The Buffalo Sabres don't need to take a defenseman in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft. Many draftniks and fans see a weak prospect pool on defense, especially on the left side, and believe that GM Tim Murray will end up drafting one of the top three defensemen in the draft--all of whom who happen to be left-handed--who may be available to him with the 8th-overall pick.
Yet the Sabres could also be looking to prop up the left side up-front as well, which is probably why there've been some rumors circulating that the Sabres are looking to trade up. The gist of it is that Murray, who isn't afraid to make a trade if there's a player he wants, will try to move up to No. 4 in a trade with Edmonton and he may not stop there as some have him looking at No. 3 where LW Jesse Puljujarvi and the Columbus Blue Jackets could meet. Puljujarvi is the consensus third-overall pick while one of LW, Matthew Tkachuk or F, Pierre-Luc Dubois, who are considered to be at the top of the next tier of prospects, will probably be taken next.
The higher probability is that Buffalo will remain at No. 8 and there's also a strong possibility that two--or even all three--top d-men get chosen before they take the stage. If the best player available in their mind is a forward, Murray won't hesitate to make the pick. The least likely scenario is that Murray will trade down from No. 8 unless it's some sort of package to fill a roster hole.
In looking at the draft as it's laid out now, I am of the opinion that the Sabres are more likely to draft a forward prospect in the first round rather than a defenseman. Best player available would be the driving force in the matter but one should also take into consideration that Buffalo has been able to land some pretty good d-prospects outside the first round.
As mentioned in a previous piece, recent history reveals no real need for the Sabres to reach for a defenseman in the first round as they've done pretty well thereafter.
Twenty-two yr. old Jake McCabe--taken with the 44th overall pick in the 2012 draft--locked down a second-pairing role on the club last year in his first full NHL season and has upside to the point where he could end up being a #2/3 d-man. Top-overall prospect Brendan Guhle was taken with the 51st pick last year and he almost made the club out of camp in 2015 as an 18 yr. old. Will Borgen (2015, 92nd overall,) Anthony Florentino (2013, 143rd) and Brycen Martin (2014, 74th) all look to be NHL'ers with varying up-side.
With all that in mind, we take a look at potential d-men the Sabres could be looking at beyond the first round to help further fill out the prospect ranks on defense. Right now the Sabres own pick No. 38 in the second round and picks 69, 76, 86, and 89 in the third round.
Lucas Carlsson, LHD, 6'0" 189 lbs. Byrnas, Sweden
The 17 yr. old Galve, Sweden native just finished a playing against men in the SHL coming away with nine points (4+5) in 35 regular season games and a ton of experience. He also had two assists in three playoff games for Byrnas. He got the call to the big club after posting one goal and 10 assists in 15 games for their Jr. team.
Carlsson's an excellent skating, mobile defenseman who's still a work in progress in other areas, but his stick work and on-ice vision allow him go off on some pretty incredible rushes as shown here.
(Thx to Константин Глазов for the beautiful video and if anyone knows how to pronounce his or her name, please help us out)
Central Scouting has Carlsson ranked as the 15th-best European skater (up from 22 mid-term) and he could be available for the Sabres at pick 38. Keeping him in the hopper overseas for a few years while allowing him to fully develop might pay huge dividends down the road should he reach his potential.
Cam Dineen, 5'11" 183 lbs, Toms River, NJ
Windsor Spitfire defenseman Mikhail Sergachev is possibly the best offensive defenseman in the 2016 draft and will go top-10. Dineen, no relation to Kevin Dineen, finished second amongst defensemen in the OHL with 59 points (13+46,) one spot ahead of Sergachev.
The only thing holding the offensive-defenseman back from being a first-rounder this year is his size, which is a bit below what some might consider NHL standards. Smallish should not be confused with leprosy and there's not a team in the league that can't use a mobile d-man with on-ice vision and top-notch hockey sense who possesses an excellent first pass out of the zone as well as powerplay quarterback acumen. He'll probably be able to get by in the pros because he thinks the game so well but Dineen will need to bulk up a bit to endure the rigors of the NHL.
Dineen rocketed up from his 117th mid-term ranking to 39th pre-draft placing him well within striking distance of Buffalo.
Kale Clague, LHD, 6'0" 177 lbs. Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Clague had a breakout season for the Wheat Kings with 43 points (6+37) in 71 regular season games while adding another 14 points (6+8) in 21 playoff games. He's swift and mobile with an excellent first pass and plenty of savvy to set up teammates in the offensive zone in leading all Brampton d-men in scoring on their championship team.
But probably one of the most important aspects of Clague's game, especially in light of how the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup this year with an intense forecheck, is that he's considered to be " a composed player who makes good choices under pressure," according to Director of Central Scouting, Dan Marr. It's an invaluable trait in any style NHL.
Clague is ranked as the 27th-best North American skater by Central Scouting. His drop from 22nd in the mid-term rankings puts him right in Buffalo's sights.
Griffin Luce, LHD. 6'3" 214 lbs. USA Hockey's Under-18 National Team Development Program
Luce is the grandson of former Sabre Don Luce, one of the best checking forwards in the league back in the 70's.
A self-described shut-down, defensive-defenseman, Griffin Luce already has NHL size, a fierce competitive nature and is ready to embark on a college career at Michigan. Any issues with his game may involve skating--and it's something he's been working on since age 10--but his skill-level is draft-worthy and it's undeniable what he has in his bloodlines. Plus he's been around hockey directly as his father, Scott, was in the Florida Panthers front office for 15 years.
The scouting report on the young defenseman is that "[he's] a big boy who moves well for his size and he has good physical element to his game," NHL Central Scouting's Greg Rajanen wrote for NHL.com. "He offers simple puck play with a good first pass. He has good net front presence."
Central Scouting has him ranked 70th amongst North American skaters and could very well be attainable with one of the Sabres latter third-round picks.
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