Buffalo Sabres land a major surprise at forward in NHL Mock Draft 3.0

Mock Draft 3.0 for the Buffalo Sabres had a surprise factor in it, with a top-three prospect falling straight to them in FC Hockey’s Mock Draft Simulation. That said, I was convinced this player would be long gone by the time the Blue and Gold’s pick rolled around at No. 11, but as fate would have it, that wasn’t the case. 

But the 11th overall pick wasn’t the only place I found value in this mock draft, as I seemingly had star-studded talent fall to me in most of the nine selections, with only the final two picks in this exercise being taken on not much more than potential. This made for one exciting draft, and it was a staunch reminder that when draft day rolls around, anything can happen.

So who did I land at No. 11, and how likely is this simulation to become a reality come draft day? Brace yourself, because not only will the first pick be quite the shocker - in a mock draft simulation, mind you - but that second-rounder could also easily wind up going in the top 32. 

11th overall: Ivan Demidov, RW/SKA St. Petersburg

Surprised? Hey, sometimes these mock draft simulations have a mind of their own, but when Ivan Demidov fell to 11th overall, there was no question. Sure, there are some issues surrounding the level of competition Demidov is facing in the MHL, and also questions surrounding when he’ll come to North America, but it seems like he’d be willing to venture over now if he didn’t have another year left on his contract.  

While I have no doubt that Demidov will go in the top three, in the strict terms of this mock draft simulation, he’d be a Sabre. So, while it would be cool to see this being the case, let’s also be realistic and assume otherwise, even if it’s fun to speculate.

43rd overall: Charlie Elick, D/Brandon Wheat Kings

Here’s another one who dropped right to me, as I was convinced Charlie Elick wouldn’t make it far past the first round or would at least go elsewhere shortly thereafter. Elick’s size could be the deciding factor in him going earlier, but you also won’t find too many more disruptive defensemen out there in the second-tier of blueliners in this draft. If Elick falls to the Sabres here, fans should expect to see him eventually make his way to Buffalo, probably in 2027-28 or 2028-29. 

76th overall: Miguel Marques, RW/Lethbridge Hurricanes

Talk about someone who exploded onto the scene for the Lethbridge Hurricanes this year; Miguel Marques went from eight goals and 20 points in 59 regular season games to 74 points and 28 goals in 67 this season. A winger who can make every pass, even if he trusts himself a little too much at times, Marques would be a sensational value pick if he falls to No. 76. 

108th overall: Tarin Smith, D/Everett Silvertips

Tarin Smith doesn’t carry Charlie Elick’s size, but he’s an aggressive player who welcomes contact. With the puck, he notched 44 points and eight goals in 67 regular season games, plus another five points and one goal throughout eight playoff appearances. Smith’s points productivity imply that he’s a two-way player, and it’s a correct assumption. 

109th overall: Topias Hynninen, C/Jukurit

Topias Hynninen’s nine points and lone goal in 43 regular season contests for Jukurit’s big club wasn’t bad for a player his age, and he further showed that prowess in U20 SM-sarja when he had nine points and three goals in eight games, and again at the international level, where he put up nine points in 10 games. Size is nowhere near where it needs to be, but Hynninen will be in Finland for a while (current contract through 2025-26), so he’s got plenty of time to bulk.