Sabre Noise
Fansided

Buffalo Sabres: Projecting the future of 20 prospects

By Sion Fawkes

ELMONT, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 30: Peyton Krebs #19 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the New York Islanders at the UBS Arena on December 30, 2021 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
ELMONT, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 30: Peyton Krebs #19 of the Buffalo Sabres skates against the New York Islanders at the UBS Arena on December 30, 2021 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Buffalo Sabres
May 1, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (54) during the second period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

Matej Pekar, Mattias Samuelsson

Pekar has his work cut out for him. So far, he leads the Amerks with 50 penalty minutes and has just 11 points in 60 appearances. He will need a fast turnaround for the Sabres to even consider him for a call-up. Maybe he’ll get a chance somewhere else, but it won’t be with Buffalo.

If the Sabres go younger, expect Samuelsson to solidify a spot on the second pairing or at worst, the third. A physical player with an imposing presence, Samuelsson isn’t going to rack up the points. But he will rack up the hits and disrupt plays.

Samuelsson may keep bouncing back and forth from Rochester to Buffalo if the Sabres elect not to move Mark Pysyk or Colin Miller by the trade deadline. Either way, he’ll find a permanent spot on the Sabres sooner than later. Especially as a grinder, as 31 hits and 27 blocks in 21 appearances is nothing to scoff at.

Home/Sabres Prospects