RASMUS DAHLIN (D)

The Swedish defenseman is expected to be the anchor of the Buffalo blue line for years to come when he's presumably selected by the Sabres first overall later this month. Dahlin was once compared by prospect expert Kris Baker to the queen on a chess board:

Dahlin may be known for his highlight reel goals and ankle-breaking dekes on YouTube, but that doesn't mean he's a slouch in his own zone. He does not shy away from contact, and knows how to lay an open-ice body check. Hall-of-Famer and fellow Swede Nicklas Lidstrom has given him a ringing endorsement, saying Dahlin was even better than him when he was 17. His creativity with the puck, combined with his size (6'2" and growing), should make him the formidable, franchise-altering defenseman Sabres fans have craved.

BRADY TKACHUK (C/LW)

Tkachuk lit up the NCAA as a rookie with Boston University (the alma mater of Sabres star Jack Eichel) and is an avid Bills fan. The American forward was a standout at the World Junior Championship this past winter in Buffalo, scoring the game-tying goal and game-winner in the shootout to lift Team USA over Canada outdoors at New Era Field. His game is a combination of his father’s, legendary power forward Keith Tkachuk, and his older brother’s, Calgary Flames super-pest Matthew Tkachuk. An 18-year-old who’s already 6’3”, Tkachuk has the potential to be a dangerous all-around forward after he fills out his frame. Look for him to go top five in the draft.

JOEL FARABEE (LW)

Like Tkachuk, Joel Farabee has all the makings of an all-around stud at Boston University, which he committed to this past November.

The Syracuse native captained the U.S. National U18 Team this past season, and finished second in scoring on the team. Farabee is a smaller winger, but packs a punch with his scoring touch around the net. As a player who can blow by defenders one-on-one and averaged about a goal every other game, look for the former Buffalo Jr. Sabre to go early in the first round.

QUINN HUGHES (D)

Quinn Hughes was born near Disney World, but his play is far from 'Goofy.' The steady defenseman stabilized the University of Michigan's backend in his freshman year, putting up almost a point per game. He was subsequently—and unsurprisingly—named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team and All-Big Ten Second Team. He was the apple of Sabres fans' eyes during the World Junior Championship—when they were unsure of their favorite team's future draft position—proving he belonged with Team USA on the world stage. Hughes can thread the needle to his forwards' sticks, and with that kind of offensive vision, expect him to be taken in the top 10.

TYLER MADDEN (C)

Like Tkachuk, Tyler Madden seems to pattern his game after his father: three-time Stanley Cup champion John Madden. He doesn't mind doing his part in his own zone, and has a knack for scoring goals when his team needs them most. The Albany native notched three goals in four games at the World Junior A Challenge this past December, earning a silver medal with Team USA.  He added to his hardware collection in January, earning MVP honors at the USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game after netting two goals in a 4-3 win. The speedy center is projected to go in the second round.