3 forwards the Buffalo Sabres will target at ninth overall

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We are just days away from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and it seems like all but a done deal the Buffalo Sabres will go with a forward at ninth overall

It is no secret that the Buffalo Sabres have a young, solid rotation on defense. But there is some age at forward, considering Kyle Okposo (33), Zemgus Girgensons (29), and Jeff Skinner (30), none of whom will probably be around when the team starts winning consistently.

Or perhaps in Skinner’s case, he will be there for a couple of seasons to enjoy the W’s and hopefully earn his first-ever playoff appearance.

And while the Sabres have two young studs in J.J. Peterka and Jack Quinn, plus deep depth in the prospect realm, it still isn’t enough. Odds are, they will focus on snagging at least two forwards in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft.

Below, I outlined three forwards the Buffalo Sabres are most likely going to target at ninth overall. However, the possibility is real that they snag two of these players – one at nine, and another at sixteen (see the final slide). Let’s meet these players.

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) /

Buffalo Sabres: 3 likely forwards for the ninth overall pick – Joakim Kemell, RW

NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman has Kemell slated to go at seventh overall to the Ottawa Senators, which outlines the possibility the Finn will not be available when the Sabres pick at number nine. Other mocks, such as Die By the Blade’s Austin, has Conor Geekie slated to the Sabres at nine as opposed to Kemell, who he also mocked to the Senators.

But let’s take a moment to assume Kemell drops to the ninth overall pick. The smallish winger has potential to be a scoring machine at the NHL level. And while the Sabres have two upcoming right wingers in Jack Quinn and J.J. Peterka, it wouldn’t deter Adams from taking Kemell.

Using some foresight, Quinn and Kemell could man the top two scoring lines at the position a few seasons down the road, while Peterka’s physical style of play is a good fit for the third line. In short, Kemell complements Quinn and Peterka.

Having turned 18 on the same day I turned 31 (April 27th) , Kemell played professional hockey at Liiga in 2021-22 as a 17-year-old. He scored 15 goals in 39 contests, showing flashes that he is ready to play against men. It also indicates he is further ahead than other top-name prospects in the Buffalo Sabres pipeline like Isak Rosen.

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