he moves like Luke Schenn. He's not even a first rounder for me.

 

[truthbluth]

Yeah, not into Cal Foote. Much prefer Hague. But all the finns are good too.

 

[MackAttack26]

Liljegren
Valimaki
Makar
Heiskanen
Foote
Hague

Hoping for one of the top-3 (Liljegren is the dream, tier above the rest), but warming around to the idea of Heiskanen as well. Be pretty disappointed with Foote/Hague.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Watching defensemen. I like Heiskanen's game. Not the raw talent that Liljegren is, but his IQ is really high. And he's a really good skater.

 

[dkollidas]

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?