The 2026 NHL Entry Draft is now less than two months away, and with the draft lottery in the rearview mirror, hockey fans are already buzzing about the next wave of young talent. In his latest mock draft, The Athletic's Scott Wheeler has the Buffalo Sabres targeting a big, promising forward with their first-round pick—and it's a name that could add some serious size and skill to their pipeline.

According to Wheeler, the Sabres are projected to select Ryan Roobroeck, a 6-foot-3 winger who has been turning heads in the OHL. Roobroeck put up impressive numbers during the 2024-25 season with the Niagara IceDogs, tallying 41 goals, 46 assists, and 87 points in just 64 games. That kind of production from a player his size is hard to ignore.

But it wasn't just a one-year flash. Roobroeck also posted 30 goals, 28 assists, and 58 points in 49 games the season prior, showing consistent offensive growth. For a team like the Sabres, who are starting to cement themselves as legitimate contenders, adding a prospect with this kind of upside could be a smart move—especially as they look to deepen their prospect pool heading into their competitive window.

While Buffalo's immediate focus is on their second-round playoff battle against the Montreal Canadiens, the draft remains an exciting opportunity to build for the future. If Roobroeck is still on the board when the Sabres pick, taking a chance on this big, skilled forward could pay off in a big way. It's a storyline worth watching as draft day approaches.