Buffalo Sabres Potential Draft Prospects: Vince Dunn

While many Buffalo Sabres fans are focused on day one of the 2015 NHL Draft, which is coming in just over a week, it’s easy to forget that there’s also a second day to the draft.

In addition to the team’s second-overall selection and 21st-overall pick, the Buffalo Sabres currently hold six additional picks throughout the course of the 2015 NHL Draft.

After the culmination of the first round and day one, the Buffalo Sabres hold the first selection of day two, the 31st overall pick. One player they could use this pick on is Niagara IceDogs defenseman Vince Dunn.

“I think I have really good vision on the ice.”

Dunn, 18, has spent the last two seasons with the IceDogs of the OHL, just a short drive across the border and up the QEW. He enters the draft with a 32nd-overall final ranking from the folks at NHL Central Scouting. That was a huge jump from his midterm rank of 53.

Dunn finished this past season with with 56 points, including 18 goals and 38 assists, in 68 regular season games. He also added 10 points in eight playoff games with the IceDogs as the team got past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

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This season also saw Dunn set a career-high for goals and points in a game, with four points – four goals – in Niagara’s first game of the playoffs against the Ottawa 67s. He also appeared in the 2015 CHL Top Prospects game in January.

His rookie year in the OHL, 2013-14, saw Dunn rack up 33 points (5-28) in 63 games.

Dunn is a left-shooting offensive defenseman who hails from Lindsay, Ontario. Prior to his time in Niagara, he played with the Thorold Blackhawks of the GOJHL, racking up 28 points in 48 games in the 2012-13 season.

Here’s what others have said about Dunn:

"“A really exciting player to watch especially when he has the puck on his stick. His skating is what separates him from the pack but occasionally his enthusiasm leads to poor decisions.” – Jeff Marek, Sportsnet"

"“…..has the potential to be a powerplay quarterback and a top two NHL defenceman for his team.” – lastwordonsports"

"“Is great with his stick; possesses a good shot and makes seamless tape-to-tape passes…All-in-all, an offensive defenceman who will thrive in a system where puck possession is key.” – Eliteprospects"

When Yahoo! Sports asked him about his strengths, Dunn noted his skating and passing. He also said that he uses his stick well in one-on-one battles, but acknowledged the things he needs to work on, too.

“I think I can work on my defense part of the game,” he said. “Maybe be a little tougher in the corners, hitting guys when they’re coming down on me.”

Dunn missed eligibility for the 2014 draft class, as he didn’t turn 18 until October 29th, but he’s arguably been working hard to become a more complete defenseman. While is game isn’t perfect — with his pitfalls including taking too many risks to create offense – he could be a solid second-round choice for the Buffalo Sabres.

Of course, there’s a good chance that Dunn won’t even be available when day two of the draft kicks off that Saturday morning; he could easily move up and get selected that Friday evening in the first round. But if he is available, he wouldn’t be a bad pick-up for the Buffalo Sabres.

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