Buffalo Sabres: 4 most intriguing prospects in the system
The Buffalo Sabres have intriguing prospects all across the system. Here are four prospects to watch from each corner of that system.
The Buffalo Sabres have a bright future as it is, and their prospect pool is among the best in the NHL. And there are four intriguing prospects you will want to keep an eye on this season.
Today’s article is not about prospects that will play for the Sabres in 2022-23, or even next year, for that matter. But they are names you want to know and even follow since their chances of eventually sneaking their way onto the roster three to five years from today are high.
Let’s meet these prospects and explore why they are such hot commodities this season. Starting with one of the most interesting at the AHL level.
The Buffalo Sabres have four intriguing prospects from every corner. Prospect #1 – Lukas Rousek, AHL
Drafted in 2019 at 160th overall, Rousek finally saw time with the Rochester Americans last season. He overcame a torn ACL and missed 57 games for the Americans in 2021-22, but he finally made it onto the ice late and played in 19 games.
Unfortunately, his numbers were barren, with just four points in those contests that included one goal. However, he had a rebound campaign in 10 playoff games, sinking six points and two goals.
Now with the likes of Arttu Ruotsalainen playing in Switzerland and Jack Quinn and J.J. Peterka most likely moving up to the Buffalo Sabres roster, expect Rousek’s role to increase in Rochester. There is also an outside chance Brett Murray moves up and sees time in Buffalo, which will only give Rousek more playing time.
I am expecting Rousek to be fully healthy this season and continue the trend he set in the playoffs. Look for a 45-50 point outing from the former sixth-round pick.
Matteo Costantini, NCAA/North Dakota
Costantini just completed his first season at the University of North Dakota, logging 21 points in 35 games. One reason I have him on this list as my most intriguing NCAA prospect is that he turned heads in Buffalo Sabres development camp and he proved last season that he is among the system’s most versatile players.
Costantini, who will turn 20 on August 16th, displays decent size for his age at 6’1, 187lb, with the ability to pack on a few more pounds of muscle this season. When he arrived at North Dakota last year, the center showed off his versatility when he bumped out to left wing given the number of centers already in the lineup.
His coach at North Dakota, Brad Berry, praised Costantini for the forward’s ability to adjust quickly and willingly step into his role. And now that he has one season of college hockey under him, look for Costantini to break out in 2022-23, regardless if he is playing center or winger.
Of course, most eyes will remain on the likes of Devon Levi, Erik Portillo, and Ryan Johnson. But if there is one second-tier NCAA prospect to watch this year, it is Costantini, with Aaron Huglen receiving an honorable mention.
Josh Bloom, Junior Hockey/Saginaw Spirit
In 2021, the Buffalo Sabres selected Bloom with the 95th pick and he has since been looked at as a steal. The left-winger has already packed on decent size, at 6’2, 183lb, but like Costantini, he still has room to grow. However, he is further along in his game from a statistical standpoint, having put up 61 points in 67 games for the Saginaw Spirit, 30 of which went in for goals.
Something that jumps out about Bloom is the fact he is neither a pass-first nor shoot-first forward. Instead, he is in the process of mastering both arts, depending on what he sees in front of him. His ability to read opponents and make decisions accordingly is one of a few reasons you will see him in the AHL come 2023-24.
As for 2022-23, Bloom will return to the Saginaw Spirit, where you will see him start to take over games. The Spirit was one of the OHL’s worst last season, but you can expect Bloom to change that narrative.
Gustav Karlsson, Sweden/Örebro HK J20
Karlsson is at least three seasons away from even making the trip to North America, but you got to love his potential. Yes, he is a slim prospect, at 6’1, 165lb, but what makes Karlsson so dangerous is his production at the J20 Nationell level.
He was a goal-scoring machine, finding twine 31 times in just 41 contests in 2021-22. He also tacked on 17 assists, giving him 48 total points for the year. He scored so often, that no one else on Örebro HK J20 reached the 30-goal mark.
He also saw two games at the SHL level, but you shouldn’t expect Karlsson to join Örebro HK J20’s parent club on a full-time basis until 2023-24, in which he should spend at least two seasons playing for them.
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Projected by some to go as high as the fourth round, it is safe to say Karlsson could be a steal at 187th overall. But, you won’t see the fruits of that until at least 2025-26.
(Statistics provided by Elite-Prospects)