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Buffalo Sabres: 5 hot European draft prospects to watch – 2022

By Sion Fawkes

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 20: #13 Joakim Kemell of Finland in action during Men's 6-Team Tournament Preliminary Round - Group A Game between Finland and Switzerland of the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympics on January 20, 2020 in Lausanne, Switzerland. (Photo by RvS.Media/Basile Barbey/Getty Images)
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 20: #13 Joakim Kemell of Finland in action during Men's 6-Team Tournament Preliminary Round - Group A Game between Finland and Switzerland of the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympics on January 20, 2020 in Lausanne, Switzerland. (Photo by RvS.Media/Basile Barbey/Getty Images) /
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Buffalo Sabres
Czech Republic’s Tomas Kundratek (C) celebrates his team’s first goal with David Jiricek (L) during the Beijer Hockey Games (Euro Hockey Tour) ice hockey match between Switzerland and Czech Republic in Stockholm, Sweden on May 8, 2022. – – Sweden OUT (Photo by Christine OLSSON / TT NEWS AGENCY / AFP) / Sweden OUT (Photo by CHRISTINE OLSSON/TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty Images) /

David Jiricek, D/HC Plzen (Czechia)

If the Buffalo Sabres ultimately go defense early again and Nemec is gone, David Jiricek provides an excellent consolation. Like Nemec, Jiricek has played at the pro level. And while the right-shot defenseman has not displayed the same level of two-way prowess as Nemec, he is yet another prospect slated to go in the top ten.

Standing at 6’3, 190 pounds, Jiricek possesses ideal height but he should add at least 15 to 20 pounds to his frame before he is NHL-ready. A knee injury caused him to miss extended playing time and he could not attend the NHL scouting combine, both of which may affect his draft stock.

However, scouts love his energizing and physical presence. They also believe his two-way ability will grow with time, especially given his ability to play the blue line.

He also possesses powerful shooting ability from long distance. While he needs at least one season in the minors, expect him to eventually become an integral part to whichever NHL roster he joins.

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