Sabre Noise
Fansided

Buffalo Sabres: 13th Overall Scenarios for the 2023 Draft

By Jonathan Heck

BUFFALO, NY - NOVEMBER 10: Drew Stafford #21 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the Florida Panthers November 10, 2006 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - NOVEMBER 10: Drew Stafford #21 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the Florida Panthers November 10, 2006 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Buffalo Sabres
Jul 7, 2022; Montreal, Quebec, CANADA; Matthew Savoie shakes hands with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being selected as the number nine overall pick to the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /

Scenario 1: Draft a player

I bet no one was able to guess this one. While it seems it’s the most likely decision for Adams and Co. it’s still only a possibility. We know Bedard will go 1st overall. Fantilli should definitely go 2nd overall. After that, it’s just up in the air.

It would be least logical for the Sabres to take a Goalie with #13. My personal preference would be to take a Defenseman with that pick. With how random and unpredictable the draft will be, do the Buffalo Sabres target a defenseman to take? Or do they take the best available forward?

If right-handed defenseman David Reinbacher is available, I’d like us to acquire him. He is believed by many to be the top Defenseman in this draft. Standing 6’2 and 187 lbs, Reinbacher could be a potential partner for Owen Power.

It’s likely he’d play a season or two in Rochester before coming to the NHL. If Adams follows the philosophy of the fans and acquires a veteran RHD for this season and potentially next, it would be perfect for Reinbacher to slot into that spot after the veteran retires.

Some Mock Drafts have us taking Right Winger Matthew Wood or Right-Handed Defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka. It wouldn’t make sense to me to draft another winger, as it seems we have an abundance of elite wing prospects, especially at Right Wing.

The Sabres could stand pat at 13th overall and draft the best available

I’d be happy with Pellikka. Another good RHD with potential. Assuming Reinbacher was taken and Pellikka was available, I’d still be happy taking the Swedish defenseman.

The Samuelsson and Dahlin pairing seems set in stone. Though what’s great about Samuelsson is he can play anywhere in the defensive lineup. It’s going to be amazing to see Owen Power take the next step in his development, so it’s possible that he could eventually move into the top pairing with Dahlin.

Outside of unsigned prospect Ryan Johnson, the Sabres look a little light in the defensive prospect category. Adding in another high end defensive prospect from the first round would be good for the Sabres.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is only 24 years old and still has potential to be an NHL starter, but it’s looking more like he’ll be a good backup. Devon Levi is only 21 years old and has already impressed everyone. He will likely be our starter soon enough.

Eric Comrie hasn’t impressed, but the defense playing in front of him was horrible. He’s only 27, which seems to be prime time for many goaltenders, so there’s still a chance he’ll turn things around. Lastly, we have unsigned goaltender Topias Leinonen who is 19 years old. His stats don’t look the greatest but a 19 year old playing in Finland’s top league for a bad team is impressive within itself.

Who would you like the Sabres to draft 13th overall?

Home/Draft