NHL Draft Complete in Montreal

by David Oleksy on Jun 27, 2009 2:30 PM EDT Comment 7 comments

After two days of excitement, nervousness and pure anticipation the NHL Draft has concluded in Montreal. The Buffalo Sabres took a total of six players with the predominant theme being size. Former Sabres captain and the father of Sabres draft pick Marcus Foligno said "The Sabres may have taken the toughest two players in the entire Ontario Hockey League (Marcus Foligno and Zack Kassian).

There were plenty of highlights and their were plenty of surprises but overall it was a successful weekend, especially in the eyes of Sabres fans. We not only seen the Sabres pick a player with the selection of Kassian but we seen a shift in the way of thinking among the Sabres brass. The Sabres decided that they need to be a tougher team after missing the playoffs for two consecutive seasons.

I think that as a Sabres fan you have to be very pleased with the way the draft played out. Zack Kassian is a can't miss prospect in my eyes. He will be a good NHL player at the very least and cold possibly become a dominant power forward like Todd Bertuzzi was before the incident.

Brayden McNabb is another big strong kid that is almost certainly going to be a NHL player. Once again his role is undefined but he figures to be a stay-at-home defenseman by his play so far. The great part about this pick is the upside this kid has. At the present moment he is nothing more than a physical player that is willing to get dirty in the corners but he has the potential to be a good two-way player if he develops.

The pick of Kassian was a popular pick but the pick of Marcus Foligno might be even more popular. Once again he is a big strong kid that plays a physical style but he also has blood lines that run through Buffalo. In fact he was born in Buffalo wile his father was a member of the Buffalo Sabres. Many people are rooting for this kid to be a key contributor in Buffalo.

Te rest of the draft followd suit for the Sabres with the theme being size. They had a plan to get bigger and they accomplished that goal. I'll have plenty more on the draft and the thoughts of Darcy Regier and Kevin Devine as the week roles on.

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Draft

The Sabres’ draft was every bit as good as it needed to be. Now the task for management is to get rid of the dead wood on the team through the trade route. Hecht and Pommaville are receiving salaries far above the performance level expected of them – trade ’em. Connolly is too inconsistent, injury prone and lacks leadership skills – trade him. Others, such as, Affinogonov, Tallinger, Peters etc. should just be dumped. The are some fine young players on the Portland team that deserve to playing in the NHL bring them up and give Lindy Ruff the opportunity to develop them into NHL players. The current team has demonstrated they lack the discipline and commitment needed to succeed in the regular season. They certainly could not succeed in the playoffs even if they, by some miracle, made it that far.

by Geolover on Jun 27, 2009 8:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thrilled with this draft

With Kaleta, Myers and the group drafted this weekend, it looks like we’re starting to get back to our Hardest Working Team in Hockey roots. I’m really excited about the future of the team.

A bullhorn, a bottle of whiskey and a dream. GobblerCountry.com

by furrer4heisman on Jun 27, 2009 9:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I am excited

this was a great draft for the Buffalo Sabres. I will have much more draft stuff to share throughout the week.

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

by David Oleksy on Jun 27, 2009 10:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bigger yes, smaller on skills

Leave it to our gutless leader Derwood to make safe picks and do nothing but playit safe! Missing the playoffs 5 out of 7 seasons is proving in his mind that his philosophy is working…????

This better be his do or die season!!

by MuckerandGrinder on Jun 27, 2009 10:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

They already have skill players. They didn’t need to draft more small skill guys they needed big strong kids and that is exactly what they did.

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

by David Oleksy on Jun 27, 2009 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

exactly

between Connolly, Roy, Pomminville, Vanek, Stafford , MacArthur and young guys Gerbe and Tim Kennedy, we’ve got skills covered.
Personally, I think one of the best acquisitions last year was Matt Ellis. We all know what he is, but it’s how hard he works. He is a grinder who whenever he saw the ice was giving it his all. That’s what I want this team to be.

Delightfully Ignoring The Truth since 1995.

by NeverendingOptimism on Jun 28, 2009 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Skill Players

The Sabres are loaded with skill players that’s why they haven’t made the playoffs in five out of the last seven years. With this draft and some of the young guys coming up from Portland, they may have a chance. I think Rieger has finally learned his lesson – if you ain’t tough you get to watch the other teams in the playoffs. Remember when the Sabres had skill – Briere and Drury – they lost, didn’t they. You need skill and toughness to win. They are almost there, but there is one more step – they need to do what ever it takes to get rid of the dead wood. This will not be an easy task, because some of the dead wood have high price tags.

by Geolover on Jun 28, 2009 5:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs