The Buffalo Sabres are in desperate need of another high-scoring winger, and it's a void that'll grow larger if they're unable to re-sign franchise cornerstone Alex Tuch before he becomes an unrestricted free agent after the season.
How much risk are the Sabres willing to take on in search of a possible long-term solution, though? We may find out the answer at the 2026 NHL Draft.
Hannah Stuart of Bleacher Report projected Buffalo will select Spokane Chiefs forward Mathis Preston in her latest mock draft for next offseason. Preston is a dazzling offensive talent with elite upside, but there are significant flaws in the other areas of his game that threaten his NHL outlook.
"He's got creativity, some really nice stick work, and an NHL-quality shot," Stuart wrote. "He's able to do all these things at top game speed, including how he thinks and problem-solves the game, and his skating supports it. Moving forward, I really want to see more consistency offensively, as he is still under a point-per-game pace."
Preston has recorded 29 points (12 goals and 17 assists) in 31 WHL games for the Chiefs this season. He tallied 49 points (27 goals and 22 helpers) in 59 appearances across his first two years in Spokane.
Should the Buffalo Sabres be interested in Mathis Preston, one of the biggest boom-or-bust prospects in the 2026 NHL Draft class?
Preston is going to create a lot of headaches, and headline a lot of internal debates, as NHL organizations begin to finalize their big boards for next year's draft.
On one hand, the 5-foot-11 winger — he's also played center, but his defensive deficiencies make it unlikely he'll stick in the middle at the professional level — possesses a legitimate game-breaking offensive skill set that can make defenders look silly, especially in junior hockey.
He attacks with speed and conviction in transition, sports a shot that would even make some NHL players jealous and absorbs defensive attention to create space for his teammates.
Preston, 17, recently told KXLY's Jack Wallace his main goal this season is continuing to produce at a high level while being the player opponents key in on.
"Kinda being more the guy," Preston said. "Being the heartbeat on the team is what I've been focusing on, and I like it. I like the pressure."
Yet, the Canadian rising star is still a work in progress. He's not as polished as some of the class' other top prospects, a group led by Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg and Keaton Verhoeff.
For all Preston's obvious talent, there are nights when he doesn't become engaged, which leads to him becoming too reliant on his shot to make up the difference.
He must also become far more aware of his assignments in the defensive zone. While that's not uncommon for young players, especially those who've skyrocketed through the early stages of development because of top-tier offensive skill, it's still a clear weakness at this stage.
Preston represents a prospect where the in-person interview will be important. How does he respond when Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen and his staff press him on those areas needing improvement? Does he sound like a coachable player?
If so, and Buffalo's front office are confident he'll be able to overcome those points of contention, the raw scoring potential is exactly what the organization is seeking right now. A player with the long-term upside to become a point-per-game player in the NHL.
Getting there will probably take some time — Preston doesn't currently project as an instant-impact contributor for 2026-27 — but there's no doubt he has the tools to eventually become a top-of-the-lineup scorer for the Sabres or another franchise.
At minimum, he'll be one of the most intriguing players to watch from the 2026 draft class between now and the late 2020s.