BUFFALO, NY - The Buffalo News takes a look at the depth of the sabres Centre prospects in Part II of the Sabres Organizational Depth Analysis. The Sabres are very strong down the middle in the pro ranks, but their prospects are not as strong. There are no true first line talents, but a lot of role players. Luckily, Sidney Crosby is very young, and will be in the Sabres Orgnization a long time. however, the lack of a true first line center in the prospect ranks is something the Sabres should look to address in the 2007 OTHL draft.
C Matt Butcher - 7 HF - 6'2" - 205 lbs - 20 yrs old - Northern Michigan, NCAA
Butcher is a moderately low risk, low reward type of player who will hopefully fill a depth role in a number of years. He’s a grinding style player who is more than willing to throw his body around to cause some damage and disrupt the flow of play. He is never going to score many goals or put up much in terms of points, but that does not change the fact that he is still a useful component of a team. His challenge is going to be developing his offensive abilities enough to be worth playing as a defensive player. Like any young player looking to become this type of player, his positioning in his own zone will need to evolve over time as well. Butcher has committed to Northern Michigan University for the 2006-07 season. He joins two of his Chief teammates (Mark Olver and Stephen Balint) at Northern Michigan. Butcher will never become anything more than a third line player.
C Nathan Gerbe - 7 HF - 5'6" - 160 lbs - 20 yrs old - Boston College, NCAA
Gerbe was the team's seventh leading scorer, putting up 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists). He came up big at the Five Nations Tournament and was the Team USA's second leading scorer at the 2005 IIHF World Under-18 World Championship. Gerbe is small, standing at only 5'5", 160. He's feisty for his size and will not back down to bigger competition.
C Matt Watkins - 7 HF - 5'11" - 180 lbs - 21 yrs old - North Dakota, NCAA
Watkins was the 2003-04 Midget AAA offensive player of the year in his home province and also the top scorer. The sniper moved on to the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL and continued his strong offensive production with 74 points in 60 games. He also played in the 2004-05 BCHL All-Star game.A smart player with good vision, Watkins has good speed and skill. Patient with the puck, he sees the ice well and is also strong on the power play.
C Kirill Starkov - 7 HF - 6'0" - 195 lbs - 20 yrs old - Red Deer, WHL
Starkov had a very good season with Frölunda in 2004-05 where he was among the best scorers. Great skater who has quick feet and a very good top speed… his feet are constantly moving and he creates a lot with his speed… is a solid stick handler who can beat a defenseman one-on-one situations… has very good hockey sense and is deceptive with the puck… sees the ice well and anticipates the play well… is patient and creative with the puck… has good attitude and has improved work ethic… shows more fire when on the ice… is a good forchecker… has to be more physical and aggressive… defensive play has to improve… size is questionable.
C Nicolas Blanchard - 7 HF - 6'3" - 176 - 20 yrs old - Chicoutimi, QMJHL
Nicolas Blanchard enjoyed a successful year with Richard Martel’s Sagueneens. He was used on both the second and third lines and was able to generate points offensively. He scored five goals on the power play, showing why Martel hasn’t been afraid of using this rookie on important occasions. Blanchard possesses the size and the willingness to play dirty. With more pounds on his frame, he could very well dominate his opponent with or without the puck in a near future. Blanchard is not playing to his level in the QMJHL playoffs, only registering four points in 15 games. He will need to develop his consistency next year since every game is important when your season is on the line. Second line center.
C Brock Bradford - 7 HF - 5'10" - 185 lbs - 20 yrs old - Boston College, NCAA
Brock Bradford is a Canadian-born player who played in the BCHL with the Coquitlam Express prior to coming to Omaha. The immensely gifted forward from North Vancouver enjoyed a stellar season with the Lancers where he finished third on the team in scoring with 57 points (24 goals, 33 assists) in 60 appearances. One of the highlights of Bradford’s season came at the USHL Prospects/All-Star game back in February in Grand Forks, ND. His game-winning goal at the 12:31 mark of the third period propelled Team World to a 5-3 victory over Team USHL and earned him the Ron Woodey Award for Most Valuable Player. In 2004, Bradford was also a member of the silver-medal winning Team Pacific squad at the U-17 World Hockey Challenge in St. John’s, Newfoundland, where he earned the team’s MVP honor. Omaha head coach Mike Hastings’ insights on Brock Bradford: “Brock is a very special player. His stick skills are some of the best that I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach. His ability to see the rink and his hockey sense are excellent. Brock’s drive, focus, his God-given talents and his desire to develop those talents are what separate him from so many other players who are trying to pursue college and then professional careers. He’s an ’87 and at that age, he is probably one of the most focused athletes that I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach. I think he’s a dual threat as far as being both a goal scorer and a playmaker. Brock’s rink vision is just something that separates him from many other junior level players and makes him very special. He’s a quick skater that could use some more power. His first two or three steps getting to various areas of the ice I would say his are his greatest strengths. Brock doesn’t have many weaknesses and all he needs is some time. He needs time to mature, make his body bigger and stronger. Brock is very mature mentally. He gets it. He understands that if you cheat away from the rink that it will hurt you on the rink. The great thing about Brock is that he knows when to get involved in the physical side of the game and when not to. He’ll get involved in the physical side of the game but he’s very calculated about it. I think Brock will be an excellent addition to Boston College.”
C Tony Lagerstrom - 6 HF - 6'1" - 189 lbs - 19 yrs old - Sodertalje, SEL
Since the Swedish 88’s started playing internationally with Team Sweden, two years ago, Tony Lagerström has been among the top players on the team and in the age group. A natural leader who has been quite consistent and always valuable for the teams he has played with. An all-round forward with very good leadership skills. Plays with a lot of authority and expresses a great attitude and winner’s instinct. Lagerström skates hard, but could still use some extra speed, and has decent technical skills and hockey sense. He has scored some pretty important goals in the past and is a valuable player to have on the ice in heated situations. Is defensively very responsible and a good penalty killer. Lagerström signed a senior contract with Södertälje and is expected to be a third or fourth line player in the Swedish second tier league next season. The team likes his potential and he will hopefully have good development before possibly moving over the Atlantic.
C Darren Helm - 6 HF - 6'0" - 182 lbs - 20 yrs old - Medicine Hat, WHL
Checking forward Darren Helm had a successful campaign in Medicine Hat in 2004-05 and played in every game. Helm recorded 24 points and then added eight more points in the Tigers' 13 playoff appearances. The Manitoba-born Helm often matched up against the top two lines of the opposition but his +6 rating suggests that he won more of those battles than he lost. He works hard and has pretty reasonable skills. You worry a bit about his size though. Tireless. Didn't play much but when he did?. He's a very good skater, but his shot is maybe a little weak. Where he lacks is in his strength, he's not a big guy. He has pretty good hands and I think his numbers will go up next year. He still needs to add some bulk to his smallish frame in order to be an even more effective checker at the pro level. Expect him to make an attempt to make the Sabres lineup in another two years.
C Brett Sutter - 6 HF - 6'0" - 192 lbs - 20 yrs old - Red Deer, WHL
With genetics on his side, Brett Sutter might receive a second look on nights when comparable players may not. He's the son of a NHL GM and his uncles make up the most storied hockey family in hockey history, but 18-year-old Brett says that while he fits the stereotypical Sutter mold, he's his own player and that he's not trying to ride on any coat tails. In 70 games with the Kootenay Ice, Sutter scored 19 points but was one of only two non-goalies on the team to not have a positive plus/minus rating; the checking winger was even. Sutter added three points in the playoffs and was a +2 in Kootenay's 16 games. It was the second season in Kootenay for Sutter who dressed 44 times for the Ice in 2003-04 and had 12 points. It's disappointing that his point production actually decreased with an extra year of experience and maturity especially considering his year began at Canada's U-18 camp in Calgary where he unsuccessfully competed for the opportunity to represent in Slovakia in August. He's a real good worker. I don't think his skills are very good and I don't think he's very big. He really does work, though; he's got a good awareness for the game. He's a real good worker. I don't think his skills are very good and I don't think he's very big. He really does work, though; he's got a good awareness for the game.
C Luciano Aquino - 5 HF - 5'10" - 210 lbs - 22 yrs old - Utah, ECHL
The 5’9 forward made a move from the Maine Black Bears of NCAA hockey to the OHL and gave the Battalion a much-needed offensive spark as one of their best forwards. Small and quick.