Sabres news: Draft Lottery holds Sabres’ future in the balance
After another disappointing season for the Buffalo Sabres, they find themselves in last place for the fourth time in eight seasons. In the previous years they finished last, the team drafted Sam Reinhart in 2014, Jack Eichel in 2015, and Rasmus Dahlin in 2018, but the Sabres find themselves in the same position once again, looking to the upcoming draft lottery for a source of hope.
While the team has drafted highly-touted prospects with these picks before, this draft is different in that the top pick will not be a certainty once the lottery concludes on June 2nd, which has mostly been the case in recent years. It’s also uncertain, from the perspective of the Sabres, who Kevyn Adams would select and how much their draft position will shift their approach.
The top three prospects in this year’s draft, according to a recent mock draft from Bleacher Report:
Owen Power (D-Michigan)
On the heels of completing his freshman season at Michigan, Power finished with 16 points (3+13) in 26 games and was named to the All-Big Ten Second Team. His 6’5” frame will provide him with a physical advantage as he continues to develop his game in the NHL. Power also has the ability to make the right play for his team, as he finished with a plus/minus of +18 and eight primary assists. Although the Sabres finished the season with five defensemen on the roster below age 25, Power would be a player that makes an immediate impact on the team if he’s drafted to Buffalo.
Matthew Beniers (C-Michigan)
Similar to his Wolverine teammate, Beniers had a solid freshman year at Michigan, notching 24 points (10+14) at a point-per-game pace this season. His performance over the past year on both the collegiate and World Junior level displayed his ability to skate and get past defenders with the puck. While the Sabres need more scoring, the futures of both Eichel and Reinhart, and their draft position, will factor into whether Beniers will become a member of the Sabres.
Simon Edvinsson (D-Frölunda;SHL)
While a growing number of defensemen prospects excel on both ends of the ice, Edvinsson’s defensive strengths have been more prevalent in his early pro career, as he earned seven points (1+6) in 24 games played for Frölunda. Playing for Frölunda in the J20 Nationell and SHL this season and for Sweden at the World Juniors, his physical play, passing, and penchant for blocking shots are among his strongest on-ice attributes for the 6’5″ blueliner. He’s also shown flashes of offense throughout the year, and as Edvinsson continues his development, he could be a fit for Buffalo’s blue line if he is available when the Sabres are on the clock.
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Due to changes made by the NHL to their draft lottery format this year, Buffalo can fall no further than 3rd in the draft order. With a coaching hire imminent and an offseason of uncertainty ahead for the Sabres, the player they select with their first pick of the draft will play a significant role in Buffalo for years to come.