Sabres Drafted Rudolph Without Pre-Draft Meeting

Buffalo's decision to select Daxon Rudolph fourth overall is raising eyebrows because the Sabres apparently didn't have a formal conversation with him until draft day itself. That's an unconventional approach for a top-five pick, suggesting either remarkable confidence in their scouting or a willingness to take a calculated risk on a prospect they hadn't personally vetted. The lack of a pre-draft meeting adds an intriguing subplot to what should be a straightforward high-pick selection.