O'Brien would be a steal at this point in the draft, as Buffalo could try to replace center Dylan Cozens for the long haul with the sharpshooting O'Brien. He's coming off a 32-goal, 66-assist season in the OHL.

Now that the first round order is set for the NHL’s upcoming draft, it’s officially mock draft season. The first ones are trickling in. The Penguins got bumped down two places, as several teams did which might need to adjust the areas that they’ll be picking.

After the Islanders, the San Jose Sharks landed the second pick while the Chicago Blackhawks will pick third. The Sharks own a top-five pick for the third straight season after selecting Macklin Celebrini with the top pick in 2024 and Will Smith with the No. 4 pick in 2023.