Grading Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams’ Draft Classes

As we approach the 2025 NHL Draft, every angle that could be conceivably covered has been. So, why not take a look back to see how Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams has done with the drafts under his tenure? With four under his belt, he has had more than enough time to put his stamp on the franchise. How has he done so far?

The 2020 NHL Draft

The Sabres entered the draft with just five picks overall and only two in the first two rounds. Adams would be faced with the task of striking big early and finding gems in the later rounds with no middle rounds as a buffer.

1^st Round, 8^th Overall – Jack Quinn

Heading into the 2020 NHL Draft, Jack Quinn was one of the top prospects in the class. He rose late in the process, establishing himself as one of its premier goal-scorers. With four years in the system, this is a tough grade to issue.

Quinn made his debut during the 2021-22 season and played just two games before becoming a full-time NHLer in 2022-23. He flashed potential as part of a line with Dylan Cozens and the next player on our list, scoring 14 goals and 37 points in 75 games.

Quinn missed much of the 2023-24 season due to a knee injury, but many expect him to bounce back with a vengeance in 2024-25. He had nine goals and 19 points in 27 games, showing good offensive production in a limited capacity. Though he registered career highs in goals (15), assists (24) and points (39) in 2024-25, time seems to be running out for the initial hopes everyone had for him.

Grade: C. Injuries and inconsistency have been the primary themes when talking about Quinn. He has flashes where he seems like he can be a quality top-six winger but can’t seem to put together long enough stretches to really justify that thought.

2^nd Round, 34^th Overall – J.J. Peterka

J.J. Peterka came in with a little bit of hype from the Sabres fan base as the season went on. Strong showings with Germany put him on the radar and he continued to play well even after his selection. Despite being just 5-foot-11, he was deemed a player with good quickness, a fast release, and a strong ability to drive the net.

Related: Buffalo Sabres 2023-24 Player Report Card: JJ Peterka

All of that proved to be true. Like Quinn, Peterka got a pair of games with the Sabres during the 2021-22 season before making the leap full-time the following season. Playing alongside Quinn and Cozens, Peterka flashed just enough to impress.

In his sophomore season, Peterka took a major leap forward. The 23-year-old German was easily one of the best Sabres in a disappointing year. He finished one behind Tage Thompson for the team lead in goals (28) and fourth in points (50). Given his age, that accomplishment is even more impressive.

Unhappy with the progression of the franchise, Peterka demanded a trade during the summer of 2025. He was shipped to the Utah Mammoth for a package containing Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring, the former producing at a level virtually identical to Peterka in the 2025-26 season.

Grade: A-. The grade holds because Peterka was productive during his time in Buffalo. It is disappointing and indicative of how poorly run the Sabres are that he was traded, but the return has been promising for the team.

5^th Round, 131^st Overall – Matteo Costantini

The 6-foot-1 center is still just 22 years old and looks like he will return to Western Michigan for his senior season. He spent two years with North Dakota, posting 21 points in a quietly impressive freshman season before falling off as a sophomore.

Matteo Costantini has had strong showings at the Sabres’ Summer Development Camps so far. This could be a make-or-break season for him to prove himself. Costatini is currently unsigned and playing for the Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL.

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Grade: D-. A swing and a miss, mitigated by the fact that this was a late-round pick. Just couldn’t develop during his time in college and transfer his skills to the professional level.

7^th Round, 193^rd Overall – Albert Lyckasen

Like Costantini, this could be a make-or-break season for Albert Lyckasen. The 5-foot-10 Swedish defender does a lot of the little things well and has good mobility. He was solid during his three full seasons in the Hockey Allsvenskan, the second major Swedish professional league.

There has been very little buzz or talk about Lyckasen to date, which leads us to believe that he’s likely staying home. He has returned to Norway, playing for Nidaros Hockey where he is off to a sound start offensively.

Grade: D. Lyckasen did not get signed by the Sabres and is likely on his way to being a career European league player. If he can continue developing offensively, he could be a late bloomer but that feels extremely unlikely.

7^th Round, 216^th Overall – Jakub Konecny

Going into the draft, Jakub Konecny’s speed was praised but many wondered how his offensive ability would progress. The answer: not so much. He seems to have stalled out offensively, bouncing around the Czech Extraliga, signing with Rytiri Kladno for the 2025-26 season.

Grade: D. Like Lyckasen, this seems like the case of a prospect who likely didn’t develop enough to make the jump. It’s hard to really punish seventh-round picks but it would have been nice to get something out of either prospect.

2020 Final Grade: C-

This was a top-heavy draft for the Sabres. Being limited to just two picks in the first four rounds (their third-round pick went to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Jeff Skinner trade and their fourth-round pick was packaged with their second-round pick to swap spots with the San Jose Sharks in the second) made things tougher. Adams needed to get his first two picks right at the very least.

The Sabres hit on Peterka, but that is somewhat mitigated by the fact that he was traded during the summer of 2025. Getting a quality return is nice, but it shows the trouble the Sabres have with developing and keeping young players. Quinn’s ineffectiveness is also troubling and his potential has been greatly reduced.

The 2021 NHL Draft

Coming into the 2021 NHL Draft, things were at a low point for the Sabres. The second season directly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic was equally weird for everyone in the NHL. For the Sabres, it was par for the course, the final season of the brutal Ralph Krueger era.

Landing the first overall pick for the second time in four years made things slightly better, however. It also happened to be one of the most robust draft classes in recent memory, featuring an extra pick in Rounds 1, 2, 3, and 6.

1^st Round, 1^st Overall – Owen Power

Owen Power was almost universally considered the first pick going into the draft and has proven himself to be the best choice so far. He went back to Michigan for the 2021-22 season, debuting as a 20-year-old the following year. He lived up to the hype, averaging nearly 24 minutes per game on his way to a Calder Trophy nomination.

Year two was a step back but that could be said for virtually the entire team. He scored two more goals and two fewer points, looking a bit overwhelmed at times. Though he shows promise offensively, Power’s defensively play is almost universally panned. He’s showing to be a decent defenseman, just not one you would use the first overall pick on.

Grade: B

1^st Round, 14^th Overall – Isak Rosen

That Isak Rosen has only played 25 games in the NHL since being drafted is more a statement about the depth of the prospect pool in Buffalo than his play. He was a stud for the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL) in 2023-24, scoring 20 goals and 50 points in 67 games.

Rosen is a quick, skilled forward with a dangerous shot, especially off the rush. He’s pushing the issue as far as garnering a full-time spot at the NHL level. He has had brief flashes so far in the NHL and there’s a chance he could be dealt in an effort to land a big roster piece. Rosen is going to be an impactful player no matter where he ends up.

Grade: B+

2^nd Round, 33^rd Overall – Prokhor Poltapov

While it is obvious to see the hype around the pair of first-round picks, Prokhor Poltapov is the antithesis. He does almost everything well but doesn’t jump off the page for any single reason. He has solid skills, gets into the muck, and manages to find himself in a good position to score regularly.

Though it was believed that he would finish out his term in Russia and head to Rochester, that never materialized. He never signed with the Sabres and still plays for CSKA Moskova, where he remains a solid offensive threat.

Grade: D

2^nd Round, 53^rd Overall – Aleksandr Kisakov

Aleksandr Kisakov is one-dimensional but that one dimension is exciting. He has a fantastic shot and great playmaking abilities, beating bigger defenders because of his skating ability. He has the kind of offensive creativity that you just can’t teach.

Kisakov could never manage to develop in a way that the Sabres were happy with. After three okay seasons with the Rochester Americans, Kisakov’s entry-level contract expired and he returned to Russia to play for Dynamo Moskva of the KHL.

Grade: D

3^rd Round, 88^th Overall – Stiven Sardarian

The skill level is obviously there for another guy with a fantastic hockey name. Even three years later, Stiven Sardarian is still very raw. He has fantastic one-on-one skills, but his skating stride is a work in progress and his work away from the puck is lacking.

The Sabres did not offer Sardarian an entry-level contract despite him putting up 35 points in 35 games for Michigan Tech as a junior in 2024-25. He is off to a strong start for Michigan Tech in 2025-26, posting 17 assists and 23 points through 16 games.

Grade: D

3^rd Round, 95^th Overall – Josh Bloom

This one felt like a bit of a reach at the time and still does. Josh Bloom has good size – 6-foot-2, 190 pounds – and great effort. He’s going to give 100% every single time. In the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), he has played in all situations, including killing penalties.

Bloom and the Sabres have since parted ways. He is now in the Vancouver Canucks system, in the final year of an entry-level contract. He has yet to crack the NHL, currently playing spot minutes for the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks.

Grade: D

4^th Round, 97th Overall – Olivier Nadeau

Olivier Nadeau is a big winger who showed nice offensive potential and the ability to play in all situations in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). His skating is very limited and he’s going to struggle to translate his game to higher levels. Nadeau is in the final year of his entry-level contract, playing for the Rochester Americans.

Grade: D

5^th Round, 159th Overall – Viljami Marjala

A bit wiry for his 6-foot frame, Vijami Marjala displayed enticing playmaking skills in two years with the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL. He’s since gone home to play in the SM-Liiga for TPS Turku, taking a huge step forward in ice time and production (jumped from nine points to 40). In the final year of his entry-level deal with the Edmonton Oilers, he shows decent offensive punch for the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL.

Grade: D

6^th Round, 161^st Overall – William Von Barnekow Lofberg

This should be an A for the name alone. Though William Von Barnekow Lofberg sounds more like an evil European CEO than a hockey player, he has been solid for Malmo of Sweden’s second league. He shows good hockey sense, but it looks like a career in the SHL is more likely than one in the NHL.

Grade: D-

6^th Round, 188^th Overall – Nikita Novikov

Nikita Novikov was enticing when he was selected, a big defenseman with solid mobility and intriguing offensive potential. Going into 2024-25, that intrigue has grown. He had a solid debut season in Rochester with 20 assists and 23 points in 65 games.

His skating is solid enough that it could get him to the NHL, but his lack of physicality is a definite knock against him. Novikov is defensively solid and could earn a look, but his skating may not be up to par and being in the final year of his entry-level deal makes him a far-fetched possibility.

Grade: C–

7^th Round, 193^rd Overall – Tyson Kozak

Tyson Kozak is a high-effort, defensively responsible center that can be put in most situations. He has been limited to a bottom-six role in Rochester but has proven to be a nice find for the Sabres. He brings good energy to the bottom six when healthy and could become a mainstay with the Sabres for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

Grade: C+

2021 Final Grade: B-

What initially seemed like a quality haul has turned into a lot of misses. Power looks like he can be a good offensive defenseman but his defensive game is nearly a liability. Rosen has looked good in short stints but still hasn’t managed to carve out a full-time role. Kozak was a nice find in the seventh round but the rest of the draft was a complete miss.

The 2022 NHL Draft

Another year, another disappointing season, and an NHL record for consecutive years missing the playoffs. Going into the 2022 NHL Draft, things improved from the year before but frustration for the franchise was in overdrive. The good news is that the Sabres now possessed three first-round picks following the Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart trades.

1^st Round, 9^th Overall – Matt Savoie

Matt Savoie entered the draft as one of the most talented prospects on the board. The only major knock against him is his size – 5-foot-9, 175 pounds – but his dynamic offensive ability and strong two-way play made him a slam dunk at 9^th overall.

Savoie was outstanding once again at the junior level, dominating for the Moosejaw Warriors with 19 goals and 47 points in 23 games, elevating his game in the playoffs with 10 goals and 24 points in 19 games. Savoie was dealt to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Ryan McLeod, who has been a fantastic addition for the Sabres. Savoie is finally a full-time NHLer, though he still has a lot of development left.

Grade: B

1^st Round, 16^th Overall – Noah Ostlund

Noah Ostlund flies under the radar compared to other prospects in the class but could be one of the best when all is said and done. For Vaxjo HC of the Swedish second league, he showed good playmaking ability, fantastic vision, and smooth skating.

Ostlund has been very good for the Rochester Americans, earning spot callups with the Sabres. It seemed like he would be a good fit for the injury-ridden 2025-26 season but has since been sent down. A full-time role seems inevitable, it is just a matter of when.

Grade: B+

1^st Round, 28^th Overall – Jiri Kulich

If the prospect pool were any thinner in Buffalo, Jiri Kulich would already be an everyday player. He has had two very good seasons with Rochester, showing one of the best shots in the prospect class and the ability to score in all situations.

Kulich has solid size, isn’t afraid of physicality, and has progressed into a very solid two-way player. He became an everyday player at just 20 years old and shows the potential to be a very good second-line player. Injury concerns – particularly a blood clot – have hampered him in 2025-26 but his future is bright.

Grade: B+

2^nd Round, 41^st Overall – Topias Leinonen

Goaltenders are always long-term projects, but it is clear what the Sabres liked. Topias Leinonen is big – 6-foot-4, 215 pounds – and moves well for his size. His explosiveness from one side of the crease to the other is also quite appealing.

Leinonen finally signed his entry-level contract and made his North American debut with the Americans, suiting up in seven games during the 2025-26 season to date. The Americans have a plethora of goalies and it generally takes longer for the position to develop, so he will likely be there for a while.

Grade: C

3^rd Round, 74^th Overall – Viktor Neuchev

Vikor Neuchev was very much a “project pick” when he was selected, but he is starting to become genuinely intriguing. He flashed potential for Yekaterinburg Automobilist of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) before making the jump to North America for the 2023-24 season.

In 57 games for the Amerks, he registered 11 goals and 28 points, which is quite solid all things considered. Neuchev hasn’t really developed as many had hoped and he feels like a sure bet to finish out his entry-level deal and head back to Russia.

Grade: D

4^th Round, 106th Overall – Mats Lindgren

Mats Lindgren was all over the place in his rankings, some were very high on him while others felt his game was a bit more limited. He showed good offensive ability at the junior level but there are concerns about whether that can translate to the NHL.

The Sabres have not offered Lindgren a contract and he last played for the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL in 2024-25.

Grade: F

5^th Round, 134th Overall – Vsevolod Komarov

Adams has said that Vsevolod Komarov has taken some of the biggest strides of anyone since the draft. His skating needs work but he has good size at 6-foot-3 and plays with an edge that saw him finish as one of the leaders in penalty minutes in the QMJHL.

His offensive ability is clearly there – 69 points in 60 games – and he’s definitely on the radar. Komarov has flashed potential for the Americans but can’t seem to find a regular role in his second season in the AHL. The potential is there but time is running out.

Grade: D+

6^th Round, 170^th Overall – Jake Richard

Jake Richard shows good hockey IQ and a solid two-way game. He had a strong start with UConn as a freshman, posting 18 points in 36 games. Richard is in his third season with the UConn, coming off a solid sophomore season which he scored 43 points in 34 games.

Grade: C-

6^th Round, 187th Overall – Gustav Karlsson

Gustav Karlsson was once considered a top-100 European player. He was outstanding in two seasons with Orebro HK Jr. and has since jumped to the big club. He needs to add bulk to his 6-foot-1 frame but has a unique ability to find seams in the defense and put the puck in the net. He’ll remain in Europe for the next several years at the very least.

Grade: D+

7^th Round, 202^nd Overall – Joel Ratkovic Berndtsson

The thing that jumps off the page about Joel Ratkovic Berndtsson is his effort. He battles hard for every puck and hustles to overcome a lack of speed. He will spend multiple years in Sweden and needs to show more in order to garner an entry-level deal.

Grade: D-

7^th Round, 211^th Overall – Linus Sjodin

Linus Sjodin is undersized at 5-foot-11, 170 pounds but makes up for it with his vision. He does a good job of finding teammates but may not have the skating and elusiveness needed to overcome his size. He will more than likely never leave Sweden.

Grade: D-

2022 Final Grade: B+

It’s hard to argue about what Adams did in the first round. Savoie netted a positive haul in the form of McLeod, and both Ostlund and Kulich seem to figure into the long-term plans for the team. There are a handful of longshots still in the mix, but this draft seems top-heavy.

The 2023 NHL Draft

Ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft, things finally felt exciting for the Sabres. The team won 42 games and just narrowly missed out on a playoff spot. Thompson, Tuch, Cozens, and Rasmus Dahlin all had career-best seasons, and it felt like making the playoffs in 2023-24 would be inevitable. The draft was just a chance to add to an already full cupboard.

1^st Round, 13^th Overall – Zach Benson

When all is said and done, Zach Benson may be the steal of the draft. He’s on the small side at 5-foot-11, 170 pounds but that’s about the only knock on him. He’s a dynamic two-way player that can get as creative as anyone.

That he stepped into the lineup as an 18-year-old and didn’t get sent back to junior only further illustrates how good he is. He has stepped into a top-line role and been an offensive driver for the Sabres – when he’s been healthy. Benson figures to be a key top-six player for the Sabres and has excellent upside as a complete player.

Grade: A

2^nd Round, 39^th Overall – Anton Wahlberg

Anton Wahlberg was impressive during his time in Sweden and posted 11 goals and 30 points in his North American debut in 2024-25. He once again will spend his time with Rochester and is off to a decent start with 12 points in 22 games.

A strong two-way center with excellent size (6-foot-3), Wahlberg could become a valuable middle-six asset down the line. Many eyes will be on him for the coming season and he could leap up the rankings quickly.

Grade: B

2^nd Round, 45^th Overall – Maxim Strbak

The other second-round pick, Maxim Strbak already looks like a strong pick. He has good size at 6-foot-2 and shows good creativity, especially in transition. Being a right-handed defenseman helps and he got off to a solid start as a freshman at Michigan State.

Skrbak is back for his junior season with Michigan State where he looks like a solid two-way defenseman. He is more than likely headed to the AHL for a few years of seasoning after his college stint.

Grade: C

3^rd Round, 86^th Overall – Gavin McCarthy

Gavin McCarthy plays bigger than his 6-foot-2 frame, using his size well to keep forwards on the perimeter. He has good mobility and just enough offensive pop to be intriguing. McCarthy has shown a little more offensive flare than initially believed but he isn’t going to lead a professional power play anytime soon. Will need to earn an entry-level deal within the next two years.

Grade: C–

4^th Round, 109^th Overall – Ethan Miedema

Some are very high on Ethan Miedema. He’s a huge winger at 6-foot-4 and has the kind of shot that flies off his stick at a moment’s notice. Like other big wingers, his skating needs work, but he has “prototype power forward” written all over him. His offensive game has slowly progressed and he’s been a feature player for the Guelph Storm of the OHL.

Grade: C

5^th Round, 141^st Overall – Scott Ratzlaff

If not for criticisms of his size (6-foot-1), Scott Ratzlaff may have gone substantially higher. Some even had him rated as a second-round prospect. He has fantastic hockey IQ, moves very well from side to side, and possesses excellent rebound control. Ratzlaff went back to juniors last season and has been very good in the ECHL for the Jacksonville Icemen in 2025-26. A full-time stint in Rochester could be possible next season.

Grade: C+

6^th Round, 173^rd Overall – Sean Keohane

Sean Keohane was one of two long-term defensive prospects selected near the end of the draft. At 6-foot-4, his size is intriguing though he needs to be tougher to play against. He shows good range defensively and an active stick but needs more intensity. In two seasons with Harvard, he has shown virtually no offense and seems like a longshot to get an entry-level contract.

Grade: D-

7^th Round, 205^th Overall – Norwin Panocha

The second long-term defensive project, Norwin Panocha quickly advanced through two German professional leagues and had brief stints in the QMJHL and WHL before returning to the German DEL. He currently plays in the second German league and likely won’t ever come back to North America.

Grade: F

2023 Final Grade: B+

Though it is still very early to give this a definitive grade, there is a lot to love already. Benson was a home run, Strbak and Wahlberg are almost universally among the top 10 prospects in the overall pool, and there is a lot of long-term potential in Ratzlaff, Miedema, and McCarthy.

It will take several years for some of these guys to develop but don’t be shocked if several of them become NHLers five years down the line. Benson is the biggest pick, but Adams stocked an already overflowing cupboard with even more talent.

The 2024 NHL Draft

Grading the most recent draft in a GM’s tenure is always tough because there is so much that can change. With eight picks in the 2024 NHL Draft, the Sabres added to their already deep prospect pool. Let’s take a look at the picks from 2024 and how they’ve done in the short time since the draft.

1^st Round, 14^th Overall – Konsta Helenius

After hemming and hawing about what to do with the pick, the Sabres stood pat and took the Finnish C/RW. After looking impressive with the Sabres during the pre-season, Helenius was sent down to the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL) for experience. He’s acquitted himself well there, posting 35 points in 65 games as an 18-year-old and has taken a step forward in 2025-26.

Grade: B+

2^nd Round, 42^nd Overall – Adam Kleber

On paper, Kleber is different from virtually any other defenseman in the Sabres system. he’s hulking at 6-foot-5, a physical defender with good athleticism. He’s not going to dazzle anyone with his puck-moving skills but he’s got good sense. Kleber has been taking on a larger role at the University of Minnesota-Duluth and has a lot of growth ahead of him before we hear his name in Rochester or Buffalo.

Grade: C+

3^rd Round, 71^st Overall – Brodie Ziemer

The Sabres have more skillful players than Ziemer in their ranks, but the young American winger has what we like to call “intangibles.” His compete level is high and he’s adapted to any role given to him while also being captain of the USNTDP at the U18s. His ceiling is low but if he continues to develop, Ziemer could become an effective bottom-six NHLer.

Grade: C

4^th Round, 108^th Overall – Luke Osburn

Osburn comes across as a solid, if unspectacular, defenseman in all areas of the game. He’s not overly big or strong, nor will he dazzle anyone with his puck skills. That said, he finds a way to hit his lanes and has a smooth breakout pass. Osburn has made his collegiate debut with the University of Wisconsin, putting up a solid eight points in 12 games.

Grade: C-

4^th Round, 123^rd Overall – Simon-Pier Brunet

Brunet is an intriguing prospect. He’s a solid skater for his 6-foot-2 frame, using good reach to keep forwards to the outside. Offensively, he’s shown playmaking ability but seems like a non-entity as a goal-scorer. A longer and longer shot to make it every day.

Grade: D+

6^th Round, 172^nd Overall – Patrick Geary

At 21 years old, Geary is one of the oldest prospects in the class. A local boy from Hamburg, his measurables don’t blow you away but he does a lot of things right. He has taken on a shutdown role with Michigan State, one of the top college programs in the country, though his offensive game remains to be seen.

Grade: C-

7^th Round, 204^th Overall – Vasily Zelenov

A project in every sense of the word. Decent size at 6-foot and 180 pounds but his level of competition doesn’t give us much. He had a strong showing with Austria at the World Junior Championships, registering four points in five games. He has since debuted with the University of Wisconsin and looks solid in limited playing time.

Grade: C-

7^th Round, 219^th Overall – Ryerson Leenders

Leenders got off to a hot start with the Mississauga Steelheads of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) before coming back to earth. He’s got good athleticism and a technique that helps him appear bigger than his 6-foot-1 frame. Leenders doesn’t do anything exceptional but has proven to be a solid goaltending prospect so far and is off to a strong start with the Brantford Bulldogs of the AHL.

Grade: C-

2024 Final Grade: B

It is far too early to get a fair grade for this class. Helenius looks like he’s going to be a solid everyday NHLer but there is a lot of potential – and potential to miss – in the remainder of the class. Kleber and Ziemer are considered top 10 prospects in the organization, and will see Rochester sooner rather than later.

The 2025 NHL Draft

Though many felt that he should have been shown the door, Adams returned to make the picks for the 2025 NHL Draft. The Sabres once again possessed a top-10 pick and stood pat rather than trading it, as most would have preferred.

1^st Round, 9^th Overall – Radim Mrtka

The Sabres went for need with their pick, taking the huge 6-foot-6 defenseman here. He is a solid skater and can provide a physical presence, something the Sabres really need on the back end. He immediately becomes the top right-handed defenseman prospect in the organization, though he is a few years away from becoming a long-term option in the top four.

Grade: B+

3^rd Round, 71^st Overall – David Bedkowski

The Sabres went with another large defender, taking the 6-foot-five shutdown Bedkowski. He doesn’t have the skill of Mrtka, but he can skate well, plays physical, and seems to hold his own. He’s as much of a project as it gets, so it will likely be four or more years before we see him in action.

Grade: B-

4^th Round, 103^rd Overall – Matous Kucharcik

The Sabres typically love smaller, skilled forwards in the middle round, so Kucharcik is a nice contrast. He is a defense-first, two-way forward that makes the solid, smart play. His scoring needs to develop but he may have the fundamentals needed to become a bottom-six contributor.

Grade: C+

4^th Round, 116^th Overall – Samuel Meloche

With good reflexes, Meloche is an intriguing prospect if a confusing one in this spot. The Sabres have several goalies in their pipeline and already can’t find a spot for Devon Levi. It will take several years to get anything out of Meloche and there may be limited opportunity for him within the system.

Grade: C

5^th Round, 135^th Overall – Noah Laberge

The Sabres added yet another defenseman to their ranks because the group as a whole has been depleted in recent years and given how long it takes the position to develop, you can never have too many options. Another positionally sound, if unimpressive, defender that has two-way upside.

Grade: C-

6^th Round, 167^th Overall – Ashton Schultz

With a low ceiling, Schultz makes up for that by playing a complete game. He is the kind of low-risk prospect that could become a sneaky bottom-six contributor over time. His frame (5-foot-11) and lack of dynamic talent definitely work against him, however.

Grade: D+

7^th Round, 195^th Overall – Melvin Novotny

The Sabres took a few shots in the seventh round starting with Novotny. The winger has solid playmaking ability but his lack of decisiveness has been an issue at times. It may take a few years for him to even make it to the AHL, if he pans out at all.

Grade: D+

7^th Round, 199^th Overall – Evgeny Prokhorov

The Sabres added yet another goaltending prospect to their ranks. He has good size and could be one of those late-round Russian gems that make a name for themselves. In all likelihood, he probably won’t see North America but it is worth a shot.

Grade: D

7^th Round, 219^th Overall – Ryan Rucinski

For a final pick, you could do worse. He’s short (5-foot-10) but plays with tenacity and drive, putting in the work to score and create chances. He doesn’t have a ton of talent but could definitely be an asset in the bottom half of the lineup as a motor player.

Grade: D+

2025 Final Grade: B

The Sabres went hard on defensemen in 2025, opting for size and tenacity above all else. Mrtka has the potential to be a quality top-four defenseman, but there are a lot of projects here that more than likely won’t pan out. Hitting one of the big defensemen would be a major boon.

Adams has been very hit-and-miss with his drafts. More often than not, he hits on his first-round picks – whether they remain with the team or not is another question. He needs to find more gems in the middle rounds in order to bring his grade up.

Benson, Helenius, Kulich, Ostlund and Rosen feel like they will be full-timers sooner rather than later. If Power can elevate his game and someone from the aforementioned group can be legitimate top-of-the-lineup contributors, it would do wonders for Adams’ grade.