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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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Buffalo Sabres
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – JANUARY 22: #9 Cutter Gauthier of United States battles for the puck with #9 Danil Grigoriev of Russian Federation during Men’s 6-Team Tournament Gold Medal Game between Russia and United States of the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympics on January 22, 2021 in Lausanne, Switzerland. (Photo by RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Getty Images) /

Prospect #2: Cutter Gauthier, F/USA

Gauthier doesn’t possess the same type of polish as Kemell. But, he has already committed to play hockey at Boston College to further polish his game, meaning he is likely two to four seasons away from making his NHL debut unless he forgoes eligibility.

He also dominated at the amateur level in 2021-22, logging 102 points in 82 contests. Ryan Kennedy praised Gauthier‘s versatility, especially his ability to play center as well as he can play winger. Kennedy also noted the prospect’s production on the penalty kill this past season.

Few in the 2022 NHL Draft possesses a shot more lethal than Gauthier’s, and it was on display for 56 goals this past season. Like Kemell, Gauthier shows excellent on-ice awareness when he doesn’t have the puck, routinely finding open ice in hopes of landing a one-timer.

Many scouts noted that Gauthier’s ceiling is not as high as some prospects. Meaning he may never rise above the second scoring line on an NHL roster. But in the Sabres case, they may need some secondary scorers a few years from today.

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