In his prelude to the Buffalo Sabres top five prospects, Steven Ives of todaysslapshot.com provides a quick overview of the Sabres exploits on day one of the 2015 NHL Draft which includes taking some shots at the trades for Robin Lehner ("a head-scratcher") and Ryan O'Reilly ("a fairer deal would have been O'Reilly for Nikita Zadorov, straight-up.")
While understanding GM Tim Murray's motivation for making these trades, then claiming that Buffalo's draft weekend "should be considered a raging success," there's an undercurrent to Ives' piece found in his conclusion: "The Sabres prospect pool is still extremely deep, even with several players graduating and Compher being jettisoned to Colorado.
"The Sabres may have made a couple of controversial transactions at the draft, but the weekend was still a raging success if just for [Jack] Eichel donning the Buffalo jersey for the very first time. This is a future juggernaut, a team which can challenge for the Stanley Cup in the foreseeable future. Our only wish is that they would be a little more patient with getting to that point."
Generally speaking, it's a solid assessment of the Sabres at the draft, save for the patience part. Murray had spent the majority of his first year as GM being very patient while finishing the teardown and directing the bottoming-out period that lead up to the lottery and the selection of 2015 second-overall pick in Eichel. Yet, when the opportunity came for him to land three future pieces that were right in his wheelhouse, patience may have left him on the outside looking in.
A quick review of the picks and prospects Murray traded for young NHL veterans in 23 yr. old Evander Kane, 23 yr. old Lehner, 24 yr. old O'Reilly and, not to be dismissed in all of this, 24 yr. old Zach Bogosian:
--Kane and Bogosian--2015 25th-overall pick (from St. Louis,) Joel Armia (2011, 16th) and Brendan Lemieux (2014, 31st)
--Lehner--2015 21st-overall (from NY Islanders)
--O'Reilly--Zadorov (2013, 16th acquired from Minnesota,) Mikhail Grigorenko (2012, 12th,) JT Compher (2013 35th, acquired from Carolina) and 31st pick of 2015.
After making these trades using an abundance of futures, the prospect pool took a hit. How much of a hit may be a subject for debate, but Murray used that currency to land four players 24 yrs. old and under who've combined to play 1288 NHL games in their brief careers, and who are also just beginning to enter their primes. The key to the trades is "potential" traded for known quantities.
Whether it all works or not is another story, but, like Bruce Cockburn sang, "You pay your money and you take your chance."
As Sabres fans, we were subject t the word "patience" through 17 years of the previous regime. We were told that the prospects were developing nicely and that they would one day be solid contributors to the team. A scorched-earth rebuild complete with consecutive last place finishes might give an indication as to how well that worked.
But for those who cling to patience as a virtue and still want to witness the future that lies in prospects some two, three or even four years down the road, this week's Sabres Development Camp is the place to get a glimpse as some 40 or so prospects--both draft picks and invitees--will hit the First Niagara Ice for a week of drills beginning today at 1pm.
The Schedule:
Mon., July 6 On-ice coach’s practice: 1 – 3 p.m.
Tue., July 7 On-ice skills practice: 2:30 – 6 p.m.
Wed., July 8 On-ice coach’s practice: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Thu., July 9 On-ice testing: 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Fri., July 10 Pre-scrimmage skates: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Blue & Gold Scrimmage: 7 p.m.
Sat., July 11 Off Day
Sun., July 12 Practice/three-on-three tournament: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Admission is $10 for the Blue & Gold Scrimmage on Friday.
Attendance for last year's scrimmage on July 15th was announced at 8,725. The scrimmage was a pretty raucous affair highlighted by Zemgus Girgensons welcoming 2014 second-overall pick Sam Reinhart to the NHL with a thunderous, glass-rattling check. Also included was a fight between a smaller yet spunky Anthony Florentino (2013, 143rd) and 2012 third-rounder Justin Kea. (For my quick overview, "3-stars," and a video of the fight, click
here.)
When your eyes aren't fixated on Eichel, here are some players to watch:
LHD, Brendan Guhle (2015, 51st overall)--The Sabres really wanted the athletic Guhle and went for him in the second round. At 6'2" 184 lbs. he has NHL size, but there's still room for him to grow into his body. Keep an eye on his speed and his ability to lead the rush. Speed and athleticism aside, Guhle is a bit of a project with plenty of work to do in the coming years. A strong development curve, regardless of time-frame, is key to keeping the pipeline stocked with quality defenders.
C, Sam Reinhart (2014, 2nd)--Last year Reinhart wasn't physically ready for the NHL. Murray asked him to increase his strength and Reinhart obliged adding some muscle and a few pounds to his frame. Despite his disappointment at being sent to junior after his nine-game stint in Buffalo, he grew as a hockey player and was a force at the World Junior Championships. Reinhart should be in command of the entire ice at the scrimmage this year.
LHD, Jake McCabe (2012, 44th)--He'll be one of the "seniors" on the ice this year. Last season McCabe had a strong rookie year in Rochester from a development standpoint. The two-way d-man with some nasty to his game could be in the NHL if it was absolutely necessary, but the best plan would be one more year of seasoning in Rochester. McCabe should be a presence on the ice at both ends.
LW, Gustav Possler (2013, 130th)--Injuries have hampered him since he got off to a rollicking start for MODO in 2013-14 and this past season he was part of a team that was almost relegated in the SHL. Possler keeps his 6'0" 184 lb. frame well balanced and can also skate quite well. Watch his anticipation away from the puck, his puck-handling with it and his NHL-level shot. Could be a defining moment for the 20 yr. old.
RW, Victor Olofsson (2014, 181st)--He has a sniper's mentality and a wicked shot ta boot. At 5'11" 176 lbs. he's a bit on the smaller side, ala Tyler Ennis, but Olofsson's very quick with plenty of speed. Just completed his first full year in the SHL as a teammate of Possler (and goalie, Linus Ullmark) on MODO. Cast aside the stats from last season and keep an eye on his skating and skill-set.
Goalies Cal Petersen (2013, 129th) and Jonas Johansson (2014, 61st)--The theme heading into the draft concerning goalies is that none of the three goalie prospect has separated themselves from the group yet. Ullmark had double hip surgery and will be out until at least November so the focus will be upon Petersen and Johansson with the former being a bit ahead on the development curve.
RHD, Will Borgen (2015, 92nd)--Will be interesting to see how the two-way puck-mover who was drafted out of high school can adapt to the speed of the competition. Look for steadiness on the back-end with loads of compete covering the entire ice surface.
F, Eric Cornel (2014, 44th)--The two-way Cornel got a good taste of pro hockey life playing six games for the Rochester Americans last season. With the forward ranks well stocked on the big club, look for Cornel to return to junior for his final season. He's another one with 200' compete who's still somewhat raw in the professional skills department, but he should have an impact at the scrimmage.
LHD, Brycen Martin (2014, 74th)--Martin, like Cornel, got a taste of the AHL last season and will be headed to Saskatoon to finish his junior career. And, like Guhle, his progress will be key to a quality Sabres d-pipeline. The all-around puck-mover should be looked at as one who can get the play moving out of the back end either carrying the puck or moving it quickly up ice.
RHD, Anthony Florentino (2013, 153rd)--Florentino's Providence Friars just won the Frozen Four by downing Eichel's Boston University Terriers. At a stocky 6'1" 201 lbs. Florentino should be a definitive presence on the ice during camp. Although he's looks ready to join the pro ranks, one more year in college would seem to be the way to go. Would love to see him on a top-pairing scrimmage defense matching up against Eichel.
(Note. As of yet, the attendees have not been announced.)
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