Buffalo Sabres MUST consider Eduard Sale at 13th overall

In 2022, the Buffalo Sabres drafted Jiri Kulich at 28th overall out of Czechia. This year, they might draft another high-end prospect from the same nation. 

Connor Bedard is going to be an excellent hockey player perhaps from the moment he steps onto NHL ice. And the Chicago Blackhawks, after seeing their previous franchise player in Patrick Kane go elsewhere, are immediately going to have a player to build around.

But in Czechia, there is a high-end prospect who put up some Bedard-like numbers in the past, and he’s a player the Buffalo Sabres can and should seriously consider snagging with the 13th overall pick if he falls that far. Eduard Sale, who spent parts of the previous two seasons playing for Czechia’s HC Kometa Brno, has done nothing but dominate when playing against others his age.

In 2021-22, Sale excelled for HC Kometa Brno’s U20 team, logging an astounding 89 points, 42 goals, and 47 assists in just 39 contests, good for 2.28 points per game, and no, that is not a typo. He also produced another 10 points (5 + 5) in five playoff games. Fast-forward to 2022-23, and Sale put up a solid 14 points in 43 contests for HC Kometa Brno.

Buffalo Sabres must seriously consider Eduard Sale at 13th overall

This past season, Sale also played in a few different tournaments for Czechia, logging 41 points, 19 goals, and 22 assists in 41 outings. But points production is just the tip of a much larger iceberg. Here is a quick description of Sale’s game per Lance Lysowski:

"“He’s 6-foot-2 with an impressive left-handed shot and superb on-ice vision to thread passes through traffic. Sale fits what the Sabres typically look for in a prospect, though some scouts have criticized his competitiveness at times.” – via Buffalo News."

Something tells me that if the Buffalo Sabres can introduce Sale to Jiri Kulich if they draft him, those overall questions regarding his competitiveness will dissipate. No prospect is perfect, and Sale is no exception-in fact, even Bedard himself is not immune to weaknesses.

Overall, you can’t ignore Sale’s on-ice production. And although he’s still a thin 168 lb per Elite Prospects, the 18-year-old will have more than enough time to grow into his large frame. And when he does, the Sabres could have a strong, productive talent on their hands a few seasons from today should they draft him 13th overall.

Source: Potential fits for the Sabres with the 13th pick in NHL draft by Lance Lysowski, BuffaloNews.com