Day 1 was a big day for the Sabres organization, calling out 11 names during the first 3 rounds of the draft. Let's dive in and meet your new players:

7th Overall - Alex Turcotte C 5'11" 185 lbs - Wisconsin Badgers (NCAA)

Turcotte's season with the Badgers wasn't the greatest, with rumours swirling of bad locker room behavior and a player friendly coach who couldn't reel the players in. Those knocks were not enough to justify a big fall for the highly skilled center, the issues in Wisconsin don't overshadow the high ceiling. He's a smart center defensively with good playmaking ability, high hockey IQ, and is able to make plays at top speed. He's not a very physical player but isn't affraid to take a hit to make the good play. Skating is above average as well. He signed his ELC and should make a BRHL impact as early as 2021.

NHL comparable: Logan Couture

25th Overall - Nils Hoglander LW 5'9" 190 lbs - Rogle BK (SHL)

(Acquired - Rasmus Ristolainen & $4,000,000 to Oilers for Ian Mitchell, 25th overall & 221st overall)

Nils isn't the biggest guy, but that doesn't stop him from taking the body on opponents and playing an agressive game. I didn't think he'd still be on the board at 31 so I scooped him up here (Sorry Toby). The Sabres are adding another highly skilled player here, he's got great agility, good playmaking skills, Uses his teammates well, and has a high octane motor. Might be one of the most skilled guys in the draft. He's coming to N/A this year, should make his BRHL debut in 2021

NHL comparable: Brad Marchand (less dirty version)

31st Overall - Lassi Thomson D 6'0" 190 lbs - Ilves (Liiga)

(Acquired - Sidney Crosby to Ottawa for Matt Duchene, D'Artagnan Joly, Jonathan Dahlen, 31st overall, 2019 Ott 4th (Paul Cotter) & 191st overall)

Hopefully another good Dman to come through Kelowna, Thomson is a good skating two-way Dman. His offensive numbers don't jump out at you, but he moves the puck very well and is quite polished defensively already. He was loaned to Finland last season and looked good playing against men. His strengths are his poise with the puck, ability to hold the line, and his gap control on defense. He needs to work on getting his rocket of a shot through from the point on a more consistant basis.

NHL comparable: Colton Parayko (style comparison)

39th Overall - John Beecher C/LW 6'3" 209 lbs - Michigan Wolverines (NCAA)

Another falling prospect, right in the laps of the Sabres. Everyone in Michigan seemed to play below their expectations, but the upside is too great to overlook Beecher. The size is there and he uses it well to his advantage, setting up infront of opponents goal or shielding the puck from defenders. The knock on him? He needs to make a better commitment to the defensive side of the game. The good news is Michigan will have a much improved lineup next year where Beecher should excel.

NHL comparable: Anthony Mantha

45th Overall - Zachary Jones D 5'10" 176 lbs - Umass (Amherst) (NCAA)

(Acquired - Zdeno Chara to Coyotes for 45th overall)

Zac played very well at the WJC and looked good in his first NCAA season. He's improved his skating this season which is big for a small player. Strengths are his high hockey IQ, agility, and his zone entries. Though his skating has improved, he'll need to continue his development there to be a more effective defender at the next level. 

NHL comparable: Adam Fox (Lazy I know)

50th Overall - Hunter Jones G 6'4" 194 lbs - Peterborough Petes (OHL)

(Acquired - Tyler Bozak & 2018 Buf 6th to Anaheim for Jeremy Langlois & 50th overall)

First OHL guy for the Sabres, which is a region they scout heavily. His numbers have been coming around with the improvement of the Pete's lineup. He's got good size and plays a good game positionally which makes it rare that he has to make an acrobatic save. He doesn't get rattled easily as he's a calm presence in net.

NHL comparable: Devan Dubnyk

56th Overall - Robert Mastrosimone C/LW 5'10" 170 lbs - Boston University Terriers (NCAA)

(Acquired - Gustav Nyqvist to Calgary for Alex Chaison, Callum Booth & 56th overall)

Robert has lots of skill as evidenced by his big numbers in the USHL but fell into an energy role with BU this year showing off his agressive style. He was still able to put up respectable numbers in his freshman year netting 7 goals and adding 10 assists. He's committed to the back check and playing a responsible game while being a good skater and having a good release to his shot. He needs to simplify his game a bit as he can get a bit to flashy and deke himself out of the play.

NHL comparable: Paul Byron

59th Overall - Mattias Norlinder D 6'0" 179 lbs - Frolunda HC (SHL)

(Acquired - Alexander Radulov to Vegas for Nicolas Meloche & 59th overall)

The Swede is a slick skater who's able to thread passes through traffic in tight spaces. His foot speed allows him to win races for open pucks and pinch in the offensive zone without hurting the team defensively. He makes good decisions with the puck and has good awareness in all zones. He looks like he'll be a PP guy with the way he controls the play in the offensive zone from the blueline. He's considered a two-way Dman but the upside is there to develop a more offensive game.

NHL comparable: Tobias Enstrom

68th Overall - Nikita Alexandrov C 5'11" 185 lbs - Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)

(Acquired - Nikita Zadorov to Coyotes for Jordan Kooy & 68th overall)

The German born Russian played well at this years WJC putting up 8 points in 7 games and he also looked pretty good in his other international tournament putting up a PPG. He possesses a good shot, is a good skater and uses his teammates well. There aren't many weaknesses in his game but ceiling wise he probably tops out as a middle 6 forward. If he stays in the Q, expect big numbers from him next year.

NHL comparable: Tomas Hertl

71st Overall - Graeme Clarke RW 6'0" 174 lbs - Ottawa 67's (OHL)

Clarke was one of those players that was highly touted going into major junior, selected 6th overall in the OHL priority draft. This year he was limited to only 16 games, but he was putting up a PPG when he was playing. He might have one of the most deceptive releases to his shot in the draft. He also has good hands to go with the good release, very creative player. If he can stay healthy, he has the skill to make it at the next level. Knock on his is hockey IQ

NHL comparable: Tyler Toffoli

83rd Overall - Michael Vukojevic D 6'3" 212 lbs - Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

(Acquired - Nate Schmidt to Bruins for 83rd overall)

A smooth skating defensive Dman with some nice size, Michael may not have much offense at the next level even with his skill set. He'll need to work on developing his shot from the point to be a more effective option on offense. He does make good decisions with the puck and makes a smart first pass out of the zone & utilizes the glass to clear the puck in his own zone.

NHL comparable: Joel Edmundson

Tune in tonight where the Sabres will be selecting at 103, 135, 167, 171, 191, 199 & 221.