2023 NHL Mock Draft 2.0: Buffalo Sabres get it right with this forward

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Will Quentin Musty fall to the Buffalo Sabres

OSHAWA, ONTARIO – NOVEMBER 07: Quentin Musty #27 of the Sudbury Wolves skates against the Oshawa Generals at Tribute Communities Centre on November 07, 2021 in Oshawa, Ontario. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images) /

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.

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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)

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