Crusader1969

They aren't trading hm, so really not worth discussing

I do, as long as you also add Mittelstadt, svechnikov/zadina or Tkachuk. Then you add Guhle / Nelson and better goaltending - I would bet on a 20 point improvement

believe me, 11 is the reason why I'm a Sabres fan living near Toronto. Jack is just as exciting, he just doesn't have the line-mates and doesnt get to shoot against 5'8 goalies with very little padding.

i can't wait until tomorrow! even if we knew he was coming out and deciding to go the Rochester or Buffalo route. If he doesn't come out and the Sabres don't get a top 4 pick, just wake up me up prior to the 2019 lottery!

now if only Eichel had Robert and Martin on his wings or maybe Mogliny and Anderchuck? He is stuck with Pouliot and Pommenville.

Someone interviewed Keller before last nights game and he said that playing a few games in the NHL was extremely valuable to him going into the off-season. Plus Mittelstadt having a few extra weeks to condition himself for next year may benefit him more than playing in the AHL play-offs. him play for the Amerks but i think they will do very well with or without him, once they get their players back.

I dont think there is any tension, Sabres just waiting for him to make his decision. Wish he would make it soon, getting tired of looking at twitter every 2 mins.

From Minnesota Star Tribune The Gophers have another prominent player who is a risk to leave early: freshman forward Casey Mittelstadt. The eighth overall pick in the 2017 draft by the Buffalo Sabres, Mittelstadt finished second on the Gophers with 30 points on 11 goals and 19 assists in 34 games. The former Eden Prairie High School standout was named MVP of the World Junior Championship after amassing a tournament-high 11 points (four goals, seven assists). Mittelstadt declined to comment Wednesday on his status.

I'm expecting a good game. Over the last 20 games , the Coyotes have been one of the hottest teams with 26 points, that's only 3 behind the 2nd best team in the league (lightning with 29 in last 20)

The rule is based upon the players age. Since Casey is 20 in November, even if he plays 1 game it burns a year off his ELC. If he was born in Jan 99 he would have to play the 9 games

Nylander being noticed http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/prospect-need-to-know-nylander-starting-to-catch-fire

From Sportsnet : Mittelstadt Watch Buffalo Sabres general manager Jason Botterill expects to have clarity on the future of top prospect Casey Mittelstadt by the end of the week. The first order of business is determining whether the eighth overall pick from last year wants to return to the University of Minnesota for his sophomore season. If he’s willing to turn pro, Mittelstadt could join the Sabres or their American Hockey League affiliate before the end of this season. That would require him to sign an entry-level contract – which would come with a $92,500 signing bonus and could see the first year immediately burnt off by playing one NHL game – or potentially an amateur tryout agreement with the AHL’s Rochester Americans.

Absolutely!

I'd like to give KO one summer without being in ICU before writing him off.

With Lindgren leaving, I'll be really surprised if Casey stays. Reinhart with speed? Sounds like a sure fire all-star

IF they can play like that next season and add wingers for Jack, then I could see them contending for a play-off spot. Though I do wonder how much they amplified their effort because they wanted to win that game for their coach. though if they do get 12 points in their last 10 games, i wouldn't mind the losses coming against Arizona, Ottawa, MTL and Detroit.

of note, he didn't rank Bokk and Kravtsov (both believed to be 1st round picks).

I do think Tkachuk does bring a lot of what the Sabres are lacking but at #2 I would hope the Sabres are looking for elite level skill. If the Sabres end up with Svechnikov or Zadina and there is a Tkachuck type out there in 2019, then I would be open to them drafting a bigger/less skilled type player then. The name that sticks out to me with Craigs List is Hayton at #7. He is a good player and did very well when a lot of the grey hounds were at the WJC but that seems high for a 2 way center. Then again, if a team is looking for a Center in the draft, there isn't a lot of competition this year, so it could push him high.

absolutely agree, if you are going to watch the opposition in any game this year - this is it.

Doesn't look like Donato is going to spurn the Bruins. Expected in their line-up tomorrow night

Sorry if this is mentioned elsewhere but another big consideration for Casey is that as soon as he signs his ELC, he will burn a year off. Doesn't matter how many games he plays. Since he is 20 later this year. Though, I'm not sure if this will allow him to play with the Amerks or not? Thinking he has to sign an ATO deal and not his ELC deal to play in the AHL this season. anyone know for certain? Thanks

Don't think I said he was going to be a good player, just that "he was one of the sharks top prospects" which is completely accurate and doesn't mean I think he is going to be an NHL star

Thanks for the confirmation!

Goal #1 play .500 hockey Sabres have now played 30 games in the 2nd half of the season. Record is 13-14-3 for 29 points. Since Jan 7th they have the 21st best record in the league. Goal #2 Reinhart to pick up scoring to at least his career Avg of .60 pts/game Samson has been red-hot picking up 29 points in his last 30 games. .966 per game. Hopefully Sabres have found a second scoring option behind Eichel. Over the last 2 months he is tied for 14th in league scoring - tied with Marner, Laine, Giroux and Pasternak. Goal #3 Sign Mittelstadt, Fizgerald and Borgeon #caseywatch officially launched last night as both Minnesota and BC saw their seasons end. Borgen will continue on as St.Cloud is the top seed in its bracket. Goal #4 Trade Kane for a #1 and top prospect likely a fail but still a chance for a #1 draft pick. O'Regan was a top prospect of the Sharks but not one of the names I was hoping for. Goal #5 Nylander improve and become a point per game player Definitely improvement but still needs to score more 4G 11A in last 20 games

I've always thought of Mittelstadt as the 3rd line centre and Erod on Jacks wing, until this morning. I don't see pommers having a role with this team next year. I'm hoping it's Rochester or the press box for him. The other big thing to keep in mind is that Getting an NHL ready LW in this draft is only 50/50 at the moment, so it's a bit early to have either Mittelstadt or Svechnikov on the roster. Only guessing but I would think Nylander has a lightly greater chance of being on the opening night roster than Olofsson. An adjustment to the smaller ice rinks will play a factor.