Prospect Info: G Topias Leinonen -- Selected 41st overall in 2022

[Washed Up 29YearOld]

You need to keep restocking the G position every draft even if it's a late pick in Buf situation imo. As promising as young goalies can seem, they can bust out just as easily. Might as well keep the cupboards stocked with goalies who can compete internally and swing until you hit one who's 'the guy'. 41st overall but 6'5?? I'll wait and see til I judge. Don't hate it.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

Like everything else, I'm blaming Rosen for this pick.

 

[UnleashRasmus]

I absolutely hate this pick, It is not only a reach, but you couldn't wait until the fourth round to take this kid?

 

[Fjordy]

I absolutely hate this pick, It is not only a reach, but you couldn't wait until the fourth round to take this kid?

The best goaltender in the draft? Seattle takes the goaltender through several picks. I think he would have gone in the second.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

I absolutely hate this pick, It is not only a reach, but you couldn't wait until the fourth round to take this kid?

No way he's there in the 4th round, he probably wouldn't even make it to the 3rd.

 

[jmelm]

I feel better about this pick knowing we got Neuchev in the 3rd (and we may not have complained if the order was inverted), but still I would have preferred Lutz.....and where the hell are the defensemen???

p.s. I thought we weren't allowed to draft any goalies. Like ever.

p.p.s. if we wanted a goalie, why didn't we trade the 2nd or 3rd to STL for Husso like DET did?

 

[Sabre Dance]

I feel better about this pick knowing we got Neuchev in the 3rd (and we may not have complained if the order was inverted), but still I would have preferred Lutz.....and where the hell are the defensemen???

p.s. I thought we weren't allowed to draft any goalies. Like ever.

p.p.s. if we wanted a goalie, why didn't we trade the 2nd or 3rd to STL for Husso like DET did?

They wanted a developmental goalie obviously.

 

[Chainshot]

I absolutely hate this pick, It is not only a reach, but you couldn't wait until the fourth round to take this kid?

While I liked different skaters at this pick, the idea that it is a reach supposes that no other team would have drafted him prior to that time. With the conversation about him being well-regarded among the goalies and with a lack of them, supply and demand rules would point to a risk of him being taken. They paid for not risking him being taken by taking him where they took him.

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

When this man wins cup for Sabres, you will all laugh hysterically and remember my post.

 

[MeenOlViks]

Damned if you do, damned if you don't pick. Don't think this guy makes it out of the 2nd round but It'll be frustrating down the road watching the handful of players we could've had at 41 excel in the league.

 

[Matt Ress]

Man everyone says take a goalie every year and then KA does and gets roasted.

 

[stokes84]

They got THEIR choice of goalies. The pick of the litter. If they wait, maybe they are picking over scraps for a player they don’t feel good about. Perfectly reasonable IMO.

 

[Buffaloed]

Buffalo is a team that has to develop its own goalies. Until Murray and Botterill, that's what they did. Adams needs to do better but he recognizes the need to keep the pipeline stocked.

 

[UnleashRasmus]

While I liked different skaters at this pick, the idea that it is a reach supposes that no other team would have drafted him prior to that time. With the conversation about him being well-regarded among the goalies and with a lack of them, supply and demand rules would point to a risk of him being taken. They paid for not risking him being taken by taking him where they took him.

I suppose that's true, the rest of the draft has been nice. I just think you trade down rather than do this.

 

[Chainshot]

I suppose that's true, the rest of the draft has been nice. I just think you trade down rather than do this.

It's possible they tried. It does take someone being interested in moving up to 41 and some certainty that they could slide down to still get the player they wanted.

It's also possible they rated him out to where they took him and are happy to have done so. Even if there are fans who aren't.

 

[Buffaloed]

They got THEIR choice of goalies. The pick of the litter. If they wait, maybe they are picking over scraps for a player they don’t feel good about. Perfectly reasonable IMO.

I think they're taking a hard look at signability.

 

[EichHart]

Future hall of famer, bookmark this post.

 

[Dingo44]

UPL likes the pick

 

[Dingo44]

This is the second latest the first goalie was selected in the draft in the last ten years and he was the top rated goalie.

 

[Puppa2Miller]

Forton: "major gap on their list to the next goalie"

 

[debaser66]

really not in love with the pick since I felt RHD is a bigger need but this pick pretty much confirms Adams isn't confident in Portillo signing with us

I can cleary see how those 2 things are related

 

[Jim Bob]

What's wrong with having a goalie prospect in the system?

Especially since this is the only goalie taken in the 3 drafts since Portillo was drafted and Adams has been the GM.

They had to take a goalie this year, IMO.

 

[RefsIdeas]

Well, the people who evaluate the draft say he's the best. I have no problem with this choice.

*Some* people who evaluate the draft said he's the best. Some didn't.

Also - KA's interview/Forton's interview didn't inspire too much confidence either. Basically said they were going to take a goalie no matter what and he was the highest on their list "by far". They were debating taking him in the first. How they come up with a mandate like that and end drafting him that high? Who knows.

 

[Chainshot]

UPL likes the pick

View attachment 566350

That's awesome.

 

[KiwiGriff]

I think there should be a goalie picked in three of every four drafts. No problem with this.