The 2015 NHL Draft completed and the Buffalo Sabres start their development camp Monday, July 6th. Here is an extended look at the players that will be there and in the system this coming season.
This list does not include invitees, only those in the Sabres organization as of 7/4/15. There is always the possibility of someone not being at the development camp for a variety of reasons, so bear that in mind. The official camp roster has not ben released yet. All statistics are from the 2014-15 Regular Season.
Forwards
Justin Bailey: RW, (R) 6’3” 202 lbs (BUF ‘13 2nd, #52)
- Kitchener Rangers (OHL): 35gp, 22g, 19, 41pts, 32pim, -11
- Sault Ste. Marie Grehounds: 22gp, 12g, 16a, 28pts, 12pim,+17
- Bailey, from Williamsville, NY, will bring his speed and a good shot to the Rochester Americans. I can see him on the 2nd line.
Nicholas Baptiste: RW, (R) 6’3” 202 lbs (BUF ‘13 3rd, #69)
- Sudbury Wolves (OHL): 12gp, 6g, 5a, 11pts, 8pim, -7
- Erie Otters (OHL): 41gp, 26g, 27a, 53pts 18pim, +16
- Another right winger with solid foot speed and a good shot. Watch Baptiste in the left circle for one timers. Look for Baptiste on the 3rd line in Rochester.
Christopher Brown: C, (R) 6’0” 174lbs (BUF ‘14 6th, #151)
- Green Bay Gamblers (USHL): 43gp, 13g, 19a, 32pts, 22pim, -9
- Tri-City Storm (USHL): 15gp, 0g, 5a, 5pts, 2 pim -2
- Brown is headed to Boston College in the fall after spending a year in the USHL. Boston College is always a top hockey school. Brown will play with and learn from the best.
William Carrier: LW, (L) 6’1” 194lbs (STL ‘13 2nd, #57)
- Rochester Americans (AHL): 63gp, 7g, 14a, 21pts, 38pim, +1
- Carrier came on hot in the beginning but was not consistent in his first year as a pro. Look to see him improve as a physical presence with a scoring touch.
Daniel Catenacci: C, (L) 5’10” 191lbs (BUF ‘11 3rd, #77)
- Rochester Americans (AHL): 68gp, 15g, 14,a, 29pts, 60pim, -7
- Catenacci is a speedy, scrappy player that fell victim to the horrible season the Americans faced with injuries and call-ups. Stability to the Americans will bring out his full potential.
Eric Cornel: C, (R) 6’2” 191lbs (BUF 2nd, #44)
- Peterborough Petes (OHL): 66gp, 14, 38a, 52pts, 35pim, -24
- Rochester Americans (AHL): 6gp, 0g, 1a, 1pts, 0pim, -2
- Cornel is still eligible to return to the OHL. Unless he makes the Sabres squad, he will have more time to touch up his overall game down in juniors.
Jean Dupuy: LW, (L) 6’3” 201lbs (Undrafted)
- Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL): 54gp, 18g, 28a, 46pts, 52pim, +40
- Dupuy was part of the loaded Sault Ste. Marie that lost to the Erie Otters in the Western Conference Finals. Dupuy is a bottom 6 forward that uses his body and work ethic to make a living. I’d expect him to do the same in Rochester next year. Elmira might be a destination if he does not transition well.
Jack Eichel: C, (R) 6’2” 196lbs (BUF ‘15 1st, #2)
- Boston University (NCAA): 41gp, 26g, 45a, 71pts, 28pim, +51
- The man, the myth, the legend. At 18 years-old, Eichel is likely to be playing for the Buffalo Sabres come this fall, but as he says, “I have to make the team”. True, but he will.
Union and Blue
Giorgio Estephan: C, (R) 6’0” 188lbs (BUF ‘15 6th, #152)
- Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL): 64gp, 23g, 28a, 51pts, 18pim, -1
- Giorgio has potential as a playmaking center. As we know, that is the toughest position for a forward, so he needs plenty of time to develop his overall game. Expect Estephan to play in the WHL then the AHL for years to come. By the time he is 22, 23, or 24 years-old, he could be a big factor for the Americans
Hudson Fasching: RW, (R) 6’2” 207 lbs (LAK ’13 4th, #118)
- University of Minnesota(NCAA) : 38gp, 12g, 14a, 26pts, 24pim, +18
- After a down sophomore year, Fasching will return to Minnesota looking to continue his domination below the dots and along the walls. We saw his potential at the World Junior Championship and I could see Fasching leaving school to head to Rochester at the end of his season.
Zemgus Girgensons: C, (L) 6’1” 190lbs (BUF ‘13 1st, #14)
- Buffalo Sabres (NHL): 61gp, 15g, 15a, 30pts, 25pim, -16
- As long as Girgensons’ ankle is alright, this is just another opportunity to get on the ice and compete after missing time at the end of the season. He’s a lock for a Sabres roster spot.
Colin Jacobs: C, (R) 6’1” 200lbs (BUF ’11 4th, #107)
- Elmira Jackals (ECHL): 40gp, 5g, 8a, 13pts, 113, -15
- Rochester Americans (AHL): 9gp, 1g, 1a, 2pts, 19pim, -2
- Jacobs is a tough player, but I wouldn’t expect him to make it past the Americans 3rd line. 2015-16 is his last year of his contract.
Vaclav Karabacek: RW, (R) 6’0” 190lbs (BUF ‘14 2nd, #49)
- Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL): 31gp, 11g, 14a, 25pts, 44pim, -1
- Baie Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL): 28gp, 6g, 9a, 15pts, 19pim, -1
- Karabacek is solid offensively, but just needs time in juniors and the AHL level to establish an all-around game. He will be headed back to the QMJHL this fall.
Justin Kea: C, (R) 6’4” 201lbs (BUF ‘12 3rd, #73)
- Rochester Americans (AHL): 26gp, 2g, 0a, 56pim, -6
- Elmira Jackals (ECHL): 35gp, 5g, 7a, 12pts, 65pim, -15
- Justin Kea is a big body that will likely be taking over the 4th line center position in Rochester. I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes between Rochester and Elmira while he continues to build an arsenal to go along with his large frame.
Sean Malone: C, (L) 6’0” 190lbs (BUF ’13 6th, #159)
- Harvard University (NCAA): 21gp, 8g, 10a, 18pts, 12pim, +2
- Malone, from West Seneca almost put up a point per game season on a solid Harvard squad. He will definitely be headed back to Harvard to play against older guys and getting an education before he would think about leaving for Rochester.
Johan Larsson: LW/C, (L) 5’10” 200lbs (MIN ’10 2nd, #56)
- Rochester Americans (AHL): 44gp, 15g, 25a, 40pts, 38pim, +12
- Buffalo Sabres (NHL): 39gp, 6g, 10a, 16pts, 12pim, 0+/-
- Johan Larsson really turned it on at the end of the year for the abysmal Sabres, but with all the new additions, Larsson will likely be left fighting for playing time for the Sabres.
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Jack Nevins: LW, (L) 6’2” 205lbs (Undrafted)
- Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL): 32gp, 0g, 0a, 0pts, 88pim, -8
- Rochester Americans (AHL): 13gp, 0g, 0a, 0pts, 10pim, -5
- Jack Nevins had a rough year to say the least, but he isn’t going to wow you with points anyways. He’ll be either a 4th liner for the Americans, scratched, or down in Elmira.
Victor Olofsson: LW, (L) [19 years-old) 5’10” 176lbs (BUF ‘14 7th, #181)
- MODO J20 (SuperElite): 6gp, 1g, 3a, 4pts, 0pim, -1
- MODO (SHL): 39gp 10g, 8a, 18pts, 4pim, -1
- Timra IK (Allsvenskan, Loan): 8gp, 2g, 0a, 2pts, 0pim, 0+/-
- Olofsson is an undersized winger that has good offensive instincts. He has a lot of speed and that make him a threat every time he touches the puck. He will return to MODO for another year in the SHL before thinking of coming overseas.
Gustav Possler: RW/LW, (L) 6’0″ 183lbs (BUF ’13 5th, #130)
- MODO (SHL): 47gp, 9g, 12a, 21pts, 8pim, 0+/-
- Possler is a strong skater with a high caliber release. He can put the puck in the net and is gifted offensively. Even though he is a lefty, he likes stepping in off the boards on the right side. An overall game is needed to make the NHL and Possler will return to the SHL to work on his craft.
Sam Reinhart: C, (R) 6’1” 190lbs (BUF ‘14 1st, #2)
- Buffalo Sabres (NHL): 9g, 0g, 1a, 1pt, 2pim, -1
- Kootney Ice (WHL): 47gp, 19g, 46a, 65pts, 20pim, +6
- Rochester Americans (AHL): 3gp 0g, 3a, 3pts, 0pim, 0+/-
- The genius on skates returns to Buffalo after his nine-game stint before his return to Kootney of the WHL. Expect him to lead the young prospects along with Jack Eichel. Even though many assume Eichel will make the Sabres, it is still a toss up to see where Reinhart fits with the new-look Sabres. If he ends up in Rochester, I wouldn’t expect him to stay there long.
Evan Rodrigues: RW, (R) 5’11” 179lbs (Undrafted)
- Boston University (NCAA): 41gp, 21g, 40a, 61pts, 31pim, +30
- Rodrigues is coming of his senior season where he was line mates with Jack Eichel at BU. He was a leader of the Terriers (wearing an “A”) and provided a lot of offensive chances with his speed, hands, and work ethic.
Tim Schaller: C/LW, (L) 6’2” 209lbs (Undrafted)
Mar 14, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Tim Schaller (59) during the game against the New York Rangers at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
- Rochester Americans (AHL): 65gp, 15g, 28a, 43pts, 116pim, +3
- Buffalo Sabres (NHL): 18gp, 1g, 1a, 2pts, 2pim, -5
- Schaller was a surprise for the Americans putting up solid numbers during a miserable year. He is more known for being a defense-first center, but if he continues to produce at the AHL level and maintains his solid defensive skills, he will be making his way into the Sabres bottom 6 in the near future. He is 24 years-old, so I can’t be sure he will or will not be at the development camp.
Maxwell Willman: C/LW, (L) 6’0” 190lbs (BUF ‘14 5th, #121)
- Brown University (NCAA): 30gp, 1g, 2a, 3pts, 12pim, -13
- Willman had a lackluster year on a Brown squad that did not perform too well. He will be entering his sophomore year, but I predict he won’t be leaving school until after his senior year. Willman will do a lot of the little things right and more time to develop will do a lot of good for Max.
Defenseman
Brady Austin: (L) 6’4” 225 lbs (BUF ‘12 7th, #193)
- Rochester Americans (AHL): 66 gp, 1g, 9a, 10pts, 31pim, -16
- Elmira Jackels (ECHL): 1gp, 0g, 0a, 0pts, 0pim, 0+/-
- A defensive defenseman playing his first year as a pro should be looking to make the top 6 in Rochester. I wouldn’t be surprised if Rochester gets overloaded, Austin will be the first one sent to Elmira. He has the size, just needs to polish different part of his game.
Will Borgen: (R) 6’2” 190lbs (BUF ‘15 4th, #92)
- Moorhead High (USHS): 24gp, 3g, 16, 19, 22pim, -1
- Omaha Lancers (USHL): 18gp, 1g, 5a, 6pts, 0pim, -2
- Borgen likes to play the body and jump up into the play. He’s young and will be heading to St. Cloud State to begin his college career. Expect him to play there for a solid 3 years. The NCAA is a great place for young guys to play against men instead of the CHL.
Ivan Chukarov: (L) 6’2” 198lbs (BUF ‘15 7th, #182)
- Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL): 55gp, 12g, 31a, 43pts, 63pim, +38
- Chukarov is an offensive defenseman headed to UMass this fall for his freshman year. He will have good competition in Hockey East, so expect him to be in the NCAA for at least 3 years.
Anthony Florentino: (R) 6’2” 209lbs (BUF ‘13 5th, #143)
- Providence College (NCAA): 40gp, 3g,11a, 14pts, 25pim, +15
- Florentino was part of the NCAA Champion Friars that defeated his new fellow teammates: Eichel and Rodrigues. He’s a solid all-around defenseman who likes to take the body. He can skate the puck and shoot with power and accuracy. With such a solid program Providence has become and Florentino becoming a staple on the back end this coming fall for his junior season, I expect him to play there for the next 2 seasons before coming to Rochester
Brendan Guhle: (L) 6’2” 181lbs (BUF ‘15 2nd, #51)
- Prince Albert Raiders (WHL): 72gp, 5g, 27a, 32pts, 36pim, -6
- Guhle is very young but is an exceptional skater and solid puck mover. He’s poised when it comes to the physicality of the game and can log plenty of ice time. He will likely play in the WHL until he is ready to come to Rochester, but when he does, look out; Guhle could become a top defenseman for the Amerks quickly.
Jerome Leduc: (R) 6’0” 185lbs (BUF ‘10 3rd, #68)
- Rochester Americans (AHL): 76gp, 6g, 19a, 25pts, 59pim, -11
- Leduc is an offensive defenseman that has decent speed and offensive skills, but his all around game is still shaky. He is a liability in the defensive end and needs to work on being as physical as possible with his size. If he can do this and continue to produce on the offensive end, he could see himself more ice time down with the Amerks.
Brycen Martin: (L) 6’2” 198lbs (BUF ‘14 3rd, #74)
- Swift Current Broncos (WHL): 39gp, 2g, 14a, 16pts, 22pim, +1
- Saskatoon Blades (WHL): 30gp, 5g, 17a, 22pts, 19pim, -14
- Rochester Americans (AHL): 2gp, 0g, 0a, 0pts, 0pim, -2
- Martin has above average puck moving abilities and has some wheels as well. He can log a lot of minutes and will do so in his final year in the WHL. Once his season is done, he will join the Americans.
Jake McCabe: (L) 6’1” 205lbs (BUF ‘12 2nd, #44)
- Rochester Americans (AHL): 57gp, 5g, 24a, 29pts, 50pim, -3
- Buffalo Sabres (NHL): 2gp, 0g, 0a, 0pts, 0pim, 0+/-
- Jake McCabe is a decent skater with surprisingly good puck movement abilities. He can play the physical game as well. Overall, he’s a solid two-way defenseman with plenty of time to improve his game. I think he will be a depth defenseman for the Sabres, but I would like to see him play top-2 minutes in Rochester if not.
Mark Pysyk: (R) 6’1” 187lbs (BUF ‘10 1st, #23)
Jan 14, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth (1) defends the net as defenseman Mark Pysyk (3) and Philadelphia Flyers left wing Michael Raffl (12) look for the puck during the game at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
- Rochester Americans (AHL): 54gp, 3g, 14a, 17pts, 32pim, -2
- Buffalo Sabres (NHL): 7gp, 2g, 1a, 3pts, 2pim, -2
- Pysyk will finally get his opportunity with the Sabres. His game will never wow you, but Mark is always in the right position and seems to be making the right play. His defensive zone coverage is solid and we even have seen glimpses of some offensive production. He will likely start the year as the #5 or #6 defenseman.
Rasmus Ristolainen: (L) 6’3” 207lbs (BUF ‘13 1st, #8)
- Buffalo Sabres (NHL): 78gp, 8g, 12a, 20pts, 26pim, -32
- Risto is about as calm as they come. It looks as if nothing phases this kid. He is brutal along the boards and in front of the net. He also makes good passes and has a cannon from the point. No doubt he is in the top-4 next year for the Sabres.
Devante Stephens: (L) 6’1” 174lbs (BUF ‘15 5th, #122)
- Kelowna Rockets (WHL): 64gp, 4g, 7a, 11pts, 33pim, +17
- Stephens was a rookie this year in the WHL and progressed immensely. He has been called a steal for where he was drafted. Devante is a player that can skate well, but won’t blow you away with anything. He is a solid player, but will need to continue getting experience. He’ll be in the WHL until he is able to come to Rochester.
Goalies
Jonas Johansson: Catches (L) 6’4” 198lbs (BUF ‘14 3rd, #61)
- Brynas J20 (SuperElit): 13gp, 3.62 GAA, .886 S%
- Brynas (SHL): 2gp, 6.30 GAA, .896 S%
- Almutuna (Allsvenskan, Loan): 9gp, 2.58 GAA, .896 S%
- Johansson is a big body in the 4 x 6 and likes to play deep in his net like Lundqvist. He has the size and the potential, but he needs time to develop. Where he lands next year is up to his SHL Club: Brynas.
Nathan Lieuwen: Catches (L) 6’5” 185lbs (BUF ‘11 6th, #167)
- Rochester American (AHL): 16gp, 3.29 GAA, .883 S%
- Lieuwen has had an unfortunate history with concussions which have put roadblocks in his development. As long as Lieuwen stays healthy, he can use his gigantic frame and athleticism to make a solid amount of starts in Rochester.
Andrey Makarov: Catches (L) 6’1” 178lbs (Undrafted)
Sep 28, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Andrey Makarov (35) guards the net against Toronto Maple Leafs in the third period at Air Canada Centre. Maple Leafs won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports
- Rochester Americans (AHL): 39gp, 2.91 GAA, .905 S%
- Buffalo Sabres (NHL): 1gp, 3.00 GAA, .9.17 S%
- Makarov has shown promise, but so far he hasn’t won the Amerks starting the job. His quickness and athletic abilities are what he relies on to play at a high level, but he needs to work on his consistency and positioning. Expect him to be in the goalie race down in Rochester
Cal Petersen: Catches (L) 6’1” 182lbs (BUF ‘13 5th, #129)
- Notre Dame (NCAA): 33gp, 2.51 GAA, .919 S%
- After Peterson won the starting job as a freshman, his season was highlighted by an 87 save, 4OT loss to UMass. Peterson showed poise, skill, and the ability to battle during his first campaign in South Bend. Expect Peterson to be in a goalie battle again and win it next season. He will be there for at least 3 years.
Linus Ullmark: Catches (L) 6’3″ 198lbs (BUF ’12 6th, #163)
- MODO (SHL): 35gp, 3.12 GAA, .905 S%
- The former SHL Goaltender of the Year had a down year, but he is still regarded as one of the better goalies in the Sabres’ system. He is coming across the Atlantic to join the Americans after he recovers from offseason hip surgery. He will definitely not be at the Development Camp.
Next: Buffalo Sabres Sign Pair of Free Agents
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