Buffalo Sabres

Looking at the Buffalo Sabres draft

Chris OstranderLeave a comment

Size, again, was the focus of the Sabres’ draft, they took nine players all tipping the scales at 175 pounds or higher and none shorter than 6′.

The Sabres front office with first-round pick Mark Pysyk. Gary Bettman is there too…

Three of their first four picks were right handed defensemen, the weakest part of the team’s prospect pool. In all, Buffalo took six forwards; two each at center, left and right wing. Here is a list of each the Sabres’ picks:

  • 1st round (23) – Mark Pysyk -D- Edmonton Oil Kings 6’1″ 175lbs
  • 3rd round (68) – Jerome Gauthier-Leduc -D- Rouyn-Noranda Huskies 6’1″ 181lbs
  • 3rd round (75) – Kevin Sundher -C- Chilliwack Bruins 6′ 192lbs
  • 3rd round (83) – Matt MacKenzie -D- Calgary Hitmen 6’1″ 191
  • 4th round (98) – Steven Shipley -C- Owen Sound Attack 6’2″ 205lbs
  • 5th round (143) – Gregg Sutch -RW- Mississauga Majors 6’2″ 193lbs
  • 6th round (173) – Cedrick Henley -LW- Val-d’Or Foreur 6’5″ 195lbs
  • 7th round (203) – Christian Isackson -RW- Minnesota HS 6′ 174lbs
  • 7th round (208) – Riley Boychuk -LW- Portland Winterhawks 6’4″ 205lbs

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How will the Sabres approach this offseason?

Chris OstranderLeave a comment

We are a few months removed from the final Sabres game of the season and there hasn’t been too much action at One Seymour H. Knox III Plaza. However, there have been grumblings.

Will Derek Roy and Thomas Vanek get a power forward to add grit to their line?

For starters, Mike Grier voiced his desire to stay in Buffalo for the 2010-11 season. Darcy Regier responded in kind with a one-year $1.4 million contract. The Sabres still have seven unrestricted free agents (including Raffi Torres) and three restricted free agents on the roster entering tonight’s draft.

I don’t expect all eight contracts to be renewed, particularly Torres, Adam Mair and Patrick Lalime. In addition, I feel that Mark Mancari doesn’t have a spot in the Sabres’ organization anymore, mainly because he has mulled in the minors without being able to crack the NHL lineup for too long.

So, assuming the team resigns Pat Kaleta, Tim Kennedy, Matt Ellis and Cody McCormick there will be 13 NHL caliber forwards and six (seven counting Marc-Andre Gragnani) defensemen. Now, there is also a chance the Ellis and McCormick are not resigned in favor of different UFA signings or promotions from within the organization. Either way, there will be holes that need to be filled with the big club heading into next season.

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NHL Awards have a distinct Buffalo flavor

Chris Ostrander2 Comments

First, let me give props to the NHL for doing such a good job with this year’s annual award show.

Ryan Miller poses with the Vezina Trophy.

Jay Mohr was hysterical as the host, the presenters were all pretty good, except Jamie Kennedy mispronounced the Vezina Trophy, and the performances were solid as well. All-in-all, I thought it was a huge success, especially compared to years past when the show was dryer than my mother’s cooking. It was particularly funny when Duncan Keith complained that they were trying to send him off by cuing the music, while Alex Ovechkin just waited until they turned his mic back on.

My only real disappointment was that Ryan Miller didn’t win the Messier Leadership Award. I wasn’t too torn up because it is a fake award so it didn’t really matter. But, I feel that Miller truly shows the meaning of a true leader and deserved the victory. Although, Sidney Crosby does have so many of those attributes as well. Continue reading →