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Should Buffalo use the 11th overall pick on a defenseman?

With how talented the Buffalo Sabres forward prospect group is, here is why they should go defense 11th overall.

By Zach Jezioro

Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov (5) and Notre Dame forward Trevor Janicke (27) battle for the puck during the Michigan State-Notre Dame NCAA hockey game on Friday, February 02, 2024, at Compton Family Ice Arena in South Bend, Indiana.
Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov (5) and Notre Dame forward Trevor Janicke (27) battle for the puck during the Michigan State-Notre Dame NCAA hockey game on Friday, February 02, 2024, at Compton Family Ice Arena in South Bend, Indiana. / John Mersits / USA TODAY NETWORK
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We are officially in June, which means the 2024 NHL Draft is right around the corner in 24 days. The NHL Scouting Combine is taking place in Buffalo this week, so it is almost here. For the Buffalo Sabres, they will look to build for the future.

In last year's draft, Zach Benson fell to Buffalo, and it was a steal. After a successful rookie year for Benson, the Sabres will hope that whoever they draft at 11 can follow in the footsteps of Zach and have a solid first year in the NHL. Hypothetically speaking, let's say Buffalo stays at 11th overall and not trade the pick.

If general manager Kevyn Adams stays put, who should he draft? Some fans want to go the best available route. Hear me out; If I was the Sabres GM, I think drafting a defenseman should be the direction.

Buffalo is loaded with prospects who play forward. Some of those names include Matt Savoie, Benson, Jiri Kulich and Noah Östlund. Those players were in the top ten in terms of prospects in the blue and gold.

There were only three defensemen in the top ten, Ryan Johnson, Nikita Novikov and Maxim Strbak. Adams could use this year's draft as a chance to bolster up the blue line. While the Sabres already have Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson, it would not hurt to add more prospects to the defensive core.

Looking at some of the defensive prospects, they include Artyom Levshunov (Michigan State University), Sam Dickinson (London Knights), Aron Kiviharju (HIFK), Henry Mews (Ottawa 67's) and Cole Hutson (Boston University).

I'm not saying they have to play in the NHL right away. As I said earlier though, it doesn't hurt to add more defensive prospects. Don't get me wrong, I would not be opposed to trading the 11th overall pick if it meant acquiring a better player.

If Buffalo decides to stay put though, I would draft a defender.

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