BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - The Buffalo Sabres went big by selecting
rugged right wing Zack Kassian with the No. 13 pick in the NHL
Draft on Friday.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, Kassian had 24 goals and 39
assists in 61 games for Peterborough of the Ontario Hockey League
last season. His 63 points ranked second on the team. He also
finished among the top 20 in the league with 136 penalty minutes.
In two OHL seasons, Kassian has 33 goals and 51 assists for 84
points, with 210 penalty minutes in 119 games.
Earlier this week, Sabres general manager Darcy Regier indicated
he was looking to add size and grit to his team through the draft.
The Sabres, who have missed the playoffs for two straight
seasons, have been knocked for a lineup featuring too many
undersized forwards. Kassian is expected to continue developing in
the juniors next season.
Chris Edwards of NHL Central Scouting described Kassian as being
"one of the toughest guys in the OHL and probably the entire
draft." Edwards also noted that Kassian is tough along the boards,
can power through checks and is a good puck-handler.
Buffalo went big in opening the draft last year, when it
selected 6-foot-7 defenseman Tyler Myers with the No. 12 pick.
Myers is coming off a solid junior season with Kelowna of the
Western Hockey League, and expected to be given a shot to make the
Sabres' lineup this season.
Buffalo had just one selection in the first round, and concludes
the two-day draft with five picks on Saturday, starting with No.
66.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)