The Buffalo Sabres’ Draft Performance
The Buffalo Sabres, under the leadership of general manager Kevyn Adams, have enjoyed some positive outcomes from their early-round selections in recent drafts. Notable players like Jack Quinn, Owen Power, Isak Rosen, Jiri Kulich, and Zach Benson are all contributing to the current roster. However, the franchise faces scrutiny regarding the lack of impact from their later draft picks. Only Tyson Kozak, chosen among 39 players selected beyond the first round in the last five drafts, has seen action in the NHL.
Recent Draft Highlights
In the most recent NHL Draft held in Nashville, the Sabres made headlines by selecting Zach Benson as their 13th overall pick, appearing to find a gem. Nonetheless, the potential of their second-round selections—Anton Wahlberg and Maxim Strbak, along with third-round pick Gavin McCarthy—remains uncertain. Additionally, their fourth-round pick, Ethan Miedema, was not offered a contract after two seasons and is no longer part of the organization.
2023 Draft Picks Developments
News on the Sabres’ 2023 draft picks reveals some intriguing developments for players still in contention:
Scott Ratzlaff – Goalie – 141st Overall
The young goaltender had a mixed season last year, finishing with a record of 23 wins, 19 losses, and 4 overtime losses, coupled with a 3.16 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage for the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds. Following the acquisition of seasoned goalie Alexandar Georgiev, Ratzlaff was reassigned to the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen, where he has excelled with a perfect 3-0 record and an impressive 1.29 GAA and .966 save percentage.
Sean Keohane – Defenseman – 173rd Overall
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound blueliner from Dexter Southfield Prep entered the season with high expectations as he was expected to play a full year in the USHL with Tri-City before moving on to Harvard. However, after 16 games, he transitioned to West Kelowna in the BCHL seeking more opportunities. In his freshman year at Harvard, he logged 11 games with only two assists and is currently goalless in one appearance this season.
Norwin Panocha – Defenseman – 205th Overall
Drafted from Berlin in Germany’s Deutsche Eishockey Liga, Panocha chose to embark on his North American journey with Chicoutimi in the QMJHL, where he recorded 15 assists in 52 games. He also represented Germany in the World Junior Championships in Sweden and Ottawa. After a brief stint with Prince Albert in the CHL Import Draft where he played just three games, Panocha returned to Germany, notching two assists in 16 DEL contests last season, and has continued with the Berlin Polar Bears, adding two assists in 15 games this current season.
Looking Ahead
As the Sabres seek to bolster their roster through effective scouting and drafting, the ongoing development of these prospects will be closely monitored to see if they can eventually contribute to the team’s success.
