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Buffalo Sabres: 3 deep sleepers in the 2022 NHL Draft

By Sion Fawkes

CALGARY, AB - MARCH 20: Grayden Siepmann #8 of the Calgary Hitmen in action against the Lethbridge Hurricanes during a WHL game at Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on March 20, 2021 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB - MARCH 20: Grayden Siepmann #8 of the Calgary Hitmen in action against the Lethbridge Hurricanes during a WHL game at Seven Chiefs Sportsplex on March 20, 2021 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /
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Buffalo Sabres
HAMILTON, ONTARIO – MARCH 14: Patrick Leaver #1 of the Oshawa Generals looks on during a stoppage in play against the Hamilton Bulldogs at Tim Hortons Field on March 14, 2022 in Hamilton, Ontario. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images) /

Deep sleeper #3: Patrick Leaver

Leaver ranks 16th among North American goaltenders per NHL.com. However, he has crept up the boards 13 spots since NHL.com ranked him at 29th at mid-term.

Playing for the Oshawa Generals of the OHL this past season, he compiled a modest 22-19-5 record, with a GAA of 3.2. This past season was his first in the OHL, and predictably, Leaver struggled in the playoffs, posting a 2-2-1 record with a 0.870 save percentage and 4.52 GAA.

But given his solid yet unspectacular production in the regular season, coupled with his relative inexperience at the OHL level, Leaver will display a lot of potential if he can build upon his 2021-22 production. Time will tell, but he’s worth taking a chance on given the flashes he showed this season.

Buffalo Sabres: 2022 Mock Draft 1.0. light. Hot

Leaver is one of those late-round prospects that you take a flyer on. And if he develops into something more, then great. If not, the Buffalo Sabres won’t suffer too much of a loss if they take him or a goaltender with a similar talent in the late rounds.

(Statistics provided by Elite-Prospects)

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