2022 NHL Entry Draft

[Der Jaeger]

If, as you speculate, Wright, Cooley, Savoie go before we even pick the only center I'd consider would be Lambert and is he center at the NHL level? I love the talent and would be on board if he was the pick, but I can see why people might see him as a winger and right now Winger is the strength of our system. I don't see it with Geekie. He's big, so that's nice, but his skating needs work and while he's skilled, is there enough there to be a top 6 player? I have my doubts. I think he just stands out because he's more skilled than most players his size as opposed to just having high end skills like some of the smaller guys like Savoie and Cooley. I don't think we sniff Nemec barring some real bad play down the stretch here so it likely boils down to Jiricek over the field which largely consists of guys projected to be Wingers at the next level. I think that's why people might be leaning that direction.

Geekie’s hockey IQ is very high. I take him in a nano second if it’s between Geekie and Jiricek. And his skating isn’t bad.

 

[Fjordy]

Geekie’s hockey IQ is very high. I take him in a nano second if it’s between Geekie and Jiricek. And his skating isn’t bad.

His skating is weird to say the least and it's not his best side, but his hockey IQ and playmaking abilities are really at a very high level, he needs to be more consistent. Probably Jiiricek also has no less warts than Geelie, and maybe even more, unlike Nemec. In any case, skating can be improved, and I would never pass player, especially a young one, just because of skating.

 

[Old Navy Goat]

Geekie’s hockey IQ is very high. I take him in a nano second if it’s between Geekie and Jiricek. And his skating isn’t bad.

Geekie needs a proper skills coach to work on his skating technique, and a sports psychologist to remind him pre-game that the opposition denigrated his mother and sister.

Who would be broaching top 10 with better skating is Del Bel Belluz. His technique is atrocious and generates little power. He's worth a late 1st if you plan on properly coaching him

 

[Jim Bob]

Many posters on this board are overvaluing RHD and getting myopic about the position.

Sure, if another position is rated higher, you take BPA.

But if you’ve got a tie or real close grades, take the center.

Given where Nemec is getting ranked in the public lists, I don't believe that people that see the fit as overvaluing him given where the Sabres are likely to pick. If Nemec falls to the Sabres, I don't think he is a positional reach.

Simon Nemec at eliteprospects.com

Ranked #5 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #4 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #3 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #9 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
Ranked #2 by MCKEEN'S HOCKEY
Ranked #4 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #6 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Skaters)
Ranked #11 by SPORTSNET
Ranked #6 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
Ranked #4 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #5 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #8 by SMAHT SCOUTING
Ranked #3 by THE PUCK AUTHORITY

5th in the consolidated ranking and anywhere from 2-11 is unlikely to be a reach with the Sabres sitting in the 7th spot using Pt% pre-lottery.

Personally, Geekie worries me as a guy that could be getting overrated due to his size. And Lambert is looking like this year's Aatu Raty in that he does not live up to his pre-draft expectations in his draft year. Given the number of picks the Sabres have and the depth in their prospect pool, taking Lambert over Nemec would be a roll of the dice that I would be cautiously optimistic about.

But, I would have no issue with Nemec in the 6-8 spot unless you see Cooley or Savoie fall for whatever reason.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Depends on the player. Jack Hughes is not a big kid, at all.

Depends on the player. Jack Hughes is not a big kid, at all.

So what? Your logic is silly as heck.

“Ovetchkin is a winger and went first, therefore wingers are more valuable than centers.”

That’s your logic at work right there

 

[Fjordy]

Given where Nemec is getting ranked in the public lists, I don't believe that people that see the fit as overvaluing him given where the Sabres are likely to pick. If Nemec falls to the Sabres, I don't think he is a positional reach.

Simon Nemec at eliteprospects.com



5th in the consolidated ranking and anywhere from 2-11 is unlikely to be a reach with the Sabres sitting in the 7th spot using Pt% pre-lottery.

Personally, Geekie worries me as a guy that could be getting overrated due to his size. And Lambert is looking like this year's Aatu Raty in that he does not live up to his pre-draft expectations in his draft year. Given the number of picks the Sabres have and the depth in their prospect pool, taking Lambert over Nemec would be a roll of the dice that I would be cautiously optimistic about.

But, I would have no issue with Nemec in the 6-8 spot unless you see Cooley or Savoie fall for whatever reason.

I'm pretty high on Nemec, but not as high on Jiricek, so he's certainly good too, but he has more warts in the game that I don't like. Geekie are definitely interesting, there are questions, but there is also skill and high hockey IQ.

We know about Labmert's problems with production and his father, but for example, Slafkovsky also does not produce anything in the Finnish league. It was the same with Raty until he changed the team. It seems to me that this is not always on the players, but also on the league itself, the same can be said about the Swedish league.

 

[Team Cozens]

The Vegas pick is currently sitting at 20th overall. I don't expect it to stay there but you never know especially given the Stone and Lehner injuries. Wonder if GM Adams would consider moving 1st round picks say Vegas #20 and Florida #30 to move up to the 10 -12 range to land a target.

 

[Chainshot]

The Vegas pick is currently sitting at 20th overall. I don't expect it to stay there but you never know especially given the Stone and Lehner injuries. Wonder if GM Adams would consider moving 1st round picks say Vegas #20 and Florida #30 to move up to the 10 -12 range to land a target.

That's very much a day-of-draft conversation because of who the players available might be and what the teams are in that neighborhood.

 

[Jim Bob]

The Vegas pick is currently sitting at 20th overall. I don't expect it to stay there but you never know especially given the Stone and Lehner injuries. Wonder if GM Adams would consider moving 1st round picks say Vegas #20 and Florida #30 to move up to the 10 -12 range to land a target.

I would rather move one of those for a young NHLer that can help right away as opposed to merely moving up on draft day.

I would rather have 2 late 1sts than 1 mid-1st almost every single year, this year included.

 

[Dingo44]

I would rather move one of those for a young NHLer that can help right away as opposed to merely moving up on draft day.

I would rather have 2 late 1sts than 1 mid-1st almost every single year, this year included.

What if someone offered their 2nd this year and 1st next year for our lowest first this year?

I think I'd definitely take it - 2023 is supposed to be 2015 good. If they could make it non-lottery protected, even better.

 

[Jim Bob]

What if someone offered their 2nd this year and 1st next year for our lowest first this year?

I think I'd definitely take it - 2023 is supposed to be 2015 good. If they could make it non-lottery protected, even better.

I would probably take that deal unless someone fell to them that the scouts were pounding the desk for.

 

[Der Jaeger]

So what? Your logic is silly as heck.

“Ovetchkin is a winger and went first, therefore wingers are more valuable than centers.”

That’s your logic at work right there

Nice strawman.

My argument is that center is the most valuable position on the ice, and therefore NHL executives take more centers than any other position in the top 10 of the draft. In 200 individual decisions on who to take in the top 10 of the last 20 drafts, over every team and numerous executives making decisions, they chose center 72 times out of 200.

A position on the team which accounts for 20 percent of a team's manpower was selected 36% of the time.

I went with 200 picks to increase the sample size. Of course Ovechkin was going first over a center. That's 1 of 200 individual draft decisions that you're highlighting.

 

[elchud]

Nemec and Chesley could/should be NHL ready in 24-25 and either would be ideal partners for Dahlin.

6-10 Nemec seems like the smart play. But I'd take Savoie/Geekie and trade up to grab Chesley. Lamoureux will be available with one of our late 1sts but Chesley is a sure thing.

Power and Joker would make a great pair.

I think we can pick up 6 more picks this draft (Miller and Hagg and Butcher half retained, Anderson/Tokarski/Janko, nobody wants eakin)

Prospect pool is hurting on defense believe it or not.

2nd targets - Bystedt Poitras Lorenz
3rd - Brennan Koromyslov Warren
4th - Arnsby Nordberg Guevin
5th - Jonsson Mayer Krepelka
6th - Smolin Buydens Greuter

 

[Der Jaeger]

Given where Nemec is getting ranked in the public lists, I don't believe that people that see the fit as overvaluing him given where the Sabres are likely to pick. If Nemec falls to the Sabres, I don't think he is a positional reach.

Simon Nemec at eliteprospects.com



5th in the consolidated ranking and anywhere from 2-11 is unlikely to be a reach with the Sabres sitting in the 7th spot using Pt% pre-lottery.

Personally, Geekie worries me as a guy that could be getting overrated due to his size. And Lambert is looking like this year's Aatu Raty in that he does not live up to his pre-draft expectations in his draft year. Given the number of picks the Sabres have and the depth in their prospect pool, taking Lambert over Nemec would be a roll of the dice that I would be cautiously optimistic about.

But, I would have no issue with Nemec in the 6-8 spot unless you see Cooley or Savoie fall for whatever reason.

I'm ok with Nemec as well. I'm just pointing out that the team shouldn't be zeroing in on RHD, because typically, team strengths and weaknesses will be vastly different from a draft year to when a player gets to the NHL.

3 years ago, the Sabres needed LHD and were loaded on the right side. Now Ristolainen, Montour, and Borgen are gone, and Miller is about to leave. The Sabres drafted Dahlin, Johnson, Power, and Samuelsson. Now left side is packed and right side is barren.

Here's my argument: draft for BPA, and if you've got a tie for BPA within a tier, take the center.

----------

Regarding Geekie, he's a little overrated because of size. But that's understandable because it can only be drafted, not developed. Lambert has been my sleeper all along. I think he's going to stumble through the draft year and explode afterwards, somewhat similar to Raty. I'd take Lambert top 10 over any of the projected players. He reminds me of a young Matt Duchene, Colorado and current Nashville version.

 

[Der Jaeger]

FC Mock, one of the few that played out how I think the draft will go. Sabres still 5th, but

1. Montreal: Wright
2. Arizona: Cooley
3. Seattle: Slafkovsky
4. Ottawa: Savoie
5. Buffalo: Lambert

Buffalo:
5. Lambert C
29. Salomonsson RD
30. Bystedt C
37. Bichsel LD

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

The Vegas pick is currently sitting at 20th overall. I don't expect it to stay there but you never know especially given the Stone and Lehner injuries. Wonder if GM Adams would consider moving 1st round picks say Vegas #20 and Florida #30 to move up to the 10 -12 range to land a target.

In 2012, we traded 21+42 to get to 12. You wouldn't need to use 30 to get there; using 37 would be more than enough.

 

[elchud]

In 2012, we traded 21+42 to get to 12. You wouldn't need to use 30 to get there; using 37 would be more than enough.

24 + 30 would get to 12. I think Vegas pick will be moving down a few spots the next few months.

Nemec at 6, and if Lambert was there at 12...

And I dont think Chesley at 12 is crazy.

 

[Fjordy]

FC Mock, one of the few that played out how I think the draft will go. Sabres still 5th, but

1. Montreal: Wright
2. Arizona: Cooley
3. Seattle: Slafkovsky
4. Ottawa: Savoie
5. Buffalo: Lambert

Buffalo:
5. Lambert C
29. Salomonsson RD
30. Bystedt C
37. Bichsel LD

I bet it won't.

The 2021 draft was very controversial and risky for Adams, your draft is like this too, Adams is unlikely to do such a dubious thing twice.

 

[elchud]

I bet it won't.

The 2021 draft was very controversial and risky for Adams, your draft is like this too, Adams is unlikely to do such a dubious thing twice.

I think *this* is the draft to keep it safe. We know the needs on this roster. With Nemec he may not be an elite #1 D-man but you can pair him with Dahlin or Power. To a lesser extent, Chesley. Will be mighty annoyed if we can't get one of those two.

I actually love Jiricek but can absolutely see how he is a risk with a top-8 pick.

We can use another high-end center prospect. Savoie has a high-end 2C floor (and also has a massive ceiling) and if we are drafting at #4 and he's there it's a no-brainer. I do think Geekie is fine at #8, he has a high-end 3C floor and he isn't just a big body, he can protect and handle the puck like Draisaitl and he goes hard every shift and we don't have a center prospect like him and our team will benefit from having him at 2C or 3C in the playoffs.

I think Slaf doesn't go past pick 3, and if we are lotto I think you gotta take Wright or Cooley so Slaf doesn't seem to be an option for us (to me).

Kemell and Yurov...I just don't think high-end winger is the way to go with the pick.

Re: Lambert, I was screaming for us to take Raty with our 2nd last draft, so yeah. If Lamber is still there at 15 or 20 trade up to get him, sure. He's dropping in the draft for good reasons? No argument on his talent.

 

[UnleashRasmus]

Given where Nemec is getting ranked in the public lists, I don't believe that people that see the fit as overvaluing him given where the Sabres are likely to pick. If Nemec falls to the Sabres, I don't think he is a positional reach.

Simon Nemec at eliteprospects.com



5th in the consolidated ranking and anywhere from 2-11 is unlikely to be a reach with the Sabres sitting in the 7th spot using Pt% pre-lottery.

Personally, Geekie worries me as a guy that could be getting overrated due to his size. And Lambert is looking like this year's Aatu Raty in that he does not live up to his pre-draft expectations in his draft year. Given the number of picks the Sabres have and the depth in their prospect pool, taking Lambert over Nemec would be a roll of the dice that I would be cautiously optimistic about.

But, I would have no issue with Nemec in the 6-8 spot unless you see Cooley or Savoie fall for whatever reason.

I completely agree with you. It just depends on the outcome of the lottery. I think anyone of the Nemec, Yurov, Jiricek, Cooley, Savoie mix, are all great assets. I have concerns on Lambert's focus level and love of the sport, his attitude seems piss poor.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Nice strawman.

My argument is that center is the most valuable position on the ice, and therefore NHL executives take more centers than any other position in the top 10 of the draft. In 200 individual decisions on who to take in the top 10 of the last 20 drafts, over every team and numerous executives making decisions, they chose center 72 times out of 200.

A position on the team which accounts for 20 percent of a team's manpower was selected 36% of the time.

I went with 200 picks to increase the sample size. Of course Ovechkin was going first over a center. That's 1 of 200 individual draft decisions that you're highlighting.

And that draft, if you went with the C over the LW, nobody would have said “why did the Caps take him instead of Ovechkin?!”.

Of course I can say that with a smidge of hindsight involved.

 

[Fjordy]

What are your thoughts on Frank Nazar?

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

What are your thoughts on Frank Nazar?

Great option if we trade up to the 10-12 range. Would prefer him to Lambert's uncertainty.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

FC Mock, one of the few that played out how I think the draft will go. Sabres still 5th, but

1. Montreal: Wright
2. Arizona: Cooley
3. Seattle: Slafkovsky
4. Ottawa: Savoie
5. Buffalo: Lambert

Buffalo:
5. Lambert C
29. Salomonsson RD
30. Bystedt C
37. Bichsel LD

I hope Seattle doesn’t get Slafkovsky. I hate the team (mostly because of their name than anything) and I really prefer they don’t have two players I like.

 

[elchud]

Nazar looks like a line-driving wing, he is outproducing Cooley but doesn't project as a center which is probably why he is in the 9 - 12 range in most mocks i've seen.