2023 NHL Draft Thread: 7:00pm on ESPN

[BillsFan4]

13 minutes ago, Gregg said:

 

Does he have a chance to make the Sabres this year or does he need time in the minors/college to develop his skills for the NHL level?

I think his game is close to being ready (if not already) but he needs time to bulk up. He needs to add some muscle/weight. I’m sure the Sabres will have him focusing on that this coming season. He had a shoulder injury late in the season so I’m not sure if that will impact his summer training or not but I don’t see him making the team either way this year. He’s at least a year out IMO.

 

I could definitely see him skipping the AHL though and jumping right from juniors to the NHL when he’s ready.

5 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

He has an outside chance but like his linemate and Sabres first round draft selection last year Savoie, Benson is likely to spend a year or two more in the CHL.  CHL rules are awful and forbid a player from playing in the professional minor leagues (AHL) before age 20.  Benson is 18 and Savoie is 19.  So its NHL or CHL and I think Adams would prefer both guys are seeing minutes rather than healthy scratches at the NHL level.

I don’t even know that I’d want Benson in the AHL even if he was eligible. Too many goons and head-hunters in the AHL that would LOVE to crush a top prospect like Benson.

Benson is only 159lbs right now. He needs to add some muscle to his frame before he’s ready for the pros. He would get killed in the AHL right now.

 

I think his game is more suited for the NHL than AHL anyway, which is another reason why I could see him potentially skipping the AHL all together.

 

[BillsFan4]

There are some really good players still on the board!

 

Hoping one of a few defenseman fall to pick #39. 

[BillsFan4]

Love the Strbak pick! That’s kind of who I was hoping for at #39. So to get him at #45 is great.

 

We needed a right handed D prospect with high end potential in the system.

[Jauronimo]

28 minutes ago, BillsFan4 said:

I think his game is close to being ready (if not already) but he needs time to bulk up. He needs to add some muscle/weight. I’m sure the Sabres will have him focusing on that this coming season. He had a shoulder injury late in the season so I’m not sure if that will impact his summer training or not but I don’t see him making the team either way this year. He’s at least a year out IMO.

 

I could definitely see him skipping the AHL though and jumping right from juniors to the NHL when he’s ready.

I don’t even know that I’d want Benson in the AHL even if he was eligible. Too many goons and head-hunters in the AHL that would LOVE to crush a top prospect like Benson.

Benson is only 159lbs right now. He needs to add some muscle to his frame before he’s ready for the pros. He would get killed in the AHL right now.

 

I think his game is more suited for the NHL than AHL anyway, which is another reason why I could see him potentially skipping the AHL all together.

 

I hear you on that.  Its just frustrating to watch guys like Savoie put up ridiculous numbers in the WHL and flounder for 2 more years.  Benson and Savoie have nothing left to prove in junior hockey.  It would be nice if they could play in a league where they would be challenged and their game would grow while they both develop NHL frames.

[BillsFan4]

this Strbak pick just made too much sense not to happen. He’s exactly what we needed in our system. I think long term he could pair extremely well with Dahlin and/or Power. 
 

https://www.flohockey.tv/articles/11080821-2023-nhl-draft-profile-maxim-strbak-a-warrior-defenseman

 

https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports/college/msu/hockey/2022/12/15/msu-hockey-adds-to-momentum-with-world-class-talent-maxim-strbak/69726689007/

 

 

 

 

25 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

I hear you on that.  Its just frustrating to watch guys like Savoie put up ridiculous numbers in the WHL and flounder for 2 more years.  Benson and Savoie have nothing left to prove in junior hockey.  It would be nice if they could play in a league where they would be challenged and their game would grow while they both develop NHL frames.

Yeah I get it. But I honestly don’t think he’s physically mature enough to handle the AHL and I wouldn’t went to take that injury risk. I think the Sabres will have him focus on putting on muscle this season. Like you said, he doesn’t have much left to prove in juniors.

 

I wouldn’t mind savoie playing in the AHL though!
 

But even without Savoie rochester will still have some good young prospects hitting the system this year so it should be fun to watch! The amount of talent that will be coming through rochester in the next few years is insane.

Edited June 29, 2023 by BillsFan4

[BillsFan4]

Here’s the Big 2 way power forward Sabres fans wanted!

 

Sabres having a heck of a draft so far.

Edited June 29, 2023 by BillsFan4

[muppy]

so here is the rest of the Sabres draft with some commentary on each pick #ckg37

 

Quote

Round 2:

-C Anton Wahlberg(Malmo-SWE). I'll resist the temptation to make any Marky Mark puns and simply note that he had 6 points at the '23 WJC's to help pace the Swedes to a silver medal. (That pick was acquired from the Flyers.)

-D Maxim Strbak(Sioux Falls-USHL): 5-13=18 in 46 games for the Stampede and also was Slovakia's team captain at the WJC, racking up 6 points. He's heading to Michigan State. 

Round 3: D Gavin McCarthy(Muskegon-USHL): Quentin Musty was the local product who was more well-known, BUT Gavin's a local guy too. He had 27 points for the Lumberjacks last season and noticed 4 goals on the PP. He's committed to Boston U.

Round 4: LW Ethan Miedema(Kingston-OHL): Overall, between Windsor and the Frontenacs, Ethan noticed 52 points and 32 assists.

Round 5: G Scott Ratzlaff(Seattle-WHL): He backstopped the Thunderbirds to a WHL title this season, notched 5 shutouts and a 2.15 GAA. (Seattle MIGHT be on my radar for a roadie next season...and yes, that includes watching the T-Birds and Everett Silvertips as well as the Kraken.)

Round 6: D Sean Keohane(Dexter Southfield School-MA): 4 goals and 12 assists this season for the team while serving as its captain. Committed to Harvard.

Round 7: D Norwin Panocha(Eisbaren Berlin DEL U-20; GER): 22 points in 34 games and added 5 points in 8 playoff games. He'll be moving up to the main squad for next season.