Sabers Need Good Strategy Entering 2026 Draft – Hockey Writers – Buffalo Sabers

The Sabers find themselves in a very different situation right now. As the 2026 NHL draft takes place later today, they will hold both the 4th overall pick, and the 20th overall pick, and both were acquired via trade in recent weeks. The unique part of this situation is that they were a very good playoff team, so they were going to pick at the 27th overall pick, but general manager Jarmo Kekalainen decided that moving some pieces to get the best picks was what the team needed.

As the Sabers enter the schedule today, they will have to think about all their options; not just who they can take with their two first-round picks, but what they can add if they choose to trade those picks. The team has a good structure, and it is very evident in the last few days that the teams are willing to deal with big players, so the Sabers should take advantage of their assets today, and come in with a good strategy.

What Do Sabers Want?

They released defensemen Michael Kesselring and Bowen Byram, as well as forwards Jordan Greenway and Alex Tuch, who made a mark and traded with the Washington Capitals. This leaves them with holes in their top six forward lineup, as well as holes in their top four linebackers. Can young players like Jiri Kulich, Noah Ostlund, and Konsta Helenius play full time in the NHL and fill Tuch’s role? They certainly showed signs that they are capable. Can their top defensive prospect Radim Mrtka make the jump to the NHL after just one season signed? It’s unlikely, but it’s possible.

The reality is that they’re a little thin on the defensive end, while holding on to three of their top four pieces, and that they’ll need to add firepower up front to replace Tuch’s offensive production, or his defensive prowess. Then they still have to choose with their strike, whether they will run with Alex Lyon, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Colten Ellis, or Devon Levi. With four goalies who will need NHL playing time, a choice will have to be made if it’s worth running with them, or if a few of them need to be traded. The bottom line is, they need at least a top six forward (possibly two), a reliable top four defender, and a starting goalie option.

Best Sabers Apparel

With their draft money, their most valuable piece is the fourth overall pick, followed by the 20th overall pick. After that they have a lot of top prospects and young players that they can throw to other teams to trade for. Mrtka, Kulich, Ostlund, Helenus, Levi… All those hopeful names come to mind when it comes to assets that can be moved for immediate development. Some moves can be easier to swallow than others, but at the end of the day, if the team is better both now, and in the future, then make the move.

In addition to prospects, they still have decent young players Jack Quinn, Ryan McLeod, and Peyton Krebs who could be traded. Both Quinn and McLeod have shown good offensive skills, while Krebs has had a breakout season. Other groups can look at any of them and find value in improving their program. The Sabers have plenty of cash between players who can be moved, and draft picks they have in hand. Using them to find one or more of their needs, before free agency on July 1st would be a sight to behold compared to previous draft dates.

How Should the Sabers Use Their Draft Pick?

There is still a good chance that Kekalainen will hold on to his newly acquired draft pick, and select a top talent. Given the value that young players can bring to the cap flexibility being on an entry-level contract, adding a young prospect with the potential to produce in the NHL within 1-2 seasons would be a huge help.

If they choose to stick with all 4 picks, they will have a number of good options to choose from. With names like Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg having a high chance of being selected in the first and second picks, whether the Sabers select a high-end defenseman like Chase Reid, or a power forward like Caleb Malhotra, or go a little off the board for a power forward type player like Ethan Belchetz, they will have the freedom to tap into their best roster of the future.

If they also hold onto their 20th overall pick, the picks will have more freedom as to what the rest of the draft board looks like, but they will still have excellent options to improve their depth and overall prospect pool. Taking one of Russia’s two best prospects in the draft in this area would be a good move. If we look at players like Nikita Klepov if they decide they need more potential scoring options, or Ilia Morozov, a safer and more reliable two-way center they could make them a problem for some teams.

If they move from their first round pick, they have one second round pick, a fourth round pick, a fifth round pick, and a sixth round pick. These picks are usually intended to fill the prospect pool based on what is missing. For the Sabers, it’s a little bit of everything. After Devon Levi, their goalie pool has dried up a bit, so adding at least one to this pick would be wise. A good option would be Tobias Trejbal, who is one of the better goalie options in this draft. While he might be picked in the early second round (or late first round if the team really needs it), if he’s still around when the Sabers pick 45th overall, he could be an incredible addition.

The rest of the selection should be divided between 1 defender forward, and 2 defenders. With the depth of their defensive prospects stretching a bit, even with names like Maxim Strbak and Adam Kleber already on the roster, it doesn’t hurt to add some defenders to improve, especially since it takes so long for them.

Sabers Best Case Scenario

Ideally, the Sabers would use the fourth pick to select a player like Reid, and get a right-handed defenseman to eventually pair with Owen Power. Then, they traded the 20th overall pick alongside a player like Quinn to move up to the forward position. Once those are taken care of, they can reassess where they are, and focus on shedding any dead weight, or making moves to protect their crease.

Devon Levi is good enough to have a real shot at the NHL next season, and his contract will force the Sabers to waive him if they choose to try and send him back to the minors. Losing him to waivers would be catastrophic, so moving on from Ellis, Luukkonen, or Lyon is a must if they intend to keep him. If they don’t, the draft would be the best time to move him. He would make a nice trade piece as part of a package deal for a team looking for a young goaltender (Florida?), and the time to move him would be soon before the team starts looking in free agency for depth.

The Sabers have a lot on their plate today, and it should be one of the most exciting programs in recent years with how much movement there is for every team. Buckle up folks… This weekend and the 2026 NHL draft will be one to remember.