Sabres Eye 6-Foot-4 Defenseman William Hakansson in Latest Mock Draft

In a recent projection from The Athletic’s Corey Pronman, the Buffalo Sabres are anticipated to make a notable addition to their prospect pool by selecting defenseman William Hakansson in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft. Standing tall at 6-foot-4, Hakansson brings considerable size and a left-handed shot, attributes that are highly desirable for a team looking to bolster its defensive ranks.

The prospect of Hakansson joining the Sabres is intriguing, especially given his potential to develop into a reliable defensive presence in the NHL. His stature and skill set suggest he could evolve into a top-four shutdown defenseman, a role that could significantly enhance the Sabres’ defensive capabilities.

This season, Hakansson showcased his talents in 22 games with Lulea HF of the SHL, where he contributed two assists and maintained a plus-1 rating. Additionally, he recorded two goals and four points in 16 games with Almtuna IS in HockeyAllsvenskan, further demonstrating his versatility and scoring ability.

With the Sabres in need of increased defensive depth, targeting Hakansson in the draft seems a logical move, provided he remains available when their turn arrives. As the draft approaches, all eyes will be on whether they seize the opportunity to add this promising defenseman to their roster.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.