Crusader1969

The more I think about the Sabres roster , pipeline and the draft prospects the more I’m starting to lean towards Brandt Clarke as the pick

The Canadian Conner Bedard and the Russian Matvei Michkov Both Eligible in 2023. However Michkov is under contract to 2026, so you may have to wait a bit for him to get to the NHL. Lets really hope we are talking about the guys rated in the 20s or below by that draft.

would you try flip him to Columbus for one of their goalies? Helps both teams with their expansion protected lists.

Definitely 1 year at the most. Probably at league minimum.

MacKinnon played at the WJC as an 18 year old. Not surprising he didn't have a good tournament. Guenther played in the U18 as an 18 year old. Not sure we are comparing Apples to Apples here. There is no doubt that teams are going to have to have a real close look at the 12 games he played in the WHL, after his performance at this tournament. He definitely wasn't terrible but he never really stood out either. Not that my list matters at all, but as for who I want the Sabres to draft im thinking he's now behind Clarke. Beneirs Eklund Clarke Gunther

The PNHx stats through Dobber prospects has him as a 65-70 point player their model uses players age, league, stats and position How accurate is the model? No idea

https://www.mckeenshockey.com/nhl-blog/ncaa-matt-beniers/ Here is a good write up on Beniers

Too bad Wright isn’t draft eligible! Wonder what teams tank in 23? Looks like 2 superstars on there way

A lot of the prospect writers compare him with Toews his numbers are similar too. Toews was nearly a point a game freshman in 05/06. Plays in the WJC and get 2 points for Canada. Gets drafted in 06 Beniers is a point a game player as a Freshman at Michigan and has 3 points as 2nd line center at WJC for USA.

I will be surprised if any players in this years draft is in the NHL come October though some believe Eklund is pretty close i do know that I don’t want to see any Dman under 20 on the Sabres ever again. As for Beniers, I’d guess we see him in the NHL once the NCAA season is over id be interested in what others think.

Agreed. I think he can flourish and 3C As for Cozens, I think eventually he can be 2C but with the way Samson is playing, there is absolutely no reason to rush it. Give him a few years on the RW. same thing if they get lucky enough to get Beniers,

I would have no issue if Guenther is the pick, I agree that Beniers doesn't have the typical offensive skill set as the 1st overall pick would usually have but he brings what the Sabres need more of. Im thinking more Jonathan Toews, less Patrick Laine. True, maybe not right away but its an interesting thought. great to have options....finally!

Do you prefer Reinhart or Cozens as C2? I'll assume we are good with Mitts as 3C? I think (at least for a few years) the team is better with Samson at Center and Cozens as a winger. Having too many centers is a great problem to have.

You want to maximize his value, I think his highest value will be at next years trade deadline. If Sabres are contending you can keep him for the year and chance that he will leave at the end of the year. If they are still stuck in the middle of the abyss, then you trade him. teams will be looking for a RHD for their playoff run. Plus, I think he's a good teammate and is good for the young D-core.

Sabres officially cannot draft any lower than 3rd over all my top 3 wish list 1) Beniers - will join team late next season, play LW for a year or two and can move to Center if injury to Eichel, Samson or Mitts. If things don’t turn around in a year or 2, he can become full time center is Samson or Eichel traded Eklund - probably would stay in Sweden for the year, moving to AHL late next season would become a top 6 LW for Sabres following year Guenther - don’t want to read too much into the u18s but certainly is concerning Great shot, good anticipation and works hard. would bring another right hand shot to the organization Would compete with Quinn as a top 6 RW in 2022-23 Clarke - with a good chance we are close to seeing Risto move on, he would be a great addition to their depth. Currently the only RHD are Borgen and Jokiharju and one the young D on the Amerks - Fitzgerald? the Left side is pretty well set for the foreseeable future with Dahlin, Samsuelsson, Bryson, Johnson, etc i could see Clarke moving into the #2 slot on my “Sabres” draft board by the time the draft comes around

what would be interesting is if Ducks lose both in regulation. Sabres win both in OT or SHoot out. Both would have identical records. What happens ? Coin flip? Most goals scored ?

the way things have been going I don’t see there being a huge roster turnover I’m thinking that they are just short a top 6RW to play with Eichel I don’t see it being Cozens and I’d like Samson to be the 2C don’t really see the solution being a UFA. will definitely need to make a trade. The depth chart at RW with Samson moving to center is Cozens Tage Okposo Quinn I’m using the 2022 1st rounder (lottery protected), 2022 2nd, Olofsson and Ryan Johnson as trade bait

Gonna have to entice them to take him. He’s a UFA at the end of next season, they may see value in that.

Think it’s a bit of an indictment for the current draft that the top players in the tournament aren’t even draft eligible though future Sabers Beniers isn’t there

and has the bet ability of all....AVAILABILITY

Let’s win out!!! Impressive back to back comebacks. bring on next season!

I usually hate predicting trades BUT if Tkachuk really needs a change of scenery, I’m giving up my 2022 top 10 protected 1st and 2nd picks, Ryan Johnson and Oloffson. too much or too little ?? And I’m not sure how the season starts but it ends Skinner Eichel Tkachuk Bjork Samson Cozens Asplund Mitts Tage Girgs / beniers R2. Quinn / okposo

This isn’t aging well 🙂 Jk

Winning cures all ills or something like that so back to the draft... 😂

one of the scouting reports I read on Guenther said “he’s always in the right spot” after watching today’s game, I can definitely see it. He may not be the guy driving play but he seems to be one of those guys that the puck always find and he isn’t shy from shooting. Has size , good speed, has an excellent shot and works hard in the dzone with the centres on this team; I think he would definitely be a good addition