Buffalo Sabres prospect  traded in blockbuster deal for multiple picks…

A major move trades top young Buffalo Sabres prospect goalie Ryerson Leenders out for multiple draft picks.

The Ontario Hockey League’s Brampton Steelhads have traded goaltender Ryerson Leenders to the Brantford Bulldogs in exchange for eight future OHL draft picks, including three future second round selections, along with three future third round picks, along with a fourth and fifth round picks in 2035 and 2037 respectively.

The Steelheads also announced the team acquired goaltender Jacob Gibbons from the Erie Otters for a 2025 fourth round pick and a 2028 6th round pick. Gibbons is eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft.

Leenders, 18, was a draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres in the seventh round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Leenders had a 24-17-4 records with the Steelheads, who spent last season in Mississauga.

The move comes with the expectation of 2025 draft eligible Jack Ivankovic to take on the leading role after splitting time between the pipes for the Steelheads last season alongside Leenders.

Ivankovic, a first round draft pick of the team back in 2023, was a key player for Canada recently at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, winning gold with the Canadians.

Brampton look to contend in their first year after relocation from Mississauga, having already stocked up by acquiring Seattle Kraken prospect Center Carson Rehkopf, who had 52 goals and 95 points in 60 OHL games last season for Kitchener, and defenseman Spencer Sova, captain of the Erie Otters.