Buffalo Sabres Draft Picks: Breaking down Rounds Two through Four
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++.
Round 3: Viktor Neuchev, LW/Yekaterinburg
Neuchev possesses NHL-caliber height but he is thin. Look for him to add at least 25lb of bulk to his frame before he even touches the NHL ice, and that will take a few years. A gifted shooter, evidenced by his 40 goals and 67 total points this season, NHL Central Scouting ranked Neuchev 34th among European skaters. So at this point, he projects as a steal.
Now the question remains: Can he translate his productivity to the big leagues? We will keep an eye on Neuchev’s production, regardless of where he plays in 2022-23. But if last season’s jump in production serves as any indicator, Neuchev should post respectable numbers even if he’s not dominating in the MHL.
Given his ranking via NHL Central Scouting coupled with his remarkable production, Neuchev earns a high A grade. He was the best player on the board when it was time for the Sabres to pick, and they acted accordingly.
Round 4: Mats Lindgren, D/Kamloops
In the fourth round, the Buffalo Sabres took Mats Lindgren. Judging from his productivity, in which he scored 44 points (five goals) in 68 games, the draft’s 106th overall pick projects as an incredible two-way prospect.
Lindgren is an exceptional threat in the neutral zone and he uses his tremendous skating ability as a way to generate ways to get open and pass the puck off to a teammate or take it himself into the offensive zone. With excellent on-ice vision, it is not uncommon to see him locate a teammate deep in the offensive zone and make a play.
His shot still needs polish, but other than that, he has a great offensive mind. And while Lindgren possesses strong defensive skills, he still lacks in certain areas. He can keep the play in front of him and force attackers to change lanes, but he can also lock his eyes onto the puck carrier, which occasionally leads him to getting caught out of position.
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Overall, Lindgren is a solid choice who displays a jack-of-all-trades type of game. If he can improve the little things, he can eventually work his way into an NHL lineup. But, thee are bad habits, like puck watching, that he needs to break. Grade: B.
(Statistics provided by Elite Prospects)