Sabres sure up blueline with the 8th pick in Entry Draft

BUFFALO – The Buffalo Sabres will have the upcoming NHL Entry Draft in their own backyard at the end of June but unlike last year the Sabres will have the 8th overall pick in the draft instead of the 2nd overall pick. Taking Jack Eichel was one of many bright spots for a team on the rise. Now the Sabres head into this year’s draft knowing the team isn’t that far away from a potential playoff spot with some help that could come in this year’s draft and from some of their more recent drafts as well.

Eichel led the team in goals with 24 and was one of four players to crack the 20 goal mark. The top three goal scorers on the team were centermen so look for the Sabres to add a 4th line player who can win face-offs and wingers who can score. On defense the Sabres could use a blue chip prospect to help bolster their blueline. Like some other teams in the league Buffalo isn’t a hot spot for free agents to the team needs to continue the upward trend of adding quality players on the back end.

The Sabres were 25th in offense, 16th in defense, 12th on the power play, 22nd on the penalty kill, 21st in face-offs, 17th in shots for, and 22nd in shots against.

Most of the top prospects heading into the draft are wingers but once those players are gone look for the draft to swing down the middle of the ice since a lot of quality centers will be available when the Sabres pick such as Tyson Yost who played in the BCHL this year.

On the blueline the top rated d-man at the midterm rankings was Jakub Chychrun but his stock went down slightly but no enough to think he will drop out of the top ten. Will Buffalo make the announcement in front of the home fans for a flashy goal scorer, even if he wasn’t playing in the major juniors? Will Buffalo continue to work on the blueline by adding one of the top d-man in the draft?

Look for the Sabres to make the home fans happy one way or another when they make the following announcement at the podium in front of the home fans.

“With the 8th over pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, the Buffalo Sabres select, from the Mississauga Ice Dogs of the Ontario Hockey League, defenseman Jakub Chychrun.”

The Montreal Canadians are now on the clock.