What Do The Buffalo Sabres Do At Pick Four

The Buffalo Sabres yesterday acquired the fourth overall pick, along with the 45th overall pick, and Louis Crevier. The Sabres sent defenseman Bowen Byram and forward Jordan Greenway to the Blackhawks. The Sabres, now with the fourth overall pick after reaching the Atlantic Division Finals this season, have many options staring them in the face. Who do they take? Do they trade it? What could they trade for? Let’s take a look at the possibilities that are staring Buffalo in the face.

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Chase Reid – RHD

Reid is the top right-shot defenseman available. He is a play-maker that loooks to find a way for his team to score as a defenseman. He put up 48 points in 45 games for the Soo Greyhounds last season on 18 goals and 30 assists; he was a +27. In ten playoff games, he had six points on three goals and three assists; he was a plus-three. In five games in the World Juniors Championship, he had four points on two goals and two assists. He will be playing College Hockey this season at Michigan State University.

Keaton Verhoeff – RHD

Verhoeff is a great two-way defenseman who, at 6’4″ and 216 lbs, can battle you off the puck in the defensive zone. In 36 games at the University of North Dakota this past season, he had 20 points on six goals and 14 assists; he was a plus-seven. He played for Team Canada in the World Juniors Championship. In five games, he had four assists and was a plus-four.

Caleb Malhotra – C

Mahlotra has hands and is great at feeding his teammates and getting the puck back to score. The 6’2″ center put up 84 games in the OHL with the Brantford Bulldogs. He had 29 goals, 55 assists, and was a +33. In 15 playoff games, he had 26 points on 13 goals and 13 assists; he was a plus-ten. He will play his college hockey at Boston University in the NCAA.

Ivar Stenberg – LW

Stenberg would be a gift; the Sharks want a defenseman. Chase Reid might be the fit there. Caleb Malhotra’s dad is the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks now. I would imagine it would be surreal to draft your son as your first draft selection. That would leave Stenberg falling into the Sabres’ lap. Stenberg played in the Swedish Hockey League last season. He played in 43 games, recording 33 points on 11 goals and 22 assists; he was a plus-ten. In six playoff games, Stenberg had four assists and was a minus-three. In seven games at the World Juniors Championship, he had ten points on four goals and six assists; he was a plus-five.

Trade

Could the pick have been acquired, giving them four and 20 in the first round, and they could then flip that for an important piece? Maybe a true number one goalie and someone who is rumored to want a move. Someone who won a gold medal for Team USA in Connor Hellebuyck. That’s the rumblings after last night’s trade with Chicago.

Wrap Up

The Sabres now have a fun and interesting situation on their hands. Realistically its a win-win no matter the route they go, if they trade it for someone like Hellebuyck that fills a hole, or they could draft a play-maker and that makes their team better. The Sabres’ future is bright, and it’s a fun time to be a Buffalo fan.