2025 NHL Entry Draft Thread, Sabres Draft 9th

[LGR4GM]

2 hours ago, DarthEbriate said:

I don't want him as the pick, but at least Eklund does have a high motor. The fear I have as a Sabres fan is that a high motor is sufficient to get you onto the NHL roster in your draft year.

There's literally no room. None. Where would Eklund even play? Who's spot is he going to take? He's also signed for another year in the SHL.

Edited Wednesday at 05:14 AM by LGR4GM

[LGR4GM]

3 hours ago, dudacek said:

Not disagreeing with your conclusion, but Mtrka has more range than any of these guys.

The size/skating combo he offers is not something that's typically available in the 2nd road.

Adam Kleber is 6'6" 

I suppose we could debate if he skates better. 

3 hours ago, French Collection said:

Yeah, I don’t think he takes Eklund but he might, as much as that kid is what I see as more of the same.

I am ready to shake it up from BPA to BFA ( biggest friggin’ attitude).

Eklund has an attitude. Biggest attitude is going to be Martin followed by Bear. 

[SabreFinn]

2 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Adam Kleber is 6'6" 

I suppose we could debate if he skates better. 

Eklund has an attitude. Biggest attitude is going to be Martin followed by Bear. 

I think Bear will be available as 9th, Martin probably not. Sabres drafting Bear though, is something I have a hard time believing in. I think they have drafted well the last two years, but I can't figure out if they have any visions when drafting, or do they just pick most skilled player available? 

[LGR4GM]

 

 

[LGR4GM]

Never let Corey Pronman draft for you. 

"Victor Eklund is the BPA here, but in the background is the plethora of smaller, skilled forwards Buffalo has drafted over the past five years. It would be hard to justify Eklund into the mix the Sabres have already picked, even if he's a great and highly competitive player. We opt for Aitcheson here. He's our second ranked-defenseman in this class. He brings a combination of tenacity, skill and athleticism to the blue line and will help us at both ends of the ice on top of making our team harder to play against. — Pronman"

Aitcheson, who I like, is a LHD. So we can't draft Eklund cuz small winger but we can draft yet another lhd top 10 to add to Dahlin, Byram, Power. My issue isn't the pick, it's the complete lack of internal logic from Pronman. If we can't draft Eklund cuz small wingers (Benson is the only small winger, Östlund, Helenius, Kulich, are centers) than how does it make sense to take a lhd? Btw, Brady Martin is available. 

[LGR4GM]

3 hours ago, SabreFinn said:

I think Bear will be available as 9th, Martin probably not. Sabres drafting Bear though, is something I have a hard time believing in. I think they have drafted well the last two years, but I can't figure out if they have any visions when drafting, or do they just pick most skilled player available? 

They seemed to shift after 2022. Zach Benson, followed by Wahlberg and Strbak. Then Helenius followed by Kleber and Ziemer. They prioritized rhd in the 2nd round and either added size or grit with the forward picks. 

I think they're very aware of the profile they think they have. However, analytics is about market inefficiency and taking Benson and even Helenius is exactly that. Teams letting talented and tenacious players slide because of height. 

[DarthEbriate]

8 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

There's literally no room. None. Where would Eklund even play? Who's spot is he going to take? He's also signed for another year in the SHL.

The bold is the saving grace.

But don't tempt GMKA by saying there's no room. There's always room for 1st-round draft picks. There wasn't room for Benson in July (post-draft), but by season's start: Quinn was on IR, Savoie was injured and soon to head to AHL for conditioning before returning to juniors, Olofsson slotted into Quinn's spot in the lineup for opening night, and Jost sat in the press box.

Cynic me says: Eklund would when Greenway and Norris are hurt in preseason, leading Kulich and Eklund into the lineup. Lafferty watches. Bonus: either JJP or Quinn signs an offer sheet and becomes 2026 draft picks rather than pay someone who doesn't want to be here.

[LGR4GM]

21 minutes ago, DarthEbriate said:

The bold is the saving grace.

But don't tempt GMKA by saying there's no room. There's always room for 1st-round draft picks. There wasn't room for Benson in July (post-draft), but by season's start: Quinn was on IR, Savoie was injured and soon to head to AHL for conditioning before returning to juniors, Olofsson slotted into Quinn's spot in the lineup for opening night, and Jost sat in the press box.

Cynic me says: Eklund would when Greenway and Norris are hurt in preseason, leading Kulich and Eklund into the lineup. Lafferty watches. Bonus: either JJP or Quinn signs an offer sheet and becomes 2026 draft picks rather than pay someone who doesn't want to be here.

Zach Benson should have gone top 5 in a very good draft. He's a compete abnormality. Also, Eklund would be behind many others on the depth chart. 

[DarthEbriate]

2 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Zach Benson should have gone top 5 in a very good draft. He's a compete abnormality. Also, Eklund would be behind many others on the depth chart. 

But top-5 picks go back to juniors most of the time (excepting 1st overalls).

And we know in the Sabres' situation that year, the obvious play was a veteran winger to come in and guide top-6 JJP/Cozens through New Year's (I always note Tarasenko because that'd be a solid career for Quinn to become and he was available). Then, ease Quinn back into the lineup. Trade VO with retention for more defense/tenacity in the bottom 6. All this with $10M in cap space and 2 points from being a playoff team the year prior. And don't go into the season with 3 goalies, but whatever. Adams gonna Adams with goalies.

[LGR4GM]

1 hour ago, DarthEbriate said:

But top-5 picks go back to juniors most of the time (excepting 1st overalls).

And we know in the Sabres' situation that year, the obvious play was a veteran winger to come in and guide top-6 JJP/Cozens through New Year's (I always note Tarasenko because that'd be a solid career for Quinn to become and he was available). Then, ease Quinn back into the lineup. Trade VO with retention for more defense/tenacity in the bottom 6. All this with $10M in cap space and 2 points from being a playoff team the year prior. And don't go into the season with 3 goalies, but whatever. Adams gonna Adams with goalies.

Yea but the point is there's more depth now than when Benson joined. Eklund would need to beat out, Tage, Tuch, Peterka, Benson, and Zucker and probably Greenway and Quinn, and either Rosen or Östlund or even Kulich who could be considered a wing. Benson just had to beat Savoie.

[DarthEbriate]

51 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Yea but the point is there's more depth now than when Benson joined. Eklund would need to beat out, Tage, Tuch, Peterka, Benson, and Zucker and probably Greenway and Quinn, and either Rosen or Östlund or even Kulich who could be considered a wing. Benson just had to beat Savoie.

Eklund doesn't need to beat out TNT/Tuch/JJP/Benson/Zucker/Greenway to make the roster. Just Lafferty, Rosén, or Östlund, or (Quinn unless if he's moved). Kulich I'm already assuming is a lock. Edit: And Helenius.

Benson beat Jost, Savoie (injured in preseason), Rousek (Amerks leading scorer the previous year), Kulich, and Rosén. You could also argue Biro or Murray if you're generous to their then-contracts. And also Olofsson, who was the first guy dropped out of the lineup while Benson stayed in it.

Edited Wednesday at 07:17 PM by DarthEbriate

[ponokasabre]

7 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Never let Corey Pronman draft for you. 

"Victor Eklund is the BPA here, but in the background is the plethora of smaller, skilled forwards Buffalo has drafted over the past five years. It would be hard to justify Eklund into the mix the Sabres have already picked, even if he's a great and highly competitive player. We opt for Aitcheson here. He's our second ranked-defenseman in this class. He brings a combination of tenacity, skill and athleticism to the blue line and will help us at both ends of the ice on top of making our team harder to play against. — Pronman"

Aitcheson, who I like, is a LHD. So we can't draft Eklund cuz small winger but we can draft yet another lhd top 10 to add to Dahlin, Byram, Power. My issue isn't the pick, it's the complete lack of internal logic from Pronman. If we can't draft Eklund cuz small wingers (Benson is the only small winger, Östlund, Helenius, Kulich, are centers) than how does it make sense to take a lhd? Btw, Brady Martin is available. 

I think its more about that Aitcheson is just something we don't have in the hard to play against role

Its also extremely possible that after the summer we wont have Byram or Samuelsson here, so suddenly left side of the D looks weak

I am more on the Martin or Bear train of we keep 9

[LGR4GM]

9 hours ago, ponokasabre said:

I think its more about that Aitcheson is just something we don't have in the hard to play against role

Its also extremely possible that after the summer we wont have Byram or Samuelsson here, so suddenly left side of the D looks weak

I am more on the Martin or Bear train of we keep 9

I like Aitcheson, don't get me wrong and agree with you he's something we've not done well getting. If I have to pick between him and Mrtka, I probably lean Aitcheson. We've needed more jam for years. 

[LGR4GM]

 

 

[LGR4GM]

I should rank the top 16 by grit level. How would I rank them based solely on how gritty they play. Give me a bit...

[ponokasabre]

1 hour ago, LGR4GM said:

I should rank the top 16 by grit level. How would I rank them based solely on how gritty they play. Give me a bit...

I am excited to read this!

[LGR4GM]

9 minutes ago, ponokasabre said:

I am excited to read this!

Might be tomorrow

[LGR4GM]

The grit rankings. This will not include the entire draft because I simply do not have time. It will be pulling the consolidated top 32 and ranking the top 10ish players based on their grit. 

1. Brady Martin 6' 174lb C, you kicked his puppy and you insulted his mom. Martin hates you, your soul, and everyone else on your team. He's the closest thing to a Tkachuk that's come along in a bit even if he is smaller than they are. His hitting ability is 2nd to none and he gets after everyone. Physically, this guy is the grittiest player you can add. 

2. Kashawn Aitcheson 6'1" 198lb LHD, he's older one sir but it checks everything. No seriously, he is a very engaged defensive player who will check you and you will like it. He's a board battler with the ability to swallow up opposing forwards. His athleticism will serve him well and his aggressive nature is 2nd to Martin.

3. Carter Bear 6' 176lb C/LW, he's a bear. If you have the puck, he wants it back, if you don't he still wants it back but after he scores. His checking game is exemplary and while he does throw hits, he is more about leverage and positioning and battling. He wins those battles and his gets A+ for his checking ability. Only Martin is a more physical forward overall. 

4. Jack Murtagh 6'1" 198lbs C/LW, he's like if Bear and Martin had a baby but the kid didn't quite live up to the parents. He's got less overall skills but the same driving motor with the checking details. He will hit things, he will check anyone, and his got a little razz to his game. He's the type of middle 6 guys playoff teams love. 

5. Jack Nesbitt 6'4" 183lb C, the other Jack is much in the same vein as Murtagh. A bit bigger but honestly with less overall skill, he's a physical dude who checks well and throws some nice hits here and there. I almost put him as Jack #1 but I think Murtagh is able to do just a bit more than Nesbitt which means Nesbitt's physicality while excellent, is not as effective overall. 

6. Blake Fiddler 6'4" 209lbs RHD, personally I would not go into the corner with him. He has some mean to his game and wins battles down low with authority sometimes. A bit raw overall but that size and aggression combo is gonna keep him in NHL lineups if he develops more. 

7. Roger McQueen 6'5" 192lbs C, yes he didnt play a ton but when he did he used his big frame to do mostly whatever he wanted. It is really hard to stop a guy as skilled as McQueen when he doesn't want to be stopped. He tosses hits, wins battles, and works that big frame well. Let's ignore his health concerns. 

8. Victor Eklund 5'11" 161lb LW, this dude at 6'3" would have been a nightmare. He's got one of the best motors and is a little ***** stirrer when it comes to his puck battles. Yes he is smaller but he's got that grit to his game. He gives and takes hits to make plays much like his elder brother. 5'11" 185lb Eklund is going to be a checking nightmare when he's 24. 

9. Caleb Desnoyers 6'2" 172lb C, feel like some of his physicality gets forgotten about while he's doing all the other things so well but Desnoyers has no issue checking and he's really smart with it so he cuts hands, takes bodies and moves out. Efficient is the best word here. 

10. Anton Frondell 6' 196lbs C, he does it against men so he bumps out Martone. Frondell uses his size to establish himself or to disrupt others. He is well attuned to battling for his space and does it well. On a smaller ice surface, I see his play ramping up... now if only I believed in stuff other than his shot.  

11. Porter Martone 6'3" 207lb LW, the man the myth the legend. Martone can be physical and is but unlike a lot of the other names above, I rarely see him use that gift to impose his will on a game. He more often plays physical in moments but then turns it off until he thinks it is needed again. That on/off thing is why he slides, Bear and Martin for example are always trying to engage physically and take the puck. Martone will engage when the opportune moment comes but he doesn't demand that engagement. 

12. Cullen Potter 5'10" 172lb LW, the best skater in the class uses that to get in on players fast and get leverage on them faster. He motors constantly and uses those wheels to be as engaged physically as his frame allows. He wins a ton of battles because he's willing to muck it up and because he can slip away swiftly.

Honorable Mentions, players that are physical but fall outside the 1st round: 

Vaclav Nestrasil 6'5" 190lb RW, omg we need to draft him. I love him. 

William Horcoff 6'4" 181lb LW, hit that, and that, and that, also hitting that there because I can.

Ethan Czata 6'1" 174lb C, checks all the checks he can check. 

Matthew Gard 6'4" 192lb W, he's a lot to handle all over the ice and he's not even a full grown adult yet. 

Peyton Kettles 6'5" 194lb RHD, super young for this class and just ends opposing opportunities, I think there's more physicality for him to give.

[dudacek]

Karmanos addressed the strength and grit factor by talking about how Sam Bennett couldn’t do a pull-up and doesn’t play for the team that drafted him

”If people think it’s going to be easy to detect who is going to be a tough and physical player at the age of 17 at the NHL level, they haven’t been too involved in the NHL draft. We try.”

”Sometimes in the draft, you’re just trying to identify NHL players. The success rates will tell you that’s what you should focus on and not focus on player types, especially when it takes so long to develop them.”

Draft talk starts just after the 25 minute mark.

 

[ponokasabre]

1 hour ago, LGR4GM said:

The grit rankings. This will not include the entire draft because I simply do not have time. It will be pulling the consolidated top 32 and ranking the top 10ish players based on their grit. 

1. Brady Martin 6' 174lb C, you kicked his puppy and you insulted his mom. Martin hates you, your soul, and everyone else on your team. He's the closest thing to a Tkachuk that's come along in a bit even if he is smaller than they are. His hitting ability is 2nd to none and he gets after everyone. Physically, this guy is the grittiest player you can add. 

2. Kashawn Aitcheson 6'1" 198lb LHD, he's older one sir but it checks everything. No seriously, he is a very engaged defensive player who will check you and you will like it. He's a board battler with the ability to swallow up opposing forwards. His athleticism will serve him well and his aggressive nature is 2nd to Martin.

3. Carter Bear 6' 176lb C/LW, he's a bear. If you have the puck, he wants it back, if you don't he still wants it back but after he scores. His checking game is exemplary and while he does throw hits, he is more about leverage and positioning and battling. He wins those battles and his gets A+ for his checking ability. Only Martin is a more physical forward overall. 

4. Jack Murtagh 6'1" 198lbs C/LW, he's like if Bear and Martin had a baby but the kid didn't quite live up to the parents. He's got less overall skills but the same driving motor with the checking details. He will hit things, he will check anyone, and his got a little razz to his game. He's the type of middle 6 guys playoff teams love. 

5. Jack Nesbitt 6'4" 183lb C, the other Jack is much in the same vein as Murtagh. A bit bigger but honestly with less overall skill, he's a physical dude who checks well and throws some nice hits here and there. I almost put him as Jack #1 but I think Murtagh is able to do just a bit more than Nesbitt which means Nesbitt's physicality while excellent, is not as effective overall. 

6. Blake Fiddler 6'4" 209lbs RHD, personally I would not go into the corner with him. He has some mean to his game and wins battles down low with authority sometimes. A bit raw overall but that size and aggression combo is gonna keep him in NHL lineups if he develops more. 

7. Roger McQueen 6'5" 192lbs C, yes he didnt play a ton but when he did he used his big frame to do mostly whatever he wanted. It is really hard to stop a guy as skilled as McQueen when he doesn't want to be stopped. He tosses hits, wins battles, and works that big frame well. Let's ignore his health concerns. 

8. Victor Eklund 5'11" 161lb LW, this dude at 6'3" would have been a nightmare. He's got one of the best motors and is a little ***** stirrer when it comes to his puck battles. Yes he is smaller but he's got that grit to his game. He gives and takes hits to make plays much like his elder brother. 5'11" 185lb Eklund is going to be a checking nightmare when he's 24. 

9. Caleb Desnoyers 6'2" 172lb C, feel like some of his physicality gets forgotten about while he's doing all the other things so well but Desnoyers has no issue checking and he's really smart with it so he cuts hands, takes bodies and moves out. Efficient is the best word here. 

10. Anton Frondell 6' 196lbs C, he does it against men so he bumps out Martone. Frondell uses his size to establish himself or to disrupt others. He is well attuned to battling for his space and does it well. On a smaller ice surface, I see his play ramping up... now if only I believed in stuff other than his shot.  

11. Porter Martone 6'3" 207lb LW, the man the myth the legend. Martone can be physical and is but unlike a lot of the other names above, I rarely see him use that gift to impose his will on a game. He more often plays physical in moments but then turns it off until he thinks it is needed again. That on/off thing is why he slides, Bear and Martin for example are always trying to engage physically and take the puck. Martone will engage when the opportune moment comes but he doesn't demand that engagement. 

12. Cullen Potter 5'10" 172lb LW, the best skater in the class uses that to get in on players fast and get leverage on them faster. He motors constantly and uses those wheels to be as engaged physically as his frame allows. He wins a ton of battles because he's willing to muck it up and because he can slip away swiftly.

Honorable Mentions, players that are physical but fall outside the 1st round: 

Vaclav Nestrasil 6'5" 190lb RW, omg we need to draft him. I love him. 

William Horcoff 6'4" 181lb LW, hit that, and that, and that, also hitting that there because I can.

Ethan Czata 6'1" 174lb C, checks all the checks he can check. 

Matthew Gard 6'4" 192lb W, he's a lot to handle all over the ice and he's not even a full grown adult yet. 

Peyton Kettles 6'5" 194lb RHD, super young for this class and just ends opposing opportunities, I think there's more physicality for him to give.

Love this! If we can add 2 players off this list I would be ecstatic, if we keep 9 we have to get Bear or Martin

[Mr. Allen]

2 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

The grit rankings. This will not include the entire draft because I simply do not have time. It will be pulling the consolidated top 32 and ranking the top 10ish players based on their grit. 

1. Brady Martin 6' 174lb C, you kicked his puppy and you insulted his mom. Martin hates you, your soul, and everyone else on your team. He's the closest thing to a Tkachuk that's come along in a bit even if he is smaller than they are. His hitting ability is 2nd to none and he gets after everyone. Physically, this guy is the grittiest player you can add. 

2. Kashawn Aitcheson 6'1" 198lb LHD, he's older one sir but it checks everything. No seriously, he is a very engaged defensive player who will check you and you will like it. He's a board battler with the ability to swallow up opposing forwards. His athleticism will serve him well and his aggressive nature is 2nd to Martin.

3. Carter Bear 6' 176lb C/LW, he's a bear. If you have the puck, he wants it back, if you don't he still wants it back but after he scores. His checking game is exemplary and while he does throw hits, he is more about leverage and positioning and battling. He wins those battles and his gets A+ for his checking ability. Only Martin is a more physical forward overall. 

4. Jack Murtagh 6'1" 198lbs C/LW, he's like if Bear and Martin had a baby but the kid didn't quite live up to the parents. He's got less overall skills but the same driving motor with the checking details. He will hit things, he will check anyone, and his got a little razz to his game. He's the type of middle 6 guys playoff teams love. 

5. Jack Nesbitt 6'4" 183lb C, the other Jack is much in the same vein as Murtagh. A bit bigger but honestly with less overall skill, he's a physical dude who checks well and throws some nice hits here and there. I almost put him as Jack #1 but I think Murtagh is able to do just a bit more than Nesbitt which means Nesbitt's physicality while excellent, is not as effective overall. 

6. Blake Fiddler 6'4" 209lbs RHD, personally I would not go into the corner with him. He has some mean to his game and wins battles down low with authority sometimes. A bit raw overall but that size and aggression combo is gonna keep him in NHL lineups if he develops more. 

7. Roger McQueen 6'5" 192lbs C, yes he didnt play a ton but when he did he used his big frame to do mostly whatever he wanted. It is really hard to stop a guy as skilled as McQueen when he doesn't want to be stopped. He tosses hits, wins battles, and works that big frame well. Let's ignore his health concerns. 

8. Victor Eklund 5'11" 161lb LW, this dude at 6'3" would have been a nightmare. He's got one of the best motors and is a little ***** stirrer when it comes to his puck battles. Yes he is smaller but he's got that grit to his game. He gives and takes hits to make plays much like his elder brother. 5'11" 185lb Eklund is going to be a checking nightmare when he's 24. 

9. Caleb Desnoyers 6'2" 172lb C, feel like some of his physicality gets forgotten about while he's doing all the other things so well but Desnoyers has no issue checking and he's really smart with it so he cuts hands, takes bodies and moves out. Efficient is the best word here. 

10. Anton Frondell 6' 196lbs C, he does it against men so he bumps out Martone. Frondell uses his size to establish himself or to disrupt others. He is well attuned to battling for his space and does it well. On a smaller ice surface, I see his play ramping up... now if only I believed in stuff other than his shot.  

11. Porter Martone 6'3" 207lb LW, the man the myth the legend. Martone can be physical and is but unlike a lot of the other names above, I rarely see him use that gift to impose his will on a game. He more often plays physical in moments but then turns it off until he thinks it is needed again. That on/off thing is why he slides, Bear and Martin for example are always trying to engage physically and take the puck. Martone will engage when the opportune moment comes but he doesn't demand that engagement. 

12. Cullen Potter 5'10" 172lb LW, the best skater in the class uses that to get in on players fast and get leverage on them faster. He motors constantly and uses those wheels to be as engaged physically as his frame allows. He wins a ton of battles because he's willing to muck it up and because he can slip away swiftly.

Honorable Mentions, players that are physical but fall outside the 1st round: 

Vaclav Nestrasil 6'5" 190lb RW, omg we need to draft him. I love him. 

William Horcoff 6'4" 181lb LW, hit that, and that, and that, also hitting that there because I can.

Ethan Czata 6'1" 174lb C, checks all the checks he can check. 

Matthew Gard 6'4" 192lb W, he's a lot to handle all over the ice and he's not even a full grown adult yet. 

Peyton Kettles 6'5" 194lb RHD, super young for this class and just ends opposing opportunities, I think there's more physicality for him to give.

From what I understand Bear might have better offensive upside than Martin.  But I think I’d rather a 50 point Martin than a 60 point Bear.  
Just give me one of those two.