Draft Preview | 7 (more) forwards who could be available at 13th overall

The Buffalo Sabres hold the 13th-overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft, which will be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on June 28 and 29.

On Thursday, we wrote about seven potential forwards Buffalo could select with its only first-round pick. To fit with what NHL Director of Central Scouting Dan Marr is calling the "year for the skilled, speedy forwards," here are seven more forwards who could be options for the Sabres with the 13th pick.

Dalibor Dvorsky, C - AIK (Allsvenskan)

6-foot-1, 200 pounds

Dvorsky is the third-ranked European skater according to NHL Central Scouting Services, meaning he may be off the board when it's time for the Sabres to pick. The 17-year-old recorded 21 points (10+11) in 10 games at the junior level in Sweden while logging 6 goals and 8 assists in 38 games against men in the second-tier Allsvenskan league.

Serving as an alternate captain for Slovakia at the U-18 World Championship, Dvorsky led the group with eight goals and 13 points in seven games, standing out as a threat in the offensive zone.

"A versatile center who takes care of his details off the puck, Dvorsky's value is most tied to his ability to score," FloHockey's Chris Peters wrote in his final draft rankings. "He has the instincts and competitive drive to make plays in the tough areas of the ice and has the skill to make defenders miss and create additional time and space."

What he's saying

On who he models his game after: "I think I'm pretty much my own player, but I would maybe say John Tavares or Anze Kopitar because they are really good offensive players that have great hockey IQ. They're two-way players. They're really quick in their mind, quick thinking."

Oliver Moore, C - USA U-18 (NTDP)

5-foot-11, 195 pounds

Widely recognized as one of the fastest players available in this year's draft, Moore is listed eighth among North American skaters by NHL CSS.

"His speed is difference-making. But he's got the finishing ability, he's got the puck skills, he's got that drive to his game, he's got the complete package," Marr said. "I don't know that there's any situation that a coach would hesitate to put him on the ice because he does have a strong two-way game as well. We just like the fact that he's one of those players who can give you the highlight reel rush up the ice, and finish on the play."

The Mounds View, Minnesota native led the USA U-18 second line with 75 points (31+44) in 61 games and played a crucial role on the top penalty kill and second power-play unit.

What he's saying

On how he would describe his game: "I think my game on the ice, I'm a 200-foot centerman. I like to use my speed and compete out there to kind of create advantages against other teams and, obviously, I'm a guy who can produce offensively and make plays."

Colby Barlow, LW - Owen Sound (OHL)

6-foot-0, 195 pounds

As the No. 12-ranked North American skater by NHL CSS, Barlow led Owen Sound with 46 goals, 79 points and 12 game-winning goals during the 2022-23 campaign while ranking fifth in the WHL in goals scored.

Barlow was also an important piece of the Attack's power-play unit, recording 13 goals and 10 assists on the power play.

Sabres.com spoke with Peters before the NHL Combine about what would make Barlow a strong pick for Buffalo.

"I think Colby Barlow, he looks like a really nice fit for kind of where the Sabres are going because he's sturdy, he's strong, he's mature, he's got leadership capabilities," he said. "…This is a guy that has a tremendous shot. He's able to get to the hard areas of the ice very well. He's got the work ethic to compete off the puck as well. So, he's a pretty versatile player that does a little bit of everything."

What he's saying

On his leadership as a young captain: "I think it's just having a good relationship with all of them. In Owen Sound, we're always together outside of the rink and we build great friendships. …It was an honor. At such a young age, it's pretty crazy. It was pretty surprising when I got it, but it's a massive honor and worked out really well this year."

Calum Ritchie, C - Oshawa (OHL)

6-foot-2, 184 pounds

Ritchie compiled 24 goals and 35 assists this season for the Oshawa Generals. NHL CSS has him listed as the 13th-ranked North American skater behind Barlow.

Although most analysts have Ritchie ranked in the 15 to 20 range, TSN's Craig Button has the center sitting in the 13th spot on his Top 100 player list while The Athletic's Scott Wheeler calls Ritchie "the complete package."

"On the puck, he's a multi-faceted playmaker who often looks like the player who was the No. 2 pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection and an OHL First All-Rookie Team member," Wheeler Video: 2023 NHL Draft Preview Show: Options at 13th overall.

Andrew Cristall, LW - Kelowna (WHL)

5-foot-10, 175 pounds

Despite missing time due to injury, Cristall enjoyed a stellar season in the WHL, earning recognition as a First Team All-Star. The Vancouver, British Columbia native tallied 39 goals and 95 points in 54 games for the Rockets, leading the team in goals, assists, and points.

Although Cristall's stock has taken a dip, Wheeler still has him ranked as the 13th-best player available in this year's draft, Video: 2023 NHL Draft Preview Show: Options at 13th overall.

Daniil But, LW - Yaroslavl (MHL)

6-foot-5, 203 pounds

But, the ninth-ranked European skater by NHL CSS, had a strong start to the 2022-23 season with 11 goals in his first 15 games in the MHL before splitting time between the MHL and KHL.

His father, Anton But, appeared in over 300 games in the KHL and was the 119th-overall pick in the 1998 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils.

The Athletic's Corey Pronman Video: 2023 NHL Draft Preview Show: Options at 13th overalland has compared him to Sabres forward Alex Tuch.

Zach Benson, LW - Winnipeg (WHL) 5-foot-10, 170 pounds

Benson led the Winnipeg Ice with 98 points (36+62) in 60 regular-season games, finishing just ahead of Sabres prospect Matt Savoie in points. The winger added seven goals and 10 assists in 15 playoff games after missing the first round due to injury.

The sixth-ranked North American skater in the draft by NHL CSS, Benson served as an alternate captain for Team Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and has been lauded for his drive and agility.

"The thing that I love about Zach Benson is that he's a tremendous competitor," Peters told Sabres.com. "…The thing that I love about him so much is that his off-the-puck play is probably just as good, if not better, as his on-the-puck play. He's got a good stick, he's aggressive on the forecheck. We talked with Connor Bedard at one point, and he said he's one of the toughest guys to play against because he's always on you, he's always trying to take the puck off your stick."

What he's saying

On playing with Savoie: "Matt's a heck of a hockey player. …We had a lot of good chemistry on the ice, but we're close off the ice as well."