The Buffalo Sabers’ 5 Biggest Draft Mistakes – The Hockey Writers – Buffalo Sabers

All topics have been covered when it comes to the 2024 NHL Draft. Every perspective has been studied to the nth degree. Mock drafts have been made by everyone under the sun. We have a good idea of ​​what awaits us.

So why not go back? The Buffalo Sabers have a big decision to make regarding their draft pick, but hopefully it doesn’t turn out like some of the ones they’ve made in the past. Who are the worst picks to ever be called up by the Sabres?

The biggest draft mistakes in Buffalo Sabers history

It’s fair to say that every franchise has had its fair share of bad draft picks. Even if you left the threshold at 2,000, there are enough names on the list to leave some NHL executives feeling embarrassed.

Related: 4 Players the Buffalo Sabers Could Draft 11^th Overall choice for

For the Sabres, the list is a little longer. Joel Savage (13^th in the general classification, 1988), Mika Noronen (21^st in total, 1997), Jiri Novotny (22^nd in the general classification, 2001), Marek Zapragan (13^th in total, 2005) and Mikhail Grigorenko (12^th overall, 2012) aren’t even on this list, which says a lot about the Sabres’ draft history.

Chances are a few of these names will elicit a “Who?” ” or two. Leaving them forgotten in the past is probably the best solution for all parties involved.

Shawn Anderson, D–5^th Overall, 1986

Anderson was a swing and a miss for many reasons. The fifth overall pick, he was supposed to be a franchise cornerstone. Of all the first-round defensemen that year, he played the fewest games (255 total).

What’s worse is who the Sabers could have gotten. Vincent Damphousse (nearly 1,400 games and 1,200 points) was the next choice. Scott Young (11^th) and Tom Fitzgerald (17^th) were both solid NHL players with over 1,000 games played. But the biggest failure? Brian Leetch, who turned 9^th overall to the New York Rangers.

David Cooper, D-11^th Overall, 1992

Buffalo again struck out a defender early. Of everyone who played a game in this first round class, Cooper had the fewest with only 30 games and would be out of hockey by 2001.

Just three picks later, the Washington Capitals selected Russian defenseman Sergei Gonchar. With over 800 points in 1,301 career games, his mobility would have been welcome. Loyal to the defense, Jason Smith (18^th overall) would have been solid. The team also included Martin Straka (19^th overall) just there for offensive potential in the middle.

Artem Kryukov, C/W – 15^th In total, 2000

The 2000 first round is a bit underrated. Dany Heatley, Marian Gaborik, Scott Hartnell, Ron Hainsey and others all played for several years. Yet the Sabers chose Russian Kryukov, arguably one of the worst picks in the entire draft.

How bad could it be? Kryukov is the only member of this first-round class to not appear in a single NHL game. Even Brent Krahn, a legendary bust taken 9^th in total by the Calgary Flames, managed to play one game. Kryukov was part of a lauded but completely disappointing Russian forward class that included Pavel Vorobiev (11^th total, Chicago Blackhawks), Alexei Smirnov (12^th overall, Anaheim Ducks) and Alexei Mikhnov (17^th overall, the Edmonton Oilers). With Brooks Orpik, Anton Volchekov, Brad Boyes, Steve Ott and Justin Williams eliminated later in the first round, it was a setback that hurt even more.

Zack Kassian, AD – 13^th Overall, 2009

With all due respect to Kassian, he had a decent NHL career: 661 games and 203 points. There are worse picks in this draft (Scott Glenne, 8^th in total against the Dallas Stars, played only one game). Rather, it’s the question of who the Sabers could have had that stings the most.

Nick Leddy (1,011 games and counting) made three picks later. Chris Kreider, with over 300 goals and 500 points, finished 19^th overall to Rangers. Marcus Johansson (24^th In total, the Washington Capitals have over 900 games and Kyle Palmieri (26^th overall, Ducks) has carved out a solid career for himself. Kassian spent all 27 games with the Sabres, and none of them were memorable.

Alexander Nylander, AG – 8^th Overall, 2016

Nylander was one of the most talented players, according to scouts, when he was drafted early by the Sabres. He might even finally find his place as a regular NHL player, albeit seven years after being drafted and with a different team.

Unfortunately, he had no impact on the Sabres. Mikhail Sergachev was taken with the very next pick and would easily be a top 5 pick in a re-draft. Another defender, Charlie McAvoy, finished 14^th to the Boston Bruins. The Sabers also could have had a player they possibly traded for: Tage Thompson (26^th overall, the St. Louis Blues).

Better under the Adams regime

Fortunately, the Sabres’ draft has been much better under general manager Kevyn Adams. While it would be nice if he could develop some of the middle picks later, it’s hard to complain about what he did in the first and second rounds.

In four years at the helm, Adams achieved the following results:

• Jack Quinn (8^th in total, 2020)
• JJ Peterka (34^th in total, 2020)
• Owen Power (1^st in total, 2021)
• Isak Rosen (14^th in total, 2021)
• Matthew Savoie (9^th in total, 2022)
• Noah Ostlund (16^th in total, 2022)
• Jiri Kulich (28^th in total, 2022)
• Zach Benson (13^th in total, 2023)

While the story may only be a handful of Sabers drafts, the future is still bright. At least now we can look back on some of these mistakes with laughter rather than gnashing our teeth.