2023 NHL Mock Draft 2.0: Buffalo Sabres get it right with this forward
With the 2023 NHL Draft coming our way in just nine days, it’s time for another mock. This time, the Buffalo Sabres roll with a remarkable forward.
In Mock Draft 1.0, I had the Buffalo Sabres taking Dmitri Simashev, one of the draft’s better blueliners who I had written extensively about. This time around, however, the Sabres are going with a forward with the 13th pick. And you might like who I have slated falling to them at 13th overall.
Before I dive in, I want to state that the theme of this week’s mock draft highlights overall strengths and weaknesses for most prospects based on their 2022-23 analytics and their productivity. Alright, so who did the Sabres end up with at 13? Keep reading to find out.
2023 Mock Draft 2.0: Buffalo Sabres select…
1 – Chicago Blackhawks, Connor Bedard, C/Regina
Previous Selection: Connor Bedard
There isn’t a single mock draft out there that I’m aware of with Connor Bedard going elsewhere. He will step in and immediately start changing the scope of the Chicago Blackhawks franchise a few months from today.
2 – Anaheim Ducks, Adam Fantilli, C/Michigan
Previous Selection: Adam Fantilli
Size and offensive play are two aspects of Adam Fantilli’s game that will help kickstart the Anaheim Ducks rebuild. Transition can use some work, but other than that, you can expect Fantilli to be the eventual face of the Ducks franchise.
3 – Columbus Blue Jackets, Leo Carlsson, C/Orebro
Previous Selection: Leo Carlsson
I want to say Matvei Michkov, but the red flags are just too much at this point. Instead, the Columbus Blue Jackets will settle for a safer pick in Leo Carlsson, whose size (6’2, 194 lb) and ability to play center or winger should entice fans the second Columbus calls his name.
4 – San Jose Sharks, Zach Benson, LW/Winnipeg Ice
Previous Selection: Matvei Michkov
Zach Benson is a smaller prospect who I would be surprised to see in the NHL until he packs more size onto his 5’10, 159 lb frame. Despite the size drawback, Benson is proficient in every phase of the game, and he will only get better over the next two seasons.
5 – Montreal Canadiens, Will Smith, C/USNTDP
Previous Selection: Will Smith
Will Smith is yet another center whose name you can expect to be called early. He’s also another forward whose offensive game is top-tier in this draft, though he will need time to work on his defensive play and transition.
6 – Arizona Coyotes, Gabe Perreault, LW/USNTDP
Previous Selection: Zach Benson
The Arizona Coyotes can go in several directions here, so I had them rolling with the best player left on the board not named Matvei Michkov. Like Smith, Gabe Perreault needs to focus on improving his defensive play and adding weight to his 165 lb frame. He will, however, put up a lot of points offensively when he eventually lands in the desert.
7 – Philadelphia Flyers, Dalibor Dvorsky, C/AIK
Previous Selection: Ryan Leonard
As in my previous mock, I kept flipping back and forth of whether the Philadelphia Flyers would go with a forward here or David Reinbacher. This time, I’m pegging them to roll with Dalibor Dvorsky, Unlike Perreault, Dvorsky has the size teams will crave at 6’1, 201 lb. Production-wise, he’s been remarkable against those his age, and you can expect it to improve this season at the pro level in Sweden.
8 – Washington Capitals, Matvei Michkov, RW/Sochi
Previous Selection: David Reinbacher
There is a lot of controversy surrounding Matvei Michkov, but I can’t see him sliding past the Washington Capitals at this point. Sure, Washington will need to wait for his KHL deal to end, but given his talent, plus his need to pack on size, it will be worth the wait.
9 – Detroit Red Wings, Matthew Wood, RW/UConn
Previous Selection: Oliver Moore
Matthew Wood is one of the more towering prospects in this draft, and he enjoyed a solid first season at the University of Connecticut. Analytically, he’s so-so, at best. But you can expect steady improvements over the next few seasons at UConn, and he should be ready and raring to go with the Detroit Red Wings once he polishes his game.
10 – St. Louis Blues, Oliver Moore, C/USNTDP
Previous Selection: Daniil But
If you’re looking for the draft’s best when it comes to transition, few do so better than Oliver Moore. He’s also been productive offensively in each place he’s played in this past season, averaging 1.09 points per game or more. If the St. Louis Blues land Moore at 10th overall, they’re getting a steal.
11 – Vancouver Canucks, David Reinbacher, D/Kloten
Previous Selection: Axel Sandin-Pellikka
Finally, a defenseman comes off the boards in David Reinbacher, and just two picks before our Buffalo Sabres select. He showed two-way tendencies at ELC Kloten, putting up 22 points in 46 contests, while his defense and transition excelled. If I’m the Vancouver Canucks and I’m lucky to land him, I want Reinbacher in North America as soon as possible.
12 – Arizona Coyotes, Ryan Leonard, RW/USNTDP
Previous Selection: Matthew Wood
The Coyotes will swing back around at 12th overall and grab Ryan Leonard, another prospect with good size for an 18-year-old. All he does is score offensively, and he’s also effective in most areas of the transition game.
13 – Buffalo Sabres, Quentin Musty, LW/Sudbury Wolves
Previous Selection: Dmitri Simashev
At 6’2, 190 lb, Quentin Musty has a size advantage over most hockey players his age, and he will only continue to grow between now and the time he makes it to the NHL. He’s a player who checks all the boxes already, and if he hones his overall defense and success in passing through the slot, he’s going to be an outstanding player at the next level.
light. Hot. Will the Sabres take a chance on Matvei Michkov?
Overall, this mock draft really hit hard on the overall strengths and weaknesses of the prospects I felt would go ahead of the Buffalo Sabres and their 13th overall selection. And with Musty mocked to the Blue and Gold with the 13th pick, I’m sure most fans in the Queen City would be just fine if the actual NHL Draft played out this way.
Draft board and information provided by: 2023 NHL Draft ranking: Scott Wheeler’s top 100 is divided into six tiers, by Scott Wheeler, TheAthletic.com
(Statistics, analytics, and further information provided by the 2023 Elite Prospects Draft Guide by the Elite Prospects Staff)