I've read a lot about him, and everyone basically says the guy is very talented and has an endless motor, great in the dzone. Problem is, I think his brain lags behind his talent, and his offensive numbers aren't that special. He's a strange prospect, and we don't really know how he feels about playing in the AHL or if he'd rather stay in Russia until the NHL calls him to play full time. More-so, the vision/hockey IQ are what seems to be his knock, along with his offense, which is why scouts are all over the place on him.
- TheSabresTaco

Interesting..

I’m thinking he’s the leftovers that’ll fall to Buffalo.

I've read a lot about him, and everyone basically says the guy is very talented and has an endless motor, great in the dzone. Problem is, I think his brain lags behind his talent, and his offensive numbers aren't that special. He's a strange prospect, and we don't really know how he feels about playing in the AHL or if he'd rather stay in Russia until the NHL calls him to play full time. More-so, the vision/hockey IQ are what seems to be his knock, along with his offense, which is why scouts are all over the place on him.
- TheSabresTaco

at the world jr.s he looked fine at 17 playing with 19 year olds

he could become an all around beast, and IMO has a ton of upside

if the sabres pick 2, probably play it safe with kakko but I think this kid could be better and would have him 3rd on my board, and if picking 5th and he was there it would be the quickest pick ever, just run and call his name

Interesting..

I’m thinking he’s the leftovers that’ll fall to Buffalo.
- Pairo11

I'm comparing him to Grigorenko only in the following ways: Russian, supremely talented, each player seems to be missing something to show surefire success in the NHL.

at the world jr.s he looked fine at 17 playing with 19 year olds

he could become an all around beast, and IMO has a ton of upside

if the sabres pick 2, probably play it safe with kakko but I think this kid could be better and would have him 3rd on my board, and if picking 5th and he was there it would be the quickest pick ever, just run and call his name
- homiedclown

We've all seen talent fail when lacking other on ice abilities and mental awareness. What makes you so sure he's going to succeed? Honestly you could say that about almost any prospect, but in the very least the kid seems like he needs a few years.

Dude,
That is like saying the key to winning is to win games, just win games.

- IonSabres

Again the context of the post which you obviously did not read was regarding some mythical shroud of mediocrity that surrounds a franchise preventing it from winning when in reality it's simply the obvious.

Man I forgot what a disaster this place is

I’d grab him.

Looks to me worst case we pick 3rd. Have to assume Hughes and Kakko are gone. I think you could plug any of the three onto an NHL roster right now.
- Pairo11

Given the current standings they could fall to 7th.

We've all seen talent fail when lacking other on ice abilities and mental awareness. What makes you so sure he's going to succeed? Honestly you could say that about almost any prospect, but in the very least the kid seems like he needs a few years.
- TheSabresTaco

heard the exact same scouting reports on Rantanen

when there is little tape, and the scouts are almost using the same lines verbatim to describe this kid, I like it


plus it's a 200 foot game player and you hardly every hear players at that age described as having that game

and that is exactly the game I want our future guys playing

Given the current standings they could fall to 7th.
- Sabresfan-365

they could fall to 9th if they win their last 3 games and then slide further back after the lottery


it's important that they drop at least 2 of these 3 games

WGR just had a guy on to talk prospects. Not Baker. Not that it needs justification, but it was reiterated that Hughes is still a solid 1, Kappo 2, then a field of maybe 5 or 6 guys at 3. He mentioned Cozens, Byram and Dach, in no particular order, depending on what the team is looking for in a player. Then mentioned the 3 US guys, Zegras, Turcotte, Boldy, maybe being around that 6 or 7 spot. After that, he mentions Podkolzin, and said talent alone would give him the 3 spot no problem, but there's the factor and dulled offensive numbers. I don't recall if he mentioned Krebs, but I'm not really a fan of his before 10.

heard the exact same scouting reports on Rantanen

when there is little tape, and the scouts are almost using the same lines verbatim to describe this kid, I like it


plus it's a 200 foot game player and you hardly every hear players at that age described as having that game

and that is exactly the game I want our future guys playing
- homiedclown

I disagree. Rantanen's flaws were physical. Skating and mass. The guy had the talent to be drafted 5th, at the time of the draft.

Being a 200' player is awesome. I want that too. But if he's a 60 point 2nd line forward, I don't really want to draft him 3rd, 4th or 5th. If I'm at 9 or 10, and he's a sure fire 60 pointer, yeah, I'm in.

they could fall to 9th if they win their last 3 games and then slide further back after the lottery


it's important that they drop at least 2 of these 3 games
- homiedclown

I just don't want them picking 8th. I don't have any good reason for that just that the history of that pick, not just with the sabres but in general, is stupid bad.

I just don't want them picking 8th. I don't have any good reason for that just that the history of that pick, not just with the sabres but in general, is stupid bad.
- Sabresfan-365

Imagine this (frank)ing team finishing the season on a 3 game winning streak. Yeah.

they could fall to 9th if they win their last 3 games and then slide further back after the lottery


it's important that they drop at least 2 of these 3 games
- homiedclown

you're right, but I despise approving of this.

you know what's great? Having the lottery when the season ends instead of waiting a (frank)ing month. Landing between 3 and 7 will be a lot of discussion, which is nice, but winning 1 or 2 will be a little boring, after, you know, the excitement of winning.

I was at the Deuce when we won Dahlin. I screamed in some poor girl's ear. She was terrified.

I just don't want them picking 8th. I don't have any good reason for that just that the history of that pick, not just with the sabres but in general, is stupid bad.
- Sabresfan-365

lose them all, and this way botts has the most options to draft the player he wants


tank on

"our culture has been very good"
-philhousley 4-2-19

IMO he is the second best player in the draft and if he was playing over here, could have gone first overall
- homiedclown

Reminds me of a Nichkuskin(sp?) from Dallas.

I’d have concerns about taking him 3

"our culture has been very good"
-philhousley 4-2-19
- homiedclown

I think he is back for the start of next season after listening to his interview this morning on GR..

Reminds me of a Nichkuskin(sp?) from Dallas.

I’d have concerns about taking him 3
- ImThatGuy

if picking 3rd

it's tough because it can be one of 7 different players, and if you pick the wrong one, oh my

skunk reinhart times 10

I think he is back for the start of next season after listening to his interview this morning on GR..
- hehateme

he held the pom poms well during his interview

didn't say 1 bad thing about the boys

I really wish they would have asked phil why nylander was buried with larsson and gus while wilson got twice the ice time

if picking 3rd

it's tough because it can be one of 7 different players, and if you pick the wrong one, oh my

skunk reinhart times 10
- homiedclown

it's not an inspiring class. the two USHL guys have out produced mittelstadt but nothing about them really stands out (granted have not paid much attention like in years past)

Krebs is kind of high risk/high reward. Cozens/Dach are the safe play much like the US guys. and there's virtually no reliable data on whatever is happening with the russian in his u-17 league.

They really should be looking to take advantage of Dahlin on an ELC. Id seriously consider moving the pick for a great player.

Edit: forgot Byram but i dont know what to make of a late riser in the rankings who while producing a ton of offence from the blue line, takes an insane amount of risk he'd almost certainly never get away with in the pros. reminds me a lot of morgan rielly

Edit: forgot Byram but i dont know what to make of a late riser in the rankings who while producing a ton of offence from the blue line, takes an insane amount of risk he'd almost certainly never get away with in the pros. reminds me a lot of morgan rielly
- Sabresfan-365

say we pick 4th and the oilers pick 8th

I wonder what the oilers would give up to get to 4 and get Byram

say we pick 4th and the oilers pick 8th

I wonder what the oilers would give up to get to 4 and get Byram
- homiedclown

Don't think they do. They're Buffalo West. They're not giving up significant 'now' talent. Unless they rehire Chiarelli.

say we pick 4th and the oilers pick 8th

I wonder what the oilers would give up to get to 4 and get Byram
- homiedclown

Tend to agree with Taco, that franchise is in damage control. For them, a quiet off season is the way forward. small fixes to aid McJesus should get them competing for a spot.


Dallas, Minnesota and Chicago feel like ideal candidates cause they've kinda stalled.

I just don't want them picking 8th. I don't have any good reason for that just that the history of that pick, not just with the sabres but in general, is stupid bad.
- Sabresfan-365

I'd take Zack Werenski