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Buffalo Sabres: Top groups to watch at development camp

By Sion Fawkes

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: Owen Power #25 of the Buffalo Sabres skates in his 1st NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Sabres defeated the Maple Leafs 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: Owen Power #25 of the Buffalo Sabres skates in his 1st NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Sabres defeated the Maple Leafs 5-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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While free agency begins on July 13th, development camp will also kick off for the Buffalo Sabres. And there are a few groups to keep an eye on.

They say every professional sports season commences with its respective draft. But things don’t really heat up until the days and week following the draft in the NHL, as development camp means fans get to watch their favorite prospects in action. And there are plenty within the Buffalo Sabres organization to keep your eye on.

Below, I have listed four groups, ranked my prominence that will be worth paying close attention to at this season’s development camp. While the 2022 Draft Class is definitely what will draw many of us to the camp, there are three other groups you will also want to keep tabs on, including the first one listed.

Buffalo Sabres
BOSTON, MA – MARCH 18: Devon Levi #1 of the Northeastern Huskies makes a save during the second period against the Connecticut Huskies during NCAA men’s hockey in the Hockey East Championship semifinal at TD Garden on March 18, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) /

Who to watch at Buffalo Sabres development camp: Group #1 – Goaltenders

These days, it goes without saying just how dire of a need goaltender is for the Buffalo Sabres. And while they re-signed Craig Anderson and will likely sign someone to bridge the gap, the future may very well lie within the developmental camp’s roster.

Devon Levi is the clear frontrunner here. He is reportedly excited about the camp commencing, and it is very likely he ends up signing with the organization following the 2022-23 NCAA Season. Levi, one of the NCAA’s top goaltenders, will get to showcase his skills against pro-caliber talent.

Topias Leinonen is another one to watch. Drafted 41st overall, many felt the Leinonen pick was a reach. However, he played well for JYP U20, in which the team itself was not very good. Now, he gets an opportunity to show Sabres fans what he can do up-close.

Other names attending camp will be Erik Portillo, Chase Coward, and Zach Stejskal. Portillo opted not to sign with the Sabres following his previous season at Michigan. Coward posted a GAA of 2.51 with a .906 save percentage with the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels. Stejskal is a fringe prospect who has seen action in just 13 games at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, posting a 6-6 record.

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