2025 NHL Entry Draft Thread, Sabres Draft 9th

[Archie Lee]

It really does seem like there is a top 8 of Schaefer, Misa, Frondell, Desnoyers, Martone, Hagens, O’Brien, and Martin. As usual, I have not seen much of these guys and most of what I know is just from reading scouting reports and watching some highlight videos. McKenzie’s final rankings really do align with what the building consensus seems to be for the top 8.  O’Brien is perhaps the most likely to be available at 9. 

Re: Roger McQueen at 9; I’m not thrilled that the line between “too risky to take” and  “too talented to pass on” seems to be forming right where we pick. If we do end up with McQueen, I will quickly find reason to focus on all the things I like about him. I generally root hard for Sabre players and prospects. I just would prefer we not use a top 10 on someone who might have chronic health issues. 

The kid who is not considered a top 10 who I’ve become enamoured with, is Cole Reschny. He has a lot of what have come to be considered, a bit unfairly, classic Sabre forward prospect traits (specifically, he isn’t big). But if we somehow end up with Vancouver’s pick at #15, or #18 via Calgary, I would be thrilled to get Reschny. 

[matter2003]

On 6/9/2025 at 2:30 PM, JoeSchmoe said:

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

Quoting the exception doesn't prove the rule.

[Mr. Allen]

49 minutes ago, Archie Lee said:

It really does seem like there is a top 8 of Schaefer, Misa, Frondell, Desnoyers, Martone, Hagens, O’Brien, and Martin. As usual, I have not seen much of these guys and most of what I know is just from reading scouting reports and watching some highlight videos. McKenzie’s final rankings really do align with what the building consensus seems to be for the top 8.  O’Brien is perhaps the most likely to be available at 9. 

Re: Roger McQueen at 9; I’m not thrilled that the line between “too risky to take” and  “too talented to pass on” seems to be forming right where we pick. If we do end up with McQueen, I will quickly find reason to focus on all the things I like about him. I generally root hard for Sabre players and prospects. I just would prefer we not use a top 10 on someone who might have chronic health issues. 

The kid who is not considered a top 10 who I’ve become enamoured with, is Cole Reschny. He has a lot of what have come to be considered, a bit unfairly, classic Sabre forward prospect traits (specifically, he isn’t big). But if we somehow end up with Vancouver’s pick at #15, or #18 via Calgary, I would be thrilled to get Reschny. 

The more I read about O’Brien the more I don’t like.  Give me McQueen’s or Mrtka’s upside in that top 9. 

[LGR4GM]

Bear, Carbonneau, McQueen 

Those are the players I'd be looking at with 9th. 

[LGR4GM]

Jerry Forton indicates there's 6-7 guys that they hope one slides. 

[Flashsabre]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/prospect-of-interest-why-anton-frondell-is-most-intriguing-talent-in-top-10/

[LGR4GM]

If you're a freaking reporter and you start talking about Porter Martone in the same breath as Brady Tkachuk... you're totally lacking any credibility to me. That's not who Martone is and who knows if he ever will be. 

[LGR4GM]

 

 

[apointagameov]

3 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

 

 

Woof I hope mrtka goes before Buffalo so they don’t have the chance fuuuuckkkkk

Edited 1 hour ago by apointagameov

[dudacek]

11 minutes ago, apointagameov said:

Woof I hope mrtka goes before Buffalo so they don’t have the chance fuuuuckkkkk

I have no idea if Mrtka is good pick at that slot other than it roughly aligns with where most of the usual outlets expect him to be taken.

I think it is funny and predictable that after reading for months about the Sabres not paying enough attention to size, handedness and defensive acumen that the idea of them taking a 6'6" RHD with probably the best "shutdown D" resume in the draft class gets a "woof".

 

[LGR4GM]

18 minutes ago, apointagameov said:

Woof I hope mrtka goes before Buffalo so they don’t have the chance fuuuuckkkkk

Adams mentioned rhd depth specifically when asked about draft stuff and org depth.

[LGR4GM]

2 minutes ago, dudacek said:

I have no idea if Mrtka is good pick at that slot other than it roughly aligns with where most of the usual outlets expect him to be taken.

I think it is funny and predictable that after reading for months about the Sabres not paying enough attention to size, handedness and defensive acumen that the idea of them taking a 6'6" RHD with probably the best "shutdown D" resume in the draft class gets a "woof".

 

Strbak, Kleber, McCarthy, Komarov, are all rhds with shutdown styles with size. They've drafted quite a few rhds with some size lately. 

[dudacek]

On 6/12/2025 at 10:53 AM, dudacek said:

Here's something I suspect the Sabres are very much aware of even if Sabrespace is not:

Owen Power is the only LHD the Sabres have picked in the first 3 rounds of the past 5 drafts.

• Centre: Kulich, Östlund, Savoie, Wahlberg, Helenius
• RSW: Quinn, Sardarian, Rosen, Zeimer
• LSW: Peterka, Bloom, Kisakov, Poltapov, Neuchev, Benson
• LSD: Power
• RSD: McCarthy, Strbak, Kleber
• Goalie: Leinonen

That glut you see on the NHL roster? Bryson is a spare part, Dahlin is comfortable on the right, Byram is getting traded and Samuelsson may follow him out the door.

If I had to predict their pick, it would be Smith: a big, mobile 2-way D who plays with the edge Lindy says is missing, and is headed to Terry's alma mater.

Aitcheson is also in the mix.

 

6 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

Strbak, Kleber, McCarthy, Komarov, are all rhds with shutdown styles with size. They've drafted quite a few rhds with some size lately. 

Yep. I was commenting more on what I perceived to be the spirit of the post than anything else.

[LGR4GM]

6 minutes ago, dudacek said:

 

Yep. I was commenting more on what I perceived to be the spirit of the post than anything else.

I think if Jackson Smith is there at 9 they might take him. 

 

 

Edited 30 minutes ago by LGR4GM

[LGR4GM]

Actually, if you pressed me, I think Aitcheson is ranked higher on the Sabres board. 

 

Aitcheson is 6'1.5" and 199lbs

[dudacek]

12 minutes ago, LGR4GM said:

I think if Jackson Smith is there at 9 they might take him. 

 

 

I'm kinda expecting it. I had a similar feeling with Jack Quinn in 2020.

I was right, but Jack still needs to prove I was right. 😁

[dudacek]

1 minute ago, LGR4GM said:

Actually, if you pressed me, I think Aitcheson is ranked higher on the Sabres board. 

 

Aitcheson is 6'1.5" and 199lbs

Maybe not when Terry and Penn State are factored in.

Personally, I prefer Smith: better toolbox and upside. Love Aitcheson's aggression, just think he might be an upper case Conor Clifton.

[LGR4GM]

3 minutes ago, dudacek said:

Maybe not when Terry and Penn State are factored in.

Personally, I prefer Smith: better toolbox and upside. Love Aitcheson's aggression, just think he might be an upper case Conor Clifton.

I like Smith. His skating is very good and he's a big boy with the ability to smother ppl. 

6'4" and 199lbs. With a May bday.