Getting to know the Buffalo Sabres’ 2018 NHL draft class
The Buffalo Sabres selected five defenseman and one center during this year’s NHL Draft, including the first overall selection in the draft.
It’s something that’s been said in each of the past few drafts for the Buffalo Sabres, but there’s no doubt the team got better following the 2018 NHL Draft. The team continues to build a very strong young core and with their newest addition on defense, their first overall pick, the rebuilding could soon come to an end.
The Sabres would end up using five picks this year bolstering their defense. We might not see most of them for a year or two, but they will all provide some depth once they develop on a smaller stage first. Of course, Rasmus Dahlin will be asked to contribute immediately, but the rest of the draft class will be asked to prove themselves first.
Ultimately, the Sabres added six young players this season, three of which came from Sweden. To total it out, there was also one from the United States, one from Czech Republic and one from Finland. As you’ll find out soon enough, one was the first overall pick of the draft, one has already received some positive feedback from Team USA coaches and one is highly regarded as a future breakout player.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the Buffalo Sabres’ 2018 draft class.
With the first overall pick in the first round, the Buffalo Sabres selected Rasmus Dahlin, a defenseman from Sweden.
Name: Rasmus Dahlin
Hometown: Trollhättan, Sweden
Birthday: April 13, 2000 (18 years)
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 181 lbs.
Stats (past two years):
25 games, 10 goals, 14 assists, 24 points, plus-19 in the SuperElit
19 games, 2 goals, 8 assists, 10 points, plus-seven in Sweden’s U-20
67 games, 8 goals, 15 assists, 23 points, plus-eight in SHL
A Word From Elite Prospects:
Dahlin is a smart two-way defenseman who can play in any situation. He is a terrific skater and stick handler who can rush the puck, or join the attack in a hurry. Impressive agility makes him a good one-on-one defender. He has fine passing ability, and although not a big-time bomber, he has an accurate shot from the point. Not one to shy away from the physical game, Dahlin is an accomplished open-ice hitter. A young player, he must learn when to make the simpler play. Adding more weight should help him in board battles and around the crease.
Fun Fact:
In a recent interview, Rasmus Dahlin’s father (Martin Dahlin) spoke a lot about his son and what it was like raising him. According to Mr. Dahlin, Rasmus is quite the cook, especially tacos. He’s been living on his own since the age of 15 and has grown to be very responsible.
With the 32nd overall pick in the second round, the Buffalo Sabres selected Mattias Samuelsson, a defenseman from the United States.
Name: Mattias Samuelsson
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Birthday: March 14, 2000 (18 years)
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 218 lbs.
Stats (past two seasons):
53 games, 9 goals, 15 assists, 24 points, plus-16 in USHL
37 games, 6 goals, 8 assists, 14 points in US National U17
68 games, 11 goals, 22 assists, 33 points in US National U18
A Word From Mattias Samuelsson:
“Being drafted has changed my life tremendously. The day-to-day routine is pretty much stayed the same but now I have a completely different mindset. Knowing what the ultimate goal is — to play for the Sabres — gives you even more motivation to get better on and off the ice every day.”
Fun Fact:
Mattias Samuelsson has hockey in his blood. His father, Kjell Samuelsson, played 813 games in the NHL and even won a Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Mattias was the captain of the US National U18 Team and is happy to one day bring that leadership to the Buffalo Sabres. He will play his freshman year at Western Michigan University.
With the 94th overall pick in the fourth round, the Buffalo Sabres selected Matej Pekar, a center from the Czech Republic.
Name: Matej Pekar
Hometown: Turnov, Czech Republic
Birthday: February 10, 2000 (18 years)
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 170 lbs.
Stats:
56 games, 14 goals, 40 assists, 54 points, plus-six in USHL
19 games, 5 goals, 1 assist, 6 points, plus-two in Czech Republic U17
19 games, 2 goals, 9 assists, 11 points in Czech Republic U18
A Word From Elite Prospects:
“Honestly, before the season, I was like, ‘Draft, what is it?’ Like, I’m not getting drafted. Maybe that kind of motivated me. I just had to look in the mirror and say, ‘you can do it, but you just have to work harder I guess.’ … I can’t really describe it. I’m so excited to be here and get drafted to the NHL. It all starts right now. This is the beginning, hopefully not the end.”
Fun Fact:
Matej Pekar comes with a lot of potential, as he was named the USHL Rookie of the Year this past season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. He is committed to playing his freshman year at Miami Ohio University.
With the 117th overall pick in the fourth round, the Buffalo Sabres selected Linus Lindstrand Kronholm, a defenseman from Sweden.
Name: Linus Lindstrand Kronholm
Hometown: Malmö, Sweden
Birthday: July 3, 2000
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 172 lbs.
Stats:
34 games, 6 goals, 15 assists, 21 points, plus-nine in the J18 Elit
41 games, 6 assists, 6 points, negative-11 in the Super Elit
A Word From Elite Prospects:
Stay-at-home defenseman with good hockey sense. Will not put up any significant numbers on the board, but plays a solid and simple game in his own end. Good size and will rarely get beaten with good reach and fine way of reading the game. (EP 2018)
Fun Fact:
Linus Lindstrand Cronholm was one of the youngest players selected in this year’s NHL Draft, bron July 3rd.
With the 125th overall pick in the fifth round, the Buffalo Sabres selected Miska Kukkonen, a defenseman from Finland.
Name: Miska Kukkonen
Hometown: Jokioinen, Finland
Birthday: June 19, 2000
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 198 lbs.
Stats:
36 games, 3 goals, 9 assists, 12 points, plus-six in Jr. A SM-liiga
11 games, 3 goals, 2 assists, 5 points in Finland U17
A Word From Finn Prospects:
Kukkonen is a prototype of a modern defenceman. He is very mobile and agile on skates and is skilled on defending with the stick. His gap control is good and he knows how to play physical too. While he isn’t a wizard with the puck, he can make plays and joins the rush when there’s a place to do so. He is occasionally a bit too eager to attack which may lead to odd-man rushes towards his own end. He also needs to gain some muscle to win the battles in front of the net.
Fun Fact:
Miska Kukkonen has ties to one of his new teammates in Buffalo. Oskari Laaksonen, who was drafted by the Sabres last year, played with Kukkonen in each of the past two seasons in Finland. Their relationship should help give Kukkonen some familiarity within the organization.
With the 187th overall pick in the seventh round, the Buffalo Sabres selected William Worge Kreu, a defenseman from Sweden.
Name: William Worge Kreu
Hometown: Linköping, Sweden
Birthday: May 15, 2000
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 172 lbs.
Stats:
27 games, 3 goals, 4 assists, 7 points and plus-11 in J18 Elit
22 games, 1 goal, 4 assists, 5 points and plus-5 in J18 Allsvenskan
40 games, 3 goals, 11 assists, 14 points and plus-6 in Super Elit
A Word From Elite Prospects:
Defensive defenseman. Strong in shorthanded situations. Plays a simple game with few mistakes.
Fun Fact:
William Worge Kreu’s father, Andreas, played plenty of pro hockey in Sweden, spending time in the Orebro IK in Division 1 and then Linkoping in Division 1, the Swedish Hockey League and Allsvenskan.
Next. Sabres gearing up for another strong draft class in 2019. dark
Other than Rasmus Dahlin, which rookie are you most excited to watch develop and potentially one day find a home on the roster? Leave your comments below!
Stay-at-home defenseman with good hockey sense. Will not put up any significant numbers on the board, but plays a solid and simple game in his own end. Good size and will rarely get beaten with good reach and fine way of reading the game. (EP 2018)