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Forums :: Blog World :: Michael Pachla: Housley struggling to figure out his middle-six forward group
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jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Dec 19 @ 11:29 PM ET
It's a tough sell for sure.

But new GM, didnt draft couturier
Jbotts old partner
We have some pieces finally.

Maybe Nelson, scandella, sobatka.

I wouldn't want to trade any current guys.
I like what we have going on. Continuity finally

- Boss34


Also,
That’s probably a tough sell to Philly ownership
Seems like Hextall got fired bc he wouldn’t make more moves to help them win NOW
Boss34
Buffalo Sabres
Location: BUFFALO , NY
Joined: 12.03.2015

Dec 19 @ 11:31 PM ET
I hear ya
StL has a lot of talent
If they can find a goalie, they could definitely turn it around and be a decent team again next year
But they are trending down, so it would be very risky for us to give up that pick, considering the draft it’s in
And there’s also a chance that they start selling off pieces
Already rumors about Tarasenko & Pietrangelo

Gotta give to get of course
But that’s the one 1st that I’d wanna hold on to

- jdfitz77



Good point

The pick is trending up.

Could be the best time to maximize that pick too.

If jbotts thinks st. Louis is better then they are playing now, he c oui old try and get top value.

I really think he loves that pick. Dont get me wrong
Boss34
Buffalo Sabres
Location: BUFFALO , NY
Joined: 12.03.2015

Dec 19 @ 11:37 PM ET
I think that Guhle, Nylander/Olofsson, Sharks 1st would be a pretty legit package

Certainly better than what we got for O’Reilly

- jdfitz77



For couturier?

Seems fair.

We really did well in the ror trade.
I know you would rather not hear that
He was defective
Wetbandit1
Vegas Golden Knights
Location: Unpopular opinion (i think): The best Die Hard movie is the 4th one- Live free or Die Hard -jdfitz7, NY
Joined: 10.07.2010

Dec 19 @ 11:37 PM ET
The #Flyers have loaned center Phil Varone to their AHL affiliate, the @LVPhantoms.
- sbroads24


I've got you.

Which one?
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Dec 19 @ 11:39 PM ET
Good point

The pick is trending up.

Could be the best time to maximize that pick too.

If jbotts thinks st. Louis is better then they are playing now, he c oui old try and get top value.

I really think he loves that pick. Dont get me wrong

- Boss34


Also a fair point
I really hope we end up getting a good player out of that pick
Boss34
Buffalo Sabres
Location: BUFFALO , NY
Joined: 12.03.2015

Dec 19 @ 11:40 PM ET
Also,
That’s probably a tough sell to Philly ownership
Seems like Hextall got fired bc he wouldn’t make more moves to help them win NOW

- jdfitz77


He got fired for picking patrick 2nd overall.

With petterson on the board

Gmtm style drafting
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Dec 19 @ 11:41 PM ET
For couturier?

Seems fair.

We really did well in the ror trade.
I know you would rather not hear that
He was defective

- Boss34


Even if he was...
i still don’t like the return

Now if Thompson actually ends up being a top6 scoring winger,
then i may have to change my story
Wetbandit1
Vegas Golden Knights
Location: Unpopular opinion (i think): The best Die Hard movie is the 4th one- Live free or Die Hard -jdfitz7, NY
Joined: 10.07.2010

Dec 19 @ 11:41 PM ET
You can’t move that blues pick the 2020 draft is going to be like the 2015 draft that top ten is going to be ridiculous

And we’re not At the position where you can just throw away pick some prospects we need to keep on building

- gerbe75pts


Well, unless they draft Zacha, or Strome(so far, he gets slight benefit of the doubt due to the utter cluster(frank) that is Arizona).
gordong
Location: NY
Joined: 02.06.2007

Dec 19 @ 11:43 PM ET
Wait... what was that? 😂😂😂
- jdfitz77



just for you...
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Dec 19 @ 11:44 PM ET
He got fired for picking patrick 2nd overall.

With petterson on the board

Gmtm style drafting

- Boss34


Dreger said Hextall wanted to keep building the team through the draft & developing the young players
Ownership got impatient with the timeline
gordong
Location: NY
Joined: 02.06.2007

Dec 19 @ 11:45 PM ET
We shouldn’t be giving up picks and certainly not the blues one
- gerbe75pts

I hate agreeing with you, stop that!!!
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Dec 19 @ 11:48 PM ET
He got fired for picking patrick 2nd overall.

With petterson on the board

Gmtm style drafting

- Boss34


So one might say that Hextall got a “raw deal” then?
Hahaha
RhinoFan
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Visionville
Joined: 10.12.2015

Dec 20 @ 12:53 AM ET
@TheChargingBuffalo
Darren Dreger just said on NBCSN that Jeff Skinner wants to stay in Buffalo and it’s mutual with the team. Expects them to start talking mid-January

#Sabres⁠ ⁠

- sbroads24


Just wanted this one again. Get em for 6 Botts 😂
RhinoFan
Buffalo Sabres
Location: Visionville
Joined: 10.12.2015

Dec 20 @ 12:54 AM ET
Even if he was...
i still don’t like the return

Now if Thompson actually ends up being a top6 scoring winger,
then i may have to change my story

- jdfitz77


What if the STL 1st turns into one? That's probably more likely.
Boss34
Buffalo Sabres
Location: BUFFALO , NY
Joined: 12.03.2015

Dec 20 @ 1:15 AM ET
Even if he was...
i still don’t like the return

Now if Thompson actually ends up being a top6 scoring winger,
then i may have to change my story

- jdfitz77



That's cool. Nothing wrong with reserving judgement.

Tage is a prospect. Hope he develops.
Hard not to trust jbotts. This team is playing well. Maybe tage is likeable and makes coming to the rink fun for the young guys.

And he's not missing a front tooth, if you know what I'm saying.
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Dec 20 @ 1:32 AM ET
What if the STL 1st turns into one? That's probably more likely.
- RhinoFan


I was kinda counting on the 1st turning into a decent player

I look at it like this...

ROR is at least one of the best 2C in the league, if not a bottom3rd 1C
If he keeps this year’s offense up,
he’s probably a top20 Center

It’s not likely that Thompson or the 1st gets to that level
But if they at least BOTH turn into top6 wingers that score 20+
Then i think the deal turned out ok

Now if that 1st turns into a stud...
well then again, I’d have to re-evaluate
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Dec 20 @ 1:38 AM ET
That's cool. Nothing wrong with reserving judgement.

Tage is a prospect. Hope he develops.
Hard not to trust jbotts. This team is playing well. Maybe tage is likeable and makes coming to the rink fun for the young guys.

And he's not missing a front tooth, if you know what I'm saying.

- Boss34


As with the other StL guys...
he’s not a fast skater, & doesn’t really fit the mold of the type player we seemingly wanted
I do hope he turns out,
but i wouldn’t hesitate to move him if another team wants him in a package for a 2C or scoring winger
kingcong39
Buffalo Sabres
Location: albany, NY
Joined: 02.21.2007

Dec 20 @ 2:04 AM ET
Think you missed, i wouldn't back read either. Basically, Marner for most of his career has been less the driver and more the passenger. Thats what the heat map shows (and that hes surprisingly decent defensively).

I used him as an example of electrifying players being seen as more impactful than they actually are (marner, mittelstadt) and boring guys not really getting their due cause..well, they're boring lol.

Marner's good, just not as good as the eyes would let you believe.

- Sabresfan-365


He sure looks like he's the one driving the play, causing havoc, and creating space for everyone when I've seen him play.
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Dec 20 @ 4:01 AM ET
https://twitter.com/corey.../1075599085208563712?s=21

Finland's lines tonight vs. Denmark:

Klemetti-Kupari-Heponiemi
Nyman-Lundell-Kakko
Puustinen-Virtanen-Ylonen
Moilanen-Vainionpaa-Ranta

Kokkonen-Laaksonen
Kaskinen-Honka
Utunen-Latvala
Riekkinen-Thomson


Looks like Laaksonen just keeps developing well for us
Still too early to say,
but could end up being a steal
And he’s a RH shot too
jdfitz77
Buffalo Sabres
Location: buffalo, NY
Joined: 05.21.2007

Dec 20 @ 4:49 AM ET
Good read from earlier this season,
with some updates

Corey Pronman’s Top 100 NHL Prospects entering the 2018-2019 season

https://theathletic.com/5...ering-the-2018-19-season/


SPECIAL PROSPECT
Projects to be one of the very best at their position in the league.

1. Rasmus Dahlin, D, Buffalo
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 70
Physical Game: 55
Hockey sense: 70

Dahlin was one of the best defense prospects of the modern era as a first-year, draft-eligible player. His skill and IQ ranked among the very best in the class. He can play at such a quick pace and make highly creative plays versus pros, which at his age is unusual. What stands out to me is not his elite skill but his elite awareness. He understands how to attack defenses so well and attempts things I don’t see players his age try. He sees gaps in coverage before they develop, makes great feeds, and knows how to angle guys out and when to go for a risky play. He also has a low panic threshold and doesn’t tend to force plays. He’s a very good skater who, while not exceptionally fast, has good speed and is very agile for a player his size. His offense drives his value, but he is quite good defensively, as he battles hard, is physical and plays a quiet position game. He has the potential to be a franchise defenseman.


ELITE PROSPECT
Projects to be top 10-15 percent of the league at their position

3. Casey Mittelstadt, C, Buffalo
Skating: 55
Puck Skills: 70
Physical Game: 45
Hockey sense: 60

Mittelstadt was the MVP of the world juniors and had a decent initial showing with the Sabres as a teenager. He’s a player who stands out due to his elite offensive abilities. There are very few players outside the NHL who can create offense like he can, and often he can bring fans out of their seats. He skates well, has arguably the best set of hands outside the league and has great overall offensive instincts as a playmaker. Off the puck, he’s not the best. Despite having fine size, he isn’t going to be a high-end physical player and needs work defensively. However, he shields pucks fine and, given his size and elite skill package, he still has the potential to be a star in the league. I have small reservations about his production at various levels relative to his age, but I’ve watched him so much and see a consistently high-end guy that I’m not too concerned.


VERY GOOD PROSPECT
Projects as a top-six forward/top-four defenseman/starting goaltender.

49. Alexander Nylander, LW, Buffalo
Skating: 50
Puck Skills: 60
Physical Game: 40
Hockey sense: 65

Nylander is a tough player to evaluate. He’s had a tough go at it in the pro level the past two seasons, with the pace of the game and the work off the puck being issues for him. He’s done much better when playing against his peer group at the U20 level. He has moments where he shows why he was a top-10 pick. He has great hands and vision and can be a driving force for an offense. I think he skates fine but often I find he plays too slow, meaning he doesn’t hit the blueline with speed and can struggle to play a game at the pro pace. He has a lot of work to do, but there’s so much potential in his game.

Note on tier change: I had Nylander as a high legit prospect in August, but after many discussions with scouts, insight into his injury issues last season and watching him in camp I bumped him up marginally.


LEGIT NHL PROSPECT
Projects to play, probably not in a top role, but is close enough that he could realistically get there.

97. Brendan Guhle, D, Buffalo
Skating: 60
Puck Skills: 50
Physical Game: 55
Hockey sense: 55

Guhle had a fantastic 2017-18. He changed my impression – and other NHL scouts who I also knew were skeptical of his upside – of his NHL projection. His calling card is his skating, as Guhle is an incredibly fluid skater for a big man who can close gaps quickly and transition on the rush well due to his feet. I liked how he showed more confidence carrying the puck this season, and while his skill isn’t great, he moved the puck well and was a useful power play guy. Guhle was also a go-to defender for his team, playing a lot of tough minutes and being an important part of one of the best teams in the AHL.


HAVE A CHANCE
Probably not an impact guy but could play in the league and has the toolkit to have an outside chance to be a real player.

11. Linus Ullmark, Buffalo
Ullmark was one of the top goalies in the AHL last season. He’s a technically sound goalie, who is smart and squares up a lot of pucks without making it seem like he’s putting forth much effort. He’s reasonably athletic and can make some tough saves but relies on his brain to make most of his stops. He’s developed well lately and could be in the mix for NHL time next season.
TheSabresTaco
Buffalo Sabres
Location: For me. jack Eichel is bobby ryan….that's it. - Octavarium, NY
Joined: 05.05.2011

Dec 20 @ 7:38 AM ET
Trade for Kyle Palmieri.
homiedclown
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We want 1, FL
Joined: 02.24.2008

Dec 20 @ 9:02 AM ET
Agreed, "people pay to get wet"
- Sabresfan-365

gerbe75pts
Anaheim Ducks
Location: DRAFT COLE CAUFIELD AT 7!!!, CA
Joined: 09.03.2009

Dec 20 @ 9:07 AM ET
He got fired for picking patrick 2nd overall.

With petterson on the board

Gmtm style drafting

- Boss34


It was like us talking Sam you had to take the best player available

But he played it safe like we did
homiedclown
Buffalo Sabres
Location: We want 1, FL
Joined: 02.24.2008

Dec 20 @ 9:08 AM ET
$2 gennys at the ECHL game last night


it was a site to see

2 thousand rednecks double fisted with a sea of white genny cans


Pretty sure more genny was drunk in Jacksonville then WNY last night



and the icemen won 6-4
wacey rabbit had 2 goals
and we got over 30 shots on goal, so I got a free frosty for a later date


gerbe75pts
Anaheim Ducks
Location: DRAFT COLE CAUFIELD AT 7!!!, CA
Joined: 09.03.2009

Dec 20 @ 9:14 AM ET
Trade for Kyle Palmieri.
- TheSabresTaco


He’s a little to old imo
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