Brayton J. Wilson‏Verified account @BJWilsonWGR 7m7 minutes ago
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Alex Nylander, to me, look more filled out this development camp. Doesn’t look so much like a kid out there anymore #Sabres


Paul Hamilton‏Verified account @pham1717 7m7 minutes ago
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Maybe it's just me, but it looks like Nylander is bigger this season. Guhle said he definitely is. He's up to 200lbs.



Thats encouraging
- Sabresfan-365

That's very encouraging. He needed to put on a few pounds, if he did that is fantastic. Whether he's ready for the show or not is a question, but if he can add some strength he should have a much better year.

I was thinking Liljegren or Tippett at 8 (assuming Makar and Heisk were gone). I didn't really think about Mitzy cuz I thought he'd be gone as well. Liljegren going to TO makes a little nervous. If he turns out study, its going to be in our faces for a long time.

I'm going to have to trust the scout on Davidsson. Not eye-popping stats, but he was playing against men. Any problem with taking a goalie where Botts took him?
- PrinceChill

No... for me, it's not about who we took
They're all good imo,
and goalie was certainly a need...

But since Murray became GM we've spent ONLY 1 pick on a defenseman in the 1st two rounds
That's not how u build a strong defense

We've seen what good ones cost to trade for...
it's crazy

Take last year's draft
We chose Nylander, Sergachev gets picked next
Was Nylander a good pick?
Sure, I like him
A year later Sergachev gets traded for Drouin
So tell me...
should we have taken Nylander, who we had rated "best available"
Or should we have taken Sergachev?

1) defense is not only a position of need for us,
it's a position of need for EVERYONE (just about)

2) defense is MORE valuable, significantly so


Based on the above...
I could make an argument that we should ONLY pick defensemen in the 1st two rounds
Bc even if we don't need defense,
We can always trade them for good forwards

Larson gets Taylor Hall
Hammonic gets a 1st & two 2nds

Even a prospect like Griffin Reinhart was traded for a 1st & high 2nd...
and that was 3 years after he was drafted, when he was no longer considered a stud prospect anymore


Bottom line...
start picking defensemen, early & often

i dont think they ignored it, i just think luukonen was a bigger priority with that other 2nd rounder
- Sabresfan-365

If u don't like the word "ignore" that's fine,
but whatever u wanna call it...

We again didn't choose a defenseman in the 1st 2 rounds

89 just melted
- Sabresfan-365

I really like the deal. My hope is he centers a checking line with Pommer and Pouliot. Could be really good. We need one of the kids to make a strong case for 2LW for that to happen though

That's very encouraging. He needed to put on a few pounds, if he did that is fantastic. Whether he's ready for the show or not is a question, but if he can add some strength he should have a much better year.
- RhinoFan

Good to hear this. Now, go and tear up the AHL Alex! If he does maybe bring him up for a taste halfway through the year. But I think Botts will be patient and maybe he stays there all year.
What we really need to see is at least one of Bapper, Bailey or Fasting jump up and make an impact. My money's on Bapper.

If u don't like the word "ignore" that's fine,
but whatever u wanna call it...

We again didn't choose a defenseman in the 1st 2 rounds
- jdfitz77

Totally agree we need to draft D higher. I wanted Serg last year but I perceived (real or not) an anti-Russian bias in Murray so I didn't think it likely.

This year I thought Liljegren would be the guy. Stymied again.

But I do think GMJB did well adding Antipin and Beaulieu cheaply. However, this only leads to depth, you won't get the best this way.

I guess Bailey looks great

Gosh. Johan Larson filing for arbitration is so head scratching.

I guess Bailey looks great
- sbroads24

If he breaks through, that's a huge help.

Good to hear this. Now, go and tear up the AHL Alex! If he does maybe bring him up for a taste halfway through the year. But I think Botts will be patient and maybe he stays there all year.
What we really need to see is at least one of Bapper, Bailey or Fasting jump up and make an impact. My money's on Bapper.
- PrinceChill

I've been back and forth between Bailey and Baptiste since they were drafted. At first I thought Baptiste was hands down the better prospect, then Bailey and now I'm stuck in the middle somewhere. Fasching I think has taken a back seat to those two in our depth chart, but that could change (he was oft injured last year).

If I had to bet though I'd actually think that Bailey is the one they bring up. He's had more experience at LW, is bigger (we need some size) and you don't take a hit on the speed with him to get that size.

I've been back and forth between Bailey and Baptiste since they were drafted. At first I thought Baptiste was hands down the better prospect, then Bailey and now I'm stuck in the middle somewhere. Fasching I think has taken a back seat to those two in our depth chart, but that could change (he was oft injured last year).

If I had to bet though I'd actually think that Bailey is the one they bring up. He's had more experience at LW, is bigger (we need some size) and you don't take a hit on the speed with him to get that size.
- RhinoFan

Let baptiste develop a little more so that when he comes up he can jump on jacks line.

Totally agree we need to draft D higher. I wanted Serg last year but I perceived (real or not) an anti-Russian bias in Murray so I didn't think it likely.

This year I thought Liljegren would be the guy. Stymied again.

But I do think GMJB did well adding Antipin and Beaulieu cheaply. However, this only leads to depth, you won't get the best this way.
- PrinceChill

The thing for me,
is that young defensemen & prospects have so much value

Every time u hear about a big name forward being available,
whether it's Duchene, Drouin, etc...
it's a good young defenseman they want in return

For that reason alone,
it makes sense to always pick defensemen early...
even if it's a reach!

Another example...
if we'd have taken McAvoy instead of Nylander last year,
that would've been called a "reach" at the time

But if we had him now,
he'd easily be our most valuable trade chip

I've been back and forth between Bailey and Baptiste since they were drafted. At first I thought Baptiste was hands down the better prospect, then Bailey and now I'm stuck in the middle somewhere. Fasching I think has taken a back seat to those two in our depth chart, but that could change (he was oft injured last year).

If I had to bet though I'd actually think that Bailey is the one they bring up. He's had more experience at LW, is bigger (we need some size) and you don't take a hit on the speed with him to get that size.
- RhinoFan

Observationally, I remember seeing Bailey falling down a lot. I hope he's strong enough to stay on his pegs a bit more this year. Agreed that it'll most likely be between Bailey and Baptiste.

The thing for me,
is that young defensemen & prospects have so much value

Every time u hear about a big name forward being available,
whether it's Duchene, Drouin, etc...
it's a good young defenseman they want in return

For that reason alone,
it makes sense to always pick defensemen early...
even if it's a reach!

Another example...
if we'd have taken McAvoy instead of Nylander last year,
that would've been called a "reach" at the time

But if we had him now,
he'd easily be our most valuable trade chip
- jdfitz77

You ever think we've drafted the way we did due to wanting to get Jack's winger sooner rather than later? This draft, any defender would have been a bit of a reach, but last draft not at all with Serg still there. I've been trying to come up with reasoning for avoiding taking a defender for so long.

Let baptiste develop a little more so that when he comes up he can jump on jacks line.
- SabresFaninIndiana

Played w/ McJesus in Erie and kept up. I don't see why not.

Let baptiste develop a little more so that when he comes up he can jump on jacks line.
- SabresFaninIndiana

He did well on a line with McDavid in Juniors
Baptiste has the scoring ability & speed that could make him a perfect winger for Jack

I'd be surprised if he doesn't get a shot at some point

Outside of Guhle, Middlestadt and Nylander this prospect camp is filled with "prospects" on their 3rd, 4th or 5th go arounds. More suspects than prospects. But don't let me be the guy to remind you that GMTM traded all your organizational depth away.

The thing for me,
is that young defensemen & prospects have so much value

Every time u hear about a big name forward being available,
whether it's Duchene, Drouin, etc...
it's a good young defenseman they want in return

For that reason alone,
it makes sense to always pick defensemen early...
even if it's a reach!

Another example...
if we'd have taken McAvoy instead of Nylander last year,
that would've been called a "reach" at the time

But if we had him now,
he'd easily be our most valuable trade chip
- jdfitz77

If we had McAvoy, I wouldn't be looking at him as a trade chip. He'd be our best defensive prospect. Sorry, BG.

You ever think we've drafted the way we did due to wanting to get Jack's winger sooner rather than later? This draft, any defender would have been a bit of a reach, but last draft not at all with Serg still there. I've been trying to come up with reasoning for avoiding taking a defender for so long.
- RhinoFan

Yeah... I'm absolutely sure than was the reasoning

But look how it worked out...
we could have Drouin lining up with him this year,
instead of hoping that Nylander is ready for top line duty next year

And as I pointed out...
what's a "reach" at the draft can change very quickly when it comes to young defensemen
Their value often goes up

If u don't like the word "ignore" that's fine,
but whatever u wanna call it...

We again didn't choose a defenseman in the 1st 2 rounds
- jdfitz77

i would feel worse if they actively chose to take d-men instead of bpa.


Th need is no longer defensive depth, its high end talent particularly at the defensive position. you're more likely to address this need drafting bpa then just ignoring talent and finding a guy at position x.

you said it yourself, round 2-7 are lottery picks and going off the board to take laaksonen in round 3 is a perfect example of that. They obviously think highly of him otherwise why reach?

If we had McAvoy, I wouldn't be looking at him as a trade chip. He'd be our best defensive prospect. Sorry, BG.
- PrinceChill

I wouldn't either...
but it just goes to show how "best available" doesn't equal the best pick
and it definitely doesn't equal best value

Ppl would say that the defensemen available to us at pick 8 this year would've been a reach
I'll bet by this time next year, that's no longer true

Outside of Guhle, Middlestadt and Nylander this prospect camp is filled with "prospects" on their 3rd, 4th or 5th go arounds. More suspects than prospects. But don't let me be the guy to remind you that GMTM traded all your organizational depth away.
- BernardShakey

luukonen was one of the top ranked goalies in this years draft...

Yeah... I'm absolutely sure than was the reasoning

But look how it worked out...
we could have Drouin lining up with him this year,
instead of hoping that Nylander is ready for top line duty next year

And as I pointed out...
what's a "reach" at the draft can change very quickly when it comes to young defensemen
Their value often goes up
- jdfitz77

I'm starting to come around on this idea. Seeing the Drouin trade certainly makes you think about it...

i would feel worse if they actively chose to take d-men instead of bpa.


Th need is no longer defensive depth, its high end talent particularly at the defensive position. you're more likely to address this need drafting bpa then just ignoring talent and finding a guy at position x.

you said it yourself, round 2-7 are lottery picks and going off the board to take laaksonen in round 3 is a perfect example of that. They obviously think highly of him otherwise why reach?
- Sabresfan-365

Because perceived value changes once the draft is over
Young defensemen are worth more than young forwards

So regardless of your depth...

What I'm saying is...
choose what will become the best "value"
instead of best "available" at the time

That's generally a defenseman

I'm starting to come around on this idea. Seeing the Drouin trade certainly makes you think about it...
- RhinoFan

I'm also talking in generalities to a degree

For example...
I wouldn't have chosen a defenseman when we took Sam

So it's definitely not as 100% as I'm making it sound either