Top 5 draft sleepers to bolster the Buffalo Sabres in 2023

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The 2023 NHL Draft is just under a week away, and there are sleepers all over this season’s draft class. Here are five who can help the Buffalo Sabres.

The Buffalo Sabres are picking 13th overall during the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft. But the truth is, immense talent exists all over the draft board, and the Blue and Gold could sneak in a solid sleeper or two in the mid-to-late rounds next week.

Below, I’ve listed five prospects who jumped out at me in one way or another, and could wind up as good fits for Buffalo a few years from today. So which deep sleepers should the Blue and Gold target next week? Keep reading to meet them.

Luke Mittelstadt has ties to the Buffalo Sabres

TAMPA, FLORIDA – APRIL 06: Luke Mittelstadt #20 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers celebrates a goal in the third period during a semifinal of the 2023 Frozen Four against the Boston UniversityTerriers at Amalie Arena on April 06, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

5 sleepers to bolster Buffalo Sabres

1 – Luke Mittelstadt, D

Of course, we can’t talk about a Buffalo Sabres-themed list of sleepers without mentioning Luke Mittelstadt, brother of center Casey Mittelstadt. At just 5’11, 174 lb, Mittelstadt is on the smaller side, but he showed decent two-way tendencies last year at the University of Minnesota, putting up 21 points in 38 contests, while playing an overall serviceable defensive game.

A teammate of Ryan Johnson’s and Aaron Huglen’s, Mittelstadt also has more than his fair share of familiarity with those in the Blue and Gold’s system. But more importantly, he’s more than proven his worth against the lower lines in college hockey, and many scouts have noticed his overall improvement, per the Elite Prospects Draft Guide.

2 – Felix Unger Sorum, LW/RW

Born in September 2005, Felix Unger Sorum is one of the youngest players in the 2023 NHL Draft. But age aside, if the Buffalo Sabres are looking for someone who is outstanding in finding ways to create opportunities for others and in transition, he’s their guy in the middle rounds.

One big question mark regarding Unger Sorum, however, is his skating, though he has shown flashes of improvement in this category. I would say his size (5’11, 172 lb) is a concern, but as he’s still 17, Unger Sorum has a lot of time to pack on muscle before he’s ready to come to North America.

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