Buffalo Sabres: 4 prospects to target with the 106th pick

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MONTREAL, QUEBEC – JULY 07: General Manager Mike Grier of the San Jose Sharks speaks on stage during Round One of the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bell Centre on July 07, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Mathew Ward, F/Swift Current Broncos (WHL)

Ward is one of those players who is underrated because of the size factor. At just 5’8 157, he is among the smallest draft eligible players this season, but don’t let his size fool you. Over the past two seasons, Ward has 79 points, 28 goals, and 51 assists. So the productivity is definitely there.

Not just that, he was playing for a terrible WHL team in the Swift Current Broncos, so it’s not like he was the product of a successful system. He mainly specialized on the power play, but his never back down demeanor has allowed him to keep pace with some of the NHL’s larger prospects.

Ward was so good this past season, he even earned a spot on Team Canada’s World U18 roster. Overall, his talent is there, but size could eventually hold him back. If size isn’t an issue to Adams, he may be the best bet at 106th overall for the Buffalo Sabres.

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