Day 2, GM Mitchell got into the beers a bit early and was buzzing come 8:30 pm when the draft started. Oh boy, let's see what he did with his 7 picks:

99th Overall: LHD Arber Xhekaj 6'4" 225 lbs - Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)

An overage player from the OHL who was passed over in all his draft years eligible, Xhekaj didn't play any hockey during the lockdowns but was invited to the Habs rookie camp last summer. He impressed the Habs scouts so much that he earned an invite to the big camp and nabbed a contract with Montreal before being sent back to Kitchener in the OHL. He was close to a PPG player there before a trade to Hamilton who was loading up for a run at the OHL title. He's a good skater, has a good shot from the point, and is agressive as hell.

NHL Stylistic Comparison: Ben Chiarot

Notes from the GM: "I generally stay away from overagers as they should physically dominate younger players, but Arber has the added mystery from sitting out his 19/20 year old season. I was contemplating selecting the goalie Tristan Lennox or Francesco Arcuri, but thought Arcuri might still be on the board at pick # 131. Ultimately decided to go with the defender as I hadn't selected one to this point."

What to expect: Kent Hughes has said he won't have more than two rookie Dmen on his roster, so even if he impresses again in camp it'll be the AHL for him. So he should make his BRHL debut in the minors next season. You can expect an agressive defensive defenceman when he arrives.

128th Overall: C/RW Francesco Arcuri 6'1" 201 lbs - Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

Arcuri played in the Alps Hockey league with fellow OHLer and 2022 BRHL eligible prospect Pinelli. Arcuri's team only won 1 game all season but he lead them in points and was their best player in his D-1 season, quite impressive. He followed that up with an impressive year with Kingston and a great playoffs. He's a really hard worker off the ice, he's willing to put the work in and it's been showing. He needs to either play NHL or OHL next season which is a shame, he might be too good for the OHL.

NHL Stylistic Comparison: Michael Cammalleri

Notes from the GM: "I was really high on Arcuri and when I heard Bryce mention him at pick 128 I had to jump on the oportunity to move up for him. I paid a fairly big price to get my guy, moving picks 141, 143 & 163 for pick 128. I regret not taking him with my 4th as it sounds like Xhekaj would have been there at my next pick."

What to expect: He'll spend another year in the OHL then he'll be off to the AHL. So he should make his BRHL debut in the 24/25 season unless he gets 10 games in at the end of next year. He's listed as a C, but I think he'll end up a on the wing. He's listed as a playmaker but he's developing a pretty good shot.

131st Overall: G Oskari Salminen 6'4" 201 lbs - Jukurit (Liiga)

Oskari signed with the Winnipeg Jets and is poised to play a big role in the AHL next year. He's looked really good the last two seasons in Liiga, playing last season under ex-Jets player Olli Jokinen. He was the league leader in wins with 29, saves, minutes played and tied for first with 9 shutouts. He's got good size and has good athleticism for his size. He needs to be more consistant but Jukurit was supposed to suck last year so the consistancy issues might be linked to the team.

NHL Stylistic Comparison: Pekka Rinne

Notes from the GM: "I kinda forgot I had picks left after cracking another beer and making that trade with Bryce. I just grabbed the top goalie on my board without putting much thought into it. Hope this works out, but he has some talented goalies ahead of him on the depth chart."

What to expect: Since he'll be joining the Moose in the AHL next year, his BRHL debut will be the 2023-2024 season where he is expected to get some starts along with the other young goalies in the Sabres system.

132nd Overall: LHD Jacob Holmes 6'2" 194 lbs - Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

Holmes was 16 and one of the youngest players on the Soo Greyhounds when he debuted in the OHL, the next season was the lockdown and Holmes did not play. When he returned this season he looked bigger, stronger, and showed off his improved shot from the point. The other noticable attribute was the work he put into his skating, he looked much faster and overhauled his skating stride. He's probably going to struggle to put up points at the next level, so he'll need to keep playing sound defense.

NHL Stylistic Comparison: Jonas Brodin

Notes from the GM: "With just one defender selected to this point, I nabbed the top Dman left on my list here. I don't really have super high expectations for him, but I do think he could end up a useful Dman in the NHL."

What to expect: Dallas will let him marinate in the OHL, then some seasoning in the AHL to adjust to the pro game. He's many years away from being a BRHLer. You can expect a smooth skating shutdown defender when he does arrive.

135th Overall: C/LW Jakub Demek 6'4" 196 lbs - Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

Demek has been a good player internationally for Slovakia, racking up 11 points in 9 games in the U17's in 2020 and 8 points in 6 games at the U18's last season. I haven't seen the latest roster for the upcoming WJC, but you'd have to think Demek gets a look there too. His debut in the WHL saw him put up 20 goals and 54 points in 55 games on a loaded Oil Kings team. This is a swing for the fences, he looks like the biggest boom/bust guy picked by the Sabres.

NHL Stylistic Comparison: Nicolas Roy

Note from the GM: "This is the type of guy you love to have in your system. He has size, shows good compete, and is putting up points everywhere he goes. At this point in the night I have finished the last beer in my fridge and I'm ready for bed."

What to expect: Boom/bust would describe Demek. Perhaps the Roy comparison is lazy, he doesn't use his size the same way Roy did when he was the same age, but offensively they do look similar. He's eligible for the AHL next year but remains unsigned by Vegas so I'm unsure if they'll let him go back to the WHL...there might not be a lot left to learn there. BRHL minors debut is probably 2 or 3 seasons away.

Bring on FA!!