Top 6 prospects the Buffalo Sabres met at the 2023 NHL Combine

The Buffalo Sabres drafted some players they met with at the 2022 NHL Combine, so they will likely head in the same direction for 2023.

The Buffalo Sabres have made it clear that they are interested in picking players who they meet with at the NHL Combine. Therefore, there were six prominent prospects who could wind up going in the top 15 that they spent time getting to know over the past week, and of them will likely find themselves in the system when the Sabres make their pick at 13th overall.

Who did Buffalo meet with and who can you expect to don a blue and gold jersey on draft day? Keep reading for more.

6 prominent prospects the Buffalo Sabres met at 2023 combine

Matthew Wood, RW

I’ve been highly impressed with winger Matthew Wood thanks to his size and productivity. At 6’3, 190 lb, Wood is an outlier to many prospects from a size standpoint and he will likely continue to grow into his frame for the next few years.

An outstanding shooter, Wood put up 45 goals for the BCHL’s Victoria Grizzlies in 2021-22. He also put up respectable numbers with the University of Connecticut this past season with 34 points in 35 contests, along with seven goals and 13 points in seven games at the WJC-18.

David Reinbacher, RHD

Many see David Reinbacher as the best defenseman in this draft class, and it’s tough to see him falling to the Buffalo Sabres. Nonetheless, he was worth getting to know better in the event he slides down the boards.

At 6’2, 187 lb, Reinbacher’s size is trending in the right direction, and he will get bigger in time. Following his first season in NL for EHC Kloten, he logged 22 points and three goals in 46 contests to go with a sound defensive game, especially when he’s in the neutral zone.

Eduard Sale, LW

I already endorsed Eduard Sale to the Buffalo Sabres at 13th overall if he’s there, given his incredible productivity and familiarity with Jiri Kulich. An offensive highlight reel in both scoring and in the way he plays the offensive game, Sale can also take a similar route that Kulich took if the Blue and Gold draft him 13th overall.

Once he winds up in Rochester should the Sabres draft him, Sale would have a golden opportunity to further develop his game given the amount of talent already in Buffalo. However, Jeff Skinner is 31 and could start to fade three years (or sooner) from today, and Sale could be a good fit to be his eventual successor.

Axel Sandin-Pellikka, LHD

At 5’11 and 181 lb per his Elite Prospects profile, Axel Sandin-Pellikka needs to put on some size, but as with many 18-year-old prospects, that will come in time. Sandin-Pellikka’s two-way game jumps out, including his 36 points and 16 goals for Skellefteå AIK J20 in J20 Nationell this past season.

While the Sabres already have two blueliners in Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power who can contribute a solid offensive game, adding a player like Sandin-Pellikka would make for excellent insurance once he inevitably takes his game to North America. He could be the best two-way defenseman in the 2023 draft, and the Sabres shouldn’t hesitate if he falls to them and they’re looking for a blueliner.