Should the Buffalo Sabers use the 11th overall pick on a defenseman?

It’s officially June, which means the 2024 NHL Draft is fast approaching in 24 days. The NHL Scouting Combine is in Buffalo this week, so it’s almost here. For the Buffalo Sabres, they will be looking to build for the future.

In last year’s draft, Zach Benson fell to Buffalo, and it was a steal. After a successful rookie year for Benson, the Sabers are hoping whoever they draft at 11 can follow in Zach’s footsteps and have a solid first year in the NHL. Hypothetically speaking, let’s say Buffalo stays at 11th overall and doesn’t trade the pick.

If general manager Kevyn Adams stays put, who should he hire? Some fans want to take the best route available. Listen to me; If I were the general manager of the Sabres, I think drafting a defenseman should be the direction to take.

Buffalo is full of prospects playing forward. Some of these names include Matt Savoie, Benson, Jiri Kulich and Noah Östlund. These players were among the top ten in terms of prospects in blue and gold.

There were only three defensemen in the top ten, Ryan Johnson, Nikita Novikov and Maxim Strbak. Adams could take advantage of this year’s draft to strengthen the blue line. Although the Sabers already have Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson, it wouldn’t hurt to add more prospects to the defensive core.

As for some of the defensive prospects, they include Artyom Levshunov (Michigan State University), Sam Dickinson (London Knights), Aron Kiviharju (HIFK), Henry Mews (Ottawa 67’s) and Cole Hutson (Boston University).

I’m not saying they have to play in the NHL right away. Like I said earlier, it doesn’t hurt to add some more defensive prospects. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t be opposed to trading the 11th overall pick if it meant acquiring a better player.

If Buffalo decides to stay put, I would draft a defender.