Crusader1969

My buy-in occurred when Dahlin scored off the rush in Pittsburgh he had a great rookie year but through 2games it looks like he is ready to carry the team on his back watch that entire shift on the Okposo goal. The patience he shows at the point. Twice he is able to use his shiftiness to elude the defender and get his point shot through (the 2nd is tipped by Okposo for a goal) creating scoring chances I doubt there any many in the entire league who could have made those plays , let alone any other 19 year old Goaltending has to be above avg for the entire season but I believe Dahlin will be main reason that this team becomes competitive this season

Byfield profile plus 2 Sabres listed on the “who’s hot” prospect list https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/next-gen-prospects-quinton-byfield-eyeing-no-1-pick-2020-nhl-draft/

Sorry. I misread your post. Yes all forwards except possibly a goalie and 1 or 2men in top 10

I’ll have to look again but I thought it was all wingers (except Byfield) at the top Definitely need lottery ball luck. Hopefully moving way up the draft order to get a top 2 pick (if they miss the playoffs)

Best not to worry about where the sabres draft, before their season starts, but to get to know the top 25 prospects. I’d say the odds are pretty good that they will be drafting in the top 7-8 again. Unless someone steps up at the 2C or the goaltending is vastly improved over last season. i don’t want to discount a pick in the early 20s completely, just think it’s very unlikely.

I’ll go out on a limb and say that Byfield will be the best player out of the 3 next season in the NHL The lottery balls will have to bounce your way for him to be available.

ISS releases their top 31 https://www.isshockey.com/iss-top-31 When you include Askarov in the top 10 it looks like a tremendous draft at the top if Sabres are still looking for their 2C, their sights have to be on Byfield 7th here, but I believe he will be a top 3 pick

Devils are streaming it. https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/pre-game-report-devils-prospects-at-sabres-prospects/c-308920880

If the Sabres are drafting in the 7-10 spot once again - this is my guy https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/552036/yaroslav-askarov Yes I know you never draft a goalie in round one and definitely not in the top 10 and a Russian to boot but for every rule there are exceptions

Team Canada announces roster for the Hlinka tournament https://www.tsn.ca/canada-announces-roster-for-2019-hlinka-gretzky-cup-1.1344409 Byfield is the big name to watch for but others who have preseason first round grades by at least one publication include Bourque C from QJHML Cormier D from Q Cuylle LW OHL Drysdale D OHL Foudy C OHL Guhle D WHL Jarvis RW WHL Lapierre C q Perfetti C OHL Poirrier D QMJHL

My "way too early" favorite 2020 prospect Listed at 6'0 160lbs on elite prospects but I'm guessing they need to update

Prospect Profile: Erik Portillo https://www.eprinkside.com/2019/7/22/post-draft-prospect-profiles-erik-portillo-no-67-to-the-buffalo-sabres

Kids play in the NHL at that age, especially if they are physically mature enough to handle it. Now if you really believe he can be a Center, then yes you send him back but not if he projects as a RW. Let the top 3 guys at camp win the spot, no matter their age or experience. I agree about Casey but with the roster the way it is today, you don`t have much choice. You are right. All 3 need to contribute.

why would Sabres offer so much if they HAVE to shed salary? sounds more like a Skinner deal, a couple of draft picks and a mid range prospect.

Of course brining in a 2C and a top line RW would be great. The problem is who and at what cost? If cozens comes into camp as your 3rd best RW, then he should make the team. If Thompson is the 3rd best or Nylander, they need to be here. if the team above is a last place team What’s it when you add back Larsson, Sbotka and Girgensons?

I don’t see it changing the Jets needs at all Gardiner is a LHD. Jets have lost 2 of their 3 top RHD this offseason. Gardiner wont fix that ill assume that a Gardiner signing in Buffalo means the end of McCabe. Not Risto

Time for Nylander to sink or swim. Throw him out with Eichel for the first 20 games and see what happens. We assume he will fail but only 1 way to find out for sure. Im not sure Risto lands you a 2C at this point. We would have to either take on another bad contract or throw in some draft picks. My 2020 1st rounder is untouchable. Unless you lottery protect it. If Cozens shows up better than any other option at RW3. Do you at least give him 9 games? I think he is ready to contribute as a winger already. If you see him as a Center, he needs to go back to junior

Looks pretty tough at this point I'm almost to the point of just putting the best hockey players from a skill standpoint out there and seeing what happens. OLofsson Eichel Nylander Skinner Mitts Reinhart Vesey Erod Cozens Sheery Aspund Okposo Dahlin Montour Pilut Risto McCabe Miller May not be a playoff team but at least they can see what they have with a few of the young guys and it can't be much worse than what we have seen over the last 7 years

thanks was just about to post the same thing plus not sure I would want but small snipers on the same line.

This team should have been flush with young prospects filling in the depth forward ranks, so many traded away by Murray. Unfortunately, unless one of the goalies has a "career" season, I think we are again talking about a top 5 pick. Then again, there is a long way to go before training camp. Lets see what other teams need to move out a contract or two.

should we start the 2020 Draft thread?

What’s Risto worth? A 2nd and 3rd? If we can get a legit top 6 forward for him, I’m all for it but that’s looking unlikely

Everyone seems to want to trade Risto but do we remember Scandella is still on the team?

I dont like having him and Skinner on the same line. Two undersized forwards, maybe its old school thinking but you need someone to win some puck battles along the wall.

there has been a lot of talk about this but its not that easy. how do you handle the first year? none of the "top" prospects would be eligible, you'd have a draft of complete over-agers.