Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Sabres had five total picks in the 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo - two selections in the first round, followed by picks in the fourth, fifth and six rounds.
The two biggest picks came fourth overall in defenseman Daxon Rudolph, and then forward Ilia Morozov with the 20th overall selection. Many felt either or both picks would be traded for players that can help this season, but those trades were just too rich and not made on Friday or Saturday.
Rudolph was the first defenseman off the board in this year's class. He’s a guy that can play in both ends of the ice, and and also has an edge to his game. He played for the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League and scored 28 goals and 50 assists for 78 points in 68 games.
“It was talked about quite a bit how strong this draft was for D-men. We had a good group of the D-men ranked close together, but everyone on our staff had Rudolph in the top-three or four on their list. Our analytics department had him in their top-four" said Sabres assistant general manager Jerry Forton, who was in charge of the draft. "We think very highly of him as a person. The hockey sense, combined with the compete and character made an impression on us, and he was the top defenseman in the draft for us.”
When the Sabres made the trade with the San Jose Sharks which took them from 27th overall to 20th in Round 1, it's because there was a group of players that would be available at 20, but not 27. Morozov was one of them, and Forton felt very strongly about this group of players.
“It was almost a drop off for us, and I was concerned at what would happen in the next group of players, in terms of our passion for the players," Forton said. "Morozov was the last one that was available for us in that upper tier of players.
“We valued the size, (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) the natural center qualities, the two-way game, high character.”
This was Jarmo Kekalainen’s first draft as the general manager of the Sabres, and Forton says it was a unique experience to work with him on the process.
“I wouldn’t say the preparation wasn’t much different for us, we go through the same process - especially the top 60 or 70 names. Jarmo and I talked about this an awful lot, if there were trades that were available to make our team better, to either move down or trade the pick. There would’ve been zero hesitation, and we would’ve been very excited about that," Forton noted.
When defenseman Adam Kleber was taken in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft, he was the 42nd overall pick. He was about to be a true Freshman at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and has excelled by leaps and bounds since being drafted. Forton is very excited at the prospect of what Kleber is becoming.
“He was the first Sophomore ever in the NCHC to win the defensive defenseman in that league. He played on two World Juniors teams and a gold medal a year ago, so we’ve been thrilled with his development," Forton said of the 6-foot-6, 225-pound defenseman. "If he wanted to come out this year, he would’ve had an NHL contract waiting for him. I think he felt like another year in that league would suit him well, and we’re never going to push a kid to make that decision one way or another. He knows what’s best for himself, but we view him as a high-end NHL prospect.”
Meanwhile, Prokhor Poltapov was taken in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft. He has played four seasons in the KHL with CSKA Moscow, and has one more year left on his contract. Last year, the 23-year-old had 16 goals and 24 assists for 40 points in 68 games.
Forton believes Poltapov will be able to step right in, if he makes the jump to North America.
“We consider him almost a plug-and-play prospect," he said. "When he’s ready to come over - which I think should be next year - has middle-six qualities, which I think will be pretty unique for our organization. And I think he’s very much a guy that can come in and make an impact from the day he gets over here.”
The Sabres will start Development Camp next week Monday at Harborcenter, and will continue through Thursday with the 3-on-3 tournament.
