Citing the Buffalo Sabres' need to boost their depth among their left-shot prospect defensemen, we had them choosing USNTDP blueliner Cole Hutson in our previous mock draft.
While he's not among NHL Central Scouting's list of "A" rankings, we're sticking with that selection.
The younger brother of promising Montreal Canadiens rearguard Lane Hutson, the 5'10", 158-pounder already has 17 points in as many games for the U.S. National Under-18 team. He's also collected three points in six games with the USNTDP Junior squad in the USHL.
Like Lane, Cole is a small but gifted playmaking defenseman. Daily Faceoff's Steven Ellis suggested he might even be the better prospect of the two.
Scouts passed over Lane in the first round of the 2022 NHL draft, but his strong performance could ensure they don't make the same mistake with his younger brother in 2024.
The Buffalo Sabres have built a roster filled with exciting young stars that includes former first-round picks such as Rasmus Sandin, Owen Power, Dylan Cozens, Casey Mittelstadt, and Zach Benson. Hutson could be another fine addition to this group.
