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ESPN awards Sabres A+ in draft

July 1, 2013, 11:59 AM ET [67 Comments]
Kevin Freiheit
Buffalo Sabres Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
After looking at your feedback from the previous post, it averaged out to Darcy earning a B. Well, if this means anything to you, ESPN graded the draft and gave the Sabres an A+:

Buffalo Sabres: A+ -- “Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov gives Buffalo two elite-sized, gritty D-men with picks No. 8 and No. 16 and, over time, will have a major impact on the back end. The blue line was a big need for the Buffalo system, and they addressed it as well as they could with their first two selections. In the second round, the Sabres add skilled, blue-collar forward J.T. Compher, and two big hard working forwards in Connor Hurley from Edina High School and Justin Bailey from Kitchener of the OHL -- both give added size. This was a really strong draft for the Sabres.” -ESPN

I opened up the mailbag submissions this morning to find many similar questions. Many are asking about the future of Miller and Vanek. Many are asking if Ristoalinen and Zadorov will crack the Sabres lineup this season. And finally, many are asking why the Sabres didn't trade up to Carolina's #5 pick.

Larry: Will Ryan Miller and/or Thomas Vanek get traded before training camp?
For good reason, this is the biggest question surrounding the Sabres. With free agency on Friday, this will be an interesting week and could be when we get some answers regarding #26 and #30.
I do believe one, if not both, will be traded.



Ryan: When do you think our 1st rounders (Ristolainen and Zadorov) will get their chance to play on the Sabres?
I believe Ristolainen will have a very good chance to make the team this season. He will obviously have to prove himself and show the coaches that he is capable of playing at the next level.

“He’s got a good chance to play in the league next year,” Devine said.

“Zadorov made huge strides this year,” Regier said. “I think it might be a stretch to think that he can play next year.”

Oliver: What did Carolina want to swap #8 for the #5?
By the time the #5 pick came around, I believe the Sabres didn't need to move up. They already had a player in mind and didn't need to waste a trade to move up three spots.

“We just thought we’d sit back and wait for Ristolainen,” Kevin Devine said.

Thanks for reading!
Recent posts:
July 1st - How did Darcy do?
July 1st - ESPN awards Sabres A+ in draft

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