Buffalo drafted Daxon Rudolph fourth overall Friday. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu

Instead of trading first-rounders, Sabres take Daxon Rudolph and Ilia Morozov in NHL Draft

ORCHARD PARK – As the first round of Friday’s NHL Draft approached and he held two first-round picks – the fourth and 20th selections – general manager Jarmo Kekalainen informed other teams the Buffalo Sabres had all their options open.

They were willing to move up or down, or perhaps trade for established talent.

Teams coveted the fourth pick the Sabres acquired in Tuesday’s blockbuster trade that sent defenseman Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks. ... Read the full article

Daxon Rudolph talks tonight in KeyBank Center. ©2026, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres select Daxon Rudolph fourth overall in NHL Draft; Ilia Morozov taken with 20th pick

ORCHARD PARK – During the NHL Scouting Combine earlier this month in Buffalo, the Sabres never met with defenseman Daxon Rudolph, the prospect they selected fourth overall tonight in the NHL Draft at KeyBank Center.

Until a few days ago, the Sabres owned just one first-round selection, the 20th pick, which they snared as part of the trade that sent defenseman Michael Kesselring to the San Jose Sharks. They began the month with the 27th ... Read the full article