This player will have no fantasy value in 2013-14 and can be ignored in all formats.
The Sabres' second-round pick in 2007, Schiestel earned himself another contract with a steady AHL campaign last season. He remains buried in the Sabres' defensive depth chart and needs to impress in Rochester to keep pace with younger prospects such as Brayden McNabb and Jerome Leduc-Gauthier.
Schiestel had to be disappointed to see the Sabres add two veteran defenseman in the offseason, as it appeared he was ready to take the next step forward and compete for time with the Sabres. Unfortunately for Schiestel, he's facing another season of AHL hockey with Rochester, where he'll join a loaded defensive corps.
Schiestel is yet another talented defensemen in the Buffalo system. He won't figure into the 2010-11 season with the big club, barring a major rash of injuries. Schiestel can enter the season knowing he will be in Portland all year, and grow on his 12 point (1 G, 11 A) season from a season ago.
Schiestel is an offensive-minded defenseman that still needs significant polish, especially on the defensive end. He is likely at least two years away from the NHL.
The 18-year-old was selected by the Sabres in the second round of the 2007 entry draft. Buffalo hopes that he will develop into an offensive-minded defenseman. He's likely to spend 2007-08 in the OHL.
Schiestel was buried all season long (2006-2007) on the third pairing in Mississauga (OHL) but has the tools to be an offensive force. He is a great skater and puckhandler, with an explosive extra gear. He needs a lot of work in his own zone as he tends to drift away from opposing forwards instead of engaging them. Right now, his long legs and great speed get him out of trouble when he pinches at the wrong time (and there are many times when this happens). He'll lose that advantage with increasing levels of competition so he needs to learn his own zone soon. He's young, so he has some time.
