Sabre Noise
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Checking in on the Buffalo Sabres’ prospects currently playing overseas

By Ryan Brennan

MONTREAL, QC - DECEMBER 27: Arttu Ruotsalainen #22 of Team Finland skates during the IIHF World Junior Championship preliminary round game against Team Denmark at the Bell Centre on December 27, 2016 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Team Denmark defeated Team Finland 3-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - DECEMBER 27: Arttu Ruotsalainen #22 of Team Finland skates during the IIHF World Junior Championship preliminary round game against Team Denmark at the Bell Centre on December 27, 2016 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Team Denmark defeated Team Finland 3-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO,ON – SEPTEMBER 21: Rasmus Asplund #74 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL pre-season game at Scotiabank Arena on September 21, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Sabres 5-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

The Buffalo Sabres loaned center Rasmus Asplund to the Västerås IK in Sweden, but is expected back in time for training camp.

Rasmus Asplund was a second-round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres back in 2016. After finishing his fourth season with the Färjestad BK in the Swedish Hockey League, he signed a three-year entry level contract with the Sabres in 2018.

Over the past two years, Asplund spent time on both the Buffalo Sabres’ roster and Rochester Americans’ roster. He played a total of 108 games with the Amerks, totaling 13 goals and 47 assists. He also added one goal and two assists with Buffalo in 29 games.

Of the players on this list, Asplund is likely the one with the best shot at a roster spot this season. He has a lot of potential as a two-way player and plays a smart brand of hockey. He might not be the most physical guy on the ice, but he sure is a hard-worker.

It would’ve been nice to see him produce a little more at the NHL level, much like he did in the AHL, but I’m sure that will come with experience. Keep in mind, this kid is just 22 years old and has a lot of room to grow still.

With this being the final season of his entry-level contract, he’ll need to show the team he’s worth a contract past this upcoming season. Receiving some more playing time on the Sabres would definitely help, but he’ll need to put together a solid training camp for that to happen.

Of course, his time in Sweden will definitely help.

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