Buffalo used their opening slot to take 17‑year‑old forward Ilia Morozov, twentieth overall in the NHL Draft. He played last season as a centre at Miami University in Ohio, in the NCAA.
The club hopes his two‑way style will give the forward line more options. Scouts liked his size and his skating, and several teams talked about him on draft day. This is the Sabres’ second first‑round forward in a decade. Morozov will sign his entry‑level deal next month and will report to the September training camp.