[sureLoss]

Sabres Assistant GM Kevin Devine on Buffalo Radio this morning:

http://audio.wgr550.com/a/92774048/6...r.htm?q=devine

Summary:

Combine

• actual combine doesn't affect their rankings much, especially the guys at the top
• if they have a bad interview they aren't going to hold that against them
• it becomes more of a factor for the 2nd mid round guys and later
• remembers one scout told him that the worst interview he had ever done was with Peter Forsberg
• Sabres interviewed 70 guys this year
• 4 or 5 guys had a red flag come up in their interviews that they will check up on
• all the guys at the top (i.e. Ekblad, Bennett, Reinhart etc...) had very good interviews... rated them A or A+
• things that can cause a red flag in an interview: religion, attitude, or if they have passion for the game. most of it is how much does the kid really want to be a player
• didn't take Bennett off the board because he didn't do a pull up, doesn't pay too much attention to things like that

Drop offs

• hasn't gotten around to determining where the drop off point is
• but Ekblad, Bennett, Reinhart, and Draisaitl are all in that discussion
• maybe a 5th guy too

What would make Reinhart worthy of 2nd overall?

• hasn't seen a guy that can make plays like Sam can in the last 10-15 years
• his playmaking ability, sees the ice really well
• knows how long to hold the puck, when to pass, when to shoot
• uncanny hockey sense

What would make Bennett worthy of 2nd overall?

• has the highest skill level
• has the emotional fire and puts teams on his back
• Reinhart is more of a quiet guy (although he quickly qualifies and says all the guys at the top are potential Captains)
• definitely need to look into whether the team they got needs emotional fire, it is definitely something every team would love to have

What would make Ekblad worthy of 2nd overall?

• big horseback defense, already a man
• good on both sides of the puck
• going to play 25 mins/night down the road

Draisaitl

• he is 6'2'' 210, he has that big body
• comparisons to Kopitar, Stastny, even Jagr
• big strong horse down low, very good in the offensive zone
• needs a little work in his defensive play
• but when he gets in the other end and turns his back to the play, he can hold off a lot of those big defencemen

Calls the above 4 guys "concensus top 4." Might be a surprise in there. Seems to ignore the hosts suggestion Dal Colle belongs in there. Thinks those 4 guys are all pretty close, no clear cut number 1.

Potential Pick Movement:

• Devine says he wouldn't be surprised if Tim Murray would trade picks this year for picks next year.
• suggested the Sabres may use their 3 2nd rounders this year to get another 1st this year.
• Confirmed the Sabres are getting calls for the 2nd OA.
• Deal to move the 2nd OA would have to help short term and long term and would depend on how far they have to move back.
• Sabres haven't really discussed moving #2 in depth internally, yet
• Not sure why the Sabres would move up to 1. Sitting at 2 with no clear cut guy.
• Could happen, but not sure it will.
• Hasn't thought of the scenario where the Sabres could get Florida's pick while keeping 2nd OA.

2015 Draft

• Has scouts already dedicated to the 2015 drafts.
• If Eichel and McDavid were in this draft thinks they would be at the top. Wouldn't say they would be ahead of the current class by a lot
• Eichel is more powerful than Connor, has a Mark Messier mode when he wants to crank it up physically.
• Connor is more blazing skill and talent.
• Eichel's speed is more deceptive, and at this point is the more powerful player.
• Both are treats to watch.
• Connor needs to get stronger. He can make moves on the fly, he can shoot, he is agile down low, he works hard