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Buffalo Sabres: Who was the biggest draft-day steal in 2023?

By Sion Fawkes

BASEL, SWITZERLAND - APRIL 30: Anton Wahlberg of Sweden in action during final of U18 Ice Hockey World Championship match between United States and Sweden at St. Jakob-Park at St. Jakob-Park on April 30, 2023 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
BASEL, SWITZERLAND - APRIL 30: Anton Wahlberg of Sweden in action during final of U18 Ice Hockey World Championship match between United States and Sweden at St. Jakob-Park at St. Jakob-Park on April 30, 2023 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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The Buffalo Sabres once again had more than a fair share of draft picks in 2023. Who factors in as the biggest steal? Keep reading for more. 

Honestly, since I believed there was no way Zach Benson would last until the 13th pick last night, I would theoretically say he was the Buffalo Sabres biggest steal. But at the same time, I want to define a “steal” as a player that most of the league’s 32 teams overlooked, and in reality, only 11 teams passed on Benson.

We also know general manager Kevyn Adams wanted to trade back into the first round, meaning there was someone he liked so much, he was concerned another team would scoop them up. Sort of sounds like a repeat from last year regarding Jiri Kulich, when no one thought the future Sabre would fall to 28th overall. Well, Lance Lysowski of Buffalo News told us who that player was:

Buffalo Sabres biggest steal of the 2023 NHL Draft is…

Anton Wahlberg, who will turn 18 on July 4th, looks like an absolute prototype of a professional hockey player, standing at 6’3, and weighing 185 lb. He’s also a versatile player who can play center and wing, and for a kid his size, he is a fast, fast, fast skater.

His productivity wasn’t anything eye-popping, given his 27 points in 32 contests, but the J20 Nationell’s Malmo Redhawks weren’t a high-scoring unit, so if you get him onto a more high octane team come 2024-25 after another presumed year in Sweden, you’re going to see that production pick up. He also played well enough to see ice time for his team’s parent club in the SHL, where he snagged four points in 17 contests.

Related Story. Sabres: Breaking down strengths of Zach Benson. light

Overall, Walberg’s productivity for such a low-scoring team, his overall size at such a young age, and his speed should make Buffalo Sabres fans excited. Ditto the fact that he was still there for the taking in the second round.

Source: Sabres select Swedish forward Anton Wahlberg with 39th pick of draft by Lance Lysowski, BuffaloNews.com

(Additional information provided by Elite Prospects Draft Guide and EliteProspects.com)

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