What do you think of Valimaki?
- RhinoFan

I like him alot. I would put Heiskanen, Makar and Lilgegren ahead him tho

I like him alot. I would put Heiskanen, Makar and Lilgegren ahead him tho
- MCGUIZZY

Interesting. Was wondering if you had him over or under Lily.

It seems if we pick in the top 8 and choose to go defense, than the top candidates are Makar and Liljegren. I was just reading that Makar is a big hitting player like Zadorov would have been for us, but can get himself in trouble with that, though, also like Zadorov. And, that Liljegren seems to be the all round smart, solid defender, and he is playing in the Swedish league which is also playing against men, not teenagers like in juniors, so his game is farther along.

Outside of them two, Valimaki seems to be a good one and then Heiskanen and Hague as well, but they are all slotted for the 10-20 range.

As I said before, if we pick 6-9 and are looking as defense as the pick, I wouldn't mind dropping back 3-4 spots, still taking a a good defenseman because it seems not a lot truly separates them all, and pick up a extra 2nd rounder for moving back. That will give us 3 second rounders and we should use at least 2 of them on additional defensemen to try to get the system healthy again.
- sskkoo1

See i cant really compare Zadorov to Makar. Zads was all about size and intimidation. Makar is smaller and is seen as more of a PP QB type.

It's not just the eye test. These numbers are misleading.

For example Barkov - He was an NHL regular in his draft year. At 18.

Same with most of the list.

Imagine if Reinhart stayed after his 9 game tryout, he would have put up about 20 points that year because he wasn't close to ready
- sbroads24

I agree; as everyone knows I wasn't sold on Reinhart at his draft and I still am not and we are going on year four. I still hope he proves me wrong but this is a speed and skill league and I'm waiting to see that skill. I still bet the new GM deals him after some evaluation time for a D.

I hope he's there for us at 18. have seen him play 4 or 5 games live and the kid is a beast. Big, tough and good skater for 6'6 size.
- Matthews_Auston

I think a decent defender will be there at 18, not sure if it will be Hogue, though. He seems to be on the upswing in the scouting reports.

Also, aren't the Leafs picking #17? You guy were the last to make the playoffs, correct? So, the 15 who didn't, plus Vegas, which takes us to 16, than Toronto should slot in next, no?

Interesting. Was wondering if you had him over or under Lily.
- RhinoFan

I hold Heiskanen and Liljegren a lot higher due to their AHL eligibility. I think Liljegren and Makar in particular would be ideal PP QB types which i think the Sabres lack.

See i cant really compare Zadorov to Makar. Zads was all about size and intimidation. Makar is smaller and is seen as more of a PP QB type.
- MCGUIZZY

I'm only comparing their love for big time open ice hits, and the possibility of putting themselves out of position. At least, that's what I read about Makar. His game itself, I'm not sure who to compare it to.

Canucks to name Travis Green new head coach Wednesday

I think a decent defender will be there at 18, not sure if it will be Hogue, though. He seems to be on the upswing in the scouting reports.

Also, aren't the Leafs picking #17? You guy were the last to make the playoffs, correct? So, the 15 who didn't, plus Vegas, which takes us to 16, than Toronto should slot in next, no?
- sskkoo1

its either 16 or 17

14 dont make it. Calgary 15th, nashville 16th if they dont make the WCF and Toronto 17th

Craig Conroy's name is coming up in several media outlets to fill the Buffalo Sabres general manager vacancy.

The 45-year-old Potsdam native, former Clarkson star and current Calgary Flames assistant general manager is considered a rising star in NHL front office circles and has helped put together a strong young roster in Calgary

well nothing, thats what makes it risky.
- Sabresfan-365

If we pick 6 it's so wide open I wouldn't be mad if we took any of the projected guys

If we pick 6 it's so wide open I wouldn't be mad if we took any of the projected guys
- chilliard77

game changer value is everything for me at this point. Id basically want any player with the least amount of red flags and highest amount of upside. actually working out the math here has been a female dog, probably work it out after exams

its either 16 or 17

14 dont make it. Calgary 15th, nashville 16th if they dont make the WCF and Toronto 17th
- Sabresfan-365

Ah, just looked at the final standings and you're right, 14 don't make it, Vegas takes that up to the first 15 picks, then is should go Nashville at 16 (if they lose this round), Calgary at 17, and Toronto at 18 (possibly moving up one spot due to Nash)

Ah, just looked at the final standings and you're right, 14 don't make it, Vegas takes that up to the first 15 picks, then is should go Nashville at 16 (if they lose this round), Calgary at 17, and Toronto at 18 (possibly moving up one spot due to Nash)
- sskkoo1

i discounted vegas when i was tallying up the picks so yea hes right.

See i cant really compare Zadorov to Makar. Zads was all about size and intimidation. Makar is smaller and is seen as more of a PP QB type.
- MCGUIZZY

This draft is the best for names. Jokes on Nolan Patrick, cant compete with these guys

Ah, just looked at the final standings and you're right, 14 don't make it, Vegas takes that up to the first 15 picks, then is should go Nashville at 16 (if they lose this round), Calgary at 17, and Toronto at 18 (possibly moving up one spot due to Nash)
- sskkoo1

Let's go Preds!!!

John Shannon‏Verified account @JSportsnet 4m4 minutes ago
More
Look for names like Botterill,Futa,Conroy,Gilman,Fenton,
Dubas...to be in the mix in Buffalo.

If we pick 6 it's so wide open I wouldn't be mad if we took any of the projected guys
- chilliard77

If we keep the pick...
I want us to take whatever defenseman we like the best
We need to start building up talent at that position
And there's 3 guys slated to go in the 4-12 range
Let's get one of them

If we win the lotto,
Then we are in a spot where we are likely taking a forward again
And that's fine
I'm not saying take defense no matter what

But at pick 6, there's a handful of guy that are all rated roughly the same

I think a decent defender will be there at 18, not sure if it will be Hogue, though. He seems to be on the upswing in the scouting reports.

Also, aren't the Leafs picking #17? You guy were the last to make the playoffs, correct? So, the 15 who didn't, plus Vegas, which takes us to 16, than Toronto should slot in next, no?
- sskkoo1

You think Hague will be gone by then? Interesting. I want one of either Hague, Foote or Brannstrom but would prefer Hague. We need some toughness. Sick of watching thugs run over Freddie.

John Shannon‏Verified account @JSportsnet 4m4 minutes ago
More
Look for names like Botterill,Futa,Conroy,Gilman,Fenton,
Dubas...to be in the mix in Buffalo.
- GilPerreault11

makes way more sense now given what friedman said about Hunter potentially being next in line for the leafs

John Shannon‏Verified account @JSportsnet 4m4 minutes ago
More
Look for names like Botterill,Futa,Conroy,Gilman,Fenton,
Dubas...to be in the mix in Buffalo.
- GilPerreault11

John Shannon‏Verified account @JSportsnet 4m4 minutes ago
More
Look for names like Botterill,Futa,Conroy,Gilman,Fenton,
Dubas...to be in the mix in Buffalo.
- GilPerreault11

Also, havent the kings denied two teams permission to speak with Futa? seems like a long shot

Also, havent the kings denied two teams permission to speak with Futa? seems like a long shot
- Sabresfan-365

Shannon is a moron but he's got good sources. Usually he is right on when it comes to stuff like this.

John Shannon‏Verified account @JSportsnet 4m4 minutes ago
More
Look for names like Botterill,Futa,Conroy,Gilman,Fenton,
Dubas...to be in the mix in Buffalo.
- GilPerreault11

Those name are all fine
But it worries me that we don't seem to be looking for a VP of hockey (or whatever we'd call him) to bridge the gap between Pegula & the GM

These names all have roughly the same experience level as Murray did
I'd like to see the new GM have more support
It's too big of a job now-a-days for just one guy

Shannon is a moron but he's got good sources. Usually he is right on when it comes to stuff like this.
- Matthews_Auston

i dont mind him tbh. relative to guys like simmons and feschuk hes got decent takes. Spent a lot of time with the league too so you know hes connected and such.