Sabre Noise
Fansided

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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CALGARY, AB – MAY 20: Rasmus Andersson #4 of the Calgary Flames in action against the Edmonton Oilers during Game Two of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome on May 20, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Oilers defeated the Flames 5-3. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB – MAY 20: Rasmus Andersson #4 of the Calgary Flames in action against the Edmonton Oilers during Game Two of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome on May 20, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Oilers defeated the Flames 5-3. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /

Rasmus Andersson, D/Barrie Colts

Original Pick: Brendan Guhle, D/Prince Albert Raiders

With a last name pronounced as goo-lee, perhaps Brendan Guhle was just playing the wrong position. The star-crossed defenseman gave the Buffalo Sabres just 21 NHL games, 13 hits, 16 blocks, one takeaway, and nine giveaways.

Rasmus Andersson went a few picks later and has since become a staple on the Calgary Flames. He played in all 82 games this past season, and has played in at least 70 since 2018-19 with the exception of COVID-shortened 2020-21.

He has also emerged as a two-way player, scoring 50 points (four goals), and has become especially dangerous on the power play. Never afraid to sacrifice the body, Andersson also notched 125 blocks to go with 63 hits.

Of course, the upside today is that the Sabres have a solid young rotation on defense. But they could have started the process years earlier, as the next two picks will also show.

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