Saturday, June 27, 2009

Sabres pick McNabb at #66

The Buffalo Sabres have chosen D Brayden McNabb with the 66th pick overall. From Draft Preview v2.0: Round 3 (66) - Kenny Ryan (RW, USNTDP - NAHL), Taylor Beck (RW, Guelph – OHL), Brian Dumoulin (LHD, Jr. Monarchs - EJHL), Brayden McNabb (LHD, Kootenay - WHL), Taylor Doherty (RHD, Kingston - OHL) Mean and tough, the imposing McNabb is a physical force who shows competence at both ends. The 6'4, 200-pound lefty scored 10 goals and 16 assists in 2008-09 in addition to his10 fighting majors and 140 PIM. Minor concerns with his skating surfaced at the U18s, but he will excel when playing a simpler stay-at-home game and should be considered by Buffalo to contribute to the "team toughness concept". I originally scored him as a late second rounder, but am now slotting him closer to the 60-80 range. The game is played in the paint these days, and McNabb would be good value. Nice consolation prize for the Sabres.