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5 blueliners the Buffalo Sabres can draft AFTER the first round in 2023

By Sion Fawkes

BASEL, SWITZERLAND - APRIL 30: Etienne Morin of Canada in action during U18 Ice Hockey World Championship bronze medal dispute match between Canada and Slovakia at St. Jakob-Park at St. Jakob-Park on April 30, 2023 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
BASEL, SWITZERLAND - APRIL 30: Etienne Morin of Canada in action during U18 Ice Hockey World Championship bronze medal dispute match between Canada and Slovakia at St. Jakob-Park at St. Jakob-Park on April 30, 2023 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Will the Buffalo Sabres draft Oliver Bonk?
LANGLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JANUARY 24: Defenceman Oliver Bonk #59 of the London Knights skates for Team White during the 2023 Kubota CHL Top Prospects Game Practice at the Langley Events Centre on January 24, 2023 in Langley, British Columbia. (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images) /

3 – Gavin McCarthy, RHD

If the Buffalo Sabres are looking for one of the NHL Draft’s hardest hitters in the middle rounds, Gavin McCarthy could be their guy. Though effective in transition, McCarthy is one of those high-upside prospects who still needs to learn how to polish his game, so you can expect him to play his next few seasons doing so at Boston University.

But like Bonk, McCarthy could eventually develop into a bottom three blueliner, preferably one on the third pairing. If Adams believes McCarthy’s potential is worth the risk, then he needs to take this potential-laden prospect.

4 – Jakub Dvorak, RHD

Elite Prospects has Jakub Dvorak clocking in at 6’5, 209 lb, so he’s the one prospect on this list who already features ideal size for a future NHL defenseman. However, like McCarthy, Dvorak could be a mid-round selection based on his potential-Elite Prospects has him ranked 97th overall.

Playing to his raw strengths is one major aspect that Dvorak needs to improve on. Right now, the towering defenseman gravitates more to offense than defense, and that script needs to be flipped. That said, Dvorak will need to completely refine his game before he’s even remotely ready to come to North America.

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