2025 NHL Entry Draft Thread, Sabres Draft 9th

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If the player they target isn't at least 6'2", missing some teeth, and has a nickname akin to "the Butcher", then package the pick with Power and go find someone like that.

[DarthEbriate]

If the Sabres keep the pick, I'd go in this order:

Misa, Schaefer, Desnoyers, Hagens, Martone (no chance to be there)

Martin, Bear, O'Brien, Eklund (one of them will be available at 9)

Mrtka, Aitcheson, Frondell, Reschny, Cootes (others)

I avoid McQueen (two-time back injury already? that's Huglen again)

Note: O'Brien is my Sabres sleeper on account they've drafted teammate Leenders and may like O'Brien from repeated close viewings.
Note2: For kicks, Draft Mrtka and rush him to the NHL because he's so good in camp and is too young to play in the AHL. Power-Mrtka.

Edited 13 hours ago by DarthEbriate

[LGR4GM]

4 hours ago, DarthEbriate said:

If the Sabres keep the pick, I'd go in this order:

Misa, Schaefer, Desnoyers, Hagens, Martone (no chance to be there)

Martin, Bear, O'Brien, Eklund (one of them will be available at 9)

Mrtka, Aitcheson, Frondell, Reschny, Cootes (others)

I avoid McQueen (two-time back injury already? that's Huglen again)

Note: O'Brien is my Sabres sleeper on account they've drafted teammate Leenders and may like O'Brien from repeated close viewings.
Note2: For kicks, Draft Mrtka and rush him to the NHL because he's so good in camp and is too young to play in the AHL. Power-Mrtka.

I don't love Mrtka. His outlet passing is questionable. His offensive zone game is just ok. Really he's a #3/4 defender with good gap control and some physicality. If he was 3" shorter, he'd be a late teens early 20s pick. 

I hope for 2 things to happen now. McQueen goes in the top 8 and anther defender goes top 8 as well. 

Maybe something like: Schaefer, Misa, Desnoyers, Hagens, Martone, McQueen, Smith, Frondell, then Buffalo. 

Edited 8 hours ago by LGR4GM

[Flashsabre]

7 hours ago, DarthEbriate said:

If the Sabres keep the pick, I'd go in this order:

Misa, Schaefer, Desnoyers, Hagens, Martone (no chance to be there)

Martin, Bear, O'Brien, Eklund (one of them will be available at 9)

Mrtka, Aitcheson, Frondell, Reschny, Cootes (others)

I avoid McQueen (two-time back injury already? that's Huglen again)

Note: O'Brien is my Sabres sleeper on account they've drafted teammate Leenders and may like O'Brien from repeated close viewings.
Note2: For kicks, Draft Mrtka and rush him to the NHL because he's so good in camp and is too young to play in the AHL. Power-Mrtka.

Jay McKee coaches O’Brien as well. I’m sure he and Ruff would touch base.

[LGR4GM]

We can reasonably assume these players will be gone: Schaefer, Misa, Hagens, Desnoyers, Martone, Frondell.

There's ways to get Martin to 9 but him going 7 or 8 makes sense if the upwards trend of the last month continues. If he's gone you can take McQueen or Bear. Those are likely the best options. 

[Flashsabre]

53 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

We can reasonably assume these players will be gone: Schaefer, Misa, Hagens, Desnoyers, Martone, Frondell.

There's ways to get Martin to 9 but him going 7 or 8 makes sense if the upwards trend of the last month continues. If he's gone you can take McQueen or Bear. Those are likely the best options. 

I think I’d take O’Brien over McQueen. His injury is such a red flag. The combine will be huge for him. Bear’s injury is concerning as well but he will bounce back after a year or so.

[LGR4GM]

Just now, Flashsabre said:

I think I’d take O’Brien over McQueen. His injury is such a red flag. The combine will be huge for him. Bear’s injury is concerning as well but he will bounce back after a year or so.

My issue is O'Brien isn't very physical and we need that.

[Flashsabre]

Just now, LGR4GM said:

My issue is O'Brien isn't very physical and we need that.

Yeah but his skill set is something Buffalo needs just as bad. If McQueen is healthy then sure take him but after Lidstrom last year there will be a ton of scrutiny on him.

I think Martin doesn’t get past Boston at 7. Sweeney was at the Under 18s and Button said he was very impressed with Martin. He screams Bruin.

[LGR4GM]

11 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

Yeah but his skill set is something Buffalo needs just as bad. If McQueen is healthy then sure take him but after Lidstrom last year there will be a ton of scrutiny on him.

I think Martin doesn’t get past Boston at 7. Sweeney was at the Under 18s and Button said he was very impressed with Martin. He screams Bruin.

O'Brien has a ton of playmaking. 

[Flashsabre]

1 minute ago, LGR4GM said:

O'Brien has a ton of playmaking. 

Yeah a big playmaking centre with hockey sense is a desperate need in my mind. The “Anti Cozens”

The Sabres have this fascination with shoot first centres “Thompson, Cozens, Kulich, Norris”

I have hope for Östlund as a playmaker but another would be nice. Helenuis is kind of a mix to me of shooter-distributor.

Team has a ton of shooters up front but are in need of a true playmaker in the top 6.

[The Jokeman]

Bear was looking like a fit. His injury isn't horrible since we weren't likely going to see him in the NHL in 2-3 seasons. I'd probably still take him unless a top 5 guy falls.

[LGR4GM]

2 minutes ago, Flashsabre said:

Yeah a big playmaking centre with hockey sense is a desperate need in my mind. The “Anti Cozens”

The Sabres have this fascination with shoot first centres “Thompson, Cozens, Kulich, Norris”

I have hope for Östlund as a playmaker but another would be nice. Helenuis is kind of a mix to me of shooter-distributor.

Team has a ton of shooters up front but are in need of a true playmaker in the top 6.

He won't be an nhl player for 3 years. 

[LGR4GM]

Mock it out, lottery edition

1. NY Isles: Matthew Schaefer
2. San Jose: Michael Misa
3. Chicago: Porter Martone
4. Utah: James Hagens
5. Nashville: Caleb Desnoyers
6. Philly: Brady Martin
7. Boston: Roger McQueen
8. Seattle: Anton Frondell
9. Buffalo: Carter Bear
10. Anaheim: Victor Eklund