The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by members of the Die By The Blade community. 92 readers ranked Buffalo Sabres players under the age of 25 as of August 1, 2026. Each participant used their own metric of current ability and production to rank each player.
David Bedkowski
Drafted: 2025 – 3rd Round (71st Overall)
Size: 6’6″, 220 lbs
Position: Defense
Born: December 7th, 2006 – 19 Years Old
2025-2026 Stats: GP 68 G 5 A 24 PTS 29 / Playoffs GP 7 G 1 A 1 PTS 2, OHL
2025 T25U25 Ranking: Honorable Mention
David Bedkowski took a positive step in his development this past season. He set OHL career highs in goals, assists, points, and penalty minutes while spending the first half the season as captain of the Owen Sound Attack and finishing with the Ottawa 67’s.
The improved offensive production is nice to see, but his bread and butter is his work in the trenches. At roughly 6’6” 220lbs, he’s an imposing force in Major Junior and routinely throws his weight around. Even top OHL prospects have to keep their head on a swivel when he’s out there:
He plays on the edge between hard-nosed and dirty and is no stranger to crossing the line. He had multiple suspensions this past season. He received one game for instigating a fight in October, one game for a hit to the head in January, and two playoff games in April for spearing. Including playoffs, Bedkowski had a whopping 132 penalty minutes in 75 games. While the Sabres could use a bruiser on their blueline, he will need to exercise better judgement to avoid the Department of Player Safety from having his number on speed dial.
Bedkowski’s has not received an entry level contract from Buffalo to date. He will need to continue to show improvement in Major Junior to prove he deserves to join the Sabres organization. Buffalo will have his rights until June 1st 2027.
2026 Buffalo Sabres Top 25 Under 25
#25 Simon-Pier Brunet
#24 Topias Leinonen
#23 Gavin McCarthy
#22 Luke Osburn
#21 David Bedkowski