2025 NHL Entry Draft Thread, Sabres Draft 9th

[Taro T]

11 minutes ago, JoeSchmoe said:

Even though he's unlikely to be available, I'd hope the Sabres pass on Martone if he is. The video confirms what little I saw at the U20's in that he's passive and doesn't use his size enough to be a power forward. We don't need another soft player in the locker room.

One thing is he mentioned is that he still may develop the physicality. I'm curious... Has there been many cases of a big but passive player learning to be aggressive? Dahlin maybe comes to mind, but he wasn't exactly big when he came into the league.

Dahlin was MEAN at the WJCs.  All he needed to be that way in the NHL was some strength.  Which he now has.

[DarthEbriate]

The passivity is what has me off of O'Brien as well. Notably, I read/heard him best described as a reactive playmaker. A good playmaker, but overly patient and waiting for the defender to make the first move and then reacting to it, something that works with the juniors but will take time to unlearn against adults who will gladly take away your time and space. This system needs an influx of aggressors, agitators, and proactive players who force the game on the opponent.

[LGR4GM]

Liger: Hey Siri, give me an example of recency bias...

Siri: Okay, here's an example of recency bias. 

 

 

Every single outlet ik of talks about how Martin needs to improve his skating. He's an average skater who makes up for that with relentless energy. 

"The hallmark of his game is his skating and determination are excellent,” said Button of Martin. 

[LGR4GM]

Carter Bear at 24 is a choice... not a good choice, but a choice none the less. 

[LGR4GM]

The more I see of Mrtka, the less interested I become. At 15 or 16, sure but at 9... he's just not aggressive enough. 

I think you're better off taking the London Knights guy in the 2nd. Henry Brzustewicz. 

[LGR4GM]

My 2nd round target is actually Vaclav Nestrasil at this point. He's a 6'5" winger who at worst ends to as a 4th line guy but he's got a lot of tools and is simply a little raw still. There's 2nd line power forward elements all over his game. He's going to UMass in the fall and I'd say leave him there for 3yrs so he can refine his game. The Czech forward is a physical player with increasing offensive ideas and skills. He's the perfect type of guy to explode and over play his draft position. I'd even trade up in the 2nd to get him. He's a guy who grew his game all year in NA and who is going to take some time but he's fun to watch. 

[LGR4GM]

Read the parts about Wheeler breaking down the skills of a player, especially skating. You might understand why Zach Benson is not a "bad" skater or why he is in fact good. That part is near the bottom of a really long piece that touches on how scouting works. 

"but I prefer a player who can move, change directions and turn feet attacking on tight angles than one who can explode down the boards with a longer stride. In today’s game, I believe changing tempo is now more important than top speed" - Wheeler 

Edited 7 hours ago by LGR4GM