The Buffalo Sabres opened the second round by addressing a need for size down the middle with the selection of 6'2, 203-pound Luke Adam out of St. John's in QMJHL.
Adam is trouble for defenders, using his big frame and soft hands to make things happen down low. He's very tough with the puck on his stick, and has a knack for pounding home rebounds. Adam simply has a passion for scoring, netting 36 goals en route to a team-best 66 points last season in St. John's.
From our Draft Preview:
The barreling Adam is one of our favorite players in the draft. He goes hard at both ends, and was the leading scorer for St. John's this past season. With an Owen Nolan/Rick Nash type game, he's a responsible, soft-handed scorer who likes use his 6'2, 200-pound body to bang and create. His skating has prevented him from entering the elite tier of forwards.
Don't make too much of the skating knock. It's only mentioned as a reason why he's not a first round player. When you see him in action, you quickly realize that it doesn't impede him being an effective player. Competitive but not overly aggressive, some simple attention to his feet will help him carry the pace of the NHL game. We said the same thing about Mike Weber when he was a second rounder.
We have enjoyed scouting Adam this past season while tracking the progress of his Fog Devil mates, and fellow Sabres prospects, T.J. Brennan and J.S. Allard. A certain NHL forward, we feel that this pick really brings the draft together early. After selecting Myers and Ennis, he was the player we wanted in the spot we wanted, and Sabres fans shouldn't be happier.
From the NHL Draft Site:
NHL Central Scouting's Chris Bordeleau
"Luke has really improved over the season. He is a big player and sometimes big guys take longer to grow into their skating. The upside on Luke is pretty high, he plays big, and he can score."
