Crusader1969

Here is the summary on Boqvist - again from Mckeens hockey. Very similar to my post a couple of weeks back Still ahead of Dobson as my #2 dman but I will be watching the 5 nations u18 closely. Summary: After an impressive performance at the U18 Hlinka tournament last fall Adam Boqvist raised on many draft boards. His regular play in Sweden is not in a very good situation. The coach in Brynas, former NHLer Tommy Sjodin, does not seem to trust his defensive game to give him the ice-time he needs to maximize his development. In Allsvenskan he has only played sporadically and has not been able to be there full time as Brynas seems to pick him back up as a 7th defenseman every time they have an injured defenseman. He has played most of his games at the junior level and he has dominated there, scoring goals at an impressive pace. Boqvist is a great prospect and I see him as a can’t miss pick at the top of the draft, probably as the second-best defenseman. His offensive upside is so good and the way the game is going with higher pace and skill the size should not be as decisive a factor any longer. He will need time to develop his senior game and hopefully he will have a better situation soon where he can play more regularly. If he can get stronger and more pro-active in his own end the development will go fast in the right direction. He is far more skilled than most SHL players already. Adam Boqvist has the potential of becoming a number one defenseman at the NHL-level.

Free prospect profile from McKenns hockey: Filip Zadina 2018 NHL Draft Eligible Position: RW, Shoots L H/W: 6-0", 200 lbs Stats to date (GP-G-A-PTS-PIMS) Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL, (41-33-26-59-26) Czech U20, WJC (7-7-1-8-2) Skating: Zadina drifts everywhere on the ice with ease. He is a shifty and effortless skater that seemingly floats above the ice. His stride and footwork do not seem to match up with his actual speed because it is so effortless. His agility is at an elite level already; his edges allow him to blow by defenders cutting out of a corner into the slot. He can turn on a dime and cut at his fastest. His top speed is great but not the highest tier. It may be the only bad mark on his skating to date, but at this level, it does not matter. His skating gives him free access to just about anywhere on the ice if he so chooses. Grade: 65 Shot: Zadina has a big shot for a smaller player. His wrist shot is his weapon of choice, mostly on his off-hand side, accommodating his position. Most of his shots are from 25 feet or closer to the net, and his heavy wrister has speed and spin. He does most of his work from within that right low quadrant of the ice, where he can pick corners and get the puck to the net quickly. His slapshot is good, but he rarely uses it, usually only on the man advantage on a one-timer. Grade: 70 Skills: Zadina’s favourite spot on the ice is between the right wing half-wall and the right corner. He has found a pocket of loose coverage in there where the defender cannot quite harness his explosiveness and his agility, and he attacks. As a lefty, it gives him the optimal angle to get pucks up in tight in a hurry, and he uses that to his advantage. His hands are lightning-quick; he can stickhandle in a phone booth, as opposition defenders have found out this season. His passing has been a huge asset as well, in particular on the powerplay, where a Zadina pass has been slapped in by Max Fortier or B-O Groulx across the zone right to the tape. Zadina has a knack for hitting his teammates in stride no matter the oncoming speed; he can hit a teammate in full gallop across the ice to the tape. Grade: 65 Smarts: Zadina is one of the most creative offensive minds in the QMJHL. He can make plays with his quick hands and feet by reading the play and what is given to him and reacting appropriately, be it on the rush or in the low-right zone of the offensive attack. He reads the play offensively as quickly as he skates, and that allows him to slip around the offensive zone, finding the right area to attack with the least resistance. His creative mind allows him to see the game like a chess match, and find passing seams before anyone else on the ice. Like many of the Mooseheads top players, Zadina works the points up high on the penalty kill, and is very effective with Somppi down a man. His aggressiveness and anticipation helped the Mooseheads lead in shorthanded goals earlier this season. Grade: 65 Physicality: Zadina will never be confused with a bruising forward, but he does have more bite than meets the eye. He is aggressive on the puck and that can lead to some physical play, though he does not go out of his way to hit players. He takes a lot of punishment, certainly, as that comes with the territory of being a finesse forward who plays in the high-traffic areas, but he can be worn down a bit with consistent physical defending from blueliners who can keep up with him. Grade: 50 Summary: There is no doubt that Filip Zadina will be the highest-picked QMJHL player in June in Dallas. The shifty winger has superstar potential and will have an impact offensively at the professional level. He plays well enough defensively to make his shifts stay impactful without defensive lapses. He has been remarkably consistent, even while looking a bit fatigued over the last month or so his point totals have not suffered. He is a main reason for the resurgence of Tampa Bay pick Otto Somppi, and Islanders’ selection Arnaud Durandeau’s speed on the opposite flank has given the Mooseheads enough options to keep the defenders honest with Zadina’s line on the ice and away from the Groulx-Fortier tandem. Halifax’s collection of dynamic forwards have allowed them all to have success this year, as all of their talented options up front have played together at some point, and their chemistry all together has created massive matchup problems for the opposition. Having Zadina in the fold next season for a potential Memorial Cup-hosting Halifax squad, though, would be a surprise. The Czech forward will always be compared to his immediate predecessor as an import of the Mooseheads in New Jersey Devil center Nico Hischier. Like Hischier, he is a very skilled offensive player. Unlike Hischier, Zadina is a bit weaker in the defensive zone, but maybe a slightly better skater, which is why he is most effective on the wing. Zadina is ready to make the jump to the NHL, depending on what team picks him and what type of scoring depth they have.

What's the game plan for the Sabres next season? What expectations for the 2018/19 season do you have? Can they become a playoff team or are we still "a couple of years away"?

15 games into the 2nd half of the season and my goal of playing .500 hockey seems to have become unattainable due the Eichel injury. 15 games played 12 points earned. .400 If they continue along this pace over the last 26 games, they will finish with 62 points. Sam Reinhart, who I wanted to get back to his career avg of .6 pts/game has 14 points so far. That's an impressive .93 pts/game pace. Over an 82 game schedule he would end up with a 76 point season.

Sorry, been burnt too many times to think the 70% will come through. Sure, if they are completely out of it and only 5 or 6 points from last. If you have both Dahlin and Eichel, plus the other prospects I expect to be on the roster next season, I seriously doubt they are in this position. If they are, the good news is that the top of the 2019 draft looks really good. Jack Hughes could be the best forward prospect since McDavid.

Yep, about 26 more times Tell the 2017 Avalanche that who fell from 1st to 4th and the Canucks who fell from 2nd to 5th. Out of curiosity, do you know the odds of finishing 2nd last and drafting 5th?

I care, this draft has 4 surefire prospects. I want the Sabres to get one of them. Plus all 4 are NHL ready, the guy at 5 you will have to wait on for 2 years, if not more. I'm done with losing and adding young talent is the only way to get there.

Sportsnet rankings with a closer look at Bouchard and Lundestrom https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/rasmus-dahlin-leading-way-top-nhl-prospect/

What is going on with Risto and home games ? 2 games in a row where Gorges would be an upgrade

Not sure you guys understood my post - It's not about the 5% it's about the 100% chance that you draft in the top 4.

Isn't coming in last and guaranteeing you one of the big 4 draft picks, provIding Jack help next season, not at least a sliver of positive? Still sucks though, watching him play made the games at least bearable. Now.... just get me to the lottery.

Woo and Noel are the 2 names I would be interested in. Woo could drop to the 2nd round. Noel could be gone around 15 as teams will be intrigued by his combo of size and skill but if he is still there.... With the Eichel news, am I safe to assume that the Sabres will come in last place ? If so, you are guaranteed an elite level LW with their first pick. Imagine adding Noel a 6'5 RW who should fill in to about 230lbs with Svchnikov or Tkachuk who are also big bodies and a handful for any defender in the cycle game. With the 32nd pick, you add that mobile dmen. - woo, Tychonic or Miller

I'm probably alone on this one but I don't want Kane back. Being more specific, I don't want Kane back with the contract (mostly the term) that he will command. Let's build with prospects, you add th high price free agent when you are a piece away from winning a cup, not before

Cause he plays for the Leafs?

How low do you go to trade Kane? If the best deal for Kane is a mid level Prospect and a conditional pick, do you still pull the trigger? Any chance you just keep him for the remainder of the season? I know most "hockey" people say "dont worry about the slump" but I'm starting to worry. Hopefully he can snap out of it soon!

Svechnikov with 2 goals today vs Hamilton in a school day afternoon tilt. now has 29 goals in 30 games. Read on twitter (cant say 100% its correct) that only 2 OHLer's have avg'd over 1 goal a game before their 18 year old season.Some guys named Gretzky and Lindros. more stats to back up why I have him #2 on my list: EV Goals/60 during draft year. 1) Svchenikov 2.37 2) McDavid 2.03 Sabres can not score 5x5. Svechnikov is known for driving to the net, skill and even strength scoring. Not sure how you can pass up on him over Tkachuk or Zadina (both great prospects in their own-right).

Here is an NHL scouts comment about my #2 prospect Svechnikov "He is a horse. He’s got it…he’s so skilled. He uses his reach really well, he’s protecting pucks, I like how he takes pucks to the net, he’s just got the offensive hockey sense, a lot of give-and-go, making plays through seams. I think he’s pretty much the total package up front" Sounds exactly what the Sabres need.

Definitely an injury. Happened late in his last game. Took a shot off the shoulder I believe. Nothing too serious

I agree with you for the most part but there is nothing wrong with signing a UFA or two to a 1 year deal. If you turn the team around, hopefully they are a part of it. You can always trade them for future draft picks if you are still out of the play-off picture. Out of your list of players for 2018/19, who would you be most disappointed about being still with the Sabres game day roster? for me its: 1) Nathan Beaulieu 2) Jason Pominville 3) Johan Larsson If thats the opening night roster, we should start the "lose for Hughes" campaign before the season even starts. Would anyone disagee?

1 for the Sabres and maybe 1 for Rochester. Though, im not familiar enough with the quality of College FA's to say if any could play in NHL.

Im still in the Boqvist camp at 5, but the 5 nations could change my mind. Hope the games are available online. A strong 5 nations could move Boqvist back into the conversation with the 3 LW prospects. Boqvist played with Brynas J20 last weekend and had 2 goals in the game on Saturday. Thats 14 goals in 23 J20 Games for a Dman.

Thanks for the list: Quote about my #6 Dobson : If you want a high end skater and look past the stats - Dobson should be rated higher than Bouchard IMO Dobson just keeps getting better” says ISS Director of Scouting Dennis MacInnis. “He’s the complete package, a big mobile two-way defenceman who is as steady as they come. He reads the game very well, has excellent hockey sense and mobility, and consistently makes smart decisions with the puck with high end puck control. He does everything hard, quick and with a purpose, and has good speed and quick feet for his size. He’s not the most physical player, but he knows how to get himself in the right position to shut down the rush. It’s tough to find a weakness in his game right now”.

using the site Team Stats.com If the Sabres can play .500 hockey from this point out (not overly confident they can) and end the season with 67 points. They are less than 1% to finish out of bottom 3, 10% to finish 29th, 85% to finish 30th and 4% to finish last. My goal for them at the half way point was for them to play .500 hockey for the rest of the season. 12 games in and they have 8 points ..... .333 If this pace continues for the rest of season. they are 49% to finish in 30th and 31st in last.

Not even pencil? I can see not using a pen but Mittelstadt should be at least penciled into a top 9 role. no?

We need talent - no truer words have ever been spoke.