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2022 Mock Draft 1.0 – Buffalo Sabres land Finnish prospect

By Sion Fawkes

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 22: Joakim Kemell of Finland is challenged by Mats Lindgren of Canada during the Men's 6-Team Ice Hockey Tournament Finals Bronze Medal Game between Canada and Finland on day 13 of the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympics at Lausanne Vaudoise Arena on January 22, 2020 in Lausanne, Switzerland. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 22: Joakim Kemell of Finland is challenged by Mats Lindgren of Canada during the Men's 6-Team Ice Hockey Tournament Finals Bronze Medal Game between Canada and Finland on day 13 of the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympics at Lausanne Vaudoise Arena on January 22, 2020 in Lausanne, Switzerland. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) /
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NHL Draft Season is underway for the Buffalo Sabres. And today, we are outlining potential first-round picks at ninth, 16th, and 32nd overall.

The Buffalo Sabres might just be one good draft away from contending long-term. They already have a phenomenal up-and-coming team rich in young talent, but they definitely want to reinforce that talent on draft day.

This will be the second year in a row that the Sabres landed two picks in the top sixteen, as they drafted Owen Power at first overall last season and Isak Rosen fourteenth. Power has already shown what he can do while Rosen figures to be a decent developmental prospect.

Roster-wise, the Sabres look set defensively with a rotation of five young defensemen and a possible sixth defenseman if Jacob Bryson returns. They will also likely bring in someone with experience to pair with Power.

So for this first mock draft of the season, the Buffalo Sabres will look to add depth to their forwards. Starting with one of the most well-known Finnish prospects in the 2022 NHL Draft.

Buffalo Sabres
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – JANUARY 20: Joakim Kemell of Finland is challenged by Mattheo Reinhard of Switzerland in the Men’s 6-Team Ice Hockey Tournament Preliminary Round – Group A Game 6 match between Finland and Switzerland during day 11 of the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympics at Lausanne Vaudoise Arena on January 20, 2020 in Lausanne, Switzerland. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) /

Buffalo Sabres Mock Draft Prospect #1: Joakim Kemell, RW/Finland

Kemell would come to the Sabres at ninth overall, and he already has some professional hockey experience. In 40 professional games in Finland’s top hockey league, Liiga, Kemell put up 24 points and 16 total goals for JYP Jyvaskyla (pronounced yoo-vas-kool-ah). 

While he can definitely grow into his 5’11 frame, Kemell showed that he is a complete player, as noted by Ryan Kennedy of The Hockey News on March 25th. He maintains a high energy level throughout his shifts, loves contact, yet displays an offensive game few competitors can match.

It is true that injuries slowed Kemell this season. However, you can’t deny his productivity. He constantly gets open when not in possession of the puck, allowing himself to become available to show off his lethal one-timers.

Kemell is a true competitor who also uses his agility and ability to change direction to his advantage to attack the net when in possession of the puck. Overall, the Sabres are getting a dynamic scorer if they land Kemell at the ninth overall selection.

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