Buffalo Sabres Prospect Challenge Line Projections

By Joseph DiBiase |

The Buffalo Sabres’ announcement of a prospects challenge against the New Jersey Devils and Boston Bruins means that we will once again get to see the Sabres top prospects on the ice. The likes of Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart, Justin Bailey, Nick Baptiste, etc. I, like many fans, have fun putting together lines for the real team on the ice, so why not do it for the prospects?

When making a potential roster it is important to note that prospects currently playing in the NCAA and Sweden start their seasons early and cannot attend the challenge. There will be no Hudson Fasching, Connor Hurley, Sean Malone, Victor Olofsson, etc.

Line 1: Jack Eichel- Sam Reinhart- Nick Baptiste

Yes I would put Eichel and Reinhart on the same line together, and yes I would put Eichel on the wing. Reason being that I liked Reinhart more than I did Eichel at development camp. Also, I want to see more of Reinhart at center. We know that Eichel will be a center going forward, but we don’t know for sure with Reinhart yet. With Girgensons and O’Reilly established they don’t need to force Reinhart at center. I would love to see Eichel and Reinhart playing together and just dominating. It would be fun to watch, and putting a finisher like Baptiste on the wing makes the line perfect.

Line 2: Evan Rodrigues- Dan Catenacci- Justin Bailey

This line consists of three players that will all be in Rochester this season. Many would put Rodrigues next to Eichel, but I’ve seen him with Eichel and I would like to see how he does with other prospects. Catenacci is a player that needs to take a step in his development soon if he wants to get past the AHL, so this would be an opportunity to show he can. These three could all be potential call ups for the Sabres this year. Bailey is a great stickhandler and playmaker so putting him with two players with good shots would allow him to have the puck and have success.

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Line 3: William Carrier- Eric Cornel- Vaclav Karabacek

The combination of Carrier and Karabacek’s playmaking with Cornel’s great shot makes this a dangerous line. While Cornel and Karabacek are very unpolished, Carrier now has a year of pro experience so he should help provide some “veteran” qualities to this line.

Line 4: Jack Nevins- Justin Kea- Giorgio Estephan

Talk about a goon line. Nevins is the definition of a g0on, while Kea adds more skill to his heavyweight fighting ability. Estephan does not fit the mold of the line, but he deserves to play after having a good development camp.

Pairing 1: Jake McCabe- Brendan Guhle

McCabe is by far the best defenseman on this team, and could make the NHL this season. He no doubt plays big minutes on the top pairing. Guhle was this year’s 2nd round pick, and is now the highest drafted defenseman left in the system who has yet to play in the NHL. Letting him play with a guy with pro experience should help his development.

Pairing 2: Brycen Martin- Brady Austin

Martin was a 3rd round pick two years ago and played well at development camp. He likes to jump up in the offensive rush, so pairing him with a stay at home guy like Brady Austin makes this a good fit.

Pairing 3: Josh Chapman- Devante Stephens

Josh Chapman did it. He earned himself a job at development camp. The player fans enjoyed watching a month ago will probably be playing at the prospect challenge. I thought Devante Stephens had a bad development camp. He is very raw. His skating was maybe the worst of any player at camp, and was out of position multiple times. However, he still has skill and was taken in round five, so there’s absolutely no pressure on him.

Starting Goalie: Andrey Makarov

Makarov attended the development camp, but played very little due to an injury. He’ll be competing for a job in Rochester this season so Tim Murray will want to see as much of him as possible. He’s also the best goalie eligible to play in this challenge.

Backup Goalie: Austin Lotz

Lotz was a camp invitee at development camp, and played pretty well. He’s not Sabres property, but Tim Murray has no one else to backup Makarov. Ullmark is recovering from his hip injuries, Johansson is back in Sweden, Cal Peterson is back at Notre Dame, and Jason Kasdorf back at RPI.

Overall this is a solid team, and should easily be the best team at the prospect challenge. Neither the Bruins or the Devils have prospects at the level of Eichel and Reinhart. The Bruins will have an advantage with Malcolm Subban in net, but past that the Sabres are the best at each position.

Next: Sabres a good fit for Cody Franson

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