Sabres news: Isak Rosen adds playmaking skills to Sabres prospect pool

In the day leading up to draft night, the Buffalo Sabres added another first-round pick to go along with their first overall pick. They traded defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen to the Philadelphia Flyers for the 14th overall pick, a 2023 second-round draft pick, and defenseman Robert Hagg. The Sabres turned that first-round pick into forward prospect Isak Rosen.

Rosen joined Owen Power as a 2021 Buffalo first-round pick. At only 18-years-old, just like Power, Rosen has plenty of time to develop. He is currently listed at 5 ft 11 inches tall and weighs 159 lbs. Rosen has been praised by scouts to have incredible playmaking abilities and great speed and stick handling.

The Sabres have obviously had very little success over the past decade, with zero playoff appearances to show for it. And the addition of Rosen and Owen Power alone is not going to propel them to a playoff spot right away. But these additions are safe, high ceiling acquisitions that could prove to be successful over the next few years in Buffalo.

There are a lot of young forwards that Rosen will join in the Sabres organization. This young forward group is headlined by Dylan Cozens, who had a very successful rookie year in Buffalo last season. Jack Quinn is another name that Sabres fans should get used to seeing going into this upcoming season.

Quinn played last season in the AHL for the Rochester Americans, but his season ended early due to undergoing hernia surgery. But the 19-year-old forward will likely be joining the Sabres sooner rather than later given the current state of the rebuild going on in Buffalo. The Sabres have nothing to lose by giving young players ample playing time in the NHL.

Adding Rosen in the first round of the draft added more talent to an already talented young group of prospects in Buffalo. Although the Sabres are not in a position to compete right now, they are setting themselves up for future success by adding talented prospects.