Evaluating Buffalo Sabers options with No. 11 pick in 2024 NHL Draft: A trade? Cole Eiserman?

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabers were unlucky in the lottery, so they have the 11th pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. New coach Lindy Ruff recently said the Sabers are in a “win-win” situation, and general manager Kevyn Adams has already made six first-round selections in the last three NHL drafts.

So that gives Adams some options with this pick. He could move him around to find an upgrade for the NHL roster. He could take a bigger risk on the upside. Or he could stick with the patient approach and add another high-end talent to one of the NHL’s strongest prospect pools.

Here’s a quick post-lottery look at some of Buffalo’s options with the No. 11 pick.

We are about to pick 11th in 2024 #NHLDraft!

→ https://t.co/IUuVh0tA0V pic.twitter.com/ATfKmKjbty

– Buffalo Sabers (@BuffaloSabres) May 7, 2024

Swap the choice

The Sabers have reached a point in their rebuild where it makes sense to consider trading the first-round pick as part of a package for an established NHL player. Adams should listen to offers and make a few based on the veteran players in contention ahead of the NHL Draft. But they should only do this if they can find the right profession. There’s no reason to force him, especially when many players with lock-in clauses will block a move to Buffalo anyway. Adams could also trade some of his prospects that have already developed and fill out the prospect pool by using that pick on another player.

“We’re in a different phase right now,” Adams said on WGR 550 this week. “We need to look at all possible scenarios to help our team improve. When I talk about winning now, (trading the pick) absolutely comes into play. We’re certainly not going to do something that doesn’t make sense, but we’ll definitely talk about that type of move and does that have sense ? Maybe it makes a lot more sense now, based on where our roster is and our prospect pool, than it did one, two, three years ago.

What if they were looking for an attacker?

Cayden Lindstrom, center, Medicine Hat (WHL)

Despite injuries this season, Cayden Lindstrom seems like a likely bet before the Sabers pick. He combines his skills (27 goals and 46 points in 32 games) with the size and physique that make him project as a power forward in the NHL. If he goes down, the Sabers would do well to add a skill set like his to their prospect pool.

Tij Iginla, left winger, Kelowna (WHL)

After his recent performance at the Under-18 World Championships, Tij Iginla could end up making the top 10. Son of former NHL star Jarome Iginla, Tij has 84 points in the WHL this season. He’s an aggressive forechecker with shooting talent that should translate to the NHL. He would certainly fit the type of skill set the Sabers could use more of in their system.

Cole Eiserman, left wing, USNTDP

Cole Eiserman was my choice AthleticismThe first mock staff draft. I was surprised he was available, but there are questions about the “roundness” of his game, according to AthleticismIt’s Scott Wheeler. But this will be true for many 17 year olds. But there aren’t many prospects in this draft who can score like Eiserman. He set the NTDP record for goals in a season and might have the best scoring ability in this entire draft. It’s hard to pass that up with the No. 11 pick.

Konsta Helenius, C, Finland

Konsta Helenius was still on the Sabers board in our mock team and would be another great option if Buffalo keeps their pick. The Sabers have a ton of centers in their prospect pool and Helenius offers a similar skill set to some players already in the system. But his production in Finland’s top professional league (36 points in 51 games) is not common for a draft-eligible player.

Berkly Catton, C, Spokane (WHL)

Berkly Catton is another player who might not be among Buffalo’s picks after putting up 116 points in the WHL this season. He’s only 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, but he’s done it all for Spokane this season, including killing penalties. The Sabers haven’t shied away from playing smaller forwards in the past, so Catton seems like a player that could be on their radar.

And the defenders?

Carter Yakemchuk, DHD, Calgary (WHL)

The Sabers are loaded with young defensemen at the NHL level with Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Bowen Byram and Mattias Samuelsson all left-handed defensemen aged 24 or younger. They also drafted two right-handed defensemen last season, Max Strbak and Gavin McCarthy, and have a few other promising prospects on defense. But Carter Yakemchuk definitely brings a different flavor. He possesses a powerful right-handed shot and plays a mean style that sets him apart from his peers. He finished fourth in the WHL in penalty minutes last season.

Anton Silayev, LHD, KHL

With the Sabres’ prospect pool well stocked, they could afford to spend a high pick on a Russian player and wait for that player to come to North America. The Sabers have also had some luck signing some of their recent Russian draft picks. Anton Silayev went No. 6 in our mock draft, but Wheeler has him No. 10 in his rankings. Wheeler also noted that some scouts have the 6-foot-7 Silayev as the best defender in the draft.

Zayne Parekh, DHD, Saginaw (OHL)

Zayne Parekh is a dynamic offensive threat who likes to push the play offensively. This fits with the skills the Sabers already have in many of their NHL defensemen, so they should be confident that Parekh can handle his own goal as well. But when you’re drafting there, you’re looking for star potential. And Parekh’s 33-goal, 96-point season in the OHL suggests he has that edge defensively.

Adam Jiricek, RHD, Plzen (Czech Republic)

Like his older brother who was selected in the first round in 2022, Adam Jiricek developed his game playing professional hockey in Czechia. Injuries derailed his draft year a bit, but Wheeler notes, “tools and space to develop his game and fill out his frame.” He’s also competitive, I like his defensive habits and he has size and ability. It wouldn’t be the flashiest choice at 11, though.

(Photo: Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)