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A quick look at the status of Sabres 2014 draft class |
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General manger Tim Murray is gone. The career scout and former Ottawa AGM came to Buffalo with a plan to finish deconstructing the Sabres and rebuilding them. He did an outstanding job with the former but left plenty of unfinished business for new GM Jason Botterill with the latter as his plans to speed the rebuild hit some speed bumps that caused some damage. The extent of the damage is still being debated as the jury's still out on the draft picks and prospects he traded away, but it's safe to say that things didn't go exactly as planned.
It will be a few years until we see the impact of his moves but here's the status of his first draft class as Buffalo's GM:
2014
C, Sam Reinhart (2nd overall)--167 NHL games, 40 goals, 50 assists. Reinhart increased his assists and point-total year-over-year but many felt that his overall game was worse last year than in his rookie season.
LW, Brendan Lemieux (31st)--Was part of the Tyler Myers/Evander Kane trade with Winnipeg. In 66 AHL games has 12 goals and 17 assists. Having a ton of trouble with the pro game right now.
C, Eric Cornel (44th)--In 79 AHL games for the Rochester Americans has five goals and 11 assists. Two-way forward, falling down the depth chart.
RW, Vaclav Karabacek (49th)--The Czech winger began with the ECHL's Elmira Jackals (9 games, 5 g, 6a) and played in 23 games for Rochester registering eight points (5+3.) Still a project, won't give up on him after a rough rookie season.
G, Jonas Johansson (61st)--Taken at the top of the third round, the 6'3" 198 lb. Swede made his pro debut with the Amerks last year. Went 3-3-1 with a 2.85 GAA and .892 Sv%. Pedestrian numbers for an import goalie who was solid overseas.
D, Brycen Martin (74th)--Also split time between Rochester and Elmira. 20 games for the Amerks, zero points, minus-4 rating. Was also a minus-13 in Elmira. Possible reclamation project for Botterill as the Sabres organization needs defensemen.
C, Max Willman (121st)--Just finished his junior season at Brown University. In 90 games the 6'0" 183 lb. Willman has 15 goals and 25 assists. One more year in college before Buffalo needs to make a decision on him.
C, Christopher Brown (151st)--Just finished his sophomore season at Hockey East powerhouse Boston College. Made great strides with 26 points (9+17) for Bears last season.
RW, Victor Olofsson (161st)--Slick right-winger did some damage in the playoffs last season for his new Frolunda team in the Swedish Elite League with 12 points (4+8) in 14 games. The 21 yr. old would be a real good addition to an organization in need of upper-level forward talent on the wing.
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