The Buffalo Sabres Need to Exercise Patience

The future of the Buffalo Sabres may be bright, but it’s exactly that: the future.

Evaluating the potential in prospects is easily the most important aspect of sports management.

It’s what allows a team like the Detroit Red Wings to make the playoffs for 25 consecutive seasons. It’s what allows a small-market team such as the Kansas City Royals to win a World Series.

In fact, it’s not just important–it’s imperative. Teams that don’t draft well cannot compete in today’s sports market. It’s that simple.

But simply drafting a player is only half the battle. Sure, it takes a keen eye for talent or some crazy in-depth data plot chart to select the right players, but some organizations often forget the other 50% of the equation:

Development.

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And for this reason, I do not want to see Alex Nylander or Brendan Guhle in a Sabres sweater this season. Period.

This take comes after recent words by Tim Murray saying that he can see a scenario in which Nylander makes the Sabres roster this season-but that would be a mistake.

Patience can be difficult. It’s easy to understand the desire to draft a player and see the fruits of their talent on the professional level right away; but if the Sabres can avoid the temptation in these two scenarios, it will benefit the organization in the long run.

First, let’s examine why Nylander should wait a year.

We all saw his talent at development camp. His hands, vision, creativity and skating ability are striking for an 18-year-old kid. There’s a reason why he was selected 8th overall in this past draft, and I have zero doubt that he will be a critical part of the Sabres build to Cup contention.

The Sabres top prospect scored 28 goals and 75 points in 57 games for Mississauga this past season and took home the OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year awards, so he’s certainly shown the ability to finish and produce at the Junior level.

However, Nylander is in the unique position to begin professional development this season–an opportunity many 18 year-olds do not possess. Because he played in the OHL on a loan from Sweden as opposed to being drafted by the league, Nylander and the Sabres have options on how to best develop his game. This unique scenario allows him to play in the OHL again, Sweden, or make the jump to the AHL or NHL level.

Another year of Junior hockey could have its benefits. As a player who should pot 90-100 points in his second OHL season and be “the guy” on Mississauga, it would be perfectly acceptable if Tim Murray believes Nylander would develop best with the Steelheads.

However, the AHL would be the perfect place for Nylander this season. In Rochester, he would be able to play against men, and his development, especially his strength and conditioning, would be the greatest benefactor in helping him prepare for the grind of a grueling NHL season.

Furthermore, he’d be able to develop alongside some of his future teammates in Buffalo. Chances are strong that Justin Bailey, Hudson Fasching, Nick Baptiste and William Carrier will all be starting the season with the Americans. Adding Nylander to the fold will give Rochester a plethora of talented, borderline NHL-ready players to compete with.

With these players, Nylander can learn the ups and downs of professional hockey while getting the chance to play with guys who are so close to being NHL regulars.

Of the four options, the last place I want him to play is the NHL. His body does not seem ready for the physicality and toll that takes place over an 82-game season. Also, as we’ve seen in the past with players such as Mikhail Grigorenko, the constant shuffling between levels often leads to a damaged developmental process.

Let Nylander play in a place that he’ll have a lot of insulation and time to learn the professional style of play. Last year, Nylander’s brother William, who was the 8th overall pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2014, recorded 32 points in 37 games during his time with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. This year, William looks ready to be on the opening night roster for the big club, and this style of development will work well for Alex.

On the other hand, Brendan Guhle is a guy who has the look of a solid middle-pairing defenseman. He may not have the ceiling of a Rasmus Ristolainen, but there have been nothing but positive reports regarding his development and role he can play for an NHL franchise.

The 51st overall pick in the 2015 draft recorded 10 goals and 28 points with Prince Albert of the WHL. Also, as a late season call-up to Rochester, Guhle scored four points in six games with the Americans.

However, quite the opposite of Nylander, Guhle has limited options in where he can play this year. He can either stay in the WHL with the Raiders, or he can make the huge jump to the NHL. The AHL is not in the cards for him this season.

The last thing I want for Guhle is for him to step into a position that he’s not ready for. Although more physically ready (6’2, 185 lbs.) than Nylander, Guhle admitted in an interview on WGR 550 that he needs to improve his strength and size this summer.

It makes much more sense for him to play another year with Prince Albert and perhaps be a little over-ripened than to be a fish out of water at the NHL level.

The Sabres don’t possess much in terms of high-level defensemen talent in the pipeline. In fact, Guhle is easily the best D-prospect in the system, and as such, the organization needs to be careful with him.

Can any Buffalo fan honestly say that they expect the Sabres to challenge for the Stanley Cup this season? Heck, no. It will be a tall task to even make the playoffs, let alone contend upon arrival.

So what’s the rush? The Sabres showed excellent progress this season by improving 27 points in the standings and receiving solid seasons from Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart, Ristolainen and Ryan O’Reilly–all players that are a part of Buffalo’s core moving forward. These players, along with the addition of Kyle Okposo, negate the need for prospects to be rushed through their development.

As much as I’d love to see the incredible skill display of Nylander on a line with Eichel and Reinhart, it’s better off for all parties if he and Guhle receive more seasoning in the lower levels.

Next: Sabres Blue vs Gold Scrimmage Observations

The most valuable assets in sports are star players on their entry-level deals. It’s the cheapest they’ll come for the rest of their careers. Learning to be patient and maximize their time on ELC’s will set the Sabres up for future success.

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