The Buffalo Sabres did not cease to amaze during the 2016 NHL Draft, as once again in true Tim Murray style the team parlayed twelve draft picks into a mix of prospects, starters, and controversial choices. Read on for a quick bio on all ten players selected, with their Twitter and Instagram handles where available.
ALEXANDER NYLANDER, LW (CAN; OHL – MISSISSAUGA)
Rd 1, Pick 8, overall #8 – 6′ 0″ , 178lbs; DOB – 1998-03-02
Nylander is an offensively gifted forward, who uses his speed, explosiveness, vision, and creativity to put up points and make his linemates better. Nylander scored 28-47-75 in 57 games in the OHL last season, and was even more productive in the playoffs, scoring 6-6-12 in just six games. He’s been described by many as one of the best skaters in the draft, and has the vision and hockey sense of a player like Sam Reinhart.
RASMUS ASPLUND, C (SWE; SWEDEN – FARJESTAD)
Rd 2, Pick 3, overall #33 – 5′ 10″, 176lbs; DOB – 1997-12-03
An all-round two-way player. Asplund does most things really well and stands out with his smarts. Reads the game impressively, is responsible with the puck and is a strong passer. Handles the puck with confidence and does not shy away from the dirty work, although not a particularly physical player. Not overly spectacular, Asplund will still at times stand out with his speed and create scoring opportunities (from Elite Prospects).
CLIFF PU, RW (CAN; OHL – LONDON)
Rd 3, Pick 8, overall #69 – 6′ 2″ , 193lbs; DOB – 1998-06-03
Pu just turned 18 three weeks ago and had 31 points (12+19) in 69 games for the Knights, which was good for 10th on the team last season. Pu has played a total of two seasons for the Knights and will continue to mature with the Knights for at least the next couple of seasons.
CASEY FITZGERALD, D (USA; HOCKEY-EAST – BOSTON COLLEGE)
Rd 3, Pick 25, overall #86 – 5′ 10″, 186lbs; DOB – 1997-02-25
The defenseman is a product of the USNTDP system, and just turned 19 earlier this year in February. He will be a sophomore with the Eagles this upcoming season after having led all defensemen in scoring last year as a freshman as well as tied for the team lead with a +27 rating.
BRETT MURRAY, LW (CAN; CCHL – CARLETON PLACE)
Rd 4, Pick 8, overall #99 – 6′ 4″ , 217lbs; DOB – 1998-07-20
Murray, ranked #83 among North American skaters, scored 14 goals and 32 assists this year for the Carleton Place Canadians of the CCHL. He is committed to Penn State next year. Murray described himself as a power forward, who uses his size and skill to open up space on the ice for his teammates. He’s listed as 6’5”, 212 lbs, giving him some significant size to work with on the ice.
PHILIP NYBERG, D (SWE; SWEDEN-JR. – LINKOPING JR.)
Rd 5, Pick 8, overall #129 – 6′ 3″, 189lbs; DOB – 1997-04-27
He spent last season with Linköping HC J20 in Sweden’s SuperElit league. In 45 games he recorded four goals and 18 points. Badgers head coach Tony Granato described him as a very athletic, explosive skater whose first two steps are really good.
VOJTECH BUDIK, D (CZE; WHL – PRINCE ALBERT)
Rd 5, Pick 9, overall #130 – 6′ 1″ , 202lbs; DOB – 1998-01-29
his natural athletic abilities give Budik a fairly high ceiling, though the concerns about hockey sense make it rather unlikely he ever reaches that ceiling. He projects as more of an offensive defenseman at the pro level, so he’ll have to start producing points more consistently. His strong skating could make him an effective pro for a long time as a second or third pairing defenseman (from SBN Hockey).
BRANDON HAGEL, LW (CAN; WHL – RED DEER)
Rd 6, Pick 8, overall #159 – 5′ 11″, 160lbs; DOB – 1998-08-27
Hagel quickly and quietly adapted to the Western Hockey League and became a really important complementary piece for the club. While he does boast a solid, well-rounded game, his most impressive attribute is his work ethic. Simply put, Hagel is like the Energizer Bunny. Ranked 104th among North American skaters by Central Scouting, Hagel is a tireless worker and a really tenacious forechecker (from Hockey Writers).
AUSTIN OSMANSKI, D (USA; OHL – MISSISSAUGA)
Rd 7, Pick 8, overall #189 – 6′ 3″, 196lbs; DOB – 1998-04-30
Osmanski, a left handed dman who turned 18 a couple of months ago, is a local boy from East Aurora who the organization is already familiar with since his time in the Sabres U16 and U18 teams. He spent last season with the Mississauga Steelheads, scoring 2 goals and 8 assists with a +19 in 65 games.
VASILY GLOTOV, C (RUS; RUSSIA-JR. – LVY ST. PETERSBURG 2)
Rd 7, Pick 9, overall #190 – 5′ 11″, 158lbs; DOB – 1997-09-04
The descriptions on this prospect are hard to find, but the best description we’ve seen for him is “Golden hands, great skater, but on the small side” (from Russian hockey journalist AlexSerenRosso).