Buffalo made eight selections at the NHL Draft in Nashville
The Buffalo Sabres were ranked as having the top prospect pool in the NHL according to the Athletic. This is partially the benefit of selecting so high in recent drafts, but the club has also appeared to have a keen eye for talent and has promising youngsters that they’ve selected in the lower rounds.
Here is a quick update on the players selected in 2023:
Zach Benson – LW – 13th overall
Benson exceeded all expectations after slipping to 13th overall at the Draft last June in Nashville. The 18-year-old winger got an extended look at training camp after Matthew Savoie’s injury, won a job, and stayed the entire season, finishing up with has 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) in 71 games and playing the most NHL games of the 2023 Draft class.
While being lauded for his defensive consistency, Benson had long stretches (10, 12, and 19 games) without scoring a goal. More opportunities in the top six may come next season and his tenacious style may be something that new coach Lindy Ruff likes.
Anton Wahlberg – C – 39th overall
Wahlberg played for Sweden at the World Junior Championships in Gothenburg in December, playing on a line with fellow Sabres prospect Noah Ostlund, and had three points in seven WJC games. He played a full year with Malmo in the SHL this season and had 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) in 43 games. Once the Redhawks season was complete, the 18-year-old came to North America to play with Rochester. The 6’3”, 194 lb. forward has fit in nicely in the AHL during his brief stint, with four points in nine regular-season games with the Amerks, and scored in the opening goal for Rochester in the playoffs.
Maxim Strbak – D – 45th overall
The big right-handed defenseman left his native Slovakia to play in the USHL leading into his draft year and has seven points (1 goal, 6 assists) with Michigan State as a freshman, but the 18-year-old was outstanding for his native country at the WJC, scoring the second-most points in the tournament (1 goal, 6 assists) in just five games. In his freshman year at Michigan State, the 18-year-old finished with nine points (2 goals, 7 assists) in 31 games.
Gavin McCarthy – D – 86th overall
A Western New York native who played three seasons for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres, McCarthy played two years for Muskegon before heading to Boston University. The 6’2”, 183 lb. McCarthy had five points (1 goal, 4 assists) in 38 games for BU, who along with Hobey Baker Award winner and presumptive top overall pick of the 2024 Draft Macklin Celebrini went to the Frozen Four, but lost to the NCAA Champion Denver University in overtime in the semi-final.
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