Crusader1969

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.

On the bright side, with a loss tomorrow the door is wide open for the Sabres to end up in 26th.

The 2 players I'm most interested to see under a new coach or change in philosophy are Tyler Ennis and Zack Bogosian. Maybe injuries have derailed both players and we will never see them at peak again but I'm not ready to give up on either yet. Along with Byslma does anyone still have a need for Girgensons to return? 4th line centre at best for me and I think I already like E-Rod better.

The Amerks have Baptiste, Karabacek, Cornel, Fasching and Bailey listed as RW for last nights game. Does anyone know the actual lines?

I will say that Toronto is having a good season with a pretty average d corps. Injuries, or a lack of, have had a huge impact on their season.

With Antipin and Guhle coming next season - that's already a good start to turning over the D and creating a defensive core that can skate. Heard that Makar is now being looked at a top 5 pick. I'd still like to get him or Liljegren. And to say they need 3 years isn't right. Hanifin played immediately, Provorov and Werenski both drafted in 2015 spent 1 more year in their program and both have had huge impact in NHL. Chychrun played in rookie year. I'll bet Sergachev plays with MTL next year Liljegren is already playing pro hockey. If you are looking to make a trade - my target is Ryan Ellis from Nashville. The Preds aren't going to be able to protect one of their vet dmen.

Best Sabres can do is finish 10th last. Looking more like somewhere between 5th and 8th. I guess the good news is that Murray should get to take 1st dmen off the board. Will be interesting to see if he wins one of the lottery slots.

New Craig Button draft rankings http://www.tsn.ca/craig-s-list-lots-of-talent-after-patrick-hischier-1.702428 maker now #1 dmen on his list

ill be open to him returning next year if he agrees that he has to simplify his system. I believe this is what Tortorella did this past summer with his coaching style. One thing Tortorella has changed for the Blue Jackets this season is doing away with morning skates. In an interview with NHL.com, Tortorella talked about allowing players to play and not over-coaching them. "(Players) get on the ice and they can't think straight because there's so much information," Tortorella told Tim Campbell. "I think that's one of the biggest adjustments all coaches are making now, including me, is to let them play. Give them a foundation but let them play and get out of their way. "But if it's the same mistake and it is constant and if it's something you can control through laziness and just not the will to play, that's part of my job to lean on them that way. It's ever-changing. We're just trying to go about our business." if Torts can change, Bylsma can too. I hate seeing a coaching carousel. Though the exist interviews with Murray and the team leaders (Eichel, ROR, etc) could doom him.

Yes, Makar didn't go to the WHL to keep his NCAA eligibility. He is committed to UMass. He played last night in his teams 9-1 playoff victory and had a goal and 2 assists. I`ve linked the highlights. You see his explosive first step at the :33 minute mark, his one time slap shot at 3:04 but you must watch his goal at 5:10. http://www.brooksbandits.ca/media-centre/news-archives.html?nID=11135

By the time we get to June, Makar will be a consensus top 10 pick. Already seeing him on some rankings in top 10. Craig Button of TSN has him going 5th. It's unfortunate that he is a late 98 or else he could have played in the under 18 tourney. Last season, that tourney solidified Fabbro and Jost as 1st rounders. They also played in junior A in their draft year.

ive said it before and I'll say it again. Toronto has been good but EXTREMELY fortunate this year. Look at the injuries they've dealt with compared to the Sabres and most every other team. Im still surprised that Babcock is thought as the best coach in the universe but still has his D playing like chickens with their heads cut off in year 2 of him behind the bench.

I'll be completely floored if the Sabres don't draft a Dman with their top pick. Draft the right guy and he can play a major role in 18/19. liljegren's season ended yesterday in a 6-5 loss in Swedish j20 play-offs. He did have 3 assists though. Finished the series with 1G and 4A in 3 games Cale Makar is playing in the AJHL playoffs. 1G 3A in 2 games. Valimaki regular season with Tri-City comes to an end tonight. 19G and 42A, including 1G 1A halfway through tonight's game.

I was watching a bit of the Jets game today, the commentators made it seem a lock that Trouba is protected. Myers, even with his favourable contract is the big question. I'll assume they expose him and his injury troubles. I think Garrison is a UFA? Could be wrong

Contact the Nashville preds about Ryan Ellis Currently if preds want to protect all 4 top dmen - subban, josi, ekholm and Ellis. They can only protect 4 forwards. - Johansen, Forsberg, Neal and Arvidsson Leaving - Fisher, Wilson, Jarnkrok and Smit unprotected. A lot will depend on where they think there top 2 prospects are Dante Fabbro and Samuel Gerard who are both top 4 potential They also have Carrier and doughertry playing in the AHL Maybe Sabres can get them to trade Ellis allowing preds to protect 3D and 7F. Rather than 8 skaters. What would it cost? A young winger not named Nylander and a draft pick? Thoughts?

Yes, his younger brother is a very exciting prospect. He's in the 2019 draft I think, which is crazy. Vegas gets the same odds as the 3rd last place team but is in lottery, pick isn't guaranteed 99% sure this is correct Here is a name you will see rocketing up the draft rankings. Nick Suzuki from Owen Sound (OHL). Started th year last first or 2nd rounder - now seeing him as a late lottery pick. Smaller kid 5'11 180 lbs but has been on fire. With 1 game to go is currently 4th in OHL scoring.

Crazy amount of injuries this season. Hopefully we get Leafs fortunes next year and basically have a full squad all year long. I say keep Austin and Nelson up for the remainder of the year.

Who are these players we could use right now?