Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
When Sabres GM Tim Murray traded RW prospect Joel Armia to the Winnipeg Jets as a part of the Tyler Myers/Evander Kane trade he traded away the most highly skilled winger in the system. Projections for the big Finn had him in the top-line/top-six category with "high-end scoring potential."
In looking at the prospects down the right side, there's size as well as plenty of all-around skill and depth, but the wow-factor of pure offensive upside--at least in the near-term--doesn't seem to be there at this juncture.
Up with the big club, converted center Tyler Ennis played extremely well in the top-line, right wing spot last season and will probably be there once again for 2015-16 unless a trade is made. Behind him was 36 yr. old captain Brian Gionta followed by a mish-mash of bottom-six/depth/borderline NHL'ers. Around the corner, however, are a slew of prospects that are all in the top-nine/top-six conversation, beginning with a couple that will hit the pro ranks next season.
Nick Baptiste is at the head of the class right now after spending the last half of last season playing in Erie with Connor McDavid et al. The interesting part about Batiste is that the 2012 third-round pick (69th-overall) of the previous regime was amongst Murray's first signings last year. One could conclude that not only did Murray know what he had in Baptiste, but that he also liked where the kid was developmentally. Baptiste is a two-way forward with power and speed. He has a quick release and an accurate shot, can find those open spots on the ice and can finish. He had 12 goals in 23 games for the Otters in the OHL playoffs.
A burgeoning power forward who was drafted ahead of Baptiste is Buffalo native, Justin Bailey. He's the son of former Buffalo Bills linebacker Carlton Bailey who seems to have given his son top-notch athletic ability. At 6'3" and just under 200 lbs., Bailey still has some room to grow into his frame but he's an excellent skater for a man his size. Like Baptiste, Bailey plays a strong all-around game. There's power in his stride and compete in the corners and he had soft enough hands to register seven goals in 14 playoff games for Sault Ste. Marie this past season.
Joining Baptiste and Bailey in the pro ranks this coming season is free agent signee, Evan Rodrigues. The somewhat smaller Rodrigues (5' 11" 179 lbs.) was a right-hand shot playing on Jack Eichel's left wing at Boston University last season scoring 60 points (21+39,) which was good for fourth in the nation. Said Eichel of the skilled winger who plays with gumption, "He’s so skilled, he’s so smart and he works so hard, so if you put these three things together, he’s obviously tearing it up for a reason." And their coach David Quinn said of Rodrigues, "He’s made so many clutch plays, might be our best penalty killer. And he’s the most intelligent college hockey player I’ve ever seen.”
Hudson Fasching was acquired from the Los Angeles as part of the deal that sent defenseman Brayden McNabb to the Kings. It was Murray's second trade as Sabres GM (Ryan Miller being the first) and one that was strictly of his own volition. Fasching's the biggest of the group at 6'2" 213 lbs. but he's not just some lug. Although not the fastest skater he has a powerful stride and NHL speed. His size gives him a great net-front presence and he has soft hands as well as great hand-eye coordination. He'll be playing one more season for the Minnesota Golden Gophers as a junior before turning pro.
One of Buffalo's three 2014 second round draft picks was Czech Republic native, Vaclav Karabacek, is set to play one more season in junior next season. The 6'0" 196 lb. Karabacek was able to light the lamp 30 times in 90 games for Gatineau of the QMJHL before he was traded to Baie-Comeau where he scored four goals in 12 playoff games for the Drakkar. He has a great set of hands and NHL-level skating while playing a powerful north/south game.
A very intriguing prospect that's almost sure to pique one's interest a year or two down the road is Swedish forward, Victor Olofsson. He was picked in the seventh round of the 2014 draft and spent last season plying his trade at the Swedish Elite level with fellow Sabres prospects Linus Ullmark and Gustav Possler for MODO. There's been a progression to his development as he went from scoring a J-20, division leading 32 goals in 44 games for MODO Jr. in 2013-14 to potting 10 in 39 games in his first full season with the elite team last year. Kris Baker of sabresprospects.com called the 5'11" 176 lb. Olofsson a "speedy, explosive winger with high caliber shot and NHL sniper potential."
Rounding out the group of prospects on right wing is Judd Peterson (204th overall, 2012,) who played last season at St. Cloud State. Peterson was a sniping force in high school but has seen his scoring diminish at the upper levels.
The Sabres have focused upon versatile centers at the draft with the idea that they can make a move to the wing if necessary, which is much easier that moving a winger to center (see the Ville Leino debacle.) Ennis made the smooth transition to right wing. Center Zemgus Girgensons can also play wing, a position he may find himself should center Sam Reinhart inject himself into the top-six mix. Johan Larsson can do it as well. Center prospects like JT Compher and Eric Cornel have already spent plenty of time on the wing as has Jean Dupuy, all of whom will be included in the center depth chart coming soon.
Buffalo has some real good prospects at right wing many of whom should have long, productive careers. Yet the trade of Armia has taken "elite potential" out of the equation unless a highly skilled player like Olofsson can defy the odds and make an impact on the top-line at the NHL-level. That's not to discount what Baptiste, Bailey or Fasching bring to the table, which is top-six potential, it's just a note on what the Sabres have in their system heading into the upcoming draft.
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