MCKEEN’S 2026-27 NHL YEARBOOK: TOP 15 PROSPECTS – ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW -#14 Buffalo Sabres

Prospect System Ranking – 14th (Last year - 18th)
GM: Jarmo Kekalainen Hired: December 2025
COACH: Lindy Ruff Hired: April 2024

With Buffalo officially in their win-now window, they’ll be reliant on young guns on ELCs to bring depth as they inevitably deal with the roster turnover of a contender. It could be a few years before we see them pick in the first round again should they choose to bolster their lineup with the wealth of draft capital they possess.

The big story of the Sabres’ offseason on the trade front was the departure of Anton Wahlberg in exchange for an NHL-ready OFD in Olen Zellweger to fill the loss of Bowen Byram. New GM Jarmo Kekalainen has made it a point to inject his guys into the lineup at the expense of Buffalo’s previously overstocked pool.
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With two first-rounders at the 2026 NHL Draft, the Sabres swung big on Daxon Rudolph at fourth overall, who comes in at 16th on our Prospect Rankings, and power forward Ilia Morozov (78th) at 20th overall. Daxon’s creativity with the puck and ability to drive offence opens the door to potential trades for Buffalo involving another blue-chip prospect in Radim Mrtka (36th), who was nearly dealt for Colton Parayko.
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Konsta Helenius (18th) is a name to watch next NHL season after finding some success in a limited stint with the Sabres. He’s proven too talented to remain in the AHL, so 2026-27 will be a key year for him to stick a roster spot with the senior squad.
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Other bright spots include Brodie Ziemer (218th), Adam Kleber (232nd), Luke Osburn (256th), and Maxim Strbak (282nd), who all aim to take larger roles on their collegiate teams next year.

1. Daxon Rudolph, D, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

A former first overall selection in the WHL prospects draft, Daxon Rudolph won the sweepstakes as the first defenceman taken off the board in an NHL Draft that a possessed a myriad of high-end blueliners. Selected fourth overall by Buffalo Sabres (who acquired the pick from the Chicago Blackhawks in a blockbuster deal involving Bowen Byram), the Prince Albert Raiders blueliner hockey sense and skill level are his calling cards. He has moments where he leverages his mobility, playmaking, and vision to control the game from the blueline, walking laterally to open up lanes and threading pucks through seams and layers of defensive coverage to set up high-danger scoring areas. He also possesses a quick, hard wrist shot and can pick corners with ease. His defensive game comes with some warts, however, as he tends to shy away from physicality at times and can lack urgency when guarding the rush or defending sustained cycles. Rudolph has the potential to be a valuable top four defenceman as he continues to develop. He’s committed to the University of Denver for next season, which will be a big test to see how he’ll be able to defend and play a much stronger game against older and more physically mature competition.

2. Konsta Helenius, C, Rochester Americans (AHL)

There is a lot of young talent emerging in Buffalo’s system and Konsta Helenius has solidified himself as one of the elites. Helenius has set a career high in points, nearly doubling last campaign’s totals. Nothing quite stands out like his sheer determination and effort to constantly be in and around loose puck battles. For a 5-foot-11 centre, Helenius is tenacious on the puck and doesn’t give it up easily. He’s not the fastest, but he has a high motor, and when other players start to fade, Helenius is still going. On offence, he uses his edges to create separation and on the defensive end, it allows him to effectively shadow puck carriers. He’s a playmaker first, although he’s not afraid to unleash shots. Even though Helenius is a two-way centre, he isn’t tasked with killing penalties. With a phenomenal showing in the NHL playoffs and at the World Championships, Helenius has certainly played himself into a spot in the Sabres lineup. He’s still well on track to be a top six centre at the NHL level.

3. Radim Mrtka, D, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

Radim Mrtka plays a two-way defenceman’s game. At the WHL level, he likes to join the rush and is very involved in the offensive zone. His skating is good though it occasionally looks a bit clunky due to his size. His passing has improved and he averaged close to an assist per game in the WHL last season. His wrist shot from the point is more about touch than power, so forwards have an easier time trying for a tip or a rebound. His defensive play is trending in the right direction. He uses positioning, situational awareness, and reach to defend but is also a willing hitter. Mrtka played games at the AHL level at both the beginning and end of last season but struggled in comparison to his play in the WHL. He played a more conservative game as his skill level was not quite ready for the pro league. There is some concern that the offence might not translate to the pro level and will limit him to a third pairing role. Mrtka will likely start the 2026-27 season in the AHL but could be sent back to the WHL if he falters early.

4. Ilia Morozov, C, Miami Univ. (Ohio) (NCAA)

Morozov, a big centre who recorded solid numbers as a true freshman with Miami (Ohio), was taken 20th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the most recent entry draft. His size, smarts, and shooting combination is what made him a coveted asset, warranting a first-round draft choice. He would get to the dangerous areas on the ice consistently, showing a knack for knowing where to be. Not only that, but he worked hard to win pucks back to extend possessions in the offensive end, creating some opportunities off those battles. Expected to play bigger minutes as a sophomore with some experience under his belt, Morozov’s skating and playmaking skill should be an area of focus. While he steadily improved as a skater as the year progressed last season, that’s still an area of weakness. Plus, his play creation and raw puck skill are part of his game that are lacking. That said, with his tools and frame, he has a high floor and a solid chance of getting a chance at the NHL in a season or two. He projects as a middle six centre, with the capability of being a high-end third line centre on a contender.

5. Brodie Ziemer, RW, University of Minnesota (NCAA)

Coming off a point-per-game NCAA season with the University of Minnesota last season, Ziemer has strung together back-to-back strong offensive collegiate performances. He’s done so without losing his well-roundedness, maintaining the attention to detail in all three zones. That detailed, complete game is a big strength of his, as is his shot that he has really leaned into since joining Minnesota. Adding more layers to his goal-scoring abilities has allowed him to start producing a lot more. However, while he has added more of a shooting element to his game, he still lacks the raw puck skill. He’s a very detail-oriented player, but that also does hold him back as well from taking potential high-reward risks. Ziemer is absolutely on the upswing, which the Sabres are certainly excited for. But the ceiling of his potential is still limited. He’s projected as a middle six winger with a strong work ethic who could score at a decent clip in the NHL one day. He likely has one more NCAA season before potentially getting a look at the AHL for a stint.

6. Adam Kleber, D, University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)

Kleber is not a super flashy prospect. The Sabres drafted him in 2024 because of his reliability and trustworthiness he brings to the table. Not only is he massive, but he is incredibly smart and plays a very structured game. He’s also well aware of his physical advantages and uses them efficiently. Kleber reads plays exceptionally well and keeps passing lanes clogged constantly. However, some of the same weaknesses that were there when he was drafted still remain. His skating still needs work, which for a bigger player is not surprising by any means. He’s also not someone to be expected to produce or showcase much offensive abilities. Despite those limitations, he constantly plays to his strengths, and that’s what will give him a chance to make it far in his career. He’s projected to be a bottom pair defender, with a chance to be more if he can add more to his game, especially his puck-moving ability. But he is simply a very steady presence on the blueline for whichever team he is playing for.

7. Luke Osburn, D, University of Wisconsin (NCAA)

Osburn is a player who just keeps progressing with each passing season since being selected in 2024. His draft year was his first taste of a level higher than what he played with U16 AAA Compuware. His production left a lot to be desired in that first season, but he has taken a lot of positive strides since. One of those was how well he transitioned to the NCAA. His skating is impressive, as has been his puck moving. Osburn is willing to play with a little bit of aggression from the blueline as well in the offensive end. He closes his gaps quite well against the rush as well. However, he is still a bit slight and must continue to add more weight to his frame. Additionally, he can play a bit too aggressive at times, getting caught out of position in his own end. But for his NHL upside, if he can continue to make plays in transition and in the offensive zone, while cleaning up his occasional mistakes in his own end, he could be an interesting #4 defender in the NHL. Or, perhaps, even a bottom pair player with occasional PP2 deployment.

8. Maxim Strbak, D, Michigan State University (NCAA)

Strbak got his first taste of AHL action with the Rochester Americans last season, and he did not look out of place there. His offensive game is solid, and a big part of that is his ability to walk the blue line and open up passing and shooting lanes for himself. His edges are very strong. While he has not scored a ton at the collegiate level, he does have a solid point shot, with some good power behind it. He’s also a willing battler in his own end, helping to clear the crease of traffic. Very clearly has a good motor at both ends of the ice. However, he can have some moments of questionable decision-making. His straight-line skating is also average, which doesn’t always allow him to recover from an offensive or neutral zone mistake. But with his effort, ability to lean into his physicality, and his confidence with the puck at the blueline, he gives himself a chance to carve out an NHL role. But until his production translates to a solid level at the pro level with Rochester, he likely only projects as a depth option who can offer solid puck moving and high effort defence. There’s a chance he can be more if he impresses in the AHL next season and moving forward.

9. Jake Richard, RW, University of Connecticut (NCAA)

Richard is a high-effort player who is currently slated to make the jump to the AHL for this season. He is a ball of energy, willing to throw himself into physical altercations. Works very hard off pucks to win them back and extend offensive zone chances. While he doesn’t have a ton of raw puck skill, he can still stickhandle through traffic when needed. His one-timer is also very strong, and a big chunk of his goals last season came off of those one-timers. But his skating isn’t great, and his stickhandling can be a bit clunky and awkward. Richard also lacks dynamism in his offensive creation, often being the one at the tail end of plays rather than creating them. That said, he projects as someone who can carve out a third-line role in the NHL, thanks to his high-effort and high-energy game, with a willingness to play physical. If he can translate his shooting and add a bit more to his offensive game at the AHL level, he solidifies that projection further.

10. Prokhor Poltapov, LW, CSKA Moscow (KHL)

With back-to-back 40-point seasons under his belt in the KHL, Poltapov has carved out a solid middle six checking role at the professional level. Since being selected in the second round of the 2021 draft, Poltapov has really leaned into playing a physical and punishing style. He plays with pace and an edge, living in the corners of the offensive zone, inviting pressure and winning possession with his grit and determination. Solid straight-line speed allows him to win races to pucks and find himself on the occasional breakaway, but he's a bit clunky in tight spaces and when on the back foot defending. There is still some burst in his game, being used as a puck carrier in transition. The skill is fine; he prefers the power and puck-protection route, and on offence he prefers to drive the net or throw pucks to the slot from the half wall. Poltapov has really settled into his role, and the projection of a bottom six checker isn't out of the question.

11. Yevgeni Prokhorov, G, Dinamo-Shinnik Bobruysk (MHL)

A late round pick of the Sabres in 2025, Prokhorov is coming off a season where he was one of the best netminders in the MHL. He has all the tools that you’d want in an NHL netminder, combining size and quickness. He’ll return to the Dinamo Minsk program in Belarus this coming season and hopefully he’s able to get in a few KHL games this year to aid in his development.

12. Noah Laberge, D, Newfoundland Regiments (QMJHL)

Thanks to the new NCAA eligibility rules and the new signing requirements, Buffalo did not have to sign Laberge this June as he had committed to Northeastern out of the QMJHL. An intelligent and mobile defender, Laberge will be tested in new ways in the NCAA. He should have an immediate impact as a freshman and likely spends a few years with Northeastern before signing with the Sabres.

13. Gavin McCarthy, D, University of Boston (NCAA)

McCarthy’s upside is likely capped to being a 4-6 defender, but his strong defensive skills make him a potentially useful piece for the Sabres in the future. The former Boston University captain has turned pro and will play his first AHL season with Rochester this year. He’ll likely be eased into a larger role and will need a few AHL seasons under his belt to help him adjust to the pace and skill of the pro game.

14. Vsevolod Komarov, D, Rochester Americans (AHL)

This is a big year for the former QMJHL defender of the year. He finds himself in the last year of his ELC and his first two pro seasons with Rochester were only average, with his offensive production from the QMJHL not carrying over. He still has upside as a two-way NHL defender, but the Sabres will be looking for a big bump from him. Without it, he runs the risk of being non-tendered.

15. Melvin Novotny, LW, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

Novotny made the choice to jump to the USHL with Muskegon this past season and that was a really positive decision for his development. He was one of the USHL’s top point producers. His skating has improved and with his frame and IQ, he has a chance to be a middle six option for Buffalo down the line. He’ll attend UMass this year where he should immediately jump into a top nine role as a freshman.