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 Friday at 01:24 PM by LGR4GM

[LGR4GM]

 

 

 

 

[LGR4GM]

On 5/23/2025 at 7:12 AM, LGR4GM said:

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. 

Keep seeing Mrtka mocked to Buffalo and I keep disliking it. He's not bad but he's more of the same of what we have. He's a space eating rhd with good gaps and a good stick. His physical play is between idk Byram and Dahlin 2 years ago? So average. His passing and skating are nice. He just looks like a 3/4 defender and you can draft that later in the 1st and into the 2nd regularly. It's about maximizing the talent you get so I'd lean elsewhere before Mrtka. 

I think there's a very real chance Buffalo picks him. I wouldn't hate it, but it would feel safe and cautious while trying to fill a rhd void than truly getting the best talent. 

[Flashsabre]

2 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Keep seeing Mrtka mocked to Buffalo and I keep disliking it. He's not bad but he's more of the same of what we have. He's a space eating rhd with good gaps and a good stick. His physical play is between idk Byram and Dahlin 2 years ago? So average. His passing and skating are nice. He just looks like a 3/4 defender and you can draft that later in the 1st and into the 2nd regularly. It's about maximizing the talent you get so I'd lean elsewhere before Mrtka. 

I think there's a very real chance Buffalo picks him. I wouldn't hate it, but it would feel safe and cautious while trying to fill a rhd void than truly getting the best talent. 

With Strabek, Kleber and Komarov already in the pipeline I wouldn’t like the pick. Give me a Martin, Bear ,McQueen or O’Brien,  something we don’t have in the pipeline.

[CTJoe]

With Adams and Ruff in the last year of their contracts, I'm sure KA is going to try and trade it for an established NHL hockey player, if at all possible.  These type of trades don't happen often but Savoie for McLeod has certainly worked out well for us so far (Not the same type of trade of course, but similar).  Look to teams without a 1st, tight to the cap and/or rebuilding for such a trade.  Don't know personally who that could be?

[LGR4GM]

16 hours ago, Flashsabre said:

With Strabek, Kleber and Komarov already in the pipeline I wouldn’t like the pick. Give me a Martin, Bear ,McQueen or O’Brien,  something we don’t have in the pipeline.

We need to talk about Cootes. 

[LGR4GM]

Braeden Cootes is a poor man's Bear/Martin. High motor and defensive detail, probably better skating but the higher end offensive skills aren't there and Bear and Martin are better. 

[DarthEbriate]

3 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Braeden Cootes is a poor man's Bear/Martin. High motor and defensive detail, probably better skating but the higher end offensive skills aren't there and Bear and Martin are better. 

At 9, I wouldn't, but I think Detroit could take him as early at 13 as a potential future-Larkin. I'd slot him at 16 with Montreal's 2nd pick, depending on if there's a mini-run on D or Ravensbergen the goalie. Top-20 for sure, even if there are a few reaches scattered in.

[LGR4GM]

Bear still sits above Martin for me. I just see more manipulation in Bears offensive game and also his checking game. I think that will bode well for him. Martin does have better hitting and I don't discount that, it's truly a skill. Idk, I still see these guys as really good value at 9 and the attitude we need more of.

[inkman]

1 hour ago, LGR4GM said:

Braeden Cootes is a poor man's Bear/Martin. High motor and defensive detail, probably better skating but the higher end offensive skills aren't there and Bear and Martin are better. 

The inevitable “Cooter” nickname is also a huge plus when evaluating prospects

[LGR4GM]

EP draft guide drops next week. I always recommend it. 

[K-9]

On 5/23/2025 at 9:19 AM, LGR4GM said:

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 

Imo, Benson’s edge work borders on elite. And that skill helps make him the pest that he is on the ice. When he gets his man strength, watch out. 

[SabreFinn]

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2025-nhl-draft-rankings-top-80-steven-ellis-misa-hagens-schaefer-martone-desnoyers