NEWSLETTER
The Sabres missed the playoffs yet again in 2023-24 and have to continue to build in the draft if they want to get back into the postseason. Let’s look at who the Buffalo Sabres could take at no. 14 overall in the 1st round in tomorrow’s 2024 NHL Draft after making a trade today with the San Jose Sharks to move down three spots from no. 11.
Mock: No. 14 – Carter Yakemchuk – D (WHL, Calgary)
Yakemchuk had a career-high 71 points in 66 games for Calgary last season as he scored 30 goals with 41 assists. He also had a career-high with 120 penalty minutes but that can be cleaned up. He’s a heavy hitter with a big shot. Yamechuk would be a nice complement to their mostly left-handed blueline which includes Owen Power, Rasmus Dahlin, Bowen Byram, and Mattias Samuelsson.
Yakemchuk could fall anywhere in the 10-15 range so the Sabres would love to grab him if he ends up at no. 14. This draft has many players in the top 20 that are similar in value. It’s an extremely unpredictable class which will make the first round a must-watch event.
Sabres Team Needs
The nice thing for the Sabres is they have an extremely deep talent pool filled with prospects. One of the best in the NHL. This gives them some flexibility at no. 14 overall. This is also one of the reasons GM Kevyn Adams made a trade with the San Jose Sharks to move down to no. 14 and get the no. 42 overall pick as well.
With potential studs like Zach Benson and Matt Savoie showing insane upside, the Sabres might be able to end their playoff drought soon.
More Options for Sabres at No. 14
GM Kevyn Adams has talked a lot about prospects 6-15 not having much separation. This means the Sabres could be grabbing a talented player who slips to no. 14. There are a couple of talented centers that they would love to target if they slip in the draft.
Berkly Catton – C (WHL, Spokane)
Berkly Catton is a logical pick for the Sabres if he slips to no. 14 as he has an offensive ability that has a high ceiling. In his second full season in the WHL, Catton blew up with 116 points in 68 games. He scored 54 goals while dishing out 62 assists for the Spokane Chiefs. He could easily wind up in the top 10 and the Sabres would love to scoop him up at no. 14 if he falls that far. His raw skills and offensive upside are hard to ignore and he could be a centerpiece for Buffalo moving forward.
Tij Iginla – C/LW (WHL, Kelowna)
There is a very good chance Iginla could be scooped up in the top 10 but the Sabres would love to have him at 14. He had 84 points last season with 47 goals and 37 assists for Kelowna. He has a great combination of physical and skilled puck traits. His play is aggressive but under control and would be a nice addition to the Sabres.
2023-24 Buffalo Sabres Season Recap
It has been a heck of a playoff drought for the Sabres that continued in 2023-24 as missed the playoffs for the 13th straight season. The Sabres haven’t reached the postseason since 2011 when they lost 4-3 to the Flyers in the first round.
Alex Tuch and Rasmus Dahlin tied for the team lead with 59 points. Dahlin dished out a team-high 39 assists on the year while Tage Thompson was the top goal scorer with 29 goals. The team was below the league average in goals scored but did finish 39-37-6 on the year.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was the team’s primary goaltender starting 51 games with a record of 27-22-4. He had a save percentage of 91.0% and five shutouts on the season.
