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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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LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – JANUARY 20: Joakim Kemell of Finland is challenged by Mattia Comolli 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) /

Joakim Kemell, W/JYP (Finland)

The Buffalo Sabres are more likely to draft a forward over defense in the first round this season, and Kemell might be the top European winger on their draft board. Buffalo News compared Kemell to the Sabres 2021 first round pick, Isak Rosen in terms of size, standing at a solid 5’11, but clocking in at just 171 pounds.

He scored just 23 points in 39 games last season, but his skating ability has scouts excited. A draft prospect with endless potential, there is a chance Kemell won’t be available when the Sabres pick at number nine. But since he is arguably the best European skater in this draft, they will snag him if he falls to them.

Scouts love Kemell’s shooting ability and his overall creativity with the puck. While he needs to produce more, Kemell has the potential to evolve into one of the game’s most entertaining players.

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