The Buffalo Sabres' scouting staff had limited time to figure out who they would take with the fourth-overall pick after acquiring it in the Bowen Byram trade, eventually landing on Daxon Rudolph as the first defenseman off the board. Rudolph was an offensive force for the Prince Albert Raiders this past season, recording 28 goals and 50 assists, but he will be making the jump to the NCAA next season.
The reigning National Champion Denver Pioneers will be Rudolph's destination, but fans there shouldn't get too comfortable with the left-shot defenseman. Weighing in at a massive 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, Rudolph knows that his timeline for being ready to turn pro might be a bit shorter than others.
Rudolph said his goal is to play one year at Denver and then be ready for the NHL. #Sabres
— Mike Harrington (@ByMHarrington) June 27, 2026
Rudolph is Byram's successor in the Sabres' organization as a left-shot offensive threat from the backend, but last year's top team in the Atlantic Division will need to bridge the gap for this season. He will honor his commitment to the University of Denver this season, but he believes that his freshman season will be his last in the NCAA.
Denver is a team that goes deep into the NCAA Tournament, but Rudolph has the potential to be a massive addition to the Sabres' lineup before the 2027 playoffs. If he can develop even further in college, it's possible that he will be an immediate impact for Buffalo in what will be a very tight Atlantic Division race this upcoming season.
Rudolph could be the next in a line of defensemen who followed the same path and are now some of the top blueliners in the league. Charlie McAvoy, Cale Makar, and Zeev Buium were three over the last decade who entered their NHL team's lineup in the postseason after a season in the NCAA. Quinn Hughes and, most recently, Cole Hutson, also made immediate impacts with their respective teams
Rudolph seems driven, mature, and confident with his own abilities to already claim when he will join the pro ranks. It's easy to see why the Sabres were comfortable with making him the top defenseman off the board.
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