Checking in on the Buffalo Sabres’ prospects currently playing overseas
By Ryan Brennan
The Buffalo Sabres loaned forward Arttu Ruotsalainen to Ilves in the Finnish Liiga, the same league as two other prospects — Luukkonen and Laaksonen.
Arttu Ruotsalainen was signed to a three-year entry level contract by the Buffalo Sabres in May of 2019. He has had tremendous success in the Finnish Liiga, spending the past three seasons there with Ilves — now entering his fourth.
He also has two years experience with the Porin Ässät in the Finnish Liiga, prior to his time with Ilves.
Ruotsalainen is certainly a name to keep an eye on this training camp. He has yet to make his debut on North American ice and hasn’t suited up in a Sabres or Amerks jersey yet, but that time is sure to come soon.
He managed to score 9 goals and record 11 assists in his first year with Ilves, but has increased the intensity the past two seasons — combining for 36 goals and 49 assists in just 103 games. He’s been on fire in Finland and will continue to develop until his long-awaited debut.
More. Eric Staal brings much-needed experience to the Sabres. light
It’ll be interesting to see how he adjusts to the NHL’s style of play after competing against competition in Finland for so long.
That’s not to say Finland doesn’t have good competition — because it does. It is, however, nothing like the NHL.
Another thing to keep in mind is that Ruotsalainen stands just 5-foot-8 and weighs just 181 pounds. Without a big frame, he’ll need to make up for that with speed, intelligence, puck handling, and playmaking.
He’s shown he can do that thus far, but we’ll have to wait and see.