Mock Drafts Differ On Sabres Target At #9

With less than two weeks before the 2025 NHL Decentralized Draft in Los Angeles, there are differing opinions of who the Buffalo Sabres will select ninth overall if they do not trade the pick. A mock draft from the Athletic earlier this month and Mike Morreale from NHL.com projected the Sabres to select OHL defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson with their pick, but the Athletic’s updated mock draft and NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman have Buffalo adding a forward prospect.

Aitcheson had a breakout offensive year with the Barrie Colts, jumping from eight goals last season to 26 goals, finishing behind only 2024 first rounders Zayne Parekh and Sam Dickinson among OHL defenseman. Aitcheson led the Colts with 59 points and scored 12 points in the OHL playoffs.

In their updated mock, the Athletic has the Sabres selecting Soo Greyhounds center Brady Martin at #9. The 6’0”, 178 lb. Martin nearly tripled his point output in his second OHL season with the Greyhounds (33 goals, 39 assists), and his stock has been rising after an excellent showing for Canada at the Under-18s with 11 points in seven games.

Kimelman projects Brampton Steelheads winger Porter Martone to be selected by the Sabres. The 6’3”, 208 lb. winger had 98 points (37 goals, 61 assists) in 57 OHL games last season, and is considered the best winger in the draft class, but there has been speculation that the 18-year-old power forward could go as high as third overall to the Chicago Blackhawks, so the chances of Martone slipping to the Sabres six picks later seem unlikely.