So Eichel was taken 2nd overall, did anyone think otherwise? Good, didn’t think so. Now it is time to look at the next pick for the Buffalo Sabres, the 51st pick overall. After the 21st and 31st were dealt to the Ottawa Senators and the Colorado Avalanche during today’s trades that brought Robin Lehner, David Legwand, Ryan O’Reilly, and Jamie McGinn to the Buffalo Sabres.
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The Sabres look like they’ve filled their need for a top 6 winger and a number 1 (or close to it) goaltender while obtaining assets to the bottom 6 lines. All I have to say to that is where does this leave Foligno, Kaleta, and McCormick? When it comes to the 51st pick, there is one area that has the opportunity to be a tad better prospect wise.
The only portion of the Buffalo Sabres that could benefit from another quality prospect is on defense. There are quality defensemen in this year’s draft that has the potential to make an impact a few years down the road. When it comes to this player, I would want him to have the ability to be a contributing factor on the offensive component and can hold their own. I am not as worried if it takes plenty of grooming in the minors to become a factor. In 3-4 years can do a young player wonders by giving them a chance to mature their game, work on their skills, and bulk up. Who would I like to see? I’ll tell ya.
Travis Dermott, D, 5’11”, 195 lbs from the Erie Otters in the OHL
2014-15: Regular Season/Post Season
GP: 61/19
G: 8/5
A: 37/12
PTS: 45/17
PIM: 53/20
+/-: 23/8
Dermott is a solid three-zone defenseman that could become a solid top 6 defenseman with the proper amount of time for him to develop. He is a good puck mover in all three zones; he can hit players in stride through a breakout or a transition. Dermott has been a key component on the Otters blueline on the powerplay, which I think the Sabres might need more than anything else; a defenseman that can be on a powerplay unit. He’s also responsible in his own end. There were mistakes made this year, but many were minor and fixable or bad luck like any player experiences.
If Dermott is not there for the Sabres, I have a second option that I would like to see the Sabres to seriously consider.
Jeremy Bracco, C/RW, 5’9″,170 lbs from the U.S. National U18 Team and the USNTDP Juniors (USHL)
Regular Season/U18 WJC
GP: 89/7
G: 44/3
A: 82/10
PTS: 126/13
PIM: 16/2
Jeremey Bracco is considered to be a Patrick Kane type, but I also would like to compare him to a current Sabre, Tyler Ennis. He’s undersized, with excellent playmaking abilities. He has the agility and quick burst of speed that helps him excel. He has quick hands that you would see on Ennis and the creativeness in the offensive zone to make his numbers stand out. The concerns are his defensive game and his size, but as we have seen recently, undersized players can have a gigantic impact on games. Give Bracco time and he could form into a valuable player for the Sabres down the road.
There are a number of ways the Sabres could go with the 51 pick, but these are two options that could work for the Sabres if these two players are still available. Comment and tweet (@SabreNoise) with your thoughts on what the Sabres should do at 51.
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