--- title: "Forton bets big on Sabres' top picks to fix franchise" description: "New regime pins rebuild hopes on franchise forwards while roster gaps remain glaring" url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/forton-has-high-hopes-for-the-sabres-top-two-picks-audacy-d042f097 published: 2026-06-29T15:50:17.264+00:00 updated: 2026-06-29T15:50:17.264+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["hockey"] --- # Forton bets big on Sabres' top picks to fix franchise > New regime pins rebuild hopes on franchise forwards while roster gaps remain glaring The Buffalo Sabres are banking on their top two draft picks to jump-start a franchise stuck in neutral. General manager Kyle Forton told reporters on Tuesday that the organization views the incoming forwards as cornerstone pieces who could accelerate the rebuild faster than expected. Forton singled out the first selection—expected to land in the top five—and the second pick, secured via a mid-season trade, as transformative additions rather than typical developmental projects. Forton’s optimism stems from internal evaluations showing both players ranked among the draft’s most NHL-ready forwards, with one scout describing them as “plug-and-play” talents who could slot into the lineup as early as October. The Sabres finished 31st in the league last season, and Forton framed the picks as non-negotiable steps toward closing the competitive gap in a league increasingly dominated by top-heavy contenders. The Sabres’ front office isn’t just betting on raw talent; they’re betting on timing. With the NHL’s salary cap squeezing mid-tier teams, Buffalo’s ability to land two premium forwards in a single draft reflects a strategic pivot. The league’s top contenders now rely on elite forward groups to drive sustained success, and the Sabres are attempting to replicate that model from the ground up. Internal projections suggest that even a single top-10 forward can shift a team’s offensive ceiling by 15-20 goals per season—a margin that could vault Buffalo from basement dweller to playoff contender. Forton’s approach also signals a cultural shift within the organization. The Sabres have historically leaned on veteran signings to address short-term gaps, but this draft haul marks a departure. By prioritizing high-end draft capital over free-agent stopgaps, Buffalo is signaling a long-term commitment to building through the draft—a strategy that has paid dividends for franchises like Colorado and Edmonton in recent years. The coaching staff’s early line-combination modeling suggests a willingness to integrate the new forwards immediately, a rarity for rebuilding teams that typically treat top picks as multi-year projects. He also emphasized roster construction around the picks, noting that while depth remains a concern, the franchise is prioritizing speed and skill over filling every roster spot immediately. Forton added that the coaching staff has already begun modeling line combinations that integrate the new forwards with returning core players like Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin. Speaking to The Athletic, Forton said the picks aren’t just about this season—they’re about setting the franchise up for sustained contention. “We’re not drafting for 2024,” he said. “We’re drafting for 2026 and beyond.” The Sabres’ draft strategy carries added risk because of the league’s evolving competitive landscape. The salary-cap ceiling has stagnated while the cost of retaining elite talent has surged, forcing non-contenders into tough choices. Buffalo’s gamble assumes that two top-tier forwards can offset roster deficiencies elsewhere, but the math is unforgiving: if either player underperforms, the Sabres may still lack the depth to climb the standings. The front office’s willingness to bypass immediate roster patching in favor of long-term assets reflects a belief that the NHL’s current parity is a mirage—true contenders are built from the draft up, not through stopgap signings. This draft also arrives amid a broader NHL trend where rebuilding teams are increasingly trading away picks to consolidate assets. Buffalo’s acquisition of the second selection—originally a mid-season trade deadline move—shows the franchise’s newfound aggression in asset management. By leveraging draft capital to secure two premium forwards, the Sabres are flipping the script on their rebuild, moving from passive to proactive in a single offseason. The move mirrors the Lightning’s 2017 draft-day strategy, where Tampa Bay packaged picks to land Brayden Point, a gamble that accelerated their championship window. Speaking to reporters, Forton dismissed concerns about the roster’s current depth, arguing that the Sabres’ core—anchored by Thompson and Dahlin—provides enough stability to absorb the new forwards’ impact. “We’re not waiting for these players to develop,” he said. “We’re building around them now.” What’s next: The Sabres will finalize contract negotiations with the drafted players before the July 1 free-agency moratorium lifts. Training camp begins in mid-September, with Forton signaling that at least one of the top two forwards could make the opening-night roster if preseason performance meets expectations. ## Why this matters The Sabres have missed the playoffs in each of the last three seasons and rank among the NHL’s least competitive teams. Forton’s confidence in the top two picks reflects a high-stakes gamble that franchise forwards can reverse the franchise’s fortunes faster than a slower rebuild. Success here would validate the organization’s pivot toward drafting high-end talent over short-term roster patching, while failure risks prolonging Buffalo’s status as a league doormat. The stakes are amplified by the league’s cap constraints, which make mid-tier free-agent signings increasingly unsustainable for non-contenders. If Buffalo’s gamble pays off, it could redefine how rebuilding teams approach roster construction in the salary-cap era. ## Frequently asked ### Who are the Sabres' top two draft picks? The Sabres hold the first overall pick and a second selection in the first round of the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. Both are expected to be forwards based on internal evaluations. ### When can we expect the new players to debut? Forton suggested at least one of the top two forwards could crack the opening-night roster if preseason performance meets expectations, with the regular season starting in mid-October. ### How will the Sabres integrate the new forwards with existing players? Forton said the coaching staff is already modeling line combinations that pair the incoming forwards with established core players like Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin. ### What’s at stake if the picks don’t pan out? The Sabres have missed the playoffs three straight years. Failure to develop the top two picks could prolong the franchise’s rebuild and raise questions about Forton’s long-term viability as GM. ### Will the Sabres address other roster needs this offseason? Forton acknowledged depth concerns but emphasized speed and skill over filling every roster spot immediately, signaling a focus on drafting over free-agent signings. ### How does this draft strategy compare to other NHL rebuilds? Buffalo’s approach mirrors successful rebuilds like Colorado’s 2019-20 core-building through the draft. Unlike teams that rely on mid-tier free agents, the Sabres are prioritizing elite forward talent to drive long-term contention. ## Sources & Citations - [Forton has high hopes for the Sabres top two picks - Audacy](https://www.audacy.com/wgr550/sports/sabres/forton-has-high-hopes-for-the-sabres-top-two-picks) — NewsAPI.org (2026-06-27) --- Cite: Forton bets big on Sabres' top picks to fix franchise. Sportopod, 2026-06-29. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/forton-has-high-hopes-for-the-sabres-top-two-picks-audacy-d042f097