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Top 10 Prospects: Buffalo Sabres |
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Buffalo was a system to worry about at one point. While their system had a good number of players to be confident would be NHL'ers, the high end skill was lacking, and a lot of the cupboard was ready to graduate, leaving questions about the long term pipeline. Utilizing it's two first round picks on two big centers, and grabbing some sleepers along the way and Buffalo once again has a system with some hope.
1. Mikhail Grigorenko, Center
Quebec Remparts, QMJHL
12th Overall, 2012
6'3, 205 lbs
Despite the rumors around this Russian, coupled with his mono and birth certificate, Grigorenko is a blue chip prospect. An elite-level thinker, Grigorenko can dissect the play better than most, burning defensive systems with slick passing. He owns an NHL quality release and can more often than not, find the back of the net. To go with that, he's got size that he'll need to grow into and utilize more effectively to get to the net.
Upside: First Line Center
NHL Comparable: Joe Thornton meets Alexei Kovalev
2. Zemgus Girgensons, Center
Dubuque Fighting Saints, USHL
14th Overall, 2012
6'2, 200 lbs
When Zemgus has the puck he doesn't go around you, he goes right through you and to the net. While he found some injury issues this past year, he was a warrior for his USHL squad as Captain. He's explosive out of the gate, finishing checks and looking for open ice. He backs off defenders with speed and has a real heavy shot. He fights for every inch on the ice and leaves it all out there.
Upside: Top Nine Power Center
NHL Comparable: Ryan Kesler-lite
3. Joel Armia, Center/Right Wing
Assat, SM-liiga
16th Overall, 2011
6'3, 200 lbs
A finisher through and through, Armia uses his size well to protect the puck and draw defenders in. He can make timely plays with a good understanding of the game, but prefers to do a lot of work on his own. He has a heck of a release, and loves to pick spots on a goalie. WHile big, Armis is a mobile player with an array of offensive abilities.
Upside: Top Six Goal Scoring Forward
NHL Comparable: Jeff Carter
4. Mark Pysyk, Defense
Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL
23rd Overall, 2010
6'2, 190 lbs
Still growing, Pysyk is a sizeable defender with a good defensive game. He's a mobile skater and uses that to neutralize opponents by angling them to the boards. He moves the puck well and quick, but doesn't have a strong offensive game to wow you. He'll need to get stronger along the boards, but shows good defensive instincts, breaking up plays with his stick and positioning.
Upside: Top Four Two-way Defender
NHL Comparable: Mark-Edouard Vlasic
5. Brayden McNabb. Defense
Rochester Americans, AHL
66th Overall, 2009
6’4, 218 lbs
McNabb is mean. He likes to hack and whack, and then throw a huge hit along the wall. You know when he's on the ice. He's got a good first pass and some offensive ability to his game with a big shot. While mobile, he does have some issues with speedier forwards in his footspeed.
Upside: #3-#5 Two-Way Defender
NHL Comparable: Shea Weber, without the awesome beard, huge contract, and Norris nominations
6. Marcus Foligno, Left Wing
Rochester Americans, AHL
104th Overall, 2009
6'2, 205 lbs
Hard working and physical, Foligno is future Captain material. He's got a heavy shot and does most of his damage in the scoring department down low and around the net, cycling the puck. He has some issues getting to open ice, but it's improving. Gritty is his middle name, and he'll finish every check he has an opportunity with.
Upside: Top Nine Power Winger
NHL Comparable: Troy Brouwer
7. Jake McCabe, Defense
U.S. U-18 Team, USNTDP
44th Overall, 2012
6'0, 195 lbs
Jake is expected to be a jack-of-all-trades as he progresses. He's a terrific skater, who uses gap control and footspeed to keep the play ahead of him. He neutralizes opponents along the boards, though he's not a punishing hitter, rather using some strength to win puck battles. He's not a true puck carrier, rather preferring to make the quick outlet passes to his center to break the play out. He can be a PP option with his rifle of a shot, as well.
Upside: #3-#5 Two-way Defender
NHL Comparable: Carl Gunnarsson
8. T.J. Brenann, Defense
Rochester Americans, AHL
31st Overall, 2007
6'1, 210 lbs
Boom. You likely just got hit by Brennan. A hard-hitting rugged defender, Brennan makes the highlight reels regularly. He's a big wild at times, and can make a lot of mistakes taking himself out of the play, however, he also shows good instincts defensively when in-zone. Using his strength, he muscles pucks away from forwards. He also bring a rocket shot and loves to blast them away.
Upside: 4-6 Two-Way Defender
NHL Comparable: Dion Phaneuf-lite
9. Jérôme Gauthier-Leduc, Defenseman
Rimouski Oceanic, QMJHL
68th Overall, 2010
6'0, 190 lbs
A fourth forward rather than a defenseman, JGL moves the puck with creativity and style. He can rush the puck end-to-end and dangle around opponents with relative ease. He uses an accurate and hard shot on he PP, where he racks up the points. Defensively he's a work-in-process who gets lost often, and needs to add strength to his frame.
Upside: Bottom Pairing Offensive Defender
NHL Comparable: Marc-Andre Bergeron
10. Justin Kea, Center
Saginaw Spirit, OHL
73rd Overall, 2012
6'4, 215 lbs
Kea plays big and hard up the middle, using his size and physicality to be effective defensively. He gets into lanes effectively and really makes life a hard time for opponents. He has little int he way of vision or puck handling skills, but is an effective player in the slot where he's hard to move. In the dot, he's a machine. And he's a good skater, who has some speed to his game. An effective penalty killer, Kea could some day be shutting down Buffalo's opponents nightly.
Upside: Bottom Six Shutdown Center
NHL Comparable: Paul Gaustad
System Graduates: Zach Kassian, Marc-Andre Gragnani, Luke Adam
Honorable Mentions: Daniel Catenacci
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