The best, worst and most intriguing draft picks for the Buffalo Sabers

It’s safe to say that general manager Kevyn Adams has never had a bad draft, considering the number of players who have joined the organization under his watch and are already with the big Buffalo Sabres. Zach Benson, JJ Peterka, Jack Quinn and Owen Power have already found a home there, and there’s a good chance we’ll see even more from his draft classes in the future.

There was one pick in particular that might find a home with the Sabers sooner than expected, and that was their top overall pick in the class of 2024, Konsta Helenius. I won’t dwell too much on what made me like this pick so much, having covered the subject on Friday night, but with his ability to play so well against men his age, Helenius should be on the right track a time he will play in North America.

Honorable mention goes to seventh-round pick Ryerson Leenders, who has seen his production increase significantly in the OHL this season. His save percentage fell from a paltry .879 in 35 games to .909 in 46, and his 3.48 GAA improved to just 3.12 for the year. Look for Leenders to improve even more for the upcoming season.

It’s always hard to say that Kevyn Adams made a bad pick, but wow, I didn’t like their 42nd overall pick, Adam Kleber. I have nothing against Kleber and normally I would call that a good pick. But you had Cole Hutson, Harrison Brunicke, Leo Sahlin-Wallenius and Jesse Pulkkinen on the board. Hey, I love Adam Kleber’s size and his mobility, but I’ll tell you this: Hutson and Sahlin-Wallenius are game changers in the future, and you didn’t get them, Kevyn. I don’t get it.

Another thing I’ll never understand is why Brodie Ziemer was ranked so low and no one “looked” at him when the Blue and Gold were about to pick him at No. 71. But the versatile winger was there for the taking, and the Sabres got a player who scored 94 points and 35 goals in 88 games, to go along with three more goals and 12 points at the world juniors last season.

If there is one player in this draft that Ziemer, as a college/junior/international player, will attend the University of Minnesota, I will follow closely, it is Brodie Ziemer. I can’t wait for him to turn pro after a few dominant seasons with the Golden Gophers.

(Statistics provided by Elite Prospects)