Top 5 defensemen prospects for Sabres fans to know about in the 2024 NHL Draft

Carter Yakemchuk, RHD/Calgary

Like Anton Silayev, Carter Yakemchuk also displays good size, even if his 6’3, 194 lbs frame isn’t quite as imposing as the former’s. That said, Yakemchuk makes up for it thanks to his stellar two-way play, something he displayed with the Calgary Hitmen when he recorded 47 points and 19 goals in 67 games in 2022-23.

This season, he exceeded the point-per-game threshold with 71 points and 30 goals in 66 contests, and it’s not far-fetched to believe he will put up 90-plus points in what will be his final season with the Hitmen in 2024-25. 

Thanks to his productivity and an early birthday - September 2005 - Yakemchuk is someone who could make a seamless transition to the professional level. That said, Sabres fans wouldn’t need to wait long for Yakemchuk to debut in Rochester if he was available, and Adams snagged him somewhere around the 11th overall pick. 

In his rankings, Pronman has Yakemchuk listed third overall, so if there is a chance for Adams to draft him, he and the rest of the Blue and Gold need to hope for another Zach Benson situation, in which the winger fell right into their lap at 13th overall last year. 

There are a few ideal selections in this slideshow, but given Yakemchuk’s age, his productivity, and ultra-high ranking on most draft boards, he could be the most ideal RHD candidate in the draft next to Artyom Levshunov.