GrassValleyGreg

Agree that Kasper seems like a Red Wing type of pick, especially if Yzerman's stable of Swedish scouts see what many others are beginning to. And I understand the comp to Z to a point, and the obvious trepidation of wasting another top draft pick on a high energy guy. But I'd say Kasper has loads more skill. In my opinion, he's a high skill forward with some bite to his game, whereas Z was a bruiser with some skill who mostly outmuscled his peers in the USHL. Kasper certainly isn't outmuscling most in the SHL.

Count me in @dudacek / others camp with Gauthier. But I also expect him to be gone by 9 -- shooters with that size and skill don't come around often -- so a player I've really started to hone in on is Marco Kasper. While he'd be a dream at 16, I could see a scenario where he continues his rise to 9. Here's why I wouldn't be mad about it: For one, I think he is the most NHL ready prospect in the draft. He played 46 games (>11 minutes per) in his second season on one of the best teams in the SHL, and finished the year strong with 6 points in 13 playoff games. He also "played very well for Austria’s senior team, including four points in three games performance at a tournament in November and a major role for their World Championship team" (Athletic). The tape I've seen confirms this -- he was consistently leaned on to carry the puck through the neutral zone and gain zone entries, which he did often and with ease against men. What I really love about Marco is his reputation as a "wrecking ball" and "violent" skater (again, mostly playing men). From Elite Prospects: "Kasper starts every game by taking a run at someone along the boards. He looks for every possible opportunity to run into someone, limited only by his lack of strength. But Kasper’s physicality isn’t mindless. It’s integral to his game. He seems to thrive when turning hockey into pinball. Because when he’s locked into the physical aspect, he’s also winning footraces on pucks, turning board battles into inside-lane attacks, and stretching the ice with well-timed sprints to the opposing blue line." There's a bit of pest to his game and you can see him getting under opposing team's skin. When matched with his level of skill, I see Marco as the player type KA is looking to build around. I'd call him a powerful two-way, pass first center who can easily slot in to the Amerks top 6 or even the Sabres 3rd line out of camp (at least for the first 9 games). I see some Mason McTavish to his game and I can see him taking a similar path in his first year. He's a dynamic skater who pops off the screen when he has the puck, especially when he's able to gain speed through the neutral zone. He's got some dangle to him and is slick in tight spaces, especially around the net (where he drives consistently). He has great vision and is creative with his passing. It's also no surprise that he's a puck hound who is aggressive on the forecheck and in his own zone. He saw PK time in the SHL. He needs to improve his wrist shot and add strength, but has a great frame at 6'1" 200 lbs frame and is extremely coachable according to his SHL coach. All character reports I've read are positive. I haven't seen him talked about much on the draft threads so curious to hear what others think.

Sobotka is clearly not a good offensive forward but no other player can provide the faceoff support needed for a center who's started the year 7 for 24 in the circle. Surprised he has not taken more in the first 2 games, but I expect that to change if Marcus continues to struggle.

I know the Jets have been struggling, but shocked at how little confidence they are playing with. Laine has been non-existent. (knock on wood)

We've controlled the play for 2 periods now. It would be nice to be rewarded with 2 points.

Sobotka gets a lot of deserved heat on here, but there's little doubt that KO is the most stifling offensive player we have.

Confirms what many have seen with their eyes.

Its their development plan for one of our top prospects, which includes variables beyond advanced metrics (e.g. Tage's confidence, his adjustment to NHL speed, etc.). Sometimes The Plan will outweigh optimal lineup. It's a calculated sacrifice for sure, but you'll just have to trust the player/human level assessment from the kid's head coach and GM or else you'll drive yourself crazy. Definitely an easier decision to make when winning.

Will you two please shut up? Take it off the boards

Pretty sure that was the first MTL possession in our end, with less than 8 minutes remaining. Almost entirely due to two lazy plays from Berglund. Our possession game these last two games have been so impressive and foreign to the last 8 years.

The home ice is tilltttedddd big time

Happy to see our play carrying over. Definitely the better chances. Mitts with one of his better periods. Only a matter of time before the points start coming.

More Sabs fans at the Kings and Ducks game I attended last week. This is embarrassing and can't help team morale.

What an embarrassment this crowd is. Really pitiful showing Buffalo.

Fantastic shift from Nylander

Dahlin > Thompson drag > Mittlestadt ?

Borgen throwing his body around and getting under Devils skin.

Tage looks bigger, stronger and faster than any forward on the ice. Not surprising with his NHL experience, but still

Could someone PM me if you have a stream? Much appreciated!

IMO, Tage slides safely into third in our pipeline, bringing a power forward skill set we haven't seen in Rochester in some time. I'd put money on him starting the year with the big club. With 3 first rounders next year, our pitiful prospect pool will improve significantly and begin to blossom as our core peaks and we get major cap relief: the 2020-2021 season. Wish this happened 5 years ago but happy there's a clear three-year plan now. 1. Dahlin 2. Mittlestadt 3. Thomson 4. Nylander 5. Asplund 6. Guhle 7. Davidsson 8. Samuelsson 9. Borgen 10. Olafsson

Mostly a reader here, and I always appreciate your in-depth analysis and discussion Flagg, but in an effort to promote optimism, I just want to point out that your strong disapproval of this trade is grounded almost entirely in opinion. My sense is you're being overcritical of Berglund/Sobotka (clear bottom 6 improvements) and undervaluing Tage as a prospect, who I'd now put number 3 in our pipeline behind Rasmus and Casey (ahead of Guhle and Alex). From what I've seen (admittedly limited but nearly all his international play), he's a big, smart power forward with a super quick and hard release - something we sorely lack in our paltry pipeline. He can possess the puck, is good around the net, and can drive play. The comparison to Zemgus is an odd one. Also, I do like the idea of a nucleus of young American forwards who can grow together at a time when US youth hockey is at its best. Add another first and a second, and we can start to reconstruct an organization bereft of talent. It should have happened 5 years ago, but it didn't, and thats not on Bots watch. I'm positive on: the amount of draft capital we've accumulated watching another skilled American forward grow in the NHL next year an improved bottom 6, including a big smart Swede who can cycle and finish an overhaul of the locker room dynamic, with the reigns now handed over to our franchise player

Love these comps. LOL at the "I'm done with Botts" crowd. See ya.

“He’s a solid player,” Sharks coach Pete DeBoer said of O’Regan. “He’s got good hockey sense, he’s got good compete for a small guy. He’s not afraid, he gets inside. “That’s the biggest thing if you’re going to play at that stature. You’ve got to be a little fearless, and he’s got that. He’s an interesting prospect.” O’Regan was called up from the AHL after Barclay Goodrow suffered an upper body injury last Thursday against Florida and was placed on injured reserve. At the time, O’Regan, last season’s AHL Rookie of the Year, led the Barracuda with 12 points in 12 games. “The thing I’ve liked about him is he’s competed,” Pavelski said. “He’s been first on pucks, he’s been in the corners, he doesn’t shy away from anything. O’Regan has been able to feel comfortable in a power play role right away thanks in part to the similarities between the system the Sharks run and the one employed by Barracuda coaches Roy Sommer and Ryan Mougenel. Excerpts from recent San Jose Mercury News article

Would love to get Dillon Dube from the Flames. All around stud who should compete for minutes next year.

Wilsons been a hell of a pickup. Some smarts on that line.