U18 world championships in Sweden starts next week. Interesting to see how all the prospects perform, especially knowing where we are picking already.

Recent 7th picks

2018- Quinn Hughes
2017- Lias Andersson
2016- Clayton Keller
2015- Ivan Provorov
2014- Haydn Fleury
2013- Darnell Nurse
2012- Matt Dumba
2011- Mark Scheifele


And some guy named Jeff Skinner in 2010...

Recent 7th picks

2018- Quinn Hughes
2017- Lias Andersson
2016- Clayton Keller
2015- Ivan Provorov
2014- Haydn Fleury
2013- Darnell Nurse
2012- Matt Dumba
2011- Mark Scheifele


And some guy named Jeff Skinner in 2010...
- mhp

Sabres track record i'm not holding my breath.

Recent 7th picks

2018- Quinn Hughes
2017- Lias Andersson
2016- Clayton Keller
2015- Ivan Provorov
2014- Haydn Fleury
2013- Darnell Nurse
2012- Matt Dumba
2011- Mark Scheifele


And some guy named Jeff Skinner in 2010...
- mhp

We are guaranteed one of Dach/Zegras/Cozens/Turcotte if we are drafting a Centre which I think makes the most sense. Boldy is a very good winger if we decide to go that route. Krebs could be an option as well. We will get a really good player we’ll just need to wait for that said player to develop. Botts needs to make the necessary moves to bring in a veteran player to bridge the gap.

Idk how I feel about it but I would be shocked at this point if we aren’t taking a huge run for Duchene.

Sabres track record i'm not holding my breath.
- SABRES 89

Botts will be fine. His draft record is very solid.

Things just aren’t as bad as they seem at all.

This is a flawed roster that got poor coaching and awful goaltending

That’s finding a good coach and goalie away from playoff contention.

Add natural growth from Olofsson, Mitts, Dahlin, Pilut, Thompson, Smith, and add a top 6 player via trade, we’re in a good spot.
- sbroads24

Well, they were about 55 goals short of that which the east wildcard teams scored, and let in about 50 more.
So they need alot of help in all areas. A Coach who can I implement a system the dummies can actually play would be huge. As you said, we should expect natural growth to chew into both the issues of goals for and against.
However, they need to
- retain Skinner
- sign two players who can pot 20 each
- sign a defensively steady Dman for Dahlin

I'd be all for
- trading Risto
- waiving, loaning Sobotka to Europe
- dumping Girgs and Larry
- trading Scandella

Sabres track record i'm not holding my breath.
- SABRES 89

We'll get a very good player and I hope a center with the pick. The crop of centers in the early part of this draft are very good and they will fill a need for us. But Botts could trade it as well, we'll see.

Botts will be fine. His draft record is very solid.
- TheSabresTaco

It's worked wonders here so far hasn't it.

We are guaranteed one of Dach/Zegras/Cozens/Turcotte if we are drafting a Centre which I think makes the most sense. Boldy is a very good winger if we decide to go that route. Krebs could be an option as well. We will get a really good player we’ll just need to wait for that said player to develop. Botts needs to make the necessary moves to bring in a veteran player to bridge the gap.

Idk how I feel about it but I would be shocked at this point if we aren’t taking a huge run for Duchene.
- Pegullaville

Yep. Like I've said. This team is not a lottery win away from competing. We have a real 1C in Eichel, and all of the guys available to us are 1/2 Cs. They all bring a little something different to the table, and I hardly think Botts is concerned about it. He needs to retool this team as if he's not even drafting this year, because it's likely our guy isn't on the roster. And when he is, he probably won't be a huge impact year 1. If he can turn at least 4 players over this OS, it will be a massive success.

We are guaranteed one of Dach/Zegras/Cozens/Turcotte if we are drafting a Centre which I think makes the most sense. Boldy is a very good winger if we decide to go that route. Krebs could be an option as well. We will get a really good player we’ll just need to wait for that said player to develop. Botts needs to make the necessary moves to bring in a veteran player to bridge the gap.

Idk how I feel about it but I would be shocked at this point if we aren’t taking a huge run for Duchene.
- Pegullaville

I hope Detroit doesn't take Turcotte. I'm not as high on Dach as others but a grouping of Zegras/Cozens/Krebs I'm fine with.

Whoever we get won't be here for a few years so we need to fill that gap, agree and honestly I don't know how many FA would have interest coming here.

A future center group of Eichel, Mitts, Turcotte and Asplund looks good to me. Throw in Davidsson and there will be depth there. We need to hit on the right center this year.

It's worked wonders here so far hasn't it.
- SABRES 89

Here? So far, yeah, it has. Expecting mid round picks from 2017 and not to mention 2018 to play here is absurd. He found some nobodies and they have turned into real players. Dahlin and Mittelstadt are only going to get better.

You can question his team building, but his drafting, without seeing most guys in the NHL yet, looks pretty good.

I hope Detroit doesn't take Turcotte. I'm not as high on Krebs as others but a grouping of Zegras/Cozens/Dach I'm fine with.

Whoever we get won't be here for a few years so we need to fill that gap, agree and honestly I don't know how many FA would have interest coming here.

A future center group of Eichel, Mitts, Turcotte and Asplund looks good to me. Throw in Davidsson and there will be depth there. We need to hit on the right center this year.
- mhp

Just a little fix for ya

Hitting on that right C will give you an elite C depth. If this guy and CM turn out, you're throwing one on the wing, down the line.

It's worked wonders here so far hasn't it.
- SABRES 89

If you look at the last two drafts, it's been very solid.

Here? So far, yeah, it has. Expecting mid round picks from 2017 and not to mention 2018 to play here is absurd. He found some nobodies and they have turned into real players. Dahlin and Mittelstadt are only going to get better.

You can question his team building, but his drafting, without seeing most guys in the NHL yet, looks pretty good.
- TheSabresTaco

See you next year in the top 6 again.

See you next year in the top 6 again.
- SABRES 89

Let's not pretend drafting is the only way to team build. It's for sustained long term success. You gotta cheer up man.

Just a little fix for ya

Hitting on that right C will give you an elite C depth. If this guy and CM turn out, you're throwing one on the wing, down the line.
- TheSabresTaco

If Podkolzin is there at 7, do you take him?

If you look at the last two drafts, it's been very solid.
- mhp

I'm starting to think Cozens and Krebs are below Zegas, Dach, Turcotte. I don't like their ceilings.

Let's not pretend drafting is the only way to team build. It's for sustained long term success. You gotta cheer up man.
- TheSabresTaco

That's the way with the Sabres, who in the hell is going to sign here after what they have seen over the years. Draft, picks and prospects, wash, rinse, repeat.

If Podkolzin is there at 7, do you take him?
- mhp

I think Chicago takes him. But if he falls.... yes. Whats the difference of waiting a year or 2 in the A or in Russia?

If Podkolzin is there at 7, do you take him?
- mhp

I've been saying around here that I'd like to see him 9 or 10. Not blowing out the MHL is a little concerning. A guy with his talent should have no problem being a ppg or better. Watching his skills is undeniable, and his worth ethic and 200' game are top notch. His scoring ability absolutely deserves to be questioned.

So do I take him at 7? I'd like to see video and more opinions on his game before I answer that.

Just a little fix for ya

Hitting on that right C will give you an elite C depth. If this guy and CM turn out, you're throwing one on the wing, down the line.
- TheSabresTaco

Zegras played some on the wing and I think Krebs has as well. I think the others are true centers but I could be wrong on that.

Not big on Zegras but this is Botterill so he's probably the pick at 7
- Sabresfan-365

Hey sabres fan why are you not big on Zegras?

So next item on the agenda is securing a coachX and then hopefully not overpaying Skinner. I’m assuming McLellan is visiting us this week when his son is playing in the Frozen Four.

I think Chicago takes him. But if he falls.... yes. Whats the difference of waiting a year or 2 in the A or in Russia?
- CoHo_to_B-Lo

No difference really. I could see the Hawks looking at Dach and the Avs going for Byram so Podkolzin starts to slide down.

So next item on the agenda is securing a coachX and then hopefully not overpaying Skinner. I’m assuming McLellan is visiting us this week when his son is playing in the Frozen Four.
- Pegullaville

Sounds like it. I haven't commented yet on McLellan, or AV for that matter the last few days because I just don't know if either coach is the right fit. I like the SC experience of both guys and I've read good and bad about McLellan. I just don't know.

I think Botts will overpay for Skinner, just a feeling.