Buffalo Sabres Top Prospects #1-5

For the Buffalo Sabres, a host of solid prospects makes the future of the team a potentially bright one. From guys like Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart to Justin Bailey, Jake McCabe and more, the Buffalo Sabres have plenty of good prospects, as was seen in the team’s recent development camp.

But who are the top guys? It depends on who you ask, though there are guaranteed to be some names that will show up on everyone’s list, like Eichel and Reinhart.

For our purposes, we’re looking only at players who have appeared in less than 25 NHL games. If you missed part one, where we looked at prospects six through 10, check that out here. Without further ado, here are (as judged by yours truly) the top five prospects of the Buffalo Sabres.

5. Jake McCabe

McCabe, 21, is arguably one of the Sabres’ best defensive prospects at this point. (Mark Pysyk misses the list, as he’s appeared in more than 25 NHL games.) McCabe has limited NHL experience, having appeared in nine NHL games over the past two seasons. But he made his AHL debut this past year and appeared in 57 games with the Rochester Americans, notching 29 points and adding 50 penalty minutes in that time. It remains to be seen where he’ll end up this season; it may be back in the AHL if there isn’t an immediate NHL spot for him, but he should certainly get a good look at a call-up and a solid future ahead.

4. Hudson Fasching

The 19-year-old could possibly be the Buffalo Sabres’ top collegiate prospect, currently playing with the University of Minnesota. He put up 26 points (12-14) in 38 games last season with the Big-10 club, and as a freshman the year prior, notched 30 points in 40 games. the USNTDP product came to Buffalo as part of the swap that sent Brayden McNabb to LA. SabresProspects.com lauded Fasching for his versatility.

3. Nick Baptiste

Baptiste, 19, has spent the last four seasons playing in the Ontario Hockey League, mostly with the Sudbury Wolves. This past season was split between Sudbury and Erie, where Baptiste played alongside top NHL draft prospects Connor McDavid and Dylan Strome. In 41 games with Erie, Baptiste put up 53 points (26-27). He also added 23 points in just 20 playoff games with the Otters. He’s a solid third-round pick who should develop quite nicely as he continues to grow his game.

2. Sam Reinhart

Many were surprised last season when the Buffalo Sabres returned Reinhart to his WHL club, but it allowed him to continue growing as a player and developing his game, and now he should be more ready than ever to take things to the next level. His nine games of NHL experience were a limited showing of what he can do; look for him, surrounded by guys like Evander Kane, Eichel and co., to be a strong force to be reckoned with in the future, and to be one of those cornerstone players in the coming years with the Buffalo Sabres.

1. Jack Eichel

Let’s face it: there’s no better name to top the list of Buffalo Sabres prospects than Eichel. He is, without a doubt, the top Buffalo Sabres prospect at this point, even though he’s never played a game in the league and has only worn a Sabres jersey a handful of times at the draft and in development camp. There’s obviously that wildcard factor here, as there is with any player who has yet to play in the NHL. You really *don’t* know what to expect from them, and you can’t possibly predict what they’re going to do. But Eichel almost certainly has a bright future ahead as just one piece of the Buffalo Sabres’ up-and-comers.

Next: Five Sabres' Home Games to Watch

5. Jake McCabe

4. Hudson Fasching

3. Nick Baptiste

2. Sam Reinhart

1. Jack Eichel

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