After two picks on Friday night, the Buffalo Sabres had to wait two rounds before they got to make a pick on Day 2. In the fourth round, the Sabres would select Oliver Murnieks and draft their second center of the 2026 NHL Draft.
Murnieks is a left-handed center from Latvia who spent last season in the QMJHL with the Saint John Sea Dogs and played in 31 games and had seven goals and 13 assists. He also played for Latvia in the U20 World Championships earlier this year and had four points in five games.
Olivers Murnieks has committed to Boston College for the 2027-28 season. He doesn't appear to be close to making his NHL debut but at this point, the Sabres can draft more on projection than trying to find players who can get to the NHL quickly.
This is what the scouting report on The Hockey Writers had to say about Murnieks NHL potential:
"Murnieks projects as a reliable bottom-six energy forward who can help out on the second power play and penalty kill units, but could emerge as a strong middle-six option if he can stay healthy. He’s already made significant strides this season despite missing so much time, and with just a year and a half playing on smaller rinks, he could suddenly find a new gear once he gets more familiar with the North American style."
Buffalo Sabres continue to add centers to their prospect pool
The Buffalo Sabres have only five picks total over the seven rounds of the 2026 NHL Draft and have drafted centers with two of those five picks. They also drafted Ilia Morozov with the 20th overall pick in the first round.
However, this could be by design and something Lindy Ruff hinted at earlier this offseason. He talked about how it is easier for a center to move out to wing, but a winger can't always move to center.
There have been plenty of trades this offseason, and seemingly every team in the NHL is looking for centers. It is not a bad thing to have depth at that position because it gives Buffalo an advantage, whether it's the flexibility in building their lines or trading the prospects to address a need.
The Sabres still have two more picks in the 2026 NHL Draft, with one in each of the fifth and sixth rounds.
Add us as a preferred source on Google