Adam Kimelman and Mike Morreale of NHL.com dropped their first 2025 Mock Draft of the offseason. The Sabres will have plenty of options with the 9th pick in the draft, but the question lies in who they will take in the first round.
In previous years, there has usually been a clear-cut favorite as to who the number one pick is. This year, however, there is a multitude of prospects who could be in the running for the number one pick in the draft.
In the latest draft articles I put together, I had the Sabres taking either Caleb Desnoyers or Kashawn Aitcheson. With the Sabres now picking 9th instead of 7th, I don’t see the Sabres having a chance at Desnoyers, but I do think Aitcheson will still be in the running.
Kimelman and Morreale, however, saw it differently and have the Sabres taking some international talent with the 9th pick.
Kimelman: Radim Mrtka, Defenseman, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Mrtka has been a top prospect all year with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League. He had a great first year of junior hockey and can only go up from here. Standing at 6’6’’ and 200 pounds, Mrtka is a solid two-way defenseman who totaled 35 points in 42 games with Seattle this year.
The Czech Republic native is just 17 years old, and his ceiling is a franchise defenseman in the NHL. Mrtka is a wall in the neutral zone, and is great with killing odd-man rushes and slowing down the pace of play in his own end. His skills are improving, and the mistakes are limited.
His NHL comparison would be Moritz Seider of the Detroit Red Wings. Both are of a similar size and play style. Seider is one of the best upcoming defenseman in the NHL.
It seems likely that the Mrtka will play one more year in the juniors before going to the ECHL or AHL. If the Sabres are to land Mrtka, I think he can benefit from the Sabres' developmental coaches and be on the main roster in 3-5 years.
Morreale: Anton Frondell, Center, Djurgårdens IF (SHL)
Frondell is an interesting prospect, as he has already played a full season of professional hockey in his home country of Sweden. The 18-year-old put up 25 points in 29 games with an impressive plus-minus of +11.
Frondell is a two-way center who serves as a tactician, creating plays for his teammates and constantly working with the puck. He puts pressure on the puck, and his physicality allows him to control the pace of play for his team.
His NHL comparison would be a former Sabre in Dylan Cozens, but Frondell is just slightly better defensively. Both use their physicality to their advantage to create offensive possessions and find open teammates.
Frondell is set to play with Djurgårdens IF’s top team for the 25-26 season in the SHL. Look for Frondell to have another big season next year. If the Sabres take a chance on him, Frondell could be playing in Rochester in no time.