2015 Buffalo Sabres Top 25 Under 25: (T) #16 Brendan Guhle
The Sabres second round pick had a dominant combine in Buffalo this summer.
Brendan Guhle
Position: Defense
Age: 18
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 181 lbs.
2014-15 team: Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Acquired: Drafted in the second round (51st overall) of the 2015 draft
Last year's ranking: N/A
Jack Eichel was obviously the face of this year's draft, but the Sabres also knew they needed to restock on the blue line. In the second round they selected Brendan Guhle, the first of four defensemen they'd select in Florida.
Guhle impressed the Sabres at the combine they hosted, posting the best vertical jump of any prospect. He preformed so well in his workout with the Sabres that Murray even told reporters he wished that Guhle didn't go at the combine, so other teams wouldn't see his strength. He finished in the top ten in seven combine events, tied for the most top ten finishes with Eichel.
He's a very smooth skater who isn't afraid to join the rush. His 32 points was only one behind Price Albert's top scoring defenseman, 21-year-old Sawyer Lange. He isn't afraid to be physical either, and at 6'2" he's got decent NHL size. As Future Considerations said, he "has it all." His biggest weakness would be his defensive game, not an uncommon criticism for offensive defensemen of his age.
The Sabres signed Guhle to his entry-level deal this summer, but he's likely a few years away from playing professionally. Guhle possesses top-four skill, something the Sabres were starting to lack in the prospect pool. Oliver Kylington may have been the flashy player to take in this position, but the Sabres went with a safer pick that appears to have the potential to be a future fixture of successful Sabres rosters.
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