Confirmed with Link: Casey Mittelstadt (2017, 8th) - Signed, #37

[pigpen65]

Just a smart pick plain and simple. No brainer really, but with having a consensus top 4 still on the board there was reason for some doubt. This was Botts 1st real test and he passed it with flying colors. Couldn't be happier. Not only about the pick, but also by the decision making. Sabs are in good hands. Everybody should be happy about that.

 

[Havok89]

Potentially dynamic forward at 8, much like last season. I like Mittlestadt more than the defenseman not named Heisk / Makar.

 

[Moskau]

Answer, trade up for Liljegren, who is "Free Falling". Or Valimaki. It's completely within reason.

He's not free falling.

 

[Ness]

Kid could flee to KHL tomorrow and we would not care.

What does this even mean lol

 

[Ace]

Answer, trade up for Liljegren, who is "Free Falling". Or Valimaki. It's completely within reason.

I don't think he's falling. He's going where most predicted unless we took him at 8

 

[Jame]

I completely understand the people who wanted the D. I do.

And at pick 13 they're all still there.

we'll revisit in 5 years

 

[Crazy Tasty]

Just a smart pick plain and simple. No brainer really, but with having a consensus top 4 still on the board there was reason for some doubt. This was Botts 1st real test and he passed it with flying colors. Couldn't be happier. Not only about the pick, but also by the decision making. Sabs are in good hands. Everybody should be happy about that.

I may need to rethink being happy about this pick.

 

[TheBarnIsElectric]

I don't regret them not taking a defenseman, I regret there not being a Dman good enough to be the pick.

Mittelstadt is a great pick though. Speed won't be a problem. He's a slick, dangerous offensive player who works hard on the ice, has decent size and good speed. High IQ. He's a perfect fit at LW in our top 6.

 

[sabrefan27]

Good pick, which I'm guessing was more influenced by the existing scouts versus Botterill.

Also, best player available is always the way to go.

 

[Ace]

we'll revisit in 5 years

I think they'll get drafted before then at least.

 

[WeDislikeEich]

I love this pick! IMO the sky is the limit for this kid. I think if he continues on his current development path that he could look like a huge steal at #8 in a few years. I was very surprised to see so many complaining about him in this thread.

I was also glad to see Buffalo go best player available. As much as a really wanted a defenseman, with Makar and Heiskanen (sp?) off the board, IMO, it would have been too big a reach to go D at 8.

Can't wait to see Mittelstadt in Rochester/Buffalo. Welcome to buffalo Casey! Thrilled that you're a Sabre!

 

[Beerz]

I think they'll get drafted before then at least.

 

[truthbluth]

Jeff Crisp: Hey, last year we were at 8 and we took a pillow soft skilled forward.
GMBot: How'd that work out.
JC: well.....
GMBot: Sold! Let's do that again.

 

[Crazy Tasty]

Damn you LvGk

 

[OhreallyOrielly]

He already said he was going to college.

And I'm sure he meant it. But, what do you think he grew up dreaming about playing hockey or a 4 year degree? These kids tend to fall in line and do what the big club wants them to do. A kid who's a top 10 pick is a whole different world from a 6th rounder who is years away from even sniffing the AHL.

 

[Dirty Dog]

I think they'll get drafted before then at least.

hehe

 

[Beerz]

Jeff Crisp: Hey, last year we were at 8 and we took a pillow soft skilled forward.
GMBot: How'd that work out.
JC: well.....
GMBot: Sold! Let's do that again.

How'd that work out??

 

[Gabrielor]

I think they'll get drafted before then at least.

I disagree with you in this thread, but this is pretty funny.

 

[tim212]

Goodbye Reinhart.

 

[WeDislikeEich]

Just to add to my above post -

I did like Vilardi too, but I like the Mittelstadt pick more. IMO The east is getting way too quick to try and build an LA style team. We seen our record suffer against the speedy east last season. Yeah, you need to beat a Western conference team to win a Cup, but you need to get through a bunch of eastern conference teams first, to get there. Buffalo needs speed and skill, and I think we got it with is pick.

Perfect pick for LA, though.

 

[Ace]

New second favorite player to Jack. Jack is first because he actually fired Bylsma

 

[Jame]

I think they'll get drafted before then at least.

well played.

 

[Onslow]

New second favorite player to Jack. Jack is first because he actually fired Bylsma

I don't like the pick, but he scored some brownie points there

 

[Dirty Dog]

So vilardi fell out of the top 10, and liljegren hasn't been picked. I suppose our scouts agree with other nhl scouts, which is always a good sign

 

[sabres4ever]

Tyler, meet your replacement.