First-round picks: No. 22
2000-01 record: 46-30-5-1, 98 points (8th overall)
What they need
The Sabres appear to be set for the future in goal with young Martin Biron, but they could use more depth and scoring at the forward position.
In the system
Right winger Norm Milley (47th overall in '98), who had back-to-back 50-goal campaigns with Sudbury of the OHL in 1998-2000, scored 20 goals and added 27 assists in 77 games for Rochester of the AHL last season. With an eye towards the more distant future, the Sabres are counting on center Artem Kryukov (15th overall last year) to develop into an offensive force. On the blueline, Dmitri Kalinin (18th overall in '98) had a solid first NHL campaign last year, notching 22 points in 79 games for the Sabres. Gerard Dicaire (48th overall last year) has shown in the Western Hockey League than he can provide offense from the blueline.
The Sabres are deepest in goal where they also have Mika Noronen, who compiled a 26-15-5 record with a 2.18 GAA and .913 save percentage in Rochester, and Ryan Miller, who captured the Hobey Baker Memorial Award and set the NCAA career shutout record in his second season at Michigan State.
Recent draft history
Center Mike Zigomanis (64th overall in '99) was a promising 40-goal scorer from Kingston of the OHL, however, he will re-enter the draft after the Sabres failed to sign him byt eh deadline. When the Sabres selected Kryukov 15th overall last year, it marked only the third time Buffalo has taken a forward in the first round in its last seven selections.
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