Sabres look to blueline support with eighth

BUFFALO, NY – The Buffalo Sabres might not have had the kind of season they wanted but the light at the end of the tunnel sure doesn’t look like a train at the end of it. With Jack Eichel and a crop of quality talent to work with, 2017-18 looks like the beginning of bigger, better things. Having the 8th overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft doesn’t hurt to have either.

The Sabres had three players with over 20 goals but Kyle Okposo had 19 to just fall under the 20 goal plateau. Most of their top scorers are at the center position and most of their top prospects on offense are on wing so the feeling is the Sabres won’t target a forward unless someone pops out at them.

The blueline isn’t horrible but could use an upgrade and will be a major issue for Buffalo in the off-season. It is one of the main reasons why you will see Buffalo go after a defenseman in the draft.

Fortunately for the Sabres there will be quite a few that look like blue chip prospects that could be had at the eighth spot. The top rated defenseman is one who looks like they could become a staple on the blueline for years to come. Finland’s Miro Heiskanen could become a possibility should someone in one of the top seven spots in a center heavy draft look like they prefer Cale Makar, Timothy Liljegren, or Juuso Valimaki to Heiskanen.

Lucky for Buffalo that isn’t the case in PHN’s Mock Draft. Heiskanen is not only the top prospect but if he falls to Buffalo the Sabres will card the card up to the Commissioner. In real life, we don’t expect him to be there at 8, but if he’s not one of the other three will be more than quality pick for Buffalo.

At the end of the day, look for the Sabres to make the following announcement in Chicago at the NHL Entry Draft.

“With the 8th overall selection in the 2017 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres select, from Espoo, Finland…Miro Heiskanen”