Yesterday the Buffalo Sabres entered the draft with a pick in each of the first three rounds. 8th overall, 38th overall, and 70th overall. Lets take a look and see how it shook out for the team.

8th Overall Selection:

Gabriel Vilardi C 6'3" 201 lbs - Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

OHL - 32GP 22G 36A 58P 14PIM +21

Vilardi was selected 11th overall in the NHL draft by the Kings, but was injured and started the year on the IR. The Fontenacs traded for his rights, Windsor was worried he'd make the NHL next year and saw an opportunity to look longer term. When Gabriel was finally healthy he torn up the OHL, scoring 22 goals, 36 assists, for 58 points in just 32 games. He continued his great play into the playoffs, scoring 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points through 16 games and an eventual loss to the winning Bulldogs team. Vilardi has great vision on the ice, has a good release and plays a complete game with and without the puck. His weakness has been his skating but it's not nearly as bad as it was made out to be and is a work in progress. The teams top target here at #8 was Gabriel Vilardi, behind Vilardi was Rob Thomas and then Martin Necas on the Sabres draft board. So the fact that Vilardi was on the board was a bonus to the team as Rob Thomas was selected just prior to the pick at #7. He could very well make the NHL next season.

38th Overall Selection:

Kole Lind RW 6'1" 185 lbs - Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

WHL - 58GP 39G 56A 95P 65PIM +24

Lind finished off his WHL career posting great numbers with Kelowna. He's a versitile kid as he's able to play every forward position, but he spent most his WHL career on the right side. He led the Rockets in scoring by 11 points over #2 Dillon Dube and also led the team in scoring in their 1st round loss with 8 points in 4 games. Kole possesses an accurate shot with a good release, his skating is above average and he is a tenacious forechecker. He'll need to work on his play in the defensive zone and he'll have to keep his head in games as he can get caught up in the extra curricular activities and take bad penalties. The Sabres had a few targets here, one of which was Jason Robertson. The Flyers made our decision easier by selecting Robertson one spot ahead. Lind will probably start next year in the AHL but very well could secure an NHL job as he does have some bottom 6 skills and could be plugged into the lineup anywhere.

70th Overall Selection:

Tyler Steenbergen RW 5'10" 187 lbs - Swift Current Broncos (WHL)

WHL - 56GP 47G 55A 102P 44PIM +52

Steenbergen seems to be the forgotten man, which is odd because he scored 51 goals the year he was drafted in the NHL and posted another 47 in his BRHL draft year with far fewer games played than last year. On top of that, he made the Canadian world junior team which should have risen awareness for the RW with his GWG against Sweden. Tyler is a good skater, has a great shot, and isn't afraid to go into the dirty areas to win a puck battle. His size works against him still in a day and age where size isn't everything. On the Sabres draft board at 70th overall sat two guys who the GM wanted equally, Stelio Mattheos was sitting on top with Steenbergen behind him. Mattheos went 68th overall so the Sabres had their mind made up for them. He'll be starting the year in the AHL but it may be a short stay if he keeps his scoring levels at a video game pace.

Today the Sabres hold pick number 134 in round 5 and 198 & 224 in the 7th round. The Sabres GM didn't show his hand to reporters today as he just quipped "I will probably still have some names left on my draft board when I finish tonights draft with the last pick." Rumor also has it the GM got roped into going to a dance lesson for west coast swing before the draft, we'll see if that has an effect on his selections or temperment.