2024 NHL Draft Picks 14, 42, 43, 76, 108, 109, 161, 172, 204 (Draft on 6/28 and 6/29)

[Selanne00008]

So what you're saying is, trade our first.

Up or down in the draft could work as well..

 

[Chainshot]

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[Doug Prishpreed]

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Sounds like maybe a Vanek-lite? JVR? Plays in front of the net and has the tools to be a power forward...but isn't one and probably never will be.

 

[Old Navy Goat]

He does well making plays in traffic and is wise enough to get to the net. The feet are concerning.

Spent the other night on Yakemchuk and Edmonton got paddled. I didn’t make any notes other than “oh… no” for one sequence of his. Need to watch more.

Yakemchuk potted 2 last night so up to 23 on the year. He needs someone to rein in his focus a bit as he goes a bit too toolsy. Lots and lots to like, I think you'll see him him shoot up to Top 5 contention as he should go off in the Memorial Cup

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Is there a high level power forward type prospect available at 7-9 where we inevitably draft?

The Sabres could definitely use someone like that. Today. He might be years away from making meaningful contributions.

 

[TageGod]

The Sabres could definitely use someone like that. Today. He might be years away from making meaningful contributions.

I am 100% on the trade the pick train.

 

[Old Navy Goat]

I am 100% on the trade the pick train.

Well that's the height of stupidity as this draft lines up with exactly what the Sabres system is missing in top pairing RHD. You move the superfluous small wingers for needed parts but that top pick is untouchable

 

[HOOats]

I am 100% on the trade the pick train.

Make the pick, trade some prospects. Need futures to be just that, future. Thin out the group getting set to graduate to the show.

I know fans are acting like the franchise is on its death bed, but we're still going to exist and need good youth arriving on ELC's in 2-3 years.

And ONG beat me to it, adding elite RHD into any team's pipeline is tough to pass up, especially ours. Adding Lev to this core somehow is drool-worthy.

 

[TageGod]

Well that's the height of stupidity as this draft lines up with exactly what the Sabres system is missing in top pairing RHD. You move the superfluous small wingers for needed parts but that top pick is untouchable

Yeah because you are getting a #1 or #2 D at 7-13. Maybe if we are top 5. Dahlin and Power are your 1/2 going forward. We have other solid D in Johnson Samuelsson Clifton. Yes we need D prospects but a simple prospect swap solves that. How long till the drafted D is making an impact for us 2-3 years? The height of stupidity is endlessly building a prospect pool and not using them to improve weaknesses. If you want to trade Rosen Kulich etc for a good player and keep the pick that's fine too, but that pick right now is worth more.

 

[Tatanka]

Make the pick, trade some prospects. Need futures to be just that, future. Thin out the group getting set to graduate to the show.

I know fans are acting like the franchise is on its death bed, but we're still going to exist and need good youth arriving on ELC's in 2-3 years.

And ONG beat me to it, adding elite RHD into any team's pipeline is tough to pass up, especially ours. Adding Lev to this core somehow is drool-worthy.

Limited viewing but he is tantalizing. Big weekend vs the Wolverines.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

And ONG beat me to it, adding elite RHD into any team's pipeline is tough to pass up, especially ours. Adding Lev to this core somehow is drool-worthy.

He almost definitely won't be "elite" but he doesn't need to be. I honestly think you can count the number of actual elite RHD on one hand, they are the most rare thing in hockey.
(Just a side point, not really a response to your post)

 

[HOOats]

He almost definitely won't be "elite" but he doesn't need to be. I honestly think you can count the number of actual elite RHD on one hand, they are the most rare thing in hockey.
(Just a side point, not really a response to your post)

For sure, I was trying to convey exactly that rarity. Elite meaning potential to be a top 10 RHD in the league. I doubt we pick high enough to get a shot at him though.

Levshunov's unprecedented production (well, Buium) with his build/temperament package is as good a look at an elite RHD as we've seen in a couple drafts imo. And if he misses the moon and settles amongst the stars as he's likely to, that's still a near impossible player to acquire once actualized.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

For sure, I was trying to convey exactly that rarity. Elite meaning potential to be a top 10 RHD in the league. I doubt we pick high enough to get a shot at him though.

Levshunov's unprecedented production (well, Buium) with his build/temperament package is as good a look at an elite RHD as we've seen in a couple drafts imo. And if he misses the moon and settles amongst the stars as he's likely to, that's still a near impossible player to acquire once actualized.

Yeah there’s definitely one kid who has the potential to be elite. If we win one of those lottery picks, then we can talk about having the option of a potentially elite RHD, but I think it’s just the one.

If we’re 7th or 8th, a lottery win isn’t out of the question. I don’t dare to hope though.

 

[Chainshot]

There are a lot of potential defensemen in and near the top half of the first round rankings and they are of all different stripes - mobile PMD's, offensemen, giants, 2-way guys and a bit of a split on left and right shot.

But there is no guarantee of a star or even a solid player coming out of the 6-10 range that they seem locked back into. It's very hit and miss, with some of the hits being deemed gambles at the time by pundits (Seider) when looking back over the last 15 or so drafts. There is no guarantee that they can pick someone who continues to develop and pushes into stardom.

That said, teams making moves up into the top 10 aren't all that common in the run up to the draft:

DeBrincat for 7OA (Kevin Korchinski), a 2nd and a third on the draft floor in 2022
OEL/Garland for 9OA (Dylan Guenther), a 2nd, a 7th, and some roster filler in 2021
Stepan/Raanta for 7OA (Lias Andersson) and DeAngelo in 2017
Bobby Ryan for 10OA (Nick Ritchie), Jakob Silfverberg, Stefan Noesen in 2014
Cory Schneider for 9OA (Bo Horvat) in 2013

That's all of the ones that were done in that range with the draft order set. There were a few others where teams had moved picks in deals earlier and finished poorly, leaving another team drafting in the top 10, but that's it. That's the list. 5 times in 100 picks and can any of the teams who made the deal for the player look back on that and think it was a win? Maybe Arizona with Stepan and Raanta because DeAngelo wore out his welcome in NY and the Lias Andersson did not develop. Maybe the Ryan deal but the Sens also gave up a solid 2-way player in Silfverberg and a good depth player in Noesen for 2 20-goal years out of the 7 Ryan played in Ottawa. There is no guarantee of success if they do it.

While it sounds cool to think they can trade back out of the 5-10 range, history is not on their side. And no one is moving up into those spots either - teams sit tight and don't shuffle to get a specific faller. This isn't the NFL, it does not work the same way.

 

[OkimLom]

Unless the team gets a package that involves a ready to impact NHL player that is 25-28 years old that would immediately slide into a 1st line spot, or is a 1st pairing pick, I'm using the pick to do everything to get the most dynamic offensive defenseman from this year's draft that would be around where we pick. We have decent skating on the backend, but I feel we really need that game breaking skating guy on the backend. Also, we really need to start filling that next wave of defenseman that is right behind Ry-Johnson with our depth for the pipeline. Would be nice to get a blue-chip sort of guy in that group.

 

[Zman5778]

Unless the team gets a package that involves a ready to impact NHL player that is 25-28 years old that would immediately slide into a 1st line spot, or is a 1st pairing pick, I'm using the pick to do everything to get the most dynamic offensive defenseman from this year's draft that would be around where we pick. We have decent skating on the backend, but I feel we really need that game breaking skating guy on the backend. Also, we really need to start filling that next wave of defenseman that is right behind Ry-Johnson with our depth for the pipeline. Would be nice to get a blue-chip sort of guy in that group.

You don't think Dahlin is that "game breaking skating guy" on defense? I mean, I get that he hasn't been that the first half of this year........but he was exactly that guy last year.

 

[Chainshot]

Unless the team gets a package that involves a ready to impact NHL player that is 25-28 years old that would immediately slide into a 1st line spot, or is a 1st pairing pick, I'm using the pick to do everything to get the most dynamic offensive defenseman from this year's draft that would be around where we pick. We have decent skating on the backend, but I feel we really need that game breaking skating guy on the backend. Also, we really need to start filling that next wave of defenseman that is right behind Ry-Johnson with our depth for the pipeline. Would be nice to get a blue-chip sort of guy in that group.

So Parekh. I can't see Kiviharju having an end to his season to justify being around 8-12 so I wouldn't say him but Parekh is the offenseman you mentioned.

 

[OkimLom]

You don't think Dahlin is that "game breaking skating guy" on defense? I mean, I get that he hasn't been that the first half of this year........but he was exactly that guy last year.

He's close, but I don't think he is. He's still got potential to be a top defenseman in the league overall, but I don't feel he brings that dynamic explosive element that pressures teams to back off that enhances the team's transition game. I feel our backend is missing that piece, especially with Adams seemingly building a finesse skilled team. We have pieces that could fill roles and bring a good support game to the 5 on 5, but I don't think anybody has the skating to add that danger to the game offensively.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

You don't think Dahlin is that "game breaking skating guy" on defense? I mean, I get that he hasn't been that the first half of this year........but he was exactly that guy last year.

He can be that guy sometimes, but it isn't his identity.

 

[Chainshot]

Let's talk about guys in this draft in this thread, please. Thanks.

 

[tsujimoto74]

Well that's the height of stupidity as this draft lines up with exactly what the Sabres system is missing in top pairing RHD. You move the superfluous small wingers for needed parts but that top pick is untouchable

Yeah, we have a prospect pool full of moderate-high ceiling skilled wingers. We could definitely start floating some of those guys to address current needs while also patching holes in our prospect pool a the draft.

 

[Chainshot]

Some Silayev video -

 

[Old Navy Goat]

Some Silayev video -

The right side playing LHD getting lots of minutes as a youngin in the KHL

 

[Old Navy Goat]

So if the season ended today the Sabres are currently sitting in the 6th slot. Looking at potential targets it's best to eliminate the obvious ones that won't be available, fortunately this year you remove Celebrini and there's 8 or 9 contenders for the #2 slot.

My thoughts are after Celebrini the following forwards will go in this order:

Lindstrom big, mean 1C potential someone will grab him early
Demidov magical with the puck but not selfish. Rumor is he's being jerked around for refusing to sign an extension, current contract expires 4/30/25
Helenius all he does is be the 1C on the top LIGA team as a 17yo
Catton is your do everything C

LHD

Silayev I have him going 2 or 3 at most 4 if a C hungry team jumps up in the draft
Dickinson gets overlooked as other D are throwing up stupid numbers
Buium made USA WJC team at 17yo and is playing big minutes on one of the top NCAA clubs

RHD

Levshunov big minutes at MSU. Just jumping levels in development and body wise could be MSU middle linebacker. Like Silayev he's going between 2 and 4
Yakemchuk one of my favorites as he'll lay a body out, jump someone for a perceived infraction and has a booming shot 23g
Parekh offense, offense, offense defense oftimes negligible. Lateral movement and walking the line is fantastic but lacks that top gear

There's too much talent and potential top pairing D in this draft to put the pick on the table unless someone offers up that unicorn ie under 24yo RHD. Now if Jiricek has completely soured on the Jackets he'd be worth it

 

[Chainshot]

Greentree toe picks at the blueline, flubs a shot, then goes to the net and finishes on a rebound of his own shot. That shift had it all.