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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) /
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BEIJING, CHINA – FEBRUARY 12: Owen Power #22 of Team Canada in action during the Men’s Ice Hockey Preliminary Round Group A match between Team Canada and Team United States on Day 8 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium on February 12, 2022 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty images)
BEIJING, CHINA – FEBRUARY 12: Owen Power #22 of Team Canada in action during the Men’s Ice Hockey Preliminary Round Group A match between Team Canada and Team United States on Day 8 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium on February 12, 2022 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty images) /

Josh Bloom, Nikita Novikov, Olivier Nadeau, Prokhor Poltapov, Aleksandr Kisakov, Isak Rosen, Owen Power

Bloom has 38 points split between 19 goals and 19 assists with the Saginaw Spirit. He’s still young and anything can happen between now and when he’s AHL ready. Right now, good early returns has the needle pointing north.

Novikov carries an imposing size. He’s not much of a scorer right now, but his discipline shows with few penalty minutes. Good at disrupting plays with the stick and forcing opponents to change direction. The burning question is this: Will he opt for the road to the KHL or the NHL?

Nadeau is enjoying a stellar career in the QMJHL with 90 points in 67 appearances. He’s a shoo-in to play in Rochester and possibly work his way to the NHL. We’ll see if his successful junior career translates to the AHL.

Poltapov doesn’t score often, but he provides a physical presence. If he opts for the road to the NHL, he’s the type of prospect you put onto the energy line. But, will the KHL lure him? If he comes over to North America, Poltapov won’t receive a ton of ice time. But his playing style packs a punch. An energy-liner, perhaps?

Kisakov is a smallish player but he can score, with 43 points in 42 games this season in the MHL. He also has experience in the KHL with Dynamo Moskva. He can build a career in the KHL, but that doesn’t mean the Sabres’ organization can’t lure him to North America.

Like Kisakov, Rosen is a smallish prospect and he shows off speed, with the ability to catch and control the puck without slowing down. Unfortunately, he’s got a long way to go before even considering a move to North America. He’s got potential, but don’t expect him to show even in the AHL for at least two years.

Related Story. Buffalo Sabres: Bold predictions for players under 24. light

Regardless of how good the Sabres will be three years from today, Owen Power will get his chance. So far, he’s impressed in Michigan and continues to be one of the faces of their entire athletics program. A two-way player with an imposing presence, Power will work his way through the ranks like any other prospect. But expect an expedited pace once he leaves Michigan.

(All statistics provided by Hockey-Reference, Hockey DB, and Elite Prospects)

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