Buffalo was significantly quieter on day two of the draft. Due to their various trades, they only picked three times in rounds 2-7. There were over 100 selections between their picks as they selected Morozov at 20th overall and their next pick was at 124th overall. Whether it was intentional or just how the board fell, Buffalo added forward prospects with all three of their selections.
Round 4 Pick 124 – Olivers Murnieks – Center – 6’1” – (7-13-20 in 31 games in QMJHL)
Murnieks had a disappointing season offensively due to injuries but is an intriguing prospect. He is a high energy player who projects to be a bottom six forward in the NHL. His defensive reliability and motor set him apart from his peers. The Latvian native is committed to Boston College and plans to join the squad in the Fall. He’s young for his draft class as he turns 18 at the end of July. Between major junior and college, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to grow into a quality pro player.
Round 5 Pick 156 – Doman Szongoth – Center – 6’1” – (10-18-28 in 44 games in U20 SM-sarja)
Buffalo continued their run on centerman by selecting Szongoth in the 5th round. He is just the fifth Hungarian drafted by an NHL team. If he were to make the Sabres roster in the future, he would be the first of his countrymen to make their NHL debut. He is a talented two-way center that will need time to grow into his game. He is expected to return to the top junior league in Finland but could jump to the men’s league if he takes an additional step in development.
Round 6 Pick 188 – Dylan Dumont – Right Wing – 6’0” – (28-16-44 in 62 games in QMJHL)
Dumont is a scoring winger who attacks the center of the ice. He’s another young player for his draft (mid-August birthday) who hit his growth spirts in the last couple of years with room to continue to develop physically. He was his team’s leading goal scorer last year and is expected to be leaned on for goal production again next season. His style of play makes him one to keep an eye on as he rounds out his game.
Despite the lack of draft capital, Buffalo was able to add to their already impressive stockpile of young talent. Time will tell whether these prospects can make any noise at the NHL level. Fans will get their first look at them at prospect camp in the next few days at Harborcenter.