Treasured Buffalo Sabres prospect called an 'exceptional game manager'

The Buffalo Sabres' foundation is a smart, puck-moving group of defensemen who are capable of impacting every phase of the game. Another player who fits that mold is on the way.

Daxon Rudolph, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, is off to a fantastic start at the University of Denver with nine points (three goals and six assists) in his first eight college games. Not too shabby for a freshman defenseman on a national championship contender.

On Tuesday, Sabres assistant general manager Jerry Forton told Scott Wheeler and Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic the organization became sold on Rudolph during the 2026 WHL Playoffs, a 19-game run that saw him record nine goals and 18 helpers for the Prince Albert Raiders.

He elevated his compete, he elevated his toughness, and then the hockey sense just stood out because his panic threshold is so high. That doesn't mean he's complicating the game. We view him as an exceptional game manager. He just knows the right play to make at the right time. I just think in the NHL, your best players are always going to want to be on the ice with those type of defensemen. They'll get them the puck in the right spot at the right time.Jerry Forton on Daxon Rudolph

Rudolph skyrocketed up draft boards after his breakthrough year with Prince Albert, which included 78 points (28 goals and 50 assists) in 68 appearances during the regular season.

There are always questions about how a player will handle the tricky transition from junior hockey to the college game, though. So far, so good for the 6-foot-2 blueliner.

The 18-year-old Canadian has been thrust into a big-minute, high-leverage role for the Pioneers, and he's making just as much of an impact defensively, as highlighted by his team-high 15 blocked shots, as he is at the offensive end.

Rudolph could still benefit from adding more explosive acceleration to his skating — his first stride or two is often underwhelming — but he's endured no problems acclimating himself to the more physical NCAA style of play.

As it stands, the right-shot defender has a realistic chance to make a jump to the Sabres next season if he can maintain his upward trajectory for the rest of Denver's campaign.

Projecting the Sabres' potential 2027-28 defensive depth chart

Buffalo has six NHL defensemen under contract for next season: Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Mattias Samuelsson, Olen Zellweger, Louis Crevier and Zach Metsa. Conor Timmins, Matt Grzelcyk and Dennis Gilbert are impending unrestricted free agents.

It's unlikely the Sabres will make a serious bid to re-sign those UFAs given their defensive depth and the need to maintain some financial flexibility, both to extend young players and ideally to add a superstar, preferably a true No. 1 center.

Along with Rudolph and the players mentioned above, a few prospects currently with the AHL's Rochester Americans will be looking to make an NHL push soon. It's a group that includes Radim Mrtka, Gavin McCarthy and Maxim Strbak.

So, Buffalo is looking at some serious internal competition within the next few years, and it's possible a few of those players are used in a blockbuster trade at some point. Mrtka is the most likely option given his value as a prized prospect and the lack of a direct path forward with the Blue and Gold.

Put it all together and the Sabres' blue line could look something like this next season:

Yes, the club could absolutely opt to keep its current top-four group together with Zellweger sticking alongside Power, but these pairs are a little more balance.

Zellweger would take a lot of pressure off Crevier in terms of defensive zone exits and trying to jump-start offense in transition. The mammoth (6'8'', 236 pounds) defender has struggled early in his Buffalo tenure and could benefit from a more niche, net-protecting role over the long haul.

It's also hard to imagine a Rudolph-Crevier pairing would find much success while the 2026 top-five selection is still finding his way at the NHL level. Putting him next to Power, who's become a hallmark of stability on the back end, is a much softer landing spot.

Then there's Samuelsson and Dahlin, who should probably remain together for as long as they continue to deliver consistently strong results.

Looking a bit further into the future, Mrtka could eventually claim the third-pair spot next to Zellweger if he's not traded and Crevier isn't able to solidify a full-time role in Buffalo.

Regardless of how you slice it, the Sabres' defensive future is among the league's most promising. Now it comes down to finding one more offensive cornerstone and perhaps an upgrade between the pipes.