Mock draft with both Sabre picks.
Enjoy

1)Connor McDavid - 6-1, 190 - C - Buffalo Sabres - Big surprise here. Sabres take a generational talent and can be competing for a playoff spot within 5 years.

2) Jack Eichel - 6-2, 195 - C - Arizona Coyotes - Arizona gets their franchise C, will it save the franchise? 5+ years before the playoffs.

3) Noah Hanifin - 6-2, 205 - D - Edmonton Oilers - Oilers get their #1D and in 3 years make the playoffs, hahahahaha. Serious?

4) Dylan Strome - 6-3, 187 - C - Toronto Maple Leafs - Keep him in Junior next year then bring him up in the 2016/17 season, play him until he's eligible for AHL and send him down for the rest of the year. Start him 3rd line C in 2017/18 season and by 2018/19 season Strome will be in Leafs top six permanently.
Don't Franklin it up Shanahan.

5) Mitchell Marner - 5-11, 163 - C - Carolina Hurricanes - Hurricanes may get a gem in Marner, imagine drafting Patty Kanes identical twin @ 5th? Lucky (frank)s.

6) Ivan Provorov - 6-0, 201 - D - Columbus Blue Jackets - CBJ is lucky enough to draft a defensemen of this stature, Murray and Provorov could be a underrated 1st pairing in a few years. Rantanen may be a name called instead of Provorov as Keka is a Finn and may have more insight into his potential.

7) Matt Barzal - 6-0, 174 - C - New Jersey Devils - Barzal could be a huge boost for the depleted offense that Jersey displays. He could turn into a 1B centre which in New Jersey is a franchise #1C. There's the off chance that NJD goes with Crouse or Zacha but I think Barzal plays the Jersey game more then either of them.

8) Lawson Crouse - 6-3, 190 - LW - Philly Flyers - If anyone is going to give Crouse a shot in the top-ten it would be Philly. I bet the guy bleeds orange if he were to get cut open. Hands down a Philly pick. I'd say Werenski but in the past two years they've drafted Hagg, Morin, Sanheim and Gostisbehere so the defense cupboard is well stocked.

9) Zach Werenski - 6-2, 210 - D - San Jose Sharks - What a gem to pick up @ 9th. This boosts Sharks' defense hardcore. Werenski, Mueller, Dillon and Vlasic is a good start for the retool.

10) Jeremy Roy - 6-0, 185 - D - Colorado Avalanche - Avs get a great defensemen in Roy, the irony that his future coaches name is also the same as his is quite humorous. Roy and Johnson could be a great pairing in a couple years. Either way, Avs need quality D and when a guy like Roy is sitting there, you just do it.

11) Mikko Rantanen - 6-4, 195 - RW - Florida Panthers - Panthers get a lovely prospect in Rantanen. They seem to do well with different European players at the draft. IE, Barkov, Markstrom and Kulikov. Adds another pillar to their top six (Barkov 6-3, 215, Bjugstad 6-6, 220)

12) Pavel Zacha - 6-3, 205 - C - Dallas Stars - Stars get a big body in Zacha. Could be the 2nd line C they're looking for. Seguin and Zacha could be a great top-six centre duo. Given Spezzas age as well, could be perfect aligning of the stars (pun intended), Spezza retires/moves and Zacha takes his place.

13) Oliver Kylington - 6-0, 180 - D - Boston Bruins - Bruins find themselves without Boychuk, a disappearing Seidenberg and aging Chara. With Krug, Hamilton and Kylington the defense isn't nearly as bad as it seems right now.

14) Travis Konecny - 5-10, 175 - C - Ottawa Senators - Konecny is a coaches dream. This guy could be the next captain in Ottawa, doesn't hurt his chances since he is the captain of the Ottawa 67's.

15) Colin White - 6-0, 175 - C/RW - Los Angeles Kings - Plays a great two way game and has the skills to be a top six player. Has the strong defensive game that LA is known for.

16) Thomas Chabot - 6-1, 185 - D - Calgary Flames - After two years of drafting offense in the 1st round, the Flames get some defensive depth with Chabot. Chabot shows a lot of signs of becoming a 1st pairing dman in the NHL, the only kick is his footspeed could be better. Plays gap control and a great offensive game.

17) Nick Merkley - 5-10, 175 - C - Winnipeg Jets - Jets may get a 1st line center here, Merkley shows a lot of skill, a great 200 foot game and the drive to win. Jets definitely need the centre depth and Merkley falls to them at 17.

18) Denis Guryanov - 6-2, 185 - LW - Washington Capitals - A Russian committed to the North American game, Guryanov is a strong skater with a strong defensive game and ability to play in the dirty areas. Trotz is salivating at this guys talent.

19) Timo Meier - 6-1, 210 - RW - Vancouver Canucks - Canucks get another free falling offensive dynamo (I'm thinking of Shinkaruk). Meier could be a huge impact in a couple years when the rest of the Nucks prospects start squeezing onto the big club.

20) Brandon Carlo - 6-5, 200 - D - Detroit Red Wings - Red Wings may have just stolen a 1st pairing dmen. Has the size to be a defensive skyscraper, defense first with offensive potential. With the patience Detroit shows with their prospects, Carlo could be a huge gem and reason why Detroit continues to be competitive. Could learn a lot from Kronwall.

21) Jakub Zboril - 6-1, 185 - D - Minnesota Wild - Another potential top pairing two way defensemen, has great size and lots of room to fill out. Could be huge part of the future in Minnesota.

22) Jansen Harkins - 6-1, 180 - Edmonton Oilers - A great team player, does all the little things that make teams win. Invaluable player, especially on the Oilers.

23) Kyle Connor - 6-1, 180 - C - Buffalo Sabres - Kyle Connor falls all the way to Buffalo who snatch him up. Leading scorer in the USHL. Outstanding vision and assets to be a quality top six player. Could be transitioned to the wing to better suit is style of play.

24) Yevgeni Svechnikov - 6-1, 180 - LW - Arizona Coyotes - Big Russian who came over to the Q and clearly excelling. Plays a game just like Valeri Nichushkin, and Nichushkin is quite the power forward. Add that with Eichel and I'd say so far this is a great draft for Arizona.

25) Nicholas Meloche - 6-2, 205 - D - Toronto Maple Leafs - Plays physical in his own zone, a great two way talent. A little clumsy with his leg work but nothing that can't be corrected. Projects as a 1st pairing defenseman who relies on keeping things simple.

26) Jordan Greenway - 6-4, 225 - LW - Anaheim Ducks - Ducks grab another potential top six power forward with excellent size. Ducks like their players big and strong.

27) Brock Boeser - 6-0, 195 - RW - Winnipeg Jets - Two way power forward, has a great shot, disciplined defensively. Could definitely make the Jets top six a bigger threat.

28) Jake DeBrusk - 5-11, 180 - LW - Philadelphia Flyers - A hard working man, blue collar to the bone. Another player that bleeds orange. Will be seen in the top nine within three years.

29) Jacob Larsson - 6-2, 190 - D - Tampa Bay Lightning - Could be the quarterback that takes Tampas powerplay to another level. A potential 1st pairing guy who has a superb talent. Wonderful steal @ 29th.

30) Paul Bittner - 6-3, 205 - LW - Montreal Canadiens - Remeber McCarron? Bittner will add a little more sizzle to the Canadiens when he's ready. I imagine him on the 2nd line, scoring about 20 goals and really enabling the smaller players to another level when he is laying the body. Good show, Bittner @ 30th is a steal.

No offense, but scouting has taken on an entire different entity since then. That was almost 25 years ago.

To compare anything to Daigle is wildly inaccurate.

Also the same thing is said every year. "What if player X is a bust?"
- ImThatGuy

Scouting is much better than 25 years ago. You still get the Bustorenkos in the first round despite the elite scouting prevalent through out the world.

Mock draft with both Sabre picks.
Enjoy


- optimus-reim

We all stopped reading after we saw your team

When you get touted as "the next Gretzky" it's fair to say there is a lot of hype around you.

After amassing 137 points in only 53 games during the 1992/93 season with the Victoriaville Tigres of the Quebec Major Junior League, Alexandre Daigle was the can't-miss prospect who was selected #1 overall in the 1993 NHL Draft by the Ottawa Senators. The Senators were even accused of deliberately losing games in order to get the top pick and nab Daigle.

http://www.realclearsport...cts/alexandre_daigle.html


http://thehockeywriters.c...ened-to-alexander-daigle/
- dadeadhead

Just looking at the stats now, his first 3 years were not horrible, but not what I would want from the "next great one".

1st year - 0.78 pts/game
2nd year - 0.34 pts/game (ok, bad year)
3rd year - 0.62 pts/game

there was a ton of hype leading up to that draft, from what I can recall...he had 137 points in 53 games his draft year...that's pretty good stuff...


perhaps we can get a sens fan to chime in on that
- Michael Pachla

Didn't the Candiens want to trade their entire team plus a few 1st round draft choices for him, but they couldn't get the trade done?

Is this the Toilet Bowl tonight?
- znagle

The Sh!tner Classic

Yahoo Sports comment, so take it for what it's worth. Still reassuring

With the Sabres having 47 points in 73 games (and 8 of those points being attained in the SHOOTOUT), they average .64 points per game. With 9 games left, and "winning" at the same pace, Buffalo would garner another 6 points. With AZ having 5 more regulation wins, and there being virtually NO CHANCE for Buffalo to do that, since they get less than ONE of those for every six games played, that means that Arizona pretty much stays out of the basement with a POINT.

Just looking at the stats now, his first 3 years were not horrible, but not what I would want from the "next great one".
- Lilroot9

156 in his 1st 263 games (4 seasons)

WHL Playoffs start tonight (though Kootenay plays tomorrow). If they lose in 7 games, Reinhart can make it to 6 Amerks games.

What's worth it more - a handful of AHL games or hoping he can captain his team to a win over the #2 seed in the conference?

WHL Playoffs start tonight (though Kootenay plays tomorrow). If they lose in 7 games, Reinhart can make it to 6 Amerks games.

What's worth it more - a handful of AHL games or hoping he can captain his team to a win over the #2 seed in the conference?
- stashu

I'd like to see him up in Rochester

Just looking at the stats now, his first 3 years were not horrible, but not what I would want from the "next great one".

1st year - 0.78 pts/game
2nd year - 0.34 pts/game (ok, bad year)
3rd year - 0.62 pts/game
- Lilroot9

Not horrible, but not 1st overall material. His legacy was too big before it even started.

4th - 0.42 pts/game
5th - 0.7 pts/game
6th - 0.16 pts/game
7th - 0.375 pts/game
8th - 0.45 pts/game
9th - 0.65 pts/game

Didn't the Candiens want to trade their entire team plus a few 1st round draft choices for him, but they couldn't get the trade done?
- RynoBull

There were a few teams trying to trade for him prior to the draft.

Quebec supposedly offered Forsberg for him.

Not horrible, but not 1st overall material. His legacy was too big before it even started.

4th - 0.42 pts/game
5th - 0.7 pts/game
6th - 0.16 pts/game
7th - 0.375 pts/game
8th - 0.45 pts/game
9th - 0.65 pts/game
- Lilroot9

He had all world talent but didn't have the drive. IMO the more you read up on him, the more it screams Hockey wasn't his main goal.

156 in his 1st 263 games (4 seasons)
- dadeadhead

Yea not great, but not "horrible". That may be horrible for a 1st overall pick. Years before and after all top 3 picks seem to be D men, so hard to compare. Yashin was 2nd one year, he was way better and of course Lindros (who had career issues) and Forsberg.

Yea not great, but not "horrible". That may be horrible for a 1st overall pick. Years before and after all top 3 picks seem to be D men, so hard to compare. Yashin was 2nd one year, he was way better and of course Lindros (who had career issues) and Forsberg.
- Lilroot9

I remember watching him play and they were 156 lack luster points.

There were a few teams trying to trade for him prior to the draft.

Quebec supposedly offered Forsberg for him.
- dadeadhead

From Wiki

As the draft approached, the Quebec Nordiques, who were hosting the event, were reportedly so eager to draft the next French-Canadian superstar that they were rumored to have offered star players such as Owen Nolan, Peter Forsberg, Ron Hextall, and draft picks,[citation needed] but Ottawa management disregarded all offers

I think expectations need to be tempered for next season as I believe the 2016 draft is the final step in this team's development into an actual contender.

Why do I say that?

I think even with a top 2 pick this year, you won't see both that pick and Reinhart on the Sabres, at least to start next year.

The quality of play from the team may be much improved next year, but I believe their record will only see minor improvements, and there is nothing wrong with that.

The year after however, their record should nbe and better be vastly improved.

Mock draft with both Sabre picks.
Enjoy

10) Jeremy Roy - 6-0, 185 - D - Colorado Avalanche - Avs get a great defensemen in Roy, the irony that his future coaches name is also the same as his is quite humorous. Roy and Johnson could be a great pairing in a couple years. Either way, Avs need quality D and when a guy like Roy is sitting there, you just do it.
.
- optimus-reim

I dont think they are going D in this draft, unless its Provo or Werneski they are taking a a big bull moose forward..Roy has been very vocal on his radio show that the team needs more size upfront to play in the West

but good mock draft, looks pretty decent

WHL Playoffs start tonight (though Kootenay plays tomorrow). If they lose in 7 games, Reinhart can make it to 6 Amerks games.

What's worth it more - a handful of AHL games or hoping he can captain his team to a win over the #2 seed in the conference?
- stashu

Hopefully they lose in 4.....

From Wiki

As the draft approached, the Quebec Nordiques, who were hosting the event, were reportedly so eager to draft the next French-Canadian superstar that they were rumored to have offered star players such as Owen Nolan, Peter Forsberg, Ron Hextall, and draft picks,
- RynoBull[citation needed] but Ottawa management disregarded all offers

There's a chance that deal might of worked out.

Daigle on Sakic's wing instead of Yashin's might of helped his career.

I think expectations need to be tempered for next season as I believe the 2016 draft is the final step in this team's development into an actual contender.

Why do I say that?

I think even with a top 2 pick this year, you won't see both that pick and Reinhart on the Sabres, at least to start next year.

The quality of play from the team may be much improved next year, but I believe their record will only see minor improvements, and there is nothing wrong with that.

The year after however, their record should nbe and better be vastly improved.
- kingcong39

Reinhart has the ability to play in Rochester next year, but he has worked on the area's he was asked to and as long as he gains some weight he'll be here. Either of McEichel are locks to be here IMO.

Why not let him play three weeks earlier then?
- Carubba-Kaleta

Wasn't fully recovered. Still has soreness in his knee.

Michael Pachla: What if McDavid or Eichel turned out to be busts?
The Sabres are in a good position to overcome a bust of epic proportions
- Michael Pachla

- homiedclown

Noted, ban forthcoming

- homiedclown

You should press that on yourself sometimes (DD-5)