8. Marcus Davidsson
Acquired: 2017 second-round pick
Age: 20 (turns 21 in November)
Position: Center/Wing
Stats: 52 games, 10 goals, 17 assists, 27 points, 19 postseason games, 3 goals, 3 assists, 6 points (Djurgårdens IF, SHL)
The Buffalo Sabres are typically patient with their overseas prospects. They recently reaped the benefits of Victor Olofsson and could do the same with Marcus Davidsson. Davidsson has a very high hockey IQ and is starting to put together all of his tools.
I like his skating and I think he’ll do better in the smaller North American rink. This should allow his impressive skating and hockey sense to really show. That said, Davidsson doesn’t show his best game consistently enough. There were games I was amazed by him, but there were some decent stretches where I had to look at the score sheet to make sure he was playing.
Davidsson’s ceiling is as a bottom-six forward, though he could be a skilled third-liner. His floor is a depth forward.
7. Ryan Johnson
Acquired: 2019 first-round pick
Age: 18
Position: Defense
Stats: 54 games, 6 goals, 19 assists, 25 points, 12 postseason games, 2 goals, 6 assists, 8 points (Sioux Falls Stampede, USHL)
Ryan Johnson was drafted in the first round in the 2019 draft by the Sabres. I had him as an early second-round pick, but I get why they liked him. His offensive production isn’t overly impressive, but I think he’s got the potential to be much better there.
Johnson has the tools to be a very solid transitional defenseman, as he’s not afraid to take the puck out of the defensive zone himself. While his speed is merely above average, I like his edge work and his stride is gorgeous.
He’s not that big, so he’ll have to rely on his instincts, stick, and quickness to be an effective defenseman. Johnson’s ceiling is a decent number four defenseman, while his floor is pretty low thanks to his lack of size and his lack of offensive results thus far.