The top 17 ranked North American skaters are forwards, and seven of the top 10 international skaters are forwards. This is an offense-heavy draft, but the Sabres will have a few options if they turn to defense early.
#### David Reinbacher, RHD, Kloten (SWISS)
David Reinbacher could settle in as the consensus top defenseman in the draft. In the latest rankings from central scouting, he was the fifth-ranked international skater. Our Corey Pronman has him as the seventh overall player in the class. The Sabres need more defensemen in the pipeline. Pronman describes Reinbacher as “very polished defensively” and a “potential top-pair, all-situations NHL defenseman.” He has the experience of playing a big role in a top-tier Swiss professional league, which should help his transition to the North American pro game. If Reinbacher is available, the Sabres could be a natural fit.
#### Dmitriy Simashev, LHD, Yaroslavl Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.)
Dmitriy Simashev is ranked 19th among international skaters by central scouting, but Pronman has him as a top 10 player. The fact that he’s under contract in Russia through 2024-25 might deter some teams, but the 6-foot-4 defenseman has already shown the ability to handle a meaningful role in the KHL. He hasn’t been a major point producer, but Pronman notes he’s competitive and physical, two elements Buffalo would love to add more of on defense.
#### Axel Sandin-Pellikka, RHD, Skelleftea Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
Axel Sandin-Pellikka is on the smaller side and has a game geared toward offense, so that’s not the perfect profile for what the Sabres need right now. But the NHL Draft is not about right now, and it doesn’t hurt to add another talented puck mover to the organizational depth chart on defense. For that reason, the Sabres shouldn’t rule out offensive-minded defensemen. Sandin-Pellikka produced more than a point per game in his Swedish junior league. He’s the seventh-ranked international skater by central scouting, and Pronman has him as the 22nd-best player in the class.
#### Tom Willander, RHD, Rogle Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
Tom Willander is a 6-foot-1, 186-pound, right-shot defenseman playing in the Swedish junior league. He’s committed to play college hockey at Boston University. He played more than 31 minutes for team Sweden in the gold-medal game at the U18 Worlds. He was better than a point per game in that tournament. Pronman has him as the 15th-best player in the draft and he’s ranked as the 12th-best international skater by central scouting. Pronman lauds his skating and physicality as reasons he’s moved up the rankings in recent months.
Fign66
If Reinbacher is there KA should sprint to the podium. If it’s a choice of the other defensemen I’d want to take a look at what was still available at forward before pulling the trigger.
Burger-Feast
It wouldn’t surprise me if all those defensemen were gone at 13. Teams always reach for D, and it will be especially pronounced this year as there’s not many to go around. The good news is if that happens, there will be a huge amount of forward talent available at 13, guys that most years would be going top 10
BARDLER
This is the first time since 2012 that the Sabres won’t be picking in the top 10 of the draft.
Thanks, I hate it
dumpmaster42069
Simashev under contract for two more years isn’t great, he sounds awesome otherwise
idislikehate
Disagree completely with the beginning of the Axel Sandin Pellikka blurb here. It suggests he doesn’t fit what the Sabres need right now because he’s more of an offensive defenseman. The Sabres were among the absolutely bottom of the league when it comes to producing offense from the backend this season. They need to get more offense from the back end and more defense from the front end.
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## Who is available on defense?
The top 17 ranked North American skaters are forwards, and seven of the top 10 international skaters are forwards. This is an offense-heavy draft, but the Sabres will have a few options if they turn to defense early.
#### David Reinbacher, RHD, Kloten (SWISS)
David Reinbacher could settle in as the consensus top defenseman in the draft. In the latest rankings from central scouting, he was the fifth-ranked international skater. Our Corey Pronman has him as the seventh overall player in the class. The Sabres need more defensemen in the pipeline. Pronman describes Reinbacher as “very polished defensively” and a “potential top-pair, all-situations NHL defenseman.” He has the experience of playing a big role in a top-tier Swiss professional league, which should help his transition to the North American pro game. If Reinbacher is available, the Sabres could be a natural fit.
#### Dmitriy Simashev, LHD, Yaroslavl Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.)
Dmitriy Simashev is ranked 19th among international skaters by central scouting, but Pronman has him as a top 10 player. The fact that he’s under contract in Russia through 2024-25 might deter some teams, but the 6-foot-4 defenseman has already shown the ability to handle a meaningful role in the KHL. He hasn’t been a major point producer, but Pronman notes he’s competitive and physical, two elements Buffalo would love to add more of on defense.
#### Axel Sandin-Pellikka, RHD, Skelleftea Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
Axel Sandin-Pellikka is on the smaller side and has a game geared toward offense, so that’s not the perfect profile for what the Sabres need right now. But the NHL Draft is not about right now, and it doesn’t hurt to add another talented puck mover to the organizational depth chart on defense. For that reason, the Sabres shouldn’t rule out offensive-minded defensemen. Sandin-Pellikka produced more than a point per game in his Swedish junior league. He’s the seventh-ranked international skater by central scouting, and Pronman has him as the 22nd-best player in the class.
#### Tom Willander, RHD, Rogle Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
Tom Willander is a 6-foot-1, 186-pound, right-shot defenseman playing in the Swedish junior league. He’s committed to play college hockey at Boston University. He played more than 31 minutes for team Sweden in the gold-medal game at the U18 Worlds. He was better than a point per game in that tournament. Pronman has him as the 15th-best player in the draft and he’s ranked as the 12th-best international skater by central scouting. Pronman lauds his skating and physicality as reasons he’s moved up the rankings in recent months.
If Reinbacher is there KA should sprint to the podium. If it’s a choice of the other defensemen I’d want to take a look at what was still available at forward before pulling the trigger.
It wouldn’t surprise me if all those defensemen were gone at 13. Teams always reach for D, and it will be especially pronounced this year as there’s not many to go around. The good news is if that happens, there will be a huge amount of forward talent available at 13, guys that most years would be going top 10
This is the first time since 2012 that the Sabres won’t be picking in the top 10 of the draft.
Thanks, I hate it
Simashev under contract for two more years isn’t great, he sounds awesome otherwise
Disagree completely with the beginning of the Axel Sandin Pellikka blurb here. It suggests he doesn’t fit what the Sabres need right now because he’s more of an offensive defenseman. The Sabres were among the absolutely bottom of the league when it comes to producing offense from the backend this season. They need to get more offense from the back end and more defense from the front end.