Breaking Down Buffalo’s Late-Round Draft Picks: Who’s Standing Out Early?
The Buffalo Sabres made some intriguing bets in the later rounds of the 2025 NHL Draft, and a few months into the season, those picks are already showing signs of promise. These aren’t the headline-grabbing first-rounders, but if development trends hold, Buffalo may have found some real value deep in the draft. Let’s take a closer look at the progress of five of their late-round selections.
Noah Laberge - Defenseman - 135th Overall
At 19 years old, Noah Laberge is starting to look like a fifth-round steal. After putting up 12 goals and 35 points in his second QMJHL season with Acadie-Bathurst-now relocated and renamed the Newfoundland Regiment-Laberge has taken another step forward this year. Through 24 games, the left-shot blueliner has 19 points (3 goals, 16 assists), showing he’s more than just a shutdown guy.
Laberge’s calling card, though, is his defensive acumen. He’s known for his ability to read the rush and make subtle, smart plays that break up opposing entries before they even begin.
Elite Prospects describes him as “an intelligent and mobile blueliner who specializes in suppressing opposing rushes,” and that tracks with what he’s showing on the ice. He’s not flashy, but he plays with poise beyond his years-exactly the kind of steady presence that can anchor a second or third pairing down the road.
Ashton Schultz - Center - 167th Overall
Schultz is a classic example of a player who’s quietly climbed the ranks through hard work and adaptability. A product of the Minnesota high school system, he first made his mark with Sioux Falls in the USHL before moving to the powerhouse Chicago Steel. There, he racked up 39 points (14 goals, 25 assists) in 57 games-enough to catch Buffalo’s attention in the sixth round.
Now in his draft+1 season, Schultz has eight goals in 17 games, continuing to show off his scoring touch and offensive instincts. He’s committed to the University of North Dakota, one of the top development programs in college hockey. With his blend of skill and tenacity, Schultz is the kind of player who could thrive in a middle-six role if he continues to round out his two-way game.
Adam Novotny - Winger - 191st Overall
Novotny was the first of three seventh-round picks for Buffalo, and he’s already making his case as one to watch. The 18-year-old winger came up through the Leksands system in Sweden and represented his country at the U18 World Juniors last season. Since making the jump to North America, he’s been lighting it up for Muskegon in the USHL.
Through 23 games, Novotny has posted 28 points (14 goals, 14 assists), showing a quick adjustment to the North American game. He’s committed to UMass next season, a program that’s developed its share of NHL-caliber talent in recent years. Novotny brings a mix of finesse and finish, and his transition from the European to the North American style has been seamless so far-a promising sign for his long-term upside.
Evgeny Prokhorov - Goaltender - 199th Overall
Buffalo doubled down on goaltending depth in the 2025 draft, and Prokhorov might be the more intriguing of the two. The 19-year-old Belarusian netminder played 28 games last season for Dinamo-Shinnik Bobruysk, the junior affiliate of Dinamo Minsk, and posted a strong playoff performance with a sub-2.00 goals-against average over six games.
This season, he’s taken his game to another level in the MHL. Through 15 games, Prokhorov holds a 10-3-0 record with a sparkling 1.39 GAA and a .948 save percentage.
Those are elite numbers, regardless of league. He’s still a long-term project, but the early returns are promising.
With his size, athleticism, and calm presence in the crease, Prokhorov could develop into a legitimate NHL option if he continues on this trajectory.
Ryan Rucinski - Center - 219th Overall
With their final pick of the draft, the Sabres went with a bit of a homegrown feel, selecting Ohio native Ryan Rucinski. The 20-year-old overager is currently leading the Youngstown Phantoms in both goals (15) and points (31) this season, building on a 42-point campaign last year. Buffalo has had eyes on Youngstown recently, with previous picks like Luke Osburn and Matous Kucharcik also coming through the program, so Rucinski wasn’t exactly flying under the radar.
Set to join Ohio State next season, Rucinski brings a mature, well-rounded game to the table. He’s shown he can produce, but he also plays with the kind of grit and consistency that coaches love in bottom-six forwards. He’ll be one to watch as he transitions to the NCAA level, where the pace and structure will test his ability to adapt.
Final Thoughts
Late-round picks are all about projection and upside, and so far, the Sabres have reason to be optimistic. Laberge’s defensive instincts, Schultz’s offensive growth, Novotny’s seamless transition, Prokhorov’s stellar numbers, and Rucinski’s scoring touch all point to a scouting staff that found value well beyond the top 100 picks.
Of course, development is never linear, and the road to the NHL is long. But if even one or two of these players hit, it could pay major dividends for Buffalo down the line. For now, they’re trending in the right direction-and that’s exactly what you want to see from your late-round prospects.