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14 years wasn’t patience enough I guess. Meh, what four or more?

McQueen. Get the big center to go with the smaller center. Malkin-lite and Crosby-lite.

And the fact that at least before this coming season that he can be bought out for 1/3 the contract value (which means it kills ~1/6 the contract value each year over twice the remaining years) made it a low risk signing. Of course, they have to actually make the decision to pull the trigger on that buyout to take advantage of it.

Ok Mrtka had a consolidated ranking of 12, so getting him at 9 isn't a reach... looking at you Nesbitt. Mrtka does a few things very well. He's an active scanner and you'll see that in highlights. He's looking to find what's coming. He's also very active with his stick where he'll strip pucks and fire them up ice. Of course his passing ranges from really nice to wtf and it gives me Ristolainen vibes. His skating has the typical 18yr old and tall issues with pivots but he's getting better. His recover ability and balance are pretty solid and his agility is there just needs work. In his own zone he's good at ending plays and shutting off walls but sometimes he loses coverage or gets walked. His offensive game is fine, he can hit open lanes but he won't manipulate them open. Overall, right now he's a 2nd pair who probably splits possession about 50/50. The size is nice and he's got flashes of awesome but he also has flashes of Risto with bad passes and occasionally stone hands. I'd leave him in the WHL for another year and see if you can get him on a college team for a couple years after that. In 4 years if he works hard and irons out his game, he'll be a strong #3 or maybe a #2.

My only solace right now is I haven’t felt this ***** about a Buffalo draft pick since Josh Allen. Come on universe….

Hagens was gone. Why would they?

Just depends on whether he still wants to be here, I suppose. Or if Adams is afraid of paying him the future contract he might very well have earned by then.

The raw talent is there. He transitioned quickly from the Czech league to North American hockey very so one hopes he can progress quickly, get stronger and will still use his body well. He already has an understated physicality to his game from what I read. From NHL.com: Mrtka compares his game to that of Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider, who was selected with the No. 6 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. "I think it's a fair comparison [to Seider]," NHL Central Scouting senior western scout John Williams said. "When he arrived in November, he played every situation from the get-go because [Seattle] had some injuries. For a guy who's 6-foot-6, he moves very well, has a little bit of bite in his game, and can jump up on the rush. I think he'd be a very good [No. 2 defenseman] who can play with a really good, skilled player. "But he can also be on a power play, can kill penalties and can just eat minutes." As such, Mrtka already has become reliable enough to be paired with any type of defense partner. "I think he's just a guy that can get the puck out of trouble and move it out of the defensive zone," O'Dette said. "He's always going to be in a position where he can help do that, which can take a lot of pressure off a defense partner. He's always going to be in a position where he can defend and maybe help out a partner when there's some mistakes because he's got that reach, that length with his stick, and he's really smart in the way he uses that. "The way he plays, sometimes you forget he's only [18]. When he fills out and matures physically, he's going to be quite the imposing force out there."

In seriousness is that not beautiful? Almost unfathomable to see that sort of greatness intersect with the sabres in 2025. I would bet my life savings on playoffs

Which is a big reason why it always bugs me how they constantly talk about how these draft picks will fit with certain guys already on the team. This isn’t a top 2 picks, it’s a completely different timeline from what the NHL team needs today.

Should've seen if NYI was willing to move 16 & 17 for 9. Could've gotten Aitcheson, Carbonneau. Eklund is going to be a very good pick in the late teens.

RFA time baby!

behold, the saviour

Eklund dropping like a rock

Not happy Detroit got Carter Bear. I thought that was why Philly traded up but then they went Nesbitt so whatever. I really liked Bear and don't want the direct competition to have him. I said 3 years away but could be 4. Dahlin will be gone by then.

Wow Vancouver really brought the A list.

This. Any nhl pick outside the top 2 or 3 should have no barring on the current roster. Particularly a big D. We might have 2 D still on our roster when he’s ready for prime time (if ever). The timeline is 3 plus years

I’m not sure Kesselring lasts past the next trade deadline.

One thing about him is he transitioned to North American style hockey very quickly. So he’s a quick learner. And he shows physicality. He needs to add weight but already has a strong frame.

Hmm, Ekblad. Wouldn't that be something if FLA ended up with 3 of the 1st 4 from the '14 draft all at the same time and then the Sabres replaced 3 years later the 2nd pick of that draft with the 1st pick of that draft. (No f'n way Ekblad would come to Buffalo. But interesting thought.)

Chara

Not expecting anything big from Byram especially from Adams! He looks like he wants to cry

The Adams-No-Blocking-System can get him here in two, right after Kesselring is traded for another pending RFA.