Buffalo Sabres: Seven-round mock draft for 2023 (Who goes at 13th?)
The Buffalo Sabres are picking 13th in the upcoming 2023 NHL Draft, but who will they take at 39th overall and beyond? Let’s dive in.
The Buffalo Sabres currently have eight picks in the 2023 NHL Draft, and they have plenty of needs to fill in their prospects pool. While they have a solid number of forwards, they are lacking in defense and goaltenders, so you can expect more than a few of them in my picks below.
So, for this mock, I used the simulator from FC Hockey, preventing me from taking a few preferred players, but I still landed a class that I was happy with nonetheless, especially since I was still able to address each position of need with ease, while going with who I felt was the best available with the 13th pick.
In the late rounds, I drafted solely on potential, and there are three prospects who, despite their limited sample sizes, caught my eye. So who landed with the Queen City’s organization in my latest mock? Keep reading to find out.
Buffalo Sabres seven-round mock draft
13th overall – Quentin Musty, LW/Sudbury Wolves
As in my previous mock draft a few days back, the Buffalo Sabres once again roll with Musty. Kevyn Adams opts for a pick that he believes can a) bring excitement, b) has a proven track record, c) has playmaker potential, and d) can be a candidate to replace Jeff Skinner a few years from today.
39th overall – Oliver Bonk, D/London Knights
You know this draft will see the Sabres go with quite a few defensemen, and Oliver Bonk would make a great pick at 39th overall. If the Blue and Gold can become regular postseason contenders, then they can never be shorthanded on shutdown defensemen. Bonk will help make sure of that.
45th overall – Caden Price, D/Kelowna Rockets
Ranked 37th by Elite Prospects, Caden Price could still be here at 45th overall, and he was in my mock draft simulation, so making this pick was rather easy. He’s shown big play ability so far in his career at the junior hockey level, and once he grows more consistent, then someone, maybe the Sabres, will have a great hockey player, and that’s no exaggeration.
86th overall – Felix Unger Sorum, LW/Leksands IF
Aha! I knew I’d have one of my sleepers fall right into the middle rounds, and Felix Unger Sorum did not disappoint. Elite Prospects has him ranked 85th, and FC Hockey ranked him at 68th, so I got a small steal here. If one aspect of Unger Sorum’s game stands out, it’s when he’s in transition. And that, once he adds polish, will help him create several scoring opportunities.
109th overall – Andrew Gibson, D/Soo Greyhounds
You may look at Andrew Gibson’s analytics and cringe, but he knows what to do with the puck and he’s not afraid to try and make plays. Once he learns to execute, his overall game will pick up. But for now, the 6’3, 198 lb 18-year-old holds value as a big hitter.
141st overall – Charlie Robertson, G/North Bay Battalion
I’ve stated before that the Buffalo Sabres need to take multiple goaltenders. And they should go after high potential prospects who play a fearless game. Though he has a small sample size, Charlie Robertson is one of those players, and he can make a leap next season once he gains more experience.
173rd overall – Quentin Miller, G/Quebec Remparts
Quentin Miller is yet another goaltender who has a limited sample size to work with. But don’t let that fool you-Miller logged a solid 2.11 GAA and a 0.911 save percentage last season. Sure, the Quebec Remparts were an excellent team, but he’s made a good early impression.
205th overall – Peteris Bulans, D/Chicoutimi Saguenéens
Peteris Bulans is yet another high potential, low sample size pick who makes a perfect flier in the seventh round. Last year, Bulans spent 29 games with Chicoutimi Saguenéens of the QMJHL, logging 18 points in 25 contests and adding another six in five playoff games.
Related Story. 5 draft sleepers to bolster the Sabres in 2023. light
Overall, my draft strategy was rather simple. Take the best on the board at 13th overall, draft for need in the middle rounds, then shift gears to potential in the last three rounds. In this mock, I hit everything I intended to, taking four blueliners, a pair of goaltenders, Quentin Musty, and who I believe is a dynamic sleeper.
(Information and statistics provided by Elite Prospects Draft Guide. Mock draft simulation provided by FC Hockey)