Buffalo Sabres: What to expect from the Prospects Challenge?

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Development camp was not the only place to see the Buffalo Sabres prospects in action. September’s Prospects Challenge presents another opportunity.

If you are looking to see the Buffalo Sabres prospects in action but you missed development camp, don’t fear, there is still the Prospects Challenge you can look forward to. The event will include top prospects from six NHL franchises, and it will give Sabres prospects a chance to test their skills against those from other organizations.

This puts the Prospects Challenge a rung higher than development camp, since each prospect knew who they were facing and had three days to learn the tendencies of one another. So with the aura of mystery out there, we will get a first-hand look as to just how far along the development curve our favorite prospects are.

QUEBEC CITY, QC – OCTOBER 26: Olivier Nadeau #20 of the Shawinigan Cataractes and Charle Truchon #47 of the Quebec Remparts battle for the puck during their QMJHL hockey game at the Videotron Center on October 26, 2019 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Mathieu Belanger/Getty Images) /

What is the Prospects Challenge and who does it involve next to the Buffalo Sabres?

The Prospects Challenge begins on September 15th and will end on September 19th. The Buffalo Sabres prospects are slated to play in three games, with the puck dropping against the Montreal Canadiens prospects at 7pm on the 15th. They will also face prospects from the New Jersey Devils on the 17th at 7pm, before wrapping up play against the Ottawa Senators on the 19th at 1:30pm.

And just like development camp, the event takes place at the LECOM Harborcenter and it will also include prospects from the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins. So, as you may have guessed, the Prospects Challenge is practically a regional event.

LAVAL, QC – APRIL 08: Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen #1 of the Rochester Americans skates during stoppage in the second period against the Laval Rocket at Place Bell on April 8, 2022 in Laval, Canada. The Laval Rocket defeated the Rochester Americans 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

Which Sabres prospects are involved?

It is important to remember that you won’t see every prospect from development camp at the Prospects Challenge. But there are many possible names from the Buffalo Sabres pool that may be attending.

Some possible players include Jack Quinn, J.J. Peterka, and Owen Power, all of whom are favorites to find a spot on the Sabres main roster. Since Power is already slated to play in the NHL full-time, his status does remain uncertain.

We unfortunately will not be seeing Devon Levi or Erik Portillo in the Prospects Challenge, since the timing is incompatible with the NCAA. The same goes for some European prospects. However, we may see Matthew Savoie if he is cleared to play, plus Jiri Kulich, but odds are, we will not see Noah Ostlund.

Isak Rosen is a possibility, as is Aleksandr Kisakov, both of whom are likely to suit up for the Rochester Americans this season. Other prospects from the 2022 NHL Draft that might make it include Mats Lindgren and Vsevelod Komarov. The upstart Tyson Kozak, Olivier Nadeau, and Josh Bloom also have a good chance of attending. Ditto for Viljami Marjala.

*Update: Olivier Nadeau will miss four to six months after undergoing shoulder surgery.

So if neither Portillo or Levi will be attending, with slim odds of Topias Leinonen making the show, which goaltender is likely to come over? None other than Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. While it is not confirmed that Luukkonen will be there, he is the greatest possibility as far as goaltenders are concerned.

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – JANUARY 22: Tuomas Hynninen of Finland is challenged by Mats Lindgren of Canada during the Men’s 6-Team Ice Hockey Tournament Finals Bronze Medal Game between Canada and Finland on day 13 of the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympics at Lausanne Vaudoise Arena on January 22, 2020 in Lausanne, Switzerland. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) /

How to access the Prospects Challenge

Well, if you are in Buffalo between September 15th and September 19th, why not attend the event in person? You can purchase tickets to the show for $10 starting in early August and if you happen to hold season tickets, you have the privilege of preferred pricing.

If you live within the local market, you can also catch a live stream of the Prospects Challenge. So even if you won’t be able to attend the show, don’t sweat, as Sabres.com will have you covered. The festivities kick off on Thursday when the Buffalo Sabres prospects face off with those of the Montreal Canadiens. And yes, Juraj Slafkovsky is slated to be among them. Filip Mesar is another noteworthy candidate who may also attend the show.

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And once the Prospects Challenge ends, you won’t need to wait too long to once again access your hockey fix as the NHL Preseason begins the following week on September 25th when the Sabres head into Capital One Arena to face the Washington Capitals. And as I write this article, we are less than two months away! I don’t know about you, but I’m ready!

Article Source: Prospects Challenge to feature 6 teams, 3 games for Sabres by Lance Lysowski

Article Source: Sabres announce schedule for 2022 Prospects Challenge by Chris Ryndak

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