Despite a whirlwind of trades leading up to the 2021 NHL Entry Draft today, the prospect selection didn’t disappoint either. Here are my instant grades from each first-round pick.
#1 - Buffalo Sabres - Owen Power (D)
Grade: B
Power has been destined for Buffalo for weeks now, so this pick was no surprise. Overall, he wasn’t my top player in this class, but I get why the Sabres see him as a future number-one defender.
#2 - Seattle Kraken - Matthew Beniers (F)
Grade: A
Beniers is an excellent inaugural pick for Seattle.