2025 NHL Entry Draft Thread, Sabres Draft 9th

[LGR4GM]

5 minutes ago, Mr. Allen said:

Moving back 2 spots could haunt us.  

Martin is going to get over drafted. 

3 minutes ago, Mr. Allen said:

I think Mrtka makes the most sense of who will be available for us.  If he learns a little offense and a little toughness then I think he’ll be a solid selection. 

I disagree about "most sense". Buffalo has drafted 4 rhd in early rounds the last few years. Strbak (2nd), McCarthy (3rd),  Kleber (2nd), and we'll include Komarov (5th) too. 

Mrtka is the best of that group but in this draft specifically, there's going to be 2-3 rhd with size available at 39 and I don't think Mrtka is so far above them that he warrants 9th oa. Psenicka for example might be there at 39 and I have a sneaky suspicion might be far closer to mrtkas ability but simply lacks strength right now. 

That all said, it's just my opinion on it and as always I encourage others to read up, watch, and make their own conclusions. 

[LGR4GM]

I'd toss Carter Amico, 6'5" 232lbs and Peyton Kettles, 6'5" 195lbs as well in this draft. Amico has knee surgery and missed a chunk of the year so he might be a diamond in the rough. Kettles won't be 18 until September and he's mean in his own zone with a developing offensive game. Both are potential 3rd round guys if they last.

Both are RHD

[LGR4GM]

What I'm saying is this:

If you miss on Mrtka 6'5.75" 218lbs you have the following 

Psenicka: 6'5" 185lb (late switch to CHL, upside)

Amico: 6'5.5" 232lbs (knee surgery in November, upside)

Kettles: 6'5.5" 195lbs (Sept bday, upside)

Edited Monday at 02:33 PM by LGR4GM

[Mr. Allen]

29 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

What I'm saying is this:

If you miss on Mrtka 6'5.75" 218lbs you have the following 

Psenicka: 6'5" 185lb (late switch to CHL, upside)

Amico: 6'5.5" 232lbs (knee surgery in November, upside)

Kettles: 6'5.5" 195lbs (Sept bday, upside)

I’m not sure we’ll “miss” on Mrtka.  I suspect he’ll be there at 9.  I think it will come down to if we want him or someone else. 
But I like the idea of those guys though.  I also looked into that big winger you like for our 2nd round pick.  
I’d love it if we came away with some big boys in this draft. 

[matter2003]

45 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

What I'm saying is this:

If you miss on Mrtka 6'5.75" 218lbs you have the following 

Psenicka: 6'5" 185lb (late switch to CHL, upside)

Amico: 6'5.5" 232lbs (knee surgery in November, upside)

Kettles: 6'5.5" 195lbs (Sept bday, upside)

Those 6'5" dudes under 200 lbs would need to have the frame capable of putting on some serious bulk...otherwise you are going to get a big guy that gets pushed all over the ice because they have a serious lack of muscle, especially lower body.

Edited Monday at 03:16 PM by matter2003

[French Collection]

56 minutes ago, matter2003 said:

Those 6'5" dudes under 200 lbs would need to have the frame capable of putting on some serious bulk...otherwise you are going to get a big guy that gets pushed all over the ice because they have a serious lack of muscle, especially lower body.

I can’t see how an 18 year old can’t beef up in 3-5 years. 6’5 185 is pretty lanky, more suited for basketball.

[DarthEbriate]

On 6/1/2025 at 5:40 AM, LGR4GM said:

On Roger McQueen 

https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/2025/5/14/24424541/2k25-draft-profiles-roger-mcqueen-nhl-brandon-wheat-kings-hockey

"But onto that injury. At first, McQueen’s injury was simply known as “Back Injury”; which was initially was rumored to be a slipped disc, but was clarified later to be Spondylolysis, or a Pars Fracture of the Spine, which can be quite dangerous, but is quite common in both contact and non-contact sports where forced spine extension is a part of the deal (Gymnasts and O-linemen are frequently the victims of this), and while it usually does require a brace, physical therapy, and plenty of rest, it is usually treatable without surgery, and from his direct correspondence with local journalists, it appears he never needed it."

From Fairburn in his Sabres' combine summary article, McQueen and his camp said that the secondary injury last season that took him out of the lineup after he'd returned from the back fracture was a muscle strain related to said fracture. There shouldn't be long-term effects from it, and he completed a full testing at the combine. He could be fine.

His potential is among the highest of the forwards and he probably doesn't make it to 9. I'm not sure it's wise to let him get past 9 (even if Martin were still on the board). He's almost as big as Thompson but is a legit center, not a winger, and although he's not flying out of position to go hit people, he's plenty physical.

[matter2003]

28 minutes ago, French Collection said:

I can’t see how an 18 year old can’t beef up in 3-5 years. 6’5 185 is pretty lanky, more suited for basketball.

It all depends on their frame.  Some frames have the ability to add enough bulk and some don't.

[JoeSchmoe]

46 minutes ago, matter2003 said:

It all depends on their frame.  Some frames have the ability to add enough bulk and some don't.

Chara, while never bulky was the strongest player in the league while he played.

[inkman]

21 minutes ago, JoeSchmoe said:

Chara, while never bulky was the strongest player in the league while he played.

He wasn’t exactly Owen Power either 

[JohnC]

1 hour ago, matter2003 said:

It all depends on their frame.  Some frames have the ability to add enough bulk and some don't.

Simple solution: pasta and more pasta. That'll bulk him up in no time. He's a young fellow but a little red vino won't hurt him. However, if he drank as much as my father did, his face will be red and his sentences somewhat garbled. 😁

[LGR4GM]

 

[LGR4GM]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6413760/2025/06/10/nhl-draft-2025-prospects-rankings-pronman/

My favorite profile in here is Psenicka who Pronman gives below average skating too and then says "He skates very well for a 6-foot-5 defender. His mobility and ability to make stops allowed him to play pro games at the top level in Czechia before coming over to the WHL midseason."

So... he's a below average skater except he's not? 

Oh wait found another below average skater... "Kettles stands out immediately as a 6-foot-5 defenseman who can move at an NHL level. He will be able to close on checks and retrieve pucks at the top level due to his mobility."

Pronman rates skating based solely on speed. 

[K-9]

On 6/9/2025 at 2:53 PM, inkman said:

He wasn’t exactly Owen Power either 

He was a physical freak if there ever was one. To be able to do 30+ pull-ups with arms that long is unheard of. 

[steveoath]

6 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6413760/2025/06/10/nhl-draft-2025-prospects-rankings-pronman/

My favorite profile in here is Psenicka who Pronman gives below average skating too and then says "He skates very well for a 6-foot-5 defender. His mobility and ability to make stops allowed him to play pro games at the top level in Czechia before coming over to the WHL midseason."

So... he's a below average skater except he's not? 

Oh wait found another below average skater... "Kettles stands out immediately as a 6-foot-5 defenseman who can move at an NHL level. He will be able to close on checks and retrieve pucks at the top level due to his mobility."

Pronman rates skating based solely on speed. 

And physicality based on height. 

[Carmel Corn]

I want big defenders in our system as well, BUT I also want them to have a built-in mean streak.  You can’t coach size….but you also can’t coach toughness.  I’d rather have a 6-3 defender who instinctively wants to punish opposing players vs. a 6-5 softee who wants to play with finesse.

[Mr. Allen]

3 minutes ago, Carmel Corn said:

I want big defenders in our system as well, BUT I also want them to have a built-in mean streak.  You can’t coach size….but you also can’t coach toughness.  I’d rather have a 6-3 defender who instinctively wants to punish opposing players vs. a 6-5 softee who wants to play with finesse.

Ehhhh.  You kind of can.  

[LGR4GM]

7 hours ago, steveoath said:

And physicality based on height. 

Yes on Pronman. Psenicka has physicality, I'm curious if it improves as he adds strength. 

"Simply put, Pšenička is a playoff-style defenceman: High-paced, physical, fearless, and intelligent.

With a never-quit attitude and quick feet, Pšenička is always impacting the play. He denies entries with well-timed pokes off the rush, aggressive step-ups, and hits. Along the walls, he wins inside position as soon as possible, intercepts opponents with his shoulder, and immobilizes them. Instantly rotating and switching assignments, he’s rarely behind the play – and he has the reach and quickness to correct mistakes.

No matter the situation, Pšenička never stops battling. He gives himself a chance to impact every play with his motor, and he’s always willing to absorb punishment to make a play." Elie Prospects 

17 minutes ago, Mr. Allen said:

Ehhhh.  You kind of can.  

Owen Power 

Edited 7 hours ago by LGR4GM

[Mr. Allen]

23 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Owen Power 

I’m sure just like with other coachable abilities, it’s all about willingness.  
If you don’t want to learn how to play defense, you’re not gonna.  
If you don’t want to learn to be tougher, you’re not gonna. 

[LGR4GM]

1 hour ago, Mr. Allen said:

I’m sure just like with other coachable abilities, it’s all about willingness.  
If you don’t want to learn how to play defense, you’re not gonna.  
If you don’t want to learn to be tougher, you’re not gonna. 

I prefer players I don't have to teach toughness. Like Zach Benson,  or Carter Bear

[steveoath]

2 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

I prefer players I don't have to teach toughness. Like Zach Benson,  or Carter Bear

Yep. Give me a forechecking monster from this draft. Guy who doesn’t quit.