Draft Preview | 4 defensemen who could be available at 13th overall

Buffalo holds the 13th-overall pick heading into the 2023 NHL Draft this Wednesday, its only first-round selection.

Last week, we examined 14 forwards who could be available when the Sabres are on the clock. Today, we will take a look at four of the top defensemen available in this year's draft.

Sabres director of amateur scouting Jerry Forton met with the media on June 21 and discussed the strength of the top defensemen available in the draft.

"I think from maybe the public perception there could be a surprise because I've been shocked to see on some mock drafts, a lack of defensemen near the top of the draft," he said. "I think there's a handful of defensemen in this draft that could be really good long-term NHL players that are worthy of top-15 picks in the NHL draft."

Analysts have debated over which defenseman will hear his name called first and when, but all agree that each defenseman has a lot to offer to his future NHL team.

Here are four defensemen who could be selected at 13th overall.

David Reinbacher, RHD - Kloten (NLA)

6-foot-2, 194 pounds

Reinbacher rose in the NHL Central Scouting Services rankings, jumping from 10th among European skaters at midterm to fifth on the final list, after regularly seeing 20 minutes of ice time in Switzerland's top professional league.

The right-shot defenseman recorded 22 points (3+19) in 46 games and has been recognized as the top defender in most draft rankings, meaning he could be off the board before Buffalo's pick.

"The top defenseman in the draft has all the hallmark traits of a top-four blueliner," FloHockey's Chris Peters Video: PRE-DRAFT PRESS CONFERENCE.

What he's saying

On the NHL Combine experience:"I would say I'm a humble kid. I am enjoying like every minute here. It's so exciting especially as an Austrian kid from a small town here. So, I'm just enjoying being a part of it. It's unreal."

Axel Sandin Pellikka, RHD - Skelleftea (SWE J20)

5-foot-11, 180 pounds

While some experts have Sandin Pellikka placed as far down as pick 20 on draft boards, Video: PRE-DRAFT PRESS CONFERENCE have him ranked near the top at fifth.

The No. 7-ranked European skater according to NHL CSS, Sandin Pellikka dominated at the J20 level, tallying 16 goals and 20 assists in 31 games. He appeared in 22 games for Skelleftea in the SHL, standing out as a smart defenseman at the professional level.

The 17-year-old also led the Swedish defense in average ice time (19:54) at the 2023 World Junior Championships.

"He's the best defenseman in the draft," Button said. "And he's just continuously showed me that. I watch the poise, the ability to control the game in every single zone, and seemingly do it with a calm and an ease that is eerily reminiscent of [Hockey Hall of Famer] Sergei Zubov."

What he's saying

On his size: "You know, I don't really care that much what people say. Obviously, there are a lot of guys that are not that big in the NHL. Especially Quinn Hughes. He's one guy I look up to and watch him play with his skating and puck handling skills. He can still handle himself in the NHL, so those guys are who I get the inspiration from."

Tom Willander, RHD - Rogle (SWE J20)

6-foot-1, 180 pounds

Willander is another defenseman who has been mocked all over the first-round draft board. The Boston University commit is the 12th-ranked European skater by NHL CSS and tallied 25 points (4+21) in 39 games for Rogle's U-20 team, which won the J20 title.

After logging over 30 minutes of ice time in the gold medal game at the U-18 World Championship, Willander may go earlier in the draft than expected.

"Tom Willander is probably one of the better defenders in this draft and he's also one of the better skating defensemen," Peters recently told Sabres.com. "He's got so many tools that are at his disposal at any time.

"…If you watch the Under-18 World Championship this year and see any of the clips from that, you'll see that this is a player that absolutely knows how to defend, that plays a physical game, that plays very smart hockey, and he never quits on any play. He always gives you a chance, so he's a highly competitive player."

Dmitri Simashev, LHD - Yaroslavl (MHL)

6-foot-4, 198 pounds

Although Simashev is under contract in Russia until 2024-25, he is a defenseman who has the potential to arrive ready for the NHL after his contract is up and could provide a reward for the team who selects him.

The left-shot defenseman recorded 10 points (1+9) in 29 games in the MHL and added two goals and four assists in 10 playoff games. He also spent time in the KHL, appearing in 18 games.

His size is something that makes him stand out from other defensemen in the draft.

"Simashev is a 6-foot-4 kid who can really skate," The Athletic's Scott Wheeler told Sabres.com. "…Plays and uses that length to be sort of a two-way transition type of defenseman."