Full Breakdown
Buffalo Sabres Target Top Talent in 2026 NHL Draft
6/28/2026, 12:59:08 PM
Core Draft Selections and Strategic Moves
The Buffalo Sabres entered the 2026 NHL Draft with five selections, all made in Buffalo. A trade with the San Jose Sharks moved the team from the 27th to the 20th overall slot, allowing a second first-round pick. The Sabres selected defenseman Daxon Rudolph at fourth overall and center Ilya Morozov at twentieth. Additional picks were made in the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds.
Background: Jarmo Kekalainen’s First Draft as General Manager
The 2026 draft marked General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen’s inaugural draft. Assistant General Manager Jerry Forton said the organization’s preparation mirrored prior years, focusing on the top 60-70 prospects and using the same evaluation process.
Key Prospects and Statistics
- Daxon Rudolph – Prince Albert Raiders (WHL); 28 G, 50 A, 78 P in 68 games; two-way defenseman with strong hockey sense.
- Ilya Morozov – Miami University; 6-foot-3, 200 lb center noted for size, two-way play and character.
- Adam Kleber – 42nd overall (2024); freshman at Minnesota-Duluth, NCHC Defensive Defenseman award as sophomore, two World Junior gold medals.
- Prokhor Poltapov – 2023 second-round pick; four KHL seasons with CSKA Moscow, 16 G, 24 A, 40 P in 68 games, one year left on contract.
Official Statements & Organizational Outlook
Forton said staff and analytics placed Rudolph in the top three to four defensemen, praising his hockey sense and character. He justified the move to the 20th slot by noting a stronger player pool at that spot than at 27th. On Morozov, Forton cited size, two-way play and character, and warned of a talent drop-off after the top tier. The Sabres remain open to trades that improve the roster while keeping a development-first approach for prospects.
Verbatim Quotes
- “ This was Jarmo Kekalainen’s first draft as the general manager of the Sabres and Forton said, “Very unique, I wouldn’t say the preparation wasn’t much different for us, we go through the same process, especially to top 60 or 70 names.” — Jerry Forton, Assistant General Manager
- “We valued the size, (6’3, 200) the natural center qualities, the two-way game, high character.” — Jerry Forton
- “ When the Sabres made the trade with San Jose which took them from 27th to 20th, we knew there was a group of players that would be available at 20, but not 27.” — Jerry Forton
Development Camp and Next Steps
The Sabres will hold a Development Camp at Harborcenter from Tuesday to Thursday, ending with a 3-on-3 tournament. The camp will evaluate the newly drafted players and integrate them into the organization’s development pipeline.
