Grading Every Team's 2022 NHL Draft Class | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

1 (9): Matthew Savoie, C, Winnipeg Ice (WHL)

1 (16): Noah Ostlund, C, Djurgardens (SHL)

1 (28): Jiri Kulich, C/LW/RW, Energie Karlovy Vary (Czech Extraliga)

2 (41): Topias Leinonen, G, JYP U20 (FIN U20)

3 (74): Viktor Neuchev, LW, Avto Yekaterinburg (KHL)

4 (106): Mats Lindgren, LD, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

5 (134): Vsevolod Komarov, RD, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

6 (170): Jake Richard, RW, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

6 (187): Gustav Karlsson, C, Orebro J20 (J20 Nationell)

7 (202): Joel Ratkovic-Berndtsson, RW, Frolunda J20 (J20 Nationell)

7 (211): Linus Sjödin, C, Rogle (SHL)

Analysis: That the Buffalo Sabres drafted this early and often is an indictment of bigger issues, but this class should at least help get them out of the sand trap. Matthew Savoie at ninth overall isn't quite a steal, but it is a really good deal. He is a dynamic skater who is both a shooting and passing threat in the offensive zone, and he works hard enough off the puck to not be a liability. He'll be a top-six forward and power-play savant.

Noah Ostlund (ranked 25th on B/R's board) is an extremely fun playmaker who skates better than most in small spaces, but size issues and lack of goal scoring are knocks, so 16th overall was too soon. However, Jiri Kulich has a high motor, already is close to an NHL build and has an above-average shot. He should have gone seven picks sooner, so let's say those discrepancies cancel out.

Topias Leinonen was a sizable reach at 41st overall. No doubt, they need help at goaltender, but he is far from the knight in shining armor here to save the day. Buffalo could have grabbed a similar or a slightly worse goaltender in Rounds 4 or 5. In the process, the Sabres missed out on a multitude of prospects with middle-six forward or top-four defenseman upside.

That notwithstanding, Buffalo did well on Day 2 of the draft. Russian winger Viktor Neuchev is an unabashed swing for the fences. He has high-end puck skills and can score flashy goals, but he skates like he's stuck in the mud and attempts to do everything by himself. If it works out, he's a top-nine point producer. If he doesn't, well, most picks after the top 70 don't make the NHL anyway.

Mats Lindgren was a good value in Round 4. He played the role of No. 1 defenseman and power-play quarterback for Kamloops. His puck distribution ability from the back end will translate at the NHL level, but he won't create enough offense to get by on it. He'll need to change his priorities and become better defensively to make it as a possession-driving depth defenseman, but he has a chance.

Even Linus Sjodin in the seventh round has an outside shot of making the NHL. The Sabres' only major blemish was with Leinonen, but he is still a decent goaltending prospect. The good far outweighs the bad in this draft class.