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The 2025 Draft Thread

I’d be interested to hear Sabres fans take on Mrkta vs Eklund vs Bear, which could be an interesting choice at say #8 or #9 considering the stable of Eklund-sized players already in the system. But man…hard to pass up a kid like that. I’d prob take the RHD.
 
truthbluth said:
Mrkta, Martin, Lakovic, Bear, Aitcheson, Spence, Carbonneau.
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Bear would have been easily at the top of this list before his injury, but it is what it is. I'd be fine with either Mrkta or Martin: both offer something we need. No interest in Lakovic or Carbonneau. Still wary of Aicheson's processor so I'd take a pass even though I love the physicality. Spence's upside seems more fitting a 15-20 pick.
 
Doug Prishpreed said:
I’d be interested to hear Sabres fans take on Mrkta vs Eklund vs Bear, which could be an interesting choice at say #8 or #9 considering the stable of Eklund-sized players already in the system. But man…hard to pass up a kid like that. I’d prob take the RHD.
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In a vacuum, I like Eklund almost as much as I liked Raymond in his draft year. But… this is the Sabres. It’s that small and slightly built, but he works hard and smart with a touch of sand in his game. He’s got some abrasion in his style. Bear works his sack off. I have some thoughts of some other hard working Dub guys who didn’t hit their peak, including one of the Sabres’ own who also messed up his Achilles before the draft. Mrtka, other than being HATED by my autocorrect, is a large lad who “skates well for his size” and has quality puck moving skills in a massive RHD. I need to put eyes on him again because it’s been a bit.
 
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Chainshot said:
In a vacuum, I like Eklund almost as much as I liked Raymond in his draft year. But… this is the Sabres. It’s that small and slightly built, but he works hard and smart with a touch of sand in his game. He’s got some abrasion in his style. Bear works his sack off. I have some thoughts of some other hard working Dub guys who didn’t hit their peak, including one of the Sabres’ own who also messed up his Achilles before the draft. Mrtka, other than being HATED by my autocorrect, is a large lad who “skates well for his size” and has quality puck moving skills in a massive RHD. I need to put eyes on him again because it’s been a bit.
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Yeah in the end I’m not sure you can pass on Eklund, even with his build.

Mrtka Reminds me of Simashev without as much speed or offense. A poor man’s Simashev with maybe a higher floor.
 
From the 3rd slot to 9th in couple weeks...:skeptic:
yep, time for a conversation reset
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Chainshot said:
The kid plays HARD. He's fierce. He demands so much of himself and keeps getting better. He's raw, sure, but my word is there a lot of play killer there.
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Yes saw him a few times..let him cook for 3 years play fill out..He is a warrior good offensively and plays a physical mean old school style.I just love the kid which scares me because Adams doesn't draft that type even though it's what we lack
 
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Hasekperreault23 said:
Yes saw him a few times..let him cook for 3 years play fill out..He is a warrior good offensively and plays a physical mean old school style.I just love the kid which scares me because Adams doesn't draft that type even though it's what we lack
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He's a big meanie and TPegs and KA don't like meanies.
 
Chainshot said:
He's a big meanie and TPegs and KA don't like meanies.
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Agree they don't like players that can play AND defend their teammates. Actually surprised they resigned Greenway. So my heart will break he will be there when we pick but we will take a small skilled player without the chippiness of Benson...
 
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Ehran said:
Considering they just resigned an injury prone Greenway to a 2-year extension with a raise... maybe they've realized what a bunch of weenies they have on the roster.
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They have been a team with just one guy bearing all of the responsibility for almost the entire time the Pegulas have owned the team. Until they show they are serious about playing a contact game here skilled douchebags win playoff games and championships instead of born-again cream puffs turning the other cheek, I don't think they will do what needs to be done.
 
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Sample mock draft based on our current position:

1. SJ - Matthew Schaefer, LHD
2. CHI - Michael Misa, C
3. NSH - James Hagens, C
4. BOS - Porter Martone, RW
5. PHI - Caleb Desnoyers, C
6. SEA - Anton Frondell, C
7. PIT - Roger McQueen, C
8. ANA - Victor Eklund, RW

IMO if the board falls this way, we’re choosing between Jake O’Brien and Radim Mrtka. I think I’d go Mrtka because everything I’ve read says his defensive game is more likely to stick around at the NHL level than his offense. Plus he’s right handed.
 
BFLO said:
If we go 6-4-1 over our final 11 games we could end up in the 10th draft slot, pre-lottery.

That's the same point pace we just played our last 10 games in.
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Is it too early to say I told you all so? We're 4-1-0 since I made this post.

(yes i am trying to reverse jinx this)
 
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Chainshot said:
They have been a team with just one guy bearing all of the responsibility for almost the entire time the Pegulas have owned the team. Until they show they are serious about playing a contact game here skilled douchebags win playoff games and championships instead of born-again cream puffs turning the other cheek, I don't think they will do what needs to be done.
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Aitcheson will take a while to develop, so I don’t see him moving the neeedle before Pegula turns 80 anyway.

He seems like one of those players who could turn into a star with the right development with the right team. I don’t think I trust us being able to properly handle such a prospect.
 
Dahlicious said:
Sample mock draft based on our current position:

1. SJ - Matthew Schaefer, LHD
2. CHI - Michael Misa, C
3. NSH - James Hagens, C
4. BOS - Porter Martone, RW
5. PHI - Caleb Desnoyers, C
6. SEA - Anton Frondell, C
7. PIT - Roger McQueen, C
8. ANA - Victor Eklund, RW

IMO if the board falls this way, we’re choosing between Jake O’Brien and Radim Mrtka. I think I’d go Mrtka because everything I’ve read says his defensive game is more likely to stick around at the NHL level than his offense. Plus he’s right handed.
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I’d be annoyed if I thought O’Brien and Mrtka were lesser prospects than any of the ones on your list after the third spot. But they’re not…I actually like them better than Martone and McQueen.

But there is such little value difference between 4-12 or so that this is a good year to go on a late run, with regards to draft position.
 
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Dahlicious said:
Sample mock draft based on our current position:

1. SJ - Matthew Schaefer, LHD
2. CHI - Michael Misa, C
3. NSH - James Hagens, C
4. BOS - Porter Martone, RW
5. PHI - Caleb Desnoyers, C
6. SEA - Anton Frondell, C
7. PIT - Roger McQueen, C
8. ANA - Victor Eklund, RW

IMO if the board falls this way, we’re choosing between Jake O’Brien and Radim Mrtka. I think I’d go Mrtka because everything I’ve read says his defensive game is more likely to stick around at the NHL level than his offense. Plus he’s right handed.
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So sad that Buffalo played themselves out of a top prospect. After that its tier 3 prospects.

If we fall back that far I would trade back to around 15th and take Aitcheson. We could probably trade back get a roster player or at least a 2nd round pick and get Aitcheson.
 
toddkaz said:
So sad that Buffalo played themselves out of a top prospect. After that its tier 3 prospects.

If we fall back that far I would trade back to around 15th and take Aitcheson. We could probably trade back get a roster player or at least a 2nd round pick and get Aitcheson.
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I'm going to be honest, nobody in this draft is worth tanking for. Not even a game.

NOW.....tanking to rid ourselves of the least qualified GM in major professional sports? That's worthwile.
 
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