Buffalo Sabres Prospects Rankings: Fall 2009

by David Oleksy on Oct 22, 2009 10:15 AM EDT in Prospects

Every year places like Hockey's Future put out their prospect rankings and they put out their Sabres rankings a while back. Last year we used the rankings from SabresProspects.com and posted them here. With SabresProspects.com taking a hiatus I wanted to make sure you could still get some prospects coverage.

I don't plan on doing the same thing that SabresProspects did with the prospects coverage. Quite frankly nobody could do as much as Bakes did to cover the Sabres prospects. I do hope to pick up some coverage and maybe follow some of the bigger stories among the prospects. I will do a post every week just like this one to chronicle the prospects for the week.

Die by the Blade will now have top 25 Prospect Rankings for the Buffalo Sabres and we will update them twice a year. This is the Fall 2009 edition. I don't have specific rules as to who is or isn't a prospect but for these rankings I amade my own decisions. I graduated Mark Mancari and Chris Butler. Mancari was re-signed after playing out his contract and no longer is a young prospect and Butler spent most of last season with the Sabres and there was never a question about him making the team this season.

In the initial rankings Tyler Myers and Tim Kennedy are still listed. If they stay with the team all season they will be graduated by the spring.

Buffalo Sabres Prospect Rankings				W	L	OTL/T	GAA	SV %	Weekly Notes
Rank	Player	Team	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	PIM	Weekly Notes
1	Tyler Myers	Buffalo Sabres	6	1	3	4	5	0	Scored first NHL goal. Goal and one assist
2	Tim Kennedy	Buffalo Sabres	6	0	1	1	0	6	2 Games Played, no points
3	Nathan Gerbe	Portland Pirates	6	3	4	7	1	8	3 Games Played, one goal and four points
4	Jhonas Enroth	Portland Pirates	6	2	4	0	4.61	0.855	1-1-0 record, 8 GA 46 saves
5	Mike Weber	Portland Pirates	7	0	2	2	-4	2	3 Games Played, minus four rating
6	Philip Gogulla	Portland Pirates	7	0	1	1	-4	2	3 Games Played, one assist
7	Luke Adam	Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)	13	6	12	18	6	18	4 Games Played, two goals - three assists
8	Tyler Ennis	Portland Pirates	7	4	1	5	-1	0	First pro hat trick, four goals - one assist
9	Drew Schiestel	Portland Pirates	4	0	0	0	-2	2	1 Game Played
10	Zack Kassian	Peterborough Petes (OHL)	6	3	5	8	-1	11	Injured - Did not play
11	Paul Byron	Portland Pirates	7	1	2	3	-4	8	3 Games Played, minus three
12	TJ Brennan	Portland Pirates	6	0	2	2	0	20	3 Games Played, two assists
13	Marc-Andre Gragnani	Portland Pirates	7	2	2	4	1	4	3 Games Played, one assist
14	Felix Schutz	Portland Pirates	7	0	2	2	-1	10	3 Games Played, no points
15	Corey Tropp	Michigan State Spartans (NCAA)	4	5	4	9	1	2	2 Games Played, four goals - one assist
16	Alex Biega	Harvard Crimson (NCAA)							Season did not start
17	Dennis Persson	Portland Pirates	7	0	1	1	-4	6	3 Games Played, minus four rating
18	Bradley Eidsness	North Dakota Fighting Sioux (NCAA)	4	3	0	1	1.72	0.908	2-0-0 record, 2GA 27 saves 1 Shutout
19	Marcus Foligno	Sudbury Wolves (OHL)	12	1	2	3	-6	45	3 Games Played, minus four rating
20	Brayden McNabb	Kootenay Ice (WHL)	13	3	11	14	1	40	5 Games Played, 1 goal - 4 assists - 22 PIMs
21	Corey Fienhage	North Dakota Fighting Sioux (NCAA)							Healthy Scratch
22	Drew Mackenzie	Vermont Catamounts (NCAA)	3	0	1	1	-2	6	2 Games Played, 1 assist, minus-1
23	Nick Crawford	Saginaw Spirit (OHL)	11	3	10	13	1	2	2 Games Played, 5 assists, plus-1
24	Jacob Lagace	Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)	13	10	8	18	-3	16	3 Games Played, 4-goals - 2-assists, plus-2
25	Mark Adams	Chicago Steel (USHL)	4	0	1	1	0	10	1 Game Played
-	Nick Eno	Bowling Green Falcons (NCAA)	1	0	1	0	3.06	0.914
-	Connor Knapp	Miami-OH Redhawks (NCAA)	2	1	0	0	3.33	0.878
-	Jordon Southorn	PEI Rocket (QMJHL)	15	2	4	6	1	12	2 Games Played, 2-assists
-	Justin Jokinen	Minnesota State Mavericks (NCAA)	4	1	0	1	0	4	2 Games Played, 1-goal
-	Mike Kostka	Portland Pirates	7	0	1	1	0	7	3 Games Played, 1-assists
-	Derek Whitmore	Portland Pirates	7	0	1	1	-2	2	3 Games Played, minus-3
-	Travis Turnbull	Portland Pirates	7	0	1	1	0	21	3 Games Played, minus-2
-	Maxime Legault	Portland Pirates	5	0	0	0	-4	4	1 Game Played, minus-2
-	J.P. Lamoureaux	Portland Pirates	3	0	1	0	3.35	0.898	0-1-0, 6 goals against, 33 saves
-	Matt Generous	Portland Pirates	1	0	0	0	0	0	Healthy Scratch

Tweet Comment 15 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

D.O. this is great

Man whatever happened to Dennis Persson.

by Kooz on Oct 22, 2009 11:43 AM EDT reply actions

I’ll get a chance to see Eidsness and Fienhage (if he plays) live in a couple months when UND comes to play two games at Cornell.

by The Burl 8 on Oct 22, 2009 2:52 PM EDT reply actions

Great starts by Adam, Legace and McNabb playing in 2 good leagues.

by gatornation on Oct 22, 2009 3:13 PM EDT reply actions

Hey speaking of Cornell...

What ever happened to Mark McCutcheon? I saw he got sent down to Portland, but he’s not listed on the roster. I’d love to see him do something in the NHL. Watching Moulsen on the Islanders a O’Byrne on the Canadiens is not enough for me. Is Brian’s boy still in the organization?

by Kooz on Oct 22, 2009 4:03 PM EDT reply actions

A google search of McCutcheon shows that he’s down in the ECHL in Idaho. I was told last night that Ryan Vesce is now up playing for the Sharks and has 2 goals in 2 games. I love seeing Big Red players doing well in the NHL.

by The Burl 8 on Oct 22, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Pirates in Town

Looking forward to Portland being in town this weekend. Plan on going both nights and doing some prospect scouting! First chance to see these guys and i dont expect Gerbe to be down in AHL all season. Will post my take on this sight after each game.

by ScottinNorfolk on Oct 22, 2009 4:08 PM EDT reply actions

Please do

I am hoping to go when they are in Buffalo but it is still up in the air right now.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 22, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m really impressed by McNabb. His play reminds me of a more skilled Braydon Colburn.

Luke Adam and Jake Lagace, tearing it up. I’d like to see them come to the AHL next year out of Major Juniors. That’s the route Pommer took and I think they’ll benefit from it.

I also think that Tyler Ennis will pick up as the year progresses. The problem is that he’s small and has to be protected but he’s got the playmaking vision of Timmay and Danny Briere with more scoring finish.

I like Kassian’s numbers as well.

Delightfully Ignoring The Truth since 1995.

by NeverendingOptimism on Oct 22, 2009 7:05 PM EDT reply actions

I should have included it in the post

I would also like to know what everyone thinks of the rankings.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 22, 2009 7:36 PM EDT reply actions

Do you know why SabresProspects.com is ot of commission for awhile? Dude runs a good website over there…

I think it’s almost fair to remove Myers from the “prospects” list. He’s never seeing junior hockey again, and I highly doubt he even sees AHL play. While that’s tongue in cheek about him not being a prospect anymore, his rise so far puts him in some elite Sabres company I’d think. I can’t remember too many guys who went the junior to pro route.

I’m curious as to why you have Gogulla so high. I think the kid has a lot of potential, but #6? Is he adjusting to the AHL so well now that you place him this high? If you know more on him, I’d like to hear…

Gerbe has his work cut out for him. What does he have to do to get called up, and who would he replace?

Why do I feel like Persson has been around forever? I know he was only drafted three years ago, and this is his first in North America. I just keep thinking I’ve heard his name mentioned in every pre season, and then nothing the rest of the way.

I want more Kassian news! Is there any chance he ends up in Portland at some point this year?

Is Luke Adam the potential replacement for Goose?

Assuming Hank and Lydman aren’t resigned after the season (That’s correct to assume – right? Right?), I’m figuring Weber is next up on deck. Who’s got the spot after him?

Assuming Miller is going to play out his contract here, what to do with Enroth? At what point does he become some kind of trade bait? IMO, he should be #2 on this list behind Myers.

Is Zagrapan tearing it up over in Russia?

by krytime on Oct 22, 2009 8:51 PM EDT reply actions

Corey Troop

Here’s a quick read on him from the other day:

http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2009/10/20/hi-my-name-is-corey-tropp/

What did he do again to get kicked out of hockey for a year?

by krytime on Oct 22, 2009 9:35 PM EDT reply actions

This is a great comment make me work a little bit...

Do you know why SabresProspects.com is ot of commission for awhile? Dude runs a good website over there…

I don’t. I plan on e-mailing Bakes to make sure everything is okay because his site is top notch. It’s going to be strange without that site.

I think it’s almost fair to remove Myers from the "prospects" list. He’s never seeing junior hockey again, and I highly doubt he even sees AHL play. While that’s tongue in cheek about him not being a prospect anymore, his rise so far puts him in some elite Sabres company I’d think. I can’t remember too many guys who went the junior to pro route.

I don’t plan on him being on the spring list but for now he has to be there because he has only played a couple of games. The NHL will still consider him a rookie next year if he doesn’t play enough games and therefore he has to be a prospect. With that being said…he doesn’t play like a rookie.

I’m curious as to why you have Gogulla so high. I think the kid has a lot of potential, but #6? Is he adjusting to the AHL so well now that you place him this high? If you know more on him, I’d like to hear…

Gogulla is a guy tat none of us knew a whole lot about because he played in Germany. I would look at his stats over there and instantly think he would never be a good player over there. I seen him play at the prospect camp in June and in the Pre-Season and I think this kid can play. I could be wrong on this but I think he is a can’t miss NHL player. It will be as a third liner but at this point that puts him at number six on my list.

Gerbe has his work cut out for him. What does he have to do to get called up, and who would he replace?

Easy…he needs an injury to a top six player. With Paille out of the mix, he will be the first call-up if a top six forward gets injured.

Why do I feel like Persson has been around forever? I know he was only drafted three years ago, and this is his first in North America. I just keep thinking I’ve heard his name mentioned in every pre season, and then nothing the rest of the way.

I feel the same way. I think it is because he was hyped by the team and the media. We still need to give him time because he is adjusting to the North American game. He will never be a superstar defenseman but he could possibly become a 5-6 guy if he develops.

I want more Kassian news! Is there any chance he ends up in Portland at some point this year?

It’s tough right now because he is injured. He is not eligible to play in Portlan until the OHL season ends. If Peterborough gets eliminated early and Portland advances, he could see some time in the playoffs.

Is Luke Adam the potential replacement for Goose?

Adam has the potential to be way better than Goose. Adam can score goals and is less of a grinder than Goose is. It will be interesting to see how he performs when he gets to the pro level in Portland.

Assuming Hank and Lydman aren’t resigned after the season (That’s correct to assume – right? Right?), I’m figuring Weber is next up on deck. Who’s got the spot after him?

Good question but I there is a boring answer. As it stands right now, the Sabres have eight defensemen and six of them are signed. If Weber comes up they would have seven which is ideal. In the case of injury the likely candidate would have to be Marc-Andre Gragnani.

Assuming Miller is going to play out his contract here, what to do with Enroth? At what point does he become some kind of trade bait? IMO, he should be #2 on this list behind Myers.

Before the season started, I would have had a different answer. Enroth is off to a really slow start. It took every ounce of my being to not drop him even further down the list but a couple of games is not a very good judge of how goo he could be.

Is Zagrapan tearing it up over in Russia?

Yes he is.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 22, 2009 9:37 PM EDT reply actions

I could be wrong on this but I think he is a can’t miss NHL player.

Actually, for some reason I’m high on him too. I think his first year in North America will do him well. He needs to bulk up that frame ~~a little~~ a lot. I heard/read he’s a good skater down low.

Easy…he needs an injury to a top six player.

Couldn’t agree more on Gerbe. That’s the only way he gets up now. Non injury wise, Kennedy would really have to sh!t the bed for him to get a jersey up here. I don’t think anyone else can be moved up/down, correct?

Adam has the potential to be way better than Goose

I knew he had some hands. I thought he was a feisty guy though. I kind of thought he was a big, mean center who could score.

What kind of role is Kassian playing in the juniors?

I’m looking at Brennan before Gragnani. I might even want to keep an eye on Schiestel. I think Gragnani’s window is getting smaller.

I heard Enroth was off to a slow start – I just thought that was the whole Portland team though. I still think he has some stud potential.

Should I be happy or mad at Zagrapan lighting up over there? I guess it depends on how long the Sabres will hold his rights for. DO – any info on that?

by krytime on Oct 22, 2009 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Adam is definitely everything you said he was. He is a big kid that is not afraid to be feisty when he needs to be. He has more skill potential than Gaustad has but can still play a physical style.

Gragnani’s window is definitely getting smaller but he is still the guy I look to in that role.

Kassian is a power forward. He has decent hands and gets dirty in the corners.

I expected as much from Zagrapan. He is a decent player but he was not making this team. I believe he is a restricted free agent in the NHL until he signs his next contract. I am not sure if age comes into play in his situation. I will look into it.

D.O.
www.diebytheblade.com - An SB nation destination for Sabres fans everywhere

by David Oleksy on Oct 23, 2009 8:45 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

some comments

in terms of prospect status Ennis and Kassian are way too low. They might not be close to the NHL at this point, but in terms of ceiling they are far and above everyone above them except Myers and possibly Enroth.

I also think that McNabb should be ten spots higher. While he is likely 2-3 years away from NHL play at best and isn’t a sure thing, he may have the highest ceiling of any player in the Sabres system. From the reports I read after the draft, the only knock on him was his skating, and he would have been a consensus top 20 pick had he been only an average skater. While I don’t want to say skating is overrated in the NHL, it is something that can be improved if you put the work in. He has the offensive skills to QB the PP along with the size and physicality of a true shut down defenseman. Unlike other players on the list, he’s a lock to make an NHL squad as a one dimensional player even if only one part of his game develops. And at his best he’s easily a number 1 dman on both sides of the puck. What other players ranked after Kassian even have the ceiling of a top line forward or first pairing defenseman?

by SabreBowie on Oct 24, 2009 8:13 AM EDT reply actions