BillsSabresB.C.T. Fan
06-17-2008, 09:24 PM
For the Buffalo Sabres, the 2008 NHL Entry Draft is all about flexibility.
Entering with two first-round picks (13th overall, 26th overall) for the first time since 2002, the Sabres look to explore all options.
“I think that we could virtually pick at any position,” General Manager Darcy Regier said, although acknowledging it was “unlikely” that the Sabres would use their 13th overall selection on goaltending.
“We will go with who we think is the best player; in all likelihood who is a forward or defenseman,” he said.
Attaining more blueliners could be a good possibility for the Sabres as 11 of the top 20 North American skaters are listed at defense, according to CSS final rankings.
In comparison, only 6 of the top 20 skaters in the 2007 draft rankings were on the back-end.
“Most people consider it the strongest draft ever for defensemen,” Director of Amateur Scouting Kevin Devine said.
However, Buffalo’s top two picks in 2007, T.J. Brennan and Drew Schiestel, and their top selection in 2006, Dennis Persson, were all blueliners.
“There is a lot of flexibility in this draft, a lot of different ways that we can go,” Devine said. “We have always stuck to the best-player-available-at-the-time theory in the past and probably will do so this year at the 13th pick for sure.”
Although the option of trading picks on draft day has not been ruled either.
“We’ve got two or three players in mind that we think will be there for our 13th pick that we would like to get,” Devine said. “If those guys are gone maybe we look to trade down. There’s not a lot of time though… If you want to have something in place, you better have the deal beforehand.”
http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=366138
“We’ve got two or three players in mind :scratch:
Kyle Beach is one of them
Entering with two first-round picks (13th overall, 26th overall) for the first time since 2002, the Sabres look to explore all options.
“I think that we could virtually pick at any position,” General Manager Darcy Regier said, although acknowledging it was “unlikely” that the Sabres would use their 13th overall selection on goaltending.
“We will go with who we think is the best player; in all likelihood who is a forward or defenseman,” he said.
Attaining more blueliners could be a good possibility for the Sabres as 11 of the top 20 North American skaters are listed at defense, according to CSS final rankings.
In comparison, only 6 of the top 20 skaters in the 2007 draft rankings were on the back-end.
“Most people consider it the strongest draft ever for defensemen,” Director of Amateur Scouting Kevin Devine said.
However, Buffalo’s top two picks in 2007, T.J. Brennan and Drew Schiestel, and their top selection in 2006, Dennis Persson, were all blueliners.
“There is a lot of flexibility in this draft, a lot of different ways that we can go,” Devine said. “We have always stuck to the best-player-available-at-the-time theory in the past and probably will do so this year at the 13th pick for sure.”
Although the option of trading picks on draft day has not been ruled either.
“We’ve got two or three players in mind that we think will be there for our 13th pick that we would like to get,” Devine said. “If those guys are gone maybe we look to trade down. There’s not a lot of time though… If you want to have something in place, you better have the deal beforehand.”
http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=366138
“We’ve got two or three players in mind :scratch:
Kyle Beach is one of them