Buffalo Makes an Early Splash But No Deals Get Done During the Event
2026 NHL Draft – Buffalo, New York – Keybank Center
The Buffalo Sabres were active before the draft was even officially underway. In an afternoon trade, GM Jarmo Kekäläinen acquired young defenseman Olen Zellweger from the Anaheim Ducks. In exchange, Buffalo sent forward Anton Wahlberg and a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft (just acquired from Chicago) to Anaheim. Zellweger is just 22 but already has parts of three NHL seasons under his belt. He scored 22 points in 76 games last year and is ranked as one of the speediest Dmen in the league. That is something the fast-paced Sabres surely like. He is another left shot defender at just 5’10” and 190 pounds but he has near elete quickness and can regularly find the open man on the ice. His defensive analytics were pretty good last season too, I think this is somebody head coach Lindy Ruff can work with. This is also probably Owen Power’s partner at this point….unless another deal is to be had.
Not a shabby pickup from Jarmo to kick things off. All without losing somebody off the roster. Wahlberg is a nice young player but he did not factor in the Sabres’ plans this year. (or next year for that matter) The smooth skating Zellweger was named the Canadian Hockey League Defenseman of the Year in 2022-23. He was voted the top defender among players in the OHL, QMJHL and WHL combined.
Now we get to the draft. The Sabres surprised many people (maybe even me) by holding onto the pick and drafting a player. The big deal must not have been there for Jarmo. No Robert Thomas, no Matthew Knies and no Connor Hellebuyck. We may circle back to them or another impact player soon enough. Meanwhile, the first three picks went pretty much as planned. Gavin McKenna, Ivar Stenberg and Caleb Malhotra went in short order. (after some cringe moments from Toronto fan Justin Bieber – Just no! Where is a falling piano when you need one?)
Buffalo went defense as many suspected they would, just not the player many thought. Daxon Rudolph was the selection, a smooth skating, 6’2″, 205 pound defender from PRINCE ALBERT (WHL) who is headed to the University of Denver this Fall. He is a valued right shot. Buffalo passed on a few players on defense who were higher ranked, but Rudolph wasn’t some obscure player either. He was ranked anywhere from 5 through 9 in most mock drafts. The Sabres must see something in the player and nabbed him. He is a good two-way defensemen, both a high-end shooter and playmaker while solid and smart in his own end of the ice. His offense gets him noticed though. Daxon finished with a ridiculous 78 points in 68 games, scoring 28 goals and 50 assists. He added 27 points in 19 playoff games as well.
Rudolph has been compaired to both Charlie McAvoy and Zach Werenski. “He’s very calm, he makes the right plays as far as his defensive details, closes well, defends hard in the middle of the ice, gets the puck going north in a hurry. And it’s his risk meter, knowing when to jump into the rush and knowing when to hold.” said Prince Albert coach Ryan McDonald. Buffalo could have a very solid player on their hands, he just doesn’t factor into the Sabres yet, not for several years most likely. This was a draft pick for success down the road but the reward could be huge.
Buffalo then surprised us again, making their pick in the 20th slot and failing to pull off any more deals. Jarmo may have to dip more into roster players and prospects now if he wants to bring in an impact player or two. Or maybe their 1st rounder from next year. The Sabres selected forward Ilia Morozov, a Russian centreman who moved to North America at 14 to pursue his hockey career. He already has a season of NCAA hockey under his belt, just finishing his freshman season at the University of Miami.(Ohio) He has good size at 6’3″ and 205 pounds. He played 38 games and collected 20 points. (8-12) Morozov began the season as the youngest player in Division I hockey. He is a power forward with some skill and has a high compete level.
Morozov has good stickhandling moves in tight. He is responsible in all three-zones and is sound defensively. He projects as a mature, beyond his age, two-way player with middle-six potential.. Lots to like with this kid but similar to Buffalo’s first pick, he is a prospect we will have to wait on. Ilia won’t be donning a Sabre uniform for several years to come.
Kekäläinen’s pickup of defenseman Zellweger from Anaheim was a solid move for an up and coming player to help fill Byram’s skates. He will slide in immediately with the team. Jarmo was unable to get anybody to play come draft time, however. Or the asking prices were just too great. Maybe he gets a deal done tomorrow or in the coming weeks, but he won’t have the 2026 draft capital anymore to use. Unless he trades a player we just drafted, which is highly unusual.
Buffalo may have to rely on more internal development to maintain their level of play from last year. That is a risky proposition. I still feel that Jarmo must land at least one top forward at this point, as the Sabres are less potent as it stands now. GMJK still has time to make that happen. Ammunition would include Buffalo’s 1st in 2027, prospect Radim Mrtka, Devon Levi, Jiri Kulich and maybe even Jack Quinn or Peyton Krebs.
Day 2 of the NHL Draft (Rounds 2–7) begins Saturday morning at 11:00 AM ET.