Can’t read what’s the Sabres comp?
- sbroads24
5. Nate Danielson, C, Brandon (WHL)
Sep. 27, 2004 | 6′ 1.5″ | 185 pounds | Shoots right
January 2023 Ranking: 9
Tier: Projected top of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: Above NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Player comparable: Dylan Cozens
Background: Danielson was named co-captain of his WHL team during his draft season and has played a big all-situations role for Brandon. He is one of the top play-drivers in the WHL this season and was over a point per game the prior season. He was invited to Canada’s U20 camp in the summer and their U18 camp the prior summer. He was the No. 5 pick in his WHL Bantam Draft.
Analysis: Danielson is a well-rounded center who has a lot of NHL traits. He’s a big body who skates and competes well which, when combined with his offensive touch, allows him to be effective in a lot of situations. He has an excellent stick, and is able to beat defenders with skill at NHL speeds often. He makes a lot of plays with pace but also shows the vision and shot threat to run a power play off the edge. Danielson is a competitive two-way center who wins a good share of puck battles and can kill penalties. He looks like a potential high-in-the-lineup all-situations center in the NHL.
8. Danil But, LW, Yaroslavl (RUSSIA)
Feb. 15, 2005 | 6′ 5.0″ | 203 pounds | Shoots right
January 2023 Ranking: 8
Tier: Projected top of the lineup player
Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average
Player comparable: Alex Tuch
Background: But has been one of the top forwards in Russia’s junior league this season and was a near-point-per-game player in the league the prior season. He earned limited ice time with Lokomotiv’s KHL team. Both Loko’s MHL and KHL teams were top clubs this season. But suited up for Russia’s U18 team as a 16-year-old at the Hlinka Gretzky, Black Sea Cup and the European Youth Olympics. His father Anton But played professional hockey in the KHL and Russian Super League for 17 seasons.
Analysis: But is a large, highly-skilled forward who can score. But makes a lot of crafty plays with the puck in small areas, and with his massive wingspan he’s able to pull pucks past a lot of checkers. He can both make and finish plays well, but he’s more of a goal scorer with a shot that can score from range. But isn’t blazing fast and his stride technique is just OK, but for a 6-foot-5 guy he can motor up the ice quite well, has a strong first step and he’ll be able to power his way to the net off rushes at higher levels. He gives a solid effort and is often involved in the play. Even though I don’t see a high-end trait other than his size, But checks every box and projects to be a major part of an NHL lineup.
22. Quentin Musty, LW, Sudbury (OHL)
Jul. 6, 2005 | 6′ 1.75″ | 200 pounds | Shoots left
January 2023 Ranking: 21
Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player
Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Above NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Player comparable: Casey Mittelstadt
Background: Musty is a top scoring forward in the OHL this season. He was a top player for USA on their Hlinka Gretzky team. Musty was the No. 1 pick in his OHL Draft.
Analysis: Musty is a player with a lot of offensive touch in his game. He’s a highly-skilled puckhandler who can make difficult plays with the puck at a high rate. He tries to make things happen and shows a strong level of creativity. Musty is a good passer who can hit open lanes and has the patience to pull up and make plays. He can score goals but is certainly a player with a pass-first mentality. His effort is fine, he can use his big body to win battles but his game to game consistency isn’t the best. He’s a one-way winger, which combined with his so-so skating ability, is a concern for higher levels. There may be times you want more from him, but I think he will score so much that he will be a top-six wing.
28. Bradly Nadeau, LW, Penticton (BCHL)
May. 5, 2005 | 5′ 10.0″ | 161 pounds | Shoots right
January 2023 Ranking: 29
Tier: Projected middle of the lineup player
Skating: Above NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: High-end
Player comparable: Victor Olofsson
Background: Nadeau is the best player in the BCHL this season. He’s led Penticton who are the clear best team in the BCHL. He also scored 24 points in 17 playoff games the prior season as Penticton won a BCHL title. Nadeau was cut from Canada’s Hlinka team in the summer. He is committed to the University of Maine.
Analysis: Nadeau has very good individual skill to couple with excellent speed. He’s quite dangerous in transition due to that combination. He can skate by and beat a lot defenders, but he’s also excellent at creating with space. He sees the ice at a high level, making a lot of seam passes and making tough passes on the move. On the power play he can make a lot of plays, but it’s his shot that’s a real weapon. He has an excellent one-timer that projects to beat NHL goalies from distance. His shot is both very quick, and fast, as he rifles pucks into the corners like a legit NHL scorer. Nadeau isn’t the biggest winger and he can play on the perimeter a tad too much, but his compete is good enough — especially with his skating and offense — that I think he plays and scores in the league as a middle-six winger.