2025 NHL Entry Draft Thread, Sabres Draft 9th

[Flashsabre]

3 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

Impo, since Buffalo has Dahlin, forwards are much more valuable at the top of drafts than defenders. You can find 2nd pairing defenders pretty consistently in late round 1 and in round 2. But, the Sabres are gonna Sabre and there's a good chance in this draft, at 9 you get the 2nd defender taken. It could really pay off but we'll have to see. It's funny that 6'6" mrtka is "omg his size" but there's less of that with 6'4" Smith who skates better. 

The Sabres can’t find a second pairing dman to save their lives.

I agree though to take the best forward at 9 if it isn’t moved (Adams doesn’t have the balls to pull that off)

[LGR4GM]

Tbh, I'm not opposed to them taking a defender. I just think in this specific draft, you'll have opportunities in round 2 to do just that. 

[DarthEbriate]

Given their most recent 1st round picks (Benson, Helenius in the AHL playoffs) and also Ziemer, and also the in-division dominance of tougher teams Florida/Tampa/Boston, I have slightly better feeling that they will prioritize the aggression in the player.

So I think there's a better chance they do prioritize Martin, Bear, Aitcheson, Smith, or Eklund (though very lightweight) over the less-attacking O'Brien, Mrtka, etc.

[LGR4GM]

 

 

[dudacek]

i'm real curious who the "Forton 6-7" are.

Misa and Schaefer would seem to be a given.

Does is include Hagens, Martone, Frondell, and Desnoyers, who seems to be in the consensus top 6 or 7, or are they down on someone in that group.

Does it include any late risers like O'Brien and Martin, or one of the next 3 defenders? Where does Roger McQueen fit?

Will they be more inclined to move up a couple spots if one of their guys is falling? Move down is they don't? Trade for a player?

[French Collection]

29 minutes ago, dudacek said:

i'm real curious who the "Forton 6-7" are.

Misa and Schaefer would seem to be a given.

Does is include Hagens, Martone, Frondell, and Desnoyers, who seems to be in the consensus top 6 or 7, or are they down on someone in that group.

Does it include any late risers like O'Brien and Martin, or one of the next 3 defenders? Where does Roger McQueen fit?

Will they be more inclined to move up a couple spots if one of their guys is falling? Move down is they don't? Trade for a player?

There seems to be someone falling every draft, maybe they are banking on that happening again. Hagens, because of his size?

Perhaps their list has someone as a consensus 10-12 that they view as a 6-7.

I wouldn’t move down unless it is for Schaefer or Misa.

[JoeSchmoe]

1 hour ago, French Collection said:

Hagens, because of his size?

For all his expectations, Hagens underproduced. He had two high end linemates, both of whom out produced him. Still, he'd collect his share of points by virtue of playing with them. The end story though is that Hagens was likely the passenger... Not the driver.

I haven't watched him though, so the boots on the ground report may say otherwise. Hard to argue with the scoresheet though.

[The Jokeman]

3 hours ago, LGR4GM said:

 

 

I joked we'd take him when draft positions first came out as he's more of the same of what have in the system. It seems like he might not be there as things are today.  That said I prefer Carter Bear or McQueen. 

[dudacek]

28 minutes ago, The Jokeman said:

I joked we'd take him when draft positions first came out as he's more of the same of what have in the system. It seems like he might not be there as things are today.  That said I prefer Carter Bear or McQueen. 

I think you might be confusing him with Eklund, his winger?

Frondell is a 6’2” centre, Eklund is the small skilled guy with pace.

[Flashsabre]

A lot of chatter that Frondell could go as early as number 2 to SJ. He is the most interesting selection of the top 10 to me. Polarizing between those that don’t think much of him and those that see him as a Barkov type.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/sam-cosentinos-2025-nhl-mock-draft-how-will-the-first-round-unfold/

This has Frondell #2 to SJ too. Passing on Hagens at 9 to take Carbonneau is not something I would endorse.

Edited 21 hours ago by Flashsabre

[LGR4GM]

40 minutes ago, dudacek said:

I think you might be confusing him with Eklund, his winger?

Frondell is a 6’2” centre, Eklund is the small skilled guy with pace.

Frondell is 6'1.25" with 0 and I mean 0 transition to his game. He's a shooting center and is more of what we have in the NHL compared to Norris, Peterka, Tuch, Tage... all shooters. 

[The Jokeman]

41 minutes ago, dudacek said:

I think you might be confusing him with Eklund, his winger?

Frondell is a 6’2” centre, Eklund is the small skilled guy with pace.

No, am familiar with Frondell he got hurt early this season but came back and performed great and why his stock up again. Frondell has okay size but he doesn't play to it and that's what looking for in Bear. 

[kas23]

I just want a mean-spirited bastard who will not be a defensive liability and who can score a little when needed. Think a McLeod type player who is a complete dick. 

[thewookie1]

As I’ve said before, the only way I take picks is within a Peterka to Chicago deal for 3 and using some of Byram’s value to get #2 to take Misa who is NHL ready.

Otherwise if we use #9, I want the best non-small forward/defender we can get.

[clink]

2 hours ago, kas23 said:

I just want a mean-spirited bastard who will not be a defensive liability and who can score a little when needed. Think a McLeod type player who is a complete dick. 

Yup

 

I want Martin or Bear too 

 

Gimme some of that NASTY!!!

[kas23]

3 hours ago, thewookie1 said:

As I’ve said before, the only way I take picks is within a Peterka to Chicago deal for 3 and using some of Byram’s value to get #2 to take Misa who is NHL ready.

Otherwise if we use #9, I want the best non-small forward/defender we can get.

Trading 2 NHL players, one proven top 6 forward and another proven top 4 defender for a player who’s never played an NHL game and not at the prospect level of a McDavid or Crosby? That’s steep. Is he that good?

[dudacek]

These aren't rankings; I haven't studied film.

This is my list of the guys most appealing to me as a Sabres fan that could conceivably be there when we pick:

• Porter Martone: he's no Matthew Tkachuk, and his skating is meh, but the dude is an alpha, skilled and has the type of swagger the Sabres need
• Brady Martin: people are overrating him because of the intangibles; he's probably a 2nd-liner at best. Don't care, we need what he brings
• James Hagens: don't see a 1C in the pipeline; he's got the best chance to be one of any player that might slip
• Jackson Smith: a stallion, big rangy and competitive, with all the tools you need to be a top 4 D
• Radim Mtrka: he's going to PK and kill plays for a long time. Better tools than people give him credit for. When he matures he's the exact D the current Sabres are missing

I like Aitcheson, Carbonneau, Eklund and Bear, but there will be better choices available

Not excited by O'Brien or Frondell, but I guess they give value at 9

McQueen scares me; it's less the back and more the sense that he might be Kirby Dach.

Edited 14 hours ago by dudacek

[shrader]

When it comes to Martone, has a father/son combo ever been drafted by the same team?

[Taro T]

18 minutes ago, shrader said:

When it comes to Martone, has a father/son combo ever been drafted by the same team?

Not exactly drafted by the same team, but Gordie Howe played with both his boys in Houston and with the New England/Hartford Whalers.

Would be surprised if there are no fathers and sons that were drafted by the same team.

[steveoath]

2 hours ago, shrader said:

When it comes to Martone, has a father/son combo ever been drafted by the same team?

Shane and Josh Doan?

[shrader]

5 hours ago, steveoath said:

Shane and Josh Doan?

Oh the timing. 

[Taro T]

26 minutes ago, shrader said:

Oh the timing. 

You couldn't have asked a question where Robertson was the answer, could you?

[shrader]

5 minutes ago, Taro T said:

You couldn't have asked a question where Robertson was the answer, could you?

Has any first overall draft pick lost in the final two years in a row?

[Taro T]

3 minutes ago, shrader said:

Has any first overall draft pick lost in the final two years in a row?

Not Robertson, but a MUCH better question.  😉 

Danke.

[The Jokeman]

11 hours ago, shrader said:

When it comes to Martone, has a father/son combo ever been drafted by the same team?

Umm we just got one, as pretty sure the Doans should count. Since the original Winnipeg Jets became the Coyotes who became the Mammoth.