2014 NHL Draft Poll: Favorite/Least favorite and grade

[Hoss]

So, who was your favorite and what's your grade?

 

I said Reinhart is my favorite pick. Pretty easy answer there because I've wanted him all along. Picked Willman as my least favorite just because Daniel Audette was still there and liked the idea of the legacy pick there haha. Gave them an A, because, frankly, Reinhart and Lemieux were the guys I wanted going into each day and they got them. Cornel is a very good pick. Some solid long-term projects with potential.

[deluca67]

Too soon. Come back in 3-4 years and let's see where these players are.

[Hoss]

Too soon. Come back in 3-4 years and let's see where these players are.

 

Not the point of the poll. This is a first reaction poll... I don't agree with giving out definitive grades saying "this team had a horrible/great day," but an initial personal opinion is just fine.

[deluca67]

Not the point of the poll. This is a first reaction poll... I don't agree with giving out definitive grades saying "this team had a horrible/great day," but an initial personal opinion is just fine.

I voted 'C' as in we'll have to see down the road. I did find it interesting that the first two picks are 2nd generation NHLers. I wonder if this will be a pattern under Tim Murray. I was hoping for Bennett at #2, his speed and style of play seems to be the direction the NHL going.

[dudacek]

B on Reinhart alone.

 

I think Lemieux was an OK pick, but he ranks as my least favourite because I wanted to trade up for Barbashev.

He fell into our laps and we still passed.

 

I'm not big on Cornel and know nothing about Karabacek, so I am a little disappointed with how the second went.

The deep guys are out of my league.

[Iron Crotch]

Too soon. Come back in 3-4 years and let's see where these players are.

 

Gotta agree with this. In any sport I think it is fantastically stupid to grade a draft right after it happens. We'll know the true draft grades in 4 or 5 years. Every fan of every team is hopeful until then.

[Taro T]

Gotta agree with this. In any sport I think it is fantastically stupid to grade a draft right after it happens. We'll know the true draft grades in 4 or 5 years. Every fan of every team is hopeful until then.

Even moreso when they're drafting 18 year olds.

 

Haven't followed baseball closely in a long time; is that draft rated 2 minutes after completion as well?

[SABRES 0311]

I agree. Good poll three years from now.

[Hoss]

So we should have no reaction to the event we've been waiting all year for? Can't be happy or upset with the guys some have studied exstensivelu? Completely disagree.

 

I don't agree with making extreme statements like "wow, we just got a group of hall of famers" or "I doubt any of these guys ever play in the NHL" but saying "I'm satisfied with what we did based on what I knew coming in. I like some of these guys, and a few I don't like or know."

[Taro T]

So we should have no reaction to the event we've been waiting all year for? Can't be happy or upset with the guys some have studied exstensivelu? Completely disagree.

 

I don't agree with making extreme statements like "wow, we just got a group of hall of famers" or "I doubt any of these guys ever play in the NHL" but saying "I'm satisfied with what we did based on what I knew coming in. I like some of these guys, and a few I don't like or know."

How do you get from 'it's silly to grade a draft right after it was held' to 'we should have no reaction at all?' :huh:

[TrueBlueGED]

IMO grading a draft is just another way to say how satisfied you were with what they did. I never really see or hear anybody bitching saying "so and so said they liked what the GM did, how dare they!"...when putting a numerical grade is really just the same thing to me. Anyway, I wanted Reinhart and we got Reinhart, we aimed for top-6 ceilings with the rest of our picks...so I'm happy.

[Hoss]

IMO grading a draft is just another way to say how satisfied you were with what they did. I never really see or hear anybody bitching saying "so and so said they liked what the GM did, how dare they!"...when putting a numerical grade is really just the same thing to me. Anyway, I wanted Reinhart and we got Reinhart, we aimed for top-6 ceilings with the rest of our picks...so I'm happy.

 

Precisely.

 

This is a "how do you feel about what happened" poll. Nothing definitive.

[TrueBlueGED]

IMO grading a draft is just another way to say how satisfied you were with what they did. I never really see or hear anybody bitching saying "so and so said they liked what the GM did, how dare they!"...when putting a numerical grade is really just the same thing to me. Anyway, I wanted Reinhart and we got Reinhart, we aimed for top-6 ceilings with the rest of our picks...so I'm happy.

 

I said "numerical grade" when referring to a letter grade. I think that's my cue to get away from the computer and head to my BBQ :bag:

[Neo]

In the OPs defense, not that he needs it, I understand the question when asked today. The fact that it's a different question over time is true, but not relevant to me today. Let's ask again then, as well.

 

Obviously, the Reinhart pick is the most meaningful. I like it very much. But, in the spirit of initial impressions, I voted Lemieux. I expected less "thrill" at 31, and got more. The video of Brendan, and the separate video of Claude, are awesome.

 

Reinhart, expectation met.

 

Lemieux, expectation exceeded.

 

 

[PASabreFan]

When was the last time anyone hated a Sabres draft?

 

2009

 

Kassian

 

McNabb

 

Foligno

 

Everyone was all atwitter about the toughness and size Darcy was finally adding.

[...]

I think the "least favorite" should have a N/A option. After Reinhart and Lemieux they're all equal.

[Hoss]

http://usat.ly/1lCfztT

 

3. Buffalo Sabres: The Sabres drafted center Sam Reinhart No. 2 and he could end up playing among the team's top six forwards next season.

 

Plus, second-round picks Brendan Lemieux, son of Claude Lemieux, and Eric Cornel were rated as first-round picks on some lists. It's like they landed three first-round picks.

Lemieux had added value because he is a disruptive presence on the ice, just as his father was. He will be excruciatingly painful to play against.

The Sabres are putting together a strong collection of young talented players. They are going to be struggling Sabres for another season and a half and then they are going to be like the Chicago Blackhawks.

[SabresBillsFan]

In all honesty I love the Reinhart pick and what I seen of Lemiuex is he is going to be a player it's just about how high his ceiling will be. He could be just another Kaleta. Don't know much about all the others we selected just hoping our scouting staff knows those players better than the other 29 teams. To me Tampa and Anaheim are putting together a lot of talent.

[kas23]

I agree. Good poll three years from now.

 

Got that, Tank? Put that on your calendar or something. In fact, I'm holding you to it.

[Hoss]

 

 

Got that, Tank? Put that on your calendar or something. In fact, I'm holding you to it.

 

Ill probably be dead by then. Way too many tacos consumed and to be consumed for my body to hold up.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

The biggest thing I took out of this draft is that we put a value on what a 2nd round pick is worth.....Jack Caca.....

 

If Murray was trying to unload all 3 2nd round picks to 7 teams and they passed....even if those teams were all picking before 15, the 31, 39 and 49 isn't worth a mid 1st rounder.

 

A) I can't believe he admitted it. The marketing staff has been blowing smoke for over a year about how awesome it is that the Sabres have all these picks. They are pretty much irrelevant, like many here have said. Crapshoot city.

 

B) For all the talk of wheeling and dealing at the deadline and now the draft, I'm a bit underwhelmed. Still trust and like Murray, but if he is going to be so honest about stuff...to compare Tyler Myers to WTC 7....."Pull It!!!"

[TrueBlueGED]

The biggest thing I took out of this draft is that we put a value on what a 2nd round pick is worth.....Jack Caca.....

 

If Murray was trying to unload all 3 2nd round picks to 7 teams and they passed....even if those teams were all picking before 15, the 31, 39 and 49 isn't worth a mid 1st rounder.

 

A) I can't believe he admitted it. The marketing staff has been blowing smoke for over a year about how awesome it is that the Sabres have all these picks. They are pretty much irrelevant, like many here have said. Crapshoot city.

 

B) For all the talk of wheeling and dealing at the deadline and now the draft, I'm a bit underwhelmed. Still trust and like Murray, but if he is going to be so honest about stuff...to compare Tyler Myers to WTC 7....."Pull It!!!"

 

I'd be careful in generalizing too much about the value of 2nd round picks. We've seen them be used to move up before in recent years (Girgensons). Couple that with Murray being willing to part with all 3, and I think a better explanation is that this year's seconds were less valuable because the draft was less deep than in other years, so the talent drop-off was too significant to make the move back.

[26CornerBlitz]

Grading each NHL team's 2014 draft

The NHL draft is first and foremost about distributing the league's future talent among its franchises, but it's also an opportunity for each team to assess its overall needs and set the course of the organization for the coming weeks and months. With that in mind, we set to grade each team's efforts at the hockey-palooza that is the draft weekend. Each team received a grade for the talent they managed to acquire and another grade for how well the team's fortunes fared in the same 48 hours.

 

Corey Pronman provided the talent grades and emptied his notebook (including re-printing each first-rounder's scouting report from Friday's live blog) to give you a comprehensive glimpse at each team's future, while Frank Provenzano graded each front office's weekend.

 

Buffalo Sabres | GRADE: A

 

Top Pick: Sam Reinhart is the best pure passer in the draft class. His ability to dictate tempo elevates his game to a distinct level. Reinhart can make all kinds of plays with the puck, and his elite hockey sense stands out regularly. He has average size but will work hard in battles for the puck. Some of the skills that distinguish Reinhart are his smart play in the defensive zone and his ability to shut down opposing top players, and he is an asset on the penalty kill.

 

Day 2 picks: Lemieux is a very strong winger who is physical and intense every shift. He is an above-average skater, though I've gotten mixed reviews from scouts on that area of his game. He isn't an overly skilled player, but he's decent offensively, with good instincts. Lemieux needs to work on reigning in his emotions and not taking bad penalties, which he does often. ... Cornel is a skilled puck-possession forward with top-six upside at the NHL level. As with many skilled prospects, he can try to do too much on the ice, turning the puck over. He works hard, but his off-puck reads and value are underwhelming. Cornel needs to bulk up, and isn't the best in the physical game. ... Karabacek controls the puck with some flashy skills, and good overall instincts and decision making. His shot has developed well, as he gets the puck off his stick quickly and with accuracy. His size (5-foot-11, 185 pounds) is a limitation, but not to the same degree as some of the other skilled forwards on this list. ... Johansson is the kind of goalie who doesn't move very much in the net, but takes away shooting space with his angles. He can be effective taking away second chances. Scouts are split on his athletic skills, with some saying he's good in that area and others saying he doesn't wow them as much when he has to move a lot. His reads and reactions are solid to above average. ... Martin's first-pass and transition game get praise from NHL sources. Martin is a clear above-average skater with solid to above-average puck skills. He's a physical player who leans on his checks and battles well. Martin can be fine in his own end, and while he'll still make the odd mistake typical of players his age, he understands the game defensively. He doesn't really stand out in any area. ... Max Willman is a bit of a late bloomer, but he's certainly toolsy. Willman can skate, and has above-average puck possession tools. The Brown commit is a bit of a project, but he's an intriguing upside pick. ... Chris Brown has intrigued some scouts with his above-average skating and puck skills. He plays in Michigan high school though, which is a pretty low level of play though and has made it tough to evaluate him.

 

Summary: With Reinhart the Sabres' depth down the middle in young players is elite currently. They added a bunch of talent after Reinhart, adding several top forward prospects and a former top prospect in Brycen Martin who has been up and down in the WHL. There were no pluggers, and even though Lemieux is a physical player, he has offense to his game too. They have an elite farm system, and after today, you need a really convincing argument to say they don't have the best pipeline in the NHL.--Pronman

 

Organizational assessment: The Sabres used this draft to continue their trawl of the hockey talent ocean, adding the highly-talented center Sam Reinhart in the first round to go along with five other picks in the subsequent two rounds. With probably the best prospect pipeline in the NHL and oodles of cap space, the Sabres are poised to rapidly scale the NHL standings ladder in the near future. Grade: A+--Provenzano

[Huckleberry]

was dissapointed on them passing on barbashev, but lemieux seemed to be the guy he wanted to trade up for.

 

Both players are something we didn't have in our system yet. So yeah can't be unhappy with the lemieux pick.

 

As for the later round picks, he didn't actually go for size but went for skill, alot of the guys still need to bulk up, its why i see reinhart do another year in the whl before making the jump.

Martin seems to be a bit of a gamble, but one he was willing to take, a kid that is a work in progress, but can make it. Was #2 pick of his draft year in the WHL.

Edited June 29, 2014 by Heimdall

[Weave]

I love that you dig this stuff up. I hate that it gets posted in 3 different threads.