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 pick.
In the 20s, they weren’t going to be able to pick a youngster as talented as Rudolph.
So after the Sabres acquired the fourth pick in Tuesday’s blockbuster deal that sent defenseman Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks, their decision-makers sprung into action.
Luckily, the draft is in Buffalo, so they could easily interview top prospects. This morning, they met with Rudolph, 18, and a representative from his agency, Bartlett Hockey.
Hours later, the Sabres drafted Rudolph.
What a day for the kid, huh?
“It’s really surreal for me to meet them all today for the first time this morning and then be selected here this evening,” an excited Rudolph said on a Zoom call. “(It) is so cool and just such a memorable moment for me and my family.”
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Rudolph registered 28 goals, 78 points, 75 penalty minutes and a plus-32 rating in 68 games with the junior Western Hockey League’s Prince Albert Raiders last season.
NHL Central Scouting ranked him fifth among draft-eligible North American skaters.
“Being at both ends of the ice is really important, so I see myself as a two-way guy who can play big minutes and be a hard defender,” he said.
The Sabres, of course, have one of the NHL’s best defense corps with captain Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson leading the way.
While he might be a couple of years away cracking the big leagues, Rudolph can’t wait to be a part of that group.
“Just to be able to join those guys is something that really excites me,” he said.
Rudolph plans to play at the University of Denver, which won the national championship last season, in 2026-27.
“What draws me to (Denver) is just the winning pedigree, the coaching staff and what they’ve been able to do not only with their team, but with their players and continue to develop them,” he said.
Rudolph believes college hockey will buoy his development.
“Playing against older competition and stronger, more structured hockey (will help),” he said. “I mean, the WHL was so good for me, but I think it’s time for a new challenge.”
The Sabres also have the 20th pick tonight.
Check back for more on this developing story.