Might be bpa, depends on who you listen to, i dont see us drafting a russian.

If you're abiding by McKenzie's list, which the top-15 was just updated for the draft lottery, Podkolzin is the BPA at 3rd overall. The kid is a legitimate talent, and given the proper time to develop, will easily be a top-line winger for whichever team drafts him. His two-way game is phenomenal, his scoring ability even more so. The fact that he's Russian is insignificant. If the Sabres' management subscribes to Don Cherry's "Russians are problematic payers" philosophies, I'd hope the Pegulas are in the market for new management.

Don’t believe Podkolzin in NHL ready.
Turcotte better

No, no, we have had some talented Russians here- mogilny was great for a few seasons, and zhitnik was a solid defender for several years. I think the concern is that we aren't a cosmopolitan metropolis with a large Russian presence, and we don't have a winning hockey culture currently. We aren't in a great spot to draft a kid that is gonna want out the minute he gets here. I'm sure it's been discussed internally, if we wants to play here I'm all for it.

Sabres are a few years away. They can let their draft pick time to develop...