The Top 25 Under 25 is a collaboration by members of the Die By The Blade community. It was a combination of staff writers and over 200 readers that ranked Buffalo Sabres players under the age of 25 as of August 1, 2024. Each participant used their own metric of current ability and production to rank each player. Staff votes counted equally with reader votes.

Adam Kleber

Drafted: 2024 – 2nd Round (42nd overall)

Position: Defense

Born: March 24, 2006 (18 years old)

2023-2024 stats: Lincoln Stars, USHL: 5-21-26 + 26 PIM in 56 GP

2023 T25U25 Ranking: N/A

It’s hard not to talk about size when we talk about Buffalo Sabres second-rounder Adam Kleber. Still only 18 years old, Kleber is already a big presence on the blueline, at 6-foot-6 and a lean 214 pounds. It’s not just his size that makes him an intriguing prospect, but it certainly helps.

Here’s what EliteProspects said in their 2024 NHL Draft Guide:

With agility, reach, and details, Kleber’s a formidable defender. He angles opponents to the outside and times his pokes just as they expose the puck. He has the range to switch between high, low, and off-puck coverage with ease. He’s physical, yet rarely chases or ends up in the box.

And here’s what FloHockey had to say:

A 6-foot-5, right-shot defenseman that’s just coming into his own, Kleber has some serious potential. While his numbers are not particularly impressive offensively, he has shown some significant improvement year-over-year in his puck play. His shot has become more effective and he moves pucks much more accurately than he had in the previous season. Big defensemen are at a premium in the NHL, especially ones with solid mobility and a willingness to be physical. Kleber checks a lot of boxes and the offense is starting to come a bit more.

Here’s what Kleber said after the draft:

This past season was Kleber’s second in the USHL with the Lincoln Stars. He led all Stars defenders in points and was fifth on the team overall. He just finished up the World Junior Summer Showcase, where he appeared in three games and had one assist and 10 penalty minutes. Both FloHockey and Daily Faceoff considered him a ‘standout’ at one point or another during the showcase, and it seems like he has a decent chance at making the USA World Juniors roster.

Kleber is now headed to play NCAA Division I hockey at the University of Minnesota-Duluth this fall, where he’ll skate with other NHL draft picks including Max Plante (Detroit), Aaron Pionk (Minnesota), Zam Plante (Pittsburgh) and Jayson Shaugabay (Tampa Bay).