With the NHL Draft Lottery quickly approaching, the Sabres are looking for any way to boost their farm system and give themselves a chance to make the playoffs. The Sabres are currently ranked 7th in the latest farm system rankings, and this mock draft could easily push them into the top five if not higher. These picks are also estimates as to where the Sabres may be picking in the draft.
Round 1, Pick 7: Kashawn Aitcheson, Defenseman, Barrie Colts, OHL
If the Sabres don’t take Caleb Desnoyers, whom I mentioned in a previous article, they should look at taking Kashawn Aitcheson. Aitcheson is a top-10 prospect in the draft and would be a great addition for the Sabres.
He is coming off a great second season with the Barrie Colts, as he totaled 59 points in 64 games. The major improvement in his game was his scoring production, as he went from eight goals to 26 goals this season.
Aitcheson has displayed exceptional breakout skills, which allows him to get involved in the offense. He’s been at the top of his game as well during the OHL playoffs, as he has tallied 12 points in 16 games.
His defensive game keeps him constantly involved, as he rotates and drops down to block shots and passing lanes. Aitcheson will be a great pick for any team, and the Sabres could develop him well in the future.
Round 2, Pick 39: Vaclav Nestrasil, Right Wing, Muskegon Lumberjacks, USHL
Nestrasil is a 6’5’’ right winger from the Czech Republic who had a great year in the USHL. In 61 games, he had 19 goals and 23 assists, with the only area he struggled with being his plus-minus, as he was a -6 on the season.
Nestrasil plays a physical game offensively, as he puts pressure on the defense and forces turnovers. His NHL comparison is Juraj Slafkovsky from the Montreal Canadiens, a physical body that creates offense and is solid defensively.
Nestrasil will have to work on closing passing lanes defensively, but that is the only weakness in his game. Nestrasil will be attending the University of Massachusetts for the 26-27 season; until then, he will look to improve his game and be a top 40 pick in the draft.
Round 3, Pick 73: Owen Griffin, Center, Oshawa Generals, OHL
Griffin is a sleeper in the draft this year, as he turned around his game in just over a year. In his first season of OHL hockey, Griffin struggled as he managed just six points in 61 games. This season, however, something clicked for Griffin.
He had 51 points in 62 games, including a positive plus-minus as well. In his 15 playoff games with Oshawa, he put up an outstanding 23 points and led his team with 13 goals during that stretch.
Griffin is slightly undersized, but he uses his speed and quick passing to generate offense. His biggest adjustment this offseason was working off the rush and creating offense. He went from a slow-paced game to a fast-paced game, and it has turned his draft stock around.
I expect that Griffin will go in the 3rd round, and if he falls to the Sabres, I think it will be someone they can develop in Jacksonville and Rochester moving forward.
