Sabres select Corey Fienhage at #81

(This is getting a little scary. If you're scoring at home, the SabresProspects mock has now nailed the Sabres 2nd and 3rd round selections.) After trading the 74th pick to Los Angeles in exchange for #'s 81 and 101, the Sabres addressed another organizational need by adding tough defenseman Corey Fienhage in the third round. A rough customer, Fienhage will drop the gloves and clear a crease. His mindset is very similar to fellow Sabres prospect, Mike Weber. From our Draft Preview:

The wildcard in this spot just might be the athletic Fienhage (pronounced fin-a-gee). At 6'2, 190-lbs, the fleet-footed blueliner will be heading to North Dakota in 2009. An aggressive defender, scouts took notice with his ability to play "big" in a brief USHL stint after his Minnesota HS season ended. A safety on his high school football team, the scrappy right-hander may need another year before entering the NCAA, but his package is something that the Sabres could use more of. Keep your eyes peeled for his name as Draft Combine reports come out.

From the NHL Draft site:

NHL Central Scouting's Jack Barzee "Corey is an aggressive and tough player. He's a great skater with a good wrist shot and big shot from the point. He is really aware of his defensive responsibilities, always looking over his shoulder. He's going to be a warrior. He has a little bit of Coyotes' defenseman Ed Jovanovski in him and there won't be too many people who will want to play against him when he gets going." Eastview hockey head coach, Drey Bradley "Corey loves the physical game. He is a very strong skater, has great feet, balance and agility. He was the top defenseman in the Lake conference – the strongest in the defensive zone, especially the corners, and he makes good decisions with the puck."

Sabres select Luke Adam at #44

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."

Sabres select Tyler Ennis at #26

Already nabbing the tallest Tyler in the draft in Myers, the Sabres opted for another Tyler (Ennis) - this one nearly a foot shorter than his WHL counterpart. Tyler Ennis is an absolute sparkplug on the ice. Instant, explosive offense is on tap every time the puck hits his stick. Coming from the same Medicine Hat program that developed fellow Sabre Clarke MacArthur, Ennis led the Tigers with 43 goals and 48 assists in 70 games this past season. (MacArthur's best season in the WHL produced 75 points.) At 5'8, it's no surprise that the Edmonton native has modeled his game after former Buffalo favorite, Daniel Briere. The popular opinion is that his drive and passion for the game will allow him to beat the odds much like Briere, who himself was a gifted scorer in juniors and lasted all the way to pick #24 back in 1996. From the NHL Draft site:

NHL Director of Central Scouting, E.J. McGuire Strengths: "Tyler is a quick, 'water-bug'-type player. He scoots up and down the ice and can turn on a dime. He can drive wide on a defenseman who is unaware or a little slow. Tyler may be one of the best pure offensive players in the entire draft." Outlook: "Getting bigger is not something within his control, he's done everything as far as his quickness and offensive development and now I think that it is just ready for him to show it at the next level." Medicine Hat GM and head coach Willie Desjardins "He's so, so fast. I think he's one of the toughest guys in the league to handle. He wants to score so bad on every shift and Tyler's quickness down low in the corner is why he's so hard to handle."

Sabres select Tyler Myers at #13

Sitting at the 13th spot heading into the draft, the Sabres traded that pick and a third rounder in 2009 to move up one spot to select D Tyler Myers of Kelowna in the WHL. With Sabres Western scout Kim Gellert embedded with the Rockets the past two seasons, the team has had close eyes on the developing talent. The tallest ranked player by CSS (#4 North American), the 6'7 Myers is an awesome skater for a player of his height. (Gellert coaching expertise lays in stickhandling and skating.) He has Zdeno Chara's reach and offensive vision, but doesn't possess the edginess that has made the Bruins defender one of the toughest competitors in the league. He reacted positively after getting in his first fight this season, saying that he wanted to do it more often. Still, Myers is considered somewhat of a project with his #12 position built more on potential than anything else. Myers was born in Houston, TX, but moved to Alberta at age 10. He has excellent hands, and plays a simple game in his own end. Myers netted six goals and 19 total points to go along with 97 PIMs for the Rockets last season. From the NHL Draft site:

NHL Director of Central Scouting, E.J. McGuire Strengths: "His height differentiates him from the rest of the draft-eligible defensemen – he towers above all the other players. He is not often burned by the small, quick players and because of the emphasis in today's NHL on a lack of restraining type of play, I think Tyler has adjusted well to that and is more ready to play in the new NHL than a lot of the other smaller players." Areas to improve: "Improvements can be made with his continued maturity. I don't know that he needs to work on anything other than continuing to work on foot speed, continuing to work on coordination. He's got a rocket shot from the point on the power-play and that is never going to leave him." Outlook: "Tyler is the tallest player among the top-rated players. As a defenseman, that height translates into a great poke-check and great stick work. At 6'7", he still has a little bit of growing into his body to do. Obviously comparisons are made to Zdeno Chara, who, it has been said, actually as a junior stumbled when he played for St. George. There may be a night when the large feet of Myers get in his way a little bit, but to hear scouts talk, they won't get in his way for very many more years." Kelowna Rockets head coach Ryan Huska "The one thing with Tyler is that his size is something that you can't teach. He's very big and for a guy his size, he skates very well. He's very fluid on the ice. For a younger guy, he's got a lot of composure with the puck. I think that's one of the reasons why a lot of NHL scouts are fairly high on him right now ... he's starting to understand that he can use his size to his advantage in our own zone. He's becoming a really good player defensively. His stick is so good and he makes it very difficult for opponents to get around him in the defensive zone."

NHL Draft - Live Round One Results

1) Tampa Bay - Steven Stamkos, C (Sarnia - OHL) No surprise here. A Joe Sakic/Steve Yzerman type, Stamkos will be surrounded by a new coaching staff, and talented vets Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis to guide him to early success. 2) Los Angeles - Drew Doughty, D (Guelph - OHL) What do you do when scouts start questioning your commitment? You lose 25 pounds, and promise to shed more. Now at 5'11, 200-pounds, Doughty is a offensive defenseman who should play in the NHL next season. 3) Atlanta - Zach Bogosian, D (Peterborough - OHL) Mean, competitive and very steady, Bogosian could be the biggest superstar in this draft. Entering tonight, he was our "#1 Player You Trade Up To Get". 4) St. Louis - Alex Pietrangelo, D (Niagara - OHL) Petro had his season end early with a lacerated spleen, but not before using his 6'3, 210-pound frame to rush the puck, steady his end, and be an overall, two-way force. He notched 20 points in his last 11 games before the injury. Teammates refer to him as "Chris Pronger without the edge". 5) Toronto (from NY Islanders) - Luke Schenn, D (Kelowna - WHL) After swapping picks (and a 2nd and extra 2nd/3rd) with the Isles, the Leafs get their franchise defender in the first round. A nasty, shut down defenseman, Schenn personifies the rugged Western style that Toronto fans are going to love for years. 6) Columbus - Nikita Filatov, RW (CSKA Moscow - RSL) A speedy, smart finisher, Filatov is the first Russian off the board. Fluent in English and commitment free in Russia, the skilled Filatov is ready to make the jump to North America to play in either the NHL or CHL next season. Best player on the board at #6, hands down. 7) Nashville (from NY Islanders) - Colin Wilson, C (Boston University - NCAA) The Isles trade down again, allowing Nashville to get their man. NHL bloodlines are hard at work with Wilson. A point a game player with BU, Wilson had six goals in six games with Team USA at the World Juniors. Head Scout Paul Fenton saw plenty of Terrier hockey, and makes a nice, safe pick here for the Preds. 8) Phoenix - Mikkel Boedker, LW (Kitchener - OHL) After a sigh of relief from Yotes scout Keith Gretzky, brother Wayne makes Boedker the highest Dane ever drafted in the NHL. A speedy goal scorer, the slick winger displayed equal playmaking aptitude in the Rangers Memorial Cup run. Pretty much chalk on the selection front to this point. Still - five OHLers already gone. Wow. 9) NY Islanders - Josh Bailey, C (Windsor - OHL) A solid, two-way forward, Bailey can distribute the puck with the best of them. His 67 assists were 2nd best in the entire CHL. One of the safest picks in the draft, the Isles traded down twice and passed over some excellent talents to secure the player they wanted most. 10) Vancouver - Cody Hodgson C (Brampton - OHL) A true competitor, Hodgson is a gifted scorer who can be a heart and soul guy a few years down the road for the Canucks. We really like this pick for Vancouver, as leadership will be thin by the time Hodgson arrives. Seven of the top 10 picks for the OHL. Unreal. 11) Chicago - Kyle Beach, C (Everett) The bad boy wildcard of the draft, Beach will head to Chi-town to toughen up the forward ranks with star youngsters Pat Kane and Jonathan Toews. Hits, fights, agitates, scores. Attitude issues were a red flag for many teams, but you cannot argue his thick shot and hard nosed style near the cage. Beach could very well be a 40 goal guy in the NHL with 200 PIMs if groomed correctly. 12) Buffalo (from Los Angeles) - Tyler Myers, D (Kelowna - WHL) Needing defense in the system, the Sabres pass over SabresProspects.com choice of Luca Sbisa and hard-nosed Colten Teubert to take the 6'7 Myers. Myers is an excellent skater with good hands, but needs to use his large frame more to his advantage. 13) Los Angeles (from Buffalo) - Colten Teubert, D (Regina - WHL) The meanest SOB in the draft, the Kings add another stud defender to the stable after earlier taking Doughty. There's no one in the WHL who hates Kyle Beach more, and the two will continue their love affair for years in the Western Conference. 14) Carolina - Zach Boychuk, RW (Lethbridge - WHL) A creative scorer, Boychuk scored 11 goals in the WHL playoffs this past season for Lethbridge. Boychuk is very athletic, and has enough ability to overcome a size bias associated with his 5'10, 175-pound frame. 15) Ottawa (from Nashville) - Erik Karlsson, D (Frolunda, Sweden) Sens captain Daniel Alfredsson arrives to the podium to select the swift moving countryman in Karlsson. A world class puck carrier, the smallish Swede generates offense from the back end and was worth the move up from #18 to get. Quickest riser in the first round. 16) Boston - Joe Colborne, C (Camrose - AJHL) A tall, skilled playmaker, Colborne can dominate offensively but sometimes disappears. The Canadian Junior "A" Player of the Year will be attending University of Denver in the fall, where he'll hope to fill out his frame, and in time develop the physical aspects of his game. 17) Anaheim (from Calgary) - Jake Gardiner, D (Minnetonka - Minn. HS) Minnesotan Brian Burke goes back home to select the tall, swift skating defenseman with a deadly wrister. Heading to Wisconsin this fall. 18) Nashville (from Ottawa) - Chet Pickard, G (Tri-City - WHL) The Preds need to focus on the draft to re-build, and Pickard gives them a strong goaltending prospect to work around. 19) Philadelphia (from Colorado) - Luca Sbisa, D (Lethbridge - WHL) And our targeted defenseman goes to the Flyers. The Swiss defender made a smooth transition to the WHL, but disappointed some scouts on the international stage at the WJC's. A two-way mover, Sbisa carries a nice shot and a subtle physical edge that should appeal to Philly fans. 20) NY Rangers - Michael Del Zotto, D (Oshawa - OHL) 21) Washington (from New Jersey) - Anton Gustafsson, C (Frolunda - Swe Jr.) 22) Edmonton (from Anaheim) - Jordan Eberle, RW (Regina - WHL) 23) Minnesota (from Washington) - Tyler Cuma, D (Ottawa - OHL) 24) New Jersey (from Minnesota) - Mattias Tedenby, LW (HV71 - Swe Jr.) 25) Calgary (from Montreal) - Greg Nemisz, C (Windsor - WHL) 26) Buffalo (from San Jose) - Tyler Ennis, LW (Medicine Hat - WHL) 27) Washington (from Philadelphia) - John Carlson, D (Indiana - USHL) 28) Phoenix (from Dallas) - Viktor Tikhonov, F (Russia) 29) Atlanta - Daulton Leveille, C (St. Catharines - OHA) 30) Detroit - Thomas McCollum, G (Guelph - OHL)

Sabres looking at Atkinson

We like to corroborate "good info". As speculated in last night's draft projection, the Sabres have indeed expressed interest in BC-bound forward, Cam Atkinson.

A New York Rangers fan, Atkinson said the Washington Capitals have been the most aggressive team that has scouted him. The Florida Panthers, New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets and Colorado Avalanche have also expressed interest in Atkinson, who was the prep school league's second-leading scorer last season. If Atkinson is drafted, the team that selects him will evaluate him and decide where he fits in within the organization.

The determined Atkinson, 19, plays with speed and hustle on every shift. At 5'8, 165-pounds, his small yet wide frame goes hard into the corners, and with a scorer's touch, just might conjure up images of another diminutive icer from Chestnut Hill - Nathan Gerbe.

2008 NHL Mock; Sabres Projections

There's time to kill while waiting for the Stamkos call. Let's serve it up. NHL Mock, Round One 1) Tampa Bay - Steven Stamkos 2) Los Angeles - Zach Bogosian 3) Atlanta - Nikita Filatov 4) St. Louis - Drew Doughty 5) NY Islanders - Luke Schenn 6) Columbus - Alex Pietrangelo 7) Toronto - Mikkel Boedker 8) Phoenix - Colin Wilson 9) Nashville - Kyle Beach 10) Vancouver - Mattias Tedenby 11) Chicago - Tyler Myers 12) Anaheim - Cody Hodgson 13) Buffalo - Luca Sbisa 14) Carolina - Zac Dalpe 15) Nashville - Zach Boychuk 16) Boston - John Carlson 17) Calgary - Jordan Eberle 18) Ottawa - Joshua Bailey 19) Columbus - Joe Colborne 20) NY Rangers - Michael Del Zotto 21) New Jersey - Chet Pickard 22) Edmonton - Tyler Ennis 23) Washington - Kirill Petrov 24) Minnesota - Aaron Ness 25) Montreal - Maxime Sauve 26) Buffalo - Anton Gustaffson 27) Philadelphia - Colten Teubert 28) Los Angeles - Tyler Cuma 29) Atlanta - Mikhail Stefanovich 30) Detroit - Brandon Burlon

44) Buffalo - Luke Adam 74) Buffalo - Corey Fienhage 104) Buffalo - Brett Theberge 134) Buffalo - Cam Atkinson 164) Buffalo - Michael Hutchinson

A few more mocks to chew on...

ESPN

13. Buffalo Sabres Josh Bailey, C, Windsor (OHL)The Sabres have drafted other positions the past two years and lost Daniel Briere and Chris Drury via free agency before the 2007-08 season. An upgrade down the middle is desperately needed. Zach Boychuk is a possibility here. Bailey has pro size, though, and could be more physical.

26. Buffalo Sabres (from San Jose) Luca Sbisa, D, Lethbridge (WHL) Swiss pro-sized defenseman played better as the season went on.

Kyle Woodlief (Redline Report) 13 (Buffalo) - Josh Bailey. With Daniel Briere and Chris Drury long gone and Tim Connolly always injured, they've got to get their hands on a traditional playmaking center to distribute the puck to their talented young snipers on the wing. 26 (Buffalo) - Michael Del Zotto. He can be groomed as an offensive blue liner to replace Brian Campbell and run the PP. Jim Kelley (Sportsnet) No. 13 Buffalo Sabres: D, Luca Sbisa, Lethbridge The Sabres have a desperate need for a centre and perhaps an eventual replacement for goalie Ryan Miller whom they may have trouble signing, but the biggest problem is on the back end and barring a trade to move up (the Sabres have this pick and the 26th for having sent Brian Campbell to San Jose at the deadline) they'll go here. Sbisa is a Swiss native, but he played his junior hockey in Lethbridge. Nothing flashy, but solid in all areas and a possible replacement for Dimitri Kalinin whom the Sabres let go in part because of a contract dispute and in part because head coach Lindy Ruff tired of the Russian's inconsistent play. No. 26 Buffalo Sabres (from S.J.): D, Tyler Cuma, Ottawa A converted forward just like his coach, Lindy Ruff. A character guy like his coach and a no problem guy just like his coach wants. Not the best prospect, but hey, that's what you get when you scout off tips and TV. Mark Seidel (The Hockey News) 13. Buffalo Sabres – Colin Wilson, C; Boston University (NCAA) The run on defensemen in the top 10 means Wilson, a probable future captain, could fall to the Sabres. The son of former NHLer Carey Wilson, Colin’s play at the World Junior Championship showed he is able to dominate offensively, while still playing as a lock-down defender. 26. Buffalo Sabres –Jake Gardiner, D; Minnetonka (MN-HS) A personal favorite, it’d be shocking if Gardiner is still on the board at No. 26. But if he is, the Sabres will be pleased to get him. He is one of the best pure skaters in the draft and can use that ability to move the puck out of trouble much like a certain defender Sabres fans fell in love with before he headed to San Jose at the deadline. Allan Muir (Sports Illustrated)

13) Buffalo Sabres - Mattias Tedenby, left wing, HV71 Juniors (Sweden)

Central Scouting says: "Mattias is excellent on every shift. He has outstanding speed, stick work and work ethic. He is small but fearless -- he takes hits and always comes back. He creates scoring chances with his outstanding skating."

Our take: The Sabres would probably like to add some size at this position, but tiny Tedenby (5-9, 161) is impossible to pass over. Earning comparisons to Saku Koivu thanks to his speed and competitive drive, he has the potential to mature into an impact scorer in the NHL.

26) Buffalo Sabres - Jake Gardiner, defense, Minnetonka (USHS)

Central Scouting says: "He might be one of the best skaters in the draft. [A converted forward], he is smart with the puck, unselfish and careful. He is dynamic when he grabs the puck and goes. He has a very quick dangerous wrist shot -- he gets it away like Joe Sakic does."

Our take: After taking the BPA with their first pick, the Sabres can address an organizational need with Gardiner: size. Though he's got a lot of filling out to do at just 170 pounds, his build suggests he'll pack another 30-40 on his 6-2 frame in time. His hockey sense has been questioned by some, but it may simply be a matter of experience and coaching before it catches up with the rest of his tools. Gardiner will attend the University of Wisconsin next season.

THN mock tabs Eberle, Carlson

With Friday's draft proceedings on the horizon, the Hockey News went ahead and released their 2008 1st round mock.

13. Buffalo selects Jordan Eberle, C (Regina) The Sabres had much of their success using small, skilled players and Eberle is indeed one of those. He’s also courageous and durable enough to make his size a non-issue. 26. Buffalo selects John Carlson, D (Indiana) The recently inked London Knight is already NHL-sized, plus he boasts power play quarterback skills. The Sabres won’t be the only team gunning for him on draft day.

In our draft preview, the two are flip-flopped with Carlson in the first bucket at #13, and Eberle in the second bucket at #26. Eberle's puck carrying ability and overall skill level are considered top-notch, making him worthy of having his name called at #13 or #26. The 5'10 scorer is very confident in his offensive game, with 100 points next season as a Regina Pat certainly within reach. Honing his skills for one more season in the WHL will make for a battle tested pivot. Carlson is an offensive blueliner who controls things in his own end. Covering the ice well, his frame and shot have left some scouts referring to him as a "certain pro". We actually like his decision to enter the OHL to condition himself mentally with a full schedule. If available at #26, he should be considered the best player on the board.

Tropp heading to USA Evaluation Camp

Corey Tropp, Buffalo's third round pick in 2007, has been chosen to skate in the 2008 U.S. National Jr. Evaluation Camp that will be held in Lake Placid, NY on August 1st-9th. A sophomore at Michigan State in the fall, Tropp is one of 53 players identified as candidates for USA's entry in the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championships. The Grosse Pointe, MI native scored six goals and 17 total points in 42 games as freshman in 2007-08, and is expected to be a key contributor for the Spartans after the early departure of leading scorer and fellow Sabres prospect, Tim Kennedy.