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