Crusader1969

wow, even both the Amateur and Pro directors of scouting get the ax!! I don't get what TP is doing? brutal mistake by the owners - only DB should have gone. Franchise looks Mickey Mouse.

Funny thing about the NHL is how fast things can turn around - look at all the Canadian teams that missed the play-offs, plus Columbus a year ago.

I have Nylander as top 6 LW. I also don't want to totally disregard Bailey and Baptiste as top 6 candidates - Im just not ready to write their names in ink yet in that role.

I think they are in Rochester _ Cornel, Karabacek, Johansson (just came), Martin. Olofsson (7th round) still in Sweden but doing well.

WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!! if you think McNabb is a talented Dman you arent paying attention!

My understanding is that Liljegren is a big reason they are not doing well. Watched the first period of the USA v Sweden game and seemed like he was on the bottom pairing and not on the #1 PP. Totally agree on Heiskanen - doing what he is doing against top competition could vault him above Makar. Plays pro hockey against men already and performed well. Probably not the highlite reel that makar is but definitely smart, mobile and good defensively as well. Another guy really moving up and a name to get to know is Kristian Vesalainen on Finland.

This is definitely my guy, though I understand the hesitation due to playing AJHL competition. if he is the guy the Sabres target, they would have to trade down. Not worthy of top 8 pick imo If Sabres think Samson is future 3rd line centre and not top 6 RW, then this pick could make a lot of sense. I'm not sure anyone else in organization is a shoe-in top 6 RW besides Okposo (assuming he is healthy).

I've read a few scouting reports on Foote questioning his skating - think I like Hague better. Brannstrom seems to be another interesting prospect who's stock is heading higher. 9th in European skaters by the NHL scouting service. He seems to be Swedens top dman in the u18 tournament.

I would usually agree with you but this year just seems different. In your scenario I take the Dman.

I'm not even close to thinking this. Kulikov had a disastrous season but that was mainly to do with injury IMO. Many wont agree but Pysyk wasn't a big piece to lose. What other Dmen has he acquired post tank? Getting the Sabres to be in a position to draft Eichel, acquiring ROR, Kane and Okposo. His last 2 drafts were excellent. The way they've developed Baptiste, Bailey and Carrier. Easily outweigh any negatives. This team will look a hell of a lot different to start next year. Way more speed, more balanced scoring, the Dmen will be mobile. If the Antipin rumours are true, there is another huge get by Murray.

at this point, Im just hoping that 1 of them Heiskanen or Makar are there for the Sabres! Both could be top 5 at this point. Otherwise, trade down and think about Valamaki and Liljegren. How would you feel if Top 2 D off the board and the Sabres draft another Centre?

I think Alzner is more of what Sabres already have. Don't think he is worth the $$ nor the term he will get.

Think the draft board may have changed. Liljegren falling below Heiskanen and Vilamaki. Seems Heiskanen may have become the 2nd rated Dman in this draft. Liljegren is having a tough u18, which sounds like he could fall out of the top 20. he still has a week to turn it around. Not saying a Kylington type drop but still a drop.

I think we are learning that it doesn't take Dmen 3 years to become NHLers anymore.

why would Anaheim trade for Lehner? they already have their goaltender.

I think he should be expendable already if he can bring in a true stud dman -I dont think anyone is looking to trade away one though. Failing that, I think keeping Samson and the pick and making a deal with a team that can't protect all their d in the expansion draft at a much lower cost Even better, trade down a couple of slots, get a young d prospect in the trade and draft Makar.

totally agree!

I know the guy at recrutes.ca has Heiskanen rated very high - Top 5 I think.

he is 3/4 of an inch shorter than Liljegren. Its a 2nd rate league but guys like Fabbro and Jost came out of the same tier last season. I will also caution that the guys that watch Liljegren a lot seem to not be that high on him (6th in international skaters). Here is the scouting report that really makes me question him as a top pick over Makar - http://draftineurope.blogspot.ca/ though i will say that watching him at the U18s could make me rank him over Makar once again (or fall below the 2 Finnish Dmen)

He doesnt have to reach the level of Karlsson in order to be a great player. I dont worry about his size at all. There are plenty of dmen who are slightly under 6' who are extremely important to their team. Between Liljegren and Makar, I'll trust Murray to figure out which one is better but I guessing that if the Sabres dont move up into a lottery position that the decision between the 2 will be made for him as one will be drafted prior to the Sabres slot.

I've been hyping Makar for a few months now. TSN mock draft looks like it could happen http://www.tsn.ca/patrick-goes-no-1-in-tsn-s-post-season-mock-draft-1.720569

I doubt all the dmen will be drafted prior to 7 and 8. I would be fairly confident that no more than two will go before pick #8

my guess at the Sabres draft board is: 1) Hischier 2) Patrick 3) Makar 4) Liljegren 5) Viilamaki 6) Heiskanen Though the under 18s could influence the order of pickcs 4, 5 and 6

No one worth taking? sure there isn't a generational player at the top of the draft Patrick and Hischier are both excellent prospects that the Sabres would be lucky to get. Even at 6, 7 or 8 they will get a quality player.

Wish that was true but I think Makar goes top 5, potentially top 3.