As the second half of the first round kicks off, we get to the first team that has a 2nd first round pick. The Sabres acquired the #16 pick from the Minnesota Wild in the Jason Pominville trade at the deadline.
#16 BUFFALO SABRES
Apr 14, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Christian Ehrhoff (10) celebrates his goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the game at the First Niagara Center. Sabres beat the Lightning 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
TEAM STRENGTHS: Future depth up the middle
TEAM WEAKNESSES: questions in goal, need help on the wings
HOCKEY’S FUTURE ORGANIZATIONAL PROSPECT RANK: 9th of 30 teams
UNDER CONSIDERATION: Alexander Wennburg, Josh Morrissey, Nicholas Petan, Samuel Morin
FANSIDED MOCK DRAFT PICK: Sabre Noise selected Adam Erne.
SENSHOT’S CHOICE: Frederik Gauthier from the Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL. The first thing that stands out about Gauthier is his size. At 6’5″, he cuts an imposing figure, which is kind of what the Sabres need up front. The Sabres have been small where there skill players are concerned, and this pick would break that mold. He is a point per game player in the Q and is responsible defensively, with a +22 rating this past season.
MOCK DRAFT TO DATE (click on team to view the selection):
| PICK | TEAM | PICK |
| 1 | COLORADO | Seth Jones, Portland (WHL) |
| 2 | FLORIDA | Jonathan Drouin, Halifax (QMJHL) |
| 3 | TAMPA | Nathan MacKinnon, Halifax (QMJHL) |
| 4 | NASHVILLE | Valeri Nichushkin, Chelijabinsk 2 (KHL) |
| 5 | CAROLINA | Darnell Nurse, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) |
| 6 | CALGARY | Sean Monahan, Ottawa (OHL) |
| 7 | EDMONTON | Nikita Zadorov, London (OHL) |
| 8 | BUFFALO | Max Domi, London (OHL) |
| 9 | NEW JERSEY | Alexsander Barkov, Tappera (FIN) |
| 10 | DALLAS | Hunter Shinkaruk, Medicine Hat (WHL) |
| 11 | PHILADELPHIA | Zachary Furcale, Halifax (QMJHL) |
| 12 | PHOENIX | Anthony Mantha, Val D’Or (QMJHL) |
| 13 | WINNIPEG | Elias Lindholm, Brynas (SEL) |
| 14 | COLUMBUS | Bo Horvat, London (OHL) |
| 15 | NYI | Adam Erne, Quebec (QMJHL) |
| 16 | BUFFALO | Frederik Gauthier, Rimouski (QMJHL) |