“I think it's a package that's pretty rare – 6-foot-6 right-shot defenseman that plays a good two-way game, good with the puck,” Adams said following the first round. “Good feet, mobile, plays hard. Really, really good kid.

The Buffalo Sabres were willing to trade their first-round pick at the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday for immediate help, but in the end did what many mock drafts projected them to do, going with the second-highest ranked defenseman after top pick Matthew Schaefer with Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman Radim Mrtka with the ninth overall pick.