Really don't see any chance whatsoever that Nazar lasts until 9. Personally think he's the 3rd best center in the draft and expect mocks to reflect that as we get closer to the draft. Savoie still not sold will play center long term and even if he did, I would still rate Nazar higher. And Nazar might have the highest ceiling of any of them. Pretty sure he will be gone by pick 7 the latest, but could see him being taken at 5 or 6. A lot of these mocks I think are way off. Like, as good as Slaf might be, not sure any team would take him over Cooley, Nemec, Jiricek. And frankly, wouldn't take him over Nazar either unless the team drafting badly, badly needs a power forward and is set at center and D. Maybe the Habs or Devils if they end up with pick 5 or 6 would take him over Nazar? Not sure, think Habs will be going C or D though along with most of the top 5. So Devils prob best bet to take a winger first as they probably the only team that will be picking that high to be set at center and D in terms of prospects. There's some decent wingers in the mid-1st and maybe latter 1st, so I could see a team trading down possibly to add more picks.
Just my guesses as far as team needs. Not that they wouldn't take a winger if they feel BPA. But if they had a choice:
Habs, C/D, Kraken C/D, Yotes C/D, Devils W, CBJ D, Flyers C/D, Sabres C, Sharks C/W/D, Wings C/W, Sens C/W/D, Ducks W/D, NYI C/W/D, WPJ W/D.
For Sabres, think it's going to come down to Savoie, Lambert , Geekie or Kasper if they end up picking around 8, 9, 10. Geekie just has too much Dylan Strome in him for me, I'd be concerned if my team grabbed him. Savoie probably does have the highest ceiling of this group, but again, just don't see lasting at center. But he might end up being BPA at that point, so a team might cross their fingers and hope he can adjust to center at highest level. Unless they think like Kemmel or Lekker can transition to center or something, but a lot of the mocks have Kemmel 2-4 picks higher than I see him going ultimately. I see Kemmel listed as center on a couple of boards but as far as I know, he's predominantly a winger, same with Lekker. If Nazar is still on the board at 9, then at least 3 teams F'd up something awful letting him slide. Lambert might be the best bet for a surefire center. All though he's had a weird year and seems to be falling down boards a bit. Unless someone like McGroarty or Mesar rises up the boards heading into the draft.
Sabres definitely don't need more wingers right now. And D, Matey maybe? Minty just.... huge offensive potential, but remind me of Quinn Hughes with worse defense.
But really, I think ultimately it comes down to Lambert, Kasper or Geekie for the Sabres. Some of the mocks I've been reading seem ridiculous having guys like Lambert, Kemmel and Geekie way higher than I would feel comfortable drafting them, and Nazar way too low.