Quote:
Originally Posted by Dakkster
Nice list! Only one nitpick. I'm curious about how you see McNabb as a fringe NHLer when he's pretty much unanimously considered to be the Sabres' best D prospect by most scouts, great allround D with no real holes in his game.
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McNabb is good all around, with good size and I do like the kid... but I just dont feel he has a next level to his game... I don't see him creating enough movement when im seeing him play and he has several questionable decisions in his own zone... He doesnt seem to want to use his size effectively and plays very much a stick game, only strong skaters or pure offensive D can get away with that.... also since he has turned pro he seems to have lost the nastyness to his game we seen more often in his game in Kootenay...
I expected to see more growth from him last year to this year and he just gets rather invisible, yet he somehow puts up a point many nights...
Looking at Buffalo D prospects:
Jake McCabe looked good for USA, but lets see if he continues with the wave of confidance when he turns pro...
T.J. Brennan is very explosive with his skating, shot and passing... great at moving a puck forward and in to the net area, lacks on the defensive side... but that wont hold him back...
If the Sabers want size, Joe Finley is a guy for the 6/7th man job... skating is getting better but not up to NHL standard yet and my never get there... but he is a rather intimidating people mover... I'd say fringe too and time is running out... With the other minute munchers in Buffalo's core, he would be great to have play a large mean 10-12 min a night in points where you need a momentum change, or PK net clearing...
Mark Pysyk is one of the steadist defenders in the organization, and has offensive upside... his only draw back is weight and power, he was fine in Jr, and added 15 pounds in the summer... anouther 10 and more seasoning and he becomes a great top 4....
Nick Crawford is anouther all arond D working on pro sizeing, and is a really good skater and has transitioned to pro strong and quietly... He also has offensive upside, yet is struggleing to stay in the Lineup at the moment, but when he is in, he produces... I'd say fringe or #5 type guy...
Jerome Leduc needs a much better game off the puck, but he can skate, fire rockets and move the puck well... He is a few years away, but very eye catching in the Rochester even tho the #s arent quite comeing yet... Lack of games and minutes eaten by others is his issue... I was skeptical in his Q #s, until I seen him a couple times.. and now I'm on board with him! Very good upside...
Brady Austin already has way above NHL size in Jr... Needs better skating but has an overall game that is enjoyable and projectable... I give him comparisons to Tyler Myers with a downgrade in offence...
So when I look at Buffalo's system... he is behind Myers, and Sekera as regulars... Then T.J. Brennan and Leduc are your offensive threats Buffalo are going to want to keep around, Pysyk is lined up to be a minute eater... McNabb fits as an average guy that does a little of everything but nothing exceptional and nothing that I feel he maintains a solid job in Buffalo... and with McCabe, Crawford... I feel he is Fringe in that he is capable in playing but no better than the other 2 or others, just is more developed thus seeing time... and he could play an NHL career, but at no point do I see him having a solid job locked down that teams will look at him as a major peice... just a replaceable and moveable depth guy...
I want to see more in him before I upgrade him to a staple and NHL lock...
Take my opinion as just as an opinion... Glad you questioned it, now there's more for people to read on other Buffalo D and my thoughts lol...
