Adam Kleber has established himself as one of college hockey's most dependable defensive defensemen over the past two years at the University of Minnesota Duluth, and it puts him on a clear path toward an entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres.
Kleber, who's expected to play another NCAA season with the Bulldogs, is taking part in the Sabres' Development Camp this week following the 2026 NHL Draft. The 2024 second-round selection has turned a lot of heads in the practices.
"A lot of players fight with their identity of what they are as a defenseman," Rochester Americans head coach Michael Leone, who's helping lead the sessions, told reporters. "… His identity is a shutdown defenseman that can move the puck fast and really kill plays and match up against other teams' top lines. He's really become a really, really good defenseman in college hockey in a really good league."
Leone added: "He looks like a basketball player. He's a monster."
Kleber not only possesses an impressive frame (6'6'', 225 pounds) but his ability to use his reach effectively in the defensive zone is his most consistent trait.
The 20-year-old Minnesota native has yet to put together an offensive breakout, tallying a modest 12 points (three goals and nine assists) across 40 games in 2025-26, but he's displayed a high hockey IQ that allows him to jump-start transition plays.
As it stands, there's a real chance he joins the Amerks, where he'll be coached by Leone, for the stretch run of the 2026-27 campaign after Minnesota Duluth wraps up its campaign next spring.
Sabres prospect Adam Kleber is underrated by public analytics models
Fans will see a lot of prospect cards floating around social media, especially Twitter/X, and those tend not to paint Kleber in the most promising light.
For example, HockeyStats.com gives Kleber just an 11% chance of eventually becoming a full-time NHL player, which feels low.
These models are based on an NHL equivalency (NHLe) formula and, while some of them do take into account things like age, size and draft pedigree, the most vital element is point production.
It's an understandable approach for a vast majority of skater prospects (goalies are a different animal), but the system's blind spot is defensive defenders like Kleber.
Now, it's fair to argue those type of players don't have the same high-end upside as a two-way blueliner capable of racking up a lot of points. There's still a definite NHL path for defensemen in Kleber's mold, even if it's on the second or third pair.
The right-shot college standout, who's also represented Team USA at the last two World Junior Championships, has all the defensive tools to enjoy a long, successful career a hockey's highest level.
As mentioned, look for Kleber to sign his entry-level deal with Buffalo after his junior season at UMD comes to a close. It'll give him an opportunity to get a taste of AHL action in Rochester before next summer.
He's probably ticketed for a few years with the Amerks before he enters the conversation to join the Sabres on a full-time basis, though he'll probably get a few cups of coffee before that. He's trending in a positive direction toward becoming a regular with the big club by 2030.
Ultimately, Kleber may never develop into a Norris Trophy contender but that doesn't mean he can't help Buffalo win games.
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