With the 14th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres select Swedish winger Isak Rosén from Leksands IF in the Swedish Hockey League.
The Sabres acquired the 14th overall pick in the draft earlier in the day on Friday as part of the Rasmus Ristolainen trade with the Philadelphia Flyers. Buffalo also received a second round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and defenseman Robert Hägg as part of the deal.
Rosén spent about half of his 2020-21 season in the SHL with Leksands IF, only registering an assist in 22 games, though he did not play too much in his time there. In 12 games with Leksands' Under-20 team, the 18-year-old was a point per-game player with seven goals and five assists for 12 points.
The native of Stockholm, Sweden also got the chance to represent his home country at the IIHF Under-18 World Championship this spring in Frisco, Texas, where he tied for the team lead in scoring with seven goals and two assists for nine points in seven games.
Rosén is a very dangerous threat in the transitional game, using his quick speed to take advantage of unsuspecting defenders on the rush. He's good on his edges, which allows him to be shifty and deceptive in the offensive zone. He's got a strong shot to his arsenal, especially on the power play from the right faceoff circle.
"He's an excellent skater. He has a very good first few skates and uses crossovers well to accelerate into turns," writes Ryan Wagman from McKeen's Hockey. "He changes directions well, but all motion is fluid and sleek. He can be shifty, when need be, but he specializes in charging the puck up the ice."
According to Elite Prospects, Rosén is under contract in the Swedish Hockey League through the 2022-23 season.
Buffalo's next pick will come with the 33rd overall selection in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft.
