The Buffalo Sabres added 10 more prospects to their pool over the two day BRHL entry draft with the 6th, 30th, 38th, 70th, 102nd, 134th, 166th, 189th, 198th & 214th picks. There was a lot of interest in the 6th pick leading up to the draft but there wasn't a lot of incentive to move out of the spot, so the Sabres GM opted to hang onto the pick and make a selection. Let's take a look at your new Sabres:

 

6th Overall: Jamie Drysdale D 5'11" 181 lbs - Anaheim Ducks (NHL)

NHL - 24GP - 3G - 5A - 8P - 6PIM - -12

AHL - 14GP - 4G - 6A - 10P - 6PIM - +1

Drysdale was the top available defenceman heading into the NHL draft back in October and his play this year has solidified that position. He's an excellent skater with great edge work and sees the ice very well. Drysdale looks set to QB the Anaheim PP for years to come. He's not a one dimentional player either, he works hard to get back for odd man rushes, uses his stick well to break up plays and makes good decisions with and without the puck. He regularly looked like the Ducks best player in the games he played.

GM Notes: "We had Drysdale 3rd behind Stutzle and Lafreniere, so obviously we were elated to be able to draft him 6th overall. We assumed Drysdale was going 4th and Lundell going 5th, so we were mulling over Askarov vs Raymond in the weeks leading up to draft day."

 

30th Overall: Thomas Bordeleau C 5'10" 179 lbs - U of Michigan (NCAA)

NCAA - 24GP - 8G - 22A - 30P - 12PIM - +18

Bordeleau had some bad luck for the WJC when his roommate tested positive for Covid and he was held off of team USA, he was poised to be a big contributor for that team. He lead all freshman in points in the NCAA and finished top 15 in points. He has slick hands and possesses a lethal shot, the knocks on his game have been his skating. Good hockey bloodlines too. Perhaps dropped due to size concerns?

GM Notes: "We had Bordeleau as the top USNTDP player eligible in the draft, ranked ahead of Sanderson. He was definitely the player we had circled at pick # 30."

 

38th Overall: Ridly Greig LW 5'11" 163 lbs - Belleville Senators (AHL)

AHL - 7GP - 1G - 2A - 3P - 2PIM - -5

WHL - 21GP - 10G - 22A - 32P - 39PIM - +17

Great combination of skill, speed and physicality for Greig. He plays an aggressive game and plays bigger than his stature would imply. Skating is good, but needs work on his edges and east-west movement. He also has a deceptive release on his shot that can handcuff goalies. Ridly is the type of player that seems to have a high floor potential, his great motor and commitment to defense would serve well in a variety of roles up and down the lineup.

GM Notes: "We had Brock Faber at the top of our list at this pick, but we didn't expect Greig to fall. Drafting a D with pick # 6 made passing on Faber possible."

 

70th Overall: Martin Chromiak W 6'0" 187 lbs - Ontario Reign (AHL)

Slovakia - 32GP - 7G - 12A - 19P - 0PIM - +6

AHL - 2GP - 0G - 0A - 0P - 0PIM - -1

Another reach for the Sabres, Chromiak was picked 128th in the NHL. He's an excellent offensive player as evidenced by his good foot speed, pro quality shot, and his use of teammates on the ice. Knock on him is his commitment to the defensive side of the game and he needs to engage more phyisically. Seems like a good bet to become a middle 6 winger in the sniper mold.

GM Notes: "We reached pretty hard for Chromiak, had him as a mid-3rd rounder and didn't want to risk waiting for pick # 102"

 

102nd Overall: Jack Thompson D 6'0" 181 lbs - Syracuse Crunch (AHL)

HockeyEttan - 18GP - 9G - 9A - 18P - 14PIM - +9

AHL - 1GP - 0G - 1A - 1P - 0PIM - +2

A two-way defender, if you tuned in to see Byfield play you probably noticed Thompson's skating and offensive skills from the back end. He always seems to find space in the offensive zone and is good at getting his above average shot through traffic and on net. He needs to work on his play in his own end, but that should come around the more he fills out and builds strength.

GM Notes: "Had Zion Nybeck at the top of the list for this pick, but was disappointed he went one pick before us. Thompson is a good project to have in the system, lots of potential for growth."

 

134th Overall: Ryan Francis RW 5'9" 170 lbs - Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)

QMJHL (Eagles/Sea Dogs combined) - 32GP - 16G - 34A - 50P - 24PIM - +5

A pure playmaker by trade, the small Francis sees the ice very well and can connect with any linemates he's given. There are typical concerns for a player his size, like strength in board battles and ability to defend without the puck. Given the proper opportunity Francis is a player that could really excel as evidenced by his point totals split between two different teams.

GM Notes: "Small players can have an uphill battle, but this seems like a good project to pick up based on Francis's smarts with the puck."

 

166th Overall: Matthew Kessel D 6'3" 203 lbs - UMass (NCAA)

NCAA - 29GP - 10G - 13A - 23P - 16PIM - +15

Kessel doesn't possess top pairing upside and isn't a world beater on offense, that said he had picked up his offensive game through the year as his UMass team heated up. Perhaps a top 4 spot on the back end isn't a crazy expectation for him after all. He'll get more time next year with Zac Jones turning pro and will be relied on in a leadership role as it was announced he'll wear an "A" next season.

GM Notes: "I caught a few UMass games this year to check in on Jones, I walked away impressed with the poised game Kessel brings."

 

189th Overall: Matias Rajaniemi D 6'4" 205 lbs - Pelicans (Liiga)

Liiga - 46GP - 3G - 6A - 9P - 20PIM - 0

One of the youngest players available in the draft, if he was born 5 days later he'd be in the 2021 draft. He saw increased ice-time with the Pelicans this year and even got some time on the power play. Not a world beater on offense, his bread and butter is his defensive positioning and strength. He needs to continue to develop his shot to cash in more on the PP.

GM Notes: "Wanted another big Dman and was pleased to see Rajaneimi was still on the board"

 

198th Overall: Adam Scheer G 6'3" 192 lbs - Texas Stars (AHL)

NCAA - 26GP - 20W - 4L - 1OTL - 1.74GAA - .931SV%

AHL - 12GP - 4W - 7L - 1OTL - 3.06GAA - .912SV%

Scheel has had two decent seasons with North Dakota before breaking out this past season and posting dominant numbers. He's got good size and is fairly solid positionally in net. He also boasts good athleticism and is quick with his post to post movement. He'll need to work on his rebound control and continue to work with Dallas's goalie coach on his positioning.

GM Notes: "After seeing the goalies fly off the board, I was getting nervous someone was going to snatch up the NCAA goalies I had on my list. Was pleasantly surprised to see Scheel still there."

 

214th Overall: Strauss Mann G 6'0" 174 lbs - U of Michigan (NCAA)

NCAA - 21GP - 11W - 9L - 1OTL - 1.89GAA - .930SV%

I figured not many would have Mann in their radar since he hasn't signed yet, but rumours have Mann turning pro next season. Some destinations I've seen include Seattle and Detroit. Mann is a tremendous athlete with quick movements in net. He can over react and take himself out of plays sometimes but the raw talent is there.

GM Notes: "I was close to going with Andreas Wingerli with this pick, but the goaltending is a pressing need."