Potential Sabres Draft Prospects: Jake DeBrusk

With less that a month before the 2015 NHL Draft, there are still a good number of questions to be answered. We all know who will be the Sabres’ choice at their #2 pick (Jack Eichel), but they also have a second first round pick courtesy of the New York Islanders from the Thomas Vanek trade made two seasons ago.

The biggest question to be asked is which player should be taken. With a great deal of options available for discussion, I’ll be taking this time to lay out a few options that seem to fit the needs of the Sabres.

The first option I’ll be divulging to all Sabres fans reading this is a left winger from the Swift Current Broncos by the name of Jake DeBrusk. Ranked 21st overall on TSN’s Final 2015 draft rankings, and 19th on NHL.com’s North American skaters list, DeBrusk is right on the line where the Sabres second draft pick lies.

He ranks where he does due to his overall skill set.

Skill Package

Jake DeBrusk plays a power forward style game. He uses his speed and frame to push through opponents to create scoring chances. DeBrusk scored 42 goals and 39 assists in 72 games for Swift Current this past season, and he did so with style.

DeBrusk has the speed to move defenders out of position, and he has a desire to find his way to the best scoring area on the ice; the front of the net. This ability to get to the front of the net and create goal from it is the primary skill set that Buffalo needs to acquire.

DeBrusk is not a super sniper style player, but he does play a hard game. He has great hands and a definitive scoring ability. He lacks primarily a refined two-way game, but that skill would come from a couple more years of seasoning.

If I had to compare his play style to someone in the NHL, I would say he is a solid combination of two players in particular.

First, I would compare his skill set and scoring touch to that of Thomas Vanek. They both have strong strides in there skating, deceptive speed, and an uncanny ability to score goals (both shooting and tip ins) from the front of the net.

The second player I would compare him to is Jarome Iginla (from his hay day). DeBrusk plays a bit of an agitator role to add to his scoring ability. He’s not afraid to throw down the gloves for a scrap here and there, and he holds loyalty for and from all of his teammates.

Jake DeBrusk would be a fantastic pickup for the Buffalo Sabres if they decide to keep their 21st overall pick. The added scoring touch is a desperately needed asset, and he would mesh well with a player like Tyler Ennis or even Evander Kane.

Now that isn’t me saying that he is a first line level talent right off the bat, but if he develops correctly, he definitely has a top six potential.

Here’s a video of all of his goals from this past season.

What do you all think of Jake DeBrusk and the chances he gets picked up by the Sabres in the Draft?

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