Team-by-Team NHL Mock Draft: Sabres land an epic puzzle piece at the blue line

You may have read and hopefully enjoyed some of my Buffalo Sabres-oriented NHL Mock Drafts, with Version 3.0 being the most recent. Today, I decided on something different, and it comprised using the simulation at FC Hockey to roll with the team-by-team route all the way up to the No. 11 pick. 

Of course, this and future mock drafts for the Sabres are contingent on general manager Kevyn Adams keeping the pick, but let’s once again approach the draft assuming it will be the case until it isn’t. Using the draft simulator, it will catch what it projects the top 10 picks to be in June 28th’s draft, and where that leaves the Sabres. 

So, who did the Sabres get in this scenario, and were there any huge surprises that allowed this potential top-10 pick to fall into the No. 11 slot? The first two selections in this one are probably players you may have expected, but come the No. 5 selection, the Montreal Canadiens decided to surprise us. 

San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini, C/Boston University

No surprises at No. 1 in this mock draft simulation, as the Sharks took Macklin Celebrini and landed who they hope will be their next face of the franchise. Celebrini already has the size you want in an NHLer, and his one year at Boston University drove home that he’s a future star.

Chicago Blackhawks: Ivan Demidov, RW/SKA St. Petersburg

While the Blackhawks can go in many directions here, the simulation went with the No. 2 overall prospect this time around. I wouldn’t be surprised if this occurred, given the way Demidov could team up with Connor Bedard as early as next season should he end up with the Blackhawks, though I also wouldn’t be surprised if Artyom Levshunov ended up here. 

Anaheim Ducks: Cayden Lindstrom, C/Medicine Hat Tigers

This one may be an ultimate surprise, and I was 100 percent sure Artyom Levshunov would end up with Anaheim. But still, Cayden Lindstrom dominated when healthy, and if he can be 100 percent all season, the Ducks landed yet another enticing prospect here following a year in which they drafted Leo Carlsson and acquired Cutter Gauthier. 

Columbus Blue Jackets: Artyom Levshunov, D/MIchigan State

I knew that Artyom Levshunov wouldn’t slip too far past the No. 3 pick, and the Columbus Blue Jackets didn’t disappoint. If there is one organization that deserves a projected top-three pick to fall on draft day, it’s Columbus, and, hopefully, we see him enjoy the same success that forward Adam Fantilli saw in his rookie season before his injury. 

Montreal Canadiens: Anton Silayev, D/Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod

Surprising pick here, as the Canadiens will likely roll with a forward when it’s their time to pick. But still, some prospects are just tough to pass up, and Anton Silayev has 68 games of KHL experience when you factor in the postseason. And he also looked like he belonged, so go figure. 

Utah Hockey Club: Zayne Parekh, D/Saginaw Spirit

This pick will serve as a monumental moment, as Zayne Parekh would be the first selection in the history of the Utah Hockey Club should it occur in real life. And Parekh should excite the fans in Salt Lake City, as he is a high-scoring, high-octane blueliner who is perfect for Utah’s prospects pool. 

Ottawa Senators: Berkly Catton, C/Spokane Chiefs

I wouldn’t be surprised if Berkly Catton went earlier on draft day, but one of my preferred picks for the Sabres wasn’t lasting long in this simulation. The high-scoring, playmaking forward alone would revitalize the Senators prospects pool if he fell to No. 7 on June 28th, and if he has another good season in Spokane, I wouldn’t be surprised if he at least got a trial run at the end of the season.