Back in late March, the Buffalo Sabres traded veteran center Eric Staal to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a third and fifth round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. Following the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final, the Sabres ended up with the 95th overall pick in Round 3, as well as the 159th overall pick in Round 5.
Buffalo used the 95th overall pick late in the third round to select forward Josh Bloom from the Saginaw Spirit in the Ontario Hockey League.
With the 159th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres selected left winger Viljami Marjala from the Québec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
After spending three seasons with Kärpät's junior program in Finland, Marjala decided to make the jump to North America this past season and play in the QMJHL with the Remparts. In his first season in Québec City, the 18-year-old scored five goals and registered 22 assists for 27 points in 30 games.
The native of Oulu, Finland is not a big forward at just 5-foot-11 and 154 pounds, but is touted as a playmaker on the left side with good awareness and deception. According to Elite Prospects:
"As he approaches defenders in the wide lane, he surveys his options, calculates the speed of his teammates and their routes, but doesn’t reveal their position to defenders. He looks them off and keeps a neutral body position, stick at his hip and shoulder pointed down ice, buying time for his target to skate into position."
Marjala was ranked as the 65th North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. He was also ranked 90th by FC Hockey and 161st by McKeen's Hockey.
The Sabres will next select with the 161st overall pick to open the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Draft.
***Photo: Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres)
