After sending a sixth-round pick to the Vegas Golden Knights earlier in the week, the Buffalo Sabres found themselves with five picks on day two of the 2017 NHL Draft. So what would they do with them? Turns out, a little bit of everything.
"We were happy with it," Sabres GM Jason Botterill told reporters after the draft. "I thought we got a good balance. We got the goaltender we desired and got a couple defensemen along with forwards."
"Maybe there's not as much fanfare and as much excitement as there is in the first round, but we felt we got some picks that will help our organization in the future."
Round 2 - Pick #37
Marcus Davidsson
C/W - Djurgardens (Sweden)
Despite a need on the blue line, GM Jason Botterill and his staff kicked off day two by selecting Davidsson, an 18-year old forward from Sweden. Appearing in 45 games with Djurgårdens IF, Davidsson scored five goals and added four assists.
Sabres add Marcus Davidsson, another high-skill centre who does an excellent job in his own zone. Tracks the play well to find space.
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) June 24, 2017
The numbers don't jump off the page but it's important to remember, Davidsson is an 18-year-old playing against grown men. Very often young players see a massive spike in point production when they return to tournaments like the Under 20 World Junior Championships. Chances are, Davidsson will represent Sweden at the World Juniors in Buffalo this year.
Here's what Elite Hockey Prospects said about Davidsson:
"A very competitive two-way player. Davidsson has quick feet and good hockey sense. Reliable defensively and a player that can be used on the man advantage as well as in shorthanded situations. Team player with decent offensive skills"
Round 2 - Pick #54
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Goaltender, Finland, HPK U20
Luukkonen was the top-rated European goaltender by NHL Central Scouting after helping lead the 2016 Finland Under-18 team to a gold medal. At 6'4", 196 pounds, Luukkonen boasts the perfect frame for a prototypical goaltender, especially for someone who plays a butterfly style.
Goran Stubbs, NHL Director of European Scouting said this about Luukkonen:
“Luukkonen was a key performer for Finland at the 2016 IIHF World Under-18 Championships. He plays an effective butterfly style and does an excellent job of controlling rebounds.”
With Cal Petersen heading for greener pastures, adding a goaltender seemed like a formality. Many viewed Luukkonen as the top goaltender available in this draft. After he was selected by the Sabres, the goaltenders started to trickle off the board.
Also, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen may have the best name in the Sabres organization.
Round 3 - Pick 89
Oskari Laaksonen
Defenseman, Jr.A SM-liiga (Sweden)
Laaksonen is small for NHL standards, but he's only 17-years-old and has plenty of time to grow. In 27 games in the Jr. A SM-liiga Under 20 league in Sweden, Laaksonen scored six goals and added three assists in 27 games.
Proud to pe a part of @BuffaloSabres organization! #buffalo
— Oskari Laaksonen (@osk_laaks) June 24, 2017
Round 4 - Pick 99
Jacob Bryson
Defenseman, Providence College
In his first season with Providence, Bryson tallied 20 points [3G, 17A] in 20 games. Bryson's 20 points ranked third among Hockey East rookie defensemen.
Providence College defender Jacob Bryson goes to the Sabres at #99. 3-17-20 in 39 games with the Friars. Smallish D with speed and offense.
— Kris Baker (@SabresProspects) June 24, 2017
Round 7 - Pick 192
Linus Weissbach
Left Wing, Tri-City, USHL- Wisconsin commit
In his first year in North America, the fast forward scored 47 points [19G, 28A] in 49 games. He'll head to the University of Wisconsin next year.
Sabres select Wisconsin commit Linus Weissbach at #192. Speedy, speedy Swede came to USHL this season and piled up 47 points (19+28).
— Kris Baker (@SabresProspects) June 24, 2017
