Buffalo Sabres Round Table: 2015 Draft Thoughts

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The 2015 NHL Entry Draft is over, and the Buffalo Sabres came out of the draft one of the better teams in the National Hockey League.  They certainly are not going to be the best team heading into the regular season next year, but they will be playing for more than the right to draft no worse than second.

Tim Murray made several key acquisitions – not just only in draft picks, but in trades as well.  Let us briefly recap the 2015 NHL Draft Day that the Buffalo Sabres and Tim Murray had. This isn’t your normal round table – we will go through the 2015 NHL draft, and have a couple of writers from Mile High Sticking joining us to discuss the major trades.

More From SabreNoise – Buffalo Sabres Trade For Robin Lehner

The future looked promising – the Buffalo Sabres had three draft picks before the season started in the first round of what was being touted as a very deep draft class.  Then all of a sudden, before it was even lunch time on the day of draft day – they were brought down from their draft pedestal, with just one pick like most other teams.

The Sabres had clear indicators that they weren’t done for the day – the team now had a goaltender that wasn’t aging, and that wasn’t just around for the push for last place.

Certainly a gamble – but the mantra of Sabres Nation so far has been In Tim we trust – so the goalie that he drafted and is high on, we should look to pin our hopes of the future on. Follow along with Robin’s Twitter.

The day remained quiet after that – until it was time to start the draft, and the rumors started heating up about the Buffalo Sabres and Ryan O’Reilly again – only this time, they were a little more than rumors.  While Twitter had it announced that the Buffalo Sabres had traded to the Colorado Avalanche, but first, it was to the podium to select their first round draft pick at second overall.

Oh Tim Murray, you man of few words.  How many dreams did you finally make come true with those four simple words.  Jack Eichel was finally ours.

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It was then that Tim Murray showed the hockey world that he was serious about keeping Jack Eichel in Buffalo and not letting him go back to the NCAA, and that he was serious about improving the Buffalo Sabres as early as next season.

That seems like a lot to give up for a player that is going to command a big salary (with only one year on his deal), but Tim Murray got rid of two players with maturity issues – and we all know he isn’t afraid of trading good prospects and players to get better quickly.

That would end the first day for the Buffalo Sabres and their fans – with plenty to look forward to the next day.  The Buffalo Sabres retained all of the rest of their picks for the second day of the draft, and it was a pretty quiet day for the Blue and Gold.  Here are the day two picks, with recaps from Sabres.com:

More From SabreNoise – Buffalo Sabres Add Depth At D In Second Day Of Draft

So with that, some thoughts on the Buffalo Sabres draft moves from us here at SabreNoise – and from around FanSided.

Next: Nadia Archuleta, Editor Mile High Sticking

Apr 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche fans celebrate the go ahead goal by right wing Jarome Iginla (12) (not pictured) against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Pepsi Center. The Avalanche defeated the Blackhawks 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Janik Beichler, Editor – Mile High Sticking

The months leading up to the draft have been all about Ryan O’Reilly. You actually have to go back to when he signed an offer sheet of the Calgary Flames in 2013, if you want to get the whole story. Long story short, O’Reilly wanted more money than the Avalanche was willing to give him and quite possibly more than he deserves, every time his contract would expire. That led to a lot of discussion year after year, week for week, so that the first reaction to the trade was “it is finally over.”

Mile High Sticking

That feeling got even stronger when The Denver Post’s Mike Chambers blogged that O’Reilly was asking for an eight-year, $64 million contract. Don’t get me wrong, O’Reilly is an outstanding player. He just isn’t one that deserves $8 million a year.

I was a big supporter of the possibility to trade O’Reilly and it seemed like I was part of that two percent group of Avalanche fans that wanted to get rid of him. Colorado’s biggest problem is puck possession and advanced stats show that O’Reilly was a huge piece in getting those stats up as “high” as they were. At the same time, he has the potential to be a consistent 50-point scorer. So why trade him?

The only answer to that is his contract demands. He is not Sidney Crosby, he is not Steven Stamkos, he is not Ryan Getzlaf and he is not Logan Couture. If O’Reilly really wants the contract mentioned above and I was Joe Sakic, I would personally carry O’Reilly to Buffalo and drop him at the Sabres’ front porch. Good thing he is gone.

That said, I do believe that he can really help the Sabres for the future, if they get him signed to a somewhat reasonable contract. As to the return that came from Buffalo, I had Nikita Zadorov as a main trade target and just hope that Mikhail Grigorenko, J.T. Compher and A.J. Greer (who is the closest relative to Buffalo’s 31st pick) turn into great assets as well.

Next: Jack Leiper, Editor - SenShot

Apr 26, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Ottawa Senators fans cheer during the third period against Montreal Canadiens in the game six of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Jack Leiper, Editor – SenShot

Tough to see him [Robin Lehner] go. Certainly, the return makes it easier to see him gone. I am totally thrilled that B. Murray was able to get that first rounder back. Perhaps it is a bit of an over-payment for Lehner, but it’s justifiable for T. Murray to make.

Lehner is a good goaltender. Average in sv% over the past few seasons, but performed well in a backup role. He’s been noted to have a short temper which certainly played a factor into his move. He’ll need to grow up, but that should come with more time in the NHL and maturity.

There have been rough stretches for sure. Lehner had a few games where he let in more than a few weak ones and shots that were considered easy to save. That said, he’s also had some incredible high points. He’s managed to steal games in the past, and one particular stretch in late 2013 led to a NHL 1st star of the week nod. It was a controversial move when MacLean went back to Anderson after that stretch.

He holds a high ceiling. His dad is Henrik Lundqvist’s goaltending coach, so he’s always had some of the best technical players around him. Is he ready for a starting role? Probably not. He’s 23 and goaltenders don’t peak until around 27-30. However, that makes him a great fit on a rebuilding Buffalo team.

Next: Jacob Strozyk, Editor - SabreNoise

May 28, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray (left) with new Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma is introduced at a press conference at the First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Jacob Strozyk, Editor – SabreNoise

The Buffalo Sabres have made all of the right moves during this year’s draft. They accomplished the most important thing besides the obvious (which was drafting Jack Eichel) which was acquiring a number one goaltender. Robin Lehner is Tim Murray’s number one man, and I feel that he made the right choice. The young goaltender still has contract left and is only 23 so he has more time to develop with the rest of the team.

The second trade made was the one that saw Mikhail Grigorenko and Nikita Zadorov get shipped off to Colorado in exchange for Ryan O’Reilly. I’ve had mixed feelings about this trade over the past few days and I’ll say that my initial reaction to it is the same as it is now. I am not fond of this trade.

I will grant a few good things about O’Reilly before I say why I did not like the trade. O’Reilly is a fantastic two way center that has playmaking ability and defensive responsibility. He is consistent in those areas, but where he falls short is the goal scoring area. When I think of a number one center (which Dan Bylsma has declared him already) I think of a player that can run the offense better than everyone else on the team. Players like Joe Thornton, Nicklas Backstrom, John Tavares, Sydney Crosby, etc all fit that description, but I would not put Orally in that situation.

What the Sabres gave up in Zadorov, Grigorenko, and even JT Compher is elite potential for a good hockey player that can play right now. While that was a smart move on Murray’s part to get more results next season, the key piece given up was Nikita Zadorov as it thins out the defense and decreases the size and intimidation of the Sabres Blue Line even more. Sure we still have Ristolainen and Bogosian, but Zadorov was good enough to play a style like Chris Pronger in a few years if he kept on track.

So I stand by my dislike of the trade for the sake of the defense and what Zadorov could have become. I do not knock O’Reilly’s center playing ability at all, he is a good player for sure, but he is not an elite level center. I assume he will fill the role of the top center until Jack Eichel takes the reigns from him in a few years.

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As far as the rest of the draft, Buffalo went defense heavy, which was a smart play to increase the depth at the position. One particular pick was strange to me. Buffalo’s second round selection of Guhle was a bit strange considering defenseman Oliver Kylington was still on the board. Kylington is a smaller defenseman, but he has much more offensive upside than Guhle does. that was the only pick I was a little shaky on. the rest of the picks were solid and hopefully turn out some good NHL players.

Overall, I’ll give the Buffalo Sabres an A- for their overall draft performance. Great overall, but I only dock them to a minus for the loss of Zadorov and the passing on Kylington. Otherwise It was a great draft for the team as a whole. I cannot wait to see how free agency goes.

Next: Adam Savard, Staff Writer - SabreNoise

Apr 1, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Brian Gionta (12) carries the puck up ice during the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Savard, Staff Writer – SabreNoise

Has everyone caught their breath yet?

The Buffalo Sabres certainly made the weekend exciting.  Those of us that thought the drafting of Jack Eichel would start the fireworks seriously underestimated GM Tim Murray as he pulled off the first deal of the weekend.  It’s a complex deal for me and easily the most surprising Buffalo Sabres news from the weekend.

Robin Lehner and David Legwand are part of the Blue and Gold after Murray sent the 21st overall pick to Ottawa in return.  With Murray’s connections to the Senators he would know Lehner as well as anyone in hockey and as a fan I want to trust what is happening in the team.  Until this trade – and after it with Ryan O’Reilly – there is no reason to distrust the process.

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But the idea of a first round pick on a goaltender makes my head hurt.  Sure Lehner is 23 and a prototype “big” goalie at 6′ 5” and 225 pounds.  But he also has a recent injury history and hasn’t put up the best numbers over the last two seasons.  Murray believes there is a reasonable explanation which justifies the trade.

To be clear I would have the same concerns, if not more, should Murray have taken a goaltender with the 21st pick.  The fan in me becomes more frustrated with the trade when you consider the price paid for Eddie Lack, Cam Talbot and to a lesser extent Martin Jones.

But from the other side Murray was brilliant in that he set the market for goaltender trades at the draft.  He identified the player he wanted and had the conviction to make the deal.  A deal he wasn’t entirely happy making if you listen to his comments after the deal was done.

Murray made the deal anyway and the Buffalo Sabres have a new goaltender competing for the starting job.  Isn’t that what we want in a general manager?  Someone that isn’t afraid to take risks trying to improve the team and ultimately win the Stanley Cup.  We have that and with the tanking nonsense out of the way, Murray is improving the Sabres faster than many would have believed.

Trades like this don’t often prove good or bad for a few years and it would take that time to determine if the 21st pick would become an NHL player.  Lehner comes with some NHL experience and now gets the chance to prove he can carry the starting load.  And the first round pick traded is one of several the Buffalo Sabres had between this draft and the next.

Acquiring Lehner is a calculated risk as all trades are.  I still wish the calculation didn’t include a first round pick.  That said it’s refreshing to have a general manager willing to take those risks to make the team better.  Murray puts himself out there, for better or worse, and makes no apologies for it.  For me, that makes him easy to root for.

And it seems to be making the Buffalo Sabres better ahead of schedule.  We will look back in a few years and see either a missed opportunity or a mad genius at work.  No matter what, the trade for Robin Lehner will be the standout moment from the NHL Draft for the Sabres.

Next: Nathan Fleming, Staff Writer - SabreNoise

Apr 1, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Matt Moulson (26) celebrates his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period at First Niagara Center. Buffalo beats Toronto 4 to 3. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Nathan Fleming, Staff Writer – SabreNoise

Buffalo Draft 2015 – “The O’Reichel Situation” (I said it first!  LOL)

When it comes to draft day, I’m a first-round investor only.  I don’t follow the players leading up to the draft beyond a handful of top prospects, so I couldn’t speak to Tim Murray’s efficacy beyond 7:30 on Friday night.

Puck Prose

The biggest issue I have as a fan, is that I get very attached to our players.  When trades happen, I can usually appreciate the long-term benefits but it takes me a while to get over the loss of Sabres I’ve come to love.  Case in point, I’m finally over the loss of Tyler Myers and pretty excited to see Evander Kane take the ice in the fall.

As for the draft, the only two things I cared about was the expected drafting of Jack Eichel, and the rumored trading for Ryan O’Reilly.  Both happened, and as for what we gave up to get O’Reilly, I can live with it.

Grigorenko had a lot of potential but, blame it on how his early career was managed or by his lack of maturity, I’m not really disappointed that he’s gone.  Zadorov is a different story.  His struggles last year with conducting himself as a pro athlete were very minor and would have been short-lived.  He was one of the defensemen I was most excited to have on the ice, even more so than Ristolainen, who I feel gets much more positive press.  However, keeping in mind that you can’t get something for nothing, I think we’ll be fine.

I think Ryan O’Reilly will be a solid piece of the puzzle.  The one concern I have, is that I do think he’s overpaid, if only based on the numbers he’s put up.  So, as far as his contract extension is concerned, I think the pressure is on him to make an immediate impact on this team in October.

Oh, and he also shares the name as my favorite character from “Oz,” but that’s neither here nor there…

Aside from his stats, I’ve liked everything I hear about Jack Eichel.  He seems like he’s extremely mature for his age and I think he might make a quicker impact even than Connor McDavid.  Maybe his numbers won’t be as high, long term, but I think we’ll see a big upswing.

I’m very disappointed we didn’t capture Cam Talbot and went with Lehner.  I think this was a huge mistake, but I’m coping and hoping.  We’ll see where this one takes us.

The next question:  What will Tim Murray do during free agency to tighten up the paling blue line?

Next: Billy Weltzer, Staff Writer - SabreNoise

Billy Weltzer, Staff Writer – SabreNoise

The Draft

Getting someone like Jack Eichel is in fact the ultimate consolation prize. He has all the physical tools to become a number 1 center in the NHL and he has the drive to be the best, even if he was chosen number 2. I believe there is a chip on his shoulder from that and he will push himself everyday to prove his statements about being the best player in the draft isn’t just talk. Having Eichel is huge and his decision to come to Buffalo and start his NHL career cannot come soon enough. Even though the entire hockey world knew Eichel was Buffalo bound, it was still a fantastic moment hearing his name called knowing the future is incredibly bright for the Sabres.

Even though it seems the rebuild has been shifted into hyperspeed through the Eichel pick and trades, GM Tim Murray went out on a mission to fill his deep prospect pool with more defensemen. Whether they were the right fit or were just the best player available, there was a trend with all the defensemen. All the defensemen that were taken are quality skaters with a specific qualities to their game. Brendan Guhle (2,51) is a superior skater and athlete that moves the puck very well and is willing to play a physical game, it doesn’t phase him much like Ristolainen.

William Borgen (4,92) is more of a two-way defenseman that is responsible in his own end and can make a good first pass that can spark offense. Devante Stephens (5,122) is more of a project and he is not a player that will jump out at you, but he has some grit and makes good decisions in his own end. Lastly, Ivan Chukarov (7,182) is more of an offensive defenseman than any other defenseman drafted by the Sabres this year. With these four prospects, they will have the chance to go through their Junior and Collegiate careers before turning pro. This will give these players a chance to develop their skills over a longer period of time like we see in Detroit and Tampa Bay.

The Trades

When it came to a goalie, the Sabres were in search of a number 1 goalie either now or in the near future who is still young. The other options out there were Eddie Lack and Cam Talbot who are already 27 years old and have expiring contracts. Picking up the 23 year old Robin Lehner was the best case scenario in my opinion. He is signed until the 2017 when he becomes a Restricted Free Agent. That is a lot better than having to sign Talbot or Lack instantly.

Lehner has the aggressiveness and desire I like to see in net to go along with his skills that are looking more sound with experience. Adding David Legwand was apparently a take it or leave it deal for Tim Murray, but it is not the worst take it or leave it situation. Legwand is an established veteran who can bolster the bottom 6 for the Sabres. As we see throughout the playoffs every year, top 6 players get you to the post season, but the bottom 6 win you the championship.

Getting a young, talented, and driven goalie and a season veteran for the 21st pick sounds about right. Murray knows he has to spend to bring in talent and he’s shown his willingness to make those decisions. I like the trade and think it worked out well for both teams.

As rumors swelled around the time Jack Eichel was picked, Ryan O’Reilly and Jamie McGinn were shipped off to Western New York in exchange for Mikhail Grigorenko, Nikita Zadorov, JT Compher, and the 31st pick. The Sabres got back two established players under the age of 27 which fits the mold for Murray’s plans. Ryan O’Reilly is a fantastic two-way player that can finish on the offensive end and be responsible in his own.

Jamie McGinn is another bottom 6 forward that has skill to go along with his grit which is a major advantage to a team that is trying to be a tough team to play against. The thing I like with both of these players is that they are versatile. They have shown they can play with a wide range of players and can succeed in those situations. When it comes to what the Sabres gave up, Losing Zadorov hurt, but he has also been a concern in the locker room more than once. His teammates likely worried about his commitment and Murray was ready to move him with another problem within the organization, Mikhail Girgorenko. He has been a problem for the organization since day 1.

The Sabres didn’t develop him correctly and Girgorenko was unwilling to go through the development process. Moving him instead of losing him for nothing was a smart move. JT Compher does not have top 6 potential in a prospect pool full of centers, moving him isn’t a problem at all. The 31st pick could have been the 21st, take it or leave it if the Lehner trade didn’t occur and Colorado would likely avoid taking the 51st when there was a better option, so it is what it is.

Overall through the draft and trades, the Sabres’ organization skyrockted on the radars of hockey fans and they are going to be an exciting team to watch once they figure out what to do with the spot Zadorov left. I think they will be signing someone in free agency, hopefully a left handed shot, to fill that void while having Pysyk ease his way in on the 3rd pairing.

Next: Joseph DiBiase, Staff Writer - SabreNoise

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Jack Eichel puts on a team jersey after being selected as the number two overall pick to the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Joseph DiBiase, Staff Writer – SabreNoise

Friday was maybe the most impactful day in Buffalo Sabres history. A nearly two year long buildup to the 2015 NHL Draft finally came and went, while the Sabres came away with the generational talent they so desired. Fans put in so much effort and turmoil to endure a losing culture so that we could acquire such a player. Friday was a celebration of that effort becoming the reward we wanted. Tim Murray stepped to the mic and unleashed “Buffalo selects Jack Eichel” as the First Niagara Center, 716 restaurant, and Buffalo sports bars erupted. This day was about Jack Eichel.

But Tim Murray managed to get the fans even more excited. He traded away Nikita Zadorov, Mikhail Grigorenko, J.T. Compher, and the 31st pick for Ryan O’Reilly and Jamie McGinn. It was a heavy price to pay, but he got the best player in the league available for trade. That’s something Darcy Regier would have never managed to do. O’Reilly makes this team an immediate contender for the playoffs. McGinn will also be a solid 3rd liner and should not be overlooked in this trade.

One move I didn’t like was the Robin Lehner trade. Buffalo traded it’s 21st overall pick for Robin Lehner and David Legwand. Spending a 21st pick for a goalie is overpaying, and Legwand is nothing more than a 4th line center at this point in his career. Lehner has had concussion issues and has yet to find success at the NHL level. That being said he still has very high potential.

In rounds 2-7 of the draft Tim Murray used all his picks on defenseman except for one. Their 2nd round pick Brendan Guhle will become the best defensive prospect in the system that has not played in the NHL yet. He set the combine on fire, and is a very athletic all around defenseman. The Sabres tried hard to add to their defensive prospect depth in this draft after trading Zadorov.

I would give Buffalo an A- for draft weekend.

Next: Tim Redinger, Senior Editor - SabreNoise

May 28, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres general manager Tim Murray (left) with head coach Dan Bylsma as he holds a jersey with owners Terry Pagula and Kim Pagula at a press conference at the First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Tim Redinger, Senior Editor – SabreNoise

The Buffalo Sabres weren’t lying when they wanted this to be a three to four year rebuild.  Of course no one was figuring on the Buffalo Sabres counting the two years at the bottom as part of the rebuild.  Just as fast as Tim Murray came on board when he was hired he has put together his roster, and to me it all started by adding a coach that knows what it takes to coach young good players, and win with them.

I was honestly not surprised that the Buffalo Sabres were active traders at the NHL Draft – but what they traded for and how they got to it surprised me.  I was expecting Tim Murray to utilize the 21st pick in the draft, as well as the 31st pick to move up in the first round and land somewhere in the vicinity of the mid teens, you know – the spot on the draft where the Boston Bruins took over the draft.

I was a little shocked that the Buffalo Sabres used a first round pick to get a goaltender, but a need is a need.  Where you think they may have overpaid – if you just swap out the picks in the two trades (move the 21st pick to the O’Reilly trade, and the 31st to the Lehner trader) then they make more sense, and the Buffalo Sabres may have been able to retain J.T. Compher.

There are tons of opinions on what took place this weekend, but the resounding fact of the matter is – the Buffalo Sabres made the jump from pathetic tank to competitive with the blink of an eye.

Stay with us as we continue to give you opinion on the off season moves through free agency.

Next: Buffalo Sabres Round Table - Free Agency Options

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