The 2025 NHL Entry Draft starts on Friday with the first round, and continues into Saturday for rounds two through seven. While there’s a pretty broad range of players who could fall to the Buffalo Sabres picking at ninth, there is a consensus amongst the fanbase that we need to be targeting either a big forward or a big right handed defenseman. Note the emphasis on ‘big’, especially given how the Florida Panthers have built a team around large, snarly, gnarly players and made it to three straight Stanley Cup Finals.
Mock Drafts
Scott Wheeler’s Mock Draft 3.0 – Radim Mrtka [Position: RHD; Height: 6′ 5.75″; Weight: 218 Ibs]
As I’ve previously reported, I’ve had Mrtka connected to the Sabres. If it’s not Mrtka, I could see it being Roger McQueen, though. They could use his size within their pool and could use a premium center prospect, too.
Corey Pronman’s Final Mock Draft – Porter Martone [Position: RW; Height: 6′ 2.75″; Weight: 208 Ibs]
Martone getting this low in the draft may raise some eyebrows, but there’s a good reason. He’s a winger, and there’s a ton of great centers in this draft. Martone’s foot speed is also a concern for teams. At 9, though, the concerns start to get a bit ridiculous and Buffalo would likely be thrilled with this outcome. I would be fascinated to see what the Sabres would do if Hagens got here, however. Could they take yet another small forward?
The Athletic Staff Writer Mock Draft – Brady Martin [Position: C; Height: 6′; Weight: 178 Ibs]
There are a few players who make sense here, including Viktor Eklund, Carter Bear and Radim Mrtka. But Martin stands out because of his physicality, playing strength and competitiveness. He also has plenty of offensive ability as his 72-point season showed. He’s the type of player the Sabres don’t have enough of in their prospect pool. — Matthew Fairburn
The Athletic Hockey Show Mock Draft – Roger McQueen [Position: C; Height: 6′ 5.25″; Weight: 198 Ibs]
McQueen is a highly intriguing prospect, as a 6-foot-5 center who can skate and possesses real skill. On upside, he belongs much higher than this. And while the back injury that cost him much of this season is the obvious reason for his slide to this point, Pronman pointed out the league may not be as scared off by the risk of that injury as our group had been.
“The NHL drafted Cayden Lindstrom (who was a similar-profile player, and also had a back injury) at No. 4 last year. And I guess I would ask why we haven’t mentioned his name more in this conversation. … I feel like, as a hockey player, he’s better than Jake O’Brien. I think as a hockey player, he’s probably better than Brady Martin, too.” — Corey Pronman
“I think this is the point of the draft where the gap between McQueen and the next player starts to get harder to justify. He would bring much-needed size to a Sabres team that has many small, skilled forwards and could use more size.” — Max Bultman
T McGee’s Final Mock Draft – Radim Mrtka
There has been some interest in adding another high-end defensemen to the organization, given the possibility of moving on from one of their existing such players this off-season. In this case, a McGee-favorite falls into the Sabres lap, and they jump at the chance to add this monster.
bdn00707’s Seven Round Mock Draft – Brady Martin
Martin has risen up draft boards for his physical, hard working style at a premier position. He has an excellent shot and is an extremely hard working player. Has no problem doing the heavy lifting in the defensive zone and separating the body from the puck. Probably the best bodychecker in the draft. He has adequate skating mechanics and shows some creativity when he has the time on the puck. He matches some skill with his tenacity and looks to be a middle six center in the show.
USA Today’s AI Mock Draft –
Microsoft Copilot AI: Radim Mrtka, RHD, Seattle Thunderbirds
Google Gemini AI: Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford Bulldogs
Meta AI: Radim Mrtka, RHD, Seattle Thunderbirds
ChatGPT AI: Jackson Smith, LHD, Tri-City Americans
(Editor’s Note: If Kevyn Adams selects an LHD at the Draft – with no other dmen moved out – he will deserve every single brickbat thrown his way)
Tankathon Mock Draft – Jake O’Brien [Position: C; Height: 6′ 2″; Weight: 175 Ibs]
Chicago Sun Times Mock Draft – Radim Mrtka
The Sabres have used all five of their first-round picks the last three years on forwards, so they’re a candidate to spring for a defenseman. It’s contested whether Mrtka, Kashawn Aitcheson or Jackson Smith is the second-best defenseman in the class.
NHL Mock Draft –
Brady Martin: Martin (6-0, 186) doesn’t have prototypical power-forward size but plays far bigger, and his tenacity and competitiveness are among the best in this year’s draft class. The 18-year-old made a strong final impression on scouts by helping Canada win the gold medal at the 2025 IIHF World Under-18 Championship with 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in seven games. At his best he should be a big contributor on the power play and penalty kill. – Adam Kimelman
Brady Martin: The left-handed shot complements a power-forward type game with a great work ethic and intelligence in the offensive zone, something Sabres fans will be able to appreciate. He relishes play in the trenches and is the type of player who will make an impact in clutch situations. Martin had 72 points (33 goals, 39 assists), eight power-play goals, and three short-handed goals in 57 games. – Mike G. Morreale
THW Writers’ Mock Draft – Jake O’Brien
As all selections go, you always should take the best player available, and in this case, it is Jake O’Brien. O’Brien is a star-studded centre who took the league by storm this season with the Brantford Bulldogs by recording 98 points and helping lead the team to the top spot in the Eastern Conference. His point production and high offensive IQ could help the Sabres out and add to their already stacked prospect pool.
Scouting Reports
Brady Martin – How Martin’s farm upbringing helped him become a top draft prospect
Elite Prospects
Jackson Smith – Why Smith’s two-way upside makes him an exciting draft prospect
Elite Prospects
Jake O’Brien – How ‘incredible’ O’Brien became one of the draft’s top prospects
Elite Prospects
James Hagens – Long Island made: How the Islanders helped shape James Hagens
Why Hagens dropped down NHL draft boards, and the Islanders’ unique predicament at No. 1
Meet James Hagens, the 2025 NHL Draft’s top prospect and hockey’s next American star
Elite Prospects
Porter Martone – How ‘phenomenal’ Martone has made his case as a top prospect
Elite Prospects
Radim Mrtka – Mrtka is one of the draft’s top — and most unique — prospects
Elite Prospects
Roger McQueen – Why McQueen is the draft’s most fascinating top prospect
Elite Prospects