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What if? Redrafting the 2015 Buffalo Sabres NHL Draft

By Sion Fawkes

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - MARCH 04: Jack Eichel #9 of the Buffalo Sabres goes around Ryan Pulock #6 of the New York Islanders during the first period at the Nassau Coliseum on March 04, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - MARCH 04: Jack Eichel #9 of the Buffalo Sabres goes around Ryan Pulock #6 of the New York Islanders during the first period at the Nassau Coliseum on March 04, 2021 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The 2015 NHL Draft wasn’t totally ill-fated for the Buffalo Sabres thanks to the Jack Eichel trade. But it was still full of missed opportunities.

Say what you will about Jack Eichel, but his time with the Buffalo Sabres and subsequent blockbuster trade to the Vegas Golden Knights at least salvaged the team’s 2015 draft which was one of the worst in franchise history.

But if the Sabres had a crystal ball, odds are they probably would have picked someone else. So today, we are going to revisit and reselect players in all seven rounds of the 2015 NHL Draft.

Here is how this is going to work: Each pick below must have come AFTER the Buffalo Sabres selected. That means no Connor McDavid, though you can play the what-if game all you want regarding him.

Anyway, let’s cut down to it. The picks in today’s redraft gave the Sabres far more than their original draftees did – Especially those taken between rounds five through seven. Even so, their second and fourth rounders have, to date, played in a grand total of 115 NHL games. So without further ado, let’s get to it.

TORONTO, ON – MAY 10 : Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toront Maple Leafs looks to make a pass against the Tampa Bay Lightning during Game Five of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 10, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Lightning 4-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty images)
TORONTO, ON – MAY 10 : Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toront Maple Leafs looks to make a pass against the Tampa Bay Lightning during Game Five of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 10, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Lightning 4-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty images) /

Buffalo Sabres: Redrafting the 2015 NHL Draft, Pick #1: Mitch Marner, C/W/London Knights

Original Pick: Jack Eichel C/Boston University

Eichel may have the edge in All-Star Game appearances with three, but Marner has an NHL All-Star Team selection that came in 2020-21. Marner has also seen himself in consideration for numerous other awards that include the Byng Trophy, Selke Trophy, and Hart Trophy.

This isn’t comparing Marner to Eichel. Instead, it’s saying the Sabres could have selected the center/winger and would have been just as well off. Marner has always been a bit reckless with the puck, committing at least 50 giveaways every season. But he also plays defense well in regard to creating takeaways, snagging at least 53 (in 55 games) per season.

Offensively, Marner’s least productive season came in his first year when he scored 61 points (19 goals). He nearly graced the 100-point mark in 2021-22, tallying 35 goals and 62 assists. Marner’s shooting percentage has never dropped below double-digits, and he has logged at least 20 minutes of average ice time over the past three seasons.

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