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2013 - 2014 Sabres Prospects


Johnny DangerFace

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Final 2013-2014 Rankings

 

 

Prospect Information

Updated 5/1/2014

 

Prospect - A player under 25 who has not yet acquired a permanent spot at the NHL level and who's expected ceiling is at the NHL level. Once a player has played a full season at the NHL level, and is not expected to have to earn a spot in the following year, then they are no longer a prospect.

 

 

Forward Rankings

 

 

1. Mikhail Grigorenko

2. Zemgus Girgensons

3. Joel Armia

4. Johan Larsson

5. JT Compher

6. Hudson Fasching

7. Nick Baptiste

8. Connor Hurley

9. Justin Bailey

10. William Carrier

11. Gustav Possler

12. Nicolas Deslauriers

13. Justin Kea

14. Logan Nelson

15. Daniel Catenacci

16. Phil Varone

17. Sean Malone

18. Eric Locke

19. Tim Schaller

20. Luke Adam

21. Kevin Sundher

22. Christian Isackson

23. Colin Jacobs

 

 

 

Defenseman Rankings

 

 

1. Rasmus Ristolainen

2. Nikita Zadorov

3. Mark Pysyk

4. Jake McCabe

5. Chad Ruhwedel

6. Brady Austin

7. Anthony Florentino

8. Nick Crawford

9. Jerome Gauthier-Leduc

 

 

 

Goalie Rankings

 

 

1. Linus Ullmark

2. Cal Petersen

3. Andrey Makarov

4. Nathan Lieuwen

5. Matt Hackett

 

 

 

 

(1) Rasmus Ristolainen

Defenseman, 19, 6-3 207, Finnish

 

Player Type: Physical Offensive Defenseman (RH)

Potential (Likelihood): 1st Pairing (4/5)

League: AHL

Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2014-2015

Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.1 (Pick 8)

 

 

(2) Nikita Zadorov

Defenseman, 18, 6-5 230, Russian

 

Player Type: Physical Two-way Defensemen (LH)

Potential (Likelihood): 1st Pairing (4/5)

League: OHL - London Knights (AHL Eligible = 2015 - 2016 season)

Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA (Contract can slide one year if he plays less than 10 NHL games 2013-2014)

Projected Sabre Debut: 2014-2015

Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.1 (Pick 16)

 

 

(3) Mikhail Grigorenko

Center, 19, 6-3 200, Russian

 

Player Type: Scorer/Playmaker (LH)

Potential (Likelihood): Top Six Forward (3/5)

League: AHL

Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2015

Acquired: Drafted 2012 Rd.1 (Pick 12)

 

 

(4) Zemgus Girgensons

Center, 20, 6-2 194, Latvian

 

Player Type: Playmaker/Two-Way Forward (LH)

Potential (Likelihood): 2nd/3rd Line Center (5/5)

League: NHL

Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA

Acquired: Drafted 2012 Rd.1 (Pick 14)

 

 

(5) Joel Armia

Right Winger, 20, 6-3 187, Finnish

 

Player Type: Scorer/Power-forward (RH)

Potential (Likelihood): Top Six Forward (3/5)

League: AHL

Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2015

Acquired: Drafted 2011 Rd.1 (Pick 16)

 

 

(6) Mark Pysyk

Defensemen, 22, 6-1 188, Canadian

 

Player Type: Offensive Defensemen (RH)

Potential (Likelihood): 2nd Pairing (4/5)

League: AHL

Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2014

Acquired: Drafted 2010 Rd.1 (Pick 23)

 

 

(7) Jake McCabe

Defensemen, 20, 6-1 200, American

 

Player Type: Two-way Defensemen (LH)

Potential (Likelihood): 2nd Pairing (3/5)

League: NHL

Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2015 - 2016

Acquired: Drafted 2012 Rd.2 (Pick 44)

 

 

(8) Johan Larsson

Center, 21, 5-10 200, Swedish

 

Player Type: Two-Way Forward (LH)

Potential (Likelihood): 3rd Line Center (4/5)

League: AHL

Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2014 - 2015

Acquired: Trade with Wild (Drafted 2010 - Rd.2)

 

 

(9) JT Compher

Center, 18, 5-10 180, American

 

Player Type: Playmaker (RH)

Potential (Likelihood): Top Six Forward (3/5)

League: NCAA - Univ. of Michigan

Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2016

Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.2 (Pick 35)

 

 

(10) Hudson Fasching

Right Winger, 18, 6-3 215, American

 

Player Type: Scorer/Power Forward (RH)

Potential (Likelihood): Top Six Forward (3/5)

League: NCAA - University of Minnesota

Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2016

Acquired: Trade with Kings (Drafted 2013 - Rd.4)

 

 

(11) Nick Baptiste

Center, 18, 6-1 200, Canadian

 

Player Type: Scorer/ Physical Two-Way Forward (RH)

Potential (Likelihood): Top Six Forward (2/5)

League: OHL - Sudbury Wolves (AHL Eligible = 2015 - 2016 season)

Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in OHL

Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+

Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.3 (Pick 69)

 

 

(12) Connor Hurley

Center, 18, 6-0 178, American

 

Player Type: Playmaker (LH)

Potential (Likelihood): Top Six Forward (2/5)

League: US Juniors - Muskegon Lumberjacks

Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2016 - 2018

Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.2 (Pick 38)

 

 

(13) Justin Bailey

Right Winger, 18, 6-3 190, American

 

Player Type: Scorer/Power-Forward (RH)

Potential (Likelihood): Top Six Forward (2/5)

League: OHL - Kitchener Rangers (AHL Eligible = 2015 - 2016 season)

Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in OHL

Projected Sabre Debut: 2015-2017

Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.2 (Pick 52)

 

 

(14) Chad Ruhwedel

Defensemen, 23, 5-11 187, American

 

Player Type: Defensive Defensemen (RH)

Potential (Likelihood): 3rd Pairing Defensemen (4/5)

League: AHL

Contract: Entry Level = 1 Year Left, then RFA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2014

Acquired: 2013 Free Agent

 

 

(15) William Carrier

Left Winger, 19, 6-2 196, Canadian

 

Player Type: Playmaker/Two-Way Forward (LH)

Potential (Likelihood): Top Six Forward (2/5)

League: QMJHL - Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (AHL Eligible = 2014 - 2015 season)

Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+

Acquired: Trade with Blues (Drafted 2013 - Rd.2)

 

 

(16) Linus Ullmark

Goalie, 20, 6-3 198, Swedish

 

Potential (Likelihood): Starting NHL Goalie (2/5)

League: SHL - MODO

Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned for 1 more year

Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+

Acquired: Draft 2012 Rd.6 (Pick 163)

 

 

(17) Gustav Possler

Winger, 19, 6-1 181, Swedish

 

Player Type: Scorer (LH)

Potential (Likelihood): Top Six Forward (2/5)

League: SHL - MODO

Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned for 2 more years

Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+

Acquired: Draft 2013 Rd.5 (Pick 130)

 

 

(18) Nicolas Deslauriers

Left Winger, 23, 6-0 200, Canadian

 

Player Type: Two-Way Forward (LH)

Potential (Likelihood): Top Six Forward (2/5)

League: AHL

Contract: Entry Level = 1 Year Left, then RFA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+

Acquired: Trade with Kings (Drafted 2009 - Rd.3)

 

 

(19) Justin Kea

Center, 20, 6-4 211, Canadian

 

Player Type: Grinder/Two Way Forward (LH)

Potential (Likelihood): 3rd Liner (3/5)

League: AHL

Contract: Entry Level = 4 Years Left, then RFA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+

Acquired: Drafted 2012 Rd.3 (Pick 73)

 

 

(20) Logan Nelson

Center, 20, 6-1 178, American

 

Player Type: Two-Way Forward (RH)

Potential (Likelihood): 2nd/3rd Liner (2/5)

League: WHL - Victoria Royals (AHL Eligible = 2014 - 2015 season)

Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in WHL

Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+

Acquired: Draft 2012 Rd.5 (Pick 133)

 

 

(21) Daniel Catenacci

Winger, 21, 5-10 180, Canadian

 

Player Type: Scorer/Playmaker (LH)

Potential (Likelihood): 2nd/3rd Liner (2/5)

League: AHL

Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2015 - 2016

Acquired: Drafted 2011 Rd.3 (Pick 77)

 

 

(22) Cal Petersen

Goalie, 19, 6-1 174, American

 

Potential (Likelihood): Starting NHL Goalie (1/5)

League: NCAA - Univ. of Notre Dame

Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2017+

Acquired: Draft 2013 Rd.5 (Pick 129)

 

 

(23) Andrey Makarov

Goalie, 20, 6-1 193, Russian

 

Potential (Likelihood): Starting NHL Goalie (1/5)

League: AHL

Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+

Acquired: 2012 Free Agent

 

 

(24) Nathan Lieuwen

Goaltender, 22, 6-5 181, Canadian

 

Potential (Likelihood): Backup NHL Goalie (1/5)

League: AHL

Contract: 2 year remaining, then RFA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2015+

Acquired: Drafted 2009 Rd.6 (pick 167)

 

 

(25) Matt Hackett

Goaltender, 24, 6-2 173, Canadian

 

Potential (Likelihood): Backup NHL Goalie (2/5)

League: NHL

Contract: 1 year remaining, then RFA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2014 - 2015

Acquired: Trade with Wild (Drafted 2009 - Rd.3)

 

 

(26) Brady Austin

Defensemen, 20, 6-4 230, Canadian

 

Player Type: Defensive Defensemen (LH)

Potential (Likelihood): 3rd Pairing Defensemen (1/5)

League: OHL - Belleville Bulls (AHL Eligible)

Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned for 1 more year

Projected Sabre Debut: 2017+

Acquired: Drafted 2012 Rd.7 (Pick 193)

 

 

(27) Anthony Florentino

Defenseman, 19, 6-1 210, American

 

Player Type: Physical Two-Way Defensemen (RH)

Potential (Likelihood): 3rd Pairing Defensemen (1/5)

League: NCAA - Providence College

Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+

Acquired: Draft 2013 Rd.5 (Pick 143)

 

 

(28) Phil Varone

Center, 23, 5-10 186, Canadian

 

Player Type: Playmaker (LH)

Potential (Likelihood): Bottom Six Forward (1/5)

League: AHL

Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2015+

Acquired: 2011 Free Agent

 

 

(29) Sean Malone

Center, 18, 5-11 180, American

 

Player Type: Two-Way Forward (LH)

Potential (Likelihood): Bottom Six Forward (1/5)

League: NCAA - Harvard

Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2017+

Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.6 (Pick 159)

 

 

(30) Eric Locke

Center, 20, 5-9 180, Canadian

 

Player Type: Scorer/Playmaker (LH)

Potential (Likelihood): Bottom Six Forward (1/5)

League: OHL - Saginaw Spirit (AHL Eligible)

Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in OHL

Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+

Acquired: Drafted 2013 Rd.7 (Pick 189)

 

 

(31) Tim Schaller

Center, 23, 6-2 209, American

 

Player Type: Grinder (LH)

Potential (Likelihood): Bottom Six Forward (1/5)

League: AHL

Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+

Acquired: 2013 Free Agent

 

 

(32) Luke Adam

Center, 23, 6-2 206, Canadian

 

Player Type: Playmaker (LH)

Potential (Likelihood): Bottom Six Forward (1/5)

League: AHL

Contract: 1 year remaining, then RFA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2014+

Acquired: Drafted 2008 Rd.2 (Pick 44)

 

(33) Christian Isackson

Right Winger, 22, 6-0 183, American

 

Player Type: Playmaker (RH)

Potential (Likelihood): Bottom Six Forward (1/5)

League: NCAA - Minnesota

Contract: Unsigned = Rights owned while in NCAA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2016+

Acquired: Drafted 2010 Rd.7 (Pick 203)

 

 

(34) Nick Crawford

Defensemen, 24, 6-1 192, Canadian

 

Player Type: Defensive Defensemen (LH)

Potential (Likelihood): 3rd Pairing Defensemen (1/5)

League: AHL

Contract: 1 year remaining, then RFA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2015 - 2017

Acquired: Drafted 2008 Rd.6 (Pick 164)

 

 

(35) Jerome Gauthier-Leduc

Defensemen, 21, 6-2 196, Canadian

 

Player Type: Offensive Defensemen (RH)

Potential (Likelihood): 3rd Pairing Defensemen (1/5)

League: ECHL - Gwinnett Gladiators

Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2015+

Acquired: Drafted 2010 Rd.3 (Pick 68)

 

 

(36) Kevin Sundher

Center, 22, 5-11 180, Canadian

 

Player Type: Playmaker (LH)

Potential (Likelihood): Bottom Six Forward (1/5)

League: AHL

Contract: Entry Level = 2 Years Left, then RFA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2017+

Acquired: Drafted 2010 Rd.3 (Pick 75)

 

 

(37) Colin Jacobs

Right Winger, 21, 6-1 210, American

 

Player Type: Two-Way Forward (RH)

Potential (Likelihood): Bottom Six Forward (1/5)

League: ECHL - Elmira Jackals

Contract: Entry Level = 3 Years Left, then RFA

Projected Sabre Debut: 2017+

Acquired: Drafted 2011 Rd.4 (Pick 107)

 

 

 

 

Prospect Overview

 

Nationalities: 15 Canadians, 13 Americans, 3 Russians, 3 Swedes, 2 Finns, 1 Latvian
Edited by Numark
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Yea I am really excited to see who we add to our prospect pool. Putting this ranking together got me pretty optimistic as we have some good future talent. The sabres prospect's were recently rated 8 out of 30 by http://www.hockeysfuture.com/

 

Also if you notice a lot of our guys at the top of the list have size

Edited by Numark
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Prospect - A player under 25 who has not yet acquired a permanent spot at the NHL level. Once a player has played a full season at the NHL level, and is not expected to have to earn a spot in the following year, then they are no longer a prospect.

 

So why no Adam?

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the last grain of sand is slipping through his hourglass.

 

I — and most on here — agree.

But he fits under the definition, and he's no less of a prospect than Drew Scheistel, Nick Crawford, Corey Tropp and Brian Flynn.

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I edited the definition a bit better because you're right Luke Adam did meet the requirements. But so did any ahl player. The reason I didn't include Adam or BIega is because it looks like the sabres no longer see them having NHL potential.

 

 

But what does everyone else think? Do you think Luke Adam is a prospect in the sense that we think his expected ceiling is at the NHL level? Does he get one more year having "prospect status"?

 

 

 

But he fits under the definition, and he's no less of a prospect than Drew Scheistel, Nick Crawford, Corey Tropp and Brian Flynn

 

I think Tropp or Flynn can become 4th line contributors. And I agree on Scheistel and crawford for the most part, but I'm giving them one more year to prove anything

Edited by Numark
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I think Tropp or Flynn can become 4th line contributors. And I agree on Scheistel and crawford for the most part, but I'm giving them one more year to prove anything

I see Flynn as being a perfect 3rd line guy for us. He can jump up and produce, he is tenacious on the puck and is solid defensively. Most will disagree but eh the kid looks good and can play, so let him.

 

Speaking of sabres Prospects did you guys hear about our newest player? "Anton Larsson" according to NHL.com Darcy mentioned him the other day... ""I'm excited because it adds to a group of young players we currently have: [Anton] Larsson, [Zemgus] Girgensons," http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=674690

 

hashtag #idiots

Edited by LGR4GM
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If you factor in both potential AND likelihood of success, I think you could make the case that Zemgus Girgensons is our no.1 prospect right now. Girgensons made huge strides this season and is a total monster in terms of work ethic. According to a few players/reporters, he was the best player (for either team) in the Amerks' playoff series with Toronto. And according to Matthew Coller, when they asked him about his playoff performance, his response was "So what? We lost." If I had to make a list of prospects I DON'T want to trade, he's my no.1.

 

Grigorenko: Scored a lot in the Q, then did nothing in the NHL, then scored a lot in the Q, then did nothing in the playoffs for the Remparts or Amerks. I was excited about the pick too, but right now he's on track to be the moody weirdo everyone was scared of during last year's draft.

 

Armia: Good numbers in Finland again, but not spectacular. He had two concussions this year but helped his team win a championship. He'll either be a good scorer in the NHL or a guy who gets his head taken off. Or both.

 

My list is something like:

1. Girgensons

2. Grigorenko

3. Armia

4. Pysyk

5. McNabb

6. McCabe

7. Larsson

8. Catenacci

9. Hackett

10. Tropp (could be higher since he should have been a full time NHLer last year but got injured, and I guess he could be lower too since he's getting older and we're still waiting to see how fully he recovers).

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If you factor in both potential AND likelihood of success, I think you could make the case that Zemgus Girgensons is our no.1 prospect right now. Girgensons made huge strides this season and is a total monster in terms of work ethic. According to a few players/reporters, he was the best player (for either team) in the Amerks' playoff series with Toronto. And according to Matthew Coller, when they asked him about his playoff performance, his response was "So what? We lost." If I had to make a list of prospects I DON'T want to trade, he's my no.1.

 

Grigorenko: Scored a lot in the Q, then did nothing in the NHL, then scored a lot in the Q, then did nothing in the playoffs for the Remparts or Amerks. I was excited about the pick too, but right now he's on track to be the moody weirdo everyone was scared of during last year's draft.

 

Armia: Good numbers in Finland again, but not spectacular. He had two concussions this year but helped his team win a championship. He'll either be a good scorer in the NHL or a guy who gets his head taken off. Or both.

 

My list is something like:

1. Girgensons

2. Grigorenko

3. Armia

4. Pysyk

5. McNabb

6. McCabe

7. Larsson

8. Catenacci

9. Hackett

10. Tropp (could be higher since he should have been a full time NHLer last year but got injured, and I guess he could be lower too since he's getting older and we're still waiting to see how fully he recovers).

 

I share your optimism in regards to Zemgus. I am hoping to see him up with the big club this year. So far, seems like an excellent pick and a redeeming factor in the midst of a torrent of Darcy Regier hatred.

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I share your optimism in regards to Zemgus. I am hoping to see him up with the big club this year. So far, seems like an excellent pick and a redeeming factor in the midst of a torrent of Darcy Regier hatred.

I liked Girgensons going into the draft but I wasn't sure about trading up for him. We could have stayed put and taken Henrik Samuelsson a few picks later, and done something useful with the extra 2nd round pick. Obviously I'm feeling more confident about the move now.

 

I hope he plays all of next season as the no.1 center for Rochester. Just give him tons of minutes in all situations. We rushed Grigorenko to the NHL and look pretty stupid for doing so. No need to do that again.

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I think Biega deserves to be on the list.

 

The reason I didn't include him was I think the organization made it clear what they thought of him by repeatedly choosing other prospects to get a chance to play in the NHL over him. I think the signing of ruhwedel was the writing on the wall. Plus he is now 25 years old

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The reason I didn't include him was I think the organization made it clear what they thought of him by repeatedly choosing other prospects to get a chance to play in the NHL over him. I think the signing of ruhwedel was the writing on the wall. Plus he is now 25 years old

I don't disagree with anything you said. He just doesn't seem to be able to catch a break. He plays hard, plays way bigger than his size. He's competent offensively, and sound on D. Just not good enough or bad enough to stand out. I'll root for the guy.

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I don't disagree with anything you said. He just doesn't seem to be able to catch a break. He plays hard, plays way bigger than his size. He's competent offensively, and sound on D. Just not good enough or bad enough to stand out. I'll root for the guy.

 

I don't get it either, I thought we would see him last year and I think he has earned his shot. I don't understand why they don't view him better, but it just seems they don't. I certainly think he is better than a handful of the prospects in our system, but yea

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I liked Girgensons going into the draft but I wasn't sure about trading up for him. We could have stayed put and taken Henrik Samuelsson a few picks later, and done something useful with the extra 2nd round pick. Obviously I'm feeling more confident about the move now.

 

I hope he plays all of next season as the no.1 center for Rochester. Just give him tons of minutes in all situations. We rushed Grigorenko to the NHL and look pretty stupid for doing so. No need to do that again.

I remember you being concerned about the pick in the middle of this year. Hopefully Grigs will do the same.

 

And I totally agree about letting Girgensons stay in Roch. Play him with Armia all year so he can teach him the NA game and take people's heads off if they go after his head.

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Can't wait to see what Isaakson can do this year. He was a late round draft choice out of High School with mad skills and avg. 2 goals per game. Like most college players he mostly sat his first two years, but showed more of his ability last year. If this is a break out year for this young guy, the Sabres may actually have a first line center in two years. One could only hope he is a diamond in the rough.

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Is this a source of concern? Or is this more a product of other factors -- e.g., where our top prospects are from, how old they are, etc.?

As of now, no Sabres prospects will be attending Canada's U20 Summer Camp. Could change after draft.

 

https://twitter.com/SabresProspects/status/350655335037534210

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