The draft grades are rolling in from mainstream outlets, and they have been rather kind to the Buffalo Sabres 2022 Draft Class.
The Buffalo Sabres had 11 picks last Thursday and Friday at the 2022 NHL Draft. And when a team has so many selections, especially three in the first round, it vastly increases their odds of nailing the draft.
Per Elite Prospects, the Sabres did just that. Draft experts Mitch Brown and David St. Louis gave the Sabres an A, citing the way they used their picks featuring raw prospects with high upside and those who project to eventually play in the NHL. Here is the exact wording:
"“There was a nice back-and-forth throughout their draft between high upside bets and players with a clear projection to the NHL.” – via Elite Prospects"
Elite Prospects, Yahoo Sports, praise the Buffalo Sabres draft haul
Elite Prospects praised the Buffalo Sabres drafting of Matthew Savoie given his upside and projectability to play in the NHL sooner than later. They did state the Ostlund pick wasn’t as safe, but they also noted his upside, especially when playing a supporting role.
Brown and St. Louis loved the Viktor Neuchev and Mats Lindgren picks for the former’s playmaking abilities and the latter’s puck moving ability. Finally, they noted the Kulich selection as a great value pick.
Yahoo Sports provided a less in-depth grade, but it still amounted to an A. They simply stated the only downside, picking nits really, of the first round picks was the fact they were all forwards. However, Yahoo Sports also cited the presence of Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power as potential reasoning behind the picks.
They also noted the Topias Leinonen pick, one that has polarized everyone from the fan base to pundits. Personally, I was for the selection since the Sabres do not have a clear-cut franchise goaltender in the system. Perhaps it is Devon Levi or even Erik Portillo. But with the aura of mystery surrounding the position, drafting Leinonen made sense.
Article Source: Grading each team’s performance at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft by Mitch Brown and Davis St. Louis
Article Source: 2022 NHL draft: Grades for each team by Ian Kennedy.