The 2023 NHL Draft is just under 48 hours away, and the Buffalo Sabres are gearing up to add some talent to the prospects pool.
After weeks of speculation, we will finally know which prospects will become members of the talented Buffalo Sabres prospects pool. Yes, the 2023 NHL Draft is happening this week, and if you’re unsure when the big event takes place and how to tune in, don’t fear-we’ll give you the complete rundown below!
Round 1 of the 2023 NHL Draft…
Starts on Wednesday, June 28th at 7 pm. You can also tune in for Rounds 2 through 7 on Thursday, June 29th, which starts at 11 am. Catch Round 1 on ESPN and the NHL Network. If you are in Canada, you can catch the event on Sportsnet or TVA Sports.
You can also stream the draft over at Fubo TV, which also lets you tune in whether you’re on your laptop, tablet, smart TV, or phone. You can also catch live updates over at the NHL’s Subreddit.
List of Buffalo Sabres picks in the 2023 NHL Draft
At the time of this writing, the Buffalo Sabres hold the following picks:
- 13th overall
- 39th overall (from Philadelphia)
- 45th overall
- 86th overall (from Los Angeles)
- 109th overall
- 141st overall
- 173rd overall
- 205th overall
The Sabres can go in a few different directions here regarding who they take 13th. Defense is still their primary need, but the Blue and Gold can also use a power forward. Regardless of who they roll with at 13th (assuming they don’t trade the pick), look for Buffalo to take plenty of blueliners in this one, along with multiple goaltenders.
What could entice the Sabres to trade the 13th pick? Right now, they need a top four defenseman, and one who they can insert right away alongside Owen Power. This could cost them their first round pick, most likely in a swap with a team picking later in the first round.
If such a trade occurs, Buffalo will likely acquire the other team’s first and a defenseman, while giving up not just their first, but also A and B prospects, along with current players rumored to be on the move like Victor Olofsson and Jacob Bryson. Once again, as a reminder, the draft picks listed above are subject to change.
Source: NHL.com