Sabres ship Kesselring, climb to 20th in 2026 NHL Draft swap
Buffalo gains draft leverage while San Jose shores up playoff hopes in a first-round exchange.
The Buffalo Sabres have sent defenseman Michael Kesselring to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a first-round pick swap, lifting Buffalo to the 20th overall selection in the 2026 NHL Draft. The deal shifts the Sharks to a lower draft position while adding Kesselring’s NHL experience to their blue line. Buffalo, now holding the 20th pick, gains a stronger chance to land a franchise-defining defenseman in a draft widely expected to feature top-tier blueliners.
