Buffalo-native Justin Bailey could be there when the Sabres draft 16th (from Minn.)

[DetDannyWilliams]

<object width="640" height="383" id="embed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000">































<embed name="embed" width="640" height="383" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://nhl.cdn.neulion.net/u/videocenter-v1/embed.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="catid=0&id=258008&server=http://video.sabres.nhl.com/videocenter/&pageurl=http://video.sabres.nhl.com/videocenter/&nlwa=http://app2.neulion.com/videocenter/nhl/" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" quality="high"></object>The Minnesota Wild (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Wild)'s first-round pick will go to the Buffalo Sabres (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_Sabres) as the result of trade on April 3, 2013 that sent Jason Pominville (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Pominville) and a fourth-round pick in 2014 to Minnesota in exchange for Matt Hackett (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Hackett), Johan Larsson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johan_Larsson_(ice_hockey_b._1992)), a second-round pick in 2014 and this pick.

[DetDannyWilliams]

<object width="640" height="383" id="embed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000">































<embed name="embed" width="640" height="383" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://nhl.cdn.neulion.net/u/videocenter-v1/embed.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="catid=0&id=258008&server=http://video.sabres.nhl.com/videocenter/&pageurl=http://video.sabres.nhl.com/videocenter/&nlwa=http://app2.neulion.com/videocenter/nhl/" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" quality="high"></object>RW Kitchener Rangers, OHL

[DetDannyWilliams]

http://video.sabres.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=258008&lang=en&navid=DL|BUF|home

[Crisis]

Great? I thought we were past the caring where people are from thing.

[rbochan]

But... but... Tim Kennedy!

[DetDannyWilliams]

At 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, NHL scouts are already drooling at the potential of forward Justin Bailey. But while the big kid from Williamsville seems ticketed for the pros, the path he took to get to this point has had a few twists and turns.
After shoulder surgery limited his playing time in 2010-11 with the Buffalo Regals U16 team, Bailey decided to make a lateral move last season to further his development with the Long Island Royals U16. Yes, these are the same Royals that were coached by NHL Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine, and featured on the NHL Network’s “Making of a Royal” series. The move paid off, as Bailey thrived under LaFontaine’s guidance (Bailey also lived with LaFontaine), and the Royals went on to win the 2012 Tier 1 National Championship that was decided at the Northtown Center in Amherst. Bailey even scored twice and added an assist in the championship game.
Father, Carlton, was a linebacker for the NFL’s Buffalo Bills (1988-92), New York Giants (1993-94) and Carolina Panthers (1995-97) http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=642330

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Great? I thought we were past the caring where people are from thing.

Sabres fans still feel burned by it over Drury.

[Dude]

The Sabres shouldn't draft a kid simply because he's from Buffalo. That's stupid.

[DetDannyWilliams]

The Sabres shouldn't draft a kid simply because he's from Buffalo. That's stupid.
why is it stupid? the Ducks drafted Nic Kerdiles an Irvine, CA native #36 overall in last years draft, The Red Wings have 18 homegrown players all from Grand Rapids, MI

[IlluminatusUIUC]

The Sabres shouldn't draft a kid simply because he's from Buffalo. That's stupid.

Not "simply" because he's from Buffalo but it should be considered as a factor.

[Ginger Vitis]

I haven't seen one mock draft or expert having Justin Bailey going in the 1st Round. He would be a huge reach @16. Better for the Sabres to wait until the 2nd round to draft Bailey.

[Dude]

why is it stupid? the Ducks drafted Nic Kerdiles an Irvine, CA native #36 overall in last years draft, The Red Wings have 18 homegrown players all from Grand Rapids, MI


Not "simply" because he's from Buffalo but it should be considered as a factor.
Draft based on talent not based on where he was born.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Draft based on talent not based on where he was born.

If you have two players who are of roughly equal talent, and one is a hometown boy, which do you take?

[Skooby]

If you have two players who are of roughly equal talent, and one is a hometown boy, which do you take?

The roughly better one who's younger.

[Dude]

If you have two players who are of roughly equal talent, and one is a hometown boy, which do you take?
The premise of this thread is to take the Buffalo kid at 16 because he's from Buffalo and will likely be available. In all markets but Buffalo, that kind of thinking gets a GM fired.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

The premise of this thread is to take the Buffalo kid at 16 because he's from Buffalo and will likely be available. In all markets but Buffalo, that kind of thinking gets a GM fired.

You didn't answer the question.

[Dude]

Mitch pretty much answered it already. I'd go further and factor in size and position. Hometown should be the very last criteria. I certainly wouldn't burn a #16 pick on a kid because he's from Buffalo, which is what LOSman WINS wants the Sabres to do.

[OpIv37]

Mitch pretty much answered it already. I'd go further and factor in size and position. Hometown should be the very last criteria. I certainly wouldn't burn a #16 pick on a kid because he's from Buffalo, which is what LOSman WINS wants the Sabres to do.

That's the kind of "selling tickets first, winning games second" move I would expect from Russ Brandon, but not the Sabres. As die-hard as Bills fans are, it still takes some gimmicks to get a disgruntled fan base to keep paying for an inferior product. The Sabres usually don't pull such nonsense because a) they're usually at least competitive and b) selling hockey to WNYers is like selling crack: you really don't have to do anything except make it available.

[Dude]

That's the kind of "selling tickets first, winning games second" move I would expect from Russ Brandon, but not the Sabres. As die-hard as Bills fans are, it still takes some gimmicks to get a disgruntled fan base to keep paying for an inferior product. The Sabres usually don't pull such nonsense because a) they're usually at least competitive and b) selling hockey to WNYers is like selling crack: you really don't have to do anything except make it available.If they were really looking to capitalize on hometown players they would have signed Brooks Orpik when he was available (or at least made it look like they had interest).

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Mitch pretty much answered it already. I'd go further and factor in size and position. Hometown should be the very last criteria. I certainly wouldn't burn a #16 pick on a kid because he's from Buffalo, which is what LOSman WINS wants the Sabres to do.

If the kid is worth the #16 on his own merits, then I'm saying hometown is a valid consideration. We watched Drury walk because he wanted to play for his childhood team (and our pursuit of him may have cost us Briere too), and then we've dealt with the drama about Miller supposedly wanting to go west for his wife's career.

Hometown should be a consideration for the GM, because is it certainly can be for a player.

[Dude]

If he's worth #16 on his own merits, then hometown shouldn't make one bit of difference.

[gebobs]

Not "simply" because he's from Buffalo but it should be considered as a factor.

Why? To save on bus fare? Hometown should be one of the last things they consider in the draft, especially in the first round. Later rounds maybe. UDFAs? Why not? But first round? No.

[gebobs]

If they were really looking to capitalize on hometown players they would have signed Brooks Orpik when he was available (or at least made it look like they had interest).
What for when they had Artem Kryukov in the bag?! ;-)

[IlluminatusUIUC]

If he's worth #16 on his own merits, then hometown shouldn't make one bit of difference.

This is a really simple point, I'm not sure why we keep going around and around over it. If there are multiple prospects worthy of the pick, and one is a hometown player, I'm going to consider it. Why? Because we would potentially have an easier time retaining him.

Retaining his services if he develops should be a legitimate concern for a Buffalo-based franchise.

[Skooby]

This is a really simple point, I'm not sure why we keep going around and around over it. If there are multiple prospects worthy of the pick, and one is a hometown player, I'm going to consider it. Why? Because we would potentially have an easier time retaining him.

Retaining his services if he develops should be a legitimate concern for a Buffalo-based franchise.

Hometown discounts don't work when there's millions on the line.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Hometown discounts don't work when there's millions on the line.

They can and do, and I gave a huge example.

[gebobs]

We're all basically saying the same thing. Should it be considered? Sure, but only as the final determining factor.

[Crisis]

He could also be there when we draft at 52

[WagonCircler]

Hahaha!!! I love it!

We drafted Carlton's kid!

http://www.wgr550.com/Sabres-Select-Williamsville-Native-Justin-Bailey-w/16711848

I love the fact that the Sabres are drafting big. But big guys who can skate.

I found Terry Pegs' comments about Darcy not having been able to draft the way he wanted in the past interesting. I don't know that I believe him, but there's a nice pattern developing here, and it's a departure from the dainty little teacups we have been watching here for the past decade or so.

I've wanted Darcy gone for years, but if he's at least going to change his ways, no matter the reason, it might make things less intolerable (if not quite tolerable).

[Mouldsie]

I think taking a hometown kid CAN offer an emotional benefit to the player and the team which can help win games. I would not be against using geography as a small factor or tie-breaker.


and I'm happy we took him.

[DetDannyWilliams]

Making of a royal Justin Bailey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6OAxVUoRas

[gebobs]

I think taking a hometown kid CAN offer an emotional benefit to the player and the team which can help win games. I would not be against using geography as a small factor or tie-breaker.


and I'm happy we took him.
I'm happy we didn't take him at 16.

[tampabay25690]

Great draft all around