Buffalo Sabres Draft Options: Olli Juolevi
Will the Buffalo Sabres repeat history when they pick 8th in the 2016 NHL Draft?
Back in 2013, the Buffalo Sabres used the 8th pick in the NHL Entry Draft to acquire Rasmus Ristolainen, the Finnish defenseman who has become one of the building blocks of the current team.
Now, three years later, the Sabres once again hold the 8th pick in the draft, and have the chance to draft yet another Finnish defenseman.
If the Sabres are lucky, history will repeat itself on June 24 when the 2016 NHL Entry Draft is held in the First Niagara Center.
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There is a lot of speculation that Jacob Chychrun, the left-handed defenseman who skates for the Sarnia Sting in the OHL, will be the first defenseman picked in the 2016 Draft, possibly by the Edmonton Oilers. Should that scenario play out, the Buffalo Sabres still may have a chance at drafting Olli Juolevi, the Finnish blueliner who just played his first season in the OHL with the London Knights.
While fans might be disappointed to see the Sabres miss out on Chychrun, their disappointment should be lessened considerably – pretty much erased – should Buffalo be lucky enough to snag Juolevi.
For starters, don’t dismiss the fact that Juolevi is Finnish – having a countryman who shares the same language and culture would certainly provide Rasmus Ristolainen with a lot of motivation to stick around the organization for a long, long time. Obviously, there is the potential for great chemistry among Risto and Juolevi, as well. No, the fact that he is Finnish is not the biggest reason to want him, but come on – it’s an added bonus that cannot be ignored.
So what is the biggest reason that Buffalo Sabres should use the 8th pick in the draft on Juolevi? He’s a left-handed defenseman who produces points, that’s why! Tim Murray has shared that one of his priorities is to acquire a blueliner who can run the point on the power play, and while I don’t feel that this is necessary (Risto led the team with 21 points on the power play in 2015-16), I’m no the GM. Throughout his OHL and international career, Juolevi has shown that he possesses great vision, a mature understanding of the game, and superior decision-making skills. If the Sabres decided not to pursue a top-4 LHD via trade or free-agency, Juolevi should be at the top of their wishlist.
Next: Sabres Draft Options: Mikhail Sergachev
Scouting reports also highlight Juolevi’s defensive skills – who woulda thought? According to Juolevi’s scouting report from Future Considerations, “He is strong in his one-on one defensive play using his stick and positioning to break-up plays,” and he was labelled “the best defender at the 2016 WJC ” by Spencer Seymour. Meanwhile Elite Prospects had this to say about him:
"Very sturdily built D-man that leans into his hits, competes hard, and possesses elite-level vision and hockey sense. Looks stronger game-by-game and adapts very quickly to his surroundings and situations. Scouts liken Olli Juolevi to Olli Maatta of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Both are fluid skaters and have deep-rooted understandings of their position. Both have tremendous skill and talent, and both will go far in their careers."
Sounds good to me!
The Buffalo Sabres already struck gold once when they drafted a Finnish defenseman with the 8th pick back in 2013 – could lightning strike twice with Olli Juolevi? You sure better hope so!