BUFFALO, NY – The Buffalo Sabres found themselves in a familiar position at the end of the 2018-19 season by missing the NHL Playoffs for the 8th straight season and preparing for another NHL Entry Draft. This time around though the Sabres have reason for optimism. Despite missing the playoffs and a recent coaching change, Buffalo has some key pieces in place and have a very good core group of young prospects that could propel the Sabres back into the playoffs sooner rather than later.
This time around last year, the Sabres had the top pick in the draft and Buffalo made it pay off by selecting Rasmus Dahlin. Heading into this year’s draft the Sabres have the seventh overall pick in a very forward heavy draft. The Sabres were poor on both sides of the ice ranking 23rd in goals for and 24th in goals against and were 27th in face-offs.
On offense, Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart had over 20 goals and Jeff Skinner had 40 but he is a free agent at the end of the season so keeping him is Buffalo’s top priority this off-season. The feeling around the NHL is, if Skinner hits the open market Buffalo will be outbid by teams such as the New York Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers.
In a forward heavy draft, it might make sense to go on offense but the Sabres need to continue to build the blueline. According to The Hockey News the Sabres have only one defenseman considered a top five prospect in their system, Buffalo would love to get their hands on Bowen Byram to go along with Dahlin and it is highly possible he could be there. So far it appears that Byram could go anywhere from number three overall to seven to where Buffalo is lying in wait.
In PHN’s mock draft, we see Byram going to the Los Angeles Kings at four. TSN in Canada has him going as high as three to Chicago. Detroit is another team looking for an anchor on their blueline as well so where Byram goes could have a huge domino effect on the rest of the draft.
In PHN’s mock draft, two centers are still on the board: Dylan Cozens and Kirby Dach. Both players have seen their stock been steady all year long and realistically at least one of them should go before Buffalo picks at #7. If PHN is right Buffalo will be more than thrilled to see both of them still on our board.
The Sabres could trade down if they really want to pursue a defenseman instead but PHN does not make trades in their mock. It is a tough call to make but Buffalo will be more than happy to make the following announcement in Vancouver at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
“With the 7th overall selection in the 2019 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres are proud to select, from the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League, Dylan Cozens.”
Brian Jennings covers the Philadelphia Flyers for prohockeynews.com and can be found on twitter at @Flyersfan22.
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