Buffalo Prospect Update - 2026 Draftees, Former Sabres Defenseman Placed On Waivers

Here is a quick update on Buffalo Sabres selected in 2026:

Daxon Rudolph - D - 4th overall

The 18-year-old blueliner was a slight surprise as the fourth overall selection in Buffalo last June over other highly-ranked defensemen at the top of the 2026 Draft class (Albert Smits, Carson Carels, Chase Reid, and Keaton Verhoeff). The 6’2”, 208 lb righty posted big numbers in his second season with the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders (28 goals, 50 assists in 68 games) and opted like many of the top prospects to shift to the NCAA this season. 

Rudolph has started strong at the University of Denver under three-time NCAA champion David Carle, with five points (1 goal, 4 assists) in four games and earning NCHC Rookie of the Week honors. 

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Ilya Morozov - C - 20th overall

The big-bodied center was one of the youngest players to play in the NCAA last season. Morozov left Russia and joined the USHL’s Tri-City Storm in 2024 as a 16-year-old, and posted 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in 59 games. Last season, he joined Miami (OH) University and scored 20 points (8 goals, 12 assists) in 36 games. At 6’3”, 204 lbs, it was thought that Morozov, with his size and strength, would project as a two-way center, but in four games with Miami, he has already reached 50% of his goal total from last season. 

In back-to-back games against Robert Morris University and playing with fellow Sabres prospect Matous Kucharcik, Morozov scored a pair of goals in each contest. 

In other news, former Sabres defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker was placed on waivers by the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. The 26-year-old was not extended a qualifying offer by Buffalo after being acquired in the Josh Norris-Dylan Cozens trade in March 2025, and signed a one-year deal with the Wings, where he scored five points (1 goal, 4 assists) in 63 games.  

Bernard-Docker was signed a two-year, $3.2 million extension last March by former Detroit GM Steve Yzerman, and had not played a game this season after suffering an injury in the preseason.   

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