Top 5 defensemen prospects for Sabres fans to know about in the 2024 NHL Draft
Henry Mews, RHD/Ottawa
Unlike the other names on this list, Henry Mews is more likely to be taken toward the bottom half of Round 1, and his ceiling is more likely around the middle of the defensive rotation. But these are all just projections at this point, as so-called elite talents have faltered in the past, and those considered solid yet unspectacular have surprised, so let’s not underestimate Mews just yet.
His 6’0, 185 lbs frame is intriguing, and Mews can stick around with the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s for another two seasons, giving him more room to grow and develop his game. Like most of the other defensemen on this list, Mews has shown he can both score and contribute to his team’s scoring efforts, with 12 goals and 31 points in 55 games last year before he scored another 15 goals and recorded 61 points in 65 matchups this past season.
Mews also appeared in 21 postseason games with the 67’s, with nine points and three goals to show for it. Overall, he would be a more ideal pick if the Sabres landed lower than 11th overall and if his stock increased in the weeks leading up to the draft.
Mews won’t make his pro debut at the AHL level any time soon, but if he ended up with the Sabres, he could still nonetheless factor in as their top RHD prospect.
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(Statistics provided by Elite Prospects)