The Buffalo Sabres are considered one of the best deepest prospect pools in the NHL, not only because of their selecting high in recent drafts but also due to their eye for talent and their organizational choices of either leaving players to develop in their home countries or bringing them to North America. Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club’s top 40 prospects. All are 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals and have played less than 40 NHL games.
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READ ABOUT OTHER SABRES PROSPECTS
30. VASILI ZELENOV
29. AARON HUGLEN
28. MATTEO COSTANTINI
27. RYERSON LEENDERS
26. PATRICK GEARY
25. Ethan Miedema – Left Wing (Kingston – OHL)
Miedema was the Sabres fourth-round selection at the 2023 Draft in Nashville. Buffalo began to augment their draft philosophy from emphasizing speed and skill to adding players with size. After top pick Zach Benson, the Sabres selected Anton Wahlberg, Maxim Strbak, Gavin McCarthy, and Meidema, all of who are 6’2” or higher.
After beginning his OHL career with the Windsor Spitfires, the 6’4″, 203 lb. winger was dealt to Kingston as part of the trade for Shane Wright in January 2023. After the deal, Miedema’s production dropped slightly to 21 points (9 goals, 12 assists) in 32 games for a last-place Frontenacs club.
Last season, the 19-year-old had a career-high 41 points (18 goals, 23 assists) 68 games, and had a goal in five playoff games for the Frontenacs in their first-round playoff loss to North Bay.
The Hockey Prospect Black Book says that Miedema has a great shot that can be deceptive, has good vision in the offensive zone, uses his size to his advantage along the boards, protects the puck well and wins puck battles, but his weakness is a lack of speed, an awkward upright skating stance and poor mechanics.
The Sabres have until next June to make a decision on whether to sign Miedema to an entry-level contract or he will re-enter the NHL Draft.
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