Buffalo Sabres Draft Picks: Breaking down Rounds Two through Four
By Sion Fawkes
The Buffalo Sabres started off Round 2 of the 2022 NHL Draft with a bang when they selected Topias Leinonen with the 41st overall pick.
The Buffalo Sabres selected goaltender Topias Leinonen to add to what is an uncertain pool of goaltending prospects. Now, let’s not go as bold as to project Leinonen to be the franchise goalie just yet, but he has shown prowess in the junior leagues and tournaments. Goaltender of the future? Maybe…
They snagged winger Viktor Neuchev in the third round. He’s tall, but incredibly lanky, possessing a slight frame that he will grow into with time. And his 40 goals over in the MHL should tell you a lot about his overall production potential.
Finally, we got Mats Lindgren, a defenseman from Kamloops. The two-way prospect is a possible steal at 106th overall, since many in NHL spheres ranked him at 82nd overall or higher. So what do these new members of the Sabres prospect pool bring to the table? Let’s meet them.
Buffalo Sabres Mid-Round Picks: Round 2 – Topias Leinonen, G/JYP
The first goaltender selected in 2022, Leinonen had a stellar 2021-22 campaign with JYP U20 in U20 SM-sarja, posting a GAA of just 2.28 while he also owned a 0.916 save percentage. While his numbers in Liiga tanked with a 5.02 GAA and a 0.825 save percentage, it was his first go-around, so expect those numbers to improve as his game develops.
Despite his towering 6’5, 233lb frame, Leinonen is already speedy. He also moves well laterally for someone his size, and you can expect that sentiment to improve as the 18-year-old continues to grow.
This latest addition to the Buffalo Sabres pool of goaltender prospects possesses everything you look for in an NHL goalie. Now, he just needs to develop his game, which will come with more experience in Liiga. Some may have called this one a reach, but I thought it was a brilliant move. So much I gave it an A++.