NHL Draft Lottery Tonite

[Southside]

FYI: On the NHL Network tonite at 8pm.

Should be interesting...

Southside

[jlpubarch]

I just found this:

TSN's Top Prospects: Mid-Season Report (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?fid=11330&hubname=)

With Buffalo drafting in the 13th-ish range, I hope they go after

13. Tyler Myers.
6'7", 200 lbs, 18 years old.

15. Colten Teubert
6'3", 188 lbs, 18 years old.

Two big defenseman with decent puck moving abilities.

Pair Weber with someone like Tallinder. Pair this kid with someone like Lydman, and you have two lines capable of some offense and rock-solid defending.

[pigpen65]

Sabs totally ****ed themselves with that win vs Boston. Unreal season.

[foster]

Sabs totally ****ed themselves with that win vs Boston. Unreal season.

How did they do that? They are in lottery and by winning that last game they might have gone from a 1 in 100 chance to 2 in 100 chance.

They will get the chance to pick from 1-14 and that should bring a good player regardless of position.

[anEinherjer]

There's no way we're going to play an 18 y/o D man next October. I don't buy it.

[jlpubarch]

There's no way we're going to play an 18 y/o D man next October. I don't buy it.

No, not next October, but in like two years.

Both of these players were born and raised in the North American system...its not like they're being drafted from Sweden or something.

Year or two in the AHL, and they're ready.

[pigpen65]

How did they do that? They are in lottery and by winning that last game they might have gone from a 1 in 100 chance to 2 in 100 chance.

They will get the chance to pick from 1-14 and that should bring a good player regardless of position.

3 teams tied with 88 points. Buffalo had the suck tie breaker over all of them. Had they lost vs Boston, it would have been an automatic 4 spot jump. It was a completely meaningless game. I realize this is an NHL draft and it's much more hit and miss compared to the other sports, but it's still a very sizable jump in draft position over a completely meaningless game.

[pigpen65]

There's no way we're going to play an 18 y/o D man next October. I don't buy it.

You have to take into account too that the Sabs still haven't announced a new farm team. When they do, they are most likely going to be the sole affiliate, and they are already extremely thin on minor league talent, especially on Defense.

[Proteus]

How did they do that? They are in lottery and by winning that last game they might have gone from a 1 in 100 chance to 2 in 100 chance.

They will get the chance to pick from 1-14 and that should bring a good player regardless of position.

I think the most you can move up is 4 picks and the most you can move down is one.

[dilbert]

No, not next October, but in like two years.

Both of these players were born and raised in the North American system...its not like they're being drafted from Sweden or something.

Year or two in the AHL, and they're ready.

They can't play in the AHL next year. I think the age requirement for the AHL is 20 (might be 19, but am pretty sure it is 20).

[pigpen65]

Tampa could be back in a HUGE way next year if they get Stamkos. Especially considering they scored a real good young goaltender in Smith in the Dallas trade.

[anEinherjer]

You have to take into account too that the Sabs still haven't announced a new farm team. When they do, they are most likely going to be the sole affiliate, and they are already extremely thin on minor league talent, especially on Defense.

I know that. That's why I say whoever we pick aint' gonna be in Buffalo come October. Unless the Sabres start up an AHL team here. :)

I hope we DO load up on D prospects (junior and in the AHL). We need 'em and they're tougher to uncover than forwards, from all I've seen.

[Papaduke]

Well there are 2 schools of thought, draft to need or draft the best player available. When the two combine, bonus. Those who draft to need may end up with a glut at that position in a couple seasons time when they start to develop. Those who draft BPA may end up with holes in their lineup in certain areas when they bias draft at positions they feel more comfortable judging. Yet you also need to draft towards your scouting strength and address your scouting weakness by bringing in better judges of talent at that position or addressing shortcomings through free agency. Anyways, just a couple thoughts.

[FunkMasterFix]

i know it isnt official, but havent we heard from a few sources that Portland, Maine will be the AHL affiliate?

[Wojo1203]

all minore league affiliate talk aside....so who are we realistically looking at with the 13th pick? Not really who YOU want. Is there a possibility we trade up a few spots to get somebody we are really high on, or will we keep all the picks we have to re-stock our own affiliate?

[TRIPLE P]

6'7" D man... lets do that.

[TheAnswer74]

Tampa Bay looks very smart right now IMO. Brad Richards and his 7+ million contract out, Steven Stamkos and his bright future in.

[Blofan4life]

Tampa Bay looks very smart right now IMO. Brad Richards and his 7+ million contract out, Steven Stamkos and his bright future in.

They should have to really good forward lines next year and a pretty decent goalie. Defensive on the other hand, is where they are lacking besides Boyle. I think they will compete for a playoff spot next year but don't know if they will get in.

[Dockwalliper]

Tampa won the lottery. Sabres pick 13th.

1. Tampa Bay Lightning
2. Los Angeles Kings
3. Atlanta Thrashers
4. St. Louis Blues
5. New York Islanders
6. Columbus Blue Jackets
7. Toronto Maple Leafs
8. Phoenix Coyotes
9. Nashville Predators (from Florida)
10. Vancouver Canucks
11. Chicago Blackhawks
12. Anaheim Ducks (from Edmonton)
13. Buffalo Sabres
14. Carolina Hurricanes

[skoorah720]

Let's not forget the Sabres have TWO 1st rounders this year. We also get the pick from the Campbell trade...let's hope the Sharks tank early.

[CrazzyLegs10]

6"3" 188 is not big, its Mike Wilson, unless he actually works out in the off season.

[Southside]

Skoorah720 hit it right on the head- Darcy is in the cat bird seat thus far on early picks.
Don't count him out of a draft day deal in some way shape or form. A handful of picks, a veritable plethora of deep talent --with the possiblity of more signings of some youngsters as soon as they are able. This is a good, deep draft. And next year don't look bad either.

IMHO
Southside

[SCBILLFAN1]

3 teams tied with 88 points. Buffalo had the suck tie breaker over all of them. Had they lost vs Boston, it would have been an automatic 4 spot jump. It was a completely meaningless game. I realize this is an NHL draft and it's much more hit and miss compared to the other sports, but it's still a very sizable jump in draft position over a completely meaningless game.

Other than the picks 1-5, don't most of these guys need a lot of time to develop?

[ricogarion]

Skoorah720 hit it right on the head- Darcy is in the cat bird seat thus far on early picks.
Don't count him out of a draft day deal in some way shape or form. A handful of picks, a veritable plethora of deep talent --with the possiblity of more signings of some youngsters as soon as they are able. This is a good, deep draft. And next year don't look bad either.

IMHO
Southside

I never count out Darcy,its the other uncontrolled aspect of the front office that scares me.

[Ralonzo]

Let's not forget the Sabres have TWO 1st rounders this year. We also get the pick from the Campbell trade...let's hope the Sharks tank early.

Sharks pick is carved in stone at number 29 unless they win the Cup. Then they would drop to 30.

[Papaduke]

Nope not necessarily. If the Sharks win the Cup the pick is 30. If the Redwings win the Cup the pick is 29. If anyone else wins the Cup, Detroit picks 29 the Sharks pick moves to 28. So root for anyone but SJ or Detroit.