5 – Brady Cleveland, D
If the Buffalo Sabres are looking for a blueliner with size in the mid-to-late rounds, then Brady Cleveland is a solid pick. Heading to the University of Wisconsin, Cleveland will need a few years of college hockey to hone his game, but his physical play has already garnered significant attention.
Cleveland is one of those old school defensemen, but he’s had some incredible success with slot passes. So while his offensive game is far from perfect, he does boast some potential in that avenue. But for a team like the Sabres that needs to add a lot of defense, they don’t need to look any further than Cleveland.
Overall, the NHL Draft is full of sleepers. But after taking careful consideration and scanning the lower end of the boards, these five players jumped out at me more than anyone else. Will the Buffalo Sabres call any of their names next week? We will find out in just a few short days.
(Statistics and draft information provided by the 2023 Elite Prospects Draft Guide by the Elite Prospects Staff)