Buffalo Sabres 2023 Draft Class: Countdown to 1st – 6th round

Can Buffalo Sabres sixth round pick Sean Keohane one day sneak into the NHL? Let’s take a closer look at the 173rd overall left handed defenseman.

I know, the above photo is Mattias Samuelsson. Drafted 32nd overall in 2018, the 6’4 defensive defenseman has become a difference-maker on the Buffalo Sabres blue line. Why reference Samuelsson in an article about a defenseman that was drafted in the 6th round? Let’s answer that question below…

Sean Keohane: Round 6: 173rd Overall | Left-handed Defenseman | Dexter Southfield School (USHS-Prep) | Captain | 6’4 194 lbs

How does Sean Keohane compare to Samuelsson when both are different types of defenseman? Well, both played in High School then went to College to further develop their game. Both have tremendous size and weight. Lastly, both are left-handed defensemen.

The Milton-born defenseman is still likely “light years” away from wearing Blue and Red with the Rochester Americans. However, college players are always fun to watch in their development. While captaining Dexter Southfield School, Keohane had four goals, 12 assists, for 16 points in 32 games. We will see how he does with Harvard University.

Obviously it is much more difficult to play at a college level as opposed to the High School level. He’ll be facing off against players who are up to four years older than he is. Don’t expect him to do a whole lot his first season at the college level. He’ll still be fun to watch, especially with his big frame.

Buffalo Sabres prospect will be fun to watch at Harvard

EliteProspects.com has some good things to say about Keohane:

“At 6-foot-4, the Milton-born defender towers over his competition. What makes Keohane particularly interesting is how he blends his skating with his frame. A capable mover who quickly gets in motion on the rush, Keohane also flashes nuanced defensive skating, allowing him to push an absurd amount of aggression defending the rush. He’s physical, jumping off the net front to punish attackers on the end boards and tries to clog lanes with anticipation-based reads, pushing nastiness after the whistle.” – EliteProspects 2023 NHL Draft Guide

Not much else to say about the large two-way defenseman. Give him a few years at the collegiate level and hopefully when he’s 21 he can make the jump to the AHL.

Long term development players like this are what the Buffalo Sabres need. We have the resources where we can comfortably wait for prospects to develop. Are you happy with Sean Keohane?