Sabres select Daxon Rudolph with 4th pick in NHL Draft
The Buffalo Sabres bolstered their roster in the 2026 NHL Draft by selecting Daxon Rudolph at fourth overall and Ilia Morozov at twentieth.
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The brief
The Buffalo Sabres completed their first-round activity in the 2026 NHL Draft by selecting defenseman Daxon Rudolph with the fourth overall pick and forward Ilia Morozov with the 20th overall pick. Morozov, previously playing for the Miami RedHawks at Miami University, joins the organization alongside Rudolph.
Coverage from NHL.com, Sportsnet.ca, and the Cincinnati Enquirer highlights the selections, with additional analysis provided by The New York Times, Sabre Noise, and McKeen's Hockey. The Denver Post noted that Rudolph's selection, alongside Ryan Lin, marks a historic moment for the University of Denver Pioneers program.
Future reports are expected to track the integration of these players into the Sabres' organizational depth. Coverage does not yet specify the long-term impact of these additions on the existing defensive roster or the specific development timelines for either prospect.
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Quick answers
Who was the Buffalo Sabres' first-round pick at number four?
The Sabres selected defenseman Daxon Rudolph with the fourth overall pick.
Which team did Ilia Morozov play for before being drafted?
Ilia Morozov played for the Miami RedHawks at Miami University.
How many first-round picks did the Sabres make?
The Sabres made two first-round selections: Daxon Rudolph at number four and Ilia Morozov at number 20.
Coverage (13)
- Sabres draft Miami (Ohio) forward Ilia Morozov at No. 20 in the NHL Draft Buffalo News · 3h ago
- Sabres double down on organizational depth with first-round selection of Ilia Morozov Sabre Noise · 3h ago
- 2026 NHL DRAFT: DETAILED SCOUTING REPORT McKeen's Hockey · 3h ago
- Miami RedHawks C Ilia Morozov picked 20th overall by Buffalo Sabres Cincinnati Enquirer · 3h ago
- Miami University’s Ilia Morozov Selected at 20 by the Buffalo Sabres Yahoo Sports · 3h ago
- Sabres select forward Morozov with 20th pick in NHL Draft NHL.com · 3h ago
- Sabres draft defenseman Daxon Rudolph of Prince Albert of WHL at No. 4 Buffalo News · 5h ago
- Rudolph and family savor unexpected, unforgettable draft night NHL.com · 5h ago
- NHL Draft: Daxon Rudolph and Ryan Lin make DU Pioneers history The Denver Post · 5h ago
- What does the first-round pick mean for the other Sabres defenseman? Sabre Noise · 5h ago
- Sabres select defenceman Daxon Rudolph with No. 4 pick in NHL Draft Sportsnet.ca · 5h ago
- Buffalo Sabres NHL Draft picks tracker: Grades, fits and analysis The New York Times · 5h ago
- Sabres select Daxon Rudolph with 4th pick in NHL Draft NHL.com · 5h ago
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