Round 1, Pick #4: D Daxon Rudolph

[Sidc3000]

 

won’t be worth a damn for 4 or 5 years

 

 but they do need to restock the cupboards  

Edited June 26 by Sidc3000

[Nacho Libre]

Just now, caseydean said:

Smits before Reid too.

No one wants an American likely to play for the Olympic team and then bolt to Vegas or Florida 

Edited June 26 by Nacho Libre

[RPop]

Just now, caseydean said:

Smits before Reid too.

Interesting I have no idea of these top D who the Sabres should have picked? I assume they know more than I do 🤷🏻‍♂️

[inkman]

4 minutes ago, SABRES 0311 said:

Two defensemen rated higher in the draft. What was the point in getting the 4th OA if you’re going to piss it away?

I’d have to say they thought he was better 

[Pimlach]

1 hour ago, LGR4GM said:

Elite Prospects ranked him 7th. 

I didn’t read anything on him since I’m not a draftnik.   Expected Reid based on the draft buzz.  
 

oh well, let’s use 20 to help the team in the now. 

Edited June 27 by Pimlach

[LGR4GM]

Just now, Carmel Corn said:

Well the Rags also passed on Reid, SOOOOOOO somebody tell me what this means please

Teams think he's a #2 not a #1. 

[rickshaw]

We will be fine. The defense is set . This staggers the defense nicely. Mrtka next up anyway.

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

https://denverpioneers.com/news/2026/6/25/du-pioneers-hockey-daxon-rudolph-soaking-up-nhl-draft-experience.aspx

https://www.nhl.com/news/daxon-rudolph-could-have-big-future-in-nhl

https://paherald.sk.ca/raiders-rudolph-might-be-wisest-potential-nhl-draft-pick-2/

 

Edited June 27 by \GoBillsInDallas/

[LGR4GM]

 

 

[Mustache of God]

Maybe Reid will fall to 20

[DarthEbriate]

How many years does he need before he's capable in his own zone?

Because, just like Byram before him...  will he have the chance to be on the PP before he's 28 years old?

[Nacho Libre]

Let’s see a trade with 20

 

[Rasmus_]

Lanny McDonald, finally back to the real part of the NHL draft. 

[Carmel Corn]

Reid still falling!!!

Maybe he’s this draft’s version of Cole Caufield?

Edited June 26 by Carmel Corn

[triumph_communes]

Reid drops again

[COSabreFan]

Should have just given the pick to Jets for Helle, and that wasn’t a great idea.  
 

Instead you pick a 3rd big right shot defenseman to have in pipeline to not play for Sabres for a couple of years if ever. 
 

SMH

[7+6=13]

Stupid Jarmo didn't take Reid and now he's forced two more teams to take defenseman ahead of him.

[LGR4GM]

Rudolph is a 6'2.5" 205lb RHD.

[Hoss]

We’ll just take Reid at 20

[Gatorman0519]

Reid falling. Wow. 

[caseydean]

Rudolph pick makes more sense with Reid falling.  What do I know anyway?  Go Sabres.

[triumph_communes]

We’re going to be begging to have cheap good defenseman a few years from now. Defense is set for a decade+

[Flashsabre]

I like it. Analytics Dept picked this one. Sportsnet read off all the categories he was top 5 in the entire CHL in. He exploded in the second half of the year and went nuclear in the playoffs.

Not as explosive of a skater but very good offensively, solid defensively (+32) and physical. Big RHD that will play with Power

Hats off to Chad he is connected. He said they like Rudolph

Edited June 27 by Flashsabre

[Curt]

6 minutes ago, Weave said:

Ok so we know he wasn’t a consensus pick to go this high.   What do we know about him?

He was generally ranked in the 7-11 rage by most public “experts”.

6’3” 205 RHD.  Big shot.  Great skater.  2-way defenseman who plays an intelligent, mature game.

Sounds like he isn’t someone where you really need to worry about his defense, even though he has been offensive leaning at the junior level.

His parents decided to name him Daxon.  I’m certain that says something about his family, even if I’m not entirely sure what it is.

[DarthEbriate]

Just play him at forward. Problem solved.