GASabresIUFAN

Also, Adams on why he failed to improve the roster during the draft “He responded that the Sabres were aggressive but there weren’t trades that they could get other teams to agree to. He said, “…we’re going to do everything we can to make our roster better.” Let the excuses for failure begin.

Fair point, but that’s the point of development. He is a sniper, but if he rounds out his game at BU, then he’ll be the biggest bargain in this draft. If not, he’ll have a long career scoring 30 goals a year.

The issue with Joki is that he doesn't do anything very well. He skates fine, can add a little offense and grew more willing to block shots this past season. He isn't very physical, doesn't clear great, still gives the puck away way more often then he takes it away and doesn't often kill penalties. He certainly isn't worth 2.5 mill a year (his Q offer amount).

No not at all, but as I do a consensus board every year, this year with 15 different rankings, the odds of a good player not showing up on on at least one of those rankings is pretty slim. it's certainly possible these three guys reach the NHL, but unlikely. Remember the odds someone plays 100 games in the NHL after the 3rd rounds drops to 18% or less and by the 7th round about 11%. One good thing about Brunet and Geary is that Buffalo should have good scouting on them. Brunet was teammates with Komarov in the Q and Geary is a Buffalo kid who plays at MSU with Strbak. Zelenov doesn't even have a page on Eliteprospects.com

He's now a UFA. The vet minimum is 750K. Someone is going to give him a 1 way deal. He has played 206 NHL games, which is 30th most in his draft class. He is going to get a deal, if not from us, from someone looking for cheap experienced depth.

Hell Clague keeps getting contracts, why not Bryson?

Think they'll do that with Joki? Just kidding. I know the $4 mill a year contract is coming.

One small step for Adams, one large step for Sabreland

14 - Helenius - Nice player, could be here sooner that later. I had him 11th on my board. Given our volume of "similar" prospects, pick makes more sense if some of the prospects forward depth is traded for NHL pieces. I would have preferred Eiserman or Brandsegg-Nygard, as they had skill sets needed in our organization, but Helenius is a very talented player and there is always room for very talented players. 42 - Kleber - Was 48th on my board, but some published rankings had him with an early second grade. Love the size and most reports say he is a very athletic for his size. Seems to fit a pattern of KA adding physical D like Strbak and McCarthy. Heading to Minn Duluth in the fall 71 - Ziemer - Had some high 2nd rd grades. Was 68th on my board. Captain of the USNTP and put up 12 pts in 7 WJr games. Skilled passer, and although under 6', he likes to forecheck and has decent wheels. Heading to Minn in the fall. 108 - Osburn - Had him 100th on my list. Reportedly a high IQ good skating D who is good at breaking up the play defensively but isn't overly physical. A classic wait and see what happen development wise. Heading to Wisconsin in the fall. Picks - 123 - Brunet; 172 - Geary; and 204 - Zelenov are three guys I had never heard of entering the draft. My list had 180 guys on it and these 3 weren't on it. It would be miracle if any become NHL players. Apparently Brunet was a teammate of Komarov, so at least our scouts know him well. 219 - Leenders - This is my favorite pick in this draft. I had him 74th on my list and one of the top goalies. He played for Canada at he U18s and was good in his second OHL season. Only reason he last so long is he's only 6'1". Overall, I think Adams and his scouts a solid if unspectacular job this draft. I really like the top 3 picks and Leenders, but Brunet, Geary and Zelenov look like wasted picks. I hate to say it, but this draft has a very Jbot feel to it with drafting Euros and American collegiates early to get the longer development time. Overall a B-.

I'll give you a couple positive thoughts 1) We have 6 good, but no great forwards. JJP and Quinn have another level which could take them from good to great. 2) Dahlin and Power are a good start to a very good D group. Clifton is a useful 3rd pair guy and Mule, if he can stay healthy, is the physical presence in the lineup we need. 3) Levi is a future franchise goalie and UPL proved he can be an NHL started. Goaltending, which has been wondering in the desert for 40 years, is now a strength. Now the issues! A) The forwards after the top 6 and Greenway are a complete void. We need to be rolling 4 lines and right now we can barely roll 2. We lack depth scoring, no good centers after the top 2 and not enough physical play even with Greenway and Beck. B) Byram is a mismatched piece. He is not a good pair with Power or Dahlin. Byram's xGF was 46% with Dahlin and 37% with Power. Our best way forward is probably Power & Dahlin (55%), Samuelson with Joki (56%) & Byram with Clifton (52%). My preference is to upgrade Joki, but I don't see that happening. Stats https://www.naturalstattrick.com/pairings.php?fromseason=20232024&thruseason=20232024&stype=2&sit=5v5&score=all&rate=n&team=BUF&loc=B&toi=0&gpfilt=none&fd=&td=&tgp=410

Dude, it look awful.

Forwards JJP TNT Tuch Benson Cozens Quinn ?(Savoie) Krebs(rfa) Greenway Malenstyn(rfa) ???? ???? (Rousek) Defense Dahlin Samuelsson Power Joki(rfa) Byram Clifton (Johnson - Clague) Goalies UPL(rfa) Levi Savoie is probably a favorite to make the roster at this point. Does that projected 3rd line makes you feel pretty good about next season? Bryson(rfa) also in contention to return.

This is the way

It’s becoming clear that Adams hasn’t displayed the guts necessary to make an aggressive move to improve his roster. His last two major moves have significantly downgraded his offense by trading Mitts, trading away his best playmaker, and buying out Skinner, one of his best goal scorers. His moves to “upgrade” the defense, Stillman, Clifton, Johnson, Lyubuskin, and now Byram, are all 3rd pairing quality players or less at this point. Byram’s O skills are top 4 potential, but his D metrics last season were bottom pairing and we need better defensive play. Only the trade for Greenway is a roster upgrade and that wasn’t much of a risk. Just think we got Greenway for 2 plus years for a 2nd rd pick. This draft Adams just wasted a 2nd on a an Arb eligible 26 year old RFA 4th line player.

Actually the buyout came after the draft, so technically there was no major move during the draft.

As much as I loath Kevyn Adams the GM, we as fans are caught in the catch 22. We either maintain some level of hope that Adams can fix the roster or give up on the team completely. The Sabres have been my favorite team I was little and attended my first game their inaugural season. I was at the Bat game and there when they beat the Soviets twice. I’m not yet ready to give up. However, Adams needs to add the following pieces by the end of next week: A middle six center, a scoring winger to replace Skinner, and at least one D who can beat out/replace Joki in the top 4. A couple of these guys also need to physically hard to play against. The deadline is July 5th Kevyn.

He’s also 6’7”

Just think Skinner’s buyout will last just longer than Erhoff’s remaining payments. I’m going to be optimistic and say that TP wouldn’t have approved the buyout without some key acquisitions in nearly ready to be announced.

Can’t wait to see how this board reacts when Adams gives him a 2 year 3 mill per season contract.

So the buyout was after the draft, right? I guess the "no's" win. Also swapping Jeff for Beck is currently a step in the wrong direction.

No idea why that drafted him that early. He was 185th on Central Scouting's NA list and no one elses. I'm surprised he got drafted at all.

I had him 74th. Nice pick up.

I just realized Beck is an RFA with Arb rights. You go Kevyn.

Bye Jeff, thanks for the funny videos and 2 good seasons.

There better be some significant acquisitions coming and soon.