Crusader1969

Anton Lundell, C, HIFK-Liiga Oct. 3, 2001 | 6-foot-1 | 183 pounds Previous ranking: No. 13 I’ve watched Lundell closely for three years – seeing him live at least 20 times and many more on video – and I still have no idea what to make of him. When I watch him play nothing about his game stands out. I think his skating is average and his skill is just above-average. But it’s hard to deny how much he scores everywhere he goes, especially versus men in Liiga the last two seasons, and how much coaches seem to trust him. I like his hockey sense a lot and think he competes very well. The question among NHL scouts is whether he’s a second- or third-line center in the league. I lean to second right now because of the track record.

Corey Pronmans mid season rankings out today: Special NHL Prospect - Alexis Lafreniere Special/Elite Bubble - Quinton Byfield Elite/high-end bubble - Tim Stutzle, Marco Rossi & Yaroslav Askarov High-End Prospect - Alexander Holtz, Lucas Raymond, Jamie Drysdale Cole Perfetti High-End/Very Good Bubble - Connor Zary, Dawson Mercer, at this point, I have a hard time believing the Sabres are going to pick anyone ranked below these prospects.

and for those anti tankers - if you ranked the core of the team right now it would probably be Eichel, Dahlin, Reinhart as the top 3....all picked in the top 2 of their respective drafts.... Lets increase the odds of landing the 2 elite talents in this years draft as high as possible.

i hope they play Hutton... if you are going to Tank, lets do it right!

You dont' need to construct a team, 1) you need a 2C (obviously not easy) 2) Improve the PK, not sure if that means new special teams coach, new Penalty Killers or new Goalies.

I think the plan has always been next year, so I want them to give him the off-season to see what happens. If he doesn't or can't bring in a legit 2C over the summer though... The 2021 1st round (lottery protected) needs to be in play (and any prospect not named Cozens). Sabres are now 8th last on Tankathon. Lets put Hutton in net and see how high we can get. Send Pilut back to Roch and put Bogo back in to play out his contract.

of the 6 UFA forwards (Vesey, Sheary, Frolik, Girgs, Larsson, Wilson) who is the most likely to return? wont be surprised at all to see them all go.

I’m just going to say it. - I love Curtis Lazar. if he can ever bring a little more offence to his game, I see a future 3C.

I’m just terrified they draft 8-10. Let’s draft top 5 or 15 or better. then again, top 10 or so look pretty good this year. Could be another 2015 year

I’ve noticed he has been scoring with his one timers, something he hadn’t don’t much of in first few years in the league. Don’t have the fancy stars to back it up but certainly seems to have a much improved shot.

Marco Rossi was suspended 5 games earlier this season for this hit...

In their draft year - Conner McDavid - 47GP 44G 76A 120pts 2.55 pts/ game Marco Rossi 32GP 26G 48A 74pts 2.31 Pts/game Mitch Marner 63GP 44g 82a 126PTS 2.00 Pts/game Marco Rossi's Player Profile Sam Cosentino - Sportsnet - Dec. 4th: "Some GMs will be cautious to draft a 5-foot-9 centre, but Rossi can literally do it all and his hockey IQ should allow him to do it all at the next level as well."Will Scouch - Scouching.ca - Nov. 19th: "He's skilled, agile, plays hard, has swagger, and if he can rein in the legitimately troublesome moments he's had this year, he could be a tremendous player down the line."Larry Fisher - The Hockey Writers - Nov. 19th: "Rossi has been lighting up the OHL as a speedster with terrific offensive instincts. He’s a smart player overall — a 200-foot contributor — but a real catalyst on the attack. He’s small but sturdy, so that lack of size shouldn’t hold him back."Ryan Kennedy - The Hockey News - Nov. 10th: "The Austrian dynamo has superb skill and hockey sense, and also plays a responsible two-way game. Has an edge."Tony Ferrari -Wings Nation - Nov. 4th: "Undersized forward who has great hands and a dangerous shot. He’s been suspended once this year for dirty play and has been close on at least one other occasion."Scott Wheeler -The Athletic - Nov. 4th: "I can tell you, too, that he’s a thick 5-foot-9 with a crazy-low centre of gravity (both of which will help him stick at centre at the NHL level). And then the talent level speaks for itself. He’s not only extremely dynamic with the puck on his stick, he’s also a superb defensive player."Chris Peters -ESPN - Oct. 22nd: "Some of the dirty stuff that he has been accused of this season doesn't help his game a ton, but when the puck is on his stick, it is undeniable that he has the skill to make an impact at the next level."Corey Pronman -The Athletic - Oct. 15th: "He’s a very skilled and competitive offensive player who can attack defenses in numerous ways. He’s not the biggest player, though, and while he skates well, I wouldn’t call his speed elite for his size."Sam Cosentino -Sportsnet - Oct. 2nd: "Has great details in his game, so even when he doesn’t produce he can still have an impact."Craig Button -TSN - Sept. 16th: "Slick, skilled player who has the ability to attack offensively and be dangerous, but is evasive and dificult to mark. Can make the play or finish the play."Cam Robinson - Dobber Prospects - Sept. 2nd: "One of the elder statesmen of the class gives up size but makes up for it in skill. Has the ability to drop-jaws with his puck skills. A duel-threat off of the rush or set up on the man-advantage. "

was going to post the exact same message. Ullmark is a decent 1b or backup at this stage of career and Hutton shouldn't be on an NHL roster.

OHL top 50 detailed write up on potential sabres - Byfield, Rossi and Perfetti. http://ohlprospects.blogspot.com/2020/01/midseason-top-50-for-2020-nhl-entry.html

Finally. A reason to use my AHL live subscription!

Hutton 0-7-4 in last 11 starts since Oct 22nd has leagues worst Sv% of .866% and a GAA of 4.27. Worst in both categories (min 5 starts) even he was slightly avg and sabres pick up 10 points in 11 games; they’d be 1 point out of a wildcard not saying he is the only problem but he is a HUGE problem. You can’t put him out there, unless you want to tank.... ?

like Scandella?

Sportsnet rankings https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/sportsnets-2020-nhl-draft-prospect-rankings-january/ i see it being a very strong top 9 for the sabres, get me a serious run and the playoffs first and foremost. If they can’t do that, get me one of the top 9. Id lean towards centres until that 2C is legitimately filled. my early guess is only Lafrenière plays in NHL next season

Getting to the point when the draft rankings aren’t that early anymore. Here is a mock draft from sporting news sabres hold the 8th pick. (Sounds familiar) https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/news/nhl-mock-draft-2020-ottawa-senators-select-phenoms-alexis-lafreniere-marco-rossi-la-kings-get-goalie-of-future/10oiwozpuylo61xqv7m5wyztdd

wasnt the rumour that Samsonov was the pick if they didn't trade for Lehner?

They are a quality 2C away and either a hot goalie or an elite goalie away IMHO as for the elite goalie, I’m learning to be extra cautious when it comes to prospects, but UPL has been elite at every level he’s played so far. the 2C is much more problematic

Please list the “good” players that they traded away?

Not to nitpick but this thread should be why the rebuild didn’t work. The Tank got us one of the top 5 or 6 forwards in the league. The exact type of player to build around luckily there is still many years left in the career of eichel and Dahlin

Good post. Thanks

any suggestions who the Sabres could acquire as a 2C? ive gone over a bunch of rosters and really can't find anyone who might be available that the Sabres would target.