Three more heading to Prospects Camp

With the cones being polished and puck bags on stand-by, the Sabres Prospect Camp roster is rounding into shape for activities slated for July 6th-11th at Dwyer Arena on the campus of Niagara University. In addition to Sault Ste. Marie forward Michael Fine, whose invitation was reported yesterday, it appears that three other CHL forwards have accepted invites to help fill out camp lines. Chris DeSousa – LW, Niagara IceDogs An undersized finisher who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty, DeSousa and fellow 5'9 Dog Andrew Agozzino (STL invitee) were a pleasure to watch all season long due to their team first mentality and desire to score big goals. The Mississauga native can be described as a hard-nosed leader who likes to hit and grind through offensive zone traffic to finish plays. In 2008-09, the late '90 fetched 33 goals, 18 assists, and 103 PIM for the IceDogs. DeSousa will be motivated after the draft snub, and like the aforementioned Fine, is a guy to watch next season when OHL play commences. Burke Gallimore - RW, Saskatoon Blades Passed over in the draft after earning a combine invite, the 6’0, 199-pound Gallimore is a stocky winger with finishing skills. The Edmonton native helped the Blades to a 2008-09 East Division title in his first full WHL season by netting a line of 26-27-53 +26. Before hitting the Dub, he piled up 57 goals and 108 points to earn co-MVP honors of the Alberta Midget League. An average skater with a moderate physical side to his game, Gallimore was ranked 75th among NA skaters by NHL’s Central Scouting. Adam Payerl – C, Barrie Colts Payerl is a 6’2, 203-pound pivot who just completed his second season of OHL play. A scorer/playmaker at the midget level, the Kitchener native has transformed into a smart, tough, two-way support forward with the Colts. A 6th round pick in the OHL Priority Draft, Payerl has added three inches over the past two seasons while at times displaying his offensive instincts, yet it hasn’t always translated to the scoresheet as evidenced by his 11 goals and 24 points in 115 OHL contests. Listed at #143 at Central Scouting's midterm rankings, Payerl slid to #191 in the final edition.

Hounds Fine earns invite

SabresProspects has learned that undrafted forward Michael Fine, 18, has been invited by the Sabres to their prospect camp beginning July 5th at Niagara University. Fine, who plays for the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL, caught our attention earlier in the year with his energy and keen anticipation. In fact, we liked him to the point where we included him as a potential 5th rounder in v1.0 of the draft preview: Playing on the league's worst team, Fine got off to a quick start as a 17-year old by scoring 25 points through December. Tailing off with just 12 points the rest of the way, the 6'0, 190 pounder has plenty of two-way upside to work into. The pesky pivot was invited to play for Canada in Fargo before leaving the team due to personal reasons. 2008 totals: 58 GP 16-21-37 59 PIM -17

Maxime Legault goes to Buffalo at #194

With their final pick of the day, the Sabres have selected tough, 20-year old RW Maxime Legault of the Shawinigan Cataractes. Standing 6'2, 195-pounds, Legault had a coming out party in the 2009 QMJHL playoffs, scoring 10 goals including two short-handed in the Cats 21-game run to the President's Cup final. A late-rising role player, Legault registered 13 regular season fights over the past two seasons while potting a total of 34 goals and 54 points in that 94-game span. He made his hay this season as a leader when given regular ice time, earning a +22 while being a guy who finished plays low. We said "team toughness" would be a theme this draft, and the Sabres certainly did not disappoint.

Connor Knapp to Buffalo at #164

As expected, the Sabres added a goalie to the mix in the later rounds with the addition big Miami University keeper, Connor Knapp.

A New York state resident and product of the Boston Jr. Bruins, the athletic Knapp is 6'5, 215-pounds of beef in the crease. He moves well for a big guy, and plays his angles smartly. In 23 games in 2008-09, he posted a 13-5-3 record with a 2.09 GAA and .904 save percentage while platooning with fellow freshman, Cody Reichard.

Notes from Knapp taken this season:

"moves OK, decent reflexes, seems athletic. smothers the puck, not a ton of juicy rebounds. definitely "in the game" instructing his dmen."

A sophomore in 2009-10, Knapp will continue to battle Reichard for the #1 spot in the Redhawks crease. Despite three more starts and three more wins during the year, Knapp actually served as back-up while Miami ran all the way to the NCAA Championship where they lost a thriller to Boston University.

"Behind the Mask" with Connor Knapp:

Sabres take Mark Adams at #134

The Buffalo Sabres have selected 6'2, 207-pound defenseman Mark Adams with pick #134 of the 2009 draft. Adams played at Malden Catholic the past three seasons, leading his club to the Super 8 semifinals in 2009 as a Catholic Conference All-Star. Physical and very involved offensively at the high school level, Adams is projected as a strong, smart two-way type of defender as a pro. Adams was selected in the 3rd round of the USHL draft by the Chicago Steel where he will toil for a season before joining Providence of Hockey East in 2010. Nicknamed "Roo", Adams is the first D1 player from Malden to go NCAA D1 since Keith Tkachuk. Not the most definitive video for his style, but something nonetheless:

Sabres take Foligno at #104

We're having a pretty good day thus far. The Buffalo Sabres have selected Marcus Foligno from Sudbury at #104. Son of former Sabres captain Mike Foligno, the big LW will not pot a ton of goals, but will chug and grind on every shift. He can shut big players down, and excel in areas where the smaller skill guys cannot. This is a very good pick for the Sabres organization. From Draft Preview v1.0: Round 4 (104th)- Ben Chiarot (LHD, Guelph - OHL), Kevin Lynch (RW, USNTDP - NAHL), Marcus Foligno (LW, Sudbury - OHL), Simon Bertilsson (LHD, Brynas - SEL), Brennan Yadlowski (RHD, Lethbridge - WHL) A hard-driving, consistent role player, the 6'2, 203-pound Foligno had a successful second half to his season with Sudbury after a good showing in the CHL Top Prospects Game. He doesn't have the natural offensive knack of brother Nick, but he blends the Foligno passion with the work ethic of a wrecking ball to look like a nice middle-line LW at the professional level. Part of Foligno's grinding capacity is his ability to defend without gloves. As a 17-year old last season, the Buffalo-born blue collar wing had four fights in the regular season and another in the playoffs.

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.

Sabres 2009 Draft, Day 2 - LIVE

Sabres select Kassian 13th overall

The Buffalo Sabres have selected RW Zack Kassian of the Peterborough Petes with the 13th pick of the 2009 Draft. The 6'3, 212-pound Kassian has been in the Sabres discussion since day one. A banging right winger who can hold his own with puck, the rugged Windsor native fills a size and toughness gap in a forward cupboard boasting 5'5 Nathan Gerbe and 5'8 Tyler Ennis as its most explosive options. Big, strong players are needed to finish off plays in the paint, and here's one who won't back down after the whistle. From Draft Preview v1.0: Everyone has witnessed what a Brendan Morrow/Milan Lucic type can do to the pace of a game by throwing his weight around. The 6'3, 212-pound Kassian had a similarly busy season, potting 24 goals and 39 assists in 63 games, knuckling up for 13 fighting majors (including 8 on the road), and knocking John Tavares from the Top Prospects Game. He doesn't have elite offensive talent, but the right wing's jam effects a game's flow, making him worthy of a look at #13. If he's there, his name is on the tip of Regier's tongue. Kassian was the primary target at that point, and the pick makes a lot more sense now that it has happened. Despite the potential for leaving a higher level of skating and offensive skill on the table, Sabres GM Darcy Regier addressed a serious team need by getting tougher and meaner up front. It is expected that Kassian, 18, makes a case at training camp, but will ultimately head back to the OHL for another season of junior. He won't turn 19 until January and has only played two full seasons in the OHL, meaning he will not be eligible for AHL action until 2011. In other words, it's NHL or OHL for two post-draft seasons just like the current situation with 2008 top dog, Tyler Myers.

SabresProspects 2009 NHL Draft Live Blog

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