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The 2025 Draft Thread

Chainshot said:
Watching McQueen in last year's playoffs, still sort of wondering if he's a center at the next level. Finisher for sure, curious to see him in this year's 'dub playoffs.

We keep talking past the guy who is the posterboy for Sabre drafting of late - Eklund. :biglaugh:
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Eklund seems really awesome, but yeah
 
MarkusKetterer said:
Outside of Misa and Hagens, I’m fine with one of Martone, McQueen, Desnoyers, Mrtka and Aitcheson.

Which means the Sabres won’t draft any of them.
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Hagens seems like a very good fit for the sabres. We are sorely lacking a pass first playmaking center. With Norris and Kulich who seem to be shoot first players someone like Hagens would fit with what Buffalo already has. His skating is is top and he is an intelligent player.

Given that Misa and Schaefer are off the board thats who I hope falls to Buffalo if we pick 3-5.
 
Chainshot said:
Same. Time to change the makeup of the team. I'm fine with him even up around 8-9 OA.
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I just read that Jackson Smith has been more physical lately. Would have to see it to feel better about him as a pick.
toddkaz said:
Hagens seems like a very good fit for the sabres. We are sorely lacking a pass first playmaking center. With Norris and Kulich who seem to be shoot first players someone like Hagens would fit with what Buffalo already has. His skating is is top and he is an intelligent player.

Given that Misa and Schaefer are off the board thats who I hope falls to Buffalo if we pick 3-5.
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Same. Hagens is pretty clearly one of the top three players in this draft. It’s just, and I know this is irrational, but if his skill and skating aren’t good enough to be a 1 st line player, with his size, I feel he’ll be a complete bust.
 
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truthbluth said:
I just read that Jackson Smith has been more physical lately. Would have to see it to feel better about him as a pick.

Same. Hagens is pretty clearly one of the top three players in this draft. It’s just, and I know this is irrational, but if his skill and skating aren’t good enough to be a 1 st line player, with his size, I feel he’ll be a complete bust.
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I also like McQueen if we are picking 5-7 thats who I take if he is on the board. His skating for 6'5 is quite good. McQueen is also a player Buffalo is lacking. He uses his frame to protect the puck, has good skating, decision making and vision. He is not flashy but I feel like his game can still grow and at 6'5 he can still grow into his frame. I think he is unique and I would take the chance. He also needs to stay healthy the rest of the year.

I guess it all depends on where we are drafting and who is gone.
 
truthbluth said:
I just read that Jackson Smith has been more physical lately. Would have to see it to feel better about him as a pick.

Same. Hagens is pretty clearly one of the top three players in this draft. It’s just, and I know this is irrational, but if his skill and skating aren’t good enough to be a 1 st line player, with his size, I feel he’ll be a complete bust.
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Aitcheson isn't just someone who hits though and I don't think Smith has that level of combativeness in his game.
 
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Taro Tsujimoto said:
Not with this team's lottery luck (or lack thereof).
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Even so I am not sure the player sabres want wont be there either way. I think there will be a lot of movement in this years draft because no one stands out except maybe Misa. Misa and Schaefer 1-2 seems like the lock and the rest can go anywhere even Hagens could drop to 5 or 6 depending on where teams see players.
 
Chainshot said:
McKeen's has Jackson Smith at 5.

www.mckeenshockey.com

2025 NHL DRAFT: TOP 32 - MARCH EDITION - Top 20 coming into focus with depth an issue with this class

The McKeen's scouting team releases it March rankings update. It's last ranking prior to it final list in May.
www.mckeenshockey.com
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It kind of feels like the 2023 draft where there was I think 1 defense in the top 20 and then when draft time came Simashev, Reinbacher and Willander went in the top 11. The scouts were way off that draft.

It feels like we will see a lot of movement before the draft because there isn't a big gap between the tiers of prospects. Even if we pick 6-7 we could see a top talent fall to us. It wouldn't surprise me if Hagens was there at 6.
 
truthbluth said:
Could be. Jake O’Brien could be a sneaky top 10 pick as well.
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O'Brien would be my choice at #5

My Sabres list:

1. Michael Misa
2. Porter Martone
3. Matthew Schaefer
4. Anton Frondell
5. Jake O'Brien C. 6"2 right shot
6. Caleb Desnoyers
7. James Hagens
8. Brady Martin
9. Roger McQueen
10. Victor Eklund
11. Malcolm Spence
12. Radim Mrtka
 
How many guys in the likely pick range are reasonably ready for the NHL next year?
 
Chainshot said:
Not really any IMO. They should be leaving people to dominate their lower leagues before moving them up. Too many guys stuffed into the dev squad, too much youth still on the big club.
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They’re going to need the ELC to fit Mitch
 
Chainshot said:
They have plenty of candidates without dipping into 2025 draftees if they need someone on a lower paying deal.

I appreciated day drinking on a Sunday too.
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true, but those guys will already be up to fit Pettersson, Ehlers, and Bennett 🥂
 
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