Pick No. 4
Chase Reid – RHD, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
6-foot-2, 190 pounds
The Sabres drafted 6-foot-6 right-handed defenseman Radim Mrtka ninth overall in 2025 and could take another right-shot talent if Reid is available at No. 4.
The CHL Top Prospect award winner had 48 points in 45 games and exhibits a talented all-around style with offensive instincts and smooth skating that allow him to shut down players effectively.
Caleb Malhotra – C, Brantford (OHL)
6-foot-2, 185 pounds
One of the best centers in the class, Malhotra finished second in the OHL in assists (55) and points (84) by a rookie. NHL Central Scouting describes him as a hardworking, 200-foot centerman who “does everything well with and without the puck.”
- While most media mock drafts have Malhotra being selected third overall by Vancouver – where his father, Manny, was recently named coach – The Athletic’s Corey Pronman sees the Canucks taking Reid and Malhotra falling to Buffalo.
- ESPN’s Rachel Kryshak also has the Sabres landing the standout center at No. 4.
Keaton Verhoeff – RHD, North Dakota (NCAA)
6-foot-4, 215 pounds
Verhoeff had 20 points in 36 games which is the fourth-highest total in a single season by a 17-year-old defenseman in the NCAA.
Playing against significantly older competition, Verhoeff’s stats may not jump off the page like his defense counterparts that played Canadien major junior or in the USHL but he’s a dominant two-way player with elite poise and can create in the offensive zone.
- Morreale is projecting the Sabres to select Verhoeff at No 4. “General manager Jarmo Kekalainen isn't afraid to go against the consensus,” Morreale wrote. “Enter Verhoeff, who plays heavy minutes and fits that trajectory as a right-shot defenseman with the size (6-4, 215) and skating ability to drive play in transition at the NHL level. He made significant strides as the fourth-youngest player in NCAA men’s hockey, showing improved confidence defending down low and competing in tough areas.”
Pick No. 20
Ilia Morozov – C, Miami (OH) (NCAA)
6-foot-3, 205 pounds
The Russian-born center began the 2025-26 season as the youngest player in college hockey and burst onto the scene with nine points in his first six games.
Morozov – who won’t turn 18 until August – is a strong 200-foot player and shined at the combine, displaying the strength that he plays with in wall battles and at the net-front where his quick hands and high IQ game flourish.
- Wheeler projected Morozov to the Sabres in his latest mock draft published on Tuesday.
- TSN director of scouting Craig Button also discussed Morozov on Sabres Live and compared the 6-foot-3 center to Jordan Staal. "When you watch somebody who can get himself invested and be successful in so many different areas of the game, like a Jordan Staal, it won’t always show up in terms of the stat sheet individually," Button said. "But where it does show up is your team having a chance to have success and to be able to impose yourself. Big, strong centers like Ilia Morozov don’t come along very [often].”
Gleb Pugachyov – RW, Nizhny Novgorod Jr (Russia-Jr)
6-foot-3, 198 pounds
Pugachyov had a successful draft year with 24 points (10+14) in 33 games in Russia’s top junior league (MHL) before playing 15 games in the VHL – the second-highest league of Russian hockey – and 13 games professionally in the KHL.
Kekalainen has been unafraid to take Russian players stemming back to his Columbus tenure when he selected nine such players in 10 drafts including Vladislav Gavrikov, Kirill Marchenko, Dmitri Voronkov and Egor Chinakhov. He’d be getting a tenacious skater and play driver with Pugachyov.
- Wheeler was a guest on Sabres Live on Tuesday and also named Pugachyov as an option for Buffalo. “If they’re looking to add that physical, hardworking, lunch pail, heavy, pro style player, Gleb Pugachyov is a Russian kid that really fits that identity in this class,” Wheeler said.
Maddox Dagenais – C, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
6-foot-4, 198 pounds
Dagenais took a substantial leap in his second QMJHL season, posting 62 points (30+32) in 62 games after recording 26 points in 43 games in 2024-25. He won the 2025-26 QMJHL Mike Bossy Trophy as the best professional prospect.
A lengthy and athletic center, the No. 15 North American skater is a standout shooter with a strong offensive toolkit and has developed his game to play with more of a physical edge.
- Bleacher Report’s Hannah Stuart has the Sabres selecting Dagenais at No. 20 and wrote, “Dagenais proved that his hockey sense is the real deal over the second half of the season, switching into high-intensity mode and showcasing a power-forward nature with flashes of high-end processing ability.”
- TSN’s Button was a guest on Sabres Live on June 15 and said he views Dagenais as a winger long-term instead of a center. “He wants to play inside hockey,” Button said. “He’s not interested in having the puck outside the dots. He gets to where it's dangerous, he gets to where it’s hard and that’s where the rewards come from. ... When you watch the pace that he’s learned to play at, how he’s raised the pace of his game, skating as improved, there’s every reason that Maddox can be a really good, solid winger in the National Hockey League that can give you goals and he competes.”
JP Hurlbert – LW, Kamloops (WHL)
6-foot-0, 190 pounds
Hurlbert possesses some of the most exciting offensive skill of any skater in the class after posting 97 points (42+55) in 68 games and won 2025-26 WHL Rookie of the Year honors.
The University of Michigan (NCAA) commit led Kamloops and all WHL rookies in goals and points after leaving the United States National Team Development Program. Hurlbert has a myriad of offensive traits with an elite shot and manipulates time and space on the ice.
- TSN released its final mock draft and has the Sabres landing Hurlbert at No. 20.
- Morreale compared Hurlbert to Tyler Toffoli. “He's been lights out since day one,” Morreale said. “I really like his hockey IQ. He's really creative. He can shoot the puck, has a real good one-timer. Real good playmaker. They always say 'making plays in a telephone booth,' and he's that type of guy that can do that.”
Elton Hermansson – RW (Modo, HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden)
6-foot-0, 182 pounds
Hermansson made his professional debut in 2025-26 in Sweden’s second-tier league and showcased his elite skill with 21 points (11+10) in 38 games.
The No. 5 international skater by NHL Central Scouting cemented himself as a top prospect during the 2026 IIHF World U18 Championships after finishing tied for the tournament lead with 12 points. He won a gold medal with Sweden and was named best forward of the tournament.
- Steven Ellis of Daily Faceoff has the Sabres selecting Hermansson and said his high upside offensively could pair well with Buffalo’s young talent. “The Sabres could use another skilled winger in the system,” Ellis wrote. “Hermansson loves generating offense – the 12 points at the U-18s are a perfect example of that. He put up solid numbers in the second-tier Swedish league this year, which isn’t easy to do. From an offensive standpoint, there’s a lot to love, especially on the power play.”
